WO2008140293A1 - Système d'entrepôt - Google Patents

Système d'entrepôt Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008140293A1
WO2008140293A1 PCT/NL2007/000127 NL2007000127W WO2008140293A1 WO 2008140293 A1 WO2008140293 A1 WO 2008140293A1 NL 2007000127 W NL2007000127 W NL 2007000127W WO 2008140293 A1 WO2008140293 A1 WO 2008140293A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
carrier
carriers
retrieval
storage
item
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2007/000127
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Martin Van Esschoten
Richard Ian Mcintosh
Original Assignee
Martin Van Esschoten
Richard Ian Mcintosh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Martin Van Esschoten, Richard Ian Mcintosh filed Critical Martin Van Esschoten
Priority to EP07747309A priority Critical patent/EP2164781A1/fr
Priority to PCT/NL2007/000127 priority patent/WO2008140293A1/fr
Publication of WO2008140293A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008140293A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
    • B65G1/0407—Storage devices mechanical using stacker cranes
    • B65G1/0435—Storage devices mechanical using stacker cranes with pulling or pushing means on either stacking crane or stacking area
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
    • B65G1/137—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
    • B65G1/1373—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed for fulfilling orders in warehouses

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and device for rapidly storing and retrieving items in a warehouse system.
  • Warehouse systems are known in the field of the art.
  • the present invention further relates to a method and device for sorting items.
  • JP20040123244 discloses a system for storing and retrieving plants, fruit and vegetables in a warehouse system.
  • a disadvantage of the system of JP2004123244 is that the plants are generally supported directly by a storage assembly. This is disadvantageous, because the handling of the plants by the system is difficult. Each plant may have significant different physical characteristics which are to be dealt with by the system.
  • the storage system should store for instance 50 identical products for each item type, e.g. 50 tubes of a specific kind of toothpaste. At peak times there could be 250 or more customers. A customer could on average buy 25 separate items. Once a customer has selected all his desired products, he wants to check out, pay and leave within a relatively short time, e.g. within few minutes and preferably within less than a minute. 25 customers might be waiting for their items at a given instant.
  • the storage and retrieval system would in this instance preferably then be capable of retrieving 25 times 25, i.e. 625 specific items from the warehouse and rapidly deliver the selected items to the associated customer. Simultaneously, the retrieved items should be replaced at a similar average rate into the storage system, in order to warrant a continuous supply.
  • At least one object is achieved in a method for storing and retrieving items in a warehouse which comprises at least one storage row for accommodating carriers, each storage row comprising at least one entry position, the carriers supporting items of different kinds, the method comprising: - each time adding a carrier to the at least one storage row at an entry position, such that a plurality of carriers is added to the row via the same entry position;
  • the selected carrier is not necessarily the last carrier in the storage row, but may also be another carrier in the storage row; - retrieving the selected carrier from the storage row by moving the carrier away from the storage row.
  • items can be added to the storage rows on a continuous basis or intermittently. Simultaneously, items can be retrieved on a continuous basis or intermittently. Because of the use of carriers, handling is easy and items of very different size, shape, weight and nature can be stored and retrieved.
  • the carrier When retrieving the carrier, the carrier is moved in a different direction than the direction in which the storage row extends at the position of the carrier.
  • the method has a high volume capability, i.e. a large number of items can be stored and retrieved per unit of time.
  • more than one carrier can be retrieved simultaneously.
  • more than one carrier can be stored simultaneously.
  • items can be retrieved quickly, i.e. without a long waiting time (or response time) between the moment of a retrieval instruction for the item and the moment of delivery of the item.
  • the present invention is scaleable in terms of the number of items that are stored without a substantial deterioration in response time.
  • the response time generally deteriorates with a rise in the number of items that are stored. This scalability also applies for the number of simultaneous retrieval operations, to the sizes of the goods that are stored and to the range of goods that are stored.
  • the present concept is suitable for an automated supermarket, for an automated internet store such as a internet book store. Other applications of the concept are also possible.
  • the method will comprise the step of loading at least one item on a carrier prior to adding the carrier to the storage row.
  • This step may be performed at the warehouse or at a location which is remote from the warehouse.
  • the carriers may be retrieved manually or by a retrieval organ.
  • the routes via which the carriers are loaded into the system and the route via which the carriers are retrieved are different.
  • a portion of the routes are shared by carriers which are loaded and carriers which are shared.
  • the carrier is retrieved from the storage row by- moving the carrier away from the storage row in a direction which is substantially different than the main direction of the storage row at the position of the carrier.
  • this direction will be substantially perpendicular to the main direction of the storage row at the location of the retrieved carrier.
  • retrieval organs there will be a plurality of retrieval organs.
  • the retrieval organs can act simultaneously and independently of one another.
  • At least one carrier carrying an item of a first kind is positioned between two carriers each carrying an item of a second kind.
  • the same items can be spread at least to a certain degree over the available storage space.
  • the retrieval time can be kept short, because on average, the distance of a closest item to a position of the retrieval organ or a movable retrieval person will be shorter than in a situation in which the same items are stored together.
  • the carrier carrying this item may thus be chosen.
  • An optimisation of the response time can in addition be based on a travel distance between a carrier and a collecting station, i.e. by choosing a carrier which has a short travel distance compared to carriers with other same items and thus a short travel time period to a collecting station where a customer collects the item from the carrier.
  • the words Collecting station' indicate a location at which the carrier is delivered and subseguently collected by a user.
  • the words ⁇ delivery station' are also used herein.
  • a response time is defined as the time period between the moment at which an instruction for retrieval of an item is entered into the system and the moment at which the selected item is delivered to a delivery station.
  • the response time may be divided into a retrieval time period and a travel time period.
  • the retrieval time period is the time period required for moving the retrieval arm or person to the selected carrier and then moving the carrier from a storage row to a position on a discharge conveyor directly adjacent the storage row.
  • the travel time period is the time period required for moving the carrier from the position on the storage conveyor to the allocated collecting station.
  • Both the average retrieval time and the average travel time may improve as a result of spreading the same items over the available storage space.
  • the average retrieval time may improve because there will be more combinations of items and retrieval organs to choose from when a particular item is to be selected.
  • the average travel time will improve because when there are more carriers to select from, there are more possible routes from the carrier which is to be retrieved to the allocated collecting station to choose from. It is thus likely that a shorter route is available than in a situation wherein items of one kind are stored together, and these items have a substantially similar travel distance from their respective positions to the allocated collecting station, when the carrier is to be selected.
  • More than one of the same item may be retrieved from different positions within the system simultaneously.
