WO2021234710A1 - Article delivery unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present subject matter provides an article delivery unit configured to allow storage and delivery of articles, wherein the article delivery unit has a substantially three-dimensional rectangular shape defined by a frame enclosing a space, the frame having a unit lower side, a unit upper side, a unit front side, a unit rear side, a first unit lateral side, and a second unit lateral side, wherein the article delivery unit has a length and a width, the article delivery unit comprising: at least one movable base configured to move over the lower side in the space; and at least one handling unit configured to be positioned on the movable base, and accommodate multiple articles. Additional embodiments of the article delivery unit are described herein.

Description

ARTICLE DELIVERY UNIT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/028,000, filed May 21, 2020, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[002] The present subject matter relates to shipping and handling of articles. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to semi-automatic, automatic, and autonomous shipping and handling of articles.

BACKGROUND

[003] The field of article delivery encompasses the delivery of a large variety of items. Delivery of Articles can include the delivery of postal and retail items like postcards, letters and parcels, courier delivery, shopping delivery, and the like, as well as the delivery of items to, or from, manufacturing entities like the delivery of manufacturing products, pieces of equipment, spare parts, and the like. The field of article delivery undergoes dramatic changes during the last years. The increased number of delivered articles and technological advancement enhance the development of semi-automated and automated systems and processes for article delivery. The main challenges in the field of article delivery today are the efficient exploitation of space in delivery vehicles and in article handling and storage facilities, improvement of processes of article delivery, for example by decreasing the amount of stages in which the articles are handled by human personnel, as a result reducing the amount of time required for shipping and handling the articles, as well as the management and operation of semi-automatic and automatic processes of article delivery. The present subject matter deals with these challenges and provides technological solutions for efficient management of article storage and shipment space, improvement of shipping and handling processes in terms of decreased handling by human personnel, and reduction of article processing time, as well as semi-automation and full automation of article delivery processes. All these improvements are reflected eventually, in more cost-effective processes of article shipping and handling.

SUMMARY

[004] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this subject matter belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present subject matter, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[005] According to one aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided an article delivery unit configured to allow storage and delivery of articles, wherein the article delivery unit has a substantially three-dimensional rectangular shape defined by a frame enclosing a space, the frame having a unit lower side, a unit upper side, a unit front side, a unit rear side, a first unit lateral side, and a second unit lateral side, wherein the article delivery unit has a length and a width, the article delivery unit comprising: at least one movable base configured to move over the lower side in the space; and at least one handling unit configured to be positioned on the movable base, and accommodate multiple articles.

[006] According to one embodiment, the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall and the second side wall, are open.

[007] According to another embodiment, at least one of the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall and the second side wall, is covered, with a cover.

[008] According to yet another embodiment, the cover is made of an inflexible material. [009] According to still another embodiment, the cover is made of a flexible material.

[010] According to a further embodiment, the cover is permanent.

[Oil] According to yet a further embodiment, the cover is removable.

[012] According still another embodiment, the handling unit has a substantially three- dimensional rectangular shape defined by a handling unit frame enclosing a handling unit space, the handling unit frame having a handling unit lower side, a handling unit upper side, a handling unit front side, a handling unit rear side, a first handling unit lateral side and a second handling unit lateral side.

[013] According to an additional embodiment, the handling unit comprising multiple shelves in the handling unit space, the shelves configured to hold articles placed on the shelves.

[014] According to yet an additional embodiment, the handling unit further comprising multiple holders over the first handling unit lateral side and the second handling unit lateral side, that are configured to hold shelves, wherein two parallel holders - one holder over the first handling unit lateral side and one holder over the second handling unit lateral side, are configured to hold a shelf.

[015] According to still an additional embodiment, the holder has a rail-like shape.

[016] According to another embodiment, the shelf is configured to be permanently held by the two parallel holders. [017] According to yet another embodiment, the shelf is configured to be removably held by the two parallel holders, and the two parallel holders are configured to allow sliding of the shelf along the parallel holders, and wherein the shelf is configured to be pulled at least partially out of the handling unit space.

[018] According to still another embodiment, the handling unit is configured to be permanently positioned on the movable base.

[019] According to a further embodiment, the handling unit is configured to be removably positioned on the movable base.

[020] According to yet a further embodiment, the article delivery unit is further configured to contain two rows of movable bases along a length of the article delivery unit, when each row comprises multiple movable bases.

[021] According to still a further embodiment, the number of maximal movable bases in one row is smaller in than the maximal number of movable bases in the other row, and wherein in the row that comprises a smaller maximal number of movable bases there is a gap similar in size to a movable base.

[022] According to an additional embodiment, the article delivery unit further comprising a service gap positioned at an end of a row, at the unit front side, and a niche aside the service gap, wherein the service gap is at least similar in size to the movable base.

[023] According to yet an additional embodiment, the movable base is configured to move to an adjacent gap or to an adjacent service gap.

[024] According to still an additional embodiment, the movable base is further configured to move either forward, or backward, or to a right direction, or to a left direction, or any combination thereof, in the article delivery unit.

[025] According to another embodiment, the movable base has a length that is parallel to the length of the article delivery unit, and a width that is parallel to the width of the article delivery unit when the movable base is in the article delivery unit, and wherein the movable base comprises: an upward surface configured to attach to a bottom of the handling unit; a downward surface; and an upper rim extending above the upward surface at a circumference of the upward surface, wherein the upper rim is configured to stabilize a standing of a handling unit on the upward surface.

[026] According to yet another embodiment, the movable base comprises multiple downward extensions that are configured to support the movable base when the movable base stands on a surface, and wherein there is a gap between the downward surface and the surface on which the movable base stands.

[027] According to still another embodiment, the multiple downward extensions are two longitudinal lower rims extending below the lower surface at longitudinal edges of the downward surface, wherein the longitudinal lower rims are parallel to the length of the movable base.

[028] According to a further embodiment, the multiple downward extensions are two longitudinal lower rims extending downward from the lower surface at longitudinal edges of the downward surface, wherein the longitudinal lower rims are parallel to the length of the movable base.

[029] According to yet a further embodiment, the multiple downward extensions are of four legs extending downwards from the comers of the downward surface.

[030] According to still a further embodiment, the movable base is configured to move by a transporting robot that is configured to enter into the gap that is between the downward surface and the surface on which the movable base stands, lift the movable base above the surface, move to another location, and lower the movable base back to the surface.

[031] According to an additional embodiment, the movable base further comprises a movement element attached to the downward surface, and configured to facilitate movement of the movable base.

[032] According to yet an additional embodiment, the movement element is a plurality of wheels.

[033] According to still an additional embodiment, the plurality of wheels comprising a plurality of longitudinal wheels and a plurality of transverse wheels.

[034] According to still an additional embodiment, the movement element is at least one protrusion extending downwards from the downward surface, and the article delivery unit further comprising a plurality of pushers positioned on the unit lower side and configured to move the movable base by getting in contact with the at least one protrusion, and push the at least one protrusion.

[035] According to another embodiment, the plurality of pushers comprising at least one longitudinal pusher and at least one transverse pusher.

[036] According to yet another embodiment, the movement element is a plurality of toothed rods attached to the downward surface of the movable base, and the article delivery unit further comprising a plurality of toothed wheels positioned on the unit lower side under the toothed roods, and configured to get in contact with toothed rods and cause movement of the movable base 18 by rotating.

[037] According to still another embodiment, the plurality of toothed rods comprising at least one longitudinal toothed rod and at least one transverse toothed rod, and the plurality of toothed wheels comprising at least one longitudinal toothed wheel and at least one transverse toothed wheel.

[038] According to a further embodiment, the article delivery unit further comprising a rotating element at the service gap, placed on the unit lower side, and configured to rotate a movable base standing on the rotating element.

[039] According to yet a further embodiment, the article delivery unit is further configured to be placed and operate in a public dropbox, wherein the public dropbox further comprising a cell cluster comprising a plurality of cells that are configured to receive at least one article and be accessible to humans.

[040] According to still a further embodiment, the plurality of cells are configured to receive the at least one article from the article delivery unit and make the at least one article accessible to humans.

[041] According to an additional embodiment, the plurality of cells are configured to receive the at least one article from humans and make the at least one article accessible to transfer to the article delivery unit.

[042] According to yet an additional embodiment, the public dropbox further comprising a transfer system configured to transfer at least one article from the article delivery unit to the at least one cell, or from the at least one cell to the article delivery unit, or a combination thereof. [043] According to still an additional embodiment, the transfer system is configured to transfer the at least one article from the shelf of the article delivery unit, or to the shelf of the article delivery unit.

[044] According to another embodiment, the transfer system comprising at least one robotic arm.

[045] According to yet another embodiment, the robotic arm is configured to grasp and release at least one article.

[046] According to still another embodiment, the robotic arm is configured to pull outside, or push inside, or both pull outside and push inside, the shelf of the article delivery unit.

[047] According to a further embodiment, the robotic arm is configured to pull outside, or push inside, or both pull outside and push inside, at least a bottom part of the cell. [048] According to yet a further embodiment, the robotic arm is configured to support the shelf of the article delivery unit that is pulled outside.

[049] According to still a further embodiment, the article delivery unit is further configured to to be placed and operate in a vehicle.

[050] According to an additional embodiment, the vehicle comprising the article delivery unit is configured to deliver articles and collect articles from a private dropbox.

[051] According to yet an additional embodiment, the vehicle further comprising at least one vehicle robotic arm.

[052] According to still an additional embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm is configured to open, or close, or both open and close, a cover of the private dropbox.

[053] According to another embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm is configured to transfer at least one article from the article delivery unit that is in the vehicle to the private dropbox, or to a human; or from the private dropbox, or from a human, to the article delivery unit that is in the vehicle.

[054] According to yet an additional embodiment, the handling unit is configured to be loaded on the article delivery unit, or unloaded from the article delivery unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [055] Embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the embodiments. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how several forms may be embodied in practice. [056] In the drawings:

[057] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a side perspective view of an article delivery unit.

[058] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top perspective view of a handling unit.

[059] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a close-up perspective view of a handling unit showing a part of a shelf and a part of a holder holding the shelf. [060] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top perspective view of an article delivery vehicle comprising an article delivery unit.

[061] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top perspective view of an article delivery unit comprising a number of movable bases that is smaller than the maximal number of movable bases that the article delivery unit can contain. [062] Figs. 6A-B schematically illustrate, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top view and a top perspective view, respectively, of an article delivery unit in which all movable bases are occupied with handling units.

[063] Fig. 7 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top perspective view of a movable base.

[064] Fig. 8 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a movable base.

[065] Fig. 9 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a movable base comprising a movement element in the form of a plurality of wheels.

[066] Fig. 10A schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a movable base comprising a movement element in the form of at least one protrusion.

[067] Fig. 10B schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a side perspective view of a pusher configured to be positioned on a unit lower side, and push a movable base.

[068] Fig. IOC schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of a unit lower side comprising multiple pushers, and multiple movable bases placed over the pushers.

[069] Figs. 10D-E schematically illustrate, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a unit lower side comprising multiple pushers.

[070] Fig. 10F schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of a unit lower side comprising multiple pushers, and a single movable base placed over one of the pushers, when each pusher 16 comprises a conveyor chains.

[071] Fig. 10G schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom view of a part of a conveyor chain, and a clamp attached to the conveyor chain.

[072] Fig. 10H schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom view of a part of a conveyor chain, and a clamp attached to the conveyor chain, when each grasping element of the clamp further comprises a support. [073] Fig. 101 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a close-up view of components of the unit lower side.

[074] Fig. 10J schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of a unit lower side comprising sliding rails.

[075] Fig. 10K schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of sliding rails comprising fixed rolling balls dispersed along them.

[076] Fig. 10L schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, another close-up view of components of the unit lower side.

[077] Fig. 10M schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a perspective view of a handling unit with additional components.

[078] Fig. 10N schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a close-up perspective view of a handling unit lower side of the handling unit shown in Fig. 10K.

[079] Fig. 10O schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a handling unit placed on a movable base and fixed to the movable base, as described in Figs. 10J and 10L.

[080] Figs. 11 A-B schematically illustrate, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a movement element in the form a plurality of toothed rods attached to a downward surface of a movable base.

[081] Figs. 12A-B schematically illustrate, according to some exemplary embodiments, a top perspective view of mechanisms for turning toothed wheels.

[082] Figs. 13A-B schematically illustrate, according to an exemplary embodiment, a side view of longitudinal toothed wheels having a fixed height, and transverse toothed wheels configured to change their height.

[083] Figs. 14A-E schematically illustrate, according to an exemplary embodiment, a side perspective view of stages of a process of moving movable bases.

[084] Fig. 15A-J schematically illustrate, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top perspective view of stages of a process of moving movable bases in an article delivery unit. [085] Figs. 16A-B schematically illustrate, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view and an upper view, respectively, of an article delivery unit comprising a handling unit standing on a movable base in a service gap and rotating about itself.

[086] Fig. 17 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of a forklift loading, or unloading, a handling unit onto, or from, an article delivery vehicle. [087] Fig. 18 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of a public dropbox comprising an article delivery unit.

[088] Figs. 19A-H schematically illustrate, according to an exemplary embodiment, a side perspective view of a system and stages of a method for transferring at least one article from a handling unit to a cell, and vice versa, for example in a public dropbox.

[089] Fig. 20A-H schematically illustrate, according to an exemplary embodiment, perspective views of an article delivery vehicle standing aside a private dropbox, and stages of a method for transferring an article from the article delivery vehicle to the private dropbox, and vice versa.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[090] Before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The subject matter is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. In discussion of the various figures described herein below, like numbers refer to like parts. The drawings are generally not to scale.

[091] For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from some of the drawings.

[092] According to one aspect, the present subject matter provides an article delivery unit. According to another aspect, the present subject matter provides a system for shipping and handling of articles comprising at least one article delivery unit. According to yet another aspect, the present subject matter provides methods for shipping and handling of articles using at least one article delivery unit.

[093] Referring now to Fig. 1, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a side perspective view of an article delivery unit 1. The article delivery unit 1 is configured to allow storage and delivery of articles 500. According to one embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 has a substantially three-dimensional rectangular (cuboidal) shape, and in some embodiments a substantially three-dimensional square (cubical) shape, defined by a frame 12 enclosing a space 14, the frame 12 having a unit lower side 122, a unit upper side 124, a unit front side 1262, a unit rear side 1264, a first unit lateral side 1266, and a second unit lateral side 1268; the article delivery unit 1 comprising: at least one movable base 18 configured to move over the lower side 122 in the space 14; and at least one handling unit 110 configured to be positioned on the movable base 18, and accommodate multiple articles 500.

[094] According to one embodiment, the front wall 1262, the rear wall 1264, the first side wall 1266 and the second side wall 1268, are open. This embodiment allow access to the space 14 of the article delivery unit 1 from any side. According to another embodiment, at least one of the front wall 1262, the rear wall 1264, the first side wall 1266 and the second side wall 1268, is covered, with a cover. According to one embodiment, the cover is made of an inflexible material like metal, wood, plastic and the like. According to another embodiment, the cover is made of a flexible material like fabric, flexible plastic and the like. According to a further embodiment, the cover of the at least one side of the article delivery unit 1 is fixed, namely the cover is permanently covering the side. In other words, the cover is permanent. According to yet a further embodiment, the cover is removable, namely the cover is temporarily covering the side, and is removable.

[095] Both the cuboidal and cubical shapes are preferred because they allow optimal utilization of a volume of a body in which the article delivery unit 1, or multiple article delivery units 1 are placed, for example in a vehicle, in a warehouse and the like. In addition, the cubical or cuboidal shape of the article delivery unit 1 allows optimal utilization of the volume of the space 14 of the article delivery unit 1, in terms of storage of articles 500 in the space 14 of the delivery device 1.

[096] Referring now to Fig. 2, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top perspective view of a handling unit 110. According to one embodiment, the handling unit 110 has a substantially three-dimensional rectangular (Cuboidal) shape. According to another embodiment, the handling unit 110 has a substantially three-dimensional square (cubical) shape. According to yet another embodiment, the shape of the handling unit 110 is defined by a handling unit frame 1102 enclosing a handling unit space 1104, the handling unit frame 1102 having a handling unit lower side 1106, a handling unit upper side 1108, a handling unit front side 1110, a handling unit rear side 1112, a first handling unit lateral side 1114 and a second handling unit lateral side 1116.

