Container, method of delivering a plurality of articles using such a container and method of picking at least one article

Abstract

The container (1) comprises: - a cradle (5) comprising a chassis (6) and a frame (12) superposed and a plurality of compartments (55), - a cabinet (35) defining an internal space configured to house the cradle (5), - a locking system (25) configured to cooperate with an anchoring element provided on the ground, the locking system (25) presenting a locked state and an unlocked state, in the locked state, the container (1) is prevented from being removed from the anchoring element, wherein the cabinet (35) is mounted on the frame (12) of the cradle (5) and the frame (12) is movable relative to the chassis (6) between a retracted position and an extended position, in the retracted position of the frame (12), a skirt of the cabinet masks at least most of the chassis (6) of the cradle (5) and the locking system (25) is in the locked state when the frame (12) is in the retracted position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a container and a method for delivering a plurality of items using such a container and a method for picking up at least one item. BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention is particularly suitable for distributing items ordered by users, in particular urban users living in cities. The items are generally first concentrated in a warehouse outside the city, then delivered to the users by delivery vehicles of different companies, either individually or through retail businesses such as supermarkets or shops.

[0003] Thus, many different sizes of delivery vehicles deliver to the same geographical area within a limited time, which leads to traffic congestion, urban pollution and increased costs for the users of the delivery of items.

[0004] As an attempt to solve these problems, a delivery system is known which uses a container having a plurality of compartments each configured to house at least one of the items. In particular, the container is prepared according to the orders of the users and is temporarily placed on the ground where the users can pick up their items. An example of such a delivery system is disclosed in document WO 2017 / 196755.

[0005] However, the handling and transport of the containers used in such a delivery system are not convenient and do not provide satisfactory safety and modularity. SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a container for carrying a plurality of items, the container comprising:

[0008] - a carrier comprising a chassis and a rack stacked along a carrier axis, the chassis being configured to rest on the ground, the carrier comprising a plurality of compartments each configured to house at least one of the items,

[0009] - a cabinet extending along a cabinet axis from a bottom end and defining an internal space, the internal space being provided at the bottom end with a bottom opening along the cabinet axis, the internal space being configured to house the carrier such that the carrier axis is parallel to the cabinet axis and the chassis is within the bottom opening, the bottom end of the cabinet being configured to form an annular skirt around the cabinet axis,

[0010] - a locking system configured to cooperate with an anchor provided on the ground, the locking system assuming a locked state in which the container is prevented from being removed from the anchor and an unlocked state in which the container is enabled to be removed from the anchor,

[0011] - in a closed condition in which access to the compartments is prevented and in at least one open condition in which access to at least one of said compartments is enabled,

[0012] - in which the cabinet is mounted on a chassis of the carrier and the chassis is able to translate along the carrier axis with respect to the base between a retracted position in which said chassis is close to the base and an extended position in which said chassis is spaced apart from the base, the skirt at least masking a substantial part of the base of the carrier in the retracted position of the chassis, the locking system being in the locked condition when the chassis is in the retracted position.

[0013] Thus, in the extended position of the chassis of the carrier, the container presents a configuration which simplifies handling and transport, while in the retracted position of the chassis of the carrier, the container presents a configuration which is more suitable for the delivery of the items, especially in terms of stability and security and theft or degradation.

[0014] The carrier can be removable from the cabinet, the container presenting an assembled configuration in which the carrier is housed within the internal space of the cabinet and a disassembled configuration in which the carrier is arranged outside the internal space of the cabinet.

[0015] The base of the carrier can be provided with casters configured to roll on the ground.

[0016] The carrier can be equipped with a braking system presenting an activated condition in which the casters are prevented from rolling and a deactivated condition in which the casters are enabled to roll, the braking system being in the activated condition when the chassis is in the retracted position.

[0017] The cabinet can be configured so that, when the chassis is in the retracted position, the skirt rests on the ground.

[0018] The cabinet can comprise a cabinet lateral wall extending around the cabinet axis and provided with a front opening on an opening axis perpendicular to the cabinet axis, said front opening being configured to enable access to the internal space, and

[0019] - in which each compartment extends along a housing axis parallel to the opening axis and has an access opening along the housing axis and facing the front opening of the cabinet, said access opening being configured to enable access to the compartment,

[0020] In the closed condition of the container, at least one of the front opening and the access opening is closed.

