Method for automatically processing products to be stored in storage warehouse

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically processing products to be stored in a storage warehouse (30). The method comprises placing the products in a transport tray (14) provided at a product receiving station (10), the products being spaced apart from each other according to the product type. The transport pallets (14) are then transferred from the product receiving station (10) to the intermediate automated warehouse (20) by the first autonomous vehicle (50) and stored in a predefined position within the intermediate automated warehouse (20). When the storage warehouse (30) is ready to receive products placed in the transport pallets (14), a request to retrieve the transport pallets (14) is sent to the intermediate automated warehouse (20), and after sending the retrieval request, the transport pallets (14) are transferred from the intermediate automated warehouse (20) to the storage warehouse (30) by the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle may coincide with the first autonomous vehicle (50) or may not coincide with the first autonomous vehicle (50). Subsequently, the product is picked up from the transport tray (14) and placed in a collection tray provided at the storage warehouse (30). The collection tray is then stored in a predefined position within a storage warehouse (30).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for automatically handling products to be stored in a storage warehouse.

[0003] In the context of the logistics of a production company, it is particularly important to handle as efficiently as possible the flow of products within the factory between the product receiving station and the warehouse, where these products are to be stored in the warehouse for their future use (this warehouse is referred to herein as the "storage warehouse").

[0004] Specifically, it is desirable that the products to be stored, after arriving at the product receiving station and being uploaded into the computer system handling the storage warehouse, be sent to the storage warehouse according to a time and regulations suitable to allow them to be stored immediately, so as to avoid the products from stopping or remaining in areas of the factory other than the storage warehouse.

[0005] However, the applicant has noticed that, generally, especially in medium - to - high - level automated companies equipped with medium - to - large automated warehouses, the operations of inserting products into the storage warehouse and removing those products from the storage warehouse are controlled by dedicated warehouse management software. In these cases, the time when the products to be stored arrive at the product receiving stations and are processed at these receiving stations is different from the storage time imposed by the warehouse management software. Therefore, products are usually seen parked and / or stacked near the storage warehouse waiting to be picked up and placed in the warehouse within the factory, which not only impairs the neatness and optimization of the space within the factory, but also impairs the ability of the warehouse operators to easily and quickly locate the various products to be stored from time to time according to the storage order enforced by the warehouse management software.

[0006] The applicant has noticed that similar drawbacks to those described above can also occur in those cases where all or part of the product storage operations are performed by warehouse operators, such as in the case of companies without an automated warehouse, or in the case of companies where, although an automated warehouse is provided, the products are handled by warehouse operators before being delivered to the automated warehouse. These operators are not always able to immediately process the products arriving from the product receiving stations.

[0007] The applicant has also noticed that the above - mentioned drawbacks are highlighted by the following factors:

[0008] - The products arriving at the product receiving stations are of different types and therefore must be stored in different locations in the storage warehouse;

[0009] - The above - mentioned products arrive at the product receiving stations and / or the storage warehouse at different times;

[0010] - Once loaded into the computer system of the processing storage warehouse, the above products must be removed from the product receiving station as soon as possible so that other products can be processed at the product receiving station.

[0011] All these factors mean that the product handling time at the product receiving station varies according to circumstances, yet is not predictable in advance, thus making it almost impossible to coordinate these times with those imposed by the warehouse management software.

[0012] Therefore, the applicant considered how to handle the flow between the product receiving station in the factory and the storage warehouse in an automatic and efficient manner, while overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks caused by the misalignment of the product handling times at the product receiving station and the storage warehouse.

[0013] The applicant recognized that, in order to achieve efficient handling of the products to be stored, it is first advisable to arrange the products arriving at the product receiving station in transport pallets according to the product type so that the same products can be stored in the storage warehouse locations.

[0014] The applicant also recognized that, in order to achieve automated handling of the products to be stored, it is advisable to move the products between the product receiving station and the storage warehouse by means of autonomous vehicles handled by the warehouse management software. In this way, once the products at the product receiving station are uploaded into the computer system of the processing storage warehouse, the warehouse management software can send an autonomous vehicle to the product receiving station so that the above products can be removed from the product receiving station in a timely manner.

