Method for storing and / or preparing control commands

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for storing and / or preparing control commands in a warehouse (10) having a controlled ambient temperature preferably of -5°C to 20°C, the method comprising the following sequential steps: / A / providing at least one first type of container having at least one internal insulated compartment (106); / B / shipping the first type of container (100) by a battery-powered electric carriage (20) to place the first type of container (100) in a storage location (18); and / C / actively cooling the internal compartment (106) at least periodically or continuously to maintain the internal temperature within the internal compartment (106) below a setpoint temperature, wherein the setpoint temperature is strictly lower than the ambient temperature, preferably -18°C or lower.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification particularly relates to a method for storing and / or preparing orders for refrigerated products.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of food logistics, it is essential to ensure strict compliance with storage temperatures from the initial production stage to the final use or consumption stage, and throughout the periods of packaging, transportation, and storage. It is common practice to store products in dedicated warehouses according to their storage temperatures. Therefore, to guarantee the cold chain for each product, quick-frozen products (i.e., products with a storage temperature below -18°C) are stored in warehouses with a surrounding temperature below -18°C, frozen products (i.e., products with a storage temperature below -12°C) are stored in warehouses with a surrounding temperature below -12°C, fresh products (i.e., products with a storage temperature between 0°C and 4°C) are stored in warehouses with a surrounding temperature between 0°C and 4°C, and finally, products that do not need to be stored at a specific temperature are generally stored in non-temperature-controlled warehouses.

[0003] The term "cold chain" refers to the series of processes that a product undergoes from the time it is quick-frozen or frozen, and more generally, from the time it is brought to the correct temperature for proper storage, until the time it is consumed or used.

[0004] However, dividing the storage of products according to their storage temperature requirements requires a large storage area, which limits the installation area of the building and goes against the current challenge of reducing the distance between the logistics warehouse and the final consumer. Furthermore, this adds complexity and cost to the logistics of preparing orders that include products with different storage temperatures, as they cannot be stored side by side.

[0005] Furthermore, in the field of logistics, more specifically in the area of ​​preparing orders within a warehouse, human operators traditionally move around the warehouse to collect one or more items from different shelves within an order. Operators may have to cover long distances, resulting in fatigue, especially in refrigerated warehouses. Moreover, operators must be completely familiar with the layout of the shelves within the warehouse; otherwise, they risk taking unoptimized, and therefore longer, routes, increasing order preparation time.

[0006] It is known that a group of motorized carriages are used to limit operator fatigue and reduce order preparation time. In this way, each carriage can travel along an optimized route through the warehouse to collect items in an order. These carriages can be powered by an integrated battery.

[0007] However, battery performance decreases with decreasing temperature. Therefore, below 5°C, degradation of battery performance can be observed, and below -5°C, battery performance may become critical or even irreparably damaged. In particular, at low temperatures, physical and chemical degradation of battery cells is observed when the battery cells are supplied with a large current, for example, during the vertical raising of an electric carriage along the vertical upright members of a rack. Such physical and chemical degradation results in a significant decrease in battery capacity and an increase in the battery's internal resistance, which leads to a decrease in voltage, and the decrease in voltage becomes more pronounced as the supplied current increases. Therefore, such battery-powered carriages are not suitable for preparing orders of frozen or rapidly frozen products in warehouses where the ambient temperature is lower than -12°C and -18°C, respectively, nor for preparing orders of fresh products in warehouses where the ambient temperature is between 0°C and 4°C.

[0008] Other carriages are known that are powered by electricity from a mains power connection or directly by contact with conductive tracks (e.g., via contact brushes). Nevertheless, these carriages have the disadvantage of being less flexible in terms of their freedom of movement and the number of storage spaces they can cover compared to battery-powered electric carriages.

[0009] From international publication 2020 / 047313(A2), an automated system for preparing orders is known, comprising several storage areas configured to store goods at normal ambient temperature, refrigerated temperature, and frozen temperature, respectively, as well as one or more order preparation stations, one or more delivery stations, and autonomous vehicles configured to move between these storage areas, order preparation stations, and delivery stations. In each area, the containers storing the goods are passively cooled by maintaining the environment around the containers at a controlled temperature. The exposure time of the autonomous vehicles to the coldest storage areas is limited. This solution is not optimal in that it also limits the availability of autonomous vehicles.