  • a retrieval system comprising at least one retrieval organ, and wherein the retrieval organ retrieves a carrier from the storage row, and wherein prior to the retrieval of a selected carrier the retrieval organ is moved to the carrier.
  • the retrieval organ will each time move to a selected carrier and retrieve it from the row. In this way, a limited number of retrieval organs are necessary.
  • the carriers may be moved toward the retrieval organ.
  • the retrieval organ is moved along the storage row to a selected carrier.
  • the positions of a number of items in the storage row which are of the selected item type are known or determined, and the item is retrieved which has a preferred position.
  • the positions are in particular determined or known:
  • Equal items having a different position along a same storage row are likely to have different response times. Equal items in different storage rows may also have different response times for retrieval.
  • the item having the shortest response time may, in a suitable embodiment, thus be selected.
  • Alternative selection strategies based on or incorporating other criteria are also possible. Selection criteria are likely to be different in particular where the warehouse system is used either additionally or separately for sorting purposes, including defining the sequence in which items are delivered. As well as a warehouse of a multiplicity of same items, the system is also applicable where there is a multiplicity of unique items, for example parcels at a postal sorting hub.
  • carriers carrying the same items are supplied to at least two different storage rows by the supply system. This further spreads the items over the storage space thereby further improving the response time of the retrieval system.
  • a plurality of retrieval organs is configured to retrieve items from a same storage row. This is effective for long storage rows, because the distance of travel of the retrieval organs is thus limited, in particular if the storage row is divided in sectors, wherein each retrieval organ services a particular sector. Another advantage is the possibility of parallel simultaneous retrieval actions.
  • a retrieval organ is configured to retrieve items from a plurality of storage rows, in particular by moving vertically from a storage row at one horizontal level to a storage row at a different horizontal level. It s also possible that a retrieval organ is disposed between two storage rows at a same horizontal level and is configured to retrieve carriers from both storage rows, e.g. in a back-to-back arrangement.
  • each carrier is associated with an identification code, and wherein a control unit controls the storage and retrieval process on the basis of the identification code. This feature provides good control of the system.
  • the method comprises:
  • the carrier data is typically recorded when that pre-loaded carrier is entered into the system. If the loading of an item on a carrier takes place within the system, the carrier data is typically recorded at the time of loading, shortly before or shortly after the loading. In either case carrier data thus links the identification code of the carrier to an item code which identifies the item loaded on the carrier. Other data, for example who was responsible for conducting the loading, may also be recorded.
  • the identification code of the carrier is read by a reader in order to assert that the correct carrier is retrieved.
  • the carrier data is regularly updated by reading the identification codes of the carriers in the storage row, in particular by a reader or sensor mounted to the retrieval organs as they move along the storage row.
  • the data in the control unit in particular relating to the respective carrier positions along the storage rows, is hereby kept correct and up to date.
  • a storage row to which a carrier is to be added is selected in dependence of the locations of similar items which are already present on the different storage rows. This further improves spreading or scattering the same items over the available storage space, further shortening response times.
  • carriers of different sizes are used. Products of shops or supermarket may have different sizes, and if carriers of for instance 2, 3, 4 or another limited number of sizes are used, more efficient handling and storage is possible.
  • the present invention also relates to a warehouse system for storing and retrieving items of different kinds which are supported by carriers, the warehouse system comprising: - a storage assembly defining a storage row;
  • a supply system configured for adding a plurality of carriers to the storage row at a same entry position
  • a moving device for at times moving at least a portion of the carriers away from the entry position for creating free space at the entry position
  • the entry position will be located at one end of the storage row, and generally only one entry position will be used. It is conceivable however that a plurality of entry positions are provided for a single storage row.
  • the carriers will be added to the storage row one by one.
  • the warehouse system comprises a carrier loading device for loading at least one item onto a carrier prior to the entry of the carrier onto the storage row.
  • the carriers may be automatically loaded with items in order to achieve a high throughput.
  • the loading device can be a system comprising different components, such as a gripping organ which takes the item from a package or tray, and places the item on the carrier. Sensors may be provided to ensure that the loading is performed correctly.
  • the central control unit can be configured to control the loading process .
  • the warehouse system comprises a plurality of storage rows, wherein the supply system comprises a distribution system for supplying the carrier to a selected storage row.
  • the distribution system is controlled by the control unit and comprises conveyors and routeing switches (or transfer devices) via which the carrier can be routed towards a selected storage row.
  • the at least one retrieval organ comprises a reader for reading the identification codes of the carriers.
  • the identity of the carrier can thus be checked, in order to assert that the desired carrier is retrieved.
  • the positions of the carriers which are stored by the control unit can be checked and updated.
  • a plurality of retrieval organs are provided and a control unit is provided, the control unit being configured to select which of the retrieval organs is in the most favourable position to retrieve a carrier carrying the selected item, and to control the selected retrieval organ in order to retrieve the selected carrier.
  • a fast response is possible via this selection function.
  • a plurality of retrieval organs are provided and a control unit is provided, the control unit being configured to:
  • a retrieval organ can thus be guided toward the most suitably positioned carrier, for instance the carrier nearest to the retrieval organ. It is possible that a retrieval organ has a certain retrieval sector and that one or more carriers are located outside the retrieval sector.
  • the control unit will take account of this and will not select this carrier.
  • the supply system is configured to distribute items of a same type in a scattered or random fashion over the available storage space. The response time of the total system improves when the same items are not stored together, but stored separately, with carriers carrying other items in between carriers carrying the same items. Moreover, spreading carriers supporting the same items over different storage rows also improves response times, because statistically, the average distance between a carrier which is to be retrieved and a retrieval organ will be smaller, thus leading to a shorter response time.
  • the supply system and the retrieval system generally are separate systems in order to allow the adding of a carrier to a storage row simultaneous with a retrieval of another carrier from the storage row.
  • the separate systems advantageously have improved response times and a higher throughput capability in comparison to a system having a combined storage and retrieval system in which the same device and/or the same route is used for both loading and unloading.
  • One embodiment comprises the use of the collecting points as loading points. This embodiment further comprises two operation modes :
  • the conveyors convey carriers to the collecting stations;
  • the carriers convey carriers from the collecting stations into the system.
  • the route via which the carriers are conveyed into the system will branch off from the retrieval route at a branch point and extends from the branch point to the supply system of the warehouse system.
  • the carrier loading device, the supply system and the retrieval system are configured to handle carriers of different sizes .
  • the storage rows extend substantially horizontally, and a plurality of storage rows extend in different horizontal planes and/or in different vertical planes.
  • efficient use of the available volume in a warehouse is possible.
