Goods collecting apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for collection and movement of items comprising: a frame 8 including means for movement 16; handles 18; and a support body having first and second vertical members 10, 12 (figure 2c) from which a plurality of container locations are defined 22, 24, 26. The container locations are designed for the reception and retention of at least one open topped container 2 (figure 2b). The apparatus is arranged with a gap 34 between the containers to allow items to be placed into the containers without the need to move them from their current location. The handles may be located on both or either opposing end of the apparatus, and / or at a position between the ends. The apparatus disclosed is a trolley designed for manual use in a supermarket or warehouse for order picking. Various sizes of apparatus are disclosed for the movement of a plurality containers.

Description

The invention to which this application relates is to apparatus of a type which can be used to allow the collection of a number of items which have been gathered and to allow the items to be transported around a premises as the same are collated and, once the required quantity and types of items have been collected, the transport of the items to a loading point at which the items, and typically also containers in which the items are held, are transferred to transport means, such as a van or lorry, via which the items are transported to a remote location. Particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, the apparatus is for use in a retail environment or a warehouse such as a supermarket in which a wide range of items are available to be purchased. Typically a customer can purchase the items by moving around the said premises themselves with a basket or trolley, and selecting and then taking their required items m the trolley or basket to a payment location, and then taking the items in their own vehicle or carrying the items to their own domestic premises. Alternatively, and increasingly popular, a customer can place an online order for their selection of said items and, upon receipt of the order, one or more operators at the supermarket or at a warehouse premises will then move around the premises collecting the items as specified and so collate the order on the customer’s behalf. Conventionally, the items for the order are selected and placed in containers of a uniform dimension such as, for example, open topped containers, commonly known as “tote” boxes, which are held on a wheeled frame. Once the items for the order have been picked and located in the one or more containers, the frame with the containers thereon and items therein, are taken to a distribution hub at the supermarket premises at which the containers, and items therein, are either placed into a delivery vehicle and taken to the location defined by the customer, typically as a home delivery and typically the vehicle will carry containers and items which reflect a number of orders for different customers which are to be delivered during the delivery trip, or the containers will be taken to a collection location to allow the same to be collected by the customer so that the order is ready for collection and the customer does not have to move around the premises to select the specific items. The apparatus which is currently used in the said premises for the collection together of the items typically comprises a series of shelves on which said containers are slidingly moveable between a storage position and loading / unloading position, in a similar manner to a set of drawers. This means that when the containers are located in a storage position on the shelves, the openings into the same are effectively sealed from external access by the proximity of the underside of a container located above the same, such that in order to place a collected item into a container, the container is typically required to be at least partially slid out from the shelf to allow the container to be move to an “open” position and allow the top opening into the container to be exposed to a sufficient extent to allow the item to be placed through the opening and into the container. Once the item has been placed into the container, the container is slid back into the storage position. A problem with this type of apparatus is that the need to move the containers from the storage to an open position is time consuming, can be physically demanding and is prone, if the container is slid out from the shelf too far, the container and items therein may drop and which may cause injury to the operator and / or damage to the items. Furthermore, if too many or too large items are placed into a particular container, then the sliding movement of a container on the shelf may be prevented by items protruding above the level of the opening into the container below contacting the underside of the container located above. All of these issues can lead to frustration for the operator when using the apparatus to collect the items as they move around the supermarket premises in what is often required to be done within relatively short time scales. A further problem is that the current apparatus is relatively cumbersome and heavy and when the containers are full of the selected items, the combined weight of the items, containers and shelving makes the apparatus difficult to move and guide safely. These problems are found to lead to the containers only being partially filled and thus a greater number of apparatus, operators and / or operator trips are required to be performed in order to achieve the fulfilment of the orders. An aim of the present invention is to provide apparatus in a form which allows the improved selection, placement and retention of selected items in the apparatus whilst, at the same time, allowing the capacity of the apparatus, in terms of the items which can be received therein to be at least substantially similar to the conventional apparatus, and preferably with the apparatus taking up a similar envelope of space in comparison to the conventional apparatus. A further aim of the invention is to allow the apparatus to provide additional resistance to the possibility of one or more containers falling out of the apparatus and hence preventing the spillage and / or damage of any items held in the container at that time and minimising the risk of injury to the operator of the apparatus and / or other persons in the vicinity of the apparatus. In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for use in the collection and transport of items within a premises, said apparatus including a frame including means to allow the movement of the same across a floor surface, and having a support body from which depend a plurality of container locations defined thereon, said container locations provided for the selective