Receptacle for a warehouse storage and transport system, and system comprising such a receptacle

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a receptacle (1) for a warehouse storage and transport system, said storage and transport system having at least one storage rack comprising a vertical structure having a set of vertical uprights and several pairs of mechanical interfaces defining several storage bays for said receptacle, and wherein said receptacle includes a base (10), extending in a horizontal plane forming a bottom wall (100) of the receptacle, and a peripheral belt (11), projecting above the base at least in a vertical component, forming side walls, and wherein said base and the belt are substantially composed of cardboard. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Receptacle for a warehouse storage and transport system, and system comprising such a receptacle

[0001] This disclosure relates to a receptacle for a warehouse storage and transport system, but also to a warehouse storage and transport system comprising such a receptacle. technical field

[0002] The present disclosure falls within the domain of warehouses which include a storage system comprising at least one storage rack defining several storage bays for receptacles, superimposed on one another.

[0003] Such a storage rack classically comprises a vertical structure, formed by a set of vertical uprights, often in the form of vertical metal profiles.

[0004] The different cells are materialized by pairs of mechanical interfaces attached to the uprights, usually called "brackets" which ensure the centering and support of the different receptacles in the storage cells.

[0005] Each pair of interfaces comprises a first interface fixed to at least two uprights of the vertical structure and a second interface fixed to at least two other uprights of the vertical structure, support portions of the two interfaces being oriented towards each other in cantilever of the uprights, configured to provide support to the receptacle in the two support portions of the interfaces. Prior art

[0006] This disclosure relates more specifically to a receptacle for a warehouse storage and transport system, said receptacle being intended to be housed in the rack bays as previously described. Such storage racks are serviced by a transport system comprising typically automated guided vehicles, the system being capable of picking up and placing receptacles in the bays of said rack. These receptacles contain items that can be assembled to fulfill orders, said orders ultimately being intended to leave the warehouse for delivery to an end customer or distributor. Such storage systems are known as ASRS, from the English acronym "Automated Storage and Retrieval System."

[0007] Document EP 3638607A1, filed on behalf of the present Applicant, is an example of such prior art, which is illustrated in [Fig. 8b] of this application. Such a storage and transport system comprises: - at least one receptacle (or "bin" according to EP 3638607 A1) suitable for holding an object, said receptacle suitable for being housed in the shelving, in particular supported by two mechanical interfaces (or brackets) attached to the uprights, - a motorized trolley (the vehicle) comprising climbing means configured to cooperate with the uprights of the storage rack to enable the trolley to rise along the uprights of the storage rack, the trolley comprising a device for gripping and placing said receptacle.

[0008] The gripping device includes a movable mounted support relative to the carriage between, on the one hand, a deployed position, in which said support extends at least partially over a lateral edge of the carriage out of alignment with the chassis and, on the other hand, a retracted position, in which said support is housed opposite the chassis.

[0009] Such a gripping system is configured, during loading, to load a receptacle arranged above the chassis from the retracted position of the mobile support, and up to the deployed position of the mobile support for which the receptacle can be deposited in the cavity, the receptacle supported by simultaneous pressure on the first and second interfaces of the cavity.

[0010] Conversely, the gripping system is configured to extract a receptacle by simultaneously pressing on the first and second interfaces of a pair of interfaces from the deployed position of the mobile support, and then load it onto the chassis of the trolley in the retracted position of said mobile support.

[0011] Document EP3638607A1 further discloses in particular: - the movable support comprising a platform (or a frame or a bar), and a finger fixed relative to the platform (or a frame or a bar), the fixed finger projecting upwards, - the receptacle (or tray) including an imprint configured so as to be able to accommodate at least a portion of the finger.

[0012] A person skilled in the field of storage and transport systems, particularly ASRS, typically uses containers configured to withstand the conditions of use, and in particular the following conditions of use: - to sustainably bear the load of an item received in the bin, typically around 30 kg maximum weight, over time, when the bin rests simultaneously on two support portions of the mechanical interfaces, spaced apart from each other, and without excessive deformation of the central portion of the base arranged between the two support portions, not supported by the mechanical interfaces, - to resist fatigue during the numerous loading / unloading cycles of the gripping system, particularly due to friction between the mechanical interfaces and the bottom of the container and / or due to interactions between the finger and the indentation of the bottom, - in case of detection of heat and / or smoke and activation of a sprinkler fire suppression system, resist water while ensuring stable support of the receptacles stacked in the compartments, in particular those loaded with articles, and without risk of the receptacles falling.

[0013] It is known from document WO2022 / 229453 to replace the typically plastic containers in order preparation storage and transport systems with containers that are at least partially metallic. According to document WO2022 / 229453, the container notably comprises a metallic body forming the base and side walls of the container. The metallic body provides the structural strength of the container under conditions of use in the transport and storage system. An internal lining, made of a food-grade material, may preferably cover the internal surfaces of the metallic body. This lining may be cellulose-based, typically paper or cardboard.

[0014] According to WO2022 / 229453, the use of a metal body ensures; - protection of the storage system against fire, as metal is a non-flammable material, and - said structural resistance of the container under conditions of use, and in particular a resistance to the load of the container which can weigh a maximum of 35 kg, 30 kg representing the load of the articles, and 5 kg representing the typical load of the metal container according to the description in document WO2022 / 229453.

[0015] According to the inventors' findings, while such a metal container is advantageous for the aforementioned qualities in terms of robustness and fire retardancy compared to a plastic container, it has the disadvantage of an ecological cost (in particular significant CO2 emissions) especially for its manufacture, and is the cause of a significant overweight which has a negative impact, either in terms of energy consumed by the transport system during its use, in particular the frequent lifting of loaded containers, or by reducing the loading capacity of the containers. Summary

[0016] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0017] In a first aspect, a receptacle for a warehouse storage and transport system is proposed, said storage and transport system having at least one storage rack comprising a vertical structure having a set of vertical uprights and several pairs of mechanical interfaces defining several storage compartments for said receptacle, each pair of mechanical interfaces comprising a first interface fixed to at least two uprights of the vertical structure and a second interface fixed to at least two other uprights of the vertical structure, portions of with the two interfaces oriented towards each other in cantilever of the uprights, configured to provide support for the receptacle in the two support portions of the mechanical interfaces, spaced apart from each other, and in which said receptacle comprises a base, extending along a horizontal plane forming a bottom wall of the receptacle, and a peripheral belt extending projecting above the base at least along a vertical component, forming side walls, said receptacle delimiting a receiving volume for a load such as one or more articles, resting on said base, said receiving volume delimited between the bottom wall and said side walls, said base being configured to rest on the two support portions of the first and second mechanical interfaces, and in which said base and the belt comprise mostly cardboard.

