A platform for presenting a container

Abstract

The invention relates to a station (10) for presenting at least one container (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40), the station comprising: - a frame (11); - a conveying device (20) comprising: - a first conveyor; - a mobile platform (33).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packaging delivery and more particularly to the orientation of packages in a package routing and distribution system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Automated systems for storing and supplying containers are known and comprise a container storage volume in which automated trolleys for taking and delivering containers move about. The trolleys are driven by an electronic control unit which specifies one or more containers to be delivered to a container presentation station.

[0003] Generally, the trolleys place the containers at a first delivery point on a rotating mat of a carousel which introduces the containers to a container presentation point at which an operator can take the contents of the containers. Once the operator has removed the desired elements from the containers, the rotating mat returns the containers from the presentation point to an evacuation point at which the automated system retrieves the containers to place them back in the storage area.

[0004] This carousel requires the operator to be trained to be aware of the risks presented by all moving parts and to reinforce the cautions for use, such as safety mechanisms which impede the productivity of the presentation station in terms of the volume of containers presented per unit of time. The bulk of the presentation station reduces the number of stations that can be installed in connection with the storage system, which also limits the productivity of the storage system in terms of the volume of containers presented per unit of time.

[0005] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to increase the productivity of an automated system for storing and supplying containers comprising a presentation station. SUMMARY

[0007] To this end, a station for presenting at least one container is provided, the station comprising a frame delimiting an external volume and an internal volume and having an access aperture for accessing the internal volume, a conveying device housed at least partially in the internal volume and comprising a first chimney-like passage for supplying containers to a first delivery point, the first chimney-like passage extending in a first supply direction and in said direction. The conveying device further comprises a second chimney-like passage for evacuating containers from a second evacuation point, the second chimney-like passage extending in a second evacuation direction and in said direction. The presentation station further comprises a first motorized transfer conveyor for transferring containers from the first delivery point to a third transfer point in a third transfer direction. According to the invention, a movable platform is provided with a second motorized conveyor, and said movable platform is arranged to move the second conveyor between the third transfer point and a fourth presentation point in a fourth transfer direction, said fourth presentation point being arranged in such a way that the internal volume of a container located at the fourth presentation point is accessible from the external volume by an operator, said second conveyor being arranged to transfer containers from the fourth presentation point to the second evacuation point in a fifth transfer direction.

[0008] A compact presentation station is thus obtained, which requires less surface area than the solutions of the prior art and which makes it possible to improve the productivity of a given storage area.

[0009] When the first length of the first conveyor is chosen to accommodate two containers and / or the second length of the second container is chosen to accommodate a single container, the compactness of the presentation station is further improved, while constituting a supply buffer.

[0010] When the movable platform is of the "scissor-lift table" type and / or the second evacuation direction is substantially parallel to the first supply direction and / or the third transfer direction is substantially orthogonal to the first supply direction and / or to the second evacuation direction, the compactness of the station is further improved.

[0011] When the fourth direction is substantially orthogonal to the third direction, the compactness of the presentation station is further optimized.

[0012] When the presentation station comprises covering means for covering the access aperture, the presentation station can be used by users who are not specifically trained.

[0013] Advantageously, when the frame rests on a horizontal support, the first supply direction, the second evacuation direction and the fourth transfer direction are vertical, and wherein the third transfer direction and the fifth transfer direction are horizontal.

[0014] More advantageously, the presentation station comprises means for preventing the removal of a container by the access aperture.

[0015] The compactness of the presentation station is further enhanced when the station comprises a stacking device for stacking the containers to create a stack of containers resting at a second withdrawal point.

[0016] The stacking device is particularly robust and reliable when the stacking device for stacking the containers comprises an arm connected to a movable platform and / or the stacking device for stacking the containers comprises at least one elastic clamp.

[0017] The invention is also applicable to an automated system for storing and supplying containers comprising a storage volume connected to at least one presentation station as defined above.