[0021] The front opening can be configured to allow the carrier to pass through said front opening.

[0022] The cabinet can further comprise a front panel configured to cover the front opening in the closed condition of the cabinet and to be spaced apart from the front opening in the open condition of the cabinet.

[0023] The front panel can comprise a cabinet door hinged to a cabinet side wall.

[0024] The cabinet door can extend in an upper part of the height of the cabinet, and the front panel can further comprise a bottom panel removably mounted on the cabinet side wall, the bottom panel forming part of the skirt in the closed state of the container.

[0025] Each compartment can be delimited by a housing side wall extending around a housing axis and a housing door hinged to the housing side wall so as to cover the access opening in the closed state of the container and to be separated from the housing in the open state of the container.

[0026] Each compartment can be formed in a housing removably mounted on the rack of the carrier.

[0027] Each housing can be chosen from a range of housings having different sizes, the plurality of compartments resulting from a modular arrangement of the housings.

[0028] The base can have a contact surface to contact the ground, and the locking system can comprise a locking member mounted on the rack and configured to cooperate with an anchor, the locking member being arranged at a specified distance from the contact surface when the rack is in the extended position, and the locking member being arranged close to the contact surface when the rack is in the retracted position.

[0029] The locking member can be electromagnetic, the locking system comprising a power supply configured to power the electromagnetic locking member in the locked state of the locking system.

[0030] The locking system can further comprise a blocking arrangement configured to prevent the rack from moving towards the extended position when the locking member is in the locked state.

[0031] The container can further comprise a central control unit connected to the carrier, the cabinet and the locking system, and configured to set the rack in one of the retracted position and the extended position, to set the container in one of the open state and the closed state, and to set the locking system in one of the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0032] The container can further comprise a communication interface connected to the central control unit and configured to enable a user to communicate with the central control unit.

[0033] According to a second aspect, the application proposes a method for delivering a plurality of articles using the container described above, the method comprising the steps of:

[0034] - preparing the container, the container being in the open state, the articles being housed in the compartments of the carrier,

[0035] - setting the container in the closed state,

[0036] - placing the container on a location of the ground provided with an anchoring element,

[0037] - moving the container with the rack of the cradle in the extended position, setting the rack of the cradle in the withdrawn position and setting the locking system in the locked state,

[0038] - setting the container in the open state, enabling at least one user to pick up at least one of the items,

[0039] - retrieving the container.

[0040] Before preparing the container, the user can order the items. The method can further comprise the steps of:

[0041] - defining the location of the ground based on information related to the user,

[0042] - communicating the location and an access code to each user, the access code enabling the setting of the cabinet in the open state.

[0043] According to a third aspect, the application proposes a method for picking up at least one item using a container as described above, placed on a location of the ground provided with an anchoring element, the container being in the closed state, the rack being in the withdrawn position and the locking system being in the locked state, the method comprising the steps of:

[0044] - setting the container in the open state, enabling at least one user to store at least one item in at least one compartment of the rack,

[0045] - retrieving the container.

[0046] Before enabling the user to store the items, the user can be requested to pick up the items. The method can further comprise the step of communicating the location of the ground and an access code to the user, the access code enabling the setting of the container in the open state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0047] Other objects and advantages of the application will appear from the following disclosure of particular embodiments of the application given as non-restrictive examples, made with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

[0048] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a container for carrying items according to an embodiment of the application, the container comprising a cradle comprising a plurality of compartments each configured to contain one or more items and a cabinet defining an interior space configured to contain the cradle, the container presenting a closed state in which any access to the compartments is prevented and an open state in which at least one of the compartments is enabled to be accessed,

[0049] - Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is used to install Figure 1 and Figure 2 Perspective views of two different arrangements of outer shells of different sizes on a container rack, each shell including a compartment.

[0050] - Figure 5 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of a container rack, the rack including a base and a frame stacked along the rack axis, the base having casters configured to roll on the ground, the rack mounted on the rack of the rack, and the rack capable of translating relative to the base along the rack axis, the rack in an extended position separated from the base, the container also having a locking system having locking members mounted on the rack and configured to engage with anchors set on the ground, the locking system being such that the container can be removed from the anchors in an unlocked state.

