High-rise rack warehouse for empty containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high-rise rack warehouse for the incoming and outgoing of containers, comprising a large number of individual rack compartments arranged side by side in the horizontal direction and vertically one above the other, and warehouse aisles arranged between groups of rack compartments and extending parallel to each other. In these warehouse aisles, at least one rack operating device is reciprocally movable, and this rack operating device is designed to move the container in the vertical and horizontal directions and move it in and out of the rack compartments. The high-rise rack warehouse additionally has at least one area that is designed and suitable for stacking and storing empty containers on top of each other with respect to the individual rack compartments. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for incoming, outgoing, and transferring containers in such a high-rise rack warehouse.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , ,

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a high-rise rack warehouse for receiving and delivering containers, and a method for receiving, delivering or transferring containers in such a high-rise rack warehouse.

[0002] 2. Background Art High-rise rack warehouses or HBS (high-bay warehouses) are well-known based on the prior art and are often used particularly in transshipment facilities at seaports or inland ports. A high-rise rack warehouse typically has a number of individual rack compartments arranged side by side horizontally and one above the other vertically, and warehouse aisles arranged between groups of rack compartments and extending parallel to each other. In this warehouse aisle, at least one rack operating device can reciprocate, and is designed to move a container vertically and horizontally and move it in and out of the rack compartment.

[0003] An example of such a high-rise rack warehouse is disclosed in International Publication No. 2015 / 1243482. In this high-rise rack warehouse, a standard container is received by a rack operating device at a delivery point inside the high-rise rack warehouse, and then is transported by this rack operating device to a pre-specified rack compartment and stored in this rack compartment. The container is gripped from above in a suspended state, and is stored in each rack compartment from the side by a telescopic system such that the long side of the container is oriented in a direction parallel to the warehouse aisle. This leads to maximum space utilization inside the rack warehouse. This is because it suffices if the warehouse aisle is designed to be somewhat wider than each end face of the container.

[0004] Furthermore, the overall structure of the high-rise rack warehouse can be reduced by using rack operating equipment to transport containers in a suspended state and by using a telescopic system to transport containers from the warehouse aisle area into the desired rack section. Overall, the rack shelves within each rack section can be completely eliminated, as long as it is ensured that each rack section has a mounting point for at least the corner area of ​​the container. These mounting points may preferably be located on the vertical supports of the high-rise rack warehouse structure itself, thereby achieving the lightest possible structural form of the high-rise rack warehouse structure with optimal space utilization.

[0005] When transshipping containers, particularly at seaports or inland ports, it is necessary not only to load and unload containers containing cargo, but also to handle empty containers. However, since empty containers do not need to be stored in individual rack compartments within high-rise rack warehouses, a dedicated storage area for empty containers is usually provided near the high-rise rack warehouse. In such storage areas, stacks of empty containers are formed, typically stacks of 5 to 8 containers high, and in this case, the supply and retrieval of empty containers into and out of these dedicated storage areas may be carried out by a vehicle specifically suited for this purpose, a so-called "empty container handler, ECH".

[0006] In these areas, containers are stacked directly on top of each other, new empty containers are sometimes placed on existing stacks, and the required empty containers are removed from the existing stacks in a rotation process as needed. In this case, it is not necessary to remove specific containers, as long as it is guaranteed that containers of the desired size, properties, and quantity can be provided.

[0007] Therefore, conventional, publicly known methods of handling empty containers are largely unautomated and require more time and manpower than desired.

[0008] 3. Problems with the Invention Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve problems known based on the prior art and to provide a high-rise rack warehouse suitable for achieving a higher degree of automation and safety, as well as a higher rate of empty container replacement per hour, and a method for loading, unloading, or transferring containers in such a high-rise rack warehouse.

[0009] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by a high-rise rack warehouse having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 15. Advantageous configurations of the present invention are described in particular in the dependent claims.

[0010] 4. Outline of the Invention The present invention provides a high-rise rack warehouse for loading and unloading containers, comprising a number of container storage spaces arranged horizontally and vertically, and warehouse aisles extending parallel to each other and positioned between groups of storage spaces or planes, within which at least one rack operating device is reciprocally movable, and which is designed to move containers vertically and horizontally in and out of storage spaces. Typically, such groups of storage spaces are provided in a modular manner, extending substantially the entire length and height of the rack warehouse. The storage spaces are preferably provided as individually arranged rack compartments, and therefore, each storage space may be accessed individually by at least one rack operating device for loading and unloading containers. Therefore, the containers are accommodated individually or, in the case of half the standard length, in pairs at most, above the containers, provided that there is sufficient space above the containers for the transport of rack operating equipment, in particular a telescopic system that can support the containers in a suspended state and move them vertically within the rack section relative to the warehouse aisle.