  • the present warehouse system is substantially free of any trolleys or carts onto which the carriers are loaded and which in conventional systems are used for transporting the items, which further simplifies the system. This feature further saves space such as for corridors which are essential in typical existing warehouse systems .
  • the device for moving carriers along a row comprises a conveyor, e.g. a belt conveyor or roller conveyor configured for supporting the carriers and for moving the carriers away from the entry position.
  • a conveyor e.g. a belt conveyor or roller conveyor configured for supporting the carriers and for moving the carriers away from the entry position.
  • rollers are provided which support the carriers and which allow the carriers to be moved along the storage row.
  • a flat surface with a separate moving device may be provided or a different kind of moving device suitable for moving the carriers.
  • a repeated surface element conveyor may also be used.
  • the retrieval system comprises at least one discharge conveyor for moving a carrier from the storage row towards a delivery station, which can be a collecting station (also referred to as a pickup station) .
  • a delivery station which can be a collecting station (also referred to as a pickup station) .
  • a number of storage rows are arranged at different horizontal levels, and wherein at least one retrieval organ is movable from one storage row to a different storage row at a different horizontal level.
  • the number of retrieval organs may thus be limited.
  • the supply system comprises a receiving station configured for allowing a third party to supply carriers carrying items to the supply system.
  • Item data i.e. data relating to the items which are carried by the supplied carriers, are recorded into the system by recording means. These recording means may be provided at a remote location where the items are loaded onto the carriers, for example at the location of the third party.
  • the receiving station may comprise at least one recording means (or sensor) for sensing the at least one received carrier and for recording the item data.
  • the recorded item data may relate to any feature of the item supported by the received carrier.
  • the carrier identification code is thus traceably linked to the item data.
  • the item data may comprise a supplier identification code of a supplying party which has provided the item.
  • the sensed item data may be compared to reference data stored in the system, for validating the items, such as the quality thereof.
  • One or more inspection operations may be carried out in order to assert that the supplied items are what they are claimed to be by the third party. These inspection operations may be carried out by a human operator in addition to the recording means or sensor.
  • the recording of the item data may thus be performed at the remote location, at the receiving station or at both locations.
  • the receiving station is configured to provide empty carriers for a third party bringing items which are not pre-loaded on carriers.
  • control unit allowing control of the storage and retrieval process.
  • the retrieval system comprises at least one buffer for buffering retrieved carriers prior to the delivery of said carriers to a collecting station.
  • the retrieval system comprises a distributor conveyor assembly configured for distributing retrieved carriers to a plurality of collecting stations.
  • the retrieval system comprises:
  • the transfer devices have a sensor for reading the identification code of the carrier.
  • the system is thus capable of delivering goods to different customers simultaneously.
  • the allocation of a collecting station to a customer may be based on: the proximity of the collecting station to a pay station where the customer has paid, or on an analysis of the chosen goods and the collecting station at which these goods can be delivered in the shortest possible time, based on the locations of the items in the storage rows.
  • the retrieval system comprises at least one collecting conveyor being configured for collecting retrieved carriers from different storage rows.
  • a plurality of collecting conveyors may be provided for collecting carriers from different horizontal levels.
  • the retrieval device comprises:
  • a distributor conveyor assembly configured for distributing retrieved carriers to a number of collecting stations
  • the at least one buffer device being configured for controllably discharging the buffered carriers to the distributor conveyor assembly at a selected time, - at least one collecting conveyor being configured for collecting retrieved carriers from different storage rows;
  • At least one transfer device comprising control means for controllably transferring selected carriers from the collecting conveyor to the at least one buffer device on the basis of the identification code.
  • the buffer may be controllably emptied in order for the retrieved items to be moved to the collecting station when the customer is ready to receive the items.
  • the supply system comprises:
  • a distribution conveyor assembly comprising control means for controllably distributing carriers to selected storage rows and allowing a choice to be made for each individual carrier of which storage row the carrier is to be added to.
  • control unit for instance upon loading of the carrier into the system.
  • the supply system comprises a supply buffer for temporarily storing carriers. This allows a temporary storage of one or more carriers when the storage row to which the carrier is to be supplied is not yet available, for instance because a retrieval operation is currently being carried out for that storage row.
  • the supply conveyors of the supply system may be halted for a time period in order to buffer carriers which are present in the supply system.
  • the supply system comprises at least one conveyor which moves the carriers subsequently to the different horizontal levels, a transfer device being provided for transferring a carrier from the conveyor to a selected horizontal level.
  • This conveyor may be spirally formed.
  • the supply system comprises at least one closed loop conveyor.
  • a closed loop conveyor allows a flexible operation of the supply system, and for instance allows buffering of carriers .
  • the at least one closed loop conveyor comprises one or more short cut conveyors, the short cut conveyor branching off from the closed loop conveyor at one point and merging with the closed loop conveyor at another point.
  • the short cut conveyor allows certain carriers to follow a selected route, e.g. a short route, to the selected storage row, or to avoid busy portions of the closed loop conveyor.
  • a same configuration of short cut conveyors may be provided for the collecting conveyor and/or the distributor conveyor in the retrieval system.
  • the short cuts allow local buffering of carriers, because a smaller loop within a large loop is created.
  • the invention further relates to a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method of claim 1 on a computer.
  • the invention also relates to a carrier for use in the warehouse system according to claim 22 and for use in the method according to claim 1.
  • the carrier comprises a support surface for supporting the item, and the carrier further comprises an identification means which is associated with an identification code, identifying the carrier.
  • the identification means is readable.
  • the identification means comprises an RFID tag.
  • the RFID tag is preferably placed on an outer surface of the carrier. More than one RFID tag may be provided on the carrier, for instance one on each side.
  • the invention further relates to a shop or supermarket comprising a warehouse system according to claim 22, the store or supermarket comprising:
  • control unit is configured to process the received order data so as to retrieve at least one ordered item from the at least one storage row and to deliver the at least one ordered item at the at least one collecting station.
  • the order data may be recorded by a scanner used by a customer to scan or read item data associated with a selected item which is on display. For instance, bar codes may be visible together with each item and the scanner may be used to read the bar codes.
  • the scanner may transmit the order data by wireless means to the control unit or alternatively, a docking bay may be provided in which the scanner is connected with the control unit for the transfer of the order data to the control unit.
  • mobile telephones with suitable inbuilt functionality or other devices incorporating sensors and transmission or downloading means may be used as scanners in order to select products on display.
  • a sensor is provided on the product display and the customer carries a transmitter which transmits a signal to the sensor on the display.
  • a visual item identification code is provided at the product.
  • the customer simply notes (i.e. records) the item identification code on an order sheet, and at the end of his visit to the shop hands in the order sheet at a counter, i.e. an order receiving station/pay station.
