Storage container, a system comprising one or more storage containers, and a method for assembling storage containers.

Abstract

A storage container for an automated storage and retrieval system is described, the storage containers being configured to be stacked in a stack of storage containers, with a lower storage container supporting an upper disposed storage container, the storage containers adapted to be lifted by a gripper on a lift device such that the storage containers can be lifted from above, the storage container comprising a base, four sides each hinged to an edge of the base, and four corner posts each configured to horizontally interconnect a pair of adjacent sides to one another when the sides are disposed substantially 90 degrees relative to the base and relative to one another. An automated storage and retrieval system is further described, the storage container comprising a two-dimensional rail system and one or more storage containers. Methods of transporting the storage containers and assembling the storage containers are further described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated storage and retrieval system for the storage and retrieval of containers, particularly fire-resistant storage containers, a system comprising one or more storage containers, and a method of assembling a storage container. The storage container is particularly suitable for use in automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), in which case the storage containers are stacked on top of other formed stacks and are retrievable by a container handling vehicle or robot operating on a rail system extending in a first direction X and a perpendicular second direction Y.

Background Art

[0002] FIG. 1 discloses a typical prior art automated storage and retrieval system 1 having a framework structure 100, and FIGS. 2 and 3 disclose two different prior art container handling vehicles 201, 301 suitable for operating on such a system 1.

[0003] The framework structure 100 comprises upright members 102, horizontal members 103, and a storage volume comprising storage columns 105 arranged side by side between the upright members 102 and the horizontal members 103. In these storage columns 105, storage containers 106, also known as bins, are stacked on top of each other to form stacks 107. The members 102, 103 can typically be made from metal, such as extruded aluminum profiles.

[0004] The frame structure 100 of the automated storage and retrieval system 1 includes a rail system 108 positioned across the top of the frame structure 100, on which multiple container handling vehicles 201, 301 operate to raise storage containers 106 from storage columns 105, lower storage containers 106 into storage columns, and also to transport storage containers 106 above storage columns 105. The rail system 108 includes a first pair of parallel rails 110 positioned to guide the movement of container handling vehicles 201, 301 in a first direction X traversing the top of the frame structure 100, and a second pair of parallel rails 111 positioned perpendicular to the first pair of rails 110 to guide the movement of container handling vehicles 201, 301 in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X. Containers 106 stored in columns 105 are accessed by container handling vehicles through access openings 112 in the rail system 108. Container handling vehicles 201 and 301 can move laterally above the storage column 105, that is, in a plane parallel to the horizontal XY plane.

[0005] The upright members 102 of the frame structure 100 may be used to guide the storage containers while raising them from the column 105 and lowering them into the column. The stack 107 of containers 106 is typically freestanding.

[0006] Each of the conventional container handling vehicles 201, 301 comprises a body 201a, 301a and first and second sets of wheels 201b, 301b, 201c, 301c, the first and second sets of wheels enabling lateral movement of the container handling vehicles 201, 301 in the X and Y directions, respectively. In Figures 2 and 3, the two wheels of each set are fully visible. The wheels of the first set 201b, 301b are positioned to engage with two adjacent rails of the first set of rails 110, and the wheels of the second set 201c, 301c are positioned to engage with two adjacent rails of the second set of rails 111. At least one of the wheel sets 201b, 301b, 201c, 301c can be raised or lowered so that the wheels 201b, 301b of the first set and / or the wheels 201c, 301c of the second set can engage with the respective sets of rails 110, 111 at any given time.

[0007] Each of the conventional container handling vehicles 201, 301 also includes a lifting device (not shown) for transporting the storage container 106 vertically (for example, for raising the storage container 106 from the storage column and lowering the storage container 106 into the storage column 105). The lifting device includes one or more gripping / engaging devices adapted to engage with the storage container 106, and the gripping / engaging devices can be lowered from the vehicles 201, 301 so that the position of the gripping / engaging devices relative to the vehicles 201, 301 can be adjusted in a third direction Z perpendicular to a first direction X and a second direction Y. A portion of the gripping device of container handling vehicle 301 is shown in Figure 3, indicated by reference numeral 304. The gripping device of container handling vehicle 201 is located within the vehicle body 201a in Figure 2.

[0008] Conventionally, and for the purposes of this application, Z=1 identifies the top layer of the storage container, i.e., the layer directly below the rail system 108; Z=2 identifies the second layer below the rail system 108; and Z=3 identifies the third layer. In the exemplary prior art disclosed in Figure 1, Z=8 identifies the bottom layer of the storage container. Similarly, X=1···n and Y=1···n identify the position of each storage column 105 in the horizontal plane. Thus, using the Cartesian coordinate system X, Y, Z shown in Figure 1 as an example, it can be said that the storage container identified as 106' in Figure 1 occupies storage positions X=10, Y=2, Z=3. The container handling vehicles 201, 301 can be said to be traveling in layer Z=0, and each storage column 105 can be identified by its X and Y coordinates.

