STORAGE AND / OR ORDER PREPARATION PROCESS

Abstract

A method for storing and / or preparing orders in a warehouse (10) having an ambient temperature, preferably controlled, between -5°C and 20°C, said method comprising the following successive steps: / A / providing at least one container of a first type comprising at least one thermally insulated internal compartment (106); / B / transporting said container of the first type (100) by means of a battery-powered motorized trolley (20) to a storage location (18); / C / positively cooling, at least periodically or continuously, the internal compartment (106) to maintain an internal temperature less than or equal to a setpoint temperature, the setpoint temperature being strictly less than the ambient temperature, and preferably less than or equal to -18°C. Abstract Figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR STORING AND / OR PREPARING ORDER technical field

[0001] This description relates to the field of storage and / or order preparation processes, in particular for refrigerated products. Previous technique

[0002] In the field of food product logistics, where strict adherence to a storage temperature must be ensured from the initial production stage to the final stage of use or consumption, as well as throughout the entire packaging, transport and storage period, it is known to store products in dedicated warehouses according to their storage temperature.Thus, to guarantee the cold chain for each product, frozen products (i.e., products with a storage temperature below -18°C) are kept in a warehouse where the ambient temperature is less than or equal to -18°C, frozen products (i.e., products with a storage temperature below -12°C) are kept in a warehouse where the ambient temperature is less than or equal to -12°C, fresh products (i.e., products with a storage temperature between 0°C and 4°C) are kept in a warehouse where the ambient temperature is between 0°C and 4°C, and finally, products not requiring storage at a specific temperature are stored in a warehouse where the temperature is generally not controlled.

[0003] The term "cold chain" refers to the succession of stages a product goes through from its deep-freezing or freezing, and more generally from its temperature being brought up to a suitable temperature for proper preservation, until its consumption or use.

[0004] However, segmenting product storage according to their storage temperature requires large storage areas, which runs counter to current challenges of limiting building footprints and reducing the distance between logistics warehouses and end consumers. Furthermore, this complicates and increases the cost of order preparation logistics involving products with different storage temperatures, since these products are not stored side-by-side.

[0005] Furthermore, in the field of logistics, and more specifically in order preparation in a warehouse, a human operator traditionally moves around the warehouse to collect one or more items from the order in The warehouse has various racking systems. Operators may have to walk long distances, which can cause fatigue, especially in a refrigerated warehouse. Therefore, operators must have a thorough understanding of the warehouse racking layout to avoid taking inefficient and longer routes, which increases order preparation time.

[0006] In order to limit operator fatigue and reduce order preparation time, it is known to use a fleet of motorized carts. Each cart can thus travel through the warehouse along an optimized route to collect the items for the order. These carts can be powered by an integrated battery.

[0007] However, battery performance degrades as the temperature decreases. Thus, battery performance begins to degrade at 5°C, and at -5°C, battery performance becomes critical, even irreparably diminished. In particular, at low temperatures, physicochemical degradation of battery cells is observed when they deliver a significant electrical current, for example, during the vertical ascent of a motorized cart along a vertical rack upright. Such physicochemical degradation results in a significant decrease in battery capacity and an increase in internal battery resistance, which translates into a decrease in voltage that is all the more pronounced as the current delivered increases.Such battery-powered trolleys are therefore not suitable for order picking of frozen or deep-frozen products in a warehouse where the ambient temperature is below -12°C and -18°C respectively, nor for order picking of fresh products in a warehouse where the ambient temperature is between 0°C and 4°C.

[0008] Other trolleys directly powered electrically by a mains connection or by contact on a conductive track (for example, via contact shoes) are known. However, these trolleys have the disadvantage of being less flexible in terms of their freedom of movement and the number of storage spaces served compared to a battery-powered motorized trolley.