  • An RFID tag on the product in combination with a scanner used by the customer is also possible. In a suitable alarmed environment this substantially reduces the chance of the displayed items being stolen.
  • the order receiving station and the pay station may be combined into one combined station or may be separated. For instance, the orders may be entered prior to the receiving of the ordered items, while the payment may be performed after the ordered items have been received.
  • the order receiving station may be fully electronic.
  • the warehouse system may also be configured with an on-line store in which customers can select the desired products from a terminal, possible at home. Later, the customers can collect the selected items at a collecting station.
  • the present warehouse system may be fast enough to delay the retrieval of the selected items until the customer arrives and checks in. Then, all selected products may be retrieved.
  • a combination of on-line shopping and home delivery is also possible.
  • the shop or supermarket comprises a plurality of collecting stations, wherein the control unit is configured to allocate a specific collecting station to a specific customer, and to deliver the at least one retrieved item to the allocated collecting station.
  • a plurality of customers may shop simultaneously and checkout simultaneously.
  • the at least one collecting station comprises an area in which the retrieved carriers are collected, which area is closable by means of a door, lid, cover or a similar suitable closing device, and wherein identification means are provided for identifying a customer to which the collecting station is allocated, and wherein the identification means are configured to generate a signal opening the closing device when a customer has been identified.
  • the shop or supermarket comprises a ⁇ real' section wherein products are present which can be selected by a customer, in particular fresh products, and comprising a merging system for merging said products with the items retrieved from the storage rows, in order to deliver both the products from the ⁇ real' section and the products from the storage rows to the same collecting station.
  • a merging system for merging said products with the items retrieved from the storage rows, in order to deliver both the products from the ⁇ real' section and the products from the storage rows to the same collecting station.
  • This configuration allows a customer to handpick fresh items in the customer area, and to collect these items at the collecting station.
  • a coffee shop or small restaurant may be provided in the customer area. Consumed goods may be added to the order data, to be paid at the order receiving station/pay station.
  • Fig. 1 shows perspective view of a carrier according to the invention
  • Fig. Ia shows a perspective view of a carrier supporting an item
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a storage row according to the invention
  • Fig. 2a shows a perspective view of an arrangement of three storage rows according to the invention
  • Fig. 2b shows a top view of a storage row
  • Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a combination of storage rows and discharge rows
  • Fig. 3a shows a perspective view of a scanning and transfer assembly according to the invention
  • Fig. 3b shows a side view of a number of storage rows with three retrieval organs
  • Figures 3cl, 3c2, 3c3 and 3c4 show perspective views of some embodiments of the retrieval organ;
  • Fig. 3d shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the retrieval organ according to the invention;
  • Fig. 3e shows a perspective view of an assembly of a number of retrieval organs and a number of storage rows
  • Fig. 4 shows a top view of storage rows and discharge rows;
  • Fig 4a shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a storage area;
  • Fig. 4b shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;
  • Figure 5 shows a schematic top view of a distribution system of the retrieval system
  • Figure 5a shows a schematic top view of a another distribution system of the retrieval system
  • Figure 5b shows a schematic top view of a another distribution system of the retrieval system
  • Figure 6 shows a schematic top view of a supermarket or shop according to the invention
  • Figure 6a shows a diagrammatic view of a scanner
  • Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic view of a loading station
  • Figure 8 shows a schematic top view of a supply system
  • Figure 9a shows a schematic view of a collecting station
  • Figure 9b shows a schematic top view of a collecting station
  • Figure 10 shows a plan view of another embodiment of a warehouse.
  • a carrier 10 for supporting an item 12 (also referred to as a product) .
  • the carrier comprises one or more surface (s) 13 which may be inclined to support an item sideways and urge it in a certain orientation and into a certain position, for instance centrally on the carrier.
  • the surface 13 may have a visual pattern 130 or marking to assist in sensing whether the carrier holds an item.
  • the pattern may be a bar code.
  • At least one metal or magnetic strip 14 or disc may be provided, for instance on any side of the carrier, which can assist in handling of the carrier 10 in the system and alignment of the transfer organ.
  • the carrier may also comprise at least one other integral feature which will assist its handling and passage through all parts of the system, which may include indents on its base surface to assist alignment.
  • the carrier 10 comprises identification means 16 which may be a visual tag, an RFID tag, a barcode, a magnetic device or semiconductor device or any other suitable identification means known in the art.
  • identification means 16 may be a visual tag, an RFID tag, a barcode, a magnetic device or semiconductor device or any other suitable identification means known in the art.
  • a plurality of tags may be provided, e.g. one on each side, to ensure that the carrier is identifiable from different directions or that the location and orientation of the carrier can be determined, in particular the centre of the carrier.
  • the carrier may have a front face 59.
  • a limited number of carrier sizes may be provided in order to accommodate products of different sizes.
  • Figures 2 shows a storage row 20.
  • Figure 2a shows three storage rows 2OA, 2OB, 2OC for accommodating carriers 10.
  • the storage rows 20 are formed by conveyors 22, which in this case are formed as belt conveyors.
  • the storage rows 20 support the carriers 10 and are connected to a controllable drive 26 configured to move the carriers in the direction of arrow 24.
  • the shown storage rows 20 are straight, but different forms may be used.
  • the belt conveyor may extend from one end of the storage row to the other end of the storage row.
  • a plurality of belt conveyors may be provided in an end-to-end relationship for a storage row.
  • Roller conveyors may also be used, having a plurality of rollers arranged in parallel, on which the carriers may rest. Roller conveyors allow for a controlled driving of a subset of the rollers, enabling the moving of one or several carriers in a storage row while keeping other carriers still.
  • a plain surface may also be used for the storage row/ in combination with a separate drive mechanism, such as a pusher device or puller device which may be provided overhead the carriers.
  • a separate drive mechanism such as a pusher device or puller device which may be provided overhead the carriers.
  • Each storage row 20 is defined by an elongated support area 21 being configured to support carriers and being configured to allow the moving of the carriers along the storage row 20.
  • the carriers 10 are shown to have different sizes.
  • the carriers 10 may be in contact with one another or be separated from one another by a gap.
  • Figure 2b shows a top view of a storage row 20 having a support area 21 with a certain width 51, in which carriers 10 of varying widths 53 and lengths 55 are shown.
  • the carrier length will typically be less than the storage row width 51.
  • the front faces 59 of the carriers are typically aligned. It is also possible that carriers of a fixed width 52 are used and with a variable length 55 or vice versa. Carriers with fixed width and length are also possible.
  • the forward movement of the carriers may be non-discrete.