[0010] International Publication No. 2020 / 047313(A2) also proposes a container that is actively cooled, for example, by placing a cold pack inside the container, either under or inside the lid. These containers with cold packs are used to keep goods cold during order delivery. The cold block inside the lid can be optionally refilled only after the customer has taken the order and the container is empty.

[0011] U.S. Patent No. 10,919,699 describes an automated grid storage system in which multiple storage containers may be equipped with thermoelectric refrigeration means for cooling and controlling the internal temperature of each container. This system is relatively complex in that the containers must be connected to each other and to a power source.

[0012] The objective of this specification is, in particular, to provide simple, cost-effective, and efficient solutions to the above-mentioned problems. [Overview of the project]

[0013] Preferably, a method is proposed for storing and / or preparing orders in a warehouse having a controlled ambient temperature of -5°C to 20°C and equipped with a transport and storage system, the transport and storage system is A storage device having multiple storage locations for containers, A transport device comprising a plurality of electric carriages, each of which is equipped with means for loading and unloading containers, and which is equipped with an electric battery power source and is configured to move within the warehouse at the ambient temperature to provide storage location services for the storage device, includes: The method involves the following steps: A step of providing at least one first type of container having at least one internally insulated compartment, / B / A step of distributing the first type of container by one of the electric carriages in order to place the first type of container in one of the storage locations of the storage device, The process includes actively cooling the internal compartment at least periodically or continuously in order to maintain the internal temperature within the internal compartment below a setpoint temperature, wherein the setpoint temperature is strictly lower than the ambient temperature, preferably -18°C or lower.

[0014] Process / C / may include at least the following alternatives: supplying a regenerator suitable for cooling and maintaining the internal compartment at a temperature below the setpoint temperature to a first type of container; and replacing the regenerator.

[0015] Process C may include moving the regenerator away from its storage location in the storage device for replacement, and the movement of the first type of container for the periodic replacement of the regenerator is performed automatically by multiple motorized carriages.

[0016] Process / C / may include replacing the regenerator after dispatching the vessel to a suitable exchange station for replacement of the regenerator by one of the motorized carriages of the first type of vessel.

[0017] Providing the first type of container in process / A / may include allocating at least one refrigerated product to the first type of container and loading the refrigerated product into the compartment of the first type of container.

[0018] The method may include step / D / , which involves using one of the electric carriages to transport the first type of container from a corresponding storage location to an order preparation station.

[0019] The method may include step / E / , which involves allocating at least one refrigerated product to the first type of container and loading the refrigerated product into the compartment of the first type of container at an order preparation station.

[0020] This method may include measuring the internal temperature within a compartment of a first type of container before step / C / , and step / C / is performed when the internal temperature within the internal compartment is higher than the setpoint temperature.

[0021] This method may be suitable for storing products at ambient temperature, alongside other products, and this method To provide at least one second type of container for containing products at at least one ambient temperature, This includes transporting the second type of container containing the product at ambient temperature by one of the electric carriages and placing it in one of the storage locations of the storage device.

[0022] This method has all or some of the following characteristics: At least one refrigerated product contained in a container of type 1 is a rapid-frozen product, and / or The product in the second type of container at at least one ambient temperature may be a fresh product.

[0023] Engineering / C / may further include at least one of the following alternatives: Supplying electrical energy to the refrigeration means of the first type of container, said refrigeration means being configured to convert electrical energy into a cooling capacity suitable for cooling and maintaining the compartment at a setpoint temperature, and / or Further including supplying refrigerated air at a temperature below the setpoint temperature to the compartment of the first type of container.

[0024] The first type of container may include a body including a bottom and at least one side wall defining an internal compartment, and a removable lid configured to close the internal compartment, and the cold storage body is coupled to the lid, and replacing the cold storage body may include replacing the lid of the first type of container.