[0009] The purpose of this description is, in particular, to provide a simple, economical and effective solution to the problems mentioned above. Summary

[0010] A method for storing and / or preparing orders in a warehouse is proposed, which has an ambient temperature, preferably controlled, between -5°C and 20°C, and which includes a transport and storage system comprising: - a storage system that includes a plurality of storage locations for containers, - a transport device, comprising a plurality of motorized trolleys, each comprising means for loading and unloading containers, said motorized trolleys comprising a battery power supply and being configured to move within said warehouse subject to said ambient temperature to serve the storage locations of the storage device, said method comprising the successive steps: / A / provide at least one container of a first type which includes at least one thermally insulated internal compartment, / B / transport said container of the first type by means of one of the motorized trolleys to place it at one of the storage locations of the storage device; / C / positively cool, at least periodically or continuously, the internal compartment to maintain an internal temperature less than or equal to a setpoint temperature, the setpoint temperature being strictly less than the ambient temperature, and preferably less than or equal to -18°C.

[0011] The supply of said container of the first type in step / A / may include the allocation of at least one refrigerated product to said container of the first type, and the loading of said refrigerated product into the compartment of said container of the first type.

[0012] The method may include a step / D / which includes transporting said container of the first type by means of one of the motorized trolleys from the corresponding storage location to an order preparation station.

[0013] The process may include a step / E / which includes the allocation of at least one refrigerated product to said container of the first type, and the loading of said refrigerated product into the compartment of said container of the first type at the order preparation station.

[0014] The method may include, prior to step / C / , measuring the internal temperature in the compartment of the container of the first type, step / C / being executed when the internal temperature in the internal compartment is greater than the setpoint temperature.

[0015] The process can be adapted for storing products at ambient temperature, in a manner juxtaposed with the products, the process comprising: - provide at least one container of a second type containing at least one product at room temperature, - transport said container of the second type containing said product at ambient temperature by means of one of the motorized trolleys to place it at one of the storage locations of the storage device.

[0016] The process may have all or part of the following characteristics: - at least one refrigerated product contained in the first type of container is a frozen product; and / or - said product at room temperature in said container of the second type is a fresh product.

[0017] Step / C / can be carried out according to at least one of the following alternatives: / i / supply the container of the first type with a suitable cold accumulator to cool and maintain the internal compartment at a temperature less than or equal to the set temperature; / ii / supply electrical energy to the refrigeration units of the first type of container, said refrigeration units being configured to transform the electrical energy into a suitable refrigeration charge to cool and maintain the compartment at the set temperature; and / or / iü / supply the compartment of the first type container with refrigerated air at a temperature less than or equal to the setpoint temperature.

[0018] Step / C / according to alternative / i / may include the replacement of the cold accumulator.

[0019] The container of the first type may include a body which has a bottom and at least one side wall delimiting the internal compartment, and a removable lid configured to close the internal compartment, said cold accumulator being coupled to the lid, and the replacement of the cold accumulator may include the replacement of the lid of the container of the first type.

[0020] The transport and storage system may include a suitable replacement station for replacing the cold accumulator, and in which the replacement of the cold accumulator can be ensured after transport by one of the motorized trolleys of the container of the first type to the replacement station.

[0021] The cold accumulator may comprise a eutectic fluid or a sublimable material.

[0022] The storage device may include at least one storage rack defining the plurality of storage locations. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analysis of the accompanying drawings, on which:

[0024] [Fig.1] represents a schematic view of a storage and / or order preparation method of the present invention according to a first embodiment.

[0025] [Fig.2] represents a schematic view of a storage and / or pre- Control preparation of the present invention according to a second embodiment.

[0026] [Fig. 3] includes figures 3A to 3C which represent alternative embodiments of a container of a first type implemented in the processes of figures 1 and 2. Description of the implementation methods

[0027] Reference is now made to [Fig. 1], which represents a storage and / or order preparation process according to a first embodiment. The storage and / or order preparation process is carried out in a warehouse 10 which has an ambient temperature, preferably controlled, between -5°C and 20°C, and which includes a transport and storage system comprising: - a storage device 12 which includes a plurality of storage locations 18 for containers, - a transport device, comprising a plurality of motorized trolleys 20, each comprising means for loading and unloading containers, said motorized trolleys 20 comprising a battery power supply and being configured to move within said warehouse 10 subjected to said ambient temperature to serve the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12.