[0015] The applicant also recognized that by setting up an intermediate automated warehouse within the factory, the drawbacks caused by the misalignment of the product handling times at the product receiving station and the storage warehouse can be overcome, in which the products from the product receiving station can be temporarily stored and transferred to the storage warehouse only when the storage warehouse is ready to store the products. Therefore, this intermediate automated warehouse absorbs the timing differences between the product receiving station and the storage warehouse. It receives products from the product receiving station and then releases the products according to the storage sequence imposed by the warehouse management software. Thus, the intermediate automated warehouse serves as an automatic sequencer.

[0016] Therefore, the present invention relates to a method for automatically handling products to be stored in a storage warehouse.

[0017] Preferably, these products are placed in transport pallets provided at the product receiving station.

[0018] Preferably, the products are placed in transport pallets by spacing the products apart from each other according to the product type.

[0019] Preferably, after placing these products in the transport pallets, the transport pallets are transferred from the product receiving station to the intermediate automated warehouse.

[0020] Preferably, the transfer is performed by a first autonomous vehicle.

[0021] Preferably, the transport pallet is stored in a predefined location within an intermediate automated warehouse.

[0022] Preferably, when the storage warehouse is ready to receive the products placed in the transport pallet, a request to retrieve the transport pallet is sent to the intermediate automated warehouse.

[0023] Preferably, after sending the retrieval request, the transport pallet is transferred from the intermediate automated warehouse to the storage warehouse.

[0024] Preferably, the transfer is performed by an autonomous vehicle, which may be identical to or different from the first autonomous vehicle.

[0025] Preferably, the products are picked up from the transport pallet and placed in a collection tray provided at the storage warehouse.

[0026] Preferably, the collection tray is stored in a predefined location within the storage warehouse.

[0027] Due to the provision of the intermediate automated warehouse and the use of autonomous vehicles, all operations from loading the products into the computer system of the processing storage warehouse to delivering the products to the storage warehouse can be automated. The products are automatically sorted and sent to the storage warehouse according to the storage order enforced by the warehouse management software, regardless of the processing time of the products at the product receiving station.

[0028] The present invention may have at least one of the preferred features described individually or in combination below.

[0029] Preferably, the products are identified at the product receiving station by reading product identification codes associated with each or multiple identical products among the products. This can be done before or after placing the products in the transport pallet, preferably before placing the products in the transport pallet.

[0030] Preferably, the product identification codes are printed on an accompanying document associated with each or multiple identical products among the products.

[0031] Preferably, the quantity of the relevant products is indicated in the accompanying document.

[0032] The accompanying document may be prepared by an operator at the product receiving station or by the supplier of the products.

[0033] Preferably, the products are placed in corresponding containers according to the product type, and then the containers are arranged in a transport pallet. Alternatively, the containers can be arranged in a transport pallet, and only then are the products arranged in the containers, spacing the products apart according to the product type. Such operations can be performed before or after identifying the products, preferably after identifying the products.

[0034] The products contained in a container placed on a transport pallet can be the same as or different from the products contained in another container placed in the same transport pallet.

[0035] Preferably, the accompanying documents are placed in the container containing the relevant products. In this way, a visual inspection or verification of the contents of the container can be carried out at any time.

[0036] Preferably, the transport pallet is identified. In this way, the computer system of the storage warehouse uniquely associates certain products and the quantity of these products with a specific transport pallet.

[0037] Preferably, the identification of the transport pallet is performed before transferring the transport pallet from the product receiving station to the intermediate automated warehouse.

[0038] Preferably, the identification of the transport pallet is performed by reading the pallet identification code associated with the transport pallet.

[0039] Preferably, the position of each container relative to the transport pallet is identified.

[0040] Preferably, after arranging the containers in the transport pallet, the identification of the position of each container relative to the transport pallet is performed.

[0041] Preferably, the identification of the position of each container relative to the transport pallet is performed by reading the container positioning identification code associated with the transport pallet in proximity to the corresponding container. In this way, the computer system of the storage warehouse uniquely associates each container (and thus the products contained in each container and the quantity of these products) with a specific location in the transport pallet.

[0042] Preferably, a request for intervention of the first autonomous vehicle is sent.

[0043] Before transferring the transport pallet from the product receiving station to the intermediate automated warehouse, before or after arranging the products in the transport pallet, preferably after arranging the products in the transport pallet, this operation can be performed.

[0044] Preferably, after placing the product in the transport pallet and before transferring the transport pallet from the product receiving station to the intermediate automated warehouse, the optical pallet completion code associated with the transport pallet is read.