[097] According to one embodiment, illustrated in Figs. 2-3, the handling unit 110 comprises multiple shelves 14 in the handling unit space 1104, the shelves 14 configured to hold articles 500 placed on the shelves 114. According to another embodiment, the handling unit 110 further comprises multiple holders 112 over the first handling unit lateral side 1114 and the second handling unit lateral side 1116, that are configured to hold shelves 114, wherein two parallel holders 112 - one holder 112 over the first handling unit lateral side 1114 and one holder 112 over the second handling unit lateral side 1116, are configured to hold a shelf 114. According to another embodiment, the holder 112 has a rail-like shape. According to one embodiment, the shelf 114 is configured to be permanently held by the two parallel holders 112. In other words, the shelf 114 is configured to be fixed to the parallel holders 112. According to another embodiment, the shelf 114 is configured to be removably held by the two parallel holders 112, and the two parallel holders 112 are configured to allow sliding of the shelf 114 along the parallel holders 112, and wherein the shelf 14 is configured to be pulled at least partially out of the handling unit space 1104, for example for allowing access to articles 500 present on the shelf 114 or allowing placement of articles 500 on the shelf 114.

[098] Referring now to Fig. 3, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a close-up perspective view of a handling unit 110 showing a part of a shelf 114 and a part of a holder 112 holding the shelf 114. Fig. 3 clearly illustrates the holder 112 having a rail-like shape, and the shelf 114 that is configured to either be fixed to the holder 112, or to be held by the holder 112 and slide along the holder 112.

[099] As mentioned above, the handling unit 110 is configured to be positioned on the movable base 18. According to one embodiment, the handling unit 110 is configured to be permanently positioned on the movable base 18, as can be seen for example in Figs. 1-3. In other words, the movable base 18 is permanently attached to the handling unit lower side 1106 of the handling unit 110, or the handling unit lower side 1106 is configured to function as a movable base 18. According to another embodiment, the handling unit 110 is configured to be removably positioned on the movable base 18. In other words, the handling unit 110 can be separated from the movable base, and as a result free movable bases 18 can be present in the article delivery unit 1, as can be seen for example in Fig. 1.

[100] Referring now to Fig. 4, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top perspective view of an article delivery vehicle 600 comprising an article delivery unit 1. According to one embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 is configured to manage and organize delivery of articles 500 with an article delivery vehicle 600. Thus, the article delivery unit 1 is configured to be placed and operate in an article delivery vehicle 600, as illustrated for example in Fig. 4. For example, a postal delivery vehicle 600, a package delivery vehicle 600, a grocery delivery vehicle 600, a pallet delivery vehicle 600, also known as truck 600, and the like. Accordingly, the article delivery unit 1 is configured to manage and organize delivery of any type of article 500, for example postal articles 500 like enveloped letters, newspapers and like; packages; groceries, pallets, manufacturing products, pieces of equipment, spare parts and the like. [101] Referring now to Fig. 5, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, an article delivery unit 1 comprising a number of movable bases 18 that is smaller than the maximal number of movable bases 18 that the article delivery unit 1 can contain. The article delivery unit 1 illustrated in Fig. 5 comprises only one movable base 18. As a comparison, the article delivery unit 1 illustrated in Fig. 1, for example, comprises a maximal number of movable bases 18 that the article delivery unit 1 can contain.

[102] According to one embodiment, a movable base 18 can be empty, like most of the movable bases 18 illustrated in Fig. 1, for example. According to another embodiment, a movable base 18 can be occupied with a handling unit 110, as illustrated for example in Figs. 1 and 5. However, a situation in which at least one movable base 18 is empty, or existence of movable bases 18, and necessarily handling units 110, in a number smaller than the maximal number of them that the article delivery unit 1 can contain - is not optimal because there is no full exploitation of the space 14 of the article delivery unit 1.

[103] Referring now to Figs. 6A-B, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top view and a top perspective view, respectively, of an article delivery unit 1 comprising a maximal number of movable bases 18 that are all occupied with handling units 110. Optimally, the article delivery unit 1 comprises a maximal number of movable bases 18 that can be contained in the article delivery unit 1, and all the movable bases 18 are occupied with handling units 110, as illustrated for example in Figs. 6A-B. In this embodiment, there is maximal exploitation of the space 14 of the article delivery unit 1.

[104] As can be seen for example in Fig. 6 A, according to a preferred embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 is configured to contain two rows of movable bases 18 along a length 1- L of the article delivery unit 1, when each row can comprise multiple movable bases 18. When in maximal capacity, as illustrated for example in Fig. 6A-B, the number of maximal movable bases 18 in one row is smaller in 1 than the maximal number of movable bases 18 in the other row. For example, in the article delivery unit 1 illustrated in Figs. 6A-B, one row comprises five movable bases 18, and the other row comprises four movable bases 18. As a result, in the row that comprises a smaller number of movable bases 18 there is a gap 19 similar in size to a movable base 18. This gap 19 can be seen also in Figs. 1 and 4, for example.

[105] According to one embodiment, illustrated for example in Figs. 1, 4 and 6A, the article delivery unit 1 comprises a service gap 192 positioned at an end of a row, at the unit front side 1262 of the article delivery unit 1. The service gap 192 is at least similar in size to a movable base 18. As a result, a niche 70 is formed aside the service gap 192. When the article delivery unit 1 is placed in an article delivery vehicle 600, as illustrated for example in Fig. 4, the niche 70 is configured to be occupied by a driver of the article delivery vehicle 600. Thus, the service gap 192 is placed aside the driver, in a manner that when a handling unit 110 is positioned on a movable base 18 that is in the service gap 192, the driver can have access to articles 500 that are in that handling unit 110. In addition, when the article delivery vehicle 600 is driverless, for example an autonomous article delivery vehicle 600, the niche 70 can be occupied with a device for removing and placing articles 500 from/in the handling unit 110 that is on the service gap 192.

[106] Returning to Fig. 6 A, according to one embodiment, the movable base 18 is configured to move to an adjacent gap 19 or to an adjacent service gap 192. Arrows in Fig. 6A illustrate directions in which the movable base 18 is configured to move. According to one embodiment, the movable base 18 is configured to move along the length 1-L of the article delivery unit 1 forward 910 or backward 920, and along a width 1-W of the article delivery unit 1 to the right 930 or to the left 940. In other words, the movable base 18 is further configured to move either forward 910, or backward 920, or to a right direction 930, or to a left direction 940, or any combination thereof, in the article delivery unit 1.

[107] According to one embodiment, the movable bases 18 are configured to move in the article delivery unit 1 in a manner that brings a particular movable base 18, and a particular handling unit 110 placed on the particular movable base 18, to a specified place in the article delivery unit 1. The specified place can be, for example, the service gap 192, or a place adjacent to the unit front side 1262, or a place adjacent to the unit rear side 1264, or any other specified place, for example in order to allow access to an article 500 placed on a shelf 114 in the particular handling unit 110.

[108] Rreferring now to Fig. 7, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top perspective view of a movable base 18. According to one embodiment, the movable base 18 comprises an upward surface 182. According to another embodiment, the upward surface 182 of the movable base 18 is configured to be permanently attached to a bottom of the handling unit 110, as illustrated for example in Fig. 2. According to yet another embodiment, the upward surface 182 of the movable base 18 is configured to removably accommodate a handling unit 110. According to still another embodiment, the movable base 18 further comprises an upper rim 186 extending above the upward surface 182 at the circumference of the upward surface 182. The upper rim 186 is configured to stabilize a standing of a handling unit 110 on the upward surface 182 of the movable base 18. [109] Referring now to Fig. 8, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a movable base 18. According to one embodiment, the movable base 18 has a length 18-L that is parallel to the length 1-L of the article delivery unit 1, and a width 18-W that is parallel to the width W of the article delivery unit 1 when the movable base 18 is in the article delivery unit 1. According to another embodiment, the movable base 18 comprises a downward surface 184. According to yet another embodiment, the movable base 18 comprises multiple downward extensions that are configured to support the movable base 18 when the movable base 18 stands on a surface. According to this embodiment, there is a gap between the downward surface 184 and the surface on which the movable base 18 stands. An exemplary embodiment of the downward extensions is illustrated in Fig. 8. According to this embodiment, the downward extensions have a form of two longitudinal lower rims 188 extending downwards from the lower surface 184 at longitudinal edges of the downward surface 184. The longitudinal lower rims 188 are parallel to the length 18-L of the movable base 18. It should be noted though that the longitudinal lower rims 188 are only an example of the downwards extensions, and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter. For example, the downwards extension can be in a form of four legs (not shown) extending downwards from the comers of the downward surface 184. In any case, there is a gap between the downward surface 184 of the movable base 18 and a surface on which the moveable base 18 stands.

[110] Below described some exemplary embodiments of mechanisms configured to move the movable base 18.

[111] According to one embodiment, a transporting robot, similar for example to a pallet transporting robot, or a shuttle robot, can be used to move the movable base 18, or directly move the handling unit 110. For the sake of simplicity only, movement of the movable base 18 is described hereinafter, and it should be considered also as a description of movement of the handling unit 110. The transporting robot is configured to move, for example by wheels. The transporting robot is also substantially flat, and it can change its height from a minimal height to a larger height. The transporting robot is further configured to move under the movable base 18 when in the minimal height, increase its height to a higher height, that is referred to hereinafter as - lifting higher, and by that lift the movable base 18, move to another location, for example into an adjacent gap 19, like the gap 19 illustrated for example in Fig. 6A, and decrease its height back to the minimal height and by that place the movable base 18 in the other location. [112] According to one embodiment, the movable base 18 is configured to move to an adjacent gap 19 either longitudinally - forwards, or backwards, or transversely - to the right, or to the left, relative to the length 1-L and width 1-W of the article delivery unit 1. The movable base 18 is configured to move in these four directions from any position where it is in the article delivery unit 1, and by any mechanism , including the exemplary mechanisms described herein.

[113] According to the aforementioned embodiment of a movable base 18 that is configured to be moved by a transporting robot, the movable base 18 has a gap between the downward 184 and the surface on which the movable base 18 stands, when the gap is higher than the minimal height of the transporting robot and lower that a lifting height of the transporting, in order that the transporting robot would be able to enter under the movable base 18 and lift the movable base 18.

[114] In other words, according to one embodiment, the movable base 18 is configured to move by a transporting robot that is configured to enter into the gap that is between the downward surface 184 and the surface on which the movable base 18 stands, lift the movable base 18 above the surface, move to another location, and lower the movable base 18 back to the surface.

[115] According to one embodiment, there is a transporting robot for each movable base 18. In other words, the number of transporting robots is similar to the number of movable bases 18. According to this embodiment, when the movable base 18 stands on place, the transporting robot stands under the movable base 18 with its height lower than the height of the gap between the downward surface 184 of the movable base 18, illustrated in Fig. 8, and the surface on which the movable base 18 stands. When there is a need to move the movable base 18, the transporting robot increases its height to the lift height and by that lifts the movable base 18, then the transporting robot moves to the desired place, decreases its height in a manner that places the movable base 18 on the surface, and continues to stand there until there is a need to move the movable base 18 again.

[116] According to another embodiment, the number of transporting robots is lower than the number of movable bases 18. Therefore, a transporting robot moves between movable bases 18 as desired in order to transfer them as described above. During the movement between the movable bases 18 the height of the transporting robot is lower than the height of the gap between the downward surface 184 of the movable base 18 and the surface on which the movable base 18 stands. [117] Other exemplary mechanisms for enabling the movable base 18 to move include a movement element attached to the downward surface 184 of the movable base 18. Some exemplary movement elements are described hereinafter. Thus, according to one embodiment, the movable base 18 further comprises a movement element attached to the downward surface 184, and configured to facilitate movement of the movable base 18.

[118] Referring now to Fig. 9, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a movable base 18 comprising a movement element in the form of a plurality of wheels 185. According to one embodiment, the wheels 185 are attached to the downward surface 184 of the movable base 18. According to another embodiment, the wheels 185 can be actuated by a motor and the operation of the motor and direction of movement of the wheels 185 can be controlled by a controller. According to a further embodiment, the wheels 185 are fixed, namely the wheels 185 cannot change their direction. According to yet a further embodiment, the movable base 18 comprises a plurality of longitudinal wheels 185-L that are parallel to the length 18-L of the movable base 18, and a plurality of transverse wheels 185-T that are parallel to the width 18-W of the movable base 18. According to still a further embodiment, the wheels 185 are configured to change their height one relative to the other. An exemplary embodiment is a movable base 18 comprising a plurality of longitudinal wheels 185-L that have a fixed height, and a plurality of transverse wheels 185-T that can change their height, for example they can be either in an extended state where they are substantially vertical to the downward surface 184 and touch the surface on which the movable base 18 stands; and a folded state where they are folded, substantially parallel to the downward surface 184, and do not touch the surface on which the movable base 18 stands 18. In addition, when the transverse wheels 185-T are in the extended state, they are higher than the longitudinal wheels 185-L, and as a result the longitudinal wheels 185-L do not touch the surface on which the movable base 18 stands. In another embodiment, the height of the transverse wheels 185-T can be changed by another mechanism, for example by attaching the transverse wheels 185-T to the downward surface 184 with a telescopic rod that is configured to change its length, thereby changing the height of the transverse wheels 185-T according to the aforementioned embodiments.

[119] As a result, when the transverse wheels 185-T are folded, the longitudinal wheels 185- L touch the surface and the movable base 18 can move longitudinally in the article delivery unit 1. In order to allow transverse movement of the movable base 18, the transverse wheels 185-T are extended, and since they are higher than the longitudinal wheels 185-L, the transverse wheels 185-T touch the surface while the longitudinal wheels 185-L are elevated and do not touch the surface. Thus, in this situation, the movable base 18 can move along the width 1-W of the article delivery unit 1.

[120] It should be noted that an opposite embodiment is also under the scope of the present subject matter, namely that the longitudinal wheels 185-L can change their height according to the aforementioned embodiments, and the transverse wheels 185-T have a fixed height. In another exemplary embodiment, both the longitudinal wheels 185-L and the transverse wheels 185-T can change their height as described above.

[121] Figs. 10A-E illustrate an exemplary embodiment for moving the movable base 18 by pushing the movable base 18 in a desired direction.

[122] Referring now to Fig. 10A, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a movable base 18 comprising a movement element in the form of at least one protrusion 187. According to one embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 10A, the movable base 18 comprises at least one protrusion 187 extending downwards from the downward surface 184. Fig. 10A illustrates a movable base 18 comprising one protrusion 187. However, it should be noted that this illustration should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter, and that the movable base 18 can comprise multiple protrusions 187.

[123] Referring now to Fig. 10B, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a side perspective view of a pusher 16 configured to be positioned on a unit lower side 122, and push a movable base 18. According to one embodiment, the pusher 16 is configured to be positioned on the unit lower side 122, seen in Fig. 1, and push the movable base 18. Thus, according to one embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 further comprises a plurality of pushers 16 positioned on the unit lower side 122 and configured to move the movable base 18 by getting in contact with the at least one protrusion 187, and push the at least one protrusion 187. According to another embodiment, the pusher 16 comprises an elongated body 162, and a projection 166 extending from the elongated body 162 and configured to move along the elongated body 162. The projection 166 is also configured to get in contact with a protrusion 187 of the movable base 18, and push the movable base during movement along the elongated body 162. The movement of the projection 166 along the elongated body 162 can be achieved by several optional ways. According to one exemplary embodiment, the pusher 16 comprises a conveyor belt 164 wrapped longitudinally on the elongated body 162, when the projection 166 is attached to the conveyor belt 164. Thus, rotation of the conveyor belt 164 around the elongated body 162 cause movement of the projection 166 along the elongated body 162. According to another exemplary embodiment, the pusher 16 comprises a piston configured to move along the elongated body 162, and the projection 166 is attached to the piston. Thus, movement of the piston along the elongated body 162, causes movement of the projection along the elongated body 162.

[124] Referring now to Fig. IOC, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of a unit lower side 122 comprising multiple pushers 16, and multiple movable bases 18 placed over the pushers 16. As illustrated in Fig. IOC, only pushers 16 that are at a gap 19 between movable bases 18 can be seen.

[125] Referring now to Figs. 10D-E, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a unit lower side 122 comprising multiple pushers 16. It should be noted that the unit lower side 122 illustrated in Figs. 10D-E is inverted. Therefore, the movable bases face downwards, and the downward surface 184 of the movable base 18 are exposed and can be seen. Also seen in Figs. 10D-E, is the at least one protrusion 187 extending from the downward surface 184 of each movable base. According to one embodiment, the article delivery unit comprises on the unit lower side 122 at least one longitudinal pusher 16-L that is configured to be placed along the length 1-L of the article delivery unit 1, and at least one transverse pusher 16-T that is configured to be placed transversely, namely along the width 1-T of the article delivery unit 1.