[0028] Said method comprises the following successive steps: / A / provide at least one container of a first type which includes at least one thermally insulated internal compartment 106, / B / transport said container of the first type 100 by means of one of the motorized trolleys 20 to place it at one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12; / C / positively cool, at least periodically or continuously, the internal compartment 106 to maintain an internal temperature less than or equal to a setpoint temperature, the setpoint temperature being strictly less than the ambient temperature, and preferably less than or equal to -18°C.

[0029] The process as described above thus makes it possible to store said container of the first type 100, the internal temperature of whose inner compartment 106 is maintained at or below the setpoint temperature, in the warehouse 10, which has an ambient temperature higher than the setpoint temperature and is therefore suitable for the use of battery-powered motorized trolleys 20 to carry out the logistical flows of the container of the first type 100 within the warehouse 10. This avoids human operators having to travel long distances in a warehouse 10 and in a cold environment. Furthermore, the battery-powered motorized trolleys 20 offer greater freedom of movement within the warehouse 10, allowing for optimization of storage density and storage capacity.Furthermore, the fact that it is not necessary to maintain the entire warehouse 10 at a temperature roughly equal to the setpoint temperature reduces energy costs. Indeed, it is thus possible to cool. only the required number of containers of the first type 100, thus adjusting energy expenditure to the bare minimum.

[0030] The expression "positively cooling" means that a positive action is carried out to cool, that is to say a voluntary action by supplying cold or by extracting heat.

[0031] The ambient temperature can correspond to the temperature of the ambient (or surrounding) air inside the warehouse 10. The ambient temperature can be stable, preferably in a controlled manner. The ambient temperature can be between -5°C and 10°C, preferably between 0°C and 8°C, and even more preferably between 0°C and 4°C.

[0032] One or more of the plurality of motorized trolleys 20 may be autonomous or automatically guided. One or more of the plurality of motorized trolleys 20 may comprise at least one respective battery-powered electric motor adapted to ensure the movement of the motorized trolley 20 within said warehouse 10.

[0033] The setpoint temperature can be between -15°C and -20°C (in the case of frozen products). Alternatively, the setpoint temperature can be -12°C (in the case of frozen products). Alternatively still, the setpoint temperature can be between 0°C and 8°C, preferably between 0°C and 4°C, preferably 4°C (in the case of fresh products).

[0034] The method may include a step / D / which includes transporting said container of the first type 100 by means of one of the motorized trolleys 20 from the corresponding storage location to an order preparation station 30.

[0035] The supply of said first-type container 100 in step / A / may include allocating at least one refrigerated product PR to said first-type container 100 and loading said refrigerated product PR into the compartment of said first-type container 100. The method advantageously allows for the storage and order preparation of refrigerated products PR using battery-powered motorized trolleys 20. The loading of said refrigerated product PR into the compartment of said first-type container 100 may be carried out at the order preparation station 30. Following step / D / , said refrigerated product PR may be shipped outside the warehouse (for example, to a logistics intermediary, a distributor, or a consumer), either directly in the first-type container 100 or in a third-type container adapted for the transport of said refrigerated product.

[0036] Said at least one refrigerated product PR may in particular be "frozen" (i.e. having a maximum storage temperature of -18°C), or "deep-frozen" (i.e. having a maximum storage temperature of -12°C) or "fresh" (i.e. having a storage temperature between 0°C and 8°C, preferably between 0°C and 4°C).

[0037] The method may include, prior to step / C / , measuring the internal temperature in the compartment of the first-type container 100, with step / C / being performed when the internal temperature in the internal compartment 106 is above the setpoint temperature. Alternatively, step / C / may be performed when the internal temperature in the internal compartment 106 differs from the setpoint temperature by + / - 1°C. Alternatively still, the internal temperature in the internal compartment 106 of the first-type container 100 may be determined by evaluating the heat dissipation between the ambient air of the warehouse 10 and the internal compartment 106 of the first-type container 100.

[0038] The process can be adapted for storing products at ambient temperature PA, alongside refrigerated products PR. The process may include the following steps: - provide at least one container of a second type containing at least one product at room temperature PA, - transport said container of the second type 200 containing said product at ambient temperature PA by means of one of the motorized trolleys 20 to place it at one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12.