[0009] The storage volume of the framework structure 100 is often referred to as the grid 104, and the possible storage locations within this grid are called storage cells. Each storage column may be identified by its position in the X and Y directions, and each storage cell may be identified by its container number in the X, Y, and Z directions.

[0010] Each of the prior art container handling vehicles 201, 301 is equipped with a storage compartment or space for receiving and accommodating the storage container 106 when transporting the storage container 106 across the rail system 108. The storage space may include a centrally located cavity within the vehicle body 201a, as shown in Figure 2 and described, for example, in International Publication No. 2015 / 193278A1 (Patent Document 1), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0011] Figure 3 shows an alternative configuration of container handling vehicle 301 having a cantilever beam structure. Such a vehicle is described in detail, for example, in NO. 317366, the contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference.

[0012] The central cavity container handling vehicle 201 shown in Figure 2 may have a footprint that covers an area having dimensions in the X and Y directions that are approximately equal to the lateral range of the storage column 105, as described, for example, in International Publication No. 2015 / 193278A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As used herein, the term “lateral” may mean “horizontal.”

[0013] Alternatively, the central cavity container handling vehicle 101 may have a footprint larger than the lateral area defined by the storage column 105, as disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. 2014 / 090684.

[0014] The rail system 108 typically comprises rails having grooves on which the wheels of a vehicle run. Alternatively, the rails may have upward-projecting elements, and the wheels of the vehicle may have flanges to prevent derailment. These grooves and upward-projecting elements are collectively known as tracks. Each rail may have one track, or each rail may have two parallel tracks.

[0015] International Publication No. 2018 / 146304, whose contents are incorporated herein by reference, shows a typical configuration of rail system 108 having rails and parallel tracks in both the X and Y directions.

[0016] In the frame structure 100, the majority of the columns 105 are storage columns 105, i.e., columns 105 in which storage containers 106 are stored in stacks 107. However, some columns 105 may have other purposes. In Figure 1, columns 119 and 120 are such dedicated columns used by container handling vehicles 201, 301 to drop off and / or pick up storage containers 106 so that they can be transported to an access station (not shown), at which point the storage containers 106 can be accessed from outside the frame structure 100, or the storage containers 106 can be transported to or from outside the frame structure 100. In the art, such locations are usually referred to as “ports,” and the columns in which ports are located may be referred to as “port columns” 119, 120. Transport to the access station may be in any direction, i.e., horizontal, inclined, and / or vertical. For example, the storage container 106 may be placed in a random or dedicated column 105 within the frame structure 100, and then picked up by any container handling vehicle and transported to port columns 119, 120 for further transport to an access station. Note that the term “inclined” refers to the transport of the storage container 106 having a general transport direction somewhere between horizontal and vertical.

[0017] In Figure 1, the first port column 119 may be a dedicated drop-off port column from which container handling vehicles 201 and 301 can drop off storage containers 106 being transported to an access or transfer station, and the second port column 120 may be a dedicated pickup port column from which container handling vehicles 201 and 301 can pick up storage containers 106 transported from an access or transfer station.

[0018] An access station may typically be a picking or stocking station where product items are taken out of or placed inside the storage container 106. At a picking or stocking station, the storage container 106 is usually not removed from the automated storage and retrieval system 1, and once accessed, is returned to the frame structure 100. The port may also be used to transfer the storage container to another storage facility (e.g., another frame structure or another automated storage and retrieval system), a transport vehicle (e.g., a train or truck), or a production facility.

[0019] Conveyor systems equipped with conveyors are typically used to transport storage containers between port columns 119 and 120 and access stations.

[0020] If the port columns 119, 120 and the access station are located at different levels, the conveyor system may include a lifting device having a vertical component for vertically transporting the storage container 106 between the port columns 119, 120 and the access station.

[0021] The conveyor system may be configured to transport storage containers 106 between different structural frameworks, for example, as described in International Publication No. 2014 / 075937A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0022] When a storage container 106 stored in one of the columns 105 disclosed in Figure 1 is to be accessed, one of the container handling vehicles 201, 301 is instructed to retrieve the target storage container 106 from its position and transport it to the drop-off port column 119. This operation includes moving the container handling vehicles 201, 301 to a position above the storage column 105 where the target storage container 106 is located, using the lifting device (not shown) of the container handling vehicles 201, 301 to retrieve the storage container 106 from the storage column 105, and transporting the storage container 106 to the drop-off port column 119. If the target storage container 106 is located deep within the stack 107, i.e., if one or more other storage containers 106 are located above the target storage container 106, the operation also includes temporarily moving the storage containers located above before lifting the target storage container 106 from the storage column 105. This step, sometimes referred to as "mining" in the art, may be performed by the same container handling vehicle that will subsequently be used to transport the target storage container to the drop-off port column 119, or by one or more other cooperating container handling vehicles. Alternatively, or additionally, the automated storage recovery system 1 may have container handling vehicles 201, 301 dedicated to the task of temporarily removing storage containers 106 from storage columns 105. Once the target storage container 106 has been removed from storage column 105, the temporarily removed storage container 106 may be repositioned to its original storage column 105. However, the removed storage container 106 may be transferred to another storage column 105 instead.