reception and retention of at least one open topped container therewith and wherein said container locations are spaced apart such that there is provided a gap between said open top of a container at a first container location and the underside of a container located on a second container location, above the first container location, and said gap available to allow the placement of selected items through the said open top and into a cavity in the container at the first location container without the need for movement of the containers from their respective first and second container locations. Typically each of the containers is of a known, predetermined dimension and includes a base and upwardly depending side and end walls which define a cavity and said open top to allow items to be placed into and removed from said cavity, In one embodiment the gap between the top opening into a container located on a lower location and the underside of the container on a location above the same is of a fixed dimension when the containers are retained in position so as to allow items within a predetermined size range to be placed through the gap and into the top opening of said container without the requirement to move any of the containers with respect to the frame. In one embodiment the said gap is of a height which is greater than half the height of the side walls of the said containers and in addition, or alternatively, the gap is of height which is no greater than the height of the said side walls. In one embodiment, in addition or alternatively, to the vertical spacing apart of the containers, the containers are located so as to be offset from the central axis of the trolley frame by different distances. Typically, different configurations of the frame are possible so as to allow the selection of a particular capacity of the apparatus in terms of the number of containers which may be located therewith and, in turn, the number of items which can be therefore carried by the apparatus. In one embodiment the frame may be provided in a form so as to enable the apparatus to have the capacity to retain a different number of containers, such as 6 or 12 containers thereon. Typically, the containers are retained so as to be held in a fixed position during use of the apparatus. In one embodiment sliding movement of the containers in a substantially horizontal direction when the apparatus is in use is prevented by frame side members which depend on either side of the containers, end frame members which depend across the walls of those containers which are positioned at the edge of the frame and / or stops which are provided as part of the frame. Typically the containers are retained in position via contact between a Up portion provided on the side walls of the container locations and frame members formed by said side and end members of the frame and such that the base of the container does not need to be in contact with the frame and, this further aids the ability to access the top opening of the respective containers by providing the gap but without significantly increasing the height of the apparatus in comparison to the conventional apparatus. Furthermore as the access to the top openings into the respective containers is possible without movement of the containers, there is a significant reduction in the risk of the containers sliding out of contact with the frame and the uncontrolled dropping of items therefrom. In one embodiment gripping means are provided on the frame to allow the operator to exert moving and steering forces on the apparatus. In one embodiment the gripping means are provided in the form of one or a set of handles. In another embodiment two sets of handles are provided and which are arranged to be opposing so that the apparatus can be moved and steered from both ends selectively by the operator. In one embodiment further handles may be provided on the frame at locations intermediate the ends of the frame. Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the following drawings; wherein Figure 1 illustrates an example of prior art showing a conventional form of the apparatus of a type to which the application relates; Figures 2a-e illustrate views of a first embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figures 3a-e illustrate apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 4a-e illustrate apparatus tn accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 illustrates in detail a handle configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figures 6a-c illustrate respectively a perspective, side and rear view of apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 illustrates a detail view A of the apparatus of Figures 6ac: Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the frame of the apparatus of Figures 6a-c; Figures 9a-b illustrates the apparatus of the embodiment of Figures 6a-8 including containers; Figures 10a and b illustrate a further embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention; and Figures Ila and b illustrate apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 6a-8 and Figure 9a respectively, having been adapted to carry containers of a different dimension. Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated apparatus in a conventional form which comprises a number of containers 2 commonly referred to as tote boxes which are held in an arrangement on a frame 4 so as to be slidably movable from storage positions as shown in Figure 1 to a loading position by slidably moving the container in the direction of respective arrow 6, similar to a drawer. When in the loading position at least part of a top opening of the container is made accessible for the movement of one or more items into the container cavity defined by a base and side walls. When in the storage position it will be seen that access to the said top opening of the lower containers is not possible due to the proximity of the underside of the container which is positioned above the respective containers. The conventional apparatus therefore has significant disadvantages including that the containers have to be manually opened drawer like each time an item is to be placed into the same which is physically demanding over a longer time spell and especially if the container is already nearly full. It is also found that due to the weight and size of the frame and the positioning of the handles at one end that the apparatus is cumbersome and not easy to manoeuvre and may also impinge on the use of the supermarket aisles by physically present customers and / or other employees. There is also a significant risk of the containers, if they are pulled out too far, from becoming free from the frame and falling to the floor along with items located therein. This can be hazardous to the employee, can cause damage to the items and is time consuming to clear up and is