[0018] The invention is also applicable to a method for presenting containers implemented by a presentation station as defined above, the method comprising the steps of:

[0019] - placing a first container at the first delivery point;

[0020] - controlling the first conveyor so as to pass the first container to a third passing point;

[0021] - actuating the movable platform so as to pass the first container from the third passing point to a fourth presentation point;

[0022] - controlling the second conveyor so as to pass the first container from the fourth presentation point to a second withdrawal point.

[0023] Advantageously, when the first length of the first conveyor is chosen to accommodate two containers and the second length of the second container is chosen to accommodate a single container, the method comprises the additional steps of:

[0024] - before the step of controlling the first conveyor so as to pass the first container from the first delivery point to the third passing point, controlling the first conveyor so as to release the first delivery point while maintaining the first container on the first conveyor;

[0025] - placing a second container at the first delivery point;

[0026] - after the step of controlling the first conveyor so as to pass the first container to the third passing point, placing a third container at the first delivery point.

[0027] When the presentation station comprises a covering device for covering the access window, the use of the presentation station is safe, the method comprises an additional step, located between the step of actuating the movable platform so as to pass the first container from the third passing point to the fourth presentation point and the step of controlling the second conveyor so as to pass the first container from the fourth presentation point to the second withdrawal point, consisting in actuating the covering device so as to release the access window, then actuating the covering device so as to cover the access window.

[0028] When the presentation station comprises a stacking device for stacking the containers to create a stack of containers resting at a second evacuation point, the volume of presented containers is further improved, the method comprising the step of creating a stack of containers at the second evacuation point.

[0029] Other features and advantages of the present application appear upon reading the following description of specific, non-limiting embodiments of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 is a plan view of an automated storage system according to a first embodiment of the application, the automated storage system being in a first state;

[0031] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 is a view identical to the view of the automated storage system being in a second state; Figure 1

[0032] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 is a view identical to the view of the automated storage system being in a third state; Figure 1

[0033] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 is a view identical to the view of the automated storage system being in a fourth state; Figure 1

[0034] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 is a view identical to the view of the automated storage system being in a fifth state; Figure 1

[0035] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 is a view identical to the view of the automated storage system being in a sixth state; Figure 1

[0036] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 is a view identical to the view of the automated storage system being in a seventh state; Figure 1

[0037] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 is a view identical to the view of the automated storage system being in an eighth state; Figure 1

[0038] [ Figure 9 ] Figure 9 is a detail view of a presentation system of the automated storage system of Figure 1 is a detail view of a presentation system of the automated storage system of​​​​​​​

[0039] [ Figure 10 ] Figure 10 is a plan view of an automated storage system according to a second embodiment of the application, the automated storage system being in a first state;

[0040] [ Figure 11 ] Figure 11 is a detailed view of a gripper of a presentation system of the automated storage system of Figure 10 ;

[0041] [ Figure 12 ] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the automated storage system of Figure 10 ;

[0042] [ Figure 13 ] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the automated storage system of Figure 10 ;

[0043] [ Figure 14 ] Figure 14 is a view identical to the view of Figure 10 the automated storage system being in a second state;

[0044] [ Figure 15 ] Figure 15 is a detailed view of a stacking device being in a third state;

[0045] [ Figure 16 ] Figure 16 is a detailed view of a stacking device being in a fourth state;

[0046] [ Figure 17 ] Figure 17 is a detailed view of a stacking device being in a fifth state;

[0047] [ Figure 18 ] Figure 18 is a view identical to the view of Figure 10 the automated storage system being in a sixth state;

[0048] [ Figure 19 ] Figure 19 is a view identical to the view of Figure 10 the automated storage system being in a seventh state;