[0045] Preferably, the transport pallet may include a first service optical code that identifies the possibility of being emptied by a robotic arm.

[0046] Preferably, the first service optical code is read.

[0047] Preferably, the first service optical code can be read before or after the transport pallet has been identified, more preferably after the transport pallet has been identified, and in any case before transferring the transport pallet from the product receiving station to the intermediate automated warehouse.

[0048] Preferably, the first service optical code is also printed on the accompanying document.

[0049] Preferably, before placing the products in the transport pallet, the first service code is read from the accompanying document.

[0050] Preferably, after the first service optical code has been read from the transport pallet, the transport pallet is transferred from the intermediate automated warehouse to the robotic input station of the storage warehouse. The robotic input station is equipped with at least one robotic arm.

[0051] Preferably, the transport pallet may further include a second service optical code that identifies a transport pallet that can only be emptied by an operator.

[0052] In this case, before transferring the transport pallet from the product receiving station to the intermediate automated warehouse, the second service optical code is read.

[0053] Preferably, after reading the second service optical code, the transport pallet is transferred from the intermediate automated warehouse to the non-robotic input station of the storage warehouse. The non-robotic input station is manned by an operator who removes the products from the transport pallet and places them in a collection tray.

[0054] Preferably, after at least some of the products have been stored in the collection tray, the transport pallet is transferred from the storage warehouse to the intermediate automated warehouse by an autonomous vehicle, which may or may not be the same as the first autonomous vehicle.

[0055] Preferably, before placing the products in the transport pallet, the transport pallet is transferred from the intermediate automated warehouse to the product receiving station.

[0056] Preferably, the transfer is performed by an autonomous vehicle that is identical or non-identical to the first autonomous vehicle.

[0057] Preferably, before transferring the transport pallet from the intermediate automated warehouse to the product receiving station, an operator makes a call by actuating a call button.

[0058] The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, provided by reference to the accompanying drawings and by way of indicative and non-limiting examples, will make the additional features and advantages of the present invention clearer, in the drawings:

[0059] Figure 1 A simplified and schematic layout of an area of a factory is shown, in which a method for automatically processing products to be stored in a storage warehouse is implemented according to the present invention;

[0060] Figure 2 A top plan view of a transport pallet used in the method of the present invention is shown;

[0061] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A side view of the transport pallet;

[0062] Figure 4 A top plan view of an accompanying document used in the method of the present invention is shown;

[0063] Figure 5 A top plan view of a collection pallet used in the method of the present invention is shown;

[0064] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 A side view of the collection pallet;

[0065] Figure 7 Shows the frame of the transport pallet analyzed by the method management software of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0066] In Figure 1 , reference numeral 100 denotes an area of the factory in which a method for automatically processing products to be stored in a storage warehouse is implemented according to the present invention.

[0067] The products to be stored can come from external suppliers or from other areas of the same factory or from other factories of the same company or group of companies. In a non-limiting example, the product is a component or part of a packaging machine (such as a cigarette packaging machine).

[0068] The above products are initially processed at the product receiving station 10. At this receiving station, the products are placed in a container 16 ( Figure 2 ), and this container 16 is in turn arranged in a transport pallet 14 for temporary storage in the intermediate automated warehouse 20.

[0069] In area 100 of the factory, in addition to product receiving station 10 and automatic intermediate warehouse 20, a storage warehouse 30 is also provided, and the above-mentioned products will be specifically stored in this storage warehouse 30 so as to be picked up as needed.

[0070] Preferably, storage warehouse 30 is an automated warehouse.

[0071] As Figure 4 shown, each product or each multiple identical products 20 present in product receiving station 10 are attached with an accompanying document 18. The accompanying document 18 shows the quantity and type of the product 20 associated therewith. This information is also included in the product identification code 40 printed on the accompanying document 18 itself. Preferably, the product identification code 40 is an optical code that can be read by an optical reader, and more preferably a barcode.

[0072] The accompanying document 18 can be prepared by the operator participating in product receiving station 10 or directly by the supplier of product 20 and delivered to product receiving station 10 together with product 20 itself.

[0073] In some embodiments, such as one embodiment illustrated herein, a first service optical code 47 is also printed on the accompanying document 18, and this first service optical code 47 identifies the possibility of processing the corresponding product by the robotic arm 34 ( Figure 1 ) provided in the robotic input station 32a of storage warehouse 30. However, a foreseen embodiment is provided, in which the accompanying document 18 does not have the aforementioned first service optical code 47.