[0023] If a storage container 106 is to be stored in one of the columns 105, one of the container handling vehicles 201, 301 is instructed to pick up the storage container 106 from the pickup port column 120 and transport it to a position above the storage column 105 where it is to be stored. After any storage container 106 located in or above the target position in the stack 107 is removed, the container handling vehicles 201, 301 place the storage container 106 in the desired position. The removed storage container 106 can then be returned to the storage column 105 or repositioned to another storage column 105.

[0024] To monitor and control the automated storage and retrieval system 1, for example, to monitor and control the position of each storage container 106 within the frame structure 100, the contents of each storage container 106, and the movement of the container handling vehicles 201, 301, the automated storage and retrieval system 1 typically includes a computerized control system 500 that typically has a database for tracking the storage containers 106, so that the desired storage containers 106 can be delivered to the desired location at the desired time without the container handling vehicles 201, 301 colliding with each other.

[0025] Typically, buildings or sites where ASRSs are installed are equipped with fire sprinkler systems. Such sprinkler systems are usually roof-mounted and represent a significant investment. In particular, for smaller ASRSs such as micro-fulfillment systems with a limited number of storage locations for storage containers or bins and a limited number of container handling vehicles, the regulatory requirements for expensive sprinkler system fires can constitute a substantial portion of the overall investment cost of the ASRS. In some cases, the cost of the sprinkler system may result in the planned ASRS not being installed at all.

[0026] An objective of the present invention is to enable the storage of containers for delivery to micro-fulfillment ASRS facilities.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0027]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0028] The present invention is characterized by what is described in the independent claims, and the dependent claims describe other features of the present invention.

[0029] The present invention relates to a storage container. The storage containers are preferably of the same size and can be operated by a container handling vehicle as referred to under "Background Art and Prior Art".

[0030] A storage container for an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) is described, the storage container being configured to be stacked within a stack of storage containers in which a lower storage container supports an upper storage container, the storage container being adapted to be lifted by a gripper of a lifting device such that the storage container can be lifted from above, said storage container comprising a base, four sides each hingedly connected to an edge of the base, and four corner posts configured to horizontally interconnect a pair of adjacent sides with each other when the sides are disposed substantially at 90 degrees to the base and to each other.

[0031] This means that when the base of the storage container is supported on a surface (i.e., during normal use of the storage container), two adjacent sides are locked to each other and are prevented from moving horizontally relative to each other.

[0032] The base is preferably rectangular or square.

[0033] The fact that each of the four sides is hinged to the edge of the base means that the sides are connected by a continuity of the base material. The five sides of the container may be provided by connecting areas, and the hinged connections may be formed, for example, by one sheet having a weak line from which the side is bent, or by separate sheets adjacent to the edge of the base.

[0034] The characteristic that each of the four corner posts is configured to interconnect a pair of adjacent horizontal sides with respect to each other when their sides are positioned substantially at 90 degrees relative to the base and to each other should be understood as 90 degrees or + / - 5 degrees.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the corner post is a structural post in the sense that it is configured to support all storage containers positioned above it. In other words, the corner post bears all or most of the weight from any storage container positioned above it. This can be achieved by manufacturing the corner post with high strength from a relatively rigid material and adapting the configuration so that the corner post, rather than the sides, bears the vertical load from the storage containers above. The configuration of the corner post and the engagement of the sides with the post can be designed so that when the storage containers are assembled, the sides are locked in place at their substantially 90-degree positions, thereby stabilizing the structure of the storage containers. By doing this, the sides only need to be designed with sufficient limited vertical strength to carry the load of the storage containers in addition to any items within them (i.e., within a range of up to 30-40 kg).

[0036] The storage container may be provided with a lift hole along its upper edge, positioned appropriately and of a size complementary to the position and size of the gripper of the lifting device, thereby enabling the storage container to be lifted by the gripper of the lifting device.

[0037] The corner posts shall be designed to support at least 150 kg each, so that the bottom storage container in a stack of storage containers can, for example, support 15 bins, each weighing up to 30 kg (providing a safety margin of 150 kg (4 × 150 kg = 600 kg vs. maximum stack weight of 15 bins × 30 kg = 450 kg)).

[0038] By designing the corner posts to bear all or most of the vertical load from the storage containers mentioned above, the sheet material of one storage container does not need to be dimensioned to bear a load greater than the weight of the storage container plus any contents within it (e.g., up to 30 kg). Instead of transmitting the vertical load from the storage containers above, the sheet material can be in a state of tension to stabilize the position of the corner post, thereby allowing the corner post to provide a primary load path for the vertical load.