[126] Returning now to Fig. 10E illustrating two exemplary longitudinal pushers 16-L and an exemplary transverse pusher 16-T. It should be noted that similarly to Fig. 10D, Fig 10E illustrates a bottom view of an inverted unit lower side 122. As can be seen in Fig. 10E, a projection 166 of a longitudinal pusher 16-L gets in contact with a protrusion 187 of a movable base 18 that is placed above the longitudinal pusher 16-L, of which the downward surface 184 is seen. When the conveyor belt 164 moves, the projection 166 moves as well, for example in direction 910, while getting in contact with the protrusion 187 and moving the movable base 18 as well in direction 910. Fig. 10E illustrates the movable base 18 after it was pushed by the pusher 16 in direction 910. Thus, the longitudinal pusher 16-L is configured to push the movable base 18 along the length 1-L of the article delivery unit 1, either forward or backward, and the transverse pusher 16-T is configured to push the movable base 18 along the width 1-T of the article delivery unit 1.

[127] According to another embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10E, the heights of the longitudinal pushers 16-L and the transverse pushers 16-T are different, in order to separate the movements of their respective projections 166, and prevent clashing of a projection 166 of a longitudinal pusher 16-L with a projection 166 of a transverse pusher 16-T. Thus, in the example illustrated in Fig. 10E, the transverse pusher 16-T is closer to the downward surface 184 of the movable base 18, and the longitudinal pusher 16-L is more distant from the downward surface 184 of the movable base 18. However, this orientation can be opposite, namely the longitudinal pusher 16-L is closer to the downward surface 184, and the transverse pusher 16T is more distant from the downward surface 184.

[128] In addition to being configured to push a movable base 18, according to an additional embodiment, the pusher 16 is further configured to lock in place a movable base 18. This embodiment is applicable for a movable base 18 that is adjacent to the gap 19. In order to prevent non-desired sliding of the movable base 18 to the gap 19, the projection 166 of the slider 16 is configured to get in contact with the protrusion 187 of the movable base 18, and get locked in place, and thus prevent non-desired sliding of the movable base 18. For example, a first movable base 18-1, illustrated in Fig. 10E is adjacent to a gap 19. The projection 166 of the slider 16 that is under the first movable base 18-1 is in contact with the protrusion 187 of the first movable base 18-1, and locked in place. Thus, the projection 166 prevents non-desired sliding of the first movable base 18-1 in direction 920 toward the gap 19.

[129] Another exemplary embodiment for moving the movable bases 18 is a pushing arm that in installed at an end of a row of movable bases 18, with or without handling units 110 standing on the movable bases 18. According to this embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 comprises an arm that is configured to push a row of movable bases 18 forward along the length L of the article delivery unit 1. According to another embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 comprises an arm that is configured to push a row of movable bases 18 backward along the length L of the article delivery unit 1. According to yet another embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 comprises an arm that is configured to push a row of movable bases 18 to the right along the width W of the article delivery unit 1. According to still another embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 comprises an arm that is configured to push a row of movable bases 18 to the left along the width W of the article delivery unit 1. According to a further embodiment, the arm can be configured to pull a movable base 18, instead of pushing as described above. According to this embodiment of the arm that is configured to pull a movable base 18, movable bases 18 are configured to be attached one to the other during their pulling by the arm. According to a yet further embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 comprises any combination of embodiments of the arm.

[130] Figs. 10F-J illustrate another mechanism for pushing movable bases 18 with pushersl6 comprising conveyor chains 165 instead of conveyor belts 164.

[131] Referring now to Fig. 10F, schematically illustrating, according to some exemplary embodiments, an upper perspective view of a unit lower side comprising multiple pushers, and a single movable base placed over one of the pushers, when each pusher 16 comprises a conveyor chains. Fig. 10F shows a unit lower side 122 having a substantially rectangular shape, comprising two longitudinal pushers 16-L parallel to each other, and two transverse pushers 16-T that are parallel to each other, and vertical to the longitudinal pushers 16-L, forming together a substantially rectangular shape. As can be further seen in Fig. 10F, the longitudinal pushers 16-L are longer than the transverse pushers 16-T. However, this should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter. The lengths of the longitudinal pushers 16-L can be similar to the lengths of the transverse pushers 16, thus forming together a substantially square shape.

[132] According to one embodiment, the pusher 16 comprises a body 162, and a conveyor chain 165 wrapped longitudinally on the elongated body 162, when at least one, preferably a plurality of, clamps 167 are attached to the conveyor chain 165.

[133] Referring now to Fig. 10G, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom view of a part of a conveyor chain, and a clamp attached to the conveyor chain. Fig. 10G shows a conveyor chain 165 comprising a plurality of links 1652, when each link 1652 is pivotally connected to an adjacent link 1652 with a hinge 1654. Also seen in Fig. 10G is a clamp 167 attached to the conveyor chain 165. The clamp 167 comprises two grasping elements 1672 attached to links 1652 of the conveyor chain 165 in a manner that allows the two grasping elements 1672 to grasp a protrusion 187 of a movable base 187, for example to grasp the protrusion 187 shown in Fig. 10A. Thus, when the clamp 167 grasps a protrusion 187 of a movable base 18, and the conveyor chain 165 rotates around the elongated body 162 of the pusher 16-L or 16-T, the movable base 18, the protrusion 187 of which is grasped by the clamp 167, moves accordingly along the elongated body 162.

[134] Referring now to Fig. 10H, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom view of a part of a conveyor chain, and a clamp attached to the conveyor chain, when each grasping element of the clamp further comprises a support. The clamp 167 illustrated in Fig. 10H is similar to the clamp 167 illustrated in Fig. 10G, except that the clamp 167 illustrated in Fig. 10H, further comprises a support 1674 attached to each grasping element 1672. The support 1674 extends aside to the grasping element 1672 and is supported by an adjacent link 1652 of the conveyor chain 165. This feature of the clamp 167 is important for preventing bending of the conveyor chain 165, when the movement of the movable base 18 is blocked, for example when the movable element 18 reaches a comer between a longitudinal pusher 16-L and a transverse pusher 16-T, while the conveyor chain 165 still attempts to move. This embodiment will be discussed again, in more detail, hereinafter. [135] Returning now to Fig. 10F. According to one embodiment, each one of the longitudinal pushers 16-L and the transverse pushers 16-T comprises a pusher motor 161 at one end, and a motor tooth wheel 163 mechanically connected to the pusher motor 161. Any type of motor can serve as a pusher motor 161, preferably an electric motor. The conveyer chain 165 is wrapped around the motor tooth wheel 163, when the teeth of the motor tooth wheel 163 are configured to fit together with the links 1652 of the conveyor chain 165. Thus, when the pusher motor 161 is in operation state, the pusher motor is configured to rotate the motor tooth wheel 163, and as a result of the rotation of the motor tooth wheel 163, the conveyor chain 165 rotates about the elongated body 162 of either the longitudinal pusher 16-L, or the transverse pusher 16-T.

[136] According to one embodiment, the pusher motor 161 is configured to rotate the motor tooth wheel 163 either clockwise, or counterclockwise, thus enabling rotation of the conveyor chain 165 in either one of opposite directions, accordingly. This enables movement of the movable base 18 along the longitudinal pusher 16-L, or the transverse pusher 16-T, in either direction; for example, forward or backward along the longitudinal pusher 16-L, and left or right along the transverse pusher 16-T.

[137] According to another embodiment shown in Fig. 10F, each one of the longitudinal pushers 16-L and the transverse pushers 16-T comprises a stretching tooth wheel 168 at an opposite end, relative to the pusher motor 161 and the motor tooth wheel 163. The conveyor chain 165 is also wrapped around the stretching tooth wheel 168, when the teeth of the stretching tooth wheel 168 are configured to fit together with the links 1652 of the conveyor chain 165, in a manner that when the conveyor chain 165 moves it causes the stretching tooth wheel 168 to rotate accordingly.

[138] Referring now to Fig. 101, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a close-up view of components of the unit lower side. As can be seen in Fig. 101, the stretching tooth wheel 168 is attached to an end of the elongated body 162. The stretching tooth wheel 168 is configured to stretch the conveyor chain 165 that is wrapped around the stretching tooth wheel 168, and keep the conveyor chain 165 in a stretched state. This is important for preventing loosening of the conveyor chain 165 and malfunction of the longitudinal pushers 16-L and transverse pushers 16-T.

[139] According to one embodiment, seen in Fig. 101, the stretching tooth wheel 168 is connected to a telescopic shaft 169 that is attached to the elongated body 162, and configured to move along the elongated body 162 either into the elongated body 162, or out of the elongated body 162. Thus, in order to stretch the conveyor chain 165, the telescopic shaft 169, with the stretching tooth wheel 168, is pulled out of the elongated body 162.

[140] Returning now to Fig. 10F, regarding some embodiments of the movable base 18. In Figs. 7-9 and 10A, the movable base 18 was described as comprising an upward surface 182 and a downward surface 184. In other words, the movable base 18 was described as having an entire solid surface, that the handling unit 110 can stand upon its upward surface 182, and a movement element, for example a protrusion 187, is attached to its downward surface 184. However, a movable base 18 comprising an entire solid surface is only an exemplary embodiment of the movable base 18. According to another embodiment, shown for example in Fig. 10F, the movable base 18 comprises a frame 181 that defines the circumference of the movable base 18, and optionally at least one rod 183 that is positioned within the frame 181. For example, the movable base 18 shown in Fig. 10F comprises two rods 183 that cross one the other. Thus, the handling unit 110 can be placed on the frame 181 of the movable base 110.

[141] Returning now to Fig. 101, that shows also part of the movable base 18 that comprises a frame 181 and two rods 183 within the frame 181, when the two rods 183 cross each other, thus forming a cross point 183-C. Another embodiment that is shown in Fig. 101 is the protrusion 187 that extends downward from at least one of the rods 183. Preferably, the protrusion 187 extends downward from a center of the movable base 18. For example, the center of the movable base 18 can be defined by the cross point 183-C of the two rods 183, as shown in Fig. 101. Nevertheless, the position of the protrusion 187 at the center of the movable base 18, is only exemplary and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter. The protrusion 187 can extend from any position at the bottom of movable base 18.

[142] In Fig. 101 the movable base 18 is positioned at a comer between a longitudinal pusher 16-L and a transverse pusher 16-T. At this position, the protrusion 187 of the movable base 18 is grasped by two clamps 167 - A longitudinal clamp 167-L that is attached to a conveyor chain 165 of the longitudinal pusher 16-L, and a transverse clamp 167-T that is attached to a conveyor chain 165 of the transverse pusher 16-T. Grasping of the protrusion 187 by a longitudinal clamp 167-L and a transverse clamp 167-T occurs when the movable base 18 is positioned at a comer between a longitudinal pusher 16-L and a transverse pusher 16-T.

[143] In order for the longitudinal clamp 167-L and the transverse clamp 167-T to grasp the protrusion at the same time, the heights of the corresponding pushers 16-L and 16-T should be different. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 101, the longitudinal pusher 16-L is above the transverse pusher 16-T. As a result, the longitudinal clamp 167-L is above the transverse clamp 167-T, thus allowing the longitudinal clamp 167-L and the transverse clamp 167-T to grasp the protrusion at the same time, as shown in Fig. 101. An opposite orientation is also unider the scope of the present subject matter, namely the transverse pusher 16-T is above the longitudinal pusher 16-L, and the transverse clamp 167-T is above the longitudinal clamp 167-L.

[144] At the position shown in Fig. 101, the movable base 18 can be moved only, either along the longitudinal pusher 16-L in direction 992, or along the transverse pusher 16-T in direction 994. In order to move the movable base 18 in direction 992, the conveyor chain 165 of the longitudinal pusher 16-L is turned by the corresponding pusher motor 161 in a manner that moves the longitudinal clamp 167-L in direction 992. As a result, the protrusion 187 is pushed in direction 992 while being grasped by the longitudinal clamp 167-L, and while being released from the grasping by the transverse clamp 167-T. Similarly, in order to move the movable base 18 in direction 994, the conveyor chain 165 of the transverse pusher 16-T is turned by the corresponding pusher motor 161 in a manner that moves the transverse clamp 167-T in direction 994. As a result, the protrusion 187 is pushed in direction 994 while being grasped by the transverse clamp 167-T, while being released from the grasping by the longitudinal clamp 167-L.

[145] When the movable base 18 is positioned at the corner between the longitudinal pusher 16-L and the transverse pusher 16-T, as shown in Fig. 101, or when the movable base 18 arrives at this corner during movement along the longitudinal pusher 16-L, or along the transverse pusher 16-T, there can happen that the pusher motor 161 will continue to turn the corresponding conveyor chain 165 in a manner that attempts to move the movable base 18, further in either direction 996, which is opposite to direction 992 along the longitudinal pusher 16-L, or in direction 998, which is opposite to direction 994 along the transverse pusher 16-T. However, when being attempted to move in direction 996 along the longitudinal pusher 16-L, the protrusion 187 is blocked by the transverse pusher 16-T, and when being attempted to move in direction 998 along the transverse pusher 16-T, the protrusion 187 is blocked by the longitudinal pusher 16-L. In addition, when the movable base 18 is positioned at the comer between the longitudinal pusher 16-L and the transverse pusher 16-T, and a handling unit 110, like the handling unit 110 shown in Fig. 2, for example, is placed on the movable base 18, the movement of the movable base 18 and the handling unit 110 can be blocked by the frame 12 of the article delivery unit 1, seen for example in Fig. 1, when the handling unit 110 gets in contact with the frame 12.

[146] Nevertheless, there are cases in which the pusher motor 161 can continue to turn the conveyor chain 165 against the blockage described above, when the movable base 18 is at a comer. When the clamp 167 was designed as shown in Fig. 10G, namely comprising only two grasping elements 1672, it was observed that the conveyor chain 165 tended to bend and even collapse, thus jamming the movement of the movable base 18. This problem was solved when the supports 1674 illustrated in Fig. 10H were added to the grasping elements 1672. Since each support 1674 extends aside to the grasping element 1672 and is supported by an adjacent link 1652 of the conveyor chain 165, as shown in Fig. 10H, bending and even collapse of the conveyor chain 165 is prevented, thus making operation of the article delivery unit 1 more efficient, even in accidental malfunction of the pusher motor 161, as described above.

[147] Referring now to Fig. 10J schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of a unit lower side comprising sliding rails. Another exemplary component of the unit lower side 122 is sliding rails 15 configured to allow sliding of the movable base 18 on the sliding rails 15 when the movable base 18 is moved on the unit lower side 122. As can be seen in Fig. 10J, edges of the movable base 18 are placed over the sliding rails 15 in a manner that allows sliding of the movable base 18 over the sliding rails 15 when the movable base 18 is moved. Thus, there is a sliding rail 15 along each side of the unit lower side 122, and a central sliding rail 15-C along a longitudinal center of the unit lower side 122. According to one embodiment, the sliding rail 15 can be made of a material, or be coated by a material, having a low friction coefficient, in order to facilitate smooth sliding of the movable base 18 along the sliding rail 15. According to another embodiment, the sliding rail 15 comprises a plurality of fixed rolling balls 152 dispersed along the sliding rail 15, as shown hereinafter.

[148] Referring now to Fig. 10K, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of sliding rails comprising fixed rolling balls dispersed along them. As can be seen in Fig. 10K, each fixed rolling ball 152 is fixed in a ring 154 attached to the sliding rail 15 in a manner that allows rolling of the fixed rolling ball 152 inside the ring 154. Thus, according to this embodiment, the movable base 18 can slide over the fixed rolling balls 152, and because the fixed rolling balls 152 are configured to roll inside the ring 152, the friction force between the movable base 18 and the sliding rail 15 is reduced, thus allowing smooth movement of the movable base 18 along the rail.

[149] Another embodiment shown in Figs. 10J. and 10K is the fixed rolling balls 152 are arranged in a line on the sliding rails 15 that are along the sides of the unit lower side 122, whereas the fixed rolling balls 152 arranged in two lines on the central sliding rail 15-C. The reason for this arrangement is that as can be seen for example in Fig. 1, there are two rows of movable bases 18 on the unit lower side 122. Thus, each row of fixed rolling balls 152 on the central sliding rail 15-C is in contact with a different row of movable bases 18. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the arrangements of the fixed rolling balls 152 in lines along the sliding rails 15 is only exemplary and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter. Any arrangement of the fixed rolling balls 152 on the sliding rails 15 is under the scope of the present subject matter.