[0074] Product receiving station 10 includes a plurality of product loading stations 12, where different operators place the products 20 to be stored in their respective containers 16 and place the containers 16 in the transport pallets 14.

[0075] The transport pallets 14 without containers 16 are temporarily stored in the intermediate automated warehouse 20, and the transport pallets 14 are taken out from this intermediate automated warehouse 20 and sent to the product loading stations 12. Once the containers 16 are loaded with products that are at least partially filled, the transport pallets 14 are returned to the intermediate automated warehouse 20.

[0076] After the operator has called the autonomous vehicle 50, each transport pallet 14 is transferred from the intermediate automated warehouse 20 to the product loading station 12. This autonomous vehicle starts from the parking area 52 where there are multiple autonomous vehicles 50, first arrives at the intermediate automated warehouse 20 to obtain the transport pallet 14 from the intermediate automated warehouse 20, and then arrives at the product loading station 12. This call is made by the operator (for example, by actuating a call button (not shown) specifically provided at the product loading station 12).

[0077] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , each transport pallet 14 has a generally parallelepiped shape and includes a bottom wall 14a, four side walls 14b, and an upper peripheral edge 15 defining a top opening 14c on the side opposite the bottom wall 14a. The top opening 14c allows access to a generally parallelepiped-shaped compartment 14d.

[0078] In the context of this specification and the appended claims, spatial references (such as "upper", "top", "above", etc. and "bottom", "below", etc.) shall be understood to refer to the operating position of the transport pallet 14 when the transport pallet 14 is resting on its bottom wall 14a.

[0079] The compartment 14d houses containers 16, which in Figure 2 a non-limiting example are ten.

[0080] The containers 16 have a generally parallelepiped shape.

[0081] The containers 16 are arranged side by side in the transport pallet 14. In Figure 2 a non-limiting example, the containers 16 are arranged side by side in two rows of five containers 16 along the respective long sides of the transport pallet 14.

[0082] Preferably, the containers 16 are open-front storage bins.

[0083] An operator places products in the transport pallet 14, spacing the products according to the product type. Thus, each container 16 contains the same type of product. The containers 16 of the same transport pallet 14 may contain the same or even different products. If the products are large, some containers 16 may contain a single product.

[0084] Before or after placing the containers 16 in the transport pallet 14, the products 20 can be placed in their respective containers 16.

[0085] The products 20 are identified at the product receiving station 10 by reading the product identification code 40 printed on the accompanying document 18.

[0086] After loading the products 20 into the containers 16, the accompanying document 18 is also placed in the containers 16 together with the products 20 associated therewith.

[0087] The product identification code 40 can be read before or after placing the products 20 in the containers 16 and before or after placing the containers 16 in the transport pallet 14.

[0088] Each transport pallet 14 has a corresponding pallet identification code 42.

[0089] The pallet identification code 42 is preferably arranged on the upper peripheral edge 15 of the transport pallet 14 (so as to be visible when the transport pallet 14 is viewed from above) or on the side wall 14b of the transport pallet 14.

[0090] Preferably, the pallet identification code 42 is an optical code (more preferably a bar code) that can be read by an optical reader.

[0091] An alphanumeric code (not shown) that allows an operator to visually identify the transport pallet 14 is associated next to the pallet identification code 42.

[0092] At Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, two pallet identification codes 42 are provided on the upper peripheral edge 15 of the transport pallet 14. They are arranged opposite the top opening 14c in a position adjacent to one of the long sides of the transport pallet 14. This positioning identifies the row of the first five containers 16 to be placed therein, starting from the left (or from the bottom with reference to the position of the transport pallet 14 in Figure 2 and moving towards the right (or upwards with reference to the position of the transport pallet 14 in Figure 2 ). The second row of containers 16 is positioned in the same positioning order as the first row of containers 16. For example, with reference to Figure 7 , ten containers 16 are arranged successively in positions numbered I-X, where position I is positioned adjacent to the left pallet identification code 42 (or below with reference to the position of the transport pallet 14 in Figure 7 ), positions II-V are arranged side by side along the row between the two pallet identification codes 42, and positions VI-X are arranged respectively along the row adjacent to and close to the row of positions I-V.