[0025] The cold storage body may include a eutectic fluid or a sublimable material.

[0026] The storage device may include at least one storage rack defining a plurality of storage locations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] Further features, details, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and from the analysis of the accompanying drawings.

[0028] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of a method for storing and / or preparing an order of the present invention according to a first embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of a method for storing and / or preparing an order of the present invention according to a second embodiment is shown. [Figure 3] Includes FIGS. 3A - 3C showing alternative embodiments of the first type of container used in the method shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Herein, we refer to Figure 1, which illustrates a method for storing and / or preparing orders according to the first embodiment. The method for storing and / or preparing orders is preferably carried out in a warehouse 10 having a controlled ambient temperature of -5°C to 20°C and equipped with a transport and storage system, A storage device 12 having multiple storage spaces 18 for containers, A transport device comprising a plurality of electric carriages 20, each of which is equipped with means for loading and unloading containers, and the electric carriages 20 are equipped with an electric battery power source and are configured to move within the warehouse 10 at the ambient temperature to serve the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12.

[0030] The method involves the following steps: A step of providing at least one first type of container having at least one internally insulated compartment 106, / B / The process of dispatching the first type of container 100 by one of the electric carriages 20 in order to place the first type of container 100 in one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12, The method includes a step of actively cooling the internal compartment 106 at least periodically or continuously in order to maintain the internal temperature within the internal compartment below a setpoint temperature, wherein the setpoint temperature is strictly lower than the ambient temperature, preferably -18°C or lower.

[0031] Therefore, the method described above makes it possible to store the first type of container 100 in the warehouse 10, where the internal temperature of the internal compartment 106 is maintained below the setpoint temperature, and the warehouse has an ambient temperature above the setpoint temperature and is therefore suitable for use with an electric battery-powered motorized carriage 20 to carry out the logistics flow of the first type of container 100 within the warehouse 10. This avoids the need for human operators to move long distances within the warehouse 10 in a low-temperature environment. Furthermore, the electric battery-powered motorized carriage 20 increases the freedom of movement within the warehouse 10 and optimizes storage density and capacity. Moreover, the fact that it is not necessary to maintain the entire warehouse 10 at a temperature substantially equal to the setpoint temperature makes it possible to reduce energy costs. In this way, it is possible to cool only the required number of the first type of container 100, thereby adjusting energy consumption to exactly what is needed.

[0032] The expression "to actively cool" means that an active action is taken for the purpose of cooling, that is, an intentional action to supply cold air or extract heat.

[0033] The ambient temperature may correspond to the ambient temperature of the surrounding environment inside the warehouse 10. The ambient temperature can preferably be stabilized in a controlled manner. The ambient temperature can be -5°C to 10°C, preferably 0°C to 8°C, and more preferably 0°C to 4°C.

[0034] One or more of the multiple electric carriages 20 may be autonomous or even automatically guided. Each electric carriage 20 may be an automated guided vehicle (AGV). For this purpose, each electric carriage 20 may be equipped with onboard guidance means suitable for automatic guidance.

[0035] One or more of the multiple electric carriages 20 may be equipped with at least one battery-powered electric motor suitable for providing the movement of the electric carriage 20 within the warehouse 10.

[0036] The setpoint temperature may be between -15°C and -20°C (for rapidly frozen products). Alternatively, the setpoint temperature may be equal to -12°C (for frozen products). Alternatively, the setpoint temperature may be equal to 0°C to 8°C, preferably 0°C to 4°C, and more preferably 4°C (for fresh products).

[0037] Providing the first type of container 100 in process / A / may include allocating at least one refrigerated product PR to the first type of container 100 and loading the refrigerated product PR into a compartment of the first type of container 100. This method advantageously allows for the storage and preparation of orders of refrigerated product PR by an electric battery-powered motorized carriage 20. Loading the refrigerated product PR into a compartment of the first type of container 100 may be performed at an order preparation station 30.

