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EP2164781A1 - Systeme d'entrepot - Google Patents

Systeme d'entrepot

Info

Publication number
EP2164781A1
EP2164781A1 EP07747309A EP07747309A EP2164781A1 EP 2164781 A1 EP2164781 A1 EP 2164781A1 EP 07747309 A EP07747309 A EP 07747309A EP 07747309 A EP07747309 A EP 07747309A EP 2164781 A1 EP2164781 A1 EP 2164781A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
carrier
carriers
retrieval
storage
item
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07747309A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Martin Van Esschoten
Richard Ian Mcintosh
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP2164781A1 publication Critical patent/EP2164781A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

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

Definitions

  • items can be retrieved quickly, i.e. without a long waiting time (or response time) between the moment of a retrieval instruction for the item and the moment of delivery of the item.
  • the present invention is scaleable in terms of the number of items that are stored without a substantial deterioration in response time.
  • the response time generally deteriorates with a rise in the number of items that are stored. This scalability also applies for the number of simultaneous retrieval operations, to the sizes of the goods that are stored and to the range of goods that are stored.
  • At least one carrier carrying an item of a first kind is positioned between two carriers each carrying an item of a second kind.
  • More than one of the same item may be retrieved from different positions within the system simultaneously.
  • a retrieval system comprising at least one retrieval organ, and wherein the retrieval organ retrieves a carrier from the storage row, and wherein prior to the retrieval of a selected carrier the retrieval organ is moved to the carrier.
  • the retrieval organ will each time move to a selected carrier and retrieve it from the row. In this way, a limited number of retrieval organs are necessary.
  • the carriers may be moved toward the retrieval organ.
  • the carrier data is typically recorded when that pre-loaded carrier is entered into the system. If the loading of an item on a carrier takes place within the system, the carrier data is typically recorded at the time of loading, shortly before or shortly after the loading. In either case carrier data thus links the identification code of the carrier to an item code which identifies the item loaded on the carrier. Other data, for example who was responsible for conducting the loading, may also be recorded.
  • carriers of different sizes are used. Products of shops or supermarket may have different sizes, and if carriers of for instance 2, 3, 4 or another limited number of sizes are used, more efficient handling and storage is possible.
  • the present invention also relates to a warehouse system for storing and retrieving items of different kinds which are supported by carriers, the warehouse system comprising: - a storage assembly defining a storage row;
  • a moving device for at times moving at least a portion of the carriers away from the entry position for creating free space at the entry position
  • the carriers will be added to the storage row one by one.
  • the loading device can be a system comprising different components, such as a gripping organ which takes the item from a package or tray, and places the item on the carrier. Sensors may be provided to ensure that the loading is performed correctly.
  • the central control unit can be configured to control the loading process .
  • the supply system and the retrieval system generally are separate systems in order to allow the adding of a carrier to a storage row simultaneous with a retrieval of another carrier from the storage row.
  • the separate systems advantageously have improved response times and a higher throughput capability in comparison to a system having a combined storage and retrieval system in which the same device and/or the same route is used for both loading and unloading.
  • the storage rows extend substantially horizontally, and a plurality of storage rows extend in different horizontal planes and/or in different vertical planes.
  • efficient use of the available volume in a warehouse is possible.
  • the present warehouse system is substantially free of any trolleys or carts onto which the carriers are loaded and which in conventional systems are used for transporting the items, which further simplifies the system. This feature further saves space such as for corridors which are essential in typical existing warehouse systems .
  • the device for moving carriers along a row comprises a conveyor, e.g. a belt conveyor or roller conveyor configured for supporting the carriers and for moving the carriers away from the entry position.
  • a conveyor e.g. a belt conveyor or roller conveyor configured for supporting the carriers and for moving the carriers away from the entry position.
  • rollers are provided which support the carriers and which allow the carriers to be moved along the storage row.
  • a flat surface with a separate moving device may be provided or a different kind of moving device suitable for moving the carriers.
  • a repeated surface element conveyor may also be used.
  • the retrieval system comprises at least one discharge conveyor for moving a carrier from the storage row towards a delivery station, which can be a collecting station (also referred to as a pickup station) .
  • a delivery station which can be a collecting station (also referred to as a pickup station) .
  • a number of storage rows are arranged at different horizontal levels, and wherein at least one retrieval organ is movable from one storage row to a different storage row at a different horizontal level.
  • the number of retrieval organs may thus be limited.
  • the supply system comprises a receiving station configured for allowing a third party to supply carriers carrying items to the supply system.
  • Item data i.e. data relating to the items which are carried by the supplied carriers, are recorded into the system by recording means. These recording means may be provided at a remote location where the items are loaded onto the carriers, for example at the location of the third party.
  • the recording of the item data may thus be performed at the remote location, at the receiving station or at both locations.
  • the receiving station is configured to provide empty carriers for a third party bringing items which are not pre-loaded on carriers.
  • the retrieval system comprises at least one buffer for buffering retrieved carriers prior to the delivery of said carriers to a collecting station.
  • the retrieval system comprises a distributor conveyor assembly configured for distributing retrieved carriers to a plurality of collecting stations.
  • the retrieval system comprises:
  • the transfer devices have a sensor for reading the identification code of the carrier.
  • the system is thus capable of delivering goods to different customers simultaneously.
  • the allocation of a collecting station to a customer may be based on: the proximity of the collecting station to a pay station where the customer has paid, or on an analysis of the chosen goods and the collecting station at which these goods can be delivered in the shortest possible time, based on the locations of the items in the storage rows.
  • the retrieval system comprises at least one collecting conveyor being configured for collecting retrieved carriers from different storage rows.
  • a plurality of collecting conveyors may be provided for collecting carriers from different horizontal levels.
  • the retrieval device comprises:
  • a distributor conveyor assembly configured for distributing retrieved carriers to a number of collecting stations
  • the supply system comprises:
  • the supply conveyors of the supply system may be halted for a time period in order to buffer carriers which are present in the supply system.
  • the supply system comprises at least one conveyor which moves the carriers subsequently to the different horizontal levels, a transfer device being provided for transferring a carrier from the conveyor to a selected horizontal level.
  • This conveyor may be spirally formed.
  • the at least one closed loop conveyor comprises one or more short cut conveyors, the short cut conveyor branching off from the closed loop conveyor at one point and merging with the closed loop conveyor at another point.
  • the short cut conveyor allows certain carriers to follow a selected route, e.g. a short route, to the selected storage row, or to avoid busy portions of the closed loop conveyor.
  • a same configuration of short cut conveyors may be provided for the collecting conveyor and/or the distributor conveyor in the retrieval system.
  • the invention further relates to a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method of claim 1 on a computer.
  • the invention also relates to a carrier for use in the warehouse system according to claim 22 and for use in the method according to claim 1.
  • the carrier comprises a support surface for supporting the item, and the carrier further comprises an identification means which is associated with an identification code, identifying the carrier.
  • the identification means is readable.
  • the identification means comprises an RFID tag.
  • the RFID tag is preferably placed on an outer surface of the carrier. More than one RFID tag may be provided on the carrier, for instance one on each side.
  • the invention further relates to a shop or supermarket comprising a warehouse system according to claim 22, the store or supermarket comprising:
  • mobile telephones with suitable inbuilt functionality or other devices incorporating sensors and transmission or downloading means may be used as scanners in order to select products on display.
  • Fig. 2a shows a perspective view of an arrangement of three storage rows according to the invention
  • Fig. 2b shows a top view of a storage row
  • Fig. 3a shows a perspective view of a scanning and transfer assembly according to the invention
  • Fig. 3b shows a side view of a number of storage rows with three retrieval organs
  • Figures 3cl, 3c2, 3c3 and 3c4 show perspective views of some embodiments of the retrieval organ;
  • Fig. 3d shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the retrieval organ according to the invention;
  • Fig. 4 shows a top view of storage rows and discharge rows;
  • Fig 4a shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a storage area;
  • Fig. 4b shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;
  • Figure 5 shows a schematic top view of a distribution system of the retrieval system
  • Figure 5a shows a schematic top view of a another distribution system of the retrieval system
  • Figure 6 shows a schematic top view of a supermarket or shop according to the invention
  • Figure 6a shows a diagrammatic view of a scanner
  • Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic view of a loading station
  • Figure 8 shows a schematic top view of a supply system
  • Figure 9a shows a schematic view of a collecting station
  • Figure 9b shows a schematic top view of a collecting station
  • Figure 10 shows a plan view of another embodiment of a warehouse.
  • the flows of carriers from different storage rows at a common horizontal level are merged at a conveyor 68 at the downstream ends 62 of the discharge conveyors 28.
  • a conveyor 68 is provided for each horizontal level.
  • a plurality of conveyors 68 are provided.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé de stockage et de récupération d'articles dans un entrepôt comportant au moins une rangée de stockage pour recevoir des chariots, chaque rangée de stockage comprenant au moins une position d'entrée, les chariots portant les articles. Le procédé comprend : l'addition constante d'un chariot à ladite rangée de stockage à une position d'entrée chaque fois, de sorte qu'une pluralité de chariots soient ajoutés à la rangée via la même position d'entrée ; le déplacement périodique d'au moins un des chariots dans la rangée de stockage en éloignement de ladite position d'entrée pour créer un espace libre à ladite position d'entrée ; la sélection d'un chariot à récupérer depuis la rangée de stockage ; la récupération du chariot sélectionné depuis la rangée de stockage par l'éloignement du chariot de la rangée de stockage. La présente invention concerne également un système d'entrepôt, un chariot et un magasin ou supermarché.
EP07747309A 2007-05-14 2007-05-14 Systeme d'entrepot Withdrawn EP2164781A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/NL2007/000127 WO2008140293A1 (fr) 2007-05-14 2007-05-14 Système d'entrepôt