[0018] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:

[0019] According to one embodiment, the % by weight of the cardboard in said base and belt relative to the sum of the total weights of the base and belt is greater than 50%, preferably greater than 75%, very preferably greater than 90% and in which the quantity of material sufficient to reach 100% can be plastic.

[0020] According to one embodiment, said base is configured to ensure resistance to bending of said receptacle when said receptacle is supported in the two support positions, separated by a greater dimension equal to 350 mm, and when a load of 30 kg is received in said receiving volume, supported on the base, in a median position between the two said support positions, with a maximum deflection in said median position of less than 5 mm.

[0021] According to one embodiment, said base is a sandwich structure comprising: - an upper skin formed by a first sheet, - a lower skin formed by a second sheet, - a core, intermediate between said upper skin and said lower skin, said upper skin, said lower skin and said core being assembled to form said sandwich structure.

[0022] According to one embodiment, said first sheet is a cardboard and / said second sheet is a cardboard.

[0023] In particular, said core may be corrugated cardboard comprising a structure including: - a third, upper, flat sheet, configured to rest on said upper skin of the sandwich - a fourth lower sheet, plan, configured to rest upon said bottom layer of the sandwich - at least one undulation, intermediate.

[0024] According to one embodiment, said core may be a honeycomb cardboard comprising: - a third, flat, upper sheet configured to rest against said upper skin of the sandwich - a fourth, lower, flat sheet, configured to rest against said lower skin of the sandwich - an intermediate honeycomb structure.

[0025] According to one embodiment, said intermediate core can be glued to said skins, the upper skin being glued to an upper surface of said core and the lower skin being glued to a lower surface of said core.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the peripheral belt forming said side walls may be made of cardboard, or at least comprise mostly cardboard. In particular, the cardboard side walls of the peripheral belt may be formed by the first sheet forming the upper skin and / or the second sheet forming the lower skin, said first sheet and / or second sheet extending over the sides of the base, beyond said intermediate core and sandwich structure, projecting above said base to form said side walls.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the first leaf and / or the second leaf may extend beyond said core: - along the two short sides of the base, forming two opposing, transverse lateral walls, constituting a first transverse wall and a second transverse wall, - along the two long sides of the base, forming two opposing longitudinal lateral walls constituting a first longitudinal wall and a second longitudinal wall.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the second sheet extends beyond said intermediate core: - along the two short sides of the base, forming two opposing, transverse lateral walls, constituting the first transverse wall and the second transverse wall, with a chamfer connecting the lower skin and the first transverse wall, and a chamfer connecting the lower skin and the second transverse wall and / or, - along the two long sides of the base, forming two of the lateral, opposite, longitudinal walls constituting the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall, with the presence of a chamfer connecting the lower skin and the first longitudinal wall, and a chamfer connecting the lower skin and the second longitudinal wall.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the receptacle body comprising said base and said belt may comprise an assembly of three components, which may initially assume a flat storage position: / 1 / said first sheet, comprising a central part forming the upper skin, in contact with an upper surface said core, a first flap and a second flap, extending transversely to said first sheet, attached to said central part by two transverse fold lines, on the two short sides of said central part, the first flap and second flap, folded at right angles to the central part, and a third flap, and a fourth flap, extending longitudinally to the first sheet, attached to said central part by two longitudinal fold lines, on the two long sides of said central part, the third flap and the fourth flap, folded at right angles to the central part, / 2 / said soul, intermediary, / 3 / said second sheet of cardboard, comprising a central part forming the lower skin, as well as: — a fifth and a sixth panel extending transversely to the said second sheet along the two short sides of the second sheet along two transverse fold lines, the fifth panel going around the first panel from above, to form the said first transverse wall, the sixth panel going around the second panel from above, to form the said second transverse wall, — a seventh panel and an eighth panel extending longitudinally to the said second sheet along the two long sides of the second sheet along two longitudinal fold lines, the seventh panel going around the third panel from above to form the said first longitudinal wall, the eighth panel going around the fourth panel from above to form the said second longitudinal wall.

[0030] The receptacle may include: - protruding assembly tabs belonging to the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth panels of the second sheet of cardboard, with the assembly tabs locked, in assembly openings in the central part of the first sheet of cardboard, and / or - Extensions, extending laterally in all or part of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth panels, forming corner closures between the transverse side walls and the longitudinal walls of the perimeter belt.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the storage and transport system comprises a motorized trolley including climbing means adapted to cooperate with the uprights of the storage rack to allow said trolley to rise along said rack, and wherein said trolley, including a device for gripping and placing said receptacle, includes a support mounted movable relative to the chassis of said trolley between a deployed position, in which said support extends at least partially over a lateral edge of said trolley out of alignment with said chassis; and a retracted position, in which said support is housed opposite said chassis, said support comprising a structural element, such as a tray, a frame or a bar, and at least one protruding finger fixed relative to said structural element and oriented upwards, and in which said base comprises at least one impression formed to be able to partially house said at least one finger, said at least one impression formed by at least one synthetic insert, in particular plastic, in said base, which is mostly made of cardboard.

[0032] According to one embodiment, all or part of the outer surface of said base and belt is coated with a waterproof film, for example a plastic film, such as a polyethylene film.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the receptacle comprises: - a box, comprising side walls and a bottom wall (Pinf), - a stiffening plate, housed by interlocking in the case, preferably simply resting on said lower wall.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the box can be formed by a thin sheet of cardboard with a thickness of less than 4 mm, and the stiffening plate is a honeycomb cardboard or a corrugated cardboard, having one or more corrugations.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the base can be provided with plastic pads, at least locally in the areas of the base intended to come into contact with the support portions of the mechanical interfaces.