[0038] The method may include step / D / , which involves transporting the first type of container 100 from a corresponding storage location to an order preparation station 30 by one of the electric carriages 20. The order station may be suitable for preparing orders. Orders may include, in whole or in part, refrigerated products PR. After step / D / , the refrigerated products PR (or order) may be shipped out of the warehouse (e.g., to a logistics intermediary, distributor, or consumer) either directly in the first type of container 100 or in a third type of container suitable for transporting the refrigerated products.

[0039] The at least one refrigerated product PR may be, in particular, "rapidly frozen" (i.e., having a maximum storage temperature of -18°C), "frozen" (i.e., having a maximum storage temperature of -12°C), or "fresh" (i.e., having a storage temperature of 0°C to 8°C, preferably 0°C to 4°C).

[0040] This method may include measuring the internal temperature within a compartment of the first type of container 100 before process / C / , and process / C / is performed when the internal temperature in the internal compartment 106 is higher than the setpoint temperature. Alternatively, process / C / can be performed when the internal temperature of the internal compartment 106 differs from the setpoint temperature by + / - 1°C. Alternatively, the internal temperature in the internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100 can be determined by evaluating the heat dissipation between the ambient air of the warehouse 10 and the internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100.

[0041] This method may be suitable for storing products PA at ambient temperature alongside refrigerated products PR. The method involves the following steps: A step of providing at least one second type of container for containing product PA at at least one ambient temperature, This may include transporting the second type of container 200 containing the product PA at the ambient temperature by one of the electric carriages 20 and placing it in one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12.

[0042] This makes it possible to store refrigerated products PR and ambient temperature products PA in the same warehouse 10. In this way, the surface area of ​​warehouse 10 can be reduced, the logistics flow can be optimized, and therefore cost reduction can be achieved. These additional steps can be performed before, after, or simultaneously with any of the above steps / A / ~ / D / . An order may include one or more refrigerated products PR and / or one or more ambient temperature products PA.

[0043] The term "ambient product" refers to a product that has a storage temperature that matches the ambient temperature of warehouse 10 (i.e., a product that is not "actively" cooled). If the ambient temperature in warehouse 10 is 0°C to 4°C, or 0°C to 8°C, the ambient product PA may be a perishable product or a "non-perishable" product that does not need to be stored at a specific temperature. If the ambient temperature in warehouse 10 is above 8°C, the ambient product PA may be a "non-perishable" product.

[0044] This method has all or some of the following characteristics: At least one refrigerated product PR contained in the first type of container 100 is a rapid-frozen product, and / or The product PA in the second type of container 200 at at least one ambient temperature may be a fresh product.

[0045] Embodiments are not excluded in which the ambient temperature of the warehouse 10 exceeds 8°C and process / A / provides a first container 100 of a first type intended to receive at least one rapid-frozen product and a second container 100 of a first type intended to receive at least one fresh product. Process / C / may include actively cooling the internal compartment 106 of the first container 100 of the first type at least periodically or continuously to maintain the internal temperature within the internal compartment below a setpoint temperature, where the setpoint temperature is -18°C or lower. Alternatively or additionally, process / C / may include actively cooling the internal compartment 106 of the second container 100 of the first type at least periodically or continuously to maintain the internal temperature within the internal compartment equal to the setpoint temperature, where the setpoint temperature is between 0°C and 8°C, preferably between 0°C and 4°C. In this embodiment, the at least one second container 200 can contain at least one product PA of an ambient temperature referred to as "non-fresh" and can therefore be stored at a temperature of 8°C or higher.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, step / A / may include providing a third container 100 of the first type intended to receive at least one frozen product. Step / C / may include actively cooling the internal compartment 106 of the third container 100 of the first type at least periodically or continuously to maintain the internal temperature within the internal compartment below a setpoint temperature, which is -12°C or below.