  • the movement may be non-discrete for other reasons. If all carriers have a same width 53, the forward movement may be discrete.
  • Figure 3 shows the storage rows 20 with a discharge row 28 extending adjacent to each storage row. Carriers on the discharge rows are also driven (not shown) in order to move retrieved products in the direction of arrow 30.
  • a plurality of discharge conveyors 28A, 28B, 28C are provided, each in a different horizontal level 41.
  • a gap is created on the storage row. This gap may be quickly removed by moving the carriers forward in order to fill the gap.
  • the gap may remain for a time.
  • the carriers are only forwarded at a later stage, for instance in a mode of operation wherein retrieval and storage periods are alternated for a storage row.
  • FIG. 3a shows an assembly of storage rows 20, discharge rows 28 and a retrieval organ 38.
  • the retrieval organ 38 (or retrieval assembly) comprises transfer organs in the form of pushers 36, which comprise an actuator (not shown) to push a carrier 10 from a storage row 20 to a discharge row 28 in the direction of arrow 42.
  • Three pushers 36 are provided above one another.
  • the pushers 36 are connected to a frame 37, which is movably mounted on a guide 40 and can move in the direction of arrow 32 along the storage rows 20.
  • a sensor 39 is provided to record the position of the frame 37.
  • the retrieval organ can retrieve carriers in a retrieval sector 44, indicated by dashed lines.
  • the frame 37 comprises sensors 47 for reading the identification means on the carriers, in order to assert that the desired carrier is present and that the carrier is retrieved from the storage row.
  • the stroke of all pushers is sufficient to move any stored carrier off a storage row, typically being at least equal to the storage row width 51.
  • the frame 37 is moved in order to update the positions of the carriers and these data are stored in the control unit (see further below) .
  • the position of the frame 37 is recorded.
  • the sensors 47 the positions of the carriers are recorded.
  • each position of each carrier 10 is regularly updated in the control unit.
  • Figure 3b shows a total of fifteen storage rows 20.
  • Three frames 37 are provided, defining three retrieval sectors 44A, 44B and 44C.
  • the frames 37 are independently movable.
  • One pusher can be provided at each horizontal level in each retrieval sector 44A, 44B and 44C.
  • each combination of frame 37 and item 46 is assessed.
  • the actual location of the frames 37 is known and the actual location of the available carriers are also known. It is determined which combination of carrier and retrieval organ 38 leads to a shortest retrieval time.
  • the travel time of each carrier with respect to a target collecting point may also be taken into account, which is discussed further below.
  • the selected frame 37 is moved to the selected carrier 10 holding the selected item 46. As will be discussed below, other selection strategies are also possible.
  • the plurality of retrieval organs can be deployed simultaneously, independently in parallel.
  • the average response time of the system is dependent on the number of retrieval organs 38. Therefore, by increasing the number of retrieval organs 38, the average response time can be improved.
  • Figures 3cl, 3c2, 3c3 and 3c4 show different variants of retrieval organ 38 comprising the pusher organs 36.
  • a different number of pushers above one another will be provided. It is also possible to provide more than one pusher per frame in a horizontal direction, as is shown in Figure 3c2. In this way, the retrieval organ will have to travel less, potentially leading to further improvements in response time.
  • Figure 3c4 an embodiment is shown in which the retrieval organ comprises only a single pusher.
  • Figure 3d shows a retrieval organ 38 having a pusher 36 which is movable in a vertical direction 48 and a horizontal direction 49. In this way, a single pusher 36 can cover a retrieval sector comprising different storage rows.
  • FIG. 4 shows a possible configuration of four storage rows 20 in plan view.
  • Each storage row 20 has an entry position 50, at which products are added to the storage row 20.
  • Two storage rows 20 are positioned adjacent a discharge row 28.
  • the discharge rows 28 move the retrieved carriers in the direction of arrow 54 to an end 56 of the discharge row, from which location the carrier is further conveyed to the collecting station.
  • Each storage conveyor comprises three retrieval organs 38.
  • Figure 4a shows how the different storage rows may fill a volume of a warehouse.
  • a total of 40 storage racks are shown, wherein each storage rack comprises for instance 8 different storage rows arranged in different horizontal levels 41. If three retrieval organs are provided per storage row, a total of 960 storage sectors are provided.
  • the items are scattered over the different storage rows, for instance randomly.
  • Other ways of scattering are also possible. For instance the storage row to which an item is added may be selected on the positions of the same items which are already present in the system. If several storage rows already contain the item, but other storage rows do not, then one of these storage rows may be selected for adding the item.
  • Products which are frequently selected may be present in the storage area in greater numbers than products which are rarely selected. Consequently, the frequently selected products have a shorter average retrieval time, because there are more combinations of retrieval organ and product to choose from than for the rarely selected product. Therefore, the average distance between the products to be selected and the retrieval organ will be shorter, and hence, the response time will also be shorter. It is possible that a number of storage rows are provided an a storage area having a lower temperature than other storage rows. A chilled area is possible (e.g. for fresh milk) and also a frozen storage area for frozen products.
  • the positions of the different collecting points are taken into account when determining a carrier which is to be retrieved.
  • the arrangement of the entire system may be such that the distance between one carrier on a storage row and a selected collection point is substantially greater than the distance between another carrier on a storage row and the same collecting point. Selecting the carrier which is closest to the collecting point may lead to further improvements in the response time.
  • the response time for carrier 200 may be shorter than ⁇
  • carrier 200 is located closer to the downstream end 62 of the discharge conveyor 28 and thus needs less travel time on the discharge conveyor 28.
  • a carrier in one retrieval sector may be closer to a retrieval organ of that sector than a carrier in another retrieval sector is from a retrieval organ of that other sector.
  • the carrier may be then selected which can be delivered at the collecting station in the shortest response time.
  • the carriers it is also possible to move the carriers as far to the end of the storage rows as possible, in order to minimise the travel distances of selected carriers from their respective positions to the collecting points and to thus improve the response time. Since carriers having different sizes may be used, the positions of the carriers on the storage rows may be undetermined. To this end, sensors 39 are configured such that the positions of the carrier can be sensed prior to the retrieval thereof. It is also possible that a validation procedure is performed in which the positions of a plurality of carriers, for instance all carriers on a single storage row, are updated in the control unit. Such a validation procedure may be carried out as a separate procedure, in which the storing and retrieval actions are temporarily halted.
  • Figure 4B shows a variant wherein a plurality of storage rows 20 are provided, defining a storage area.
  • the retrieval organ 38 is movable in two horizontal directions 130, 132 such that it can move to different carriers 10 on the storage rows.