generally inefficient. Figures 2a c, 3ae and 4a^e illustrate embodiments of apparatus in accordance with the invention. Referring firstly to Figures 2a-e the apparatus includes a frame 8 which includes a support body having first and second side mounted vertical members 10, 12 and a base. Members 13 which join the vertical members and span across the width of the apparatus. At the base 14 of the frame there are mounted wheels 16 which allow the movement of the apparatus across a floor surface and at or adjacent to the top there are provided gripping portion handles 18 to be selectively gripped by the operator 20 of the apparatus to allow a movement force and steering of the apparatus to be achieved. In this embodiment the apparatus is provided to receive and transport 8 containers by providing a series of container locations on the horizontal frame rails 22,24,26 extending from the frame support body horizontally, with each rail providing container locations for a number of open topped containers 2 and in this embodiment each of the locations 24, 26 can receive three containers thereon and the location 22 receives two containers 2 thereon. The containers are provided to be located in a fixed position between the time at which the same are placed in location and when they are removed from the locations after the apparatus has been used so that during the time when the apparatus is being used and moved to collect items which are placed into the containers the containers 2 are provided in a retained fixed location and the apparatus as whole is effectively a fixed position unit which can be moved across the floor. Any potential sideways sliding movement of the containers is prevented by the provision of side bars 30 and end bars 32 of the frame. Typically the said side bars and end bar also act as part of the container location means and suspend the containers by engagement with a lip 31 on the side wall of the containers so that there is no need for the frame to include any members under the containers and so the weight of the frame and overall assembly is reduced and this is particularly of benefit when one considers the potential weight of the apparatus with all of the containers filled with items and the need for the operator 20 to be able to push and pull the same the same along the floor. Furthermore, due to the spacing of the location means 22,24 and 26 and the relative height of the side walls of the containers 2 there is provided a gap 34 between the top opening 36 of a lower container 2 and the underside 38 of the upper container 2 and the gap is defined so as to be sufficient to allow items within a predefined size range to be placed into the lower container through the gap 34 and into the top opening 36 without the need to move or adjust the position of the respective containers. Typically the said predefined size range of the items will be sufficient to allow those items which are most typically available to be collected from the supermarket to fit through the gap. In Figures 3a e a second embodiment of the apparatus is shown which provides apparatus of a reduced size and which may be, for example, of greater benefit when the apparatus is to be used in a smaller premises and / or with more confined or narrow aisles. The same reference numerals are used for those parts which are the same as those shown in Figures 2a-e. In this embodiment the location means 22,24, 26 are each provided to allow the location of two containers thereon such that the apparatus has a capacity to receive 6 containers thereon. In Figures 4a-e there is illustrated a further embodiment of the apparatus and again the same reference numbers are used for those features which are common to the first and second embodiments. As shown in more detail in Figure 5 the gripping means handles 18 may be provided as a pair of gripping means 18’ as shown in Figures 2e 3c, 3e or as two sets in the form of a first set 18’ and a second set 18” as shown in Figures 2a-d, 3a-b, 3d and 4a-e and in this embodiment the respective sets 18’, 18” are formed in reverse configuration so as to selectively gripped by the operator and allow the operator to comfortably steer and move the apparatus from either end of the frame. In Figures 6a-c there is illustrated a yet further embodiment of the apparatus 100. The apparatus includes a frame 108 which includes a base 110 on which is mounted four vertical members 112 each including a series of cross bars 113 and rails 120 which form the container locations 118. The vertical members 112 are linked at the ends extended from the base frame 110 by a linking bar 114 which increases the structural integrity of the apparatus. The base 110 of the frame 108 includes a series of mounted wheels 116 to allow a movement force and steering of the apparatus 100 to be achieved. The number of container locations 118 in this embodiment provides for six large containers to be located. The containers are to be located on the rails 120 which are mounted with the cross bars 113. The orientation of the rails 120 allow for the containers to be side loaded into the apparatus 100 and removed from the same. Roller stops 122, as shown clearly in Figure 7, allow for the container to be slid into and removed from the apparatus 100 along the same, and the stops are located above the adjacent rail 120 to act as a stop for the sliding movement of the container, thus preventing the container from inadvertently falling from the apparatus as to remove the container, the same must be lifted above the height of the roller stop 122. A horizontal handle 124 is provided at a height on the frame easily accessible to a user as are a number of intermediate handles 125 located along the sides of the frame. A number of shelves and compartments 130 are provided with the frame to contain stationary, telecommunication equipment and the like in an accessible manner. Figures 9a and b illustrate the frame 108 of the embodiment of Figures 6a-8 with open topped containers 126 located thereon and it will be seen that the gap 128 between the underside of the upper container and the open top of the lower container is sufficient so as to allow the majority, if not all items which are selected, to be placed into the open top 129 and cavity of the lower container 126’ without having to remove the lower 126’ or upper 126”containers from their respective container locations 130 on the frame as illustrated in Figure 9a. Figures 10a and b illustrate a further embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention m which there is provided apparatus 202 including a frame 204 with a support body 206 having a base 208 with wheels 210 and upstanding member 212, 214, 26, 218 on which are located rails 220, 222,224,226 in a substantially horizontal plane and which define, along with the base 208 three rows of container locations 28 to receive