Disinfection method for a facility for automated storage and retrieval of items

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a disinfection method in a facility (1) for automated storage and retrieval of items, said facility (1) comprising locations (2) suitable for receiving the items, at least one of the locations (2) forming a disinfection station (10), and a processor connected to a database on which an inventory of the items (6) is stored. The method implemented by the processor comprises: - obtaining at least information regarding the dimensions and type of the inventoried items, as well as their location (2) in the facility (1); - determining batches of at least one item to be disinfected and planning a disinfection time sequence for each of said batches on the basis of said obtained information; and - controlling the movement of the items within the facility (1) so as to implement said planned disinfection time sequences.

Description

Description Title: Disinfection process for an automated item storage and retrieval facility Technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of automated storage and retrieval systems for items in warehouses, commonly referred to as "Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems" in English and abbreviated ASRS. Prior art

[0002] As is well known, automated storage and retrieval facilities comprise a fleet of computer-controlled autonomous vehicles designed to automatically place and retrieve items in a storage area of ​​a warehouse. The storage area includes, among other things, compactly arranged storage racks.

[0003] Additionally, user sanitation requirements have increased significantly with the threat of pandemics. In particular, items to be shipped are typically handled by multiple parties, increasing the risk of carrying bacteria or viruses on their surface. Therefore, there is a need to disinfect items to be shipped. However, disinfection of items can be time-consuming and ineffective.

[0004] This document aims to solve at least part of the problems mentioned above, by proposing an optimized disinfection process for an automated storage and retrieval facility. Summary

[0005] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0006] A method of disinfection in an automated storage and retrieval facility for articles is proposed. Said facility comprises locations capable of receiving the articles, at least one of the locations forming a disinfection station. In addition, said facility comprises a processor connected to a database on which an inventory of the articles is stored. The processor is configured to control the movement of the articles from one location to another in the facility and to keep said inventory up to date. The method implemented by the processor comprises: a. obtaining, from said inventory, at least information on the size and nature of the inventoried articles, as well as their location in the facility, b. determining batches of at least one article to be disinfected based on said information obtained, c.planning a time sequence for disinfection of each of said batches based on said information obtained, each of said sequences including a grouping of the articles constituting the batch in said at least one of the locations forming a disinfection station, d. controlling the movement of the articles within the installation so as to implement said planned disinfection time sequences.

[0007] The present disclosure advantageously makes it possible to integrate a disinfection process into an automated storage and retrieval facility for articles, the process making it possible to disinfect, sterilize and / or decontaminate the articles, which are generally handled by several successive actors before their shipment and may consequently carry bacteria or viruses on their surface. The disinfection process thus makes it possible to meet the health requirements of users.

[0008] In addition, the present disclosure offers the considerable advantage of using information on the articles, which is conventionally accessible in automated storage and retrieval facilities, in order to be able to optimize the disinfection of articles passing through the facility. Indeed, the disinfection of articles can be a time-consuming step in such a facility. On the one hand, the constitution of optimized batches of articles to be disinfected, in particular according to their nature and dimensions, and on the other hand, the planning of the time sequence for disinfection of each of the batches, advantageously make it possible to reduce the impact of the disinfection operations on the management of the facility.In addition, the determination of batches can be provided to group articles compatible with disinfection of the same nature (depending on the nature of the articles) and / or to maximize compactness, i.e. minimize the volume left free by the articles of a batch in the space dedicated to disinfection (depending on the template information).

[0009] Advantageously, the determination of the batches of at least one item to be disinfected and the planning of the disinfection time sequence for each of the batches are carried out based on information relating to a shipping date for each of the items.

[0010] Each disinfection time sequence may advantageously include exposing the batch to a disinfectant gas, for example ozone. Planning each disinfection time sequence includes determining an exposure time and a gas concentration. The use of a disinfectant gas, and in particular ozone, offers the advantage of allowing the gas to infiltrate potential cavities in the articles if the latter have a complex shape. However, other gases may be used for the purpose of disinfecting the articles. Alternatively, a gas disinfection time sequence may be replaced or supplemented by exposure to a preselected temperature. The temperature may be preselected depending on the nature of the articles in the batch and / or the germs or organisms to be eliminated.