[0036] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a warehouse storage and transport system, said storage and transport system having at least one storage rack and one or more receptacles (1) according to this disclosure, said at least one storage rack comprising a set of vertical uprights and several pairs of mechanical interfaces defining several storage bays for said receptacles, each pair of mechanical interfaces comprising a first interface fixed to at least two uprights of the vertical structure and a second interface fixed to at least two other uprights of the vertical structure, support portions of the two interfaces being oriented towards each other in cantilever of the uprights, configured to provide support for the receptacle in the two support portions of the mechanical interfaces, which are spaced apart.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the transport system comprises a motorized trolley including climbing means adapted to cooperate with the uprights of the storage rack to allow said trolley to rise along said rack and wherein said trolley includes a gripping and depositing device for said receptacle which includes a support mounted movable relative to the chassis of said trolley between a deployed position, wherein said support extends at least partially over a side edge of said trolley out of alignment with said chassis; and a retracted position, in which said support is housed opposite said chassis; said support comprising a structural element, such as a tray, frame or bar, and at least one finger projecting fixed relative to said structural element and oriented upwards, configured to fit partially into said at least one indentation formed by said at least one insert in said cardboard base of the receptacle. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent from reading the detailed description below and from analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1

[0039] [Fig.1] illustrates an embodiment of a receptacle according to the present disclosure comprising a base and a peripheral belt made of cardboard. Fig. 2

[0040] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle according to [Fig.1], along a cross-sectional plane vertical, transverse. Fig. 3

[0041] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of the sandwich structure of the base which includes an upper skin formed by a first sheet of cardboard, a lower skin formed by a second sheet of cardboard, and an intermediate cardboard core. Fig. 4

[0042] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle, received in a slot of a rack of storage, supported by a first interface and a second interface which provide support for the base in two distant support positions separated by a dimension L, the view illustrating a load whose point of action is arranged in a median position in the two support positions. Fig. 5a

[0043] [Fig.5a] is a view of a possible drawing of the first sheet of cardboard, in a state not assembled flat, intended to form the upper skin of said base, but also assembly flaps, including a first flap, transverse, and a second flap, transverse, but also a third flap, longitudinal, and a fourth flap, longitudinal. Fig. 5b

[0044] [Fig.5b] is a view of a possible drawing of said cardboard core. Fig. 5c

[0045] [Fig.5c] is a view of a possible drawing of the second sheet of cardboard, in a unassembled flat state, intended to form the lower skin of said base, but also assembly flaps, including a fifth, transverse flap, and a sixth a transverse section, but also a seventh longitudinal section, and an eighth longitudinal section. Fig. 6

[0046] [Fig.6] is a partial and schematic cross-sectional view, illustrating an assembly possible between the assembly flaps of the second sheet of cardboard, and the assembly flaps of the first sheet of cardboard. Fig. 7

[0047] [Fig.7] is a view from below of said receptacle, illustrating the presence of several em printed with a cavity, materialized by plastic inserts passing through said base Fig. 8

[0048] [Fig.8a] shows a motorized trolley belonging to a storage and warehouse transport, which includes a device for gripping and placing said bin which includes a support mounted movable relative to the chassis of said trolley between an extended position (illustrated in [Fig.8b])), in which said support extends at least partially over a lateral edge of said trolley out of alignment with said chassis; and a retracted position, in which said support is housed opposite said chassis (not illustrated in [Fig.8b]); said support comprising a structural element, such as a tray, a frame or a bar, and at least one finger projecting fixed relative to said structural element and oriented upwards, configured to fit partially into said at least one indentation formed by said at least one insert in said cardboard base of the receptacle. Fig. 8b

[0049] [Fig.8b] is a view of a storage and transport system, depending on the state of the technique comprising two storage racks having vertical uprights, and pairs of mechanical interfaces, distributed over the height, forming storage cells for plastic bins, and a motorized trolley having climbing means configured to rise along the uprights of the racks, as well as a device for gripping and placing said bin which includes a support, mounted movably between said retracted position and said deployed position, said gripping device configured to extract a plastic bin supported by a pair of mechanical interfaces. Fig. 9

[0050] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a cross-sectional view of a receptacle according to another method of a design comprising a box made of thin cardboard, preferably covered externally with a waterproof film, forming side walls of said belt and a bottom wall, as well as a structural stiffening plate housed in the box, preferably simply resting on the bottom wall of the box, said stiffening plate being formed for example of corrugated cardboard (or honeycomb cardboard). Description of the implementation methods

[0051] Also, the present disclosure relates to a receptacle 1 for a warehouse storage and transport system S. Such a storage and transport system has at least one storage rack Racl, Rac2 comprising a vertical structure having a set of vertical uprights Ml, M2, M3, M4 and several pairs of mechanical interfaces defining several storage bays for said receptacle.

[0052] Each pair of mechanical interfaces comprising a first interface IT1 fixed to at least two uprights M1, M2 of the vertical structure and a second interface IT2 fixed to at least two other uprights M3, M4 of the vertical structure.

[0053] Support portions of the two interfaces are oriented towards each other, cantilevered from the uprights, configured to support the receptacle. The two support portions of the mechanical interfaces are spaced apart, typically separated by a dimension of approximately 350 mm, for example between 330 mm and 370 mm.

[0054] In [Fig.4] cross-section, the cooperation between the two mechanical interfaces and the receptacle supported by the interfaces is illustrated, the receptacle receiving a load W. A first reaction force Rin is exerted by the support portion PS of the first interface Itl on the receptacle RItl and a second reaction force RIt2 is exerted by the support portion of the second interface Itl on the receptacle.

[0055] The receptacle comprises, on the one hand, a base 10, extending, in use, along a horizontal plane XY forming a bottom wall 100 of the receptacle, and a peripheral belt 11, extending projecting above the base at least along a vertical component Z typically along the vertical Z. The belt forms lateral walls 111, 112, 113, 114, which are typically four in number, comprising a first transverse wall 111, and a second transverse wall 112, opposite, extending along the width of the receptacle, and a first longitudinal wall 113, and a second longitudinal wall 114, extending along the length of the receptacle.