[0039] It is therefore possible to store a refrigerated product PR and a room-temperature product PA in the same warehouse 10. In fact, the surface area of ​​the warehouse 10 can be reduced and logistics flows can be optimized, thus reducing costs. These additional steps can be carried out before, after, or simultaneously with any of the steps / A / to / D / described above.

[0040] By "product at room temperature," we mean a product whose storage temperature coincides with the ambient temperature of warehouse 10 (i.e., without being "positively" cooled). If the ambient temperature of warehouse 10 is between 0°C and 4°C, or even between 0°C and 8°C, the product at room temperature PA may be a fresh product or a "non-fresh" product that does not require storage at a specific temperature. If the ambient temperature of warehouse 10 is above 8°C, the product at room temperature PA may be a "non-fresh" product.

[0041] The process may have all or part of the following characteristics: - at least one refrigerated PR product contained in the first type 100 container is a frozen product; and / or - said product at least at room temperature PA in said container of the second type 200 is a fresh product.

[0042] An embodiment in which the ambient temperature of the warehouse 10 is above 8°C is not excluded, and in which step / A / comprises the provision of a first container of the first type 100 intended to receive at least one frozen product and a second container of the first type 100 intended to receive at least one fresh product. Step / C / may comprise the positive cooling, at least periodically or continuously, of the internal compartment 106 of the first container of the first type 100 to maintain an internal temperature less than or equal to the setpoint temperature, the setpoint temperature being less than or equal to -18°C.Alternatively or additionally, step / C / may include positive cooling, at least periodically or continuously, of the internal compartment 106 of the second container of the first type 100 to maintain an internal temperature equal to the setpoint temperature, the setpoint temperature being between 0°C and 8°C, preferably between 0°C and 4°C. In this embodiment, said at least one container of the second type 200 may contain at least one product at ambient temperature PA, referred to as "non-fresh," which can therefore be stored at a temperature greater than or equal to 8°C.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, an embodiment in which step / A / includes the provision of a third container of the first type 100 for receiving at least one frozen product is not excluded. Step / C / may include the positive cooling, at least periodically or continuously, of the internal compartment 106 of the third container of the first type 100 to maintain an internal temperature less than or equal to the setpoint temperature, the setpoint temperature being less than or equal to -12°C.

[0044] Step / C / can be carried out according to at least one of the following alternatives: / i / supply the container of the first type 100 with a cold accumulator 120 suitable for cooling and maintaining the internal compartment 106 at a temperature less than or equal to the setpoint temperature (see figure 3A); / ii / supplying electrical energy 142 to the refrigeration units 140 of the first-type container 100, said refrigeration units 140 being configured to transform the electrical energy into a suitable refrigeration charge to cool and maintain the compartment at the set temperature (see Figure 3B); and / or / iü / supply the compartment of the first type 100 container with refrigerated air at a temperature less than or equal to the setpoint temperature (see figure 3C).

[0045] Alternative / i / of step / C / allows the internal compartment 106 of the first-type container 100 to be cooled passively, making it advantageously economical. Alternatives / ii / and / iii / of step / C / allow for manual activation of the cooling, or even programmatic activation, which allows for more precise control of the internal temperature of the compartment. 106.

[0046] Step / C / according to alternative / i / may include replacing the cold accumulator 120. In other words, a first cold accumulator 120, referred to as "used," "empty," or "discharged," may be replaced by a second cold accumulator 120, referred to as "new" or "recharged," which has a higher cooling capacity than the first cold accumulator 120. The first cold accumulator 120 may then be recharged for future use, for example, by being stored in a cold environment. The replacement of the cold accumulator 120 may be carried out manually or, in whole or in part, automatically. According to the first embodiment of the process, step / C / according to alternative / i / may be carried out while a refrigerated product PR is placed in the internal compartment 106.