[150] Referring now to Fig. 10L schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, another close-up view of components of the movable base. Another exemplary component of the movable base 18 that is shown in Fig. 10L is a blade 1811 attached to an upper side of the movable base 18, that is configured to adjust positioning of a handling unit 110 on the movable base 18. Another exemplary component of the movable base 18 is a fastener 1822 attached to the upper side of the movable base 18, and configured to fasten the handling unit 110 to the movable base 18. Following is a description of embodiments of the handling unit 110 that is suitable for being placed on the movable base 18 that is illustrated, for example, in Fig. 10L.

[151] Referring now to Fig. 10M, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a perspective view of a handling unit with additional components, and to Fig. 10N, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a close-up perspective view of a handling unit lower side of the handling unit shown in Fig. 10M.

[152] Fig. 10M shows some additional embodiments that render the handling unit 110 suitable for being placed on and carried by the movable base 18 that is illustrated, for example in Fig. 10L. The handling unit 110 shown in Fig. 10M is similar to the handling unit 110 shown in Fig. 2, for example. In Fig. 10M, and particularly in Fig. 10N, emphasis is made on some additional components that are attached to the handling unit lower side 1106.

[153] Returning now to Fig. 10M. According to one embodiment, the handling unit 110 comprises multiple handling unit wheels 1150 attached to the handling unit lower side 1106. The handling unit wheels 1150 are configured to allow mobility of the handling unit 110, for example by a person that moves the handling unit 110 in a warehouse, a logistic center, or in any other place where it is necessary to mobilize the handling unit 110. In addition, the handling unit wheels 1150 can allow mobilization of the handling unit 110 during either loading of the handling unit 110 on, or unloading of the handling unit 110 off, the article delivery unit 1. In other words, the handling unit 110 can stand on the movable base 18 on the handling unit wheels 1150, as well as loaded on and unloaded off the movable base 18 by mobilizing the handling unit 110 on the handling unit wheels 1150. [154] Returning now to Fig. ION. According to one embodiment, the handling unit 110 comprises a handling unit rail 1118 attached to the handling unit lower side 1106. The handling unit rail 1118 is configured to engage with the blade 1811 of the movable base 18, that is shown for example in Fig. 10L. In other words, when the handling unit 110 that is shown in Fig. 10M is loaded on the movable base 18 that is shown in Fig. 10L, the handling unit rail 1118 engages with the blade 1811 of the movable base 18, or in other words, the blade 1811 is inserted into the handling unit rail 1118.

[155] Returning now to Fig. 10N. According to one embodiment, the handling unit 110 comprises at least one slit 1122 at the handling unit lower side 1106. For example, the at least one slit 1122 can be part of the handling unit rail 1118, as shown in Fig. 10N, but the at least one slit 1122 can also be attached to the handling unit lower side 1106. In addition, the handling unit 110 shown in Fig. 10N comprises two slits 1122. This embodiment is also only exemplary, and any number of slits 1122 can be attached to the handling unit lower side 1106, or to the handling unit rail 1118. The at least one slit 1122 is configured to be engaged by the fastener 1822 of the movable base 18 that is shown in Fig. 10L.

[156] Returning now to Fig. 10L. The fastener 1822 of the movable base 18 comprises a snap 1822-S that is configured to engage with the at least one slit 1122 of the handling unit 110; and an elastic member 1822-E, for example a spring, that is configured to keep the snap 1822-S in an upper position in default. When the handling unit 110 is placed on the movable base 18, the snap 1822-S engages with the at least one slit 1122, and because of the elastic member 1822- E, the snap 1822-S is pushed upward into the at least one slit 1122, thus locking the handling unit 110 in place. In addition, the fastener 1822 of the movable base 18 further comprises a pedal 1822-P configured to be pressed by a person, for example by a foot of the person, in order to move the snap 1822-S downward, thus disengaging the snap 1822-S from the at least one slit 1122, and releasing the handling unit 110. When the pressing on the pedal 1822-P is released, the snap 1822-S returns upward due to the action of the elastic member 1822-E.

[157] Referring now to Fig. 10O, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a handling unit placed on a movable base and fixed to the movable base, as described in Figs. 10L and 10N. It should be noted, though, that the movable base 18 shown in Fig. 10O comprises a full surface, as shown for example in Fig. 10A. This shows that the fastening and snapping mechanisms described above can be used also with movable bases 18 comprising a full surface, as shown in Fig. 10O, not only with movable bases 18 comprising a frame 181 and optionally at least one rod 183, as shown in Fig. 10L, for example. [158] The purpose of the blade 1811 of the movable base 18 and the corresponding handling unit rail 1118, and of the fastener 1822 of the movable base 18 and the at least one slit 1122 at the handling unit lower side 1106, is to fix the handling unit 110 to the movable base 18, and to prevent uncontrolled movement of the handling unit 110, for example in an article delivery vehicle 600, shown for example in Fig. 4, during traveling of the article delivery vehicle 600.

[159] Referring now to Figs. 11A-B, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom perspective view of a movement element in the form a plurality of toothed rods 189 attached to a downward surface 184 of a movable base 18. According to one embodiment, the movable base 18 comprises at least one longitudinal toothed rod 189-L that is parallel to the length 18-L of the movable base 18; and at least one transverse toothed rod 189-T that is parallel to the width 18-W of the movable base 18. According to another embodiment, the movable base 18 comprises a longitudinal toothed rod 189-L that is parallel to the length 18-L of the movable base 18; and a transverse toothed rod 189-T that is parallel to the width 18-W of the movable base 18. According to yet another embodiment, the movable base 18 comprises a plurality of longitudinal toothed rods 189-L, preferably two longitudinal toothed rods 189-L, that are parallel one relative to the other, and parallel to the length 18-L of the movable base 18; and a plurality of transverse toothed rod 189-T, preferably two transverse toothed rods 189-T, that are parallel one relative to the other, and parallel to the width 18-W of the movable base 18.

[160] Returning now to Fig. 5, according to one embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 further comprises a plurality of toothed wheels 17 that are positioned on the unit lower side 122 and configured to get in contact with the toothed rods 189 of the movable base 18 that are positioned above them, and illustrated in Fig. 11 A, as well as cause movement of the movable base 18 by rotating. According to one embodiment, the toothed wheels 17 comprise at least one longitudinal toothed wheel 17-L that is configured to get in contact with a longitudinal toothed rod 189-L, and at least one transverse toothed wheel 17-T that is configured to get in contact with a transverse toothed rod 189-T.

[161] Returning now to Fig. 5 again, according to one embodiment, the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L are parallel to the length 1-L of the article delivery unit 1. According to another embodiment, the transverse toothed wheels 17-T are parallel to the width 1-W of the article delivery unit 1. According to a further embodiment, the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L are positioned along the entire length 1-L of the unit lower side 122, under all the movable bases 18 that are present on the unit lower side 122. According to yet a further embodiment, the transverse toothed wheels 17-T are positioned near the unit front side 1262 and near the unit rear side 1264. In other words, when for example the article delivery unit 1 comprises two rows of movable bases 18, as illustrated for example in Fig. 5, the transverse toothed wheels 17-T are positioned at the edges of the rows of the movable bases 18.

[162] According to one embodiment, the toothed wheel 17 is configured to turn, and since it is also configured to get in contact with a toothed rod 189 of the movable base 18, turning of the toothed wheel 17 causes movement of the movable base 18 in the direction of turning of the toothed wheel 17.

[163] Referring now to Figs. 12A-B, schematically illustrating, according to some exemplary embodiments, a top perspective view of mechanisms for turning toothed wheels 17. According to one embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 12A, the article delivery unit 1 further comprises at least one motor 20 that is configured to actuate at least one toothed wheel 17. According to another embodiment, a plurality of toothed wheels 17 are configured to turn simultaneously, when for example only one of the toothed wheels 17 is actuated by the motor 20. This can be achieved for example with a gear system that connects adjacent toothed wheels 17, or with a set of timing belts 30 that are configured to connect adjacent toothed wheels 17, for example longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L, as illustrated in Fig. 12B.

[164] Referring now to Figs. 13A-B, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a side view of longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L having a fixed height, and transverse toothed wheels 17-T configured to change their height. According to one embodiment, in places where there are longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L and transverse toothed wheels 17-T, one of these two types of toothed wheel 17 has a fixed height and the other type of toothed wheel 17 is configured to change its height; or both types of toothed wheel 17 are configured to change their height. For the sake of explaining the present subject matter, the Figs. 13A-B illustrate exemplary longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L having a fixed height, and transverse toothed wheels 17-T configured to change their height. This is a mechanism that is designed to facilitate longitudinal movement and transverse movement of a base 18.

[165] Returning now to Fig. 13A. When a movable base 18 stands over longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L and transverse toothed wheels 17-T, a default state is that the transverse toothed wheels 17-T have a lower height than the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L. As a result, the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L get in contact with the longitudinal toothed rods 189-L of the movable base 18, while the transverse toothed wheels 17-T are separated from the transverse toothed rods 189-T. Therefore, when the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L turn, they cause a longitudinal movement of the movable base 18, in directions 910 and 920. In this state, even though the transverse toothed wheels 17-T would turn, they would not influence the movement of the movable base 18 because their height is lower than the height of the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L, and therefore the transverse toothed wheels 17-T do not get in contact with the transverse toothed rods 189-T of the movable base 18.

[166] Returning now to Fig. 13B. When there is a desire to move the movable base 18 in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 13B, the transverse toothed wheels 17- T change their height until their height is higher than the height of the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L. This causes an elevation of the movable base 18, in a manner that now the transverse toothed wheels 17-T get in contact with the transverse toothed rods 189-T, while the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L are lower and do not get in contact with the longitudinal toothed rods 189-L. When the transverse toothed wheels 17-T turn in this state they cause transverse movement of the movable base 18, and even though the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L would turn in this state, they would not influence the movement of the movable base 18.

[167] Returning now to Fig. 13A. Then, when the movable base 18 reaches its desired location, and there is a desire to move the movable base 18 in a longitudinal direction, for example direction 910 or 920, the transverse toothed wheels 17-T get down to the default state, where their height is lower than the height of the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L, and as a result the longitudinal toothed wheel 17-L gets in contact now with the longitudinal toothed rods 189-L of the movable base 18.

[168] Some exemplary mechanism for changing the height of a toothed wheel 17 that is configured to change its height, include a pneumatic mechanism, hydraulic mechanism, mechanical mechanism and the like.

[169] Referring now to Figs. 14A-E, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a side perspective view of stages of a process of moving movable bases 18.

[170] Referring to Fig. 14A, illustrating a first movable base 18-1 standing at the unit rear side 1264, aside a first gap 19-1, and a second movable base 18-2 standing adjacent to the first movable base 18-1. At this stage there is a desire to move the first movable base 18-1 into the first gap 19-1.

[171] As illustrated in Fig. 14B, transverse toothed wheels 17-T, positioned under the first movable base 18-1 elevate upwards in direction 950 and as a result elevate the first movable base 18-1 upwards in direction 950. At this position, turning of the transverse toothed wheels 17-T that are under the first movable base 18-1 would cause transverse movement of the first movable base 18-1.

[172] Referring now to Fig. 14C. illustrating the first movable base 18-1 after it transversely moved, in direction 930, towards the first gap 19-1 that was shown in Figs. 11A-B. The movement of the first movable base 18-1 in direction 930 was caused due to turning of the transverse toothed wheels 17-T that were elevated and got in contact with transverse toothed rods 189-T of the first movable base 18-1 (hidden under the first movable base 18-1). As a result, a second gap 19-2 was formed at the place where the first movable base 18-1 stood at the beginning of the process.

[173] The next stage, illustrated in Fig. 14D, it to lower down the first movable base 18-1. This is achieved by lowering downwards, in direction 960, the transverse toothed wheels 17-T that are under the first movable base 18-1. When the first movable base 18-1 lowers down, its longitudinal toothed rods 189-L (hidden under the first movable base 18-1) get in contact with the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L that are under the first movable base 18-1.

[174] Referring now to Fig. 14E, illustrating a next stage of the process of moving movable bases 18 in an article delivery unit 1. At this stage, the second movable base 18-2 moved longitudinally, in direction 920, into the second gap 19-2. Note that the entire row of movable bases 18, of which the second movable base 18-2 was part, moved in direction 920. This was achieved by turning the longitudinal toothed wheels 17-L (hidden under the movable bases 18) that are under these movable bases 18 in direction 920.

[175] Referring now to Figs. 15A-J, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a top perspective view of stages of a process of moving movable bases 18 in an article delivery unit 1.

[176] Fig. 15A illustrates an article delivery unit 1 comprising a service gap 192, two rows of movable bases 18, when there is a gap 19 in one of the rows of the movable bases 18, and a handling unit 110 standing on one of the movable bases 18. Even though, as can be seen in the gap 19, the article delivery unit 1 comprises toothed wheels 17 for moving the movable bases 18, as described in detail above, this should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter. The movement of the movable bases 18 as described herein, and particularly in regard to Figs. 15A-J, can be achieved by any mechanism as described above.

[177] In Fig. 15A, some of the movable bases 18 are specifically designated. The movable base 18 on which a handling unit 110 stands is designated - handling unit 110. In addition, there are a first movable base 18-1, a second movable base 18-2, and a first gap 19-1. Fig. 15A illustrates an exemplary initial state, where the handling unit 110 is positioned adjacent to the first gap 19-1. At this stage, there is a desire to move the handling unit 110 forward 910 to the first gap 19-1.

[178] Fig. 15B illustrates the positions of the movable bases 18 after the handling unit 110 moved forward 910 to the first gap 19-1. Note that the entire row of movable bases 18 that comprises the handling unit 110 moved forward 910, and as a result, a second gap 19-2 was created at an opposite end of the row relative to the handling unit 110. Even though movement of an entire row of movable bases 18 is a preferred embodiment, movement of a single movable base 18, or of not all of the movable bases 18 in the row is also possible, and under the scope of the present subject matter, because in some embodiments each movable base 18 is independent in terms of movement. At this stage, there is a desire to move the first movable base 18-1 to the right 930, to the second gap 19-2 that is adjacent to the first movable base 18- 1. However, since the article delivery unit 1 illustrated in Figs. 15A-J comprises toothed wheels 17 for moving the movable bases 18, then in order to move the first movable base 18-1 to the right 930, the first movable base 18-1 has to be elevated upwards 950.

[179] Fig. 15C illustrates the first movable base 18-1 after it was elevated upwards 950. It should be noted that this stage is optional, since in an article delivery unit 1 that comprises other mechanisms of moving the movable bases 18, there is no need to elevate the movable base 18 upwards 950 before moving it either to the right 930 or to the left.

[180] Fig. 15D illustrates the first movable base 18-1 after it moved to the right 930 to gap 19-2. Note that at this stage the first movable base 18-1 is still elevated, and as a result of its movement, a third gap 19-3 was created. At this stage, there is a need to lower the first movable base 18-1 downwards.

[181] Fig. 15E illustrates the first movable base 18-1 after it was lowered downwards 960. Again, this stage is specific to an embodiment of an article delivery unit 1 that comprises toothed wheels 17 for moving the movable bases 18. At this stage there is a desire to move the second movable base 18-2 backwards 920 to the third gap 19-3.

[182] Fig. 15F illustrates the positions of the movable bases 18 after the second movable base 18-2 moved backward 920 to the third gap 19-3. Note that the entire row of movable bases 18 that comprises the second movable base 18-2 moved backward 920, and as a result, a fourth gap 19-4 was created at an opposite end of the row relative to the second movable base 18-2. Again, even though movement of an entire row of movable bases 18 is a preferred embodiment, movement of a single movable base 18, or of not the entire row is also possible, and under the scope of the present subject matter, because in some embodiments each movable base 18 is independent in terms of movement. At this stage, there is a desire to move the handling unit 110 forward 910 to the service gap 192, for example, in order to allow removal of an article 500 placed in the handling unit 110, or placing an article 500 in the handling unit 110.

[183] Fig. 15G illustrates the positions of the movable bases 18 after the handling unit 110 moved forward 910 to the service gap 192. Note that as described above, only the handling unit 110 moved forward, while the rest of the movable bases 18 in its row stayed in place. As a result, of the movement of the handling unit 110 forward to the service gap 192, a fifth gap 19- 5 was created. At this stage, there is a desire to return the handling unit 110 to the fifth gap 19- 5 by moving the handling unit 110 backwards.

[184] Fig. 15H illustrates the positions of the movable bases 18 after the handling unit 110 returned backwards 920 to the fifth gap 19-5, for example after handling articles 500 stored in the handling unit 110. Note, that the handling unit 110 is elevated after it was elevated upwards 950, in order to move the handling unit 110 to the left 940 to the fourth gap 19-4.