[0056] By way of example, the receptacles typically have a length between 600 mm and 700 mm and a width between 400 mm and 500 mm. For example, the receptacle is 650 mm x 450 mm (length x width). The receptacle can have different heights (for example, from 30 mm to 300 mm). The length (in particular 650 mm) typically extends parallel to the longitudinal X direction of the interfaces, that is, along a depth direction of the storage rack, parallel to the insertion or extraction direction during loading or unloading operations, and the width typically extends perpendicularly

[0057] The receptacle defines a receiving volume for a load W, such as one or more articles, resting on said base. The maximum nominal load under service conditions is typically on the order of 30 kg maximum.

[0058] The receiving volume delimited between the bottom wall and said side walls. The base is configured to bear on the two support portions of the first and second mechanical interfaces.

[0059] Notably, according to this disclosure, said base 10 and belt 11 consist mainly of cardboard. The percentage by weight of cardboard in said base and belt relative to the sum of the total weights of the base and belt is greater than 50%, preferably greater than 75%, and most preferably greater than 90%. In at least one embodiment, the amount of material sufficient to reach 100% is plastic.

[0060] In this Application, "cardboard" means a material similar in nature to paper, obtained from cellulose, and consisting of thick, rigid sheets. This may include, in particular, corrugated cardboard, honeycomb cardboard, greyboard, wood, folding, laminated, glued or boiled cardboard.

[0061] The use of cardboard has the following advantages: - manufacturing the receptacle with significantly lower CO2 emissions than other materials, particularly plastic or metal, - Cardboard is easily recyclable - Cardboard also offers a calorific value that is typically much lower than plastics, limiting the spread of fire in the event of a fire in the storage system compared to plastic containers, - a density lower than that of plastic and metal, allowing the creation of a receptacle for contained weight, for example, limiting the weight moved by the transport system.

[0062] Notably, the use of a receptacle according to this cardboard disclosure may permit a receptacle design that can be stored and / or transported in the form of flat sheet(s), typically on pallets, the cardboard sheets being put into volume only during the assembly of the receptacle.

[0063] Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c illustrate, by way of example, such an embodiment of the receptacle, the body of which is obtained by assembling three sheets typically made of cardboard (namely, a first sheet Fl, a second sheet F2, and a core), initially flat. The three cardboard sheets are preferably transported / stored in their flat state so that they can be assembled into a three-dimensional form on site during the assembly of the receptacle: this significantly reduces the storage volume and / or transport capacity required compared to storing or transporting the receptacle (in volume), typically by a factor greater than 10.

[0064] The weight of the receptacle (unloaded), for the aforementioned dimensions (length between 600 mm and 700 mm and a width dimension between 400 mm and 500 mm, typically 650 mm by 450 mm) may be strictly less than 5 kg, or even less than 4 kg, or preferably less than 3 kg, typically less than 2 kg such as for example 1 kg, or even less.

[0065] In the context of this disclosure, the cardboard material contributes at least in part, or even entirely, to the structural strength of the receptacle, and preferably to the structural strength of the receptacle and, in particular, of the base. To limit the weight, the base may have a sandwich structure. The use of corrugated cardboard, with a single corrugation (also called fluting), or preferably multiple corrugations, or honeycomb cardboard, with a cardboard core in a honeycomb structure, is preferred.

[0066] Particular importance is attached to the robustness and / or rigidity of the receptacle 1, in particular to the base 10, in that its use in the storage and transport system implies support of the base of the receptacle in two distant support positions, by the first mechanical interface Itl and the second mechanical interface It2, namely without support of the base of the receptacle between the two mechanical interfaces, and while the receiving volume of the receptacle receives a load (typically one or more articulates) typically of 30kg maximum in support on said base, the load classically in support on the base at the level of a median portion of the base not supported in itself by the two mechanical interfaces.

[0067] The inventors further note that such support for the carton receptacle in the storage rack must be durable during the operation of the storage and transport system, and in particular resist fatigue work during the loading or extraction operations of the receptacles from the cells.

[0068] The inventors note, moreover, that such support is not classic in the field of cardboard receptacles, a field for which it is customary to support the bottoms of the receptacles by shelving trays which support the entire surface of the bottom of the cardboard receptacle.

[0069] Generally, said base can be configured to ensure resistance to bending of said receptacle when said receptacle is supported in the two support positions, separated by a dimension L greater than or equal to 350 mm, and when a load W of 30 kg is received in said receiving volume, supported on the base, in a median position between the two said support positions, with a maximum deflection in said median position of less than 5 mm.

[0070] Thus, and with reference to [Fig. 4], the structural resistance of the base is such that the application of a load W in the receiving volume of the receptacle, at the midpoint between the first reaction force Rm and the second reaction force R1T2 generates a maximum deflection of the base of less than 5 mm, in said median position of the receptacle not supported by said mechanical interfaces, and compared to the unloaded receptacle.

[0071] According to a first possibility, notably illustrated in various embodiments in Figures 1 to 7, said base 10 may comprise or even be a sandwich structure SD comprising: - an upper skin 101 formed by a first sheet Fl, - a lower skin 102 formed by a second sheet F2, - a core 103, intermediate between said upper skin and said lower skin, said upper skin 101, said lower skin 102 and said core 103 being assembled to form said sandwich structure.

[0072] According to one embodiment, said intermediate core 103 is bonded to said skins, the upper skin 101 being bonded to an upper surface of said core and the lower skin 102 being bonded to a lower surface of said core. According to another embodiment, said core 103 may simply rest against the upper and lower skins 101 and 102, respectively.

[0073] The first sheet Fl can be cardboard, for example, solid board, or corrugated board, in particular single corrugation. Similarly, the second sheet F2 can be cardboard, for example, solid board, or corrugated board, single corrugation.

[0074] Said core may be cardboard, typically corrugated cardboard, single corrugation, preferably multiple corrugations. The thickness of said core is typically greater than the thickness of the upper skin 101 and greater than the thickness of the lower skin 102.