[0051] - Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged bottom view of the bracket.

[0052] - Figure 7 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of the container's support bracket, with the frame in its retracted position near the base, and the locking system in a locked state to prevent the container from being removed from the anchors.

[0053] - Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Enlarged bottom view of the bracket.

[0054] - Figure 9 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective bottom view of the container's support shows a blocking arrangement configured to prevent the frame from moving toward the extended position when the locking member is locked.

[0055] - Figure 10 and Figure 11 It is installed in Figure 1 and Figure 2 Enlarged perspective view of the braking system on the base of the container's bracket and along Figure 10 The side view of the directional XI-XI shows the braking system in an active state to prevent the casters from rolling.

[0056] - Figure 12 and 13 yes Figure 1 and 2 Enlarged perspective view of the container's braking system and along Figure 10a side view of the orientation XIII-XIII in the container 1, the braking system being in the deactivated state enabling the casters to roll,

[0057] - Figure 14 is a flowchart of a method of delivering a plurality of items using a container 1, Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method of delivering a plurality of items using a container 1,

[0058] - Figures 15 to 19 is a perspective view of a container 1, Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrating a step of a method for delivering items,

[0059] - Figure 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method of picking up items using a container 1, Figure 1 and 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of picking up items using a container 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout.

[0061] Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows a container 1 for carrying items according to an embodiment of the application. Such a container 1 is particularly suitable for delivering items ordered by different users 2 from the same geographical area, e.g. in the vicinity of a town or city, although it is not limited thereto.

[0062] The container 1 comprises a carrier 5 comprising a plurality of compartments 55 each configured to house one or more items, and a cabinet 35 defining an internal space 36 configured to house the carrier 5. The carrier 5 will be disclosed further with reference to Figures 5 to 8 .

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the cabinet 35 has an overall parallelepiped shape along a cabinet axis A. The cabinet 35 comprises cabinet side walls 37 which are cylindrical along the cabinet axis A and have a rectangular cross-section, the cabinet 35 having:

[0064] - two side panels 38 which are parallel to each other along the short sides of the rectangular cross-section, and each of which presents two longitudinal edges along the cabinet axis A, opposite the longitudinal edges of the other side panel 38, and

[0065] - a rear panel 39 which is perpendicular to the side panels 38 along one of the long sides of the rectangular cross-section and connects two respective longitudinal edges of the side panels 38 facing each other.

[0066] Each of the side panels 38 and the rear panel 39 presents opposite bottom and upper transversal edges which are perpendicular to the cabinet axis A and which are at a specified distance from each other along the cabinet axis A. The bottom transversal edges of the side panels 38 and the rear panel 39 define a bottom end 40 of the cabinet 35, and the upper transversal edges of the side panels 38 and the rear panel 39 define an upper end 41 of the cabinet 35.

[0067] The cabinet 35 is configured so as to enable access to the inner space 36 perpendicularly to the cabinet axis A. To this end, a front opening 42 is provided along an opening axis O which is perpendicular to the cabinet axis A. Moreover, the cabinet 35 has a front panel 45 which is configured to cover the front opening 42 in a removable manner. In particular, the front panel 45 comprises a cabinet door 46 which is hinged to a longitudinal edge of one of the side panels 38 of the cabinet side wall 37 along an axis which is parallel to the cabinet axis A. The cabinet door 46 presents a closed position in which it covers at least a portion of the front opening 42, and an open position in which it is spaced apart from the front opening 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the cabinet door 46 extends in an upper portion of the height of the cabinet 35 measured along the cabinet axis A, and away from the upper end 41 of the cabinet 35. Thereby, the front panel 45 further comprises a bottom panel 47 which is mounted on the cabinet side wall 37 in a removable manner, and which is connected to respective longitudinal edges of the side panels 38 facing each other, close to their bottom transversal edges, in any suitable manner. Alternatively, the cabinet door 46 can extend in the entire height of the cabinet 35, the bottom panel 47 being a portion of the cabinet door 46.

