STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20200130934A1
• Filed: 12/23/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ocado Innovation Limited (Ocado Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Ocado Innovation Limited (Ocado Group PLC)
• Inventors: CLARKE, Paul, LINDBO, Lars Sverker Ture, INGRAM-TEDD, Andrew John, KAROLINCZAK, Pawel
• Granted Patent: US 11,524,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 31/06 Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/022 Pots for vertical horticulture
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/16 Dismountable or portable greenhouses ; Greenhouses with sliding roofs
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/18 Greenhouses for treating plants with carbon dioxide or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0047 Furniture or stationary devices with suction openings built-in suction cleaners A47L5/38
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 2/247 electric
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/002 for warehouses, storage areas or other installations for storing goods
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0018 using gases or vapours that do not support combustion, e.g. steam, carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/02 Platforms; Open load compartments flat wagons including posts or standards B61D3/08
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0207 Connections of movable or detachable racks or stanchions to platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0212 Containers presenting local stacking elements protruding from the upper or lower edge of a side wall, e.g. handles, lugs, ribs, grooves B65D21/0211, B65D21/0215, B65D21/023 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0407 using stacker cranes constructional features of stacker cranes B66F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0464 with access from above
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0478 for matrix-arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/065 with self propelled cars
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/137 with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/22 Heat or fire protection
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/40 Safety features of loads, equipment or persons
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 57/03 from above
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 63/004 : for containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 67/02 : Loading or unloading land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/34807 : Elements integrated in a skeleton
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/94 : against fire fire protection of partitions E04B2/7403, E04B2/7409; supporting constructions for ceilings having the capability of expansion in case of fire E04B9/08; fire-fighting A62C, e.g. fire prevention or containment A62C2/00; impregnation of wood or similar materials B27K; fireproof paints C09D5/18; fireproofing materials C09K21/00; flame-resistant papers D21H5/0002; coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings, in general E04F13/00; fireproof doors E06B5/16; firebreak devices for pipes or the like passing through walls F16L5/04; protection of pipes by means of non-inflammable material F16L57/04
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7403 : with special measures for sound or thermal insulation including fire protection
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7409 : special measures for sound or thermal insulation, including fire protection
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/18 : with means for transport in vertical direction only or independently in vertical and horizontal directions E04H6/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6818 : using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/68 : Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 : Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/14 : Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/21 : Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 : Mobile robot

Abstract

A storage system is disclosed where goods can be stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of rails (e.g., tracks) on which load handling devices can run. To take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked. The framework may be provided with one or more of the following exemplary services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensors, and data logging devices. The provision of these services within the framework rather than across the system as a whole, can allow for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

Claims

1. A storage system, comprising:

a first set of parallel rails, and a second set of parallel rails extending transverse to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane, to form a grid pattern having a plurality of grid spaces;

a set of uprights, the uprights and rails together defining a framework;

a plurality of storage containers arranged in stacks, located beneath the rails and within the framework, each stack being located underneath a grid space and a position of each stack being defined by a grid space; and

at least one load handling device disposed on the grid rails;

wherein the uprights of the framework support at least one service means for providing services to the containers for enabling control of a system environment from within the framework.

2. A storage system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one service means comprises:

a fluid supply means.

3. A storage system according to claim 2, wherein the framework comprises:

pipes configured and arranged to route a fluid to individual containers.

4. A storage system according to claim 3, wherein the fluid supplied is at least one of water, N₂, and CO₂.

5. A storage system according to claim 2, comprising at least one of:

a sprinkler system deployable in event of a fire to receive the fluid; and

crops located in one or a plurality of containers to receive the fluid.

6. A storage system according to claim 2, configured to release fluids to an atmosphere in a vicinity of a stack or individual container(s).

7. A storage system according to claim 2, comprising:

means for routing fluid upwardly from a base of the system via connectors.

8. A storage system according to claim 1, comprising:

gas sensors within the framework.

9. A storage system according to claim 1, wherein the framework is configured for routing multiple services and comprises:

one or more of communication means, signals means and lighting means.

10. A storage system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one service means is configured to supply:

a lighting means, the lighting means being located on the framework.

11. A storage system according to claim 1, wherein the framework is partitioned into sub sections.

12. A container configured for a storage system according to claim 1, the container comprising:

a tray-like base; and

load bearing edges to support containers above in a stack.

13. A container according to claim 12, configured with at least one of:

sides which are substantially transparent; and

with no sides.

14. A container according to claim 12, comprising:

at least one electrical connection means for connecting to a framework power supply.

15. A container according to claim 14, wherein the electrical connection means comprises:

a conductive pad located on a co-operating surface of the container for cooperating with a corresponding conductive pad located on the framework.

16. A container according to claim 14, wherein the electrical connection means comprises:

a telescopic umbilical connector.

17. A container according to claim 12, comprising:

a releasable latching mechanism to connect to an adjacent another container.

18. A container according to claim 17, wherein the latching mechanism is magnetic or electromagnetic and is configured to provide an electrical connection.

19. A storage system according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second sets of rails are configured in parallel as tracks.

20. A storage system according to claim 4, comprising:

gas sensors within the framework.