[0093] Before or after filling the transport pallet 14 with containers 16 that are in turn at least partially filled with the product 20, the transport pallet 14 is identified by an operator by reading one of the pallet identification codes 42.

[0094] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the transport pallet 14 further includes a plurality of container positioning identification codes 46 on its upper peripheral edge 15. Each of these codes 46 is arranged adjacent to a corresponding area of the compartment 14d configured to receive a corresponding container 16.

[0095] Preferably, the container positioning identification code 46 is an optical code (more preferably a bar code) that can be read by an optical reader.

[0096] After each container 16 has been placed in the transport pallet 14, the position of the container 16 relative to the transport pallet 14 (and thus the product 20 contained therein and the quantity of the product 20) is identified by reading the container positioning identification code 46 adjacent to the container 16.

[0097] Referring again to Figure 3 , the transport pallet 14 further includes a first service optical code 47 that identifies the possibility of being emptied by the robotic arm 36 (Figs. 8 - 10) provided at the robotic entry station 32a of the storage warehouse 30. This code 47 is the same as the first service optical code 47 that can be printed on the accompanying document 18.

[0098] In the embodiment illustrated herein, the transport pallet 14 also includes a second service optical code 47a that identifies that it can also be emptied manually by an operator.

[0099] The first service optical code 47 and the second service optical code 47a are arranged on the side wall 14b of the transport pallet 14, and the pallet identification code 42 is also arranged on the side wall 14b of the transport pallet 14.

[0100] Thus, the transport pallet 14 shown in the drawings is suitable for being emptied either by the robotic arm 36 or manually. The operator determines the type of mechanical or manual emptying of the transport pallet 14 by the optical reader reading the first service optical code 47 or the second service optical code 47a. All the containers 16 contained in the transport pallet 14 that reads the first service optical code 47 will be emptied by the robotic arm, just as all the containers 16 contained in the transport pallet 14 that reads the second service optical code 47a will be emptied manually.

[0101] Transport pallets 14 that contain only the first service optical code 47 can be provided. These transport pallets 14 should be filled only with the product 20 accompanied by the accompanying document 18, which also bears the first service optical code 47.

[0102] Additional transport pallets 14 that contain only the second service optical code 47a can also be provided. These transport pallets 14 should be filled only with the product 20 accompanied by the accompanying document 18 that does not have the first service optical code 47.

[0103] Any reading inconsistency, such as reading the first service optical code 47 on the accompanying document 18 placed in the container 16 without reading the first service optical code 47 on the transport pallet 14 in which the container 16 containing the accompanying document 18 and the corresponding product 20 is placed, or vice versa, or reading the first service optical code 47 on the accompanying document 18 placed in the container 16 and the second service optical code 47a on the transport pallet 14 in which the container 16 containing the accompanying document 18 and the relevant product 20 is placed, generates an alarm signal warning the operator to make appropriate checks.

[0104] Referring again to Figure 3 , the transport pallet 14 also includes an optical pallet completion code 48 on the same side wall 14b where the pallet identification code 42 is also arranged. The operator reads this optical code 48 to signal to the computer system of the processing storage warehouse 30 that the loading operations of the products into their respective containers 16 and the loading operations of the respective containers 16 into the transport pallet 14 are completed, and thus the transport pallet 14 can be transferred to the intermediate automatic warehouse 20.

[0105] This transfer is performed by the same autonomous vehicle 50 that has transferred the transport pallet 14 from the intermediate automatic warehouse 20 to the product loading station 12 or by a different autonomous vehicle 50 specifically called by the operator (e.g., by actuating the aforementioned call button). In this case, the autonomous vehicle 50 moves directly from the parking area 52 to the product loading station 12 without passing through the intermediate automatic warehouse 20.

[0106] The call for the autonomous vehicle 50 can also be made automatically by reading the optical pallet completion code 48.

[0107] The transfer of the transport pallet 14 from the product receiving station 10 to the autonomous vehicle 50 and the transfer from the autonomous vehicle to the intermediate automatic warehouse 20 occur by moving the corresponding conveyor (e.g., a roller conveyor).

[0108] The intermediate automatic warehouse 20 receives the transport pallet 14 from the autonomous vehicle 50 and stores the transport pallet at a predefined location therein until the storage warehouse 30 is ready to receive the products placed in the containers 16 of the transport pallet 14.