[0047] Process / C / is at least one of the following alternative examples: / i / Supply a cold storage body 120 suitable for cooling and maintaining the internal compartment 106 at a temperature below the setpoint temperature to the first type of container 100 (see Figure 3A), / ii / Supplying electrical energy 142 to a refrigeration means 140 of a first type of container 100, wherein the refrigeration means 140 is configured to convert the electrical energy into a cooling capacity suitable for cooling a compartment and maintaining it at a setpoint temperature (see Figure 3B), and / or / iii / This can be carried out by supplying refrigerated air at a temperature below the setpoint temperature to a compartment of the first type of container 100 (see Figure 3C).

[0048] Alternative example / i / of process / C / allows the internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100 to be passively cooled, which is advantageous in that it is cost-effective. Alternative examples / ii / and / iii / of process / C / allow the cooling to be operated manually or even programmed, which enables more precise control of the internal temperature of the internal compartment 106.

[0049] Process C / according to alternative example / i / may include the (periodic) replacement of the cold storage unit 120. In other words, the first cold storage unit 120, which is considered “used,” “empty,” or “discharged,” can be replaced with a second cold storage unit 120, which is considered “new” or “recharged” and has a higher cooling capacity than the first cold storage unit 120. The first cold storage unit 120 can be recharged for future use, for example, by being placed in a low-temperature environment. The replacement of the cold storage unit 120 can be carried out manually or by fully or partially automated means. According to the first embodiment of the Method, process C / according to alternative example / i / can be performed while the refrigerated product PR is located in the internal compartment 106.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3A, the first type of container 100 may comprise a body including a bottom 102 defining an internal compartment 106 and at least one side wall 104, and a removable lid 108 configured to close the internal compartment 106, the refrigerator 120 being coupled to the lid 108. Replacing the refrigerator 120 may involve replacing the lid 108 of the first type of container 100.

[0051] In other words, a first lid 108 equipped with a first cold storage body 120 that is considered "used," "empty," or "discharged" can be replaced with a second lid 108 equipped with a second cold storage body 120 that is considered "new" or "recharged" and has a higher cooling capacity than the first cold storage body 120.

[0052] The lid 108 of the first type of container 100 may include an internal cavity 114, and the refrigerant 120 is housed within the internal cavity 114 of the lid 108. The lid 108 may include an outer wall 112 configured to cooperate with the side wall 104 to close the internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100, and an inner wall 110 integrated with the outer cavity. The internal cavity 114 can be defined by the outer wall 112 and the inner wall 110 of the lid 108. The internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100 can be defined entirely or partially by the inner wall 110 of the lid 108. The outer wall 112 of the lid 108 can be insulated. The inner wall 110 can be suitable for heat exchange between the refrigerant 120 located within the internal cavity 114 and the internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100. In other words, the inner wall 110 may be suitable for diffusing cold air from the internal cavity 114 of the lid 108.

[0053] The transport and storage system includes a replacement station 40 suitable for replacing the cold storage units 120. The replacement of the cold storage units 120 can be performed after the first type of container 100 has been shipped to the replacement station 40 by one of the electric carriages 20. The replacement station 40 may be aligned with an order preparation station 30 to limit warehouse congestion and maintain maximum storage space. In this case, the replacement of the cold storage units 120, or the replacement of the lid 108 of the first type of container 100 containing the cold storage units 120, can be performed at the order preparation station 30 after process / D / . Alternatively, the replacement station 40 may be specialized, i.e., dedicated, for replacing the cold storage units 120. After the replacement of the cold storage units 120, the first type of container 100 can be shipped from the replacement station 40 to one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12 or to the order preparation station 30 by one of the electric carriages 20.

[0054] Typically, the refrigerant can be replaced away from its storage location in the storage device. The movement of the first type of container 100 for the periodic replacement of the refrigerant can be performed automatically by multiple electric carriages 20. This thus avoids the movement of an operator to perform this task. The transport and storage system, in particular the central unit of the transport and storage system, can be configured to determine which refrigerant of the first type of container needs to be replaced. In particular, measured values ​​of the internal temperature within the compartment of the first type of container 100 can be transmitted to the central unit, or the internal temperature within the compartment of the first type of container 100 can be determined by the central unit as described above. The transport and storage system, in particular the central unit of the transport and storage system, can be configured to allocate or assign one of the electric carriages 20 to ship the first type of container 100 for the periodic replacement of the refrigerant. The central unit may be able to communicate with each of the electric carriages 20. This results in automated management of the flow of first type of container 100 that need to have their refrigerant replaced, in particular during the storage phase at the storage location. This allows this action to be performed without changing the order preparation flow, and therefore without slowing down the order preparation speed.