[0047] As seen in Figure 3A, the container of the first type 100 may include a body having a bottom 102 and at least one side wall 104 delimiting the internal compartment 106, and a removable lid 108 configured to close the internal compartment 106, said cold accumulator 120 being coupled to the lid 108. Replacing the cold accumulator 120 may include replacing the lid 108 of the container of the first type 100.

[0048] In other words, a first cover 108 comprising a first cold accumulator 120 called "used" or "empty" or even "discharged" can be replaced by a second cover 108 comprising a second cold accumulator 120 called "new" or "recharged" which has a higher cooling charge than that of the first cold accumulator 120.

[0049] The lid 108 of said container of the first type 100 may include an internal cavity 114, the cold accumulator 120 being housed in the internal cavity 114 of the lid 108. The lid 108 may include an external wall 112 configured to cooperate with the side wall 104 and close the internal compartment 106 of the container of the first type 100, and an internal wall 110 integral with the external cavity. Said internal cavity 114 may be delimited by the external wall 112 and the internal wall 110 of the lid 108. The internal compartment 106 of the container of the first type 100 may be wholly or partially delimited by the internal wall 110 of the lid 108. The external wall 112 of the lid 108 may be thermally insulated. The internal wall 110 can be adapted for heat exchange between the cold accumulator 120 disposed in the internal cavity 114 and the internal compartment 106 of the container of the first type 100.In other words, the inner wall 110 can be adapted to diffuse cold from the inner cavity 114 of the lid 108.

[0050] The transport and storage system includes a replacement station 40 adapted to replace the cold accumulator 120. The replacement of the cold accumulator 120 can be secured after transport by one of the motorized trolleys 20 of the container of the first type 100 to the replacement station 40.

[0051] After the replacement of the cold accumulator 120, the container of the first type 100 can be transported by means of one of the motorized trolleys 20 from the replacement station 40 to one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12 or to the order preparation station 30. Alternatively, the replacement of the cold accumulator 120 can be carried out, manually or in whole or in part automatically, while the container is placed at one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12.

[0052] The cold accumulator 120 may comprise a eutectic fluid or a sublimable material. The cold accumulator 120 may be a mass of carbon dioxide in the form of snow or ice, preferably contained in a pouch such as a bag, sachet, or similar. The cold accumulator 120 may be in the form of sticks, beads, granules, or blocks. During step / C / according to alternative / i / , the replacement of the cold accumulator 120 may therefore include the addition of a eutectic fluid or a sublimable material, particularly, where appropriate, in the internal cavity 114 of the lid 108 of the container of the first type 100.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3B, the refrigeration means 140 (alternative / ii / ) may be a heat pump, in particular integrated into the container of the first type 100. For this purpose, the refrigeration means 140 may include a working fluid circulating in a hermetically sealed conduit to extract heat from the internal compartment 106 to the outside of the container, the movement of the working fluid being effected by a component, such as a pump, powered by electrical energy. The container of the first type 100 may include a body having a base 102 and at least one side wall 104 delimiting the internal compartment 106, and a removable lid 108 configured to close the internal compartment 106, the refrigeration means 140 being integral with, or embedded in, the side wall 104 or the removable lid 108. Alternatively or additionally, the refrigeration means may include Peltier effect cells.Such Peltier effect cells can advantageously be devoid of moving parts, making them more reliable.

[0054] As shown in Figure 3C, in step / C / according to alternative / iii / , the container of the first type 100 may comprise a body having a base 102 and at least one side wall 104 delimiting the internal compartment 106, and a removable lid 108 configured to close the internal compartment 106, the side wall 104 comprising at least one inlet opening 130 adapted for supplying refrigerated air and at least one outlet opening 132 for expelling the air contained in the internal compartment 106. Thus, when the internal compartment 106 is supplied with Refrigerated air enters through the inlet opening 130. The air contained in the internal compartment 106 is then forced towards the outlet opening 132 and expelled through the outlet opening 132. The inlet opening 130 and the outlet opening 132 may advantageously be located opposite each other. A supply duct 134 and an exhaust duct 136 may be connected to the container of the first type 100 at the inlet opening 130 and outlet opening 132, respectively. The container of the first type 100 may include at least one suitable ventilation means for circulating air from the inlet opening 130 to the outlet opening 132.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, step / C / can be carried out by thermal conduction through the walls of the container of the first type 100 so as to cool and maintain the compartment at a temperature less than or equal to the setpoint temperature.