[0039] The base and sides of the storage container may comprise a sheet material, which may be provided as a blank with a base and four sides formed thereon, each side being connected to each edge of the base by live hinges provided by a fragile line extending between each side and the base, and each side being bent relative to the base along the fragile line. Thus, the base and sides may be made from the same material.

[0040] This enables the pre-manufacturing of sheet materials and the transportation of storage containers stacked inside each other, thereby significantly reducing the required transport volume. Furthermore, it is made possible to easily change the height of the bins by simply changing the size of the sides of the sheet materials.

[0041] Sheet materials can be manufactured using known techniques. For example, sheet materials can be perforated or punched.

[0042] To improve the strength of the sides, the sheet material may be provided with a recess that extends vertically when the side is folded upward. The recess is contoured within the sheet material (not a through hole). Similarly, the base may be provided with a recess. Alternatively, other means to increase strength may be used, such as increasing the thickness of the sides and / or base, or attaching separate reinforcing members to the sides and / or base.

[0043] A live hinge is a thin, flexible hinge (bending bearing) made from the same material as the two rigid pieces that connect them. Typically, the rigid pieces are thinned or cut to allow them to bend along the hinge line.

[0044] A weak line may be a line where the amount of material in the sheet material decreases. This decrease in material can be formed by thinning, providing holes, or both.

[0045] Relatively thin portions of sheet material along a weak line form relatively weak zones within the sheet material, ensuring that bending or folding occurs along the desired line of the sheet material. Therefore, the weak line is the folding edge of the base.

[0046] Weak lines may have through-holes. Through-holes can allow for relatively weak zones or lines within the sheet material, ensuring that the bends are formed along the desired lines of the sheet material.

[0047] Through-holes may constitute more than 30% of the weak line. Alternatively, through-holes may constitute more than 30% or less of the weak line, such as more than 20% and more than 40%.

[0048] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the through-hole may be large enough for water to flow through. The through-hole may be formed as a slot, opening, or groove large enough for water to pass through and exit in a natural flow.

[0049] In one embodiment, the through-hole comprises an inlet located on the inner surface of the storage container and an outlet located on the outer surface of the storage container. The inlet may be located at a height equal to or higher than the outlet of the through-hole. This configuration ensures that the centerline of the through-hole can extend horizontally or downward from the inside of the storage container to the outside of the storage container. That is, the centerline of the through-hole may be a waterfall line extending outward from a weak line when the storage container is assembled.

[0050] As described above, through-holes can be positioned along the weak line. Alternatively, or additionally, through-holes can be fabricated in the base adjacent to or near the weak line. Positioning through-holes in these locations can further ensure that water flowing through the through-holes enters the lower storage containers in the stack. Since most of the water flows into the lower storage containers, and because the storage containers are stacked on top of each other (partially not on top of each other), and at least the corner posts of the stacked storage containers support each other, the centerline of the through-holes preferably forms a negative angle with respect to the horizontal plane. (For example, if the base is in the horizontal plane, the centerline of the through-holes forms a negative angle with respect to the base).

[0051] The weak line can be a straight line. This ensures that the bend is formed along a straight line. The straightness or straightness ensures that the sides are bent along the desired line so that the final storage container meets requirements regarding form and shape, etc. In the field, all storage containers are preferably tested to identify potential damage during transport, as is standard post-transport procedures for cast plastic containers today. Irregular storage containers may not fit in the storage column or stack of storage containers and / or may become immobile within the column and / or the grippers of the lifting device may have difficulty gripping the storage container.

[0052] The sheet material may be punched to provide the base and the contours of the four sides. Weakness lines may be formed simultaneously, if possible. The sides and base of the storage container may be contoured to increase strength.

[0053] The base and sides may be formed from metal sheet material, plastic sheet material, cardboard sheet material, composite sheet material, or other suitable material.

[0054] The base and sides may be made of aluminum or steel.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, manufacturing storage containers from fire-resistant materials such as metal or fire-resistant plastic avoids the need for expensive sprinkler systems in micro-fulfillment ASRS facilities.

[0056] The upper end of the corner post may be at the same height as the upper edge of the side, or it may be above the upper edge of the side. Similarly, the lower end of the corner post may be at the same height as the lower edge of the side, or it may be below the lower edge of the side. Such arrangement ensures that the upper end of the corner post contacts the underside of the corner post of the storage container above, and that this also ensures that all or most of the vertical load of the storage container is supported by the corner post.

[0057] Corner posts can be formed from plastic material. For example, a corner post may be molded and have an external shape configured to engage with the side of a storage container.

[0058] The storage container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner post has a longitudinal recess on its outer surface. The longitudinal or vertical recess helps to allow the storage container to be lifted by the gripper of the lifting device, in that the bin guide of the lifting device can be guided along the recess of different corner posts.