[0055] Therefore, one or more electric carriages 20 can be assigned to move the first type of container 100 for the periodic replacement of their refrigerants, and at the same time, one or more other electric carriages 20 can be assigned to move the first type of container 100 for order preparation.

[0056] Alternatively, the replacement of the cold storage body 120 can be performed manually, fully, or partially automatically while the container is located in one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12.

[0057] The cold storage body 120 may contain a eutectic fluid or a sublimable material. The cold storage body 120 may preferably be a mass of carbon dioxide in the form of snow or ice, contained in an envelope such as a pouch or bag. The cold storage body 120 may be in the form of sticks, balls, granules, or blocks. Therefore, replacing the cold storage body 120 during process / C / according to alternative example / i / may include adding a eutectic fluid or a sublimable material to the internal cavity 114 of the lid 108 of the first type of container 100, if particularly necessary.

[0058] The thermal storage body 120 can be replaced when the internal temperature in the internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100 is higher than the setpoint temperature. The internal temperature in the internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100 can be determined by evaluating the heat dissipation between the ambient air of the warehouse 10 and the internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100. The evaluation may also take into account the physical and chemical properties of the first type of container 100 and / or the thermal storage body 120 and / or the contents of the first type of container 100.

[0059] The cold storage element 120 can be replaced at fixed time intervals or at regular intervals. The cold storage element 120 can be replaced according to a series of predetermined intervals.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3B, the refrigeration means 140 (alternative example / ii / ) may be a heat pump incorporated in particular into the first type of container 100. For this purpose, the refrigeration means 140 may include a working fluid circulating in a sealed conduit to extract calories from the internal compartment 106 to the outside of the container, and the working fluid is driven by a device such as a pump powered by electrical energy. The first type of container 100 may include a body including a bottom 102 defining the internal compartment 106 and at least one side wall 104, and a removable lid 108 configured to close the internal compartment 106, wherein the refrigeration means 140 is integrated with or embedded in the side wall 104 or the removable lid 108. Alternatively or additionally, the refrigeration means may include a Peltier cell. Such a Peltier cell can advantageously eliminate moving parts and be more reliable. The process according to alternative example / ii / (i.e., supplying power to the refrigeration means 140) can be performed when the first type container 100 is located in one of the storage locations of the storage device, or preferably in a recharging station corresponding to the order preparation station 30, after the first type container 100 has been shipped by one of the electric carriages 20.

[0061] As shown in Figure 3C, in process / C / according to alternative example / iii / , the first type of container 100 may comprise a body including a bottom 102 defining an internal compartment 106 and at least one side wall 104, and a removable lid 108 configured to close the internal compartment 106, the side wall 104 comprising at least one inlet opening 130 suitable for supplying refrigerated air and at least one outlet opening 132 for discharging the air contained in the internal compartment 106. Thus, when refrigerated air is supplied to the internal compartment 106 through the inlet opening 130, the air contained in the internal compartment 106 is pushed toward the outlet opening 132 and discharged through the outlet opening 132. The inlet opening 130 and the outlet opening 132 can advantageously be oriented opposite each other. A supply conduit 134 and a discharge conduit 136 can be connected to the first type of container 100 at the inlet opening 130 and the outlet opening 132, respectively. The first type of container 100 may be provided with at least one ventilation means suitable for circulating air from an inlet opening 130 to an outlet opening 132. The process according to alternative example / iii / (i.e., supplying refrigerated air) can be performed when the first type of container 100 is located in one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12, or preferably in a refrigerated air supply station corresponding to the order preparation station 30, after the first type of container 100 has been shipped by one of the electric carriages 20.