[185] Fig. 151 illustrates the positions of the movable bases 18 after the handling unit 110 moved to the left 940 to the fourth gap 19-4. As a result, the fifth gap 19-5 was created again. Note that the handling unit 110 is still elevated. At this stage there is a desire to lower the handling unit 110 downwards 960.

[186] Fig. 15J illustrates the handling unit 110 after it was lowered downwards 960.

[187] The embodiments shown in Figs. 15A-J show the abilities of the article delivery unit 1 in moving movable bases 18 in the article delivery unit 1, together with handling units 110 standing on the movable bases 18, and bringing a particular handling unit 110 to the service gap 192, in order to allow handling of articles 500 stored in the particular handling unit 110, for example removing an article 500 from the handling unit 110 in order to deliver the article 500 to a person, transfer the article 500 from the handling unit 110 to a dropbox, for example a public dropbox, or a private dropbox, as would be described hereinafter; or placing an article 500 in the handling unit 110 for example an article 500 given by a person, or an article 500 taken from the dropbox, and the like. In this way, any particular handling unit 110 that is in the article delivery unit 1 can be brought to the service gap 192, by stepwise movement of the movable bases 18 in the article delivery unit 1, when in each step a movable base 18 moves towards an adjacent gap 19, while none or at least one other movable base 18 moves as well. It should be noted that at least one gap 19 must be in the article delivery unit 1 in order to allow the movement of the movable bases 18. It should be noted also that a movable base 18 can move in each direction - forward 910, backward 920, right 930, left 940, and in some embodiments also upward 950 and downward 960. Thus, an optimal path for a particular handling unit 110 to reach a certain position, for example to reach the service gap 192, can be established, for example by a controller with a designated algorithm that controls the movement of the movable bases 18 in the article delivery unit 1. In addition to the linear movement of movable bases 18, and handling units 110 standing on the movable bases 18, in the article delivery unit 1, as described above, rotational movement of the movable base 18, and a handling unit 110 standing on the movable base 18, is also possible, as illustrated in Figs. 16A-

B.

[188] Referring now to Figs. 16A-B, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view and an upper view, respectively, of an article delivery unit 1 comprising a handling unit 110 standing on a movable base 18 in a service gap 192 and rotating about itself. Figs. 16A-B illustrate an article delivery unit 1 comprising a movable base 18, and a handling unit 110 standing on the movable base 18, when the movable base 18 is positioned in the service gap 192, and the movable base 18 rotates about itself. The position of the movable bases 18 in Figs. 16A-B is similar to the position of the movable bases 18 in Fig. 15G, described above. Returning now to Fig. 15A, according to one embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 can comprise a rotating element 202 at the service gap 192, placed on the unit lower side 122. The rotating element 202 is configured to rotate and thereby rotate a movable base 18 standing on the rotating element 202. Returning now to Figs. 16A-B, according to one embodiment, the rotating element 202 is configured to be at a lower state, move upwards 950 to an elevated state, rotate about itself when at the elevated state, and move downwards 960 back to the lower state. When at the upper state, as can be seen, for example, in Fig. 16B, the rotating element 202, which is hidden by the handling unit 110 standing on it, is configured to rotate about itself either clockwise 970, or counter clockwise 980. Also seen in Fig. 16B, for example, is a handling unit 110 in two positions - a straight position 110-S, when the handling unit 110 stands straight in the service gap 192, and a rotational position 110-R, when the handling unit 110 is during rotation. Thus, when a movable base 18 with a handling unit 110 on it, enters the service gap 192 it is straight 110-S. At this stage, the rotating element 202 is at the lowered state. When at the lowered state, the rotating element 202 does not block movement of the movable base 18 into the service gap 192. Then, the rotating element 202 moves upwards 950 to the elevated state, and elevates the movable base 18 with it, so the movable base 18 is disconnected from the unit lower side 122. At this stage, for example, the toothed rods 189 of the movable base 18 disconnect from the toothed wheels 17, or the wheels 185 of the movable base 18 are elevated above the unit lower side 122. Therefore, when the rotating element 202 rotates at the elevated state, there is no interruption to this rotation, and the movable base 18, as well as the handling unit 110 that is on the movable base 18, rotate also, and can be for example in the rotated state 110-R, that is illustrated in Fig. 16B. When the handling unit 110 is rotated, for example, in 180°, the rotating element 202 can stop turning and return to the lowered state. This embodiment is important, for example, in a case when a person sitting in the niche 70 that is adjacent to the service gap 192 attempts to reach an article 500 in the handling unit 110 that is in the service gap 192, but the article 500 is beyond the reach of his arm. Then, the person prompts rotation of the handling unit 110 in 180°, as described above, in order to approach the article 500 and bring the article 500 closer to him. According to one embodiment, the rotation of the rotating element 202 is prompted on-demand, for example by the person sitting in the niche 70 when he attempts to reach an article 500 in the handling unit 110 that is in the service gap 192, as described above. According to another embodiment, rotation of the rotating element 202 is controlled by a controller, with a designated algorithm, that controls the rotation of the rotating element 202.

[189] Before further describing additional embodiments of the article delivery unit 1 , it should be noted that according to one embodiment, the handling unit 110 is configured to be loaded on the article delivery unit 1, or unloaded from the article delivery unit 1. In addition, it should be further noted, that the article delivery unit 1, in all its embodiments described herein, including the embodiment of the article delivery unit 1 as part of a public dropbox 400 as described hereinafter, is configured to be placed and operate in a vehicle, or be fixed on a surface, for example the ground.

[190] Referring now to Fig. 17, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of a forklift 700 loading, or unloading, a handling unit 110 onto, or from, an article delivery vehicle 600. The article delivery vehicle 600 comprises an article delivery unit 1. According to one embodiment, the handling unit 110 is configured to be loaded on the article delivery vehicle 600. According to another embodiment, the handling unit 110 is configured to be unloaded from the article delivery vehicle 600. According to some embodiments, articles 500 are arranged in a handling unit 110 for delivery, for example in a logistic center, and then the handling unit 110 is loaded on an article delivery vehicle 600. The article delivery vehicle 600, and the article delivery unit 1 of the article delivery vehicle 600, are described in detail above, for example with reference to Fig. 4. During its tour, the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured, according to one embodiment, to deliver articles 500 to dropboxes, or directly to persons. According to another embodiment, the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to collect articles 500, for example directly from persons, or from dropboxes, and bring the collected articles 500, for example, to a logistic center, for handling and delivery to designated destinations. Thus, handling units 110 that are in an article delivery vehicle 600 that returns to the logistic center, can contain articles 500 that were not delivered, or articles 500 that were collected for further handling and delivery, or be empty. These handling units 110 are configured to be easily unloaded from the article delivery vehicle 600 [191] Loading of the handling unit 110 onto the article delivery vehicle 600 can be performed either manually, or automatically. An exemplary method for loading a handling unit 110 on the article delivery vehicle 600 is by using a forklift 700, as illustrated in Fig. 17. During loading, each handling unit 110 is loaded on a vacant movable base 18 through an opening in the article delivery vehicle 600. After a handling unit 110 is loaded on a vacant movable base 18 that is adjacent to the opening, the movable bases 18 move in the article delivery vehicle 600, for example as illustrated in Figs. 15A-J, in order to bring another vacant movable base 18 close to the opening, in order to be loaded with another handling unit 110. Thus, at least part, or all the vacant movable bases 18 of the article delivery vehicle 600 are loaded with handling units 110 containing articles to be delivered.

[192] Unloading of the handling unit 110 from the article delivery vehicle 600 can be performed either manually, or automatically. An exemplary method for unloading a handling unit 110 from the article delivery vehicle 600 is by using a forklift 700, as illustrated in Fig. 17. During unloading, a handling unit 110 that is adjacent to the opening of the article delivery vehicle 600 is unloaded. Then the movable bases 18 move in the article delivery vehicle 600, for example as illustrated in Figs. 15A-J, in order to bring another movable base 18 with a handling unit 110 close to the opening, in order for the handling unit 110 to be unloaded. Thus, at least part, or all the handling units 110 that are in the article delivery vehicle 600 are unloaded.

[193] Referring now to Fig. 18, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, an upper perspective view of a public dropbox 400 comprising an article delivery unit 1. A public dropbox 400, as referred to herein, is a dropbox comprising a cell cluster 80, when the cell cluster 80 comprises a plurality of cells 82 that are configured to receive articles and be accessible to humans. Each cell 82 can contain at least one article 500, and be either accessible to everyone, or accessible only to at least one assigned recipient that is identified and approved. For example, each cell 82 can comprise an opening that is accessible to recipients. The opening of the cell 82 can be open, and as a result, the content of the cell 82 is accessible to everyone. The opening of the cell 82 can be closed, for example with a door. The door can be either unlocked, and as a result the content of the cell 82 is accessible to everyone; or lockable, and as a result, the content of the cell 82 is limited to recipients that are permitted to open the door of the cell 82. An exemplary mechanism for locking the door of the cell 82 is a mechanical lock that can be opened with a tangible key, or an electrical lock that can be opened with a magnetic card, or a code, or a lock that can be remotely unlocked, and the like. The cell cluster 80 is oriented in a manner that places the openings of the cells 82 on an exposed wall of the public dropbox 400, in a manner that allows access to the openings of the cells 82 by human beings. On the other hand, an inner side of the cells 82 is open, in order to allow transfer of articles 500 from a handling unit 110 into the cells 82, as will be described hereinafter.

[194] The difference between a prior art public dropbox and the public dropbox 400 of the present subject matter, is that the public dropbox 400 of the present subject matter further comprises an article delivery unit 1. In other words, the public dropbox 400 of the present subject matter comprises a cell cluster 80 and an article delivery unit 1 adjacent to the cell cluster 80. The presence of the article delivery unit 1 in the public dropbox 400 largely improves the efficiency of the operation of the public dropbox 400. The presence of the article delivery system 1 in the public dropbox 400 can turn the operation of the public dropbox 400 into semi-automated or fully automated, in one hand, and improve the efficiency of space exploitation, in terms of number of articles 500 stored in the public dropbox 400, on the other hand, as described above in relation to the article delivery unit 1.

[195] According to one embodiment, the public dropbox 400 can be fixed, namely placed on the ground, preferably in a place that is accessible to the public, for example in a commercial center, a shopping center, a mall, a post office, a neighborhood center, a community center, aside an apartments building, in a lobby of a building, and the like. According to another embodiment, the public dropbox 400 can be mobile, for example similar to the article delivery vehicle 600 described above, including embodiments described hereinafter. In this embodiment, the mobile public dropbox 400 arrives at a place accessible to the public, stays there for a certain period of time, during which articles are delivered to recipients, and/or articles are accepted for further shipping. Then the mobile public dropbox 400 can either move to another location for delivering and/or receiving articles, or go back to a logistic center.

[196] As illustrated in Fig. 18, the public dropbox 400 comprises an article delivery unit 1, and a cell cluster 80 comprising a plurality of cells 82. According to one embodiment, the cell cluster 80 can be placed in the niche 70 of the article delivery unit 1. This embodiment is relevant to a fixed public dropbox 400, or a mobile public dropbox 400 that is installed on a self-driving, or autonomous, vehicle. According to another embodiment, the cell cluster 80 can be placed in another location adjacent to, or in, the article delivery unit 1, for example in the service gap 192. This embodiment is relevant also to either a fixed public dropbox 400, or to a mobile public dropbox 400 that is installed for example on a vehicle driven by a human driver, because the niche 70 is dedicated to the human driver, as illustrated for example in Fig. 4. It should be noted that the article delivery unit 1 can comprise at least one cell cluster 80. Articles are stored in the handling units 110 of the article delivery unit 1, as described above. In order to allow access of a recipient to an at least one article that is designated to him, the at least one article is transferred to an at least one cell 82. According to one embodiment, an article is transferred to a cell 82 immediately after the article 500 approached the public dropbox 400, and wait in the cell 82 until it is picked by the recipient. According to another embodiment, the at least one article is transferred to an at least one cell 82 just before a recipient approaches the public dropbox 400, for example after it is confirmed that the recipient approaches the public dropbox 400, when for example the recipient confirms his willing to pick the article, for example via a smartphone, that he is on his way to the public dropbox 400, or when the location of the recipient is monitored and it is confirmed that he is close to the public dropbox 400.

[197] In some embodiments, the at least one cell 82 can be permanently assigned to a specific recipient, and only the specific recipient is allowed to access the content of the at least one cell 82. In some other embodiments, the at least one cell 82 is temporarily assigned to a specific recipient. This can be achieved, for example, when an electrical lock of the door of the cell 82 can be remotely opened. An exemplary mechanism for temporarily assigning a cell 82 to a recipient involves sending to the recipient at least one code that allows opening of only the at least one cell 82 assigned to him.

[198] According to one embodiment, the public dropbox 400 is also configured to accept articles from persons, for further shipping. In this embodiment, a person gets access to an at least one cell 82 that is assigned to him, as described above. Then, the person puts an at least one article in the at least one cell 82, and afterwards the at least one article is transferred from the at least one cell 82 to an at least one handling unit 110 of the article delivery unit 1.

[199] To summarize, according to one embodiment, in the public dropbox 400, the plurality of cells 82 are configured to receive the at least one article 500 from the article delivery unit 1 and make the at least one article 500 accessible to humans; while according to another embodiment, the plurality of cells 82 are configured to receive the at least one article 500 from humans and make the at least one article 500 accessible to transfer to the article delivery unit 1.

[200] It was mentioned above that the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to transfer articles 500 to public dropboxes 400, and to pick-up articles 500 from public dropbxes 400 for further handling and shipment, or delivery. This embodiment is relevant to fixed public dropboxes 400. Thus, when an article delivery vehicle 600 approaches a fixed public dropbox 400, articles from the article delivery vehicle 600 are transferred to handling units 110 of the article delivery unit 1 of the fixed public dropbox 400. In one embodiment, individual articles can be transferred from the article delivery vehicle 600 to cells 82 of the fixed public dropbox 400, or manually, for example by a driver of the article delivery vehicle 600. According to another embodiment, individual articles can be transferred from the article delivery vehicle 600 to handling units 110 of the article delivery unit 1 of the fixed public dropbox 400, or manually, for example by a driver of the article delivery vehicle 600. According to yet another embodiment, at least one handling unit 110 with articles can be unloaded from the article delivery vehicle 600 and loaded on the article delivery unit 1 of the fixed public dropbox 400, either manually by for example by a driver of the article delivery vehicle 600, or with mechanical aids, like a forklift 700, as illustrated in Fig. 17. According to still another embodiment, the entire article delivery unit 1 of the fixed public dropbox 400 can be replaced with another article delivery unit 1. The replacing article delivery unit 1 can be brought to the fixed public dropbox 400 for example with a truck having a crane that is configured to carry an article delivery unit 1, when the truck is configured to transfer at least one article delivery unit 1. In this embodiment, the entire fixed public dropbox 400, including the cell cluster 80 and the article delivery unit 1 with the handling units 110, is replaced by another fixed public dropbox 400; or only the article delivery unit 1, without the cell cluster 80, is replaced by another article delivery unit 1. Preferably, the handling units 110 of the fixed public dropbox 400 are replaced as described above.

[201] Referring now to Figs. 19A-H, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a side perspective view of a system and stages of a method for transferring at least one article 500 from a handling unit 110 to a cell 82, and vice versa, for example in a public dropbox 400. As can be seen, for example, in Fig. 19A, the cell cluster 80 is placed in the niche 70, aside the service gap 192. However, as illustrated above, the cell cluster 80 can be placed in any other place aside the article delivery unit 1.

[202] According to one embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 further comprises a transfer system 2 configured to transfer at least one article 500 from the article delivery unit 1 to the at least one cell 82, or from the at least one cell 82 to the article delivery unit 1, or a combination thereof. More particularly, the transfer system 2 is configured to transfer an article 500 from a shelf 114 of a handling unit 110 to a cell 82, or vice versa. Thus, according to one embodiment, the transfer system 2 is adjacent to the cell cluster 80, and to a position where a handling unit 110 can stand, as can be seen in Figs. 19A-H. The transfer system 2 comprises at least one robotic arm. According to one embodiment, the transfer system 2 comprise at least one robotic arm that is configured to transfer an article 500, designated hereinafter "transfer arm 232". [203] According to one embodiment, the transfer arm 232 is configured to identify an article 500 that has to be transferred, namely to identify which article 500 specifically that has to be transferred. According to another embodiment, the transfer arm 232 is configured to determine a position of the article 500 on a shelf 114 of a handling unit 110, or in a cell 82 of a cell cluster 80. This embodiment is important for the finding of the article 500 by the transfer arm 232. According to yet another embodiment, the transfer arm 232 is configured to determine an orientation of the article 500. This embodiment is important for adapting the orientation of the transfer arm 232 to the orientation of the article 500, for properly grasping the article 500. Identifying an article 500 that has to be transferred can be achieved for example with a vision system that is configured to identify a specific article 500. The vision system can be configured, for example, to scan by a barcode that is attached to the article 500 and compare this barcode with a pre-determined barcode of a desired article 500; by determining the dimensions of the article 500 and comparing the dimensions of the article 500 with pre-defined dimensions of a desired specific article 500; by determining the position of the article 500 and comparing the position of the article with a pre-determined position of a desired article 500, or any combination thereof, and the like.