[0059] Corner posts may also have shapes and materials that simplify the guidance along the upright members of the frame. Since the upright members are often made of aluminum, at least the surface of the corner post that comes into contact with the upright member should be made of a material other than aluminum to prevent scratching. However, if the corner post is made of aluminum, the surface that comes into contact with the upright member may be coated with or otherwise treated with a material other than aluminum.

[0060] Each side may comprise an upper edge and two opposing side edges, and each side may be bent to form a fold at the side edge to provide outwardly extending ribs on each side edge, and each corner post may comprise a pair of longitudinally extending grooves to receive the outwardly extending ribs from a pair of adjacent sides, thereby locking two adjacent side panels rectangularly (i.e., perpendicularly) to each other.

[0061] The folds in the sheet material should locally harden in that area to provide additional strength, but the folds also provide flanges (or other shapes, such as rolled shapes) that extend at a certain angle (ideally perpendicular, but other angles are still very effective) to the plane of the side. This then forms a kind of formed part (corner, rib, flange, plug, or bead—such as a bead in the case of a rolled edge) that engages with the longitudinal, i.e., vertical groove of the corner post when the corner post slides and engages, and thus can resist any tensile or hooping forces in the container that push the sides apart.

[0062] The distance between the side edges of one side can be shorter than the distance between the two edges of the base. Therefore, adjacent side edges of adjacent sides can terminate just before a true geometric corner inside the storage container. Corner posts can be fixed to those edges and provide a structural bridge for hoop forces to pass from one side to the other. Furthermore, corner posts can fix the sides in a spaced configuration.

[0063] The upper edge may form part of the side flange, and the corner post may be provided with a snap-locking connector for locking the corner post to the flange.

[0064] The flange portion may comprise a main portion, an intermediate portion, and an outer portion, and the upper edge portion may form the upper end of the outer portion.

[0065] The middle section can be folded outward relative to the main section, and the outer section is folded upward relative to the middle section, so that the outer section is staggered relative to the main section. This configuration reinforces the sides because the sides are reinforced by the flange section. Therefore, the risk of buckling of the storage container is reduced.

[0066] The main part and the outer part are preferably substantially parallel.

[0067] The cross-sectional area formed by the outer portion of the side can be larger in all directions than the through-holes in the base, and therefore in the base of the storage container supported directly above, thereby guiding water flowing through the through-holes in the upper storage container into the storage container via the outer, middle, and main portions of the flange. In other words, the outer portion of the upper flange of the side protrudes to guide water exiting from the through-holes used to form a weak line in the upper storage container. That is, the through-holes have both the function of forming a weak line and the function of guiding water downward through the storage container below in the event of a fire. Therefore, the outer portion of the side can be positioned beyond any through-hole of the storage container supported directly above in all horizontal directions.

[0068] The length of the sides in the X,Y directions is preferably longer than the distance between the two upright members in the X,Y directions. This allows the position of the ASRS framework at the side edges of the storage containers relative to the upright members to tilt the sides relative to the upright members if the corner posts melt during a fire event and one or more of the four sides are no longer supported by the corner posts and move outward as a result. This preserves much of the integrity and stability of the stack of storage containers and prevents the stack from collapsing. This may be particularly important in ASRSs that use storage containers where the base and sides are made from fire-resistant material (e.g., metal), but the corner posts are not made from fire-resistant material (e.g., plastic). The combination of sides made from metal (such as aluminum or steel) and water may be particularly advantageous because aluminum is a large conductor of heat and water has a high specific heat capacity, so together they can help draw a considerable amount of heat from the burning area and prevent the spread of fire. Thus, the combination of aluminum and water may offer more benefits than simply being non-combustible, at least at the relatively low combustion temperatures where aluminum does not burn.

[0069] In embodiments where the upper edge is bent to form a bent portion, the storage container 106 may further include a closed locking frame for locking all of the upper edges of the side and the corner posts together.

[0070] The upper edge and corner posts may be provided with recesses having upward-facing openings, and the locking frame may be provided with complementary downward-facing projections for locking into the recesses. Locking between the recesses and projections may be achieved through snap-locking connectors.

[0071] In an alternative embodiment, the upper edge may be folded, and the storage container may further include a closed locking frame for locking all of the upper edges of the sides and the corner posts against each other. In this embodiment, the closed locking frame includes a recess having an upward-facing opening.

[0072] Further described is an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) comprising a two-dimensional rail system having a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide the movement of a container handling vehicle in a first direction X traversing the top of a frame structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide the movement of a container handling vehicle in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X, wherein multiple container handling vehicles operate on the rail system, and the system comprises one or more storage containers as defined above.

[0073] A method for transporting and assembling a storage container on-site is described, the storage container comprising a base, four sides, each hinged to the edge of the base, and four corner posts, each configured such that its sides are positioned substantially 90 degrees to the base and, when positioned relative to each other, interconnects a pair of adjacent sides horizontally, the method further comprising the steps of partially bending each side relative to the base between 20 and 85 degrees, stacking the partially bent sides and the base at least partially to each other or inside each other on a common transport platform, positioning the corner posts on the platform, transporting the stack of partially bent sides and the base and corner posts to the ASRS site, and assembling the storage container on-site.