[0068] The cabinet 35 comprises a top panel 49 which extends transversally to the cabinet axis A and which connects the top transversal edges of the side panels 38 and the rear panel 39, while the bottom transversal edges of the side panels 38 and the rear panel 39, as well as the bottom transversal edges of the bottom panel 47, remain free. Thereby, the cabinet 35 has a closed upper end 41 and an open bottom end 40 which defines a bottom opening 36a for the inner space 36 along the cabinet axis A.

[0069] As Figure 1 illustrated, the container 1 presents a closed state in which the cabinet door 46 in the closed position, as well as the bottom panel 47, cover the front opening 42, thereby preventing any access to the inner space 36 and thus to the compartments 55. In this closed state, the bottom end 40 of the cabinet forms a continuous annular skirt 50 around the cabinet axis A of the cabinet 35, the skirt 50 comprising the bottom panel 47, as well as the portions of the side panels 38 and the rear panel 39 close to their bottom transversal edges. Figure 2 illustrated, the container 1 presents an open state in which at least the cabinet door 46 in the open position is spaced apart from the front opening 42, so as to enable access to the inner space 36 and thus to at least one of the compartments 55.

[0070] In Figure 3 and Figure 4 each compartment 55 is formed in a housing 56 having an overall parallelepiped shape along a housing axis C and having a rectangular cross-section. Each housing 56 comprises a housing side wall 57 surrounding the housing axis C. The housing side wall 57 has opposite rear and front edges that are annular around the housing axis C. The rear end 58 of the housing side wall 57 can be closed by a rear wall 59 extending transversely to the housing axis C and connected to the rear edge of the housing side wall 57. The front edge of the housing side wall 57 is not limited, so that the front end 60 of the housing side wall 57 opposite the rear end 58 defines an access opening 61 along the housing axis C. In the illustrated embodiment, a housing door 62 is hinged to the housing side wall 57 so as to cover the access opening 61 in a closed position and to be spaced apart from the access opening 61 in an open position.

[0071] The invention is disclosed with respect to a container 1 such that, in an open state of the container 1, both the cabinet door 46 and the housing door 62 are in their open position, and in a closed state of the container 1, both the cabinet door 46 and the housing door 62 are in their closed position. However, the container 1 can be devoid of the cabinet door 46, in which case, in the open state of the container 1, only the housing door 62 is open, and in the closed state of the container 1, only the housing door 62 is closed. Alternatively, the container 1 can be devoid of the housing door 62, in which case, in the open state of the container 1, only the cabinet door 46 is open, and in the closed state of the container 1, only the cabinet door 46 is closed.

[0072] As apparent from Figure 3 and Figure 4 each housing 56 can be chosen from a range of housings having different sizes to provide a modular arrangement of housings 56. In Figure 3 and Figure 4 two different arrangements of housings 56 of different sizes are shown.

[0073] As Figure 2 illustrated, the arrangement of housings 56 is placed within the interior space 36 of the cabinet 35 so that each compartment 55 opens perpendicularly to the cabinet axis A, with the housing axis C being parallel to the opening axis O, and the access opening 61 facing the front opening 42 of the cabinet 35.

[0074] Advantageously, the arrangement of housings 56 is mounted on the carrier 5 in a removable manner, and the carrier 5 is removable from the cabinet 35.

[0075] A particular embodiment of the carrier 5 is shown in Figures 5 to 8 The carrier 5 comprises a base 6 and a rack 12 stacked along a carrier axis B.

[0076] The base 6 extends generally transversely to the bracket axis B. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 6 includes an arrangement of rigid rods to form a rectangular frame 7, wherein two long rods 8 are parallel to each other, and two short rods 9 are parallel to each other, each connecting two corresponding ends of the long rods 8 facing each other. The base 6 is configured to rest on the ground. In particular, the base 6 is provided with casters 10 configured to roll on the ground. In the illustrated embodiment, the casters 10 are arranged at various corners of the frame 7, and at least two of the casters are also pivotable along an axis parallel to the bracket axis B, so that the bracket 5 can be oriented as it moves on the ground.