[0062] Alternatively or additionally, process C / may be carried out by heat conduction through the walls of the first type of container 100, thereby cooling the compartment and maintaining it at a temperature below the setpoint temperature.

[0063] The storage device 12 may comprise at least one storage rack 14 defining a plurality of storage locations 18. The at least one storage rack 14 may also be referred to as a “shelf”. The storage rack may comprise a vertical structure formed by a set of vertical upright members, particularly in the form of vertical metal profiles. The at least one rack 14 may comprise at least two parallel rows of upright members 16. The at least one rack 14 may comprise cells defining a plurality of storage locations 18. For this purpose, a pair of mechanical interfaces, particularly in the form of angle brackets, can be integrated into the upright members 16 to ensure the centering and support of first type containers and / or second type containers in the storage locations 18.

[0064] One or more of the multiple motorized carriages 20 may be adapted to move horizontally along the floor within the warehouse 10 and vertically along the at least one rack 14, particularly along the upright members 16 of the at least one rack 14.

[0065] One or more of the multiple electric carriages 20 may each be equipped with a gripping device comprising a frame and a support movable relative to the frame. The movable support may be configured to move between a retracted position in which the movable support is housed on (or on the opposite side of) the chassis for loading a first type of container or a second type of container onto the vehicle chassis, and an extended loading / unloading position in which the movable support extends outward from the chassis for loading / unloading the first type of container or a second type of container, particularly into one of the storage locations.

[0066] The at least one container of the first type and / or the at least one container of the second type may be configured to be housed in one of the storage locations by being placed on two mechanical interfaces (or brackets) integrated with the upright member. In addition, one or more gripping devices of a plurality of carriages may be configured to load the first type (or second type) containers positioned above the chassis from the retracted position of the movable support to the extended position of the movable support during loading, after which the containers may be placed in the storage location, with the first type (or second type) containers being supported simultaneously on the first and second interfaces of the storage location.

[0067] More specifically, the movable support of one or more gripping devices among a plurality of carriages may include a plate (or frame or bar) and fingers fixed to the plate (or frame or bar), the fixed fingers extending upward. The at least one first type of container and / or the at least one second type of container may have a recess configured to accommodate at least a portion of the fingers of the movable support of one or more gripping devices among a plurality of carriages, particularly on the outer surface of the bottom.

[0068] Here, we refer to Figure 2, which illustrates a method for storing and / or preparing orders according to a second embodiment.

[0069] The method according to the second embodiment may include step E / , which includes assigning at least one refrigerated product PR to a first type container 100, and loading the refrigerated product PR into the internal compartment 106 of the first type container 100 at the order preparation station 30.

[0070] This method, in particular, allows the internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100 to be cooled before the refrigerated product PR is placed inside, in order to ensure that the cold chain is maintained.

[0071] The second embodiment may be separate from or complementary to the first embodiment. If the second method mode is said to be "complementary" to the first embodiment of the method, then steps / A / ~ / D / described above are performed before step / E / . In other words, at least one first refrigerated product PR can be loaded into the first type container 100 in step / A / , and at least one second refrigerated product PR can be loaded into the first type container 100 in step / E / . Alternatively, if the second embodiment of the method is said to be "separate" from the first type method, as shown in Figure 2, then steps / A / ~ / D / described above can be performed, except that no rapid-frozen products are loaded into the internal compartments of the first type container during step / A / . In other words, steps / A / ~ / D / can be performed with the internal compartments 106 of the first type container 100 empty. Furthermore, refrigerated products can only be loaded into the internal compartment 106 of the first type of container 100 during process / E / . Moreover, according to this modification of the second embodiment of the method, process / C / according to alternative example / i / can be performed to load refrigerated products PR after the internal compartment 106 is empty.

[0072] Following process / E / , the first type container 100 containing the refrigerated product PR may be transported again by one of the electric carriages 20 from the order preparation station 30 to one of the storage locations 18 of the storage device 12 and placed therein. Alternatively, the refrigerated product PR may be shipped out of the warehouse (for example, to a logistics intermediary, distributor, or consumer) either directly in the first type container 100 or in a third type container suitable for transporting the refrigerated product.