[204] According to another embodiment, the transfer arm 232 is configured to grasp and release at least one article 500, for example by a negative pressure mechanism that is part of the transfer arm 232. The negative pressure mechanism is configured to apply a negative pressure, for example, when the transfer arm 232 is in the vicinity of the article 500. As a result, the article 500 is drawn towards the transfer arm 232 and is attached to the transfer arm 232 as long as the negative pressure is applied. When there is a desire to release the article 500, the negative pressure mechanism is configured to halt the application of the negative pressure, and as result the article 500 is released from the transfer arm 232. Another exemplary mechanism for grasping and releasing an article 500 by the transfer arm 232 is a gripper that is part of the transfer arm 232. The gripper is configured to grasp and release an article. Any combination of mechanisms for grasping and releasing an article 500 by the transfer arm 232 is also under the scope of the present subject matter.

[205] According to another embodiment, the transfer system 2 comprise at least one robotic arm that is configured to pull outside, or push inside, a shelf 114 of the article delivery unit 1. In other words, the transfer system 2 comprises at least one robotic arm that is configured only to pull outside, or push inside, a shelf 114 of the article delivery unit 1. According to yet another embodiment, the transfer arm 232 is configured to pull outside, or push inside, at least a bottom part of a cell 82. According to this embodiment, the cell 82 comprises a bottom that is configured to be pulled outside, for example by the transfer arm 232; or the cell 82 comprises a bottom and side walls and is open from above, like the cell 82 illustrated in Fig. 19B. According to still another embodiment, transfer system 2 comprises at least one robotic arm that is configured to support the shelf 114 of the article delivery unit 1 that is pulled outside, designated hereinafter "support arm 234". This embodiment is to prevent falling of the shelf 114 when the shelf 114 is pulled outside, especially when the shelf 114 is loaded with articles 500. According to a further embodiment, the robotic arm is configured to perform at least one of the aforementioned activities. According to yet a further embodiment, the robotic arm is configured to perform all the aforementioned activities.

[206] According to one embodiment, the transfer system 2 comprises at least one robotic arm that is configured to perform at least one of the aforementioned activities. According to another embodiment, the transfer system 2 comprises multiple robotic arms, when each robotic arm is configured to perform at least one of the aforementioned activities. According to yet another embodiment, the transfer system 2 comprises multiple robotic arms, when each robotic arm is configured to perform one of the aforementioned activities.

[207] Figs. 19A-H illustrate stages of transferring an article 500 from a shelf 114 of a handling unit 110 to a cell 82 of a cell cluster 80, and stages of transferring an article 500 from a cell 82 of a cell cluster 80 to a shelf 114 of a handling unit 110.

[208] Fig. 19A illustrates a cell cluster 80, a transfer system 2 adjacent to the cell cluster 80, and a handling unit 110 standing aside the transfer system 2. There are articles 500 on shelves 114 of the handling unit 110, and the cells 82 of the cell cluster 80 are empty. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 19A-H, the transfer system 2 comprises a transfer arm 232 as described above; and a support arm 234 as described above. It should be noted that the presence of the support arm 234 in the transfer system 2, and stages involving use of the support arm 234, are optional, for example in case when the shelf 114 is well supported, for example by holders 112 of the shelves 114. The transfer system 2 can comprise additional robotic arms that are configured to perform other activities, as would be described hereinafter. In the stage illustrated in Fig. 19A, the transfer arm 232 is positioned in a rest position in an upper part of the transfer system 2. This rest position is exemplary, and the transfer arm 232 can be in a rest position in any part of the transfer system 2. In addition, the support arm 234 is positioned in a rest position in a bottom part of the transfer system 2. This rest position is exemplary, and the support arm 234 can be in a rest position in any part of the transfer system 2.

[209] Fig. 19B illustrates a cell 82 pulled outside of the cell cluster 80 towards the transfer system 2. The cell 82 can be pulled out by any mechanism that is configured to move the cell 82, for example a robotic arm that is configured to pull out a cell 82, a device configured to push the cell 82 out, and the like. As can be seen in Fig. 19B, the upper part of the cell 82 is open, in order to allow placement of an article 500 in the cell 82 by a transfer arm 232 from above. For this purpose, the cell 82 has to be pulled outside of the cell cluster 80. However, according to another embodiment, the upper part of the cell 82 can be closed, and only a back part of the cell 82 can be open. In this embodiment, the transfer arm 232 can be configured to push the article 500 into the cell 82 through the open front side of the cell 82. In this case, the stage of pulling outside a cell 82 from the cell cluster 80 is optional. In addition, the support arm 234 is elevated to a height that is suitable for supporting a shelf 114 that is supposed to be pulled out the handling unit 110.

[210] Fig. 19C illustrates a shelf 114 pulled outside the handling unit 110 towards the transfer system 2, and a support arm 234 supports the shelf 114. According to some embodiments, the shelf 114 can be pulled outside and not be supported by a support arm 234, as mentioned above. In addition, a transfer arm 232 gets in contact with an article 500 that is on the shelf 114 that was pulled outside.

[211] Fig. 19D illustrates the transfer arm 232 grasping an article 500, lifting the article 500 above the shelf 114 from which the article 500 was taken, and bringing the article 500 to the vicinity of the cell 82 that was opened previously. According to one embodiment, before grasping the article 500, the article arm 232 is configured to identify the article 500, according to embodiments described above. This embodiment is to ensure that the article arm 232 grasps the specific article 500 that has to be transferred.

[212] Fig. 19E illustrates the transfer arm 232 placing the article 500 in the open cell 82.

[213] Fig. 19F illustrates the transfer arm 232 above the article 500 that was placed in the open cell 82, after the transfer arm 232 has placed the article in the open cell 82, and released the article 500.

[214] Fig. 19G illustrates the shelf 114 that was pulled outside, now returned to its place in the handling unit 110. The optional support arm 234 is still in its elevated place, where it was when it supported the open shelf 114, and the transfer arm 232 is still above the article 500 that it placed previously in the open cell 82.

[215] Fig. 19H illustrates the cell 82 that was pulled outside, now returned to its place in the cell cluster 80. This cell 82 contains now the article 500 that was transferred from the shelf 114. In addition, the optional support arm 234 returned to its rest position at the bottom of the transfer system 2. The transfer arm 232 is still in the position where it was, above the previously open cell 82. In the next stage, the transfer arm 232 can return to its rest position, as illustrated in Fig. 19A.

[216] Figs. 19A-H illustrate stages of a method for transferring an article 500 from a shelf 114 of a handling unit 110 to a cell 82 of a cell cluster 80, as well as illustrate stages of a method for transferring an article 500 from a cell 82 of a cell cluster 80 to a shelf 114 of a handling unit 110.

[217] The present subject matter provides a method for transferring an article 500 from a shelf 114 of a handling unit 110 to a cell 82 of a cell cluster 80, the method comprising: providing a cell cluster 80 comprising cells 82, a handling unit 110 comprising shelves 114, an article 500 present on a shelf 114, and a transfer system 2 comprising at least one robotic arm, placed adjacent to the cell cluster 80 and aside the handling unit 110, as illustrated in Fig. 19A; pulling a shelf 114 with an article to be transferred out of the handling unit 110 towards the transfer system 2, as illustrated in Fig. 19C; getting in contact with an transfer arm 232 an article 500 that is on the shelf 114 that was pulled out, as illustrated in Fig. 19C; grasping the article 500 with the transfer arm 232, as illustrated in Fig. 19D; lifting the article 500 with the transfer arm 232 from the shelf 114 that was pulled out, as illustrated in Fig. 19D; bringing the article 500 with the transfer arm 232 to a vicinity of the cell 82, as illustrated in Fig. 19D; placing the article 500 with the transfer arm 232 in the cell 82, as illustrated in Fig. 19E; releasing the article 500 from the transfer arm 232 in the cell 82, as illustrated in Fig. 19F; and returning the shelf 114 back into the handling unit 110, as illustrated in Fig.

19G.

[218] According to one embodiment, the transfer system 2 comprises an article arm 232, as illustrated in Fig. 19 A.

[219] According to one embodiment, the transfer system 2 comprises a support arm 234, as illustrated in Fig. 19 A.

[220] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the shelf 114 to the cell 82, further comprises before the getting in contact with an transfer arm 232 an article 500 that is on the shelf 114 that was pulled out - the transfer arm 232 is in a rest position, as illustrated in Fig. 19 A.

[221 ] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the shelf 114 to the cell 82, further comprises either before or after the pulling a shelf 114 with an article to be transferred out of the handling unit 110 towards the transfer system 2 - pulling a cell 82 out of the cell cluster 80 towards the transfer system 2, as illustrated in Fig. 19B.

[222] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the shelf 114 to the cell 82, further comprises before the pulling a shelf 114 with an article to be transferred out of the handling unit 110 towards the transfer system 2 - bringing the support arm 234 to a position where the support arm 234 can support the shelf 114 that is pulled outside, as illustrated in Fig. 19B.

[223] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the shelf 114 to the cell 82, further comprises before the bringing the support arm 234 to a position where the support arm 234 can support the shelf 114 that is pulled outside - the support arm 234 is in a rest position.

[224] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the shelf 114 to the cell 82, further comprises after the releasing the article 500 from the transfer arm 232 in the cell 82 - returning the cell 82 with the article 500 into the cell cluster 80, as illustrated in Fig. 19H.

[225] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the shelf 114 to the cell 82, further comprises after the returning the shelf 114 back into the handling unit 110 - bringing the support arm 234 to a rest position, as illustrated in Fig. 19H.

[226] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the shelf 114 to the cell 82, further comprises after the releasing the article 500 from the transfer arm 232 in the cell 82 - returning the transfer arm 232 to a rest position, as illustrated in Fig. 19A.

[227] The present subject matter further provides a method for transferring an article 500 from a cell 82 of a cell cluster 80 to a shelf 114 of a handling unit, the method comprising: providing a cell cluster 80 comprising cells 82, a handling unit 110 comprising shelves 114, an article 500 present in a cell 82, and a transfer system 2 comprising at least one robotic arm 23, placed adjacent to the cell cluster 80 and aside the handling unit 110, as illustrated in Fig. 19H; getting in contact with a transfer arm 232 an article 500 that is in the cell 82; as illustrated in Fig. 19E; grasping the article 500 with the transfer arm 232, as illustrated in Fig. 19D; pulling a shelf 114 out of the handling unit 110 towards the transfer system 2, as illustrated in Fig. 19D; bringing the transfer arm 232 with the article 500 to above the shelf 114 that was pulled out, as illustrated in Fig. 19D; placing the article 500 with the transfer arm 232 on the shelf 114 that was pulled out, as illustrated in Fig. 19C; and returning the shelf 114, with the article 500, back into the handling unit 110.

[228] According to one embodiment, the transfer system 2 comprises a transfer arm 232, as illustrated in Fig. 19 A.

[229] According to one embodiment, the transfer system 2 comprises a support arm 234, as illustrated in Fig. 19 A.

[230] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the cell 82 to the shelf 114, further comprises before getting in contact with an transfer arm 232 an article 500 that is in the cell 82 - the transfer arm 232 is in a rest position.

[231] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the cell 82 to the shelf 114, further comprises before the getting in contact with a transfer arm 232 an article 500 that is in the cell 82 - pulling a cell 82 with an article 500 out of the cell cluster 80 towards the transfer system 2.

[232] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the cell 82 to the shelf 114, further comprises before the pulling a shelf 114 out of the handling unit 110 towards the transfer system 2 - bringing the support arm 234 to a position where the support arm 234 can support the shelf 114 that is pulled outside.

[233] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the cell 82 to the shelf 114, further comprises before the bringing the support arm 234 to a position where the support arm 234 can support the shelf 114 that is pulled outside - the support arm 234 is in a rest position.

[234] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the cell 82 to the shelf 114, further comprises after the grasping the article 500 with the transfer arm 232 - returning the cell 82 into the cell cluster 80.

[235] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the cell 82 to the shelf 114, further comprises after the returning the shelf 114, with the article 500, back into the handling unit 110 - bringing the support arm 234 to a rest position. [236] According to one embodiment, the method for transferring the article 500 from the cell 82 to the shelf 114, further comprises after the placing the article 500 with the transfer arm 232 on the shelf 114 that was pulled out - returning the transfer arm 232 to a rest position.

[237] According to one embodiment, the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to deliver at least one article 500 and collect at least one article 500. According to another embodiment, described above, the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to deliver at least one article 500 to a public dropbox 400, and collect at least one article 500 from the public dropbox 400. According to yet another embodiment, the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to deliver at least one article 500 to a private dropbox 300, and collect at least one article 500 from the private dropbox 300.

[238] A "private dropbox 300" as defined herein, is a facility configured to receive at least one article 500 from an article delivery vehicle 600, and provide at least one article 500 to be collected by the article delivery vehicle 600. The private dropbox 300 can be an open type, for example, a yard, or a door threshold, or a porch of a house of a recipient of the article 500, or the private dropbox 300 can be a dedicated box for storing articles 500 that are designated to a recipient, or storing articles 500 that are sent and have to be picked up by the article delivery vehicle 600. This type of private dropbox 300 is closed type. In addition, the private dropbox 300 can be a facility that is configured to receive multiple articles 500, and provide multiple articles 500 to be collected by the article delivery vehicle 600. Since according to embodiments of the present subject matter articles 500 are delivered with the article delivery unit 1 that comprises multiple handling units 110, and articles 500 are stored in the handling units 110 during delivery, then when there is a necessity to deliver, or collect, multiple articles 500, then the present subject matter provides the ability to deliver at least one handling unit 110 that contains multiple articles 500 that are to be delivered to one receiver, as well as the ability to collect at least one handling unit 110 that contains multiple articles 500 to be collected, or is empty and is returned for further use. In this regard, the private dropbox 300 is defined also as a facility that is configured to receive at least one handling unit 110 from an article delivery vehicle 600, and/or provide at least one handling unit 110 to be collected by the article delivery vehicle 600. This type of private dropbox 300 can be for example in any entity that receives and/or sends multiple articles 500, for example a retail business, a manufacturing entity, and the like. Thus, an exemplary private dropbox 300 in this sense can be an open yard, a closed warehouse, and the like. Therefore, the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to deliver and/or receive, at least one article 500 or at least one handling unit 110, to and/or from a private dropbox 300 as defined above. Referring now to Figs. 20A-H, schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, perspective views of an article delivery vehicle 600 standing aside a private dropbox 300, and stages of a method for transferring an article 500 from the article delivery vehicle 600 to the private dropbox 300, and vice versa.

[239] According to one embodiment, when the article delivery vehicle 600 is driven by a human driver, the driver can take one article 500, or more, from the article delivery unit 1 that is in the article delivery vehicle 600, according to embodiments described above. Then, the driver can transfer the article 500 directly to the recipient of the article 500, or transfer the article 500 to either an open, or closed, private dropbox 300 that is accessible by the recipient of the article 500.

[240] According to another embodiment, the article delivery vehicle 600 is a driver-less vehicle, for example a self-driving vehicle, also known as autonomous vehicle. In this embodiment, the transfer of the article 500 from the article delivery vehicle 600 to the recipient, or to the private dropbox 300, can be performed with robotic tools. Thus, according to some embodiments, the article delivery vehicle 600 comprises at least one robotic tool. It should be noted though, that not only the driver- less article delivery vehicle 600 can comprise at least one robotic tool, but also an article delivery vehicle 600 driven by a human driver can comprise at least one robotic tool. Figs. 20A-H illustrate an article delivery vehicle 600 comprising a robotic tool in a form of a vehicle robotic arm 610. Thus, the article delivery vehicle 600 can comprise at least one vehicle robotic arm 610.

[241] In addition to the aforementioned transfer of an article 500, the article delivery vehicle 600 is also configured to either open, close, or open and close the private dropbox 300, in order to be able to transfer an article 500 into the private dropbox 300, or to take an article 500 from the private dropbox 300. The exemplary private dropbox 300, illustrated in Figs. 20A-H, is the vastly known private mailbox, which is of the type of closed private dropbox. It should be noted though, that the description of Figs. 20A-H should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter. This is only an example to show various embodiments of a process of transferring and article 500 from an article delivery vehicle 600 to a private dropbox 300, and vice versa.