[0049] [ Figure 20 ] Figure 20 is a view identical to the view of Figure 10 the automated storage system being in an eighth state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Reference is made to Figures 1 to 9, the automated system for storing and serving containers according to the invention is generally designated 100 and comprises a storage volume 1 connected to a presentation station 10. The storage volume 1 comprises a plurality of cells 2 each enclosing a generally parallelepiped container 3 having a first width l3, a first length L3 and a first height H3. For example, four containers 3 will be considered: a first container 3.10, a second container 3.20, a third container 3.30 and a fourth container 3.40. An automated trolley has a grip 5 for gripping the top of each container 3. The trolley 4 is provided with wheels 6 to move on the upper part of the storage volume 1 according to modalities known to the person skilled in the art. The trolley 4 and the presentation station 10 are connected to an electronic control unit 90.

[0051] The presentation station 10 comprises a frame 11 delimiting an external volume 12 and an internal volume 13. Here, the frame 11 is represented as resting on a horizontal surface 91. The frame 11 has an aperture 14 for accessing the internal volume 13. Here, the aperture 14 is rectangular with a second width l 14 and a second length L 14 . An electrically rolling baffle 15 extends in front of the aperture 14 to selectively cover the access aperture 14.

[0052] The internal volume 13 encloses a conveyor device 20 comprising a first chimney-like passage 21 for serving emerging on a first delivery point 22. The first chimney-like passage 21 is generally rectilinear and extends in a first vertical serving direction 23. The conveyor device further comprises a second evacuation chimney-like passage 24 for evacuation emerging on a second evacuation point 25. The second chimney-like passage 24 is generally rectilinear and extends in a second vertical evacuation direction 26. A first transfer conveyor 30 extends in a third transfer direction 31 to serve containers from the first delivery point 22 to a third transfer point 27. The first conveyor 30 is a motorized roller conveyor, its first motorized member 32 being connected to the electronic control unit 90. The conveyor device 20 further comprises a movable platform 33 provided with a second conveyor 34. The movable platform 33 is arranged to move the second conveyor 34 in a fourth vertical transfer direction 35 between the third transfer point 27 and a fourth presentation point 28. The fourth presentation point 28 is vertically below the aperture 14 so that the internal volume 3.2 of a container 3 located at the fourth presentation point 28 is accessible from the external volume 12 by an operator through the aperture 14. The second conveyor 34 is a motorized roller conveyor, its second motorized member 36 being connected to the electronic control unit 90. The second conveyor 34 extends horizontally so as to transfer containers from the fourth presentation point 28 to the second evacuation point 25 in a fifth transfer direction 39 when the second conveyor 34 is at the fourth presentation point 28. To this end, a third conveyor 37 with free rollers extends horizontally at the evacuation point.

[0053] The movable platform 33 is a scissor lift table type platform, which includes a first link 37.1 and a second link 37.2 actuated by a first actuator 38 as known.

[0054] As in Figures 1 to 10 As can be seen from the above, the first conveyor 30 has a first length L30 selected to accommodate two containers 3, and the second length L34 of the second conveyor 34 is selected to accommodate a single container 3.

[0055] In operation, the control unit 90 controls the automated crane 4 to lower the first container via the first chimney-shaped channel 21 to place the first container 3.10 at the first delivery point. Figure 2 - First step). The control unit 90 then controls the first conveyor 30 to release the first delivery point 22 while holding the first container 3.10 on the first conveyor 30. Figure 3 - Second step). The control unit 90 then controls the automated crane 4 to place the second container 3.20 at the first delivery point 22. Figure 4 - Third step). According to Figure 5 In the fourth step, as indicated in the diagram, the control unit 90 controls the first conveyor 30 to transfer the first container 3.10 to the third transfer point 27 on the second conveyor 34, where the movable platform 33 has previously been lowered to the third transfer point 27. According to... Figure 6 In the fifth step, as shown in the diagram, the control unit 90 controls the automated crane 4 to place the third container 3.30 at the first delivery point 22. During this step, the second motor 36 of the second conveyor 34 may or may not be driven. Figure 7 In the sixth step, as shown in the diagram, control unit 90 controls the first actuator 38 of movable platform 33 to transfer the first container 3.10 from the third transfer point 27 to the fourth presentation point 28. In this deployment position of movable platform 33, the second conveyor 34 is at the same level. Control unit 90 then controls baffle 15 to release access window 14, thereby allowing user 92 to retrieve the contents of the first container 3.10. Figure 7 When the first container 3.10 is empty (this state can be detected, for example, by measuring the motor current consumed by the first actuator 38), the control unit 90 controls the baffle 15 to close to cover the access window 14 (seventh step). According to the eighth step, the control unit 90 controls the movable platform 33 to transfer the first container 3.10 from the fourth presentation point 28 to the second withdrawal point 25. According to the ninth step, the control unit 90 controls the first actuator 38, and the movable platform 33 returns to the retracted position, where the second conveyor 34 is at the same level as the first conveyor 30. Figure 8 ).