[0074] Stacking material sheets inside or between them allows storage containers to be shipped in a semi-finished state so that final assembly can be performed on-site at the ASRS, reducing the volume required to transport the storage containers by up to one-third compared to conventional solutions where storage containers are cast as a whole and transported stacked from the factory to the ASRS installation site.

[0075] The assembly of storage containers on-site can be performed by human operators or robotic operators.

[0076] The transport platform could be a standardized pallet, such as a European pallet.

[0077] In embodiments of this method, each side may comprise an upper edge and two opposing side edges, each side may be bent to form a fold at the side edge to provide outwardly extending ribs at each side edge, each corner post may comprise a pair of longitudinally extending grooves for receiving outwardly extending ribs from a pair of adjacent sides, and the steps of assembling the storage container in situ may include fully bending the sides so that each side extends 90 degrees from the base and sliding each corner post from above to lock into the edges of a pair of adjacent sides.

[0078] The upper edge may form part of the side flange, and the corner post may have a snap-locking connector for locking the corner post to the flange. The method may further include snapping the corner post to the flange of the storage container to lock the corner post to the adjacent side edge.

[0079] In one embodiment, if the upper edge is bent and the storage container further comprises a closed locking frame for locking all of the upper edges of the sides and corner posts against each other, the method may include the step of locking the locking frame to the sides and corner posts.

[0080] The upper edge and corner post may be provided with a recess having an upwardly oriented opening, and the locking frame may be provided with a complementary downwardly oriented projection for engaging with the recess, and the method may include engaging the locking frame with the side and corner post using the recess and projection.

[0081] A method for assembling a storage container as defined above at an ASRS site, the method may further include the steps of: fully folding each side so that each side extends 90 degrees from the base; sliding each corner post from above so as to engage with the edges of a pair of adjacent sides; and snapping the corner post into the flange portion of the storage container so as to engage the corner post with the edges of adjacent sides.

[0082] Snap locking of corner posts can be achieved using snap locks that click the corner posts into the flange portion of the storage container.

[0083] Although this invention is described in relation to storage containers in ASRS, it is also applicable to similar systems used in vertical farming, microfulfillment, or food products.