  • the retrieval organ comprises a connector 134 in the form of a hook which can connect with a mating part 135 on the carrier 10, in order to lift the carrier 10 and to move it to a transfer area 136, where the carrier is disconnected from the connector and transferred to the at least one conveyor 68.
  • Other retrieval means may alternatively be provided.
  • the at least one conveyor 68 may be variously sited about the parallel and adjacent storage rows, for example alongside the storage rows and sharing the same axis as the storage rows .
  • Figure 5 shows a distribution system configured for simultaneously routing carriers 10 to different collecting stations 74.
  • a collecting station 74 is allocated to a specific customer.
  • a retrieval system 99 comprises different components.
  • a plurality of collecting conveyors 60 is provided at the downstream ends 62 of the discharge conveyors 28.
  • a collecting conveyor 60 is provided at each horizontal level 41. In this configuration, the collecting conveyors have the form of a closed loop. This enables the collecting conveyors to act as a temporary buffer.
  • a transfer conveyor or ramp 65 is provided for each collecting conveyor 60 for vertically moving the carriers 10.
  • a single distributor conveyor 68 is provided, which also has the form of a closed loop.
  • the distributor conveyor can also act as a temporary buffer.
  • each collecting conveyor a plurality of transfer conveyors 65 are provided.
  • controllable transfer devices are provided to control which carriers on the collecting conveyor 60 are to be transferred to which transfer conveyor 65. This configuration allows for flexible temporary storage of carriers.
  • a plurality of delivery conveyors 70 are provided which end at the downstream end thereof at respective collecting stations 74.
  • Transfer devices 75 are provided which controllably transfer carriers from the distributing conveyor 68 to the respective delivery conveyors 70 on the basis of the identification means on each carrier.
  • the transfer device 75 comprises a reader which reads the identification means. If the carrier is destined for the allocated collecting station, then the transfer device 75 transfers the carrier from the distributor loop to the delivery conveyor 70.
  • the distributor conveyor 68 may be configured to accommodate more than one carrier abreast.
  • the transfer device 75 is configured to transfer one of several carriers positioned alongside one another on the distributor conveyor to the delivery conveyor 70.
  • a merging point 76 is present at which fresh goods 78 are entered to the distributor loop.
  • the fresh goods 78 arrive in carriers from a fresh goods area 93 in the shop itself.
  • customers may pick fresh goods 78 which are then loaded into carriers.
  • These carriers with fresh goods are then merged with the flow of carriers 10 with pre-packaged goods from the storage rows at the merging point 76.
  • an exit 80 is provided in case carriers should be returned to the warehouse.
  • the exit 80 may be connected to a feed point in the supply system, at which the carriers are re-routed back into a storage row 10.
  • the discharge conveyors 28 transfer carriers 10 to the collecting conveyor 60.
  • the collecting conveyor has the form of a closed loop. From the collecting conveyor 60, the carriers are transferred to the delivery conveyor 70, and subsequently to the target collecting station 14 via the associated delivery conveyor 70.
  • Figure 5a shows a variant of the system of figure 5, comprising a number of spiral chutes 66, elevator devices 66 or - generally - level change devices 66 via which the carriers 10 move vertically, to the level 41 of a distributor conveyor 68.
  • the spirals 66 are connected to the collecting loops 60 via first transfer conveyors 64, and are connected to the distributor conveyor via second transfer conveyors 65.
  • first transfer conveyor 64 acts as a temporary buffer for retrieved carriers.
  • FIG. 5B shows another embodiment.
  • a supply system 100 is shown for supplying carriers to the storage rows 20.
  • the supply system 100 comprises loading stations 94 for either feeding loaded carriers to the system or loading carriers with items and subsequently feeding the carriers into the system.
  • Validation stations 95 are further provided for inspection and validation of the entered carriers. The validation process thus can be an independent process, additional to the sensing and recording of the item data during loading of the carrier.
  • the validation stations may be provided with sensors for sensing the identification code of the carrier and parameters related to the items .
  • Conveyors 103 connect the validation stations 95 to a feeding spiral 104 which is configured to feed the carriers to one of a plurality of supply conveyors 61 at successive storage levels where more than one storage level exists.
  • Each supply conveyor 61 extends along the supply ends of the storage rows 20 where the entry positions 50 are located.
  • the supply conveyor 61 has a loop form and an elongated shape to which at least one spiral conveyor 104 can join.
  • the supply conveyor 61 further comprises cross-links or short cuts 105, which include switch devices 107. With the switch devices 107 and the cross-links 105, it is possible to move a carrier either via the ongoing supply conveyor or via the cross-link 105 which branches off at the switch device. In this way, the carrier may be routed to the destined storage row via a short cut, effectively reducing the travel distance and travel time which is needed for the storage of that carrier.
  • the use of switch devices 107 and cross-links 105 also reduces the likelihood of excessive carrier traffic at any given location. It expands the facility for handling a plurality of carriers simultaneously, advantageously raising the throughput volume capability of the system.
  • a plurality of transfer devices 108 are provided to transfer carriers from one of the supply conveyors to a selected storage row 20.
  • the flows of carriers from different storage rows at a common horizontal level are merged at a conveyor 68 at the downstream ends 62 of the discharge conveyors 28.
  • a conveyor 68 is provided for each horizontal level.
  • a plurality of conveyors 68 are provided.
  • the conveyor 68 has a loop form and comprises cross-links or short cuts 69.
  • the loop form of conveyor 68 is elongated with two long substantially straight sections and two curved sections which connect the two longer sections, in the substantially the same way as conveyor 61.
  • One substantially straight long section extends along the ends 62 of the discharge conveyors 28.
  • the transfer devices 75 are provided at the branch off points.
  • the short cuts allow carriers to skip a part of the longer sections, moving from one long section to the other long section along a shorter travel path, with the same advantages as are apparent with conveyor 61 in the supply system 100.
  • carriers from different storage rows at a same horizontal level can be merged, permitting any carrier from any storage row 20 at that level to be directed to any potential exit point, defined by transfer devices 75 which redirect carriers via level change devices 66 to a collecting station 74.
  • the level change devices 66 will be spiral conveyors. Carriers will be chosen to be directed to a particular collecting station according to customer.
  • the conveyor 68 acts as both a collecting conveyor which collects carriers from different storage rows as well as a distributor conveyor which distributes carriers to different delivery conveyors 70.
  • Each delivery conveyor connects into a collecting station 74.
  • the conveyors 68 further act as a distribution conveyor via transfer devices 75.
  • Spiral conveyors 66 move the carriers of a plurality of conveyors 68 (which are provided at different levels) to the common level of the delivery conveyors 70.
  • Other types of conveyors than spiral conveyors are also possible.