[0056] The operating cycle can start again in a first step by handling the second container 3.20, wherein the first container 3.10 is evacuated before repeating the eighth step of passing the second container 3.20 to the second evacuation point 25.

[0057] As can be seen in Figure 7 and 9 , the first width l3 and the first length L3 of the container 3 are greater than the second width l 14 and the second length L 14 of the window 14, respectively.

[0058] Elements identical or similar to those previously described will bear the same numerical references as in the following description of the second embodiment of the application.

[0059] With reference to Figures 10 to 20 , the presentation station 10 comprises a stacking device 50 for stacking the containers 3 to produce a stack of containers. The device 50 comprises a first arm 51 and a second arm 61 fixed on either side of the movable platform 33.

[0060] The first arm 51 is generally L-shaped and comprises a first portion 52 extending generally parallel to the third direction of passage 31 and fastened to the movable platform 33. The first arm 51 further comprises a second portion 53 extending at generally 90 degrees to the first portion 52. A first resilient jaw 54 and a second resilient jaw 55 are mounted on a first crosspiece 56 mounted at a first end 53.1 of the second portion 53. As can be seen in Figure 11 , the first resilient jaw 54 is generally S-shaped and comprises a first central portion 54.1 delimited by a first bend 54.2 and a second bend 54.3. A first proximal portion 54.4 connects the first bend 54.2 to a first proximal end 54.5. A first distal portion 54.6 connects the second bend 54.3 to a first distal end 54.7. The first proximal end 54.5 is borne on the first crosspiece 56 and the first bend 54.2 rests on a shaft 56.1 fastened to the first crosspiece 56. The first distal end 54.7 is free. The second resilient jaw 55 is identical to the first resilient jaw 54 and comprises a second proximal end 55.5 borne on the first crosspiece 56 and a third bend 55.2 resting on the shaft 56.1. The second jaw 55 further comprises a second central portion 55.1, a fourth bend 55.3 and a second distal end 55.7 which is free.

[0061] Similarly, the second arm 61 is generally L-shaped and comprises a third portion 62 extending generally parallel to the third direction of transport 31 and fastened to the movable platform 33. The second arm 61 further comprises a fourth portion 63 extending at generally 90 degrees to the third portion 62. A third elastic clamp 64 and a fourth elastic clamp 65 are symmetrically mounted to the first clamp 54 and to the second clamp 55 on a second crosspiece 66 mounted at a second end 63.1 of the fourth portion 63.

[0062] As can be seen in Figure 11 , the third elastic clamp 64 comprises a third proximal end 64.5 supported on the second crosspiece 66 and a fifth bend 64.2 resting on a third shaft 66.1 fastened to the second crosspiece 66. The third clamp 64 further comprises a third central portion 64.1, a sixth bend 64.3 and a free third distal end 64.7. The fourth elastic clamp 65 comprises a fourth proximal end 65.5 supported on the second crosspiece 66 and a seventh bend 65.2 resting on a fourth shaft 66.2 fastened to the second crosspiece 66. The fourth clamp 65 further comprises a fourth central portion 65.1, an eighth bend 65.3 and a free fourth distal end 65.7.