[242] Fig. 20A illustrates an article delivery vehicle 600 standing aside a private dropbox 300 in a form of private mailbox. The private dropbox 300, in the form of private mailbox, comprises a cover 320 that is configured to be opened in order to allow access to the interior of the private dropbox 300, and be closed back. The article delivery vehicle 600 comprises at least one vehicle robotic arm 610. In Figs. 19A-H, only one vehicle robotic arm 610 is shown. Additional vehicle robotic arms 610 can be inside the article delivery vehicle 600. In Fig. 20A, the vehicle robotic arm 610 extends out of the article delivery vehicle 600 toward the cover 320 of the private dropbox 300.

[243] Fig. 20B illustrates the vehicle robotic arm 610 approaching the cover 320 of the private dropbox 300 and getting in contact with the cover 320 in order to open the cover 320.

[244] Fig. 20C illustrates a close view of the vehicle robotic arm 610 getting in contact with the cover 320 of the private dropbox 300. According to one embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to get in contact with the cover 320 in order to open and close the cover 320. An exemplary mechanism for getting in contact of the vehicle robotic arm 610 with a cover 320 of a private dropbox 300 is for example an embodiment in which the vehicle robotic arm 610 can comprise a hook 612 that is configured to get in contact with a corresponding part of the cover 320, like a hook, or a loop. As can be seen in Fig. 20C, the hook 612 of the vehicle robotic arm 610 gets in contact with a corresponding part of the cover 320.

[245] Fig. 20D illustrates the cover 320 of the private dropbox 300 after it was opened by the vehicle robotic arm 610, as described above. In Fig. 20D, the vehicle robotic arm 610 still gets in contact with the cover 320.

[246] Fig. 20E illustrates the vehicle robotic arm 610 inside the article delivery vehicle 600 taking an article 500 from the article delivery unit 110. After the cover 320 of the private dropbox 300 was opened, the vehicle robotic arm 610 takes an article 500 from the article delivery unit 110, as illustrated in Fig. 20E, in order to place the article 500 in the private dropbox 300. Thus, according to one embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to grasp at least one article 500.

[247] Fig. 20F illustrates the vehicle robotic arm 610 extending out of the article delivery vehicle 600, while grasping an article 500. After the vehicle robotic arm 610 takes an article 500 from the article delivery unit 110 it extends out of the article delivery vehicle 600, with the article 500, toward the opened private dropbox 300, in order to put the article 500 in the private dropbox 300.

[248] Fig. 20G illustrates the vehicle robotic arm 610 placing the article 500 on the opened cover 320 of the private dropbox 300. When the vehicle robotic arm 610, grasping the article 500, reaches the opened private dropbox 300, the vehicle robotic arm 610 places the article 500 in the private dropbox 300, for example directly in the private dropbox 300, or on the opened cover 320 of the private dropbox 300, as illustrated in Fig. 20G. After placing the article 500, the vehicle robotic arm 610 releases the article 500. Thus, according to one embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to release a grasped article 500. [249] Fig. 20H illustrates a vehicle robot arm 610 closing a cover 320 of a private dropbox 300. After putting the article 500 in the private dropbox 300, or on the opened cover 320 of the private dropbox 300, as illustrated in Fig. 20G, the vehicle robotic arm 610 closes the cover 320 of the private dropbox 300. Thus, according to one embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to close an open cover 320 of a private dropbox 300.

[250] The vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to perform at least one of the following tasks. According to one embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to open a lid, or a door, or a cover 320 of a private dropbox 300. An exemplary vehicle robotic arm 610 that is configured to open a cover 320 of a private mailbox is illustrated in Fig. 20A. Thus, when an article delivery vehicle 600 approaches a private dropbox 300, a vehicle robotic arm 610 extends from the article delivery vehicle 600 towards the cover 320 of the private dropbox 300, and opens the cover 320 of the private dropbox 300. Afterwards, an article 500, or more than one article 500, can be transferred from the article delivery vehicle 600 to the open private dropbox 300; or an article 500, or more than one article 500, can be transferred from the open private dropbox 300 to the article delivery vehicle 600.

[251] According to one embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to transfer at least one article 500 from the article delivery unit 1 that is in the article delivery vehicle 600 to the private dropbox 300, for example after the private dropbox 300 was opened, as described above. According to another embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to transfer at least one article 500 from the private dropbox 300 to the article delivery unit 1 that is in the article delivery vehicle 600. Fig. 20B illustrates a vehicle robotic arm 610 transferring an article 500 from the article delivery vehicle 600 to the open private mailbox, or transferring an article 500 from the open private mailbox to the article delivery vehicle 600. Similarly, according to still another embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to transfer an article 500 from the article delivery vehicle 600 to a human recipient; and according to still another embodiment, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to receive an article 500 from a human being and transfer the article 500 to the article delivery vehicle 600.

[252] According to one embodiment, after the transferring of an article 500, to or from, or to and from, the open private dropbox 300, there is a need to close back the lid, or door, or cover 320 of the private dropbox 300, in case it is open. Thus, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to close the cover 320 of the private dropbox 300. Fig. 20H illustrates also a vehicle robotic arm 610 closing the cover 320 of the private mailbox.

[253] It should be noted that the article delivery vehicle 600 can comprise one vehicle robotic arm 610 that is configured to perform all the aforementioned tasks, including the opening, and closing, of the private dropbox 300, and all the aforementioned tasks that relate to transferring an article 500 from, or to, the article delivery vehicle 600. Alternatively, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to perform more than one of the aforementioned tasks. Thus, the article delivery vehicle 600 comprises multiple vehicle robotic arms 610, when each vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to perform multiple such tasks. Further, alternatively, the vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to perform one of the aforementioned tasks, and therefore the article delivery vehicle 600 comprises multiple robotic arms 610, when each vehicle robotic arm 610 is configured to perform one of the aforementioned tasks. Of course, the article delivery vehicle 600 can comprise also multiple vehicle robotic arms 610, when at least one of the vehicle robotic arms 610 is configured to perform only one of the aforementioned tasks, and at least one of the vehicle robotic arms 610 is configured to perform a plurality of the aforementioned tasks.

[254] The article delivery unit 1 is configured to maximize the utilization of its space in terms of amount of articles 500 that are stored in the article delivery unit 1 in general, and in the handling units 110 in particular, as well as making the delivery process of the articles 500 maximally optimal. In other words, according to one embodiment, the handling unit 110 is configured to be loaded with a maximal amount of articles 500 to maximally utilize the space of the handling unit 110. According to another embodiment, the handling unit 110 allows optimal arrangement of articles 500 in the handling unit 110 that allow maximal optimization of the delivery process of the articles 500. According to yet another embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 allows the process of article delivery be maximally optimal. These embodiments are achieved due to the various features of the article delivery unit 1 and the handling unit 110 described above.

[255] Returning now to Fig. 2, the handling unit 110 comprises multiple holders 112 arranged one above the other on the first handling unit lateral side 1114 and the second handling unit lateral side 1116. The holders 112 are configured to hold the shelves 114. According to one embodiment, the gaps between the holders 112 are small. This arrangement of the multiple holders 112 with small gaps in between allows flexibility in the arrangement of shelves 114 in the handling unit 110. Because of the small size of gaps between the holders 112, the shelves 114 can theoretically be arranged in a high density in the handling unit 110. However, since articles 500 are placed on the shelves 114, not all the holders 112 are occupied by shelves 114, because of the height of the articles 500. This embodiment allows the creation of any size of space between shelves 114 because of the high density of holders 112 in the handling unit 110, as can be seen in Fig. 2. The space between adjacent shelves 114 that are held by the holders 112 is determined by the size of the articles 500 that are placed on the shelves 114. When articles 500 are placed on a shelf 114, another shelf 114 can be held by holders 112 that are just above the highest article 500 on the shelf 114. In other words, the spaces between the shelves 114 can be determined according to the size of the articles 500 that are to be stored in the handling unit 110. Thus, generally speaking, small articles 500 can be stored on a shelf 114 with a small space, and large articles 500 can be stored on a shelf 114 having a large space. This increases the efficiency of utilization of the space in the handling unit 110.

[256] According to one embodiment, the arrangement of the shelves 114 in a handling unit 110, and the arrangement of articles 500 on the shelves 114 can be preplanned by taking into account various types of information. The following exemplary types of information relate a handling unit 110 that is to be uploaded on an article delivery vehicle 600 for distribution to customers or private dropboxes, and/or collection of articles from customers or private dropboxes:

A list of articles 500 that are to be delivered;

A list of articles 500 that are to be collected;

A delivery address, or address of collection, for each article 500;

A list of articles that are to be delivered to and/or collected from a certain addressee or customer;

Order of distribution of articles and collection of articles;

Dimensions of each article;

Weight of each article;

Temperature at which each article 500 has to be kept during delivery;

Optimal utilization of the space of the handling unit, and the like.

These types of information and considerations relate to any article that should be assigned to a particular handling unit 110, including articles 500 that are on their way to a logistic center in which the handling unit 110 is arranged, articles 500 that are already processed in the logistic center, articles that have to be collected, and the like.

[257] Additional considerations are taken into account for arranging the shelves 114 and articles 500 in handling units 110 relate to the arrangement of handling units 110 in the article delivery system 1. These considerations include:

Optimal utilization of the space of the article delivery unit 1 ;

Minimal movement of handling units 110 in the article delivery unit 1;

Distribution of weight in the article delivery unit 1 and management of center of gravity of the article delivery unit 1 ; Storage temperature of articles 500, and the like.

[258] Planning of the arrangement of the shelves 114 and articles 500 in the handling unit 110, and the arrangement of handling units 110 in an article delivery unit 1, for example in article delivery vehicles 600, is performed by artificial intelligence tools that are configured to process all the aforementioned exemplary types of information and considerations and plan maximal optimal arrangement of shelves 114 and articles 500 in handling units 110, and maximal optimal arrangement of handling units 110 in an article delivery unit 1, for example in article delivery vehicles 600. The artificial intelligence tools also involve learning processes of previous "experiences" of delivery and implementation of the previous "experiences" in the planning of the arrangements of the handling units 110 and the article delivery units 1. Previous "experiences" of delivery can include previous distribution tracks, statistical data relating to numbers of articles and dimensions and weights of articles 500 delivered and/or collected to/from a certain area, previous arrangements of handling units 110 and article delivery units 1, and the like.

[259] After an arrangement of handling units 110 and article delivery units 1 has been planned, shelves 114 are arranged in handling units 110, articles 500 are loaded on the shelves 114, and handling units 110 are assigned to article delivery units 1, for example in article delivery vehicles 600, according to the plans. These activities can be performed either manually by humans, or automatically by robotic devices and systems.

[260] After the handling units 110 have been arranged and assigned to article delivery units 1, information about the location of each article 500 is delivered to and stored in an information system. The information about the location of each article 500 can include identity of article delivery unit 1, identity of handling unit 110, identity of shelf 114 and location on the shelf 114. Then, the handling units 110 can, optionally in some embodiments, be delivered to a loading area, where loading of the handling units 110 on article delivery units 1, for example in article delivery vehicles 600, would take place.

[261] The loading of the handling units 110 in the article delivery units 1, for example in article delivery vehicles 600, can be performed according to embodiments described in relation to Fig. 17, according to the aforementioned preplanned arrangements. Some exemplary considerations that are taken into account during the planning of the arrangement of the handling units 110 in the article delivery unit 1, for example in an article delivery vehicle 600, include: minimal movement of handling units 110 in the article delivery unit 1 taking into account a distribution track of the article delivery vehicle 600, information about articles 500 that have to be collected and placed in a certain handling unit 110, and the like. [262] After the handling units 110 have been loaded on an article delivery vehicle 600, information about the location of each article in the article delivery unit 1 of the article delivery vehicle 600 is transferred to the information center. In addition, during distribution, information about articles that have been delivered, articles that have been collected, and location of the articles that have been collected in the article delivery unit 1 is transmitted to the information center.

[263] At the end of the distribution process, when the article delivery vehicle 600 returns to the logistic center, the handling units 110 are unloaded from the article delivery vehicle 600 according to embodiments described in relation to Fig. 17. Handling units 110 containing collected articles 500, or articles 500 that were not delivered, are transferred for further processing, for example for sorting of the articles 500, while empty handling unit 110 are returned to arrangement of shelves 114 and articles 500 on the shelves 114.

[264] Upon loading of the delivery units 110 in the article delivery unit 1 of the article delivery vehicle 600, full capacity of the article delivery unit 1 in the article delivery vehicle 600 is achieved when the entire space of the article delivery unit 1 is occupied with handling units 110, except one gap 19, according to embodiments described in relation to Fig. 6A-B, for example.

[265] During distribution, articles to be delivered are accessed to a driver, or to a robotic arm, according to embodiments described in relation to Figs. 15A-J and 16A-B. Due to the optimal arrangement of the articles 500 in the handling units 110, and the optimal arrangement of the handling units 110 in the article delivery unit 1, as described above, articles 500 are accessed to the driver, or to a robotic arm, according to their order of distribution, while minimally moving the handling units 110 either during driving of the article delivery vehicle 600, or when the article delivery vehicle 600 stands in place. When an article 500 is accessed to the driver, the driver can get information from the information center about the identity of the article 500 that has to be accessed and delivered. Alternatively, the location of the article 500 on a shelf 114 can be tagged, for example by an image displayed to the driver, or a lazier beam tagging the article, light emission from lights in the location of the article 500, and the like. Similarly, when a robotic arm handles the article 500, information about the identity of the article 500 and the location of the article 500 is transferred to a system controlling operation of the robotic arm. In addition, when an article 500 is collected, either by the driver, or by the robotic arm, the article is placed on a certain shelf 114, of a certain handling unit 110, according to the aforementioned preplanning. [266] After an article 500 has been delivered, or collected, an update is sent to the information center, including, for example details of a recipient of the article 500, or a provider of an article 500, time and place of delivery or collection, and place in the article delivery unit 1 where a collected article 500 has been placed.

[267] Some embodiments relate to an article delivery vehicle 600 in which a human handles the articles 500 that are delivered, for example a human driver of the article delivery vehicle 600, a human distributer, and the like. These embodiments include:

After a delivery of an article 500, a control system of the article delivery unit 1 moves the handling units 110 in a manner that brings the next article 500 to be delivered to a place where the next article 500 can be accessed by the human, according to embodiments described in Figs. 15A-J and 16A-B.

[268] After an article 500 has been collected, the human provides information about the collected article 500 to the control system, an in return the control system provides to the human a location in the article delivery unit that is assigned for the collected article 500. The control system would also bring the assigned handling unit 110 to access by the human. The location that is assigned to the collected article 500 is optimal, and is based by types of information and considerations similar to those described above, for example dimensions and weight of the collected article 500, assignment of a certain handling unit 110, or a certain shelf 114, for collected articles during the aforementioned preplanning, storage temperature, and the like.

In addition, an entire handling unit 110, or a part of a handling unit 110, can be assigned for delivery to a public dropbox, or to a recipient of a large number of articles 500. In this regard, the handling unit 110 can be unloaded from the article delivery vehicle according to embodiments described in relation to Fig. 17.

[269] According to one embodiment, the article delivery unit 1, for example an article delivery unit 1 in an article delivery vehicle 600, comprises a safety system, including sensors and a controller, the prevents access by a human to an article 500 in a handling unit 110 during movement of the handling unit 1, in order to prevent potential injury.

[270] Some other embodiments relate to a driver-less, for example an autonomous, article delivery vehicle 600 in which articles 500 are handled automatically, without involvement of a human. These embodiments include:

After a delivery of an article 500, a control system of the article delivery unit 1 moves the handling units 110 in a manner that brings the next article 500 to be delivered to a place where the next article 500 can be accessed by an automatic device, for example a robotic arm, according to embodiments described in Figs. 15A-J and 16A-B. In addition, information regarding the identity of the article 500 that has to be delivered is sent to the robotic arm in order to allow the robotic arm to identify and handle the right article 500.

[271] When the article delivery vehicle 600 approaches a location of delivery, the article is grasped by the robotic arm, for example according to embodiments described in relation to Fig. 20E.

[272] The article 500 can be delivered directly to a human receiver, or to a private dropbox, or to a public dropbox, or to any other facility that is configured to receive articles 500, for example according to embodiments described in relation to Figs. 20A-H.