[0011] According to the present invention, a high-rise rack warehouse has at least one area that is designed and suitable for accommodating empty containers stacked on top of each other. Accordingly, according to the present invention, this area for empty containers located inside the high-rise rack warehouse does not have individual rack compartments and has at least one area that does not have individual rack compartments that would normally be provided for containers. In this at least one area for empty containers, empty containers may be placed directly and directly stacked on top of each other, and nevertheless, rack operating equipment can reach them. A high-rise rack warehouse that is designed exclusively to accommodate empty containers and, therefore preferably, completely eliminates the need for individual rack compartments that would otherwise serve as storage areas is particularly preferred.

[0012] Therefore, firstly, individual stacking points outside the high-rise rack warehouse can be eliminated, and secondly, it is ensured that the handling of empty containers can be carried out automatically, preferably fully automated, inside the high-rise rack warehouse via rack operating equipment.

[0013] In this regard, it is preferable that at least one area for empty containers has at least one horizontal and / or vertical row of storage space or a portion thereof. In this regard, it is particularly preferable, for example, that the area for empty containers extends above one vertical row of an individual rack compartment, or is provided in multiple vertical rows above one row of an individual rack compartment.

[0014] However, it is particularly preferable that the area for empty containers extends to both sides of a single warehouse aisle, and that the corresponding rack operating equipment is designed exclusively for the inbound, outbound, and transfer of empty containers. In this example, at least one rack operating device may be designed to move one or possibly more empty containers together within a warehouse aisle adjacent to the area for empty containers. This provides a high-rise rack warehouse that makes optimal use of means provided for their respective purposes with the least possible use of materials.

[0015] In this regard, it is particularly preferable that at least one area for empty containers is sized to accommodate at least three empty containers, preferably more than 15, stacked on top of each other. Such a high-rise rack warehouse typically has more than 10, preferably 11, individual rack compartments for loaded containers arranged vertically in each vertical row. In these vertical rows with individual rack compartments, space must be left between the individual containers to allow for the individual handling of these individual containers, so more empty containers may be provided in the area for empty containers within a corresponding vertical row of the storage area, while remaining at the same height. This area allows for optimal use of the corresponding space within the high-rise rack warehouse, as empty containers can be lowered directly and directly into each other, and in this case, at least one more container can be accommodated in the vertical row of empty containers than in the vertical row of individual rack compartments provided for loading containers.

[0016] It is preferable that the storage area or individual rack compartment is designed and suitable for accommodating a 20' standard container (1 TEU, equivalent to 20-foot containers) or a 40' standard container (2 TEU), or two standard containers of half length arranged consecutively in the longitudinal direction. Thus, two 20' standard containers adjacent to each other end-face may be stored in a storage area or individual rack compartment designed to accommodate a 40' standard container, or two 10' standard containers (0.5 TEU) may be stored in a storage area or individual rack compartment designed to accommodate a 20' standard container. This provides a high-rise rack warehouse that enables optimal space utilization and fully automated container handling.

[0017] In particular, in this regard, it is preferable that on both sides of each rack aisle, at least two rows of storage spaces, preferably rack compartments, are arranged adjacent to each other ("double deep"), and that the rack operating equipment can move containers into and out of the storage spaces, preferably rack compartments, by a telescopic system. With this special handling and storage of containers, a suitable configuration of the telescopic system in the rack operating equipment can also operate two storage spaces, preferably rack compartments, arranged adjacent to each other on each side of each warehouse aisle, thus a total of four storage spaces, preferably rack compartments ("double deep").

[0018] Therefore, the number of warehouse aisles inside such a rack warehouse can be further reduced, resulting in a high-rise rack warehouse having, laterally, two horizontal and vertical rows of storage space, followed by a first warehouse aisle, then four horizontal and vertical rows of storage space, followed by a second warehouse aisle, and so on. This achieves optimal space utilization inside the high-rise rack warehouse and a reduction in the number of warehouse aisles to the minimum number required for the operation of the high-rise rack warehouse. The high-rise rack warehouse configuration as a "double-deep" rack warehouse is particularly useful when handling empty containers or, in some cases, containers with only a small load.