[0063] According to this second embodiment, the container 3 comprises a rim protruding from its upper portion towards the periphery. Thus, the first container 3.10 comprises a first peripheral rim 3.11 Figures 15 to 17 and the second container 3.20 comprises a second peripheral rim 3.21.

[0064] In operation and according to this second embodiment, the steps of the first to the eighth steps are identical Figures 2 to 7 . Figure 14 The configuration of the station 10 at the end of the eighth step is represented.

[0065] According to a ninth step, the control unit 90 controls the first actuator 38 so that the movable platform 33 returns to a retracted position in which the second conveyor 34 is flush with the first conveyor 30. During this displacement of the movable platform 33, the first arm 51 and the second arm 61 perform a translational movement relative to the third conveyor 37 supporting the first container 3.10. This movement brings the first clamp 54, the second clamp 55, the third clamp 64 and the fourth clamp 65 closer to the first rim 3.11 until the second bend 54.3, the fourth bend 55.3, the sixth bend 64.3 and the eighth bend 65.3 are in contact with the first rim 3.11 Figure 15 .

[0066] The continued movement of the first arm 51 and of the second arm 61 relative to the first container 3.10 causes the first clamp 54, the second clamp 55, the third clamp 64 and the fourth clamp 65 to deform against the rim 3.11 Figure 16). When the movable platform 33 returns to its retracted position (in which the second conveyor 34 is flush with the first conveyor 30) the first distal end 54.7, the second distal end 55.7, the third distal end 64.7 and the fourth distal end 65.7 are no longer facing the first edge 3.11 and are moved apart under the edge 3.11 by elastic release Figure 17 ).

[0067] During a tenth step identical to the fourth step, the control unit 90 controls the first conveyor 30 so as to pass the second container 3.20 to a third passing point 27 on the second conveyor 34 Figure 18 ). According to a tenth step identical to the sixth step, the control unit 90 controls the first actuator 38 of the movable platform 33 so as to pass the second container 3.20 from the third passing point 27 to a fourth presentation point 28. During this movement, the first arm 51 and the second arm 61 of the device 50 raise the first container 3.10 by a value substantially greater (by construction) than the first height H3 Figures 12 to 13 ). After opening and closing the shutter 15, the control unit 90 controls the movable platform 33 so as to pass the second container 3.20 from the fourth presentation point 28 to the second withdrawal point 25 (twelfth step Figure 20 ). According to a thirteenth step, the control unit 90 controls the first actuator 38 and the movable platform 33 returns to its retracted position.

[0068] During this displacement of the movable platform 33, the first arm 51 and the second arm 61 perform a translational movement relative to the third conveyor 37 which supports the second container 3.20. The base of the first container 3.10 then rests on the upper part of the second container 3.20. Continuing this translational movement brings the first clamp 54, the second clamp 55, the third clamp 64 and the fourth clamp 65 closer to the second edge 3.21 until the second bend 54.3, the fourth bend 55.3, the sixth bend 64.3 and the eighth bend 65.3 come into contact with the second edge 3.21 and deform against said second edge. When the movable platform 33 returns to its retracted position (in which the second conveyor 34 is flush with the first conveyor 30) the first distal end 54.7, the second distal end 55.7, the third distal end 64.7 and the fourth distal end 65.7 are no longer facing the first edge 3.11 and are moved apart under the second edge 3.21 by elastic release Figure 20 ). The stack 70 of containers 3 comprising the first container 3.10 and the second container 3.20 has been constructed and rests at the second withdrawal point 25. This stack 70 can be withdrawn by the automated trolley 4 or accommodate a third container 3.30 according to the above method.

[0069] It is clear that the present application is not limited to the described embodiments, but encompasses any variations falling within the scope of the application as defined by the claims.