[0011] Advantageously, each disinfection time sequence includes: - place the batch in a closed container that is substantially gas-tight, - inject gas into the selected container so as to achieve the predetermined gas concentration in the container based on the template information of the items in the batch, - evacuate the gas from said container after a period at least equal to the predetermined exposure time. The exposure time may be predetermined based on a target exposure dose corresponding to germs or organisms to be eliminated. The exposure period may overlap with a storage period, including outside the disinfection station. In such a case, the processor may read from the inventory (or deduce from the data read) a storage time for a batch of articles, then deduce a concentration of a disinfectant agent modulated according to the exposure time during storage when planning the time sequence. This makes it possible, when the exposure time is significant, to reduce the quantity / concentration of disinfectant agent used.

[0012] “Substantially gastight” means that the closed container 7 is capable of containing a major portion of the gas over the exposure time, or that an escape of gas from the closed container is known or controlled and taken into account when determining the gas concentration and exposure time.

[0013] Between the injection and evacuation of the gas, the container can advantageously be moved to a location separate from that in which it is located during the injection of the gas. This makes it possible to carry out the operations of closing and / or opening the container and injecting the gas at the disinfection station, and to move the container out of the disinfection station during the period of exposure of the articles to the gas.

[0014] Advantageously, the method may further include the implementation of said planned disinfection time sequences by at least one robot.

[0015] According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to an automated storage and retrieval facility for articles. Said facility comprises locations capable of receiving the articles, at least one of the locations forming a disinfection station. In addition, said facility comprises a processor connected to a database on which an inventory of the articles is stored. The processor is configured to control the movement of the articles from one location to another in the facility and to keep said inventory up to date. The processor is configured to implement the steps of the method as previously described.

[0016] According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method as previously described when this program is executed by a processor. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig. 1

[0018] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates an example of an automated storage and retrieval installation for articles in a warehouse according to one embodiment. Fig. 2

[0019] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a diagram of the installation according to one embodiment. Fig. 3, 4 and 5

[0020] [Fig. 3], [Fig.4] and [Fig. 5] schematically illustrate an example of a disinfection station according to one embodiment respectively in three configurations. Fig. 6

[0021] [Fig. 6] schematically illustrates a disinfection process in an automated article storage and retrieval facility according to one embodiment in diagrammatic form. Fig. 7

[0022] [Fig. 7] schematically illustrates steps of the disinfection process according to one embodiment in the form of a diagram. Fig. 8

[0023] [Fig. 8] schematically illustrates steps of the disinfection process according to one embodiment in diagrammatic form. Description of the embodiments

[0024] Reference is now made to Figure 1 schematically representing an installation 1 for automated storage and retrieval (designated "Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems" in English and abbreviated ASRS) of articles in a warehouse. The installation 1 comprises locations 2 capable of receiving the articles. "Location" 2 is understood to mean a defined area of ​​the installation. Several types of locations 2 are in particular provided.

[0025] A portion of said locations 2 forms in particular storage locations 4 (or cells) intended to receive containers or receptacles of all shapes and materials, said containers or receptacles being intended to receive and store articles. Each article is referenced and stored according to its reference in said storage locations 4. The storage locations - or cells - are preferably arranged compactly in storage shelves (also called "storage racks").

[0026] In addition, the installation 1 comprises at least one of the locations 2 forming a disinfection station 10. In particular, the term “disinfection station” 10 means a defined area of ​​the warehouse where items are disinfected.

[0027] With reference to Figure 2, the installation 1 further comprises a processor 20 connected to a database 21 on which an inventory 22 of the articles is stored. The processor 20 is configured to control the movement of the articles 6 from one location 2 to another in the installation 1 and to keep said inventory 22 up to date. In other words, the processor 20 makes it possible to automatically control the movement of articles between locations 2 of the installation, as well as the placement and retrieval of articles in locations 2 of the installation.