[0019] In this regard, it is particularly preferable that the rack operating device can move the container in and out of the storage area, preferably in and out of the rack compartment, with its long side facing parallel to the warehouse aisle. This is particularly advantageous in two ways: firstly, it is particularly advantageous to arrange the storage area, preferably in two rows of rack compartments, on each side of the rack operating device as already preferred above; and secondly, it minimizes the width of the warehouse aisle required for the rack operating device.

[0020] Unlike loaded containers, empty containers are stacked directly on top of each other. However, in this case, due to discontinuities in the corner regions of the containers, so-called "corner casting," the stack becomes unstable as the stacking height increases, which in the worst case may cause the entire stack or part of it to fall into the travel aisle of the rack operating equipment. To eliminate this problem, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the high-rise rack warehouse itself may be provided with restraint devices, which in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention are regularly spaced apart and preferably provided on both sides of the stack or area for empty containers. Such restraint devices are even more preferably horizontally positioned stays attached to the vertical stands of the high-rise rack warehouse.

[0021] In this regard, it is particularly preferable that the restraint device, especially in the form of a horizontal stay, has chamfered top and bottom surfaces, thereby limiting the handling of empty containers that must be lifted over the restraint device during loading and unloading to a minimum and without the risk of damage to the empty containers.

[0022] Preferably, at least one warehouse aisle is positioned adjacent to two rows each of the empty container area on both sides, and rack operating equipment can transport empty containers in and out of the empty container area by a telescopic system. This results in a high-rise rack warehouse that uses the same system for handling empty containers as for handling loaded containers, with optimal space utilization. This supports not only the reliable operation of the high-rise rack warehouse but also a higher level of automation in handling both loaded and empty containers.

[0023] In this regard, it is particularly preferable that the high-rise rack warehouse be designed to store more than 2,500 standard containers per hectare (2,500 TEU / ha), preferably more than 3,000 TEU / ha, and most preferably more than 5,000 TEU / ha. The unit TEU / ha as used herein is a conventional measure of port logistics capacity, particularly the capacity of high-rise rack warehouses. The aforementioned stacking area for empty containers outside the high-rise rack warehouse, and the operation of vehicles specifically provided for this purpose, such as reach stackers, ECHs, or similar, achieve an area utilization of 2,500 TEU / ha or less. The high-rise rack warehouse according to the present invention can preferably fully automate and increase the area for transshipping loaded and empty containers beyond this known measure.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for receiving, shipping, or transferring containers in the high-rise rack warehouse according to the above-described first aspect of the present invention is provided. Inside this high-rise rack warehouse, filled containers are received by rack handling equipment, transported to respective rack compartments, and stored therein, or in the case of empty containers, they are stored in an area inside the high-rise rack warehouse that is designed and suitable for stacking empty containers on top of each other.

[0025] Preferably, the transportation of containers inside the high-rise rack warehouse, that is, filled containers and empty containers, is performed fully automatically. Empty containers are preferably stacked on top of each other in an area provided for empty containers under optimal space utilization inside the high-rise rack warehouse, preferably in a vertical column or a horizontal column or a partial area of this column of the high-rise rack warehouse. In this case, in this area, empty containers are taken out from each stack from the top or placed on an existing stack of empty containers.

[0026] In this regard, it is particularly preferable that a group of empty containers, preferably three empty containers stacked one above the other and joined together, are received by the rack handling equipment, moved together inside the high-rise rack warehouse, and transported in and out of the area for empty containers.

[0027] Also, it may be preferable that a horizontal intermediate cross beam is provided in the area for empty containers, and through this intermediate cross beam, the area can be divided into at least two stacking areas for empty containers. Thereby, the stacking height for empty containers can be reduced by a simple means without significantly affecting the storage capacity of the area.

[0028] 5. Brief Description of the Drawings Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to three drawings that disclose preferred embodiments of the present invention. The drawings are not suitable for limiting the protection scope of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional side view of a high-rise rack warehouse according to the present invention designed exclusively for storing empty containers. [Figure 2] It is a view of a high-rise rack warehouse according to the present invention designed exclusively for storing empty containers, seen from above. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of an end face of a high-rise rack warehouse according to the present invention designed exclusively for storing empty containers. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of an end face of a high-rise rack warehouse according to the present invention designed for storing both filled containers and empty containers.