[0109] When the computer system of the processing storage warehouse 30 detects that the storage warehouse 30 is in a state of receiving the products contained in the transport pallet 14 located in the intermediate automatic warehouse 20, a request to retrieve the transport pallet 14 is sent to the intermediate automatic warehouse 20.

[0110] After this request, the autonomous vehicle 50 moves from the parking area 52 to the intermediate automatic warehouse 20, and after loading the transport pallet 14, moves from the intermediate automatic warehouse 20 to the input area 32 of the storage warehouse 30.

[0111] The aforementioned other autonomous vehicle 50 may or may not be the same autonomous vehicle that previously brought the same transport pallet 14 to the intermediate automated warehouse 20.

[0112] In the input area 32 of the storage warehouse 30, the products placed in the containers 16 contained in the transport pallet 14 are transferred to a collection pallet 38, spaced apart according to the type of product. The collection pallet 38 (although not necessarily fully filled) is then placed in a predefined position within the storage warehouse 30.

[0113] The input area 32 may include a plurality of robotic input stations 32a, as Figure 1 shown, or include both a robotic input station 32a and a non-robotic input station. In the latter case, the autonomous vehicle 50 transfers the transport pallet 14 to the robotic input station 32a or the non-robotic input station according to whether the first service optical code 47 or the second service optical code 47a has been read. The input area 32 may also include only a non-robotic input station.

[0114] Each robotic input station 32a of the storage warehouse 30 includes a robotic arm 34 and a supply conveyor 33a. The robotic arm 34 is placed beside the supply conveyor 33a.

[0115] The transport pallet 14 is transferred from the autonomous vehicle 50 to the supply conveyor 33a and transferred through this supply conveyor to a detection station (not shown), where the transport pallet 14 is locked in a fixed position by a plurality of removable locking elements.

[0116] A vision system including a camera and a pair of infrared illuminators is provided in the detection station. The vision system is arranged such that it illuminates the transport pallet 14 from above and captures an image of the transport pallet, as Figure 7 shown in the image.

[0117] This is done to detect the pallet identification code 42 and check whether the container 16 and the transport pallet 14 are in the correct position.

[0118] In Figure 7 a non-limiting example, the areas identifying the correct positioning of the transport pallet 14 (the dashed line defining the dashed rectangular 35d) and the container 16 (the dashed line at the short side 35e of each container 16) in the image captured by the camera 35b are indicated by dashed lines. For example, it can be foreseen that in the case of correct positioning, the above-mentioned dashed lines will be green, while in the case of incorrect positioning, the above-mentioned dashed lines will turn red. In the latter case, the computer system 60 managing the storage warehouse 30 warns the operator that the position of the transport pallet 14 and / or the container 16 needs to be manually corrected until the dashed lines turn green.

[0119] The vision system further allows checking the correct spatial orientation of the transport pallet 14. This is done by identifying the position of the pallet identification code 42 arranged on the upper peripheral edge 15 of the transport pallet 14.

[0120] The robotic arm 34 grasps each product contained in the container 16 and releases the product into the respective collection tray 38.

[0121] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the collection tray 38 has a generally parallelepiped shape and includes a bottom wall 38a, four side walls 38b, and an upper peripheral edge 41 defining a top opening 38c on the side opposite the bottom wall 38a. The top opening 38c allows access to a generally parallelepiped-shaped compartment 38d. In such a compartment 38d, for example, a plurality of partitions 38e orthogonal to each other may be positioned to define a plurality of compartments 38f, for example, having a parallelepiped shape. In Figure 5 a non-limiting example, the number of the plurality of compartments 38f is six.

[0122] A pallet identification code 43 (preferably an optical code that can be read by an optical reader) is arranged on the upper peripheral edge 41.

[0123] Once all the products taken out from the container 16 or from several containers 16 containing the same product are placed in the collection tray 38, the collection tray 38 is identified by reading the pallet identification code 43.

[0124] In addition, the collection tray 38 further includes a service optical code 49 and an optical pallet completion code 49a. The service optical code 49 identifies its suitability for use in the robotic input station 32a. The service optical code 49 and the pallet completion code 49a are provided on the side wall 38b of the collection tray 38.

[0125] After the robotic arm 34 places the product in the collection tray 38, the collection tray is picked up and placed in a predefined position within the storage warehouse 30.