[0028] The processor is configured to implement the following steps: a. obtain E1, from said inventory 22, at least information on the size and nature of the inventoried articles 6, as well as their location 2 in the installation 1, b. determine E2 batches of at least one article 6 to be disinfected based on said information obtained, c. plan E3 a time sequence for disinfection of each of said batches based on said information obtained, each of said sequences including a grouping of the articles 6 constituting the batch in said at least one of the locations 2 forming the disinfection station 10, d. control E4 the movement of the articles 6 within the installation 1 so as to implement said planned disinfection time sequences.

[0029] The present disclosure advantageously makes it possible to integrate a disinfection process into an automated storage and retrieval facility for articles, the process making it possible to disinfect, sterilize and / or decontaminate the articles, which are generally handled by several successive actors before their shipment and may consequently carry bacteria or viruses on their surface. The disinfection process thus makes it possible to meet the health requirements of users.

[0030] In addition, the present disclosure offers the considerable advantage of using information on the articles, which is conventionally accessible in automated storage and retrieval facilities, in order to be able to optimize the disinfection of articles passing through the facility. Indeed, the disinfection of articles can be a time-consuming step in such a facility. On the one hand, the constitution of optimized batches of articles to be disinfected, in particular according to their dimensions, and on the other hand, the planning of the time sequence for disinfection of each of the batches, advantageously make it possible to reduce the impact of the disinfection operations on the management of the facility.

[0031] In particular, the disinfection station 10 comprises a disinfection device for disinfecting, sterilizing and / or decontaminating the articles, which are generally handled by several successive actors before their shipment and may therefore carry bacteria or viruses on their surface. The disinfection device thus makes it possible to meet the health requirements of users.

[0032] The disinfection device may in particular consist of a device for disinfection by exposure to a disinfectant gas such as ozone, by irradiation with ultraviolet light (also referred to as UVGI for “Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiance”), or by exposure to high temperatures. “High temperatures” means temperature ranges suitable for disinfection of the articles. In addition, the installation 1 may comprise several disinfection stations 10 when appropriate, the disinfection stations being able to implement a combination of different types of disinfection devices as previously mentioned.

[0033] Furthermore, the installation 1 may comprise at least one of the locations 2 forming an order preparation station 5, also called a “picking system” in English, corresponding in particular to a defined area of ​​the warehouse where orders are prepared. It will be noted that, in the present context, the term “order” designates a set of one or more items intended to be shipped together to the same destination, and not the commercial act of purchase by a user. The installation 1 may comprise several order preparation stations 5. The installation of such order preparation stations allows to improve efficiency and thus reduce the time taken to prepare orders for shipment.

[0034] The disinfection station is preferably set up in an area separate from the order preparation stations 5.

[0035] For example, the processor 20 can further control the movement of items between one of the storage locations 4 and the disinfection station 10, or between one of the storage locations 4 and one of the order preparation stations 5.

[0036] The inventory 22 of the articles may in particular include a list of article references, each of the references being associated with at least information on the size and nature of the articles inventoried, as well as their location in the installation 1.

[0037] The template information for an item may include, in particular, the so-called "overall" dimensions, namely the length, width and depth, of a parallelepiped in which the item fits. These dimensions are typically available in automated storage and retrieval facilities. It is also possible to use "real" item dimensions, obtained for example by a three-dimensional scan of said items.

[0038] The "nature" of the article means information relating, for example, to the type of object the article is made of, or to the material(s) it is made of.

[0039] Additionally, the inventory 22 may include a disinfection status associated with each of the items, namely whether or not it is disinfected.

[0040] More specifically, the movement of items 6 in facility 1 is carried out by conveying devices.

[0041] The routing devices preferably comprise a fleet of autonomous vehicles 3 (referred to as “Automatic Guided Vehicles” in English) controlled by computer, in particular by wireless communication means. The autonomous vehicles 3 of the fleet are in particular configured to automatically place and retrieve the articles in the locations of the installation 1 and to route the articles between the locations of the installation. Each of the autonomous vehicles 3 can carry one or more containers 7 intended to receive at least one article 6.

