# US 11,299,344 B2 · Storage systems and methods

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- Number: US 11,299,344 B2
- Document ID: US11299344B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/268,169
- Filed: 2019-02-05
- Published: 2019-08-08
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2015-04-15
- Assignees: Ocado Innovation Limited
- Applicants: Ocado Innovation Limited
- Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo; Paul Clarke; Andrew John Ingram-Tedd; Pawel Karolinczak
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299344B2

## CPC

- B65G 1/0464: {with access from above}
- A62C 2/247: {electric}
- A62C 3/002: {for warehouses, storage areas or other installations for storing goods}
- A62C 35/68: Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems (valves in general F16K)
- A62C 99/0018: {using gases or vapours that do not support combustion, e.g. steam, carbon dioxide}
- 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})
- E04B 2/7403: {with special measures for sound or thermal insulation including fire protection}
- E04B 2/7409: {special measures for sound or thermal insulation, including fire protection}
- A01G 9/022: {Pots for vertical horticulture}
- A01G 9/16: Dismountable or portable greenhouses {; Greenhouses with sliding roofs}
- A01G 9/18: Greenhouses for treating plants with carbon dioxide or the like
- A01G 31/06: Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers
- A47L 7/0047: {Furniture or stationary devices with suction openings (built-in suction cleaners A47L5/38)}
- B62D 33/02: Platforms; Open load compartments {(flat wagons including posts or standards B61D3/08)}
- B62D 33/0207: {Connections of movable or detachable racks or stanchions to platforms}
- 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)}
- B65G 1/0407: {using stacker cranes (constructional features of stacker cranes B66F9/06)}
- B65G 1/0478: {for matrix-arrangements}
- B65G 1/065: {with self propelled cars}
- B65G 1/137: with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
- B65G 57/03: from above
- B65G 63/004: {for containers}
- B65G 67/02: Loading or unloading land vehicles
- B65G 2207/22: Heat or fire protection
- B65G 2207/40: Safety features of loads, equipment or persons
- E04B 1/34807: {Elements integrated in a skeleton}
- E04H 6/18: with means for transport in vertical direction only or independently in vertical and horizontal directions (E04H6/14 takes precedence)
- E06B 9/68: Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
- E06B 2009/6818: {using sensors}
- Y02A 40/25: Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
- Y02P 60/14: Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses
- Y02P 60/21: Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
- Y10S 901/01: Mobile robot
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)
- A62C: FIRE-FIGHTING (fire-extinguishing compositions, use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires A62D1/00; spraying, applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces in general B05; alarm arrangements G08B, e.g. fire alarms actuated by smoke or gases G08B17/10)
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08)
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D)
- E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00)
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers (10) and the containers (10) are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The containers (10) may be provided with one or more of the following services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensing means, and data logging means. The provision of these services within individual containers rather than across the system as a whole, allows for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A storage system comprising:
a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending transverse to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern including a plurality of grid spaces forming a framework;
a plurality of containers arranged in stacks, located beneath the rails and; and
at least one load handling device disposed on the grid, arranged to move laterally above the stacks on the rails, the load handling device including a lifting device arranged to lift one or more containers, or parts thereof, from a stack,
wherein a number of the containers comprise service means for providing services to the number of containers, thereby enabling the number of containers within the stacks to perform additional functions, each of the number of the containers being a bottom container in a stack that has the service means connected to power supply means and at least one other supply means routed through a base of the storage system via connectors, and
wherein the plurality of containers arranged in the stacks are held in said stacks by cooperating surfaces forming interference fits between adjacent containers.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A storage system according to claim 1 wherein one or more of the containers comprise power control means.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A storage system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the containers comprise heating means for heating and controlling the temperature of the contents of the containers.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A storage system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the containers comprise cooling means for cooling and controlling the temperature of the contents of the containers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A storage system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the containers comprise a reservoir, the reservoir acting as a fluid sink in the container.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A storage system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the containers comprise communications means arranged to allow for peer to peer communications between the one or more containers within the system.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A storage system according claim 1, wherein one or more of the containers comprise calculating means, the calculating means being configured for communications between the one or more containers such that data intensive calculations are conducted under the control of control means located externally to the system.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A supercomputer comprising:
a plurality of separate calculating means, each of the calculating means being located in a container, the plurality of containers being stored in a storage system in accordance with claim 1, the calculating means being provided with communicating means to allow communication between separate calculating means thereby enabling data intensive calculations to be carried out under the control of a central utility.

### Claim 9

A method of condition monitoring a storage system, the method comprising the steps of:
a. providing sensor means and data logging means within at least one storage container;
b. providing, within the at least one storage container, communication means to communicate data logged to a central data logging device;
c. providing, within a number of storage containers within stacks of the storage system, services to enable the number of containers within the stacks to perform additional functions, each of the number of the containers including a bottom container in a stack that has the service means connected to power supply means and at least one other supply means routed through a base of the storage system via connectors;
d. positioning one or more containers within the storage system to be monitored by interconnecting co-operating surfaces between adjacent containers; and
e. monitoring the data received.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A method of operating a storage system for cooled goods according to claim 9 comprising:
a. providing means for controlling the temperature within the at least one storage container;
b. providing means for monitoring the temperature within the at least one storage container; and
providing the at least one storage container with cooling means such that the at least one storage container is cooled rather than the whole storage system.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A storage system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of containers further comprise a connection means at the co-operating surface where the containers cooperate.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

A storage system according to claim 11, wherein the connection means comprises a push fit male connector located at a first edge of the container, and a female connector located at a second edge of the container.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A storage system according to claim 1, wherein adjacent containers in the stacks are linked by routing means.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

A storage system according to claim 13, wherein the routing means are mouldings of part of the container, pipes, cables or wires, or wherein the routing means are mounted on a side surface of the container.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

A storage system according to claim 11, wherein the connection means is a releasable connector capable of latching or connecting and unlatching or disconnecting as required on movement of the container in or out of the stack.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

A storage system according to claim 15, wherein the latching means is capable of remote operation.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

A storage system according to claim 15, wherein latched together containers are liftable together.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

A storage system according to claim 11, wherein the connection means comprises electrically conductive layers, sprung-loaded contacts or springs disposed on the co-operating surfaces for carrying power, data or other signals between two or more containers.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

A storage system according to claim 1, wherein the containers comprise non-contact power transmission means.