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2164781A1 true EP2164781A1 (fr) 2010-03-24

Family

ID=38969805

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07747309A Withdrawn EP2164781A1 (fr) 2007-05-14 2007-05-14 Systeme d'entrepot

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2164781A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008140293A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10579949B2 (en) 2016-11-16 2020-03-03 Wipro Limited Methods and systems for facilitating transportation of articles in warehouses using video analytics
CN108346071A (zh) * 2017-01-22 2018-07-31 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 数据对象信息处理方法、装置及系统
US20180268361A1 (en) * 2017-03-14 2018-09-20 Walmart Apollo, Llc Systems and methods to enable shipping of commercial products
JP7040412B2 (ja) 2018-11-14 2022-03-23 株式会社豊田自動織機 倉庫システム
CN114852617B (zh) * 2022-05-25 2023-06-20 云南白药集团股份有限公司 一种牙膏全流程自动生产线及其生产方法

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2002256110A1 (en) * 2001-04-09 2002-10-28 John Stevens Tote-based warehousing system and method
DE102005002348A1 (de) * 2005-01-18 2006-08-03 Siemens Ag Vorrichtung zur Sequenzbildung von Ladungsträgern mittels eines Zwischenlagers und Verfahren zur Zwischenlagerung

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2008140293A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008140293A1 (fr) 2008-11-20

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