[0042] The conveying devices may comprise conveyors (not shown in the figures) intended to convey the containers 7 between the locations of the installation 1. The conveying devices may also comprise a combination of autonomous vehicles 3 and conveyors adapted according to the configuration of the premises.

[0043] Figures 3, 4 and 5 schematically illustrate an example of a disinfection station 10 comprising a device for disinfection by exposure to a disinfectant gas, in which at least one article 6 (here three articles are represented) carried by a container 7 is intended to be disinfected. The container 7 is in particular carried by an autonomous vehicle 3. The disinfectant gas may preferably comprise ozone. The use of a disinfectant gas, and in particular ozone, offers the advantage of allowing gas infiltration into potential cavities in items if they have a complex shape. However, other gases can be used for disinfecting items.

[0044] The container 7 is configured to be able to be closed so as to enclose the article(s) in the closed container 7 and allow the exposure of the article(s) to the disinfectant gas in the closed container 7 for an exposure period. A closure member 13 of the container 7 is provided for this purpose.

[0045] The disinfection station 10 comprises in particular a device 11 for injecting gas from a gas reservoir 12, the injection device 11 being configured to inject gas into the closed container 7. The closed container 7 may in particular comprise a wall adapted to be passed through by the injection device 11 in order to allow the injection of gas into the container 7. For example, said wall may be part of the closure member 13. However, a wall of the container 7 not forming part of the closure member 13 may be envisaged.

[0046] In particular, said wall adapted to be crossed by the injection device 11, may comprise a reclosable opening element 16 (as illustrated in FIG. 5) intended to be crossed by the injection device 11, in particular by a nozzle of the injection device 11. Said element 16 may for example be produced by a valve capable of allowing the nozzle to pass and of closing mechanically when the nozzle is withdrawn. As a variant, deformable flap or membrane members may be provided.

[0047] In addition, the injection device 11 can be positioned so that the injection field of the injection device 11 is oriented towards an area through which the articles pass. For example, the injection device 11 can be positioned high up and oriented in a substantially vertical direction downwards and towards the area receiving the containers 7, themselves opening from above. Other positions of the injection device 11 can be envisaged.

[0048] The injection device 11 can be fixed to a supporting structure 15 at the level of the disinfection station 10, in particular to an upper part of the supporting structure 15 so as to overhang the area receiving the containers 7. The supporting structure 15 can, for example, have the shape of an arch overhanging the area receiving the containers 7.

[0049] The disinfection station 10 may further comprise a robot 14 configured to ensure the closing of the container 7 by the closing member 13, so as to enclose the article(s) 6 in the closed container 7.

[0050] The use of the robot 14 makes it possible to automate the disinfection of the articles, and thus to improve the efficiency, precision and reliability of the disinfection of the article. Alternatively, the operations implemented by the robot 14 may instead be carried out by an operator. In this case, the disinfection station 10 may comprise a human-machine interface, such as a screen, capable of guiding the operator in the operations to be implemented. Such an operator is then equipped with any suitable protective device.

[0051] In order to ensure the closure of the container 7, the robot 14 may comprise an arm surmounted by the closure member 13. The closure member 13 may in particular be removably mounted on the robot 14. The robot may then be configured to grasp the closure member 13 (as illustrated in FIG. 3), position the closure member 13 so as to close the container 7 (as illustrated in FIG. 4) and then release the closure member 13 (as illustrated in FIG. 5) when the container 7 is closed. This configuration makes it possible to carry out only the operation of closing and / or opening the container 7 by the robot and to move the container out of the disinfection station during the period of exposure of the articles to the gas. However, as an alternative, it is possible to attach the closure member 13 to the arm of the robot 14.

[0052] According to another aspect, Figure 6 illustrates a disinfection method in the installation 1, the method implemented by the processor 20 comprising: a. obtaining E1, from said inventory 22, at least information on the size and nature of the inventoried articles 6, as well as their location 2 in the installation 1, b. determining E2 batches of at least one article 6 to be disinfected based on said information obtained, c. planning E3 a time sequence for disinfection of each of said batches based on said information obtained, each of said sequences including a grouping of the articles 6 constituting the batch in said at least one of the locations 2 forming a disinfection station 10, d. controlling E4 the movement of the articles 6 within the installation 1 so as to implement said planned disinfection time sequences.