[0077] A frame 12 is mounted on a base 6 and configured to receive the arrangement of the housing 56. Specifically, the frame 12 includes an arrangement of rigid bars forming a generally parallelepiped frame 13 having: four main posts 14 extending along a bracket axis B and substantially aligned with the corners of the base 6; and a plurality of main crossbeams 16 arranged perpendicular to the bracket axis B and connecting the main posts 14 together to provide sufficient rigidity. In particular, in the figures, four lower main crossbeams 16, arranged in a rectangular configuration, connect the lower ends of the main posts 14 facing each other (i.e., near the base 6) in pairs. Two upper main crossbeams 16, parallel to the long rods 8 of the base 6, each connect the two corresponding upper edges of the two main posts 14 facing each other (i.e., separated from the base 6). Additional posts 15 and crossbeams 17 are provided to further ensure rigidity and allow for the attachment of the housing 56 by any suitable means.

[0078] The frame 12 is mounted on the base 6 so that it can translate relative to the base 6 along the bracket axis B. A drive mechanism 20 including one or more actuators 21 is provided to move the frame 12 in an extended position ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 (as shown) and return position ( Figure 7 and Figure 8 The frame 12 moves between the base 6 and the extended position. In the extended position, the frame 12 is positioned at a first distance from the base 6, while in the retracted position, the frame 12 is positioned at a second distance from the base 6, the second distance being smaller than the first distance. Thus, in the retracted position, the frame 12 is closer to the base 6, and in the extended position, the frame 12 is further away from the base 6 relative to the retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment (but not limited thereto), the drive mechanism 20 includes four cylinder-type actuators 21, each cylinder being arranged between each main post 14 of the frame 12 and a corresponding corner of the base 6.

[0079] like Figure 6 and 8For a better illustration, the container 1 also comprises a locking system 25 configured to cooperate with an anchoring element 3 provided on the ground. In particular, the locking system 25 assumes a locked condition preventing the removal of the container 1 from the anchoring element 3, and an unlocked condition allowing the removal of the container 1 from the anchoring element 3.

[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking system 25 is of the electromagnetic type and comprises an electromagnetic locking member 26 and a power supply configured to power the locking member 26 in the locked condition of the locking system 25. The locking member 26 is mounted on the chassis 12 of the carriage 5 and is configured to cooperate with the anchoring element 3, which is in the form of a magnetic plate 4 fixed to the ground. In Figure 6 , the chassis 12 is in the extended position and the locking member 26 is arranged at a given distance from a contact surface of the base 6 of the carriage 5, which is defined by the contact of the casters 10 with the ground. In Figure 8 , the chassis 12 is in the retracted position and the locking member 26 is arranged in the vicinity of the contact surface.

[0081] Alternatively, any other suitable arrangement of the locking member 26 can be provided. In particular, as will become apparent from the following description, the locking member 26 can be mounted on the cabinet 35, in particular on the skirt 50 of the cabinet 35. The locking member 26 can also be mounted on the base 6 of the cabinet. Moreover, the locking system 25 can be of any other suitable type, in particular mechanical, for example with a hook forming one of the locking member 26 and the anchoring element 3, and a ring forming the other of the locking member 26 and the anchoring element 3.

[0082] As shown in Figure 9 , the locking system 25 can also comprise a blocking arrangement 27 configured to prevent the movement of the chassis 12 towards the extended position when the locking member 26 is in the locked condition. In the illustrated embodiment, the blocking arrangement 27 comprises a pneumatic cylinder 28 connected to the locking member 26 by an arrangement of articulated links 29 configured so that, when the cylinder 28 is in the extended condition, the links 29 prevent any movement of the locking member 26.

[0083] As shown in Figures 10 to 13 , the carriage 5 is equipped with a braking system 30 assuming an active condition preventing the rolling of the casters 10 and a deactivated condition enabling the rolling of the casters 10. In particular, the braking system 30 comprises an actuator 31, for example a pneumatic cylinder, connected to one or more pads 32 by a transmission mechanism 33 so that the pads 32 are in contact with the casters 10 in the active position Figure 10 and 11 , and are spaced apart from the casters 10 in the deactivated position Figure 12 and 13 .