  • the selection of which carrier to retrieve can be a multi-criteria selection, for example taking into account the distance between each carrier and a retrieval organ with which to retrieve the carrier, and in addition taking into account the distance between the carrier and the target collecting station.
  • Other criteria may also be used, such as expiration dates of the items on the carriers, the status of the storage row (is it in use or not, i.e. is it being loaded with new carriers) . Many other criteria may be used.
  • an optimal response time will be the goal.
  • responsiveness may also be enhanced by considered deliberate use of its buffer capability, notably by controlling the cross-links into a plurality of circulatory buffers on conveyors 68, locally adjacent to a target collecting station.
  • Figure 6 shows a shop or supermarket, comprising a customer area 80.
  • the customer area 80 comprises regular shops 82 for small items such as tobacco, cards, papers, etc..
  • a bar 84 is also provided.
  • Scanner stations 87 are provided at which a customer may receive a scanner 90, schematically shown in Fig 6b.
  • the customer area comprises racks 86 on which representative items 12 are displayed.
  • Fresh goods counters 93 and similar such counters where staffing may be desirable, for example a pharmaceutical counter 93, can be provided. These counters all operate in a same manner, where fresh and other goods may be selected, e.g. bread, fruit, vegetables, fish, meat etc..
  • These goods 78 are loaded into carriers upon selection and carrier data established. The carriers are then merged with the main flow via the merging point 76.
  • Several pay stations 83 are provided at which customers may check out and pay.
  • the collecting stations 74 are provided, typically being sited near an exit of the supermarket.
  • the storage area 88 and distribution area 92 are provided near the collecting stations.
  • supply area 90 and a number of loading stations 94 is provided for supplying items to the storage area 88.
  • Figure 7 shows a loading station 94 at which goods may arrive from a plurality of different suppliers. Products can arrive in a variety of different packaging.
  • the goods will be unpacked and loaded onto carriers 10, at which stage, if not already done, the items 12 are singularised, i.e. one item 12 is preferably loaded onto each carrier 10.
  • the loading may take place manually or with an automatic loader. A stream of carriers 10 will thus be generated.
  • At least one scanner 96 is provided which can be used in appropriate loading situations to scan the carriers and to scan items being loaded.
  • a record is made of the code of the carrier 10 and the item 12 supported by the carrier 10, thereby matching each specific item to a specific carrier in the control unit. Additional data such as the supply date, the supplier, the weight, the best consumed before date and the dimensions of the product may also be scanned or otherwise entered into the control system.
  • a preferred orientation on the carrier (e.g. this side up) and other similar data can be displayed on a screen to assist manual loading activity when it occurs.
  • the goods are already on the carriers upon delivery and the goods are directly entered into the storage system. In this instance data as to what items are in what carriers will also preferably be supplied, obviating the need for these data to be separately collated at the time of entry.
  • Identification means 98 are provided for the supplier to identify himself.
  • the identification data are displayed, so that the supplier may also check that he is correctly identified.
  • a smartcard reader may be used for this purpose during loading to identify who is responsible for loading specific items, hence providing to a traceable record.
  • Alternative identification means are possible.
  • An indicator may be provided to indicate to the supplier that the goods are accepted. It is possible that a plurality of items arrive in one package. This package is then to be emptied, such that each item may be placed on a separate carrier. Occasionally a multi-pack entity may be encountered, for example for promotional purposes, which is still counted as one item in the terms of the current invention, being stored in the system in a single carrier of appropriate size.
  • inspections may comprise weight, height, colour and pattern recognition. Scanning of an item's barcode is additionally possible. X-ray scanning or other types of scans may also be applied. Particularly in the case of remote and automatic inspection which the loader cannot in any way influence (occurring in area 95 of Figure 5b) , the inspections can be used to validate that the items which are claimed to be in the carriers by the supplying party are the items which are indeed in the carriers. These inspection data are also recorded and stored, and when coupled with data as to who conducted the loading can provide a traceable record in the case of dispute. Inspections of freshness, odour, general state of the product, presence of flaws, broken parts or incorrectly opened packages can also serve to validate the quality of the stored items .
  • FIG 8 shows a possible configuration of a supply system 100.
  • the supply system comprises a supply point 102 where loaded carriers are transferred to a supply conveyor 104.
  • the supply conveyor 104 has the form of a spiral, spiralling to each horizontal level 41 of the storage rows 20. As can be seen in Figure 5b, multiple feeding spirals are also possible.
  • a loop-formed supply conveyor 61 is provided at each horizontal level 41 (see Figure 3a) at each horizontal level.
  • a transfer device 108 is provided at each horizontal level to transfer carriers 10 which are destined for said horizontal level 41 from the first supply conveyor 104 to the loop-formed supply conveyor 61.
  • the second supply conveyors extend near the entry positions 50.
  • One or more storage row loaders in the form of manipulators 108 are provided to transfer carriers from the second supply conveyors to the entry positions.
  • the manipulators 108 may be movable to different storage rows 20 in a horizontal direction 110 and/or vertical direction.
  • the storage row loaders can be dedicated to load a single storage row or a plurality of storage rows.
  • the manipulators 108 are configured to position a carrier on the entry position in the correct orientation and position.
  • the loaders 108 are configured to align the carriers in a same storage row.
  • the manipulators 108 comprise sensors and actuators in order to achieve this end.
  • manipulators 108 may also move vertically, hence being able to deliver carriers to storage rows at a plurality of levels.
  • Figure 9a and 9b show a collecting station 74.
  • a card reader 123 is provided via which a customer may identify himself.
  • the collecting station 74 comprises a screen 122 for presenting information to a customer.
  • other customer identification means are also possible such as entering a unique code which is supplied to the customer on screen 122, in the case of this screen 122 being a touch-screen.
  • a cover 124 is provided which opens upon identification of the customer.
  • a camera 138 is provided for imaging the arriving carriers and items.
  • Other sensors 128 are provided to monitor the collecting process / for instance to record an item which is not collected.
  • Various sensors may be provided, such as cameras, weight sensors, barcode scanners.
  • Use can be made of a visual sign or pattern 129 on the support area of the carriers in order to determine whether an item has been collected from the carrier.
  • the visual pattern may a barcode matching the identification code of the carrier.
  • the RFID tags or other identification means may be triangulated in order to determine the exact position of the carriers in the collecting area 126.
  • items 12 are delivered on carriers 10.
  • the carriers supporting items 12 are positioned in a collecting area 126, which may be underneath the cover.
  • the customer may proceed with collecting the items from the carriers.
  • the carriers remain in the collecting area 126.
  • the carriers are provided on a conveyor 150, which is driven by the control unit in direction 152.