[0053] The present disclosure offers the considerable advantage of using information on the articles, which is conventionally accessible in automated storage and retrieval facilities, in order to be able to optimize the disinfection of articles passing through the installation. Indeed, the disinfection of articles can be a time-consuming step in such an installation. On the one hand, the constitution of optimized batches of articles to be disinfected, in particular according to their dimensions, and on the other hand, the planning of the time sequence for disinfection of each of the batches, advantageously make it possible to reduce the impact of the disinfection operations on the management of the installation.

[0054] In addition, the determination of batches of at least one item to be disinfected and the planning of the disinfection time sequence for each of the batches can be carried out based on information relating to the shipping dates of the items. This feature makes it possible to optimize the planning of the disinfection time sequences based on the shipping dates of the items, in order, for example, to limit the impact of the disinfection duration on the total preparation time of the orders to be shipped.

[0055] Following the disinfection process, the disinfection status of the items in the disinfected batch can advantageously be updated in the inventory, in order to indicate that said items have been disinfected. This disinfection status can for example be used to determine that the item is to be disinfected, when the disinfection status indicates that the item is not disinfected, and to determine that the item can be shipped, when the disinfection status indicates that the item has been disinfected.

[0056] Furthermore, following the disinfection process, the items are advantageously no longer handled, or only handled by gripping devices which are themselves disinfected until their dispatch.

[0057] The disinfection time sequence can be adapted to target predetermined germs, for example, circulating germs based on external information such as that from local health authorities, or potentially circulating germs based on, for example, the time of year and the geographical region concerned.

[0058] In the context of a disinfection station 10 implementing disinfection by disinfectant gas, each disinfection time sequence may advantageously comprise an exposure of the batch to the disinfectant gas. The planning of each disinfection time sequence then comprises the determination of a pair of data: an exposure duration and a gas concentration.

[0059] In addition, said planned disinfection time sequences may be at least partly carried out by the robot 14.

[0060] Furthermore, with reference to Figure 7, each disinfection time sequence can advantageously include: - place E51 the batch in a closed container 7 that is substantially gas-tight, - inject E52 gas into the selected container 7 so as to reach the predetermined concentration of gas in the container 7 according to the template information of the items 6 of the batch, - evacuate E53 the gas from said container after a duration at least equal to the predetermined exposure duration.

[0061] “Substantially gastight” means that the closed container 7 is capable of containing a major portion of the gas over the exposure time, or that an escape of gas from the closed container is known or controlled and taken into account when determining the gas concentration and exposure time.

[0062] “Venting” the gas may include opening the closed container 7 and / or controlled escape of the gas from the closed container until the gas is completely evacuated, for example by transpiration of the gas through the walls of the container.

[0063] In particular, a dosage D of disinfectant gas is defined as a function of the exposure time At and the gas concentration p, in particular a mass concentration, the dosage D being expressed in particular according to the following equation, in which a and b are germ elimination constants. The dosage D can in particular be expressed in mg / Ls, the gas concentration p in mg / L, the exposure time At in s, a being unitless and b in mg / Ls

[0064] [Math. 1] D = a .p . At + b

[0065] The gas concentration p is expressed in particular according to the following equation, in which m is the mass of gas injected into the closed container expressed in mg, V is the volume of the empty closed container expressed in L and Vlot is the volume of the batch of at least one article expressed in L.

[0066] [Math. 2] mp “ y - viot

[0067] In particular, each disinfection time sequence is preferably determined so that the closed container receives a dosage D of disinfectant gas which is greater than or equal to a predetermined dose Dthreshold.

[0068] The predetermined dose Dseuil is, here, determined according to the species targeted for disinfection. For example, the predetermined dose Dseuil can be determined from charts, or alternatively from the following equation, in which k is an elimination constant of the corresponding species expressed in mg 1 L / s, N(to) is a number of germs at a time to on a surface and N(t) is a number of germs remaining at a time t on said surface.