[0084] Relative terms such as "upper," "lower," "below," "above," "higher," "inner," and "outer" are understood in their usual sense, as viewed in the Cartesian coordinate system. This specification also provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) A storage container (106) for an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) (1), wherein the storage container (106) is configured to be stacked in a stack of storage containers (106), the lower storage container (106) supports the upper storage container (106), the storage container (106) is adapted to be lifted by a gripper (304) on a lifting device, thereby allowing the storage container (106) to be lifted from above, and the storage container (106) Bass (10) and, The four sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''), each of which is hinged to the edge (14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''') of the base (10), Four corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') Equipped with, A storage container in which each of the four corner posts is configured to interconnect a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') horizontally when the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') are positioned substantially 90 degrees to the base (10) and substantially 90 degrees to each other. (Item 2) The base (10) and sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') of the storage container (106) are provided with sheet material (13), Storage container (106) according to item 1, wherein the sheet material is provided as a blank, and the base (10) and four sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') are formed from the blank, and each of the sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') is connected to each edge (14', 14'', 14''', 14'''') of the base (10) by live hinges provided by fragile lines (14', 14'', 14''', 14'''') extending between each of the sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') and the base (10), thereby allowing each of the sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') to be folded relative to the base (10) along the fragile lines (14', 14'', 14'''', 14''''). (Item 3) The weak lines (14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''') are lines where the amount of material in the sheet material (13) decreases, as described in item 2, for the storage container (106). (Item 4) The storage container (106) according to item 2 or 3, wherein the weak lines (14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''') are provided with through holes (15). (Item 5) The storage container (106) described in item 4, wherein the through-hole (15) constitutes more than 30% of the weak lines (14', 14'', 14'''', 14''''). (Item 6) The cross-sectional area of ​​the through-hole (15) is large enough for water to flow through, as described in item 4 or 5, for the storage container (106). (Item 7) The aforementioned through hole (15) is - An entrance (43) located on the inner surface of the storage container (106), - An outlet (44) located on the outer surface of the storage container (106) and Equipped with, The storage container (106) according to any one of items 4 to 6, wherein the inlet (43) is positioned at a height equal to or higher than the outlet (44) of the through hole (15). (Item 8) The aforementioned weak lines (14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''') are straight lines, as described in any one of items 2 to 7 of the storage container (106). (Item 9) The storage container (106) according to any one of items 2 to 8, wherein the sheet material (13) is punched to provide the contours of the base (10) and the four sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''). (Item 10) A storage container (106) according to any one of items 1-9, wherein the base (10) and the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') are formed from a metal sheet material (13), a plastic sheet material (13), a cardboard sheet material (13), or a composite sheet material (13). (Item 11) The storage container (106) according to item 10, wherein the base (10) and the sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') are formed from aluminum or steel. (Item 12) The storage container (106) according to any one of items 1-11, wherein the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') are at least the same height as the side surfaces (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''). (Item 13) The upper end of the corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') is at the same height as or above the upper end of the side (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''), as described in any one of items 1-12, for a storage container (106). (Item 14) The lower end of the corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') is at the same height as or below the lower end of the side (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''), as described in any one of items 1-13, storage container (106). (Item 15) The aforementioned corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') are formed from a plastic material, as described in any one of items 1-14 of the storage container (106). (Item 16) The storage container (106) according to any one of items 1-15, wherein the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') are provided with longitudinal recesses (17) on their outer surfaces. (Item 17) A storage container (106) according to any one of items 1-16, wherein each of the aforementioned sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') comprises an upper edge (18) and two opposing side edges, and each of the aforementioned sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') is bent to form a fold (20) at the side edge to provide an outwardly extending rib (19) at each side edge, and each corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') comprises a pair of longitudinally extending grooves (21) for receiving the outwardly extending ribs (19) from a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''). (Item 18) The distance between the side edges of one side (11'~11'''') is shorter than the distance between the two edges (14'~14'''') of the base (10), thereby the adjacent side edges of the adjacent side (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') end shorter than a true geometric corner inside the storage container (106), as described in item 17. (Item 19) The storage container (106) according to item 17 or 18, wherein the upper edge portion forms part of the flange portion (30) of the side surface (11', 11'', 11''', 11''''), and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') are provided with snap-locking connectors for locking the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') to the flange portion (30). (Item 20) The storage container (106) according to item 19, wherein the flange portion (30) comprises a main portion (31), an intermediate portion (32), and an outer portion (33), and the upper edge portion (18) forms the upper end of the outer portion (33). (Item 21) The storage container (106) according to item 20, wherein the intermediate portion (32) is folded outward relative to the main portion (31), and the outer portion (33) is folded upward relative to the intermediate portion (32). (Item 22) The storage container (106) according to item 20 or 21, wherein the main part (31) and the outer part (33) are substantially parallel. (Item 23) The cross-sectional area formed by the outer portion (33) of the side surface (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') is larger in all directions than the base (10), and therefore larger in all directions than the through hole (15) of the base (10) of the storage container (106) supported directly above, thereby directing water flowing through the through hole (15) of the upper storage container (106) into the storage container (106) via the outer portion (33), the intermediate portion (32), and the main portion (31) of the flange portion (30), as described in any one of items 20 to 22. (Item 24) The storage container (106) according to item 17 or 18, wherein the upper edge (18) is bent to form a bent portion (91), and the storage container (106) further comprises a closed locking frame (70) for locking all of the upper edges of the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') together. (Item 25) The storage container (106) according to item 24, wherein the upper edge (18) and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') are provided with recesses (72), the recesses having upward-facing openings, and the locking frame (70) is provided with complementary downward-facing projections (37) for locking into the recesses (72). (Item 26) An automated storage and retrieval system (1) comprising a two-dimensional rail system (108), the two-dimensional rail system comprising a first pair of parallel rails (110a, b) arranged to guide the movement of a container handling vehicle (301) in a first direction (X) traversing the top of a frame structure (100), and a second pair of parallel rails (111a, b) arranged perpendicular to the first pair of rails (110a, b) to guide the movement of the container handling vehicle (301) in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X), wherein a plurality of container handling vehicles operate on the rail system (108), and the system (1) comprises one or more storage containers (106) as described in any one of items 1 to 25. (Item 27) A method for transporting a storage container (106) and assembling the storage container (106) on-site, wherein the storage container (106) is Bass (10) and, Four sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''), each of the four sides being hinged to the edge of the base (10), Four corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') Equipped with, Each of the four corner posts is configured to interconnect a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') horizontally when the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') are positioned substantially 90 degrees to the base (10) and substantially 90 degrees to each other. The aforementioned method, - The step of partially bending each of the sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') relative to the base (10) between 20 and 85 degrees, -The steps of stacking the partially folded sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') and base (10) at least partially on a common transport platform (60), - The step of placing the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') on the platform, - A step of transporting the stack of the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') and the partially folded sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') and base (10) to the ASRS site, - The step of assembling the storage container (106) on site and Methods that include... (Item 28) Each of the aforementioned sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') comprises an upper edge and two opposing side edges, each of the aforementioned sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') is bent to form a fold (20) at each side edge to provide an outwardly extending rib (19), each corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') comprises a pair of longitudinally extending grooves (21) for receiving the outwardly extending ribs (19) from a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''), and the step of assembling the storage container (106) in the field is, -The sides are completely folded so that each side (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') extends from the base (10) at a 90-degree angle, -Slide each corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') from above so that it locks into the edges of a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') The method described in item 27, including the method described in item 27. (Item 29) The upper edge portion forms part of the flange portion (30) of the side surface (11', 11'', 11''', 11''''), and the corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') is provided with a snap-locking connection portion (37) for locking the corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') to the flange portion (30), and the method is as follows: The method according to item 28, further comprising snapping the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') to the flange portion (30) of the storage container (106) to engage the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') with the side edges of the adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''). (Item 30) The upper edge is bent, and the storage container (106) further comprises a closed locking frame (70) for locking all of the upper edges of the sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') together, and the method is - The method according to item 28, comprising the step of locking the locking frame (70) to the side surfaces (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12''''). (Item 31) The upper edge and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12''', 12'''') are provided with recesses (72), the recesses having upward-facing openings, the locking frame (70) is provided with complementary downward-facing projections (37) for locking with the recesses (72), and the method is - The method according to item 30, comprising using the recess (72) and the projection (37) to lock the locking frame (70) to the side surface (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') and the corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12''''). (Item 32) A method for assembling a storage container (106) described in any one of items 1 to 25 at an ASRS site, wherein the method is: - The step of completely folding each side (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') so that each side extends 90 degrees from the base (10), - The step of sliding each corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') from above so as to engage with the edges of a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''), - The steps of snapping the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') onto the flange portion (30) of the storage container (106), and engaging the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') with the edges of the adjacent side surfaces (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') and Methods that include... [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0085] The following drawings are attached to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and are described here only as examples.