  • the collecting area 126 may be divided in several areas, e.g. an upstream area 140 and a downstream area 142. The customer has access to both areas.
  • the conveyor is moved forward the length of the downstream area 142 and the process is repeated. This can occur irrespective of whether carriers in the upstream area are either full or empty.
  • the customer card (or transaction card if one has previously been provided) will be returned by the reader 123.
  • only two types of sensors are provided for controlling the regular collecting process: at least one RFID sensor and at least one barcode reader for reading the visual barcode on the upper side of the carriers.
  • the presence of carriers is determined via the RFID tags on the carriers and their identity is hence known. That carrier is further is shown to be empty if an upper surface barcode corresponding to the carrier's RFID code (which would otherwise be obscured by the item in the carrier) can be read.
  • the signals provided by these sensors are fed to the control unit and allow complete control of the collecting process, automatically incrementing the conveyor forward by an appropriate amount .
  • triangulation is not needed. Further, the carriers do not need to be separated from one another, and carriers do not need to be oriented in a specific way.
  • An additional camera is provided which registers the process for use in case of a dispute with a customer. This camera can maintain a record of carriers exiting the downstream area 142, beyond the customer's reach.
  • the cover 124 When all goods have been collected, the cover 124 will be closed. It is possible to construct the collecting station 74 to allow for the rejection of goods, for instance by providing recording means for a customer to enter a carrier identification code relating to an item the customer wishes to reject upon visual inspection. The non- picking up of the rejected item 12 can be monitored via the sensors 128.
  • a chute 120 is provided for allowing empty carriers 10 to be returned to the system via a return flow route.
  • Figure 10 shows an embodiment in which the direction of transport of the delivery conveyors 70 may be reversed, in order to use the collecting stations 74 both as collecting stations and as loading stations. Via route 501 the carriers are routed into the supply system 100, in order to be supplied to the storage rows.
  • the present system has a high failsafe capability, because of the main components, a plurality of instances may be provided.
  • a plurality of retrieval organs, a plurality of storage rows, a plurality of items of one kind, a plurality of routes via which a carrier can be routed to a collecting poi and a plurality of collecting points may be provided. If one components fails, at least one other component will be available to take over the function of the failing component.
  • the present method and device may have many application, on being a sorting system for postal services or other delivery service for items.
  • every item may be unique.
  • the receiving station may be configured to receive an incoming load of postal items (or mail) .
  • the postal items are then stored in the storage system.
  • the postal items which are destined for his or her delivery section are retrieved from the system and delivered to the allocated collecting station.
  • the items may be retrieved in a specific sequence, such that the items are in the correct order for further processing, i.e. delivery.
  • the warehouse may form part of a network of warehouses in which mail is supplied, sorted and subsequently either shipped out to another warehouse or delivered to a (local) neighbourhood.
  • the loading and collecting stations may be provided in close proximity to one another, for allowing a truck or other transport means to first deliver a load of items at a loading station and to subsequently pick up a load of sorted items from a nearby collecting station for further transport to another warehouse.
  • the carriers may be left out.
  • This embodiment may apply for postal services, wherein identification codes of the items are associated directly with the postal items, and in which the postal items have physical characteristics which allow them to be stored and retrieved without the use of carriers.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé de stockage et de récupération d'articles dans un entrepôt comportant au moins une rangée de stockage pour recevoir des chariots, chaque rangée de stockage comprenant au moins une position d'entrée, les chariots portant les articles. Le procédé comprend : l'addition constante d'un chariot à ladite rangée de stockage à une position d'entrée chaque fois, de sorte qu'une pluralité de chariots soient ajoutés à la rangée via la même position d'entrée ; le déplacement périodique d'au moins un des chariots dans la rangée de stockage en éloignement de ladite position d'entrée pour créer un espace libre à ladite position d'entrée ; la sélection d'un chariot à récupérer depuis la rangée de stockage ; la récupération du chariot sélectionné depuis la rangée de stockage par l'éloignement du chariot de la rangée de stockage. La présente invention concerne également un système d'entrepôt, un chariot et un magasin ou supermarché.
PCT/NL2007/000127 2007-05-14 2007-05-14 Système d'entrepôt WO2008140293A1 (fr)

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WO2018170039A1 (fr) * 2017-03-14 2018-09-20 Walmart Apollo, Llc Systèmes et procédés permettant l'expédition de produits commerciaux
EP3573008A4 (fr) * 2017-01-22 2019-12-25 Alibaba Group Holding Limited Procédé, dispositif et système de traitement d'informations d'objets de données
US10579949B2 (en) 2016-11-16 2020-03-03 Wipro Limited Methods and systems for facilitating transportation of articles in warehouses using video analytics
EP3882180A4 (fr) * 2018-11-14 2021-12-29 Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki Système d'entrepôt
CN114852617A (zh) * 2022-05-25 2022-08-05 云南白药集团股份有限公司 一种牙膏全流程自动生产线及其生产方法

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WO2002083507A2 (fr) * 2001-04-09 2002-10-24 John Stevens Systeme et procede d'entreposage par bacs
EP1681247A1 (fr) * 2005-01-18 2006-07-19 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Dispositif pour former un ordre défini des porte-charges utilisant un entrepôt transitoire et procédé de stockage intermédiaire

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002083507A2 (fr) * 2001-04-09 2002-10-24 John Stevens Systeme et procede d'entreposage par bacs
EP1681247A1 (fr) * 2005-01-18 2006-07-19 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Dispositif pour former un ordre défini des porte-charges utilisant un entrepôt transitoire et procédé de stockage intermédiaire

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10579949B2 (en) 2016-11-16 2020-03-03 Wipro Limited Methods and systems for facilitating transportation of articles in warehouses using video analytics
EP3573008A4 (fr) * 2017-01-22 2019-12-25 Alibaba Group Holding Limited Procédé, dispositif et système de traitement d'informations d'objets de données
US11498770B2 (en) 2017-01-22 2022-11-15 Alibaba Group Holding Limited Data object information processing methods, apparatuses, and systems
WO2018170039A1 (fr) * 2017-03-14 2018-09-20 Walmart Apollo, Llc Systèmes et procédés permettant l'expédition de produits commerciaux
EP3882180A4 (fr) * 2018-11-14 2021-12-29 Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki Système d'entrepôt
CN114852617A (zh) * 2022-05-25 2022-08-05 云南白药集团股份有限公司 一种牙膏全流程自动生产线及其生产方法
CN114852617B (zh) * 2022-05-25 2023-06-20 云南白药集团股份有限公司 一种牙膏全流程自动生产线及其生产方法

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