[0075] According to one embodiment, illustrated in particular by way of example in [Fig. 3], said core 103 may be a corrugated cardboard comprising a structure including: - a third, upper sheet 1031, flat, configured to rest on said upper skin 101 of the sandwich, preferably glued to said upper skin - a fourth lower sheet 1032, flat, configured to rest on said lower skin of the sandwich, preferably glued to said lower skin - at least one 1033 undulation, intermediate, for example a simple undulation (or groove) as illustrated in [Fig.3], or preferably several undulations (or several grooves) according to an example not illustrated.

[0076] According to one embodiment (not illustrated), said core 103 is a honeycomb cardboard comprising: - a third, flat, upper sheet, configured to rest on said upper skin 101 of the sandwich, preferably glued to the upper skin 101, - a fourth lower sheet, plan, configured to rest upon said lower skin 102 of the sandwich - an intermediate honeycomb alveolar structure, exhibiting a hexagonal network.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the peripheral belt forming said side walls 111, 112, 113, 114 is made of cardboard or at least comprises mostly cardboard.

[0078] According to an advantageous embodiment, illustrated in particular in [Fig.2] or [Fig.6], the cardboard side walls of the peripheral belt can be formed by the first sheet Fl forming the upper skin 101 and / or the second sheet F2 forming the lower skin 102, said first sheet Fl and / or second sheet F2 extending on the sides of the base 10, beyond said intermediate core 103 and the sandwich structure, projecting above said base 10 to form said side walls 111, 112, 113, 114.

[0079] In particular, the first sheet Fl and / or the second sheet F2 may extend beyond said core 103: - along the two short sides of the base 10, forming two opposing, transverse lateral walls, constituting the first transverse wall 111 and the second transverse wall 112 - along the two long sides of the base, forming two opposing longitudinal lateral walls constituting the first longitudinal wall 113 and the second longitudinal wall 114.

[0080] Generally, at least according to one embodiment, the receptacle may include external chamfers CH between the base and the side walls. Such chamfers make it possible to eliminate all or part of the external edges between the base and the side walls 111 to 114.

[0081] For this purpose, the second sheet F2 can extend beyond said intermediate core 103: - along the two short sides of the base, forming two of the opposing, transverse lateral walls, constituting the first transverse wall 111 and the second transverse wall 112 with the presence of a CH chamfer connecting the lower skin 102 and the first transverse wall 111, and a CH chamfer connecting the lower skin 102 and the second transverse wall 112 and / or, - along the two long sides of the base, forming two of the lateral, opposite, longitudinal walls constituting the first longitudinal wall 113 and the second longitudinal wall 114, with the presence of a CH chamfer connecting the lower skin 102 and the first longitudinal wall 113, and a CH chamfer connecting the lower skin 102 and the second longitudinal wall 114.

[0082] The mechanical interfaces, in particular the first mechanical interface Itl and the second mechanical interface, generally present, in addition to the support portion PS, a guidance and centering portion PG configured to ensure the centering of the load towards the support portion by displacement of the load under gravity, and as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0083] Such PG centering portions of the interfaces make it possible to ensure automatic centering of the receptacle during gravity drop-off, in case of misalignment of the load.

[0084] The support portion PS may extend to a distal end, following a downward inclination with respect to a horizontal direction, at an angle preferably strictly greater than 0°, typically between 0° and 5°. The centering portion PG has a greater inclination than the support portion PS and extends it at its proximal end, for example in a direction inclined with respect to a horizontal direction at an angle between 45° and 65°.

[0085] During misalignment, along the transverse direction Y, to the right or to the left, as shown in [Fig. 4], and when the receptacle is lowered, the guide portion PG of the first interface (during left misalignment) or the guide portion of the second interface (during right misalignment) interacts with the receptacle to ensure centering of the receptacle between the two interfaces. The presence of the chamfers CH, right or left, advantageously allows these centering adjustments, which may be repeated during placement, to be achieved by contact between one of the guide portions PG and one of the chamfers CH, thus limiting wear on the cardboard material at these outer edges.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the body of the receptacle 1, comprising said base 11 and said belt 11, may comprise an assembly of said first sheet Fl, said core 102, and said second sheet F2, which may initially assume a flat storage / transport position. Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c illustrate these three components respectively, before their assembly, as flat cardboard blanks, which can typically be obtained by stamping techniques.

[0087] More particularly, said first sheet Fl may comprise a central part PC forming the upper skin, bearing against an upper surface said core, or even bonded to said core, a first flap VI and a second flap V2, extending transversely to said first sheet Fl, attached to said central part by two transverse fold lines PLT, on the two short sides of said central part, the first flap and second flap, folded at right angles to the central part (in said assembly position illustrated in [Fig. 6]), and a third flap V3, and a fourth flap V4 extending longitudinally to the first sheet, attached to said central part by two longitudinal fold lines PLL, on the two long sides of said central part PC, the third flap and the fourth flap, folded at right angles by relation to the central part.

[0088] The second cardboard sheet F2 may include a central PC portion forming the lower skin, as well as: — a fifth flap V5 and a sixth flap V6 extending transversely to said second sheet F2 along the two short sides of the second sheet along two transverse fold lines PLT, the fifth flap V5 going around the first flap VI from above (in said assembly position illustrated in [Fig.6]), to form said first transverse wall 111, the sixth flap V6 going around the second flap V2 from above, to form said second transverse wall 112, — a seventh flap V7 and an eighth flap V8 extending longitudinally to said second sheet F2 following the two long sides of the second sheet along two longitudinal fold lines PLL, the seventh flap V7 going around the third flap V3 from above to form said first longitudinal wall 113, the eighth flap V8 going around the fourth flap from above to form said second longitudinal wall 114.