in total 9 containers 230 as shown in Figure 10b with the rails engaging with a Up portion 232 formed on the end and / or side walls of the container. A end bar 234 is provided as part of the rails and stops 236 are provided on the base and the free ends of the rails so as to enable loading and unloading of the containers to and from the frame via end 238 and uncontrolled sliding of the containers when in the container locations 228. Thus in any of the embodiments shown it will be appreciated that the frame and containers located in the container locations thereon can effectively form a relative fixed item selecting and loading unit for the duration of the same being moved to select and load items from various parts of the premises. This therefore minimises the need for the operator to slidingly move the containers during use and therefor e reduces the risk of injury. It is also possible that the frame of the various embodiments show herein may from time to time be used to carry different forms of containers for a specific use, such as for example containers for frozen foods which are insulated so as to maintain the frozen condition of the items placed therein for a period of time. These containers are often larger in size but may still be carried in the frames of the current invention du to the gap provided, albeit that when the frames are used in this form there may no longer be provided a gap between the respective containers. Examples of this are shown in Figures Ila and b in which Figure Ila shows the frame of the embodiment of Figures 6 9b being used to carry larger containers 302 with no adaptation of the frame 108 being necessary. Figure 11b illustrates the embodiment of the Figures 10a and b with the frame 204 having been adapted to carry containers 302 and still maintain a gap 328 between the same by moving the rails 220, 226 upwardly along the members 212, 214, 216, 218 as indicated by arrow 304 and moving the rails 222, 224 downwardly along the members 212, 214,216, 218 as indicated by arrow 306. It should also be appreciated that a combination of container types can be located in the container locations so as to adapt the apparatus for use for items with different storage requirement and which items are all part of the same order which is to be collated.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use tn the collection and transport of items within a premises, said apparatus including a frame including means to allow the movement of the same across a floor surface, and having a support body from which depend a plurality of container locations defined thereon, said container locations provided for the selective reception and retention of at least one open topped container therewith and wherein said container locations are spaced apart such that there is provided a gap between said open top of a container at a first container location and the underside of a container located on a second container location, above the first container location, and said gap available to allow the placement of selected items through the said open top and into a cavity in the container at the first location container without the need for movement of the containers from their respective first and second container locations.2.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the containers is of a known predetermined dimension and includes a base, upwardly depending side and end walls which define a cavity and said open top to allow items to be placed into and removed from said cavity.

3. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said gap is provided of the same dimension for containers located on each of the respective container locations which underlies another container location above the same.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said gap is of a height which is greater than half the height of the side walls of the said containers.5 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said gap is of a height which is no greater than the height of the said side walls of the said containers.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of rows of container locations which are vertically spaced.7 Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each of said rows includes at least two side by side container locations.8 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said frame support body includes a base on which the plurality of wheels are mounted and, on opposingsides of the base, one or more upstanding members depending therefrom and from which said container locations depend substantially horizontally outwardly.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the frame includes at least one member passing at least partially between opposing ends of the frame and substantially parallel with the said base of the support body.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least some of the said container locations are moveable so as to allow adaptation of the frame to locate containers of different dimensions thereon.11 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container locations include retention means to allow retention of the container in position at the container location.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the retention means include side members to locate first and / or second opposing sides of the containers and the containers can be moved into and from the said container location from at least one end or side of the frame.13 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container side and / or end walls include a lip portion which engages with the said container location.14 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the frame includes at least one handle to allow an operator to exert moving and / or steering forces on the frame.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the frame includes first and second spaced apart handles located so as to allow a first handle to be used to move and steer the frame from a first end and said second handle to be used to move and steer the frame from the second, opposing end of the apparatus.16 Apparatus according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the frame includes one or more handles located intermediate opposing ends of the said frame.17 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein a stop is provided at least for each row of container locations, said stop located so as to allow thecontainer to be slid into and removed from the container location row when the movement action on the container includes an upwards movement component to move the container pas the said stop.18 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the frame includes one or more shelves and / or compartments to receive and carry equipment which may be required to be used when selecting the items to be placed into the container.