[0056] The storage device 12 may include at least one storage rack 14 defining the plurality of storage locations 18. Said at least one storage rack 14 may also be referred to as "shelf space". Said storage rack may include a vertical structure, formed by a set of vertical uprights, in particular in the form of vertical metal profiles. Said at least one rack 14 may include at least two parallel rows of uprights 16. Said at least one rack 14 may include slots defining the plurality of storage locations 18. For this purpose, pairs of mechanical interfaces, in particular in the form of brackets, may be attached to the uprights 16, to ensure the centering and support of containers of the first type and / or containers of the second type at the storage locations 18.

[0057] One or more of the plurality of motorized trolleys 20 can be adapted to move horizontally on the floor in said warehouse 10 and vertically along said at least one rack 14, in particular along the uprights 16 of said at least one rack 14.

[0058] One or more of the plurality of motorized trolleys 20 may include a respective gripping device comprising a chassis and a support movable relative to the chassis. The movable support may be configured to move from a retracted position for loading a container of the first type or a container of the second type onto the vehicle chassis, in which the movable support is housed on (or opposite) the chassis, to a deployed unloading position in which the movable support extends cantilevered from the chassis to unload / deposit the container of the first type or the container of the second type, in particular in one of the storage locations.

[0059] Said at least one container of the first type and / or said at least one container of the second type may be configured to be housed in one of the storage locations in support on two mechanical interfaces (or brackets) attached to the uprights. Also, the gripping device of one or more of the plurality of trolleys can be configured, during loading, to load a container of the first type (or of the second type) 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 placed in the storage location, the container of the first type (or of the second type) supported by simultaneous support on the first and second interfaces of the storage location.

[0060] More specifically, the movable support of the gripping device of one or more of the plurality of trolleys may comprise 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. Said at least one container of the first type and / or said at least one container of the second type may comprise, in particular on an external face of the bottom, a recess configured so as to be able to accommodate at least a portion of the finger of the movable support of the gripping device of one or more of the plurality of trolleys.

[0061] Reference is now made to [Fig.2] which represents a storage and / or order preparation method according to a second embodiment.

[0062] The process according to the second embodiment may include a step / E / which includes the allocation of at least one refrigerated product PR to said container of the first type 100, and the loading of said refrigerated product PR into the compartment of said container of the first type 100 at the order preparation station 30.

[0063] The process makes it possible to cool the internal compartment 106 of the container of the first type 100 before placing a refrigerated product PR in it, in particular to ensure the maintenance of the cold chain.

[0064] The second embodiment may be distinct from or complementary to the first embodiment. When the second embodiment of the process is said to be "complementary" to the first embodiment of the process, steps / A / to / D / as described above are carried out before step / E / . In other words, at least one first chilled product PR may be loaded into the container of the first type 100 during step / A / and at least one second chilled product PR may be loaded into the container of the first type 100 during step / E / . Alternatively, as shown in [Fig. 2], when the second embodiment of the process is said to be "distinct" from the first embodiment of the process, steps / A / to / D / as described above may be carried out except that no frozen product is loaded into the internal compartment of the container of the first type during step / A / .In other words, steps A to D can be carried out with the internal compartment 106 of the first type 100 container empty. Also, a refrigerated product can be loaded. in the internal compartment 106 of the container of the first type 100 only at the stage / E / . Furthermore, according to this variant of the second embodiment of the process, the step / C / according to the alternative / i / can be carried out while the internal compartment 106 is empty in preparation for the subsequent loading of a refrigerated product PR.