[0089] Each of the flaps among the fifth to eighth flaps V5 to V8 may include fold lines PLI to PL4, parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal fold line PLT or to said transverse fold line PLT of the flap, including: - a first fold line PLI defining with the transverse fold line PLT or longitudinal fold line PLL, a first section of the flap defining one of the chamfers CH, the first section of the flap (V5 V6, V7 or V8) delimited between the first fold line and the transverse or longitudinal fold line, - a second fold line PL2, defining with the first fold line PLI, a second section of the flap (V5, V6, V7 or V) intended to run vertically outside the receptacle, along one of the flaps from the first to the fourth flaps, (VI to V4) folded at right angles, - a third fold line PL3 defining with the second fold line PL2, a third section of the flap (V5 V6, V7 or V8) delimited between the lines PL2 and PL3, the third fold line PL3 intended to cover from above an upper edge of said flap folded at a right angle; - a fourth fold line PL4 defining with the third fold line PL3, a fourth section of the flap (V5, V6, V7 or V8) delimited between the fold lines PL3 and PL4 intended to run vertically inside the receptacle, along one of the flaps among the first to the fourth flaps, (VI to V4) folded at right angles, a fifth section, distal to the flap, which can be configured to be pressed flat against the bottom wall of the receptacle, or even glued to it.

[0090] During assembly from flat components: - the said core 103 is superimposed on the second sheet F2, then the first sheet Fl upon the said soul, - Fold the first, second, third and fourth sections VI to V4 of the first sheet Fl at 90° upwards, - Next, fold the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth flaps V5 to V8, going around respectively from the outside, from the top, to the inside of receptacle 1, and respectively the first, second, third and fourth flaps VI to V4, - the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth sections of the second sheet F2 are joined at their distal end to the first sheet in the bottom wall 100.

[0091] The joining of the distal ends of the flaps V5 to V8 can be achieved by gluing and / or mechanical assembly.

[0092] For example, with regard to mechanical assembly, the receptacle 1 may have protruding assembly tabs LG belonging to the fifth flap V5, the sixth flap V6, the seventh flap V7, and the eighth flap V8 of the second cardboard sheet F2, the assembly tabs LG locked into assembly openings OA in the central part of the first cardboard sheet. In [Fig. 5c], it can be seen that the assembly tabs LG are obtained by cuts in the fifth section of the tabs extending from the fourth fold line PL4, while the assembly openings are provided, respectively for the different tabs, in the central part PC of the first sheet Fl, in the vicinity of the longitudinal fold lines PLL and the transverse fold lines PLT.

[0093] According to one embodiment, Ext extensions can extend laterally in all or part of the fifth flap V5, sixth flap V6, to the seventh flap V7 and eighth flap V8, forming corner closures between the transverse side walls 111, 112 and the longitudinal walls 113, 114 of the peripheral belt 11.

[0094] The flap extensions V5, V6, V7, V8, ensure the closure of the corners, each respectively between two consecutive lateral walls, longitudinal and transverse.

[0095] In the flat position of the second sheet F2: - The Ext extensions of the fifth V5 panel and the sixth V6 panel extend beyond the limits of the central PC section, following the transverse direction. - the Ext extensions of the seventh V7 and eighth V8 extend beyond the limits of the central PC part, following the longitudinal direction.

[0096] All or part of the Ext extensions may include assembly teeth DA, intended to engage in assembly slots FA of the flaps V7 and V8, in particular formed in the third sections of the flaps. The distal portions of the Ext extensions are engaged inside the folded flaps V5, V6, V7, V8.

[0097] According to one embodiment, all or part of the outer surface of said base 10 and the belt 11 can be coated with a water-resistant film, for example a plastic film, such as polyethylene film. In the event of sprinkler activation, such a coating limits water absorption into the cardboard, which retains sufficient structural strength to ensure the stable retention of the receptacles in the cavities, supported by the mechanical interface pairs Itl, It2, even when the receptacles are loaded with items.

[0098] According to a second possible embodiment illustrated by way of example in [Fig.9], the receptacle 1 may comprise: - a CA box, comprising side walls and a bottom wall Pinf, - a PR stiffening plate, housed by interlocking in the box, preferably simply resting on said lower wall Pinf, i.e. without needing to glue.

[0099] The CA case can define the belt 11, including a first transverse wall 111, a second transverse wall 112, but also a first longitudinal wall 113, and a second longitudinal wall 117, the four lateral walls 111, 112, 113, 114 preferably adjoining at the corners, but also the lower wall Pin.

[0100] The stiffening plate is dimensioned, preferably according to a rectangular plate, to be housed by interlocking the internal volume of the case, with the interlocking clearance.

[0101] The box can typically be formed from a thin sheet of cardboard less than 4 mm thick, for example, a sheet of solid board or a sheet of corrugated board, typically with a single corrugation. The stiffening board can be honeycomb board or corrugated board, having one or preferably several corrugations.

[0102] According to an advantageous embodiment, the outer surface of the CA case can be coated with a waterproof film, for example a plastic film, such as a polyethylene film.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the storage and transport system may include a motorized trolley CM comprising climbing means capable of cooperating with the uprights M1, M2, M3, M4 of the storage rack to allow said trolley to rise along said storage rack.

[0104] The motorized trolley can be in particular an automatically guided vehicle, configured to move, on a horizontal surface, for example the floor of the warehouse, in the two horizontal directions X, and Y, by means of rolling means, but also vertically by means of climbing means.

[0105] The climbing means may typically comprise one or more motorized pinions or gears, intended to mesh with one or more climbing elements extending along the height of the uprights M1, M2, M3, M4. The Climbing elements can typically be a rack or a roller chain.

[0106] The CM trolley further includes a notable grasping and depositing device for said receptacle, which includes a support SM mounted movable relative to the CHA chassis of said trolley between a deployed position, in which said support extends at least partially over a lateral edge of said trolley out of alignment with said chassis, and a retracted position, in which said support is housed opposite said chassis.

[0107] Said support comprises a structural element, such as a plate, a frame or a bar, and at least one finger D1, D2, D3, D4 projecting fixed relative to said structural element and oriented upwards, and in which said base comprises at least one recess formed to partially accommodate said at least finger D1, D2, D3, D4, and in a manner known per se from document EP 3638607 A1

[0108] According to an advantageous embodiment, said at least one impression EP may be formed by at least one insert IST, for example a synthetic material, in particular plastic, in said base 2, which is mainly made of cardboard. Such an insert makes it possible to ensure numerous cycles of contact between the finger and the impression, without risk of damaging the cardboard material by puncture.