[273] Furthermore, the robotic arm is also configured to collect an article, for example from a human, or a private dropbox, and the like. The control system of the driver-less article delivery vehicle is configured to collect the necessary information regarding the collected article, for example from the information center at the logistic center, and according to this information, and some considerations as described above, a location for the collected article 500 in the article delivery unit 1 I assigned, and accordingly an appropriate handling unit 110 is moved to location where the robotic arm can access the assigned shelf 114, for example, in order to place there the collected article 500.

[274] After the article 500 has been delivered, or collected, the article delivery unit 1 gets ready for delivering a next article 500. This step includes identification of the next article 500 to be delivered and locating the location of the article 500 in the article delivery unit 1, moving the handling unit 110 in which the article 500 is located to a position where the article 500 is accessible by the robotic arm, and the like. These activities can be preformed, for example, during the journey of the article delivery vehicle 600 toward the next location of delivery. These embodiments increase the efficiency of the delivery process.

[275] In some embodiments, the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to deliver entire handling units 110 to a receiver, or to a private or public dropbox as defined herein.

[276] According to one embodiment, the article delivery unit 1 that is in the driver- less article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to transfer an article 500 from a handling unit 110 to an opening in the article delivery vehicle 600 so a human recipient could access the article 500, or to a public dropbox, or to a private dropbox. This embodiment can be achieved, for example, with a robotic arm that is in the article delivery vehicle 600, similar to the vehicle robotic arm 610 illustrated for example in Fig. 20E.

[277] According to another embodiment, the driver-less article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to deliver a handling unit 110 and/or receive a handling unit 110. Thus, the article delivery vehicle is configured to allow access to handling units 110 that are in the article delivery vehicle 600, either by a human, or by a robotic device that is configured to transfer handling units 110 to and from the article delivery vehicle 600.

[278] In addition, also the driver-less article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to receive information about articles 500 that are to be delivered, and collected, including the location of the articles 500 in the article delivery unit 1. The article delivery vehicle 600 is also configured to manage the articles, as described above.

[279] In some embodiments, the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to supply power for activities exerted by the private dropbox, for example electrical power, pressurized air, and the like.

[280] As can be seen for example in Figs. 20A-D, the driver-less article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to position itself close to a private dropbox, in order to be able to deliver or receive an article 500 to or from the private dropbox. Similarly, the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to position itself close to a public dropbox.

[281] According to one embodiment, the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to insert at least one article 500 into a private dropbox, and take at least one article 500 from the private dropbox, as illustrated for example in Fig. 20G, and also insert and take at least one article to or from a cell of a public dropbox.

[282] According to one embodiment, a control system of the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to receive information about availability of space in a private dropbox, and in a public dropbox, before the article delivery vehicle 600 approaches the private dropbox, or the public dropbox. This embodiment increases the efficiency of delivering articles 500 by the article delivery vehicle 600, because if for example there is no available space in private dropbox to which an article has to be delivered, the article delivery vehicle would skip this private dropbox and go to the next available recipient in the like of distribution.

[283] According to one embodiment, a control system of the article delivery vehicle 600 is configured to send a recipient information about an article 500 that is on its way for delivery. For example, the information is sent to smartphone and the like. Thus, in addition to notifying the recipient about an article that he is about to receive, this information can be used, for example, for authentication of the receiver at the time of delivery of the article 500, or at the time the receiver needs access to the article 500 that was deposited for him, for example in public dropbox. In addition, the control system can receive information about collection of an article by the user. Similarly, a client can provide information about an article 500 that is to be collected from him. [284] In addition, the control system is also configured to communicate with the public dropbox, or the private dropbox, and get notified directly from the dropbox about availability of space in the dropbox, collection of an article 500 that was deposited in the dropbox by the recipient, or deposition in the dropbox of an article 500 for collection by the article delivery vehicle 600. As part of this embodiment, the dropbox can comprise at least one sensor, for example volume sensor, that is configured to sense whether there is space in the dropbox for an article, presence of an article in the dropbox, and the like. In order to allow the dropbox to communicate with the control system, the dropbox can be electronically connected, for example by wifi, or cellular communication, to the internet.

[285] As illustrated in Fig. 18, the public dropbox can comprise an article delivery unit 1, and the management of articles 500 in this public dropbox can be performed according to embodiments related to Figs. 19A-H. In addition, handling units 110 that for example contain articles 500 can be transferred into the article delivery unit 1 of the public dropbox, and handling units 110 that are for example empty, or contain articles 500 to be collected, can be taken from the article delivery unit 1 of the public dropbox. This can be performed by a human or by a robotic system.

[286] As mentioned in relation to Figs. 19A-H, the article delivery unit 1 is configured to transfer an article 500 from a handling unit 110 to a cell 82, and vice versa. This transfer can be triggered, for example, by a notification from a recipient, for example via a smartphone, that he is heading toward the public dropbox to pick-up the article designated to him. Another type of information that can trigger transfer of an article 500 to a cell 82 is information about the location of the recipient relative to the public that can be obtained, for example, by the global positioning system (GPS). Once the recipient arrives at the public dropbox he can be authenticated via a smartphone, or by an authentication system at the public dropbox in order to get access to the article 500 that is in a cell 82. Once the article 500 is received, the recipient confirms successful receiving of the article 500, either with a smartphone, or by a dedicated system in the public dropbox. Similarly, when a customer deposits an article 500 for collection, he is authenticated, and details of the article are received, and then he gets access to an empty cell to deposit there the article 500.

[287] According to one embodiment, the public dropbox is signally linked to the central system. Thus, the central system can be updated about the status of articles 500 and handling units 110 in the article delivery unit 1 of the public dropbox, for example inventory of articles 500 present in the public dropbox, receiving of an article 500 by a recipient, deposition of an article 500 to be collected, information about available space in the handling units 110, information about empty handling units 110 that have to be returned to the logistic center, and the like.

[288] The operation of a combination of the article delivery unit 1 with the cell cluster 80 and the transfer system 2, and methods of operation thereof, are described in relation to Figs. 19A- H. It is described above that this combination gives rise to a public dropbox 400. However, it should be noted that this combination is not limited to a public dropbox 400, but can also implemented in an article delivery vehicle 600, in a manner that renders the article delivery vehicle 600 to a kind of mobile public dropbox.

[289] According to one embodiment, the operation of the combination of the article delivery unit 1 with the cell cluster 80 and the transfer system 2, and the methods of operation thereof, as described in Figs. 19A-H, can be controlled by a control system of a public dropbox 400, or an article delivery vehicle 600 that comprises this combination. Some exemplary operations and method steps of this combination, that can be controlled by the control system include:

Identifying a location in the handling unit 110 of an article 500 to be delivered to a recipient, for example identifying a shelf 114 on which the article resides;

Pulling out a cell 82 that is designated to receive the article 500;

Moving the handling unit 8 to a position adjacent to the transfer system 2;

Pulling out the shelf 114 on which the article 500 resides;

Identifying the article 500 on the shelf 114, for example with a vision system;

Grasping the article 500;

Transferring the article 500 to the pulled out cell 82;

Placing the article 500 in the pull out cell 82;

Returning the shelf 114 back into the handling unit;

Returning the cell 82 back into the cell cluster 80.

[290] Similarly, methods relating to handling an article 500 that was placed in a cell 82 in order to be collected by the aforementioned public dropbox 400 or mobile public dropbox that comprise the aforementioned combination of article delivery unit 1, cell cluster 80 and transfer system 2, can also be controlled by the control system. Some exemplary operations and method steps of the handling of the article 500 that was received for collection, that can be controlled by the control system, include:

The control center transmitting information about an article 500 to be collected to the transfer system 2;

Pulling out the cell 82 in which the article 500 resides; Moving a handling unit 110 in which the article 500 is to be placed to the vicinity of the transfer system 2;

Pulling out a shelf 114 that is assigned for placing the article 500;

Scanning the shelf 114 by the vision system in order to locate a vacant space for the article 500;

Grasping the article 500;

Transferring the article 500 from the pulled out cell 82 to the pulled out shelf 114;

Placing the article 500 in the vacant space that was located on the shelf 114;

Returning the shelf 114 back into the handling unit;

Returning the cell 82 back into the cell cluster 80.

[291] Methods for transferring an article 500 from one shelf 114 in a certain handling unit 110 to another shelf 114 either in the same handling unit 110 or in another handling unit 110 can also be controlled by the control system and performed by the transfer system 2, similarly to the aforementioned method steps and operations.

[292] Thus, in general, all the operations and methods described herein in relation to the article delivery unit 1 can be performed either manually, or automatically with robotic system, and be controlled either by humans, or by control systems that comprise computerized devices and in some embodiments, machine learning systems.

[293] It is appreciated that certain features of the subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, can also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination.

[294] Although the subject matter has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An article delivery unit configured to allow storage and delivery of articles, wherein the article delivery unit has a substantially three-dimensional rectangular shape defined by a frame enclosing a space, the frame having a unit lower side, a unit upper side, a unit front side, a unit rear side, a first unit lateral side, and a second unit lateral side, wherein the article delivery unit has a length and a width, the article delivery unit comprising: at least one movable base configured to move over the lower side in the space; and at least one handling unit configured to be positioned on the movable base, and accommodate multiple articles.

2. The article delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall and the second side wall, are open.

3. The article delivery unit of claim 2, wherein at least one of the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall and the second side wall, is covered, with a cover.

4. The article delivery unit of claim 3, wherein the cover is made of an inflexible material.

5. The article delivery unit of claim 3, wherein the cover is made of a flexible material.

6. The article delivery unit of claim 3, wherein the cover is permanent.

7. The article delivery unit of claim 3, wherein the cover is removable.

8. The article delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the handling unit has a substantially three- dimensional rectangular shape defined by a handling unit frame enclosing a handling unit space, the handling unit frame having a handling unit lower side, a handling unit upper side, a handling unit front side, a handling unit rear side, a first handling unit lateral side and a second handling unit lateral side.

9. The article delivery unit of claim 8, wherein the handling unit comprising multiple shelves in the handling unit space, the shelves configured to hold articles placed on the shelves.

10. The article delivery unit of claim 9, wherein the handling unit further comprising multiple holders over the first handling unit lateral side and the second handling unit lateral side, that are configured to hold shelves, wherein two parallel holders - one holder over the first handling unit lateral side and one holder over the second handling unit lateral side, are configured to hold a shelf.

11. The article delivery unit of claim 10, wherein the holder has a rail-like shape.

12. The article delivery unit of claim 10, wherein the shelf is configured to be permanently held by the two parallel holders.

13. The article delivery unit of claim 10, wherein the shelf is configured to be removably held by the two parallel holders, and the two parallel holders are configured to allow sliding of the shelf along the parallel holders, and wherein the shelf is configured to be pulled at least partially out of the handling unit space.

14. The article delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the handling unit is configured to be permanently positioned on the movable base.

15. The article delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the handling unit is configured to be removably positioned on the movable base.

16. The article delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the article delivery unit is further configured to contain two rows of movable bases along a length of the article delivery unit, when each row comprises multiple movable bases.

17. The article delivery unit of claim 16, wherein the number of maximal movable bases in one row is smaller in than the maximal number of movable bases in the other row, and wherein in the row that comprises a smaller maximal number of movable bases there is a gap similar in size to a movable base.

18. The article delivery unit of claim 16, further comprising a service gap positioned at an end of a row, at the unit front side, and a niche aside the service gap, wherein the service gap is at least similar in size to the movable base.

19. The article delivery unit of claim 17, wherein the movable base is configured to move to an adjacent gap or to an adjacent service gap.

20. The article delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the movable base is further configured to move either forward, or backward, or to a right direction, or to a left direction, or any combination thereof, in the article delivery unit.

21. The article delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the movable base has a length that is parallel to the length of the article delivery unit, and a width that is parallel to the width of the article delivery unit when the movable base is in the article delivery unit, and wherein the movable base comprises: an upward surface configured to attach to a bottom of the handling unit; a downward surface; and an upper rim extending above the upward surface at a circumference of the upward surface, wherein the upper rim is configured to stabilize a standing of a handling unit on the upward surface 182.

22. The article delivery unit of claim 21, wherein the movable base comprises multiple downward extensions that are configured to support the movable base when the movable base stands on a surface, and wherein there is a gap between the downward surface and the surface on which the movable base stands.

23. The article delivery unit of claim 22, wherein the multiple downward extensions are two longitudinal lower rims extending below the lower surface at longitudinal edges of the downward surface, wherein the longitudinal lower rims are parallel to the length of the movable base.

24. The article delivery unit of claim 22, wherein the multiple downward extensions are two longitudinal lower rims extending downward from the lower surface at longitudinal edges of the downward surface, wherein the longitudinal lower rims are parallel to the length of the movable base.

25. The article delivery unit of claim 22, wherein the multiple downward extensions are of four legs extending downwards from the comers of the downward surface.

26. The article delivery unit of claim 21, wherein the movable base is configured to move by a transporting robot that is configured to enter into the gap that is between the downward surface and the surface on which the movable base stands, lift the movable base above the surface, move to another location, and lower the movable base back to the surface.

27. The article delivery unit of claim 21, wherein the movable base further comprises a movement element attached to the downward surface, and configured to facilitate movement of the movable base.

28. The article delivery unit of claim 27, wherein the movement element is a plurality of wheels.

29. The article delivery unit of claim 28, wherein the plurality of wheels comprising a plurality of longitudinal wheels and a plurality of transverse wheels.

30. The article delivery unit of claim 27, wherein the movement element is at least one protrusion extending downwards from the downward surface, and the article delivery unit further comprising a plurality of pushers positioned on the unit lower side and configured to move the movable base by getting in contact with the at least one protrusion, and push the at least one protrusion.

31. The article delivery unit of claim 30, wherein the plurality of pushers comprising at least one longitudinal pusher and at least one transverse pusher.

32. The article delivery unit of claim 27, wherein the movement element is a plurality of toothed rods attached to the downward surface of the movable base, and the article delivery unit further comprising a plurality of toothed wheels positioned on the unit lower side under the toothed roods, and configured to get in contact with toothed rods and cause movement of the movable base 18 by rotating.

33. The article delivery unit of claim 32, wherein the plurality of toothed rods comprising at least one longitudinal toothed rod and at least one transverse toothed rod, and the plurality of toothed wheels comprising at least one longitudinal toothed wheel and at least one transverse toothed wheel.

34. The article delivery unit of claim 18, further comprising a rotating element at the service gap, placed on the unit lower side, and configured to rotate a movable base standing on the rotating element.

35. The article delivery unit of claim 1, further configured to be placed and operate in a public dropbox, wherein the public dropbox further comprising a cell cluster comprising a plurality of cells that are configured to receive at least one article and be accessible to humans.

36. The article delivery unit of claim 35, wherein the plurality of cells are configured to receive the at least one article from the article delivery unit and make the at least one article accessible to humans.

37. The article delivery unit of claim 35, wherein the plurality of cells are configured to receive the at least one article from humans and make the at least one article accessible to transfer to the article delivery unit.

38. The article delivery unit of claim 35, wherein the public dropbox further comprising a transfer system configured to transfer at least one article from the article delivery unit to the at least one cell, or from the at least one cell to the article delivery unit, or a combination thereof.

39. The article delivery unit of claim 38, wherein the transfer system is configured to transfer the at least one article from the shelf of the article delivery unit, or to the shelf of the article delivery unit.

40. The article delivery unit of claim 38, wherein the transfer system comprising at least one robotic arm.

41. The article delivery unit of claim 40, wherein the robotic arm is configured to grasp and release at least one article.

42. The article delivery unit of claim 40, wherein the robotic arm is configured to pull outside, or push inside, or both pull outside and push inside, the shelf of the article delivery unit.

43. The article delivery unit of claim 40, wherein the robotic arm is configured to pull outside, or push inside, or both pull outside and push inside, at least a bottom part of the cell.

44. The article delivery unit of claim 40, wherein the robotic arm is configured to support the shelf of the article delivery unit that is pulled outside.

45. The article delivery unit of claim 1, further configured to to be placed and operate in a vehicle.

46. The article delivery unit of claim 45, wherein the vehicle comprising the article delivery unit is configured to deliver articles and collect articles from a private dropbox.

47. The article delivery unit of claim 45, wherein the vehicle further comprising at least one vehicle robotic arm.

48. The article delivery unit of claim 47, wherein the vehicle robotic arm is configured to open, or close, or both open and close, a cover of the private dropbox.

49. The article delivery unit of claim 47, wherein the vehicle robotic arm is configured to transfer at least one article from the article delivery unit that is in the vehicle to the private dropbox, or to a human; or from the private dropbox, or from a human, to the article delivery unit that is in the vehicle.

50. The article delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the handling unit is configured to be loaded on the article delivery unit, or unloaded from the article delivery unit.