[0070] In particular,

[0071] - although the configuration of the stack of containers has been described herein in relation with stackable containers, the application is equally applicable to the creation of a stack of insertable containers, i.e. containers whose lower part can be at least partially housed by the internal volume of another identical container;

[0072] - although the automated system for storing and serving containers herein comprises a presentation station, the application is equally applicable to an automated system for storing and serving containers comprising several presentation stations;

[0073] - although the storage volume herein encloses containers which are generally parallelepiped, the application is equally applicable to other types of containers, such as trays or any form of dedicated container;

[0074] - although the presentation station herein comprises a shutter, the application is equally applicable to other types of access aperture covering means, such as sliding or folding doors, bars, curtains or rotating drawers;

[0075] - although the conveying means herein are entirely contained in the frame, the application is equally applicable to conveying means which are partially contained in the internal volume, such as a motor outside the internal volume or a part of the conveyor located outside the internal volume;

[0076] - although the serving direction and the evacuation direction are vertical herein, the application is equally applicable to other orientations of the serving direction and the evacuation direction forming a non-zero angle with respect to the vertical, such as a horizontal direction, the serving direction and the evacuation direction being able to be different, resulting in the serving direction and the evacuation direction not being parallel;

[0077] - although the conveying means herein comprise a roller conveyor, the application is equally applicable to other types of conveyors, such as a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor;

[0078] - although the first length and the first width are respectively greater than the second width and the second length of the aperture herein, the application is equally applicable to other types of means to prevent the extraction of a container through the access aperture, such as a bar, only one of the dimensions of the length and the width of the container being greater than the length or the width of the aperture, such as a container locking means such as a latch or a clamp;

[0079] - although the container stacking means herein comprise four elastic clamps, the application is equally applicable to other types of container gripping means, controlled or not, such as controlled clamps, suction cups, magnets, spring-mounted fingers or cams. These means can cooperate with containers which do not have edges or have different attachment interfaces, such as protruding spikes or notches;

[0080] - Although the container stacking device herein comprises a fixed arm fastened to the platform, the application is equally applicable to other types of configurations that make it possible to link the displacement movement of the movable platform with the container gripping action, for example, an arm mounted to rotate on the movable platform and provided with a position return member, a cam / follower system that makes it possible to separate the arm during lowering of the movable platform, or even a set of cables and return pulleys that link the gripper to the movable platform;

[0081] - Although the second withdrawal direction herein is substantially parallel to the first supply direction, and the third transfer direction is substantially orthogonal to the first supply direction and the second withdrawal direction, the application is equally applicable to other relative orientations of the second withdrawal direction and the third transfer direction;

[0082] - Although the containers are supplied herein according to a first supply direction by a first straight run, the application is equally applicable to the supply of containers according to a non-straight run, for example, a helical ramp or a first run comprising a plurality of different slopes, the first supply direction then corresponding to the direction of the containers before they reach the first delivery point. The same applies to the second withdrawal direction.

Claims

1. A station (10) for presenting at least one container (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40), comprising: - a frame (11) delimiting an external volume (12) and an internal volume (13) and having an access aperture (14) for accessing the internal volume (13); - a conveying device (20) housed at least partially in the internal volume (13) and comprising a first chimney-like channel (21) for supplying containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) to a first delivery point (22), the first chimney-like channel (21) extending in a first supply direction (23); the conveying device (20) further comprising: - a second chimney-like channel (24) for evacuating containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) from a second evacuation point (25), the second chimney-like channel (24) extending in a second evacuation direction (26); - a first conveyor (30) which is motorized to transfer containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) from the first delivery point (22) to a third transfer point (27) in a third transfer direction (31); - a movable platform (33) provided with a motorized second conveyor (34), the movable platform (33) being arranged to move the second conveyor (34) between the third transfer point (27) and a fourth presentation point (28) in a fourth transfer direction (35), the fourth presentation point being arranged in such a way that the internal volume of a container (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) located at the fourth presentation point (28) can be accessed by an operator from the external volume (12), the second conveyor (34) being arranged to transfer containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) from the fourth presentation point (28) to the second evacuation point (25) in a fifth transfer direction (39), - a stacking device (50) for stacking containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) to create a stack of containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) resting at the second evacuation point (25), the stacking device comprising an arm (51, 61) connected to the movable platform (33).