[0069] [Math. 3]

[0070] Furthermore, between the injection E52 and the evacuation E53 of the gas, the container 7 can advantageously be moved to a location 2 separate from that in which it is located during the injection E52 of the gas. In particular, the container 7 can be moved to one of the storage locations 4, or alternatively to a buffer zone. This makes it possible to carry out the operations of closing and / or opening the container 7 and injecting the gas at the disinfection station, and to move the container out of the disinfection station during the period of exposure of the articles to the gas.

[0071] Furthermore, Figure 8 illustrates steps in the disinfection process for determining the type of disinfection device to be used when the installation includes several types of disinfection devices. The use of information concerning the nature of the article advantageously makes it possible to determine whether the latter is compatible with a planned disinfection process.

[0072] For example, the said steps successively include the determination based on the nature of the articles: - determine E61 whether the article is compatible with disinfection by exposure to a disinfectant gas, in which case the article is planned to be disinfected by exposure to the disinfectant gas, if not, - determine E62 whether the article is compatible with disinfection by exposure to high temperature, in which case the article is scheduled to be disinfected by exposure to high temperature, if not, - determine E63 whether the article is compatible with disinfection by ultraviolet irradiation, in which case the article is scheduled to be disinfected by ultraviolet irradiation.

[0073] These steps may be performed in a different order where appropriate, for example to favor one disinfection technique over another in cases where more than one would be possible. When a plurality of germs are targeted, a succession of several types of disinfection may be provided, or a disinfection sequence suitable for eliminating all of the targeted germs may be selected.

[0074] According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the disinfection method as previously described when this program is executed by a processor.

Claims

Claims

1. Method of disinfection in an installation (1) for the automated storage and retrieval of articles (6), said installation (1) comprising: - locations (2) suitable for receiving the articles (6), - at least one of the locations (2) forming a disinfection station (10), and - a processor (20) connected to a database (21) on which an inventory (22) of the articles (6) is stored, the processor (20) being configured to control the movement of the articles (6) from one location (2) to another in the installation (1) and to keep said inventory (22) up to date, the method implemented by the processor (20) comprising: a. obtaining (E1), from said inventory (22), at least information on the size and nature of the inventoried articles (6), as well as their location (2) in the installation (1), b. determining (E2) batches of at least one article (6) to be disinfected based on said information obtained, c. planning (E3) a time sequence for disinfection of each of said batches based on said information obtained, each of said sequences including a grouping of the articles (6) constituting the batch in said at least one of the locations (2) forming a disinfection station (10), d.controlling (E4) the movement of the articles (6) within the installation (1) so as to implement said planned disinfection time sequences.

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the determination (E2) of the batches of at least one article (6) to be disinfected and the planning (E3) of the disinfection time sequence for each of the batches is carried out according to information relating to a shipping date of each of the articles (6).

3. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein each disinfection time sequence comprises exposing the batch to a disinfectant gas, wherein scheduling each disinfection time sequence comprises determining an exposure time and a gas concentration.

4. Method according to the preceding claim, in which each disinfection time sequence comprises: - place (E51) the batch in a closed container that is substantially gas-tight, - inject (E52) gas into the selected container (7) so as to reach the predetermined concentration of gas in the container (7) based on the template information of the articles (6) in the batch, - evacuate (E53) the gas from said container after a duration at least equal to the predetermined exposure duration.

5. Method according to the preceding claim, in which, between the injection (E52) and the evacuation (E53) of the gas, the container (7) is moved to a location (2) distinct from that in which it is located during the injection (E52) of the gas.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further including the implementation of said planned disinfection time sequences by at least one robot (14).

7. Installation (1) for automated storage and retrieval of articles, said installation (1) comprising: - locations (2) capable of receiving the articles (6), - at least one of the locations (6) forming a disinfection station (10), and - a processor (20) connected to a database (21) on which an inventory (22) of the articles (6) is stored, the processor (20) being configured to control the movement of the articles (6) from one location (2) to another in the installation (1) and to keep said inventory (22) up to date, the processor (20) being configured to implement the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 6 when this program is executed by a processor

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