[0084] In order to be able to accommodate the carriage 5 within the inner space 36 of the cabinet 35, and subsequently remove the carriage 5 from the cabinet 35, the front opening 42 of the cabinet 35 is configured to allow the carriage 5 to pass through the front opening. In particular, in the open condition of the container 1, the cabinet door 46 is open wide and the floor 47 is removed. Thereby, the container 1 can assume an assembled configuration, in which the carriage 5 is accommodated within the inner space 36 of the cabinet 35, so that the carriage axis B is parallel to, in particular aligned with, the cabinet axis A, and the base 6 is within the bottom opening 36a of the inner space 36, and a disassembled configuration, in which the carriage 5 is arranged outside the inner space 36 of the cabinet 35.

[0085] When the carriage 5 is accommodated within the inner space 36 of the cabinet 35, the cabinet 35 is mounted on the rack 12 of the carriage 5. The cabinet 35 can be arranged at a first level from the contact surface in the extended position of the rack 12, and at a second level from the contact surface in the retracted position of the rack 12, the second level being lower than the first level. Then, the cabinet 35 can be lowered as the rack 12 moves from the extended position to the retracted position, and the cabinet 35 can be raised as the rack 12 moves from the retracted position to the extended position. The cabinet 35 is configured so that, in the retracted position of the rack 12, the skirt 50 shelters at least a majority, i.e. at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, in particular at least 90%, of the base 6 of the carriage 5, as well as of the casters 10 and of the locking system 25. More preferably, the cabinet 35 is configured so that the skirt 50 shelters the base 6 of the carriage 5, as well as the casters 10 and the locking system 25, as a whole, the bottom end 40 of the cabinet 35 being flush with the contact surface of the base 6, so as to rest on the ground in the retracted position of the rack 12.

[0086] The container 1 comprises a central control unit 65 connected to the carriage 5, and in particular to the drive mechanism 20, to the cabinet, to the locking system 25 and possibly to the housing 56, to set the rack 12 in one of the retracted and extended positions, to set the cabinet 35 in one of the open and closed positions, to set the locking system 25 in one of the locked and unlocked states, and to set the housing door 62 in one of the open and closed positions. The container 1 further comprises a communication interface 66 connected to the central control unit 65, said communication interface 66 being configured so that the user 2 can communicate with the central control unit 65. The communication interface 66 can comprise one or more wired communication devices, such as a keyboard 67, mounted on the outer surface of the cabinet 35, and / or one or more wireless communication devices configured to communicate with a portable device held by the user 2.

[0087] With regard to Figure 14 and Figures 15 to 19, a method for delivering items with containers 35 is disclosed. As mentioned previously, the items can be ordered by users 2, for example on a website, and are centralized in a warehouse outside the city.

[0088] At step Sp1, the position of the ground where the container 1 should be placed is defined according to the information about the users 2, in particular their addresses.

[0089] At step Sp2, the position is communicated to each user 2 along with an access code, which is any suitable type, such as an electromagnetic signal, an optical signal, a password or other signal, which enables the setting of the cabinet 35 in the open state.

[0090] At step Sl, the container 1 is prepared. Each shell 56 is chosen based on the size and / or quantity of the items it is to contain. A suitable arrangement of shells 56 is prepared and installed on the rack 12 of the carriage 5 in the extended position. In Figure 15 , the container 1 is set in the open state and the carriage 5 is moved within the internal space 36 of the cabinet 35. Then, the container 1 is set in the closed state. As Figure 16 illustrated, the container 1 is moved manually or by a trolley 70, while the rack 12 remains in the extended position.

[0091] The container 1 can be transported in a truck with other similar containers 1, which are prepared in a similar manner but possibly differ in their shell 56 arrangement. During transport, the rack 12 can be set in the retracted position.

[0092] At step S2, as Figure 17 illustrated, once the defined position is reached, the rack 12 is set in the extended position so that the container 1 can be placed on the ground provided with the anchoring element 3. In Figure 18 , the rack 12 of the carriage 5 is set in the retracted position and the cabinet 35 is lowered so that the skirt 50 rests on the ground and conceals at least most of the base 6 of the carriage 5.