Claims

1. A method for storing and / or preparing orders in a warehouse (10) having a controlled ambient temperature of preferably -5°C to 20°C and equipped with a transport and storage system, wherein the transport and storage system is A storage device (12) having multiple storage spaces (18) for containers, A transport device comprising a plurality of electric carriages (20), each of the plurality of electric carriages comprising means for loading and unloading containers, the electric carriages (20) comprising an electric battery power source, and configured to move within the warehouse (10) at the ambient temperature to serve the storage location (18) of the storage device (12), The above method involves the following steps: A step of providing at least one first type of container having at least one internally insulated compartment (106), / B / A step of shipping the first type of container (100) by one of the electric carriages (20) in order to place the first type of container in one of the storage locations (18) of the storage device (12), The present invention provides a method for actively cooling an internal compartment (106) in order to maintain the internal temperature within the internal compartment (106) below a set point temperature, wherein the set point temperature is strictly lower than the ambient temperature, preferably -18°C or lower, and the cooling is performed by supplying a cold storage body (120) suitable for cooling and maintaining the internal compartment (106) at or below the set point temperature to a first type of container (100), the method comprising: Process C / is a method for storing and / or preparing orders, comprising replacing the cold storage body (120) away from the storage location of the storage apparatus, wherein the movement of the first type of container (100) for periodic replacement of the cold storage body is performed automatically by the plurality of electric carriages (20).

2. A method for storing and / or preparing an order according to claim 1, wherein step C / includes replacing the cold storage body (120) after the container (100) of the first type has been shipped to a replacement station (40) suitable for replacement of the cold storage body (120) by one of the electric carriages (20).

3. A method for storing and / or preparing an order according to claim 1 or 2, wherein providing the first type of container (100) in step / A / comprises assigning at least one refrigerated product (PR) to the first type of container (100) and loading the refrigerated product (PR) into the compartment of the first type of container (100).

4. A method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising step D / of sending the first type of container (100) from the corresponding storage location to an order preparation station (30) by one of the electric carriages (20).

5. A method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising step / E / : assigning at least one refrigerated product (PR) to the first type of container (100); and loading the refrigerated product (PR) into the compartment of the first type of container (100) at the order preparation station (30).

6. A method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the method comprises measuring the internal temperature in the compartment of the first type of container (100) before step / C / , and step / C / is performed when the internal temperature in the internal compartment (106) is higher than the setpoint temperature.

7. The method described above is suitable for storing products at ambient temperature (PA) alongside the refrigerated products (PR), and the method described above is suitable for storing products at ambient temperature (PA) alongside the refrigerated products (PR), To provide at least one second type of container for containing the product (PA) at at least one ambient temperature, A method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: dispatching the second type of container (200) containing the product PA at the ambient temperature by one of the electric carriages (20) and placing it in one of the storage locations (18) of the storage device (12).

8. The aforementioned method has all or some of the following characteristics: At least one refrigerated product (PR) contained in the first type of container (100) is a rapidly frozen product, and / or A method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one ambient temperature product (PA) in the second type of container (200) is a fresh product.

9. Process C is, Supplying electrical energy (142) to a refrigeration means (140) of the first type of container (100), wherein the refrigeration means (140) is configured to convert the electrical energy into a cooling capacity suitable for cooling and maintaining the compartment to the setpoint temperature, and / or A method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising supplying refrigerated air at a temperature below the setpoint temperature to the compartment of the first type of container (100).

10. A method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first type of container (100) comprises a body including a bottom (102) defining the internal compartment (106) and at least one side wall (104), and a removable lid (108) configured to close the internal compartment (106), the refrigerant (120) being coupled to the lid (108), and replacing the refrigerant (120) comprises replacing the lid (108) of the first type of container (100).

11. A method for storing and / or preparing the order according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cold storage body (120) comprises a eutectic fluid or a sublimable material.

12. A method for storing and / or preparing an order according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the storage device (12) comprises at least one storage rack (14) defining the plurality of storage locations (18).

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