[0109] In particular, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 5b and 5c, the central portion PC of the second sheet F2, on the one hand, and said core 103, on the other hand, may comprise opposing openings OI, two by two, configured to receive the inserts IST. The dimensions between the inserts IST and the openings OI preferably allow a tight fit of the inserts in the openings OI, and thus their retention in the base, preferably without the need for gluing.

[0110] According to an illustrated embodiment, the lower surface of the base 2 of the receptacle, typically made of cardboard, can come into direct contact with the mechanical interfaces Itl and It2, typically metallic.

[0111] According to the inventors' findings, the contact between the cardboard material and the metal of the PS support portions of the interfaces can generate friction during the cycles of extraction of the receptacles by the gripping system, causing wear of the metal portion, resulting in a decrease in thickness through repeated use.

[0112] According to one embodiment, not illustrated, the base can be provided with plastic pads, at least locally in the areas of the base intended to come into contact with the support portions of the mechanical interfaces Itl and It2.

[0113] This disclosure further relates to a warehouse storage and transport system, said storage and transport system having at least one storage rack and one or more receptacles as described in this disclosure comprising a belt and a base predominantly made of cardboard, said at least one storage rack Racl, Rac2 comprising a set of vertical uprights Ml, M2, M3, M4 and several pairs of mechanical interfaces defining several storage cells for said receptacles, each pair of mechanical interfaces comprising a first interface Itl fixed to at least two uprights Ml, M2 of the vertical structure and a second interface It2 fixed to at least two other uprights of the vertical structure, support portions of the two interfaces being oriented towards each other in cantilever of the uprights, configured to ensure the support of the receptacle in the two support portions of the mechanical interfaces, distant from each other.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the transport system may include the motorized trolley CM, previously described, which includes climbing means adapted to cooperate with the uprights of the storage rack to allow said trolley to rise along said rack.

[0115] Said trolley comprising the device for gripping and depositing said receptacle which includes a support mounted movable relative to the chassis of said trolley between a deployed position, in which said support extends at least partially over a lateral edge of said trolley out of alignment with said chassis, and a retracted position, in which said support is housed opposite said chassis, said support comprising a structural element, such as a platform, a frame or a bar.

[0116] Such a gripping system is configured, during loading, to load a receptacle arranged above the chassis from the retracted position of the mobile support, and up to the deployed position of the mobile support for which the receptacle 1 can be deposited in the cavity, the receptacle supported by simultaneous support on the first interface Itl and the second interface It2 of the cavity.

[0117] Conversely, the gripping system is configured to extract a receptacle 1 by simultaneously pressing on the first interface Itl and the second interface It2 of a pair of interfaces from the deployed position of the mobile support, and then load it onto the chassis of the trolley in the retracted position of said mobile support.

[0118] According to an advantageous embodiment, the support includes at least one finger D1, D2, D3, D4 fixed relative to said structural element and oriented upwards, configured to fit partially into said at least one footprint EP formed by said at least one insert (ST in said cardboard base 10 of the receptacle. List of reference signs

[0119] - 1. Receptacle, - 10. Base, - 100. Back wall, - 101. Upper skin, - 102. Lower skin -103. Cardboard soul, - Fl. First sheet of cardboard, -VI, V2. First transverse section and second transverse section, - V3, V4. First longitudinal section and second longitudinal section, - OA. Assembly openings, - F2. Second sheet of cardboard, - V5, V6. Fifth transverse panel and sixth transverse panel, - V7, V8. Seventh longitudinal flap and eighth longitudinal flap, - Ext. Extensions (for closing corners), - DA. Assembly teeth, - FA. Assembly slots, - LG. Assembly tabs, - EP. Footprints, - IST. Inserts (forming impressions), - PLT. Transverse fold lines (first or second sheet) - PLL. Longitudinal fold lines, (first or second sheet); -11 Peripheral belt; - 111, 112. First lateral wall and second transverse wall - 113, 113. First longitudinal wall and second longitudinal wall - Ca. Caisse, - Pinf. Lower wall, -PR. Stiffening plate - S. Storage system, - Racl, Rac2. Storage racks, -M1, M2, M3, M4. Amounts - CM. Motorized trolley, - Itl, It2. First mechanical interface and second mechanical interface - W. Charge.

Claims

Demands

1. A warehouse storage and transport system, said storage and transport system having at least one storage rack and one or more receptacles, said at least one storage rack (Racl, Rac2) comprising a set of vertical uprights (Ml, M2, M3, M4) and several pairs of mechanical interfaces defining several storage bays for said receptacles, each pair of mechanical interfaces comprising a first interface (Itl) fixed to at least two uprights (Ml, M2) of the vertical structure and a second interface (It2) fixed to at least two other uprights of the vertical structure, support portions of the two interfaces being oriented towards each other in cantilever from the uprights, configured to provide support for the receptacle in the two support portions of the mechanical interfaces, spaced apart from each other, characterized in that said receptacle or each of said receptacles, comprises a base (10),extending along a horizontal plane (XY) forming a bottom wall (100) of the receptacle, and a peripheral belt (11) projecting above the base at least along a vertical component (Z), forming side walls (111, 112, 113, 114), said receptacle delimiting a receiving volume for a load (W) such as one or more articles, resting on said base, said receiving volume delimited between the bottom wall and said side walls, said base being configured to rest on the two support portions of the first and second mechanical interfaces, and in which said base and the belt comprise mainly cardboard.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the % by weight of the cardboard in said base and belt relative to the sum of the total weights of the base and belt is greater than 50%, preferably greater than 75%, most preferably greater than 90% and wherein the quantity of material sufficient to reach 100% is plastic.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said base is configured to provide flexural resistance to said receptacle when said receptacle is supported in the two support positions, separated by a dimension (L) greater than 350 mm, and while a load (W) of 30 kg is received in said receiving volume, supported on the base, in a position midway between the two said positions support, with a maximum deflection in said median position of less than 5 mm.

4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said base (10) is a sandwich structure (SD) comprising: - an upper skin (101) formed by a first sheet (F1), - a lower skin (102) formed by a second sheet (F2), - a core (103), intermediate between said upper skin and said lower skin, said upper skin (101), said lower skin (102) and said core (103) being assembled to form said sandwich structure.

5. System according to claim 4, wherein said first sheet (F1) is a cardboard and / said second sheet (F2) is a cardboard.