[0093] In this retracted position of the rack 12, the locking member 26 is located in the vicinity of the magnetic plate 4 of the anchoring element 3, in particular in contact with the magnetic plate 4, and the locking member 26 is powered to place the locking system 25 in the locked state. Thereby, the container 1 is anchored to the ground due to the attractive force between the electromagnetic locking member 26 and the magnetic plate 4. The blocking arrangement 27 is activated to prevent the rack 12 from moving towards the extended position, and the braking system 30 is placed in the activated state. Thus, the removal of the container 1 from the anchoring element 3 is prevented.

[0094] At step S2, as Figure 19 illustrated, the container 1 is set in the open state and the shell door 62 is set in the open state by the access code of the user 2, enabling each user 2 to pick up the item or items he has ordered.

[0095] At step S4, once the item has been picked up or after a determined period of time has elapsed, the container 1 can be retrieved or placed at another location defined according to the remaining items in the container.

[0096] In Figure 20 The container 1 can also be utilized in a method for picking up one or more items.

[0097] At step S1 ', a request is made by the user 2 to pick up an item. At step SPl ', the user 2 is communicated the location of the ground on which the container 1 is placed, along with an access code which enables the container 1 to be set in an open state. In this location, the container 1 is in a closed state, the rack 12 is in a retracted position and the locking system 25 is in a locked state.

[0098] At step S2', the user 2 is enabled to store the item in a compartment 55 of the tray 5 thanks to the access code.

[0099] At step S3', the container 1 is retrieved.

Claims

1. Container (1) for carrying a plurality of items, the container (1) comprising: - a carriage (5) comprising a chassis (6) and a frame (12) stacked along a carriage axis (B), the chassis (6) being configured to rest on the ground, the carriage (5) comprising a plurality of compartments (55), each compartment (55) being configured to contain at least one of the items, - a cabinet (35) extending along a cabinet axis (A) from a bottom end (40) and defining an inner space (36) provided with a bottom opening (36a) along the cabinet axis (A) in the bottom end (40), the inner space (36) being configured to contain the carriage (5) so that the carriage axis (B) is parallel to the cabinet axis (A) and the chassis (6) is within the bottom opening (36a), the bottom end (40) of the cabinet (35) being configured to form an annular skirt (50) around the cabinet axis (A), - a locking system (25) configured to cooperate with an anchor (3) provided on the ground, the locking system (25) assuming a locked state in which the container (1) is prevented from being removed from the anchor (3) and an unlocked state in which the container (1) is enabled to be removed from the anchor (3), wherein the container (1) assumes a closed state in which any access to the compartments (55) is prevented and an open state in which access to at least one of the compartments (55) is enabled, wherein the cabinet (35) is mounted on the frame (12) of the carriage (5) and the frame (12) is translationally movable with respect to the chassis (6) along the carriage axis (B) between a retracted position in which the frame (12) is close to the chassis (6) and an extended position in which the frame (12) is spaced apart from the chassis (6), in the retracted position of the frame (12) the skirt (50) at least masking a substantial portion of the chassis (6) of the carriage (5), and the locking system (25) being in the locked state when the frame (12) is in the retracted position.

2. The container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the carriage (5) being removable from the cabinet (35), the container (1) assuming an assembled configuration in which the carriage (5) is contained within the inner space (36) of the cabinet (35) and a disassembled configuration in which the carriage (5) is arranged outside the inner space (36) of the cabinet (35).

3. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the chassis (6) of the carriage (5) being provided with casters (10) configured for rolling on the ground.

4. The container (1) according to claim 3, wherein The carriage (5) is equipped with a braking system (30) which presents an active condition, in which the castors (10) are prevented from rolling, and a deactivated condition, in which the castors (10) are enabled to roll, the braking system (30) being in the active condition when the rack (12) is in the retracted position.

5. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The cabinet (35) is configured so that, when the rack (12) is in the retracted position, the skirt (50) rests on the ground.

6. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The cabinet (35) comprises a cabinet side wall (37) which extends around the cabinet axis (A) and is provided with a front opening (42) on an opening axis (O) perpendicular to the cabinet axis (A), the front opening (42) being configured to enable access to the internal space (36), and wherein each compartment (55) extends along a housing axis (C) parallel to the opening axis (O) and presents an access opening (61) along the housing axis (C) and facing the front opening (42) of the cabinet (35), the access opening (61) being configured to enable access to the compartment (36), at least one of the front opening (42) and the access opening (42) being closed in the closed condition of the container (1).