[0030] 6. Detailed Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a high-rise rack warehouse 1 having a number of vertical columns 9 and horizontal columns 8 of storage locations 15 for empty containers 7. On the back side of the illustrated surface of the vertical columns 9 and horizontal columns 8 for empty containers 7, rack operating equipment 5 is arranged within a warehouse aisle (not shown), and this rack operating equipment 5 can move the empty containers 7 inside the high-rise rack warehouse 1 from left to right and from top to bottom or in the reverse direction, and can be stored in each storage location 15 and can also be taken out from each storage location 15. The empty containers 7 may be stacked directly and without spacing from each other in the vertical columns 9 shown in FIG. 1. The rack operating equipment 5 can control any position inside each of the columns 6a, 6b for empty containers 7. In this case, the empty containers 7 are usually first stored from below and first taken out from above. If each or all of the vertical columns 9 (not shown) have intermediate shelves extending horizontally, a plurality of stacks of empty containers may be formed within each column 9 and individually run by the rack operating equipment 5.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a top view of the high-rise rack warehouse 1 according to the present invention shown in Figure 1. The high-rise rack warehouse 1 is surrounded by transport paths 11a and 11b, through which empty containers 7 can be transported toward and toward the high-rise rack warehouse 1. The transfer of empty containers 7 from the transport paths 11a and 11b into the high-rise rack warehouse 1 is carried out via a suitable transport device 12 that is designed and configured to exchange the empty containers 7 between the transport paths 11a and 11b and the high-rise rack warehouse 1, and when the empty containers 7 are brought in, to be removed from the vehicle 13 and transported to the area of ​​rack operating equipment (not shown) inside the warehouse aisle 4. There, the empty containers 7 are received by rack operating equipment (not shown) that is movably positioned inside the warehouse aisle 4, and then transported from this rack operating equipment to a suitable storage location 15 inside the high-rise rack warehouse 1.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a high-rise rack warehouse 1 according to the present invention, and as can be seen in this high-rise rack warehouse 1, each warehouse aisle 4 and the rack operating equipment 5 located therein are assigned two vertical rows 9 of multiple storage spaces 15 arranged adjacent to each other on each side. This arrangement of empty containers 7 inside the high-rise rack warehouse 1, called "double deep stacking," is made possible by assigning a telescopic system 14 to each rack operating equipment 5 that can transport each empty container 7 suspended in place to any position within the vertical row 9 and into each storage space 15. In the illustrated example, this leads to an arrangement (viewed from left to right) of two lateral vertical rows 9, followed by the warehouse aisle 4 containing the rack operating equipment 5, then four vertical rows 9 of storage spaces 15, likewise the warehouse aisle 4 containing the corresponding rack operating equipment 5 on the opposite side, and finally again rows 9 of storage spaces 15 arranged vertically. Within the plane below the high-rise rack warehouse 1, empty containers 7 taken from vehicles (not shown) on a transport path (not shown) may be transported into the area of ​​the high-rise rack warehouse 1 by a transport device 12 and then received by their respective assigned rack operating devices 5. When empty containers 7 are to be taken out of the high-rise rack warehouse 1, conversely, the empty containers 7 are taken out from their respective storage locations 15, the corresponding number of empty containers 7 are lowered onto the transport device 12, and then transported out of the high-rise rack warehouse 1 by this transport device 12.

[0033] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of one end face of a high-rise rack warehouse 1 according to the present invention, in which a single vertical row 9 of individual rack compartments 3 for loaded containers 2 and a warehouse aisle 4, each of which is equipped with at least one rack operating device 5, are continuous. Each individual rack compartment 3 has sufficient space 13 for engagement by the telescopic system 14 of each rack operating device 5, while the upper areas 6a, 6b of each vertical row 9 are designed to have at least three storage spaces 15 for empty containers 7 arranged vertically. The empty containers 7 are placed in areas 6a, 6b stacked directly on top of each other and are gripped by the telescopic system 14 of the rack operating device 5 so as to be stacked from bottom to top, and may also be removed from areas 6a, 6b again from top to bottom. In this embodiment, the supply of loaded containers 2 and empty containers 7 into the high-rise rack warehouse 1 is carried out via a transport plane 16 located below the plane of the lowest rack section 3, and via a transport plane 16 provided with a transport device 12 or transport path 11 for approaching a position below the rack operating equipment 5 by appropriate transport means, such as a truck (not shown). In this case, the loaded containers 2 or empty containers 7 are taken out from the truck (not shown) or transport device 12 below the traveling plane 17 for the rack operating equipment 5 and lifted vertically upward to the side of the corresponding rack section 3 or areas 6a, 6b for the empty containers 7. Then, the telescopic system 14 introduces the loaded containers 2 into the corresponding rack section 3 from the side or lowers the empty containers 7 into areas 6a, 6b and, if applicable, places them on top of empty containers 7 already present there. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1. High-rise rack warehouse 2 containers 3 rack compartments 4 Warehouse Isle 5. Rack operating equipment 6a Area for empty containers 6b Area for empty containers 7 Empty containers 8 horizontal columns 9 Vertical rows 10 Vertical support 11a Conveyor path 11b Conveyor path 12 Conveying device 13 Space for telescopic system 14 Telescopic System 15. Storage location 16 Conveyor plane 17 Traveling surface for rack operating equipment