[0065] Following step / E / , said first-type container 100 containing said refrigerated product PR can be transported again by means of one of the motorized trolleys 20 from the order preparation station 30 to one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12 for storage. Alternatively, said refrigerated product PR can be shipped outside the warehouse (for example, to a logistics intermediary, a distributor, or a consumer), either directly in the first-type container 100 or in a third-type container adapted for the transport of said refrigerated product.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for storing and / or preparing orders in a warehouse (10) which has an ambient temperature, preferably controlled, of between -5°C and 20°C, and which comprises a transport and storage system comprising: - a storage device (12) which comprises a plurality of storage locations (18) for containers, - a transport device, comprising a plurality of motorized trolleys (20) each comprising means for loading and unloading containers, said motorized trolleys (20) comprising a battery power supply and being configured to move in said warehouse (10) subjected to said ambient temperature to serve the storage locations (18) of the storage device (12), said method comprising the successive steps: / A / providing at least one container of a first type which comprises at least one thermally insulated internal compartment (106), / B / conveying said container of the first type (100) by means of one of the motorized trolleys (20) to place it at one of the storage locations (18) of the storage device (12); / C / positively cool, at least periodically or continuously, the internal compartment (106) to maintain an internal temperature lower than or equal to a set temperature, the set temperature being strictly lower than the ambient temperature, and preferably lower than or equal to -18°C, in which step / C / comprises at least the alternative / i / according to which step / C / is carried out at least by supplying the container of the first type (100) with a cold accumulator (120) adapted to cool and maintain the internal compartment (106) at a temperature lower than or equal to the set temperature, wherein step / C / comprises replacing the cold accumulator (120), in which the transport and storage system comprises a replacement station (40) adapted to replace the cold accumulator (120), and in which the replacement of the cold accumulator (120) is ensured after the transport by one of the motorized trolleys (20) of the container of the first type (100) to the replacement station (40).

2. Method of storage and / or order preparation according to the preceding claim, wherein the provision of said container of the first type (100) in step / A / comprises the allocation of at least one refrigerated product (PR) to said container of the first type (100), and the loading of said refrigerated product (PR) into the compartment of said container of the first type (100).

3. Method for storing and / or preparing an order according to claim 1 or 2, the method comprising a step / D / which comprises transporting said container of the first type (100) by means of one of the motorized trolleys (20) from the corresponding storage location to an order preparation station (30).

4. Method for storing and / or preparing an order according to the preceding claim, the method comprising a step / E / which comprises the allocation of at least one refrigerated product (PR) to said container of the first type (100), and the loading of said refrigerated product (PR) into the compartment of said container of the first type (100) at the order preparation station (30).

5. Method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising, prior to step / C / , measuring the internal temperature in the compartment of the container of the first type (100), step / C / being executed when the internal temperature in the internal compartment (106) is higher than the set temperature.

6. Method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of the preceding claims, the method being suitable for storing products at room temperature (PA), juxtaposed with refrigerated products (PR), the method comprising: - providing at least one container of a second type containing at least one product at room temperature (PA), - conveying said container of the second type (200) containing said product at room temperature (PA) by means of one of the motorized trolleys (20) to place it at one of the storage locations (18) of the storage device (12).

7. Method for storing and / or preparing an order according to the preceding claim, the method having all or part of the following characteristics: - at least one refrigerated product (PR) contained in the container of the first type (100) is a frozen product; and / or - said at least one product at room temperature (PA) in said container of the second type (200) is a fresh product.

8. Method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of the claims, in which step / C / is further carried out according to at least one of the following alternatives: / ii / supplying refrigerating means (140) of the container of the first type (100) with electrical energy (142), said refrigerating means (140) being configured to transform the electrical energy into a refrigerating load suitable for cooling and maintaining the compartment at the set temperature; and / or / iii / supplying the compartment of the container of the first type (100) with refrigerated air at a temperature lower than or equal to the set temperature.

9. Method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of the preceding claims, the container of the first type (100) comprising a body which has a bottom (102) and at least one side wall (104) delimiting the internal compartment (106), and a removable cover (108) configured to close the internal compartment (106), said cold accumulator (120) being coupled to the cover (108), and in which the replacement of the cold accumulator (120) comprises the replacement of the cover (108) of the container of the first type (100).

10. A method of storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cold accumulator (120) comprises a eutectic fluid or a sublimable material.

11. Method of storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the storage device (12) comprises at least one storage rack (14) defining the plurality of storage locations (18).

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