Storage containers, bins and devices
AssigneeOcado Innovation Limited
InventorsLars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanised container for use in a robotic storage and picking system is described. The container includes a base openable to deposit at least one item from the container in to a further container positioned by a load handling device beneath the first container. Each item can be stored in such mechanised containers in stacks within a robotic storage and picking system.
Claims14
A storage system, comprising:
- a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending substantially perpendicularly to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid including a plurality of grid spaces;
- a set of uprights, the uprights supporting the rails or tracks, the uprights and rails or tracks together defining a framework;
- a plurality of containers located beneath the rails or tracks and within the framework, each of the plurality of containers being located within a footprint of a single grid space, wherein the plurality of containers include a plurality of storage containers, a delivery container (DT) substantially conforming to the shape and configuration of a storage container, and a dispensing container substantially conforming to the shape and configuration of a storage container;
- the dispensing container including at least one slidable panel movable from a first closed position to a second open position;
- and
- at least one load handling device, the load handling device having lifting means for lifting the dispensing container from beneath the grid and transporting it to a position above the delivery container (DT),
- wherein the at least one slidable panel, in the first closed position, abuts sides of the dispensing container to form a continuous base, and is configured so that when the at least one slidable panel is moved to the second open position one or more inventory items may be dispensed from the dispensing container into the delivery container (DT) located below the dispensing container within the storage system.
A method of remotely moving items between two containers in a storage system including a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending substantially perpendicularly to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid including a plurality of grid spaces, a set of uprights, the uprights supporting the rails or tracks, the uprights and rails or tracks together defining a framework, a plurality of containers located beneath the rails or tracks and within the framework, each of the plurality of containers being located within a footprint of a single grid space, wherein the plurality of containers include a plurality of storage containers, a delivery container (DT) substantially conforming to the shape and configuration of a storage container, and a dispensing container substantially conforming to the shape and configuration of a storage container;
- the dispensing container including, at least one slidable panel movable from a first closed position to a second open position, at least one load handling device, the load handling device having lifting means for lifting the dispensing container from beneath the grid and transporting it to a position above the delivery container (DT), wherein the at least one slidable panel, in the first closed position, abuts sides of the dispensing container to form a continuous base, and is configured so that when the at least one slidable panel is moved to the second open position one or more inventory items may be dispensed from the dispensing container into the delivery container (DT) located below the dispensing container within the storage system, the plurality of containers located in stacks within the framework beneath the grid, the method comprising:
- storing at least one inventory item within the dispensing container;
- positioning the dispensing container above a target location, the target location including the delivery container (DT) within the storage system;
- and
- dispensing the at least one inventory item into the delivery container (DT).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.