[0126] The transport pallet 14 (from which the product placed in the collection tray 38 has been removed) is transferred from the inspection station of the storage warehouse 30 to the unloading conveyor 33c adjacent to the supply conveyor 33a, and is transferred from the unloading conveyor 33c to the intermediate automated warehouse 20 by the autonomous vehicle 50.

[0127] In Figure 1 a non-limiting example, the supply conveyor 33a and the unloading conveyor 33c are generally parallel to each other.

[0128] Obviously, to meet specific and possible needs, those skilled in the art will be able to make many modifications and changes to the above invention, and all such modifications and changes are within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims in any case.

Claims

1. A method for automatically processing products to be stored in a storage warehouse (30), comprising: - Place the products in a transport pallet (14) provided at a product receiving station (10), spacing the products apart from each other according to the product type; - After placing the products in the transport pallet (14), transfer the transport pallet (14) from the product receiving station (10) to an intermediate automated warehouse (20) by a first autonomous vehicle (50); - Store the transport pallet (14) in a predefined location within the intermediate automated warehouse (20); - When the storage warehouse (30) is ready to receive the products stored in the transport pallet (14), send a request to retrieve the transport pallet (14) to the intermediate automated warehouse (20), and after sending the retrieval request: - Transfer the transport pallet (14) from the intermediate automated warehouse (20) to the storage warehouse (30) by an autonomous vehicle (50), which may be the same as or different from the first autonomous vehicle (50); - Pick up the products from the transport pallet (14) and place the products in a collection pallet (38) provided at the storage warehouse (30); - Store the collection pallet (38) in a predefined location within the storage warehouse (30).

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising: Before or after placing the products in the transport pallet (14), identify the products at the product receiving station (10) by reading product identification codes (40) associated with each of the products or with multiple identical products.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, Print the product identification codes (40) on an accompanying document (18) associated with each of the products or with multiple identical products.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, Placing the products in the transport pallet (14) includes: - Placing the products in respective containers (16), spacing the products apart according to the product type; - Placing the containers (16) in the transport pallet (14).

5. The method according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 3, further comprising placing the accompanying document (18) in the container (16) containing the product associated therewith.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: Before transferring the transport pallet (14) from the product receiving station (10) to the intermediate automated warehouse (20), identify the transport pallet (14) by reading a pallet identification code (42) associated with the transport pallet (14).

7. The method according to claim 6 when dependent on claim 4, further comprising: After placing the containers (16) in the transport pallet (14), identify the position of each container (16) relative to the transport pallet (14) by reading a container positioning identification code (46) associated with the transport pallet (14) next to the respective container (16).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: Before or after placing the products in the transport pallet (14) and before transferring the transport pallet (14) from the product receiving station (10) to the intermediate automated warehouse (20), send an intervention request for the first autonomous vehicle (50).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: After the product has been placed in the transport pallet (14) and before the transport pallet (14) is transferred from the product receiving station (10) to the intermediate automated warehouse (20), the optical pallet completion code (48) associated with the transport pallet (14) is read.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The transport pallet (14) includes a first service optical code (47) that identifies the possibility of being emptied by a robotic arm, and wherein the method includes reading the first service optical code (47) before or after the transport pallet (14) has been identified and before the transport pallet (14) is transferred from the product receiving station (10) to the intermediate automated warehouse (20).

11. The method according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 5, wherein, The first service optical code (47) is also printed on the accompanying document (18), and wherein the method includes reading the first service code (47) from the accompanying document (18) before the product is placed in the transport pallet (14).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, After the first service optical code (47) has been read from the transport pallet (14), the transport pallet (14) is transferred from the intermediate automated warehouse (20) to the robotic input station (32a) of the storage warehouse (30).

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: After at least some of the products have been stored in the collection pallet (38), the transport pallet (14) is transferred from the storage warehouse (30) to the intermediate automated warehouse (20) by an automated guided vehicle (50) that is either consistent with or inconsistent with the first automated guided vehicle (50).

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: Before the product is placed in the transport pallet (14), the transport pallet (14) is transferred from the intermediate automated warehouse (20) to the product receiving station (10) by an automated guided vehicle (50) that is either consistent with or inconsistent with the first automated guided vehicle (50).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, Before the transport pallet (14) is transferred from the intermediate automated warehouse (20) to the product receiving station (10), the operator makes a call by actuating a call button.

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