Claims

1. A high-rise rack warehouse (1) for loading and unloading containers (2), comprising a number of storage spaces (15) for containers (2) arranged side by side horizontally and up and down vertically, and warehouse aisles (4) positioned between groups of storage spaces (15) and extending parallel to each other, wherein at least one rack operating device (5) is reciprocally movable within each warehouse aisle (4), and the rack operating device (5) is designed to move the containers (2) vertically and horizontally to move them in and out of the storage spaces (15), and the high-rise rack warehouse (1) has at least one area (6) that is designed and suitable for storing empty containers (7) stacked on top of each other.

2. The storage area (15) is characterized by comprising at least partially separate rack compartments (3) as described in claim 1, the high-rise rack warehouse (1).

3. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one area (6) for empty containers (7) has dimensions of a storage area (15) or an individual rack section (3) or at least one horizontal row (8) and / or vertical row (9) of a portion thereof.

4. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one area (6) for empty containers (7) is sized to accommodate at least three empty containers (7), preferably more than 16 empty containers (7) stacked on top of each other.

5. A high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is designed to accommodate only empty containers (7).

6. A high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a vertical row (9) having individual rack compartments (3) has more than 10, preferably 11, individual rack compartments (3) arranged vertically in a vertically oriented manner.

7. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the vertical rows (9) of the storage area (15) can accommodate more than 14, preferably 16, empty containers (7).

8. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the storage area (15), preferably individual rack compartments (3), is designed and suitable for accommodating a 20-foot standard container (1 TEU) or a 40-foot standard container (2 TEU), or two standard containers having half the length (10-foot or 20-foot standard containers) arranged in a longitudinal order.

9. The warehouse aisle (4) is arranged adjacent to at least two rows (9a, 9b) of storage areas (15), preferably rack compartments (3), on both sides, and the rack operating equipment (5) is capable of transporting the containers (2, 7) in and out of the storage areas (15), preferably rack compartments (3), according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The rack operating device (5) is characterized in that it can move the containers (2, 7) in a direction parallel to the warehouse aisle (4) by their long sides to the inside and outside of the storage area (15), preferably the rack section (3), according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rack operating device (5) can support and transport the containers (2, 7) from above while they are suspended.

12. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each rack compartment (3) has a mounting portion at least on the lower corner of the container (2), preferably a mounting portion connected to the vertical support (10) of the high-rise rack warehouse (1).

13. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one warehouse aisle (4) is arranged adjacent to two rows each of areas (6a, 6b) for empty containers (7) on both sides, and the rack operating equipment (5) can transport the empty containers (7) in and out of the areas (8) for empty containers (7) by a telescopic system.

14. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is designed and suitable for transshipping more than 2,500 TEU / ha, preferably more than 3,000 TEU / ha, and most preferably more than 5,000 TEU / ha.

15. A high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is part of a transshipment facility, particularly a seaport or intermodal terminal.

16. A method for loading, unloading, or transferring containers (2) in a high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, A method characterized by receiving the container (2) with the rack operating device (5), transporting it to each of the storage locations (15), preferably rack compartments (3), and storing it in the storage location (15), or, in the case of empty containers (7), storing them in an area (6) that is designed and suitable for storing empty containers (7) stacked on top of each other.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the container (2) is moved parallel to the warehouse aisle (4) by its long side, in and out of the storage area (15), preferably the rack section (3), as well as being placed in the area (6) for empty containers (7) and moved out of the area (6).

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the transport of the containers (2, 7) is carried out fully automatically inside the high-rise rack warehouse (1).

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that a group of empty containers (7), preferably three empty containers (7) stacked in a vertical position and joined together, are received by a rack operating device (5), moved together inside the high-rise rack warehouse (1), and transported in and out of the area (6) for empty containers (7).

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