7. The container (1) according to claim 6, wherein The front opening (42) is configured to allow the carriage (5) to pass through the front opening (42).

8. The container (1) according to claim 6, wherein The cabinet (35) further comprises a front panel (45) configured to cover the front opening (42) in the closed condition of the container (1) and to be spaced apart from the front opening (42) in the open condition of the container (1).

9. The container (1) according to claim 8, wherein The front panel (45) comprises a cabinet door (46) hinged to the cabinet side wall (37).

10. The container (1) according to claim 9, wherein The cabinet door (46) extends in an upper part of the height of the cabinet (35) and the front panel (45) further comprises a bottom panel (47) removably mounted on the cabinet side wall (37), the bottom panel (47) forming part of the skirt (50) in the closed condition of the container (1).

11. The container (1) according to claim 6, wherein Each compartment (55) is delimited by a housing side wall (57) extending around the housing axis (C) and by a housing door (62) hinged to the housing side wall (57) so as to cover the access opening (61) in the closed condition of the container (1) and to be spaced apart from the access opening (61) in the open condition of the container (1).

12. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein Each compartment (55) is formed in a housing (56) removably mounted on the rack (12) of the carriage (5).

13. The container (1) according to claim 12, wherein Each housing (56) is selected from a series of housings (56) having different sizes, the plurality of compartments (55) resulting from a modular arrangement of the housings (56).

14. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The base (6) has a contact surface to come into contact with the ground, and the locking system (25) comprises a locking member (26) mounted on the chassis (12) and configured to cooperate with the anchoring member (3), the locking member (26) being arranged at a specified distance from the contact surface when the chassis (12) is in the extended position, and being arranged close to the contact surface when the chassis (12) is in the retracted position.

15. The container (1) according to claim 14, wherein The locking member (26) is electromagnetic, the locking system (25) comprising a power supply configured to power the electromagnetic locking member (26) in the locked state of the locking system (25).

16. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The locking system (25) further comprises a blocking arrangement (27) configured to prevent the chassis (12) from moving towards the extended position when the locking member (25) is in the locked state.

17. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising a central control unit (65) connected to the cradle (5), to the cabinet (35) and to the locking system (25), and configured to set the chassis (12) in one of the retracted position and the extended position, to set the container (1) in one of the open state and the closed state, and to set the locking system (25) in one of the locked state and the unlocked state.

18. The container (1) according to claim 17, further comprising a communication interface (66) connected to the central control unit (65) and configured to enable a user (2) to communicate with the central control unit (65).

19. Method for delivering a plurality of items using a container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, the method comprising the following steps: - preparing the container (1), the container (1) being in the open state, items being contained in the compartments (55) of the cradle (5), - setting the container (1) in the closed state, - placing the container (1) on the ground provided with an anchoring member (3), - moving the container (1) with the chassis (12) of the cradle (5) in the extended position, setting the chassis (12) of the cradle (5) in the retracted position and setting the locking system (25) in the locked state, - setting the container (1) in the open state, enabling at least one user (2) to pick up at least one of the items, - retrieving the container (1).

20. The method of delivering a plurality of articles with a container (1) according to claim 19, wherein, Before preparing the container (1), items are ordered by users (2), the method further comprising the following steps: - defining the location of the ground based on information related to the users (2), - communicating the location and an access code to each user (2), the access code enabling the cabinet (35) to be set in the open state.

21. Method for picking up at least one item using a container (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 18, said container (1) being placed on the ground in a location provided with an anchoring element (3), said container (1) being in the closed state, said chassis (12) being in the withdrawn position and said locking system (25) being in the locked state, said method comprising the following steps: - placing said container (1) in the open state, enabling at least one user (2) to deposit at least one item in at least one compartment (55) of said cradle (5), - withdrawing said container (1).

22. The method for picking up at least one article with a container (1) according to claim 21, wherein, Before enabling said user (2) to deposit said item, said user (2) is requested to pick up an item, said method further comprising the step of communicating to said user (2) the location of the ground and an access code, said access code enabling said container (1) to be placed in the open state.

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