2. The platform (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The movable platform (33) is of the "scissor table" type.

3. The platform (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second evacuation direction (26) and the first supply direction (23) are substantially rectilinear, the second evacuation direction (26) being substantially parallel to the first supply direction (23) and / or the third transfer direction (31) being substantially orthogonal to the first supply direction (23) and / or to the second evacuation direction (26).

4. The platform (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The fourth transfer direction (35) is substantially orthogonal to the third transfer direction (31).

5. The station (10) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising covering means (15) for covering the access aperture (14).

6. The platform (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when said frame (11) rests on a horizontal support, said first supply direction (23), said second withdrawal direction (26) and said fourth transfer direction (35) are vertical, and wherein said third transfer direction (31) and said fifth transfer direction (39) are horizontal.

7. The station (10) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising means for preventing the extraction of a container (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) through said access aperture (14).

8. The platform (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Said stacking device (50) for stacking containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) comprises at least one elastic clamp (54, 55, 64, 65).

9. An automated system for storing and supplying containers (100) comprising a storage volume (1) connected to at least one station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. The automated system for storing and serving containers (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, Said storage volume (1) comprises a plurality of cells (2) each enclosing a container (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40), and wherein a first length (L30) of said first conveyor (30) is selected to accommodate two containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) and / or a second length (L34) of said second conveyor is selected to accommodate a single container (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40).

11. A method for presenting a container (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) implemented by a station (10) according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: - placing a first container (3.10) at said first delivery point (22); - controlling said first conveyor (30) so as to transfer said first container (3.10) to said third transfer point (27); - actuating said movable platform (33) so as to transfer said first container (3.10) from said third transfer point (27) to said fourth presentation point (28); - controlling said second conveyor (34) so as to transfer said first container (3.10) from said fourth presentation point (28) to said second withdrawal point (25).

12. The method for presenting a container (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) according to claim 11, a first length (L30) of said first conveyor (30) being selected to accommodate two containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) and a second length (L34) of said second conveyor (34) being selected to accommodate a single container (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40), said method comprising the additional steps of: - before the step of controlling said first conveyor (30) so as to transfer said first container (3.10) from said first delivery point (22) to said third transfer point (27), controlling said first conveyor (30) so as to release said first delivery point (22) while maintaining said first container (3.10) on said first conveyor (30). - placing a second container (3.20) at said first delivery point (22); - placing a third container (3.30) at said first delivery point (22) after the step of controlling said first conveyor (30) so as to pass said first container (3.10) to said third passing point (27).

13. The method for presenting containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) according to claim 11 or 12, said station (10) comprising covering means (15) for covering said access aperture (14), said method comprising an additional step, located between the step of actuating said movable platform (33) so as to pass said first container (3.10) from said third passing point (27) to said fourth presentation point (28) and the step of controlling said second conveyor (34) so as to pass said first container (3.10) from said fourth presentation point (28) to said second withdrawal point (25), said additional step consisting in actuating said covering means (15) so as to free said access aperture (14), then in actuating said covering means (15) so as to cover said access aperture (14).

14. The method for presenting containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) according to any one of claims 11 to 12, said station (10) comprising stacking means (50) for stacking containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) to create a stack (70) of containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) resting at said second withdrawal point (25), said method comprising a step of creating a stack (70) of containers (3.10, 3.20, 3.30, 3.40) at said second withdrawal point (25).

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