6. System according to claim 4 or 5 wherein said core (103) is a corrugated cardboard comprising a structure including: - a third upper sheet (1031), flat, configured to bear against said upper skin (101) of the sandwich - a fourth lower sheet (1032), flat, configured to bear against said lower skin of the sandwich - at least one intermediate corrugation (1033).

7. System according to claim 4 or 5 wherein said core is a honeycomb board comprising: - a third upper sheet, flat, configured to bear on said upper skin of the sandwich - a fourth lower sheet, flat, configured to bear on said lower skin of the sandwich - an intermediate honeycomb structure.

8. System according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said intermediate core (103) is glued to said skins, the upper skin (101) being glued to an upper surface of said core and the lower skin (102) being glued to a lower surface of said core.

9. System according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the peripheral belt forming said side walls (111, 112, 113, 114) is made of cardboard, or at the very least comprises mostly cardboard.

10. System according to claim 9 wherein the cardboard side walls of the peripheral belt are formed by the first sheet (101) forming the upper skin (F1) and / or the second sheet (F2) forming the lower skin (102), said first sheet (F1) and / or second sheet (F2) extending along the sides of the base (10), at- beyond the said intermediate core and the sandwich structure, projecting above the said base to form the said side walls (111, 112, 113, 114).

11. System according to claim 10, wherein the first sheet (F1) and / or the second sheet (F2) extend beyond said core (103): - along the two short sides of the base, forming two opposing transverse lateral walls, constituting a first transverse wall (111) and a second transverse wall (112) - along the two long sides of the base, forming two opposing longitudinal lateral walls constituting a first longitudinal wall (113) and a second longitudinal wall (114).

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the second sheet (F2) extends beyond said intermediate core (103): - along the two short sides of the base, forming two opposing transverse lateral walls, constituting the first transverse wall (111) and the second transverse wall (112), with a chamfer (CH) connecting the lower skin (102) and the first transverse wall (111), and a chamfer (CH) connecting the lower skin (102) and the second transverse wall (112), and / or, - along the two long sides of the base, forming two opposing longitudinal lateral walls constituting the first longitudinal wall (113) and the second longitudinal wall (114), with a chamfer (CH) connecting the lower skin (102) and the first longitudinal wall (113), and a chamfer (CH) connecting the lower skin (102) and the first longitudinal wall (114). (102) and the second longitudinal wall (114).

13. A system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the receptacle body (1) comprising said base (11) and said belt (11) comprises an assembly of three components, which may initially assume a flat storage position: / 1 / said first sheet (F1), comprising a central part (PC) forming the upper skin, bearing against an upper surface said core, a first flap (VI) and a second flap (V2), extending transversely to said first sheet (F1) attached to said central part by two transverse fold lines (PLT), on the two short sides of said central part, the first flap (VI) and second flap (V2), folded at right angles to the central part, and a third flap (V3), and a fourth flap (V4), extending longitudinally to the

14.

15. first sheet, attached to said central part by two longitudinal fold lines (PLL), on the two long sides of said central part (PC), the third and fourth flaps, folded at right angles to the central part, / 2 / said soul (103), intermediary, / 3 / said second sheet of cardboard (F2), comprising a central part forming the lower skin, as well as: — a fifth flap (V5) and a sixth flap (V6) extending transversely to said second sheet along the two short sides of the second sheet along two transverse fold lines (PLT), the fifth flap (V5) going around the first flap (VI) from above, to form said first transverse wall (111), the sixth flap (V6) going around the second flap (V2) from above, to form said second transverse wall (112), — a seventh flap (V7) and an eighth flap (V8) extending longitudinally to said second sheet along the two long sides of the second sheet along two longitudinal fold lines (PLL), the seventh flap (V7) going around the third flap (V3) from above to form said first longitudinal wall (113), the eighth flap (V8) going around the fourth flap from above to form said second longitudinal wall (114). System according to claim 13, comprising: - protruding assembly tabs (LG) belonging to the fifth panel (V5), the sixth panel (V6), the seventh panel (V7) and the eighth panel (V8) of the second cardboard sheet (F2), the assembly tabs (LG) locked, in assembly openings (OA) in the central part of the first cardboard sheet, and / or -.extensions (Ext), extending laterally in all or part of the fifth flap (V5), sixth flap (V6), to the seventh flap (V7) and eighth flap (V8), forming corner closures between the transverse side walls (111, 112) and the longitudinal walls (113, 114) of the peripheral belt (11). A system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a motorized trolley (CM) including climbing means adapted to cooperate with the uprights (M1, M2, M3, M4) of the storage rack to allow said trolley to ascend along said rack, and wherein said trolley (CM), including a device for gripping and placing said receptacle, includes a support (SM) mounted movable relative to the chassis (CHA) of said trolley between a deployed position, in which said support extends at least partially over a lateral edge of said trolley out of alignment with said chassis; and a retracted position, in which said support is housed opposite said chassis; said support comprising a structural element, such as a plate, a frame or a bar, and at least one finger (D1, D2, D3, D4) fixed projecting from said structural element and oriented upwards, and in which said base (10) includes at least one indentation configured to be able to partially house said at least one finger (D1, D2, D3, D4).

16. System according to claim 15, wherein said at least one impression (EP) is formed by at least one synthetic insert (IST) in particular plastic in said base (10) which is mostly made of cardboard.

17. System according to any one of claims 1 to 16 all or part of the outer surface of said base (10) and of the belt (11) is coated with a waterproof film, for example a plastic film, such as a polyethylene film.

18. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 16 or 17, wherein the receptacle (1) comprises: - a box (CA), comprising side walls and a bottom wall (Pinf), - a stiffening plate (PR), housed by interlocking in the box, preferably simply resting on said bottom wall (Pinf).

19. System according to claim 18, wherein the box is formed by a thin sheet of cardboard less than 4 mm thick, and the stiffening plate is honeycomb cardboard or corrugated cardboard, having one or more corrugations.

20. System according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the base (10) is provided with plastic pads, at least locally in the areas of the base intended to come into contact with the support portions (PS) of the mechanical interfaces (Itl and It2).

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