[0086] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the framework structure of a conventional automated storage and retrieval system.

[0087] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a conventional container handling vehicle having a centrally located cavity for transporting storage containers inside.

[0088] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a conventional container handling vehicle having a cantilever beam for transporting storage containers downwards.

[0089] [Figure 4A] Figure 4A is a top perspective view of a storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is an enlarged plan view of section A of Figure 4A.

[0091] [Figure 4C] Figure 4C is a perspective view of Figure 4A from below.

[0092] [Figure 4D] Figure 4D is a side view of the storage container according to the first embodiment, showing a relatively long side (i.e., in the X direction).

[0093] [Figure 4E] Figure 4E is a side view of the storage container according to the first embodiment, showing a relatively short side (i.e., in the Y direction).

[0094] [Figure 4F] Figure 4F is a top view of a storage container according to the first embodiment.

[0095] [Figure 4G] Figure 4G shows the sheet material and four side views that constitute the base of the storage container according to the first embodiment.

[0096] [Figure 4H] Figure 4H is a side perspective view of the sheet material in Figure 4G, where the sides are folded upward at approximately 75 degrees relative to the base to facilitate stacking of the sheet material during transport.

[0097] [Figure 4I] Figure 4I is a side perspective view of the sheet material shown in Figures 4G and 4H, with the sides folded substantially 90 degrees upward relative to the base.

[0098] [Figure 5] Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C are detailed views of the corner post of the first embodiment of the storage container, where Figure 5A is a side perspective view of the corner post, Figure 5B is a top view of the corner post, and Figure 5C is a side view of the corner post.

[0099] [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the corner post and side of the storage container according to the first embodiment.

[0100] [Figure 7A] Figure 7A shows a stack of storage containers assembled according to the first embodiment.

[0101] [Figure 7B]Figure 7B is a detailed view of section G of Figure 7B, showing the relative position of the through-hole of the upper storage container with respect to the outer part of the flange of the lower storage container.

[0102] [Figure 7C] Figure 7C is a simplified diagram of Figure 7B showing the upper storage container, with the centerline of the through-hole of the upper storage container indicated.

[0103] [Figure 7D] Figure 7D is a simplified diagram of Figure 7B, and some details of the upper and lower storage containers have been omitted to better illustrate the principle of how water flows from the relatively upper storage container to the relatively lower storage container.

[0104] [Figure 7E] Figure 7E is a perspective view of a stack of storage containers according to the first embodiment, showing that a gap is formed between the sides of two adjacent storage containers (i.e., a gap is formed between the sides of two storage containers, one of which is stacked directly on top of the other).

[0105] [Figure 8A] Figure 8A is a top view showing the position of the side edge of the frame structure relative to the upright members.

[0106] [Figure 8B] Figure 8B is the same diagram as Figure 8A, but the corner posts have been removed.

[0107] [Figure 9A] Figure 9A is an exploded view of a storage container according to the first embodiment, which further includes a partition for separating the inventory of the storage container into separate compartments.

[0108] [Figure 9B] Figure 9B is a detailed view of section L of Figure 9A.

[0109] [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a pallet with two stacks of partially folded sides of sheet material for transport.

[0110] [Figure 11A] Figure 11A is a perspective view of a storage container according to the second embodiment.

[0111] [Figure 11B] Figure 11B is a long side view of the storage container according to the second embodiment.

[0112] [Figure 11C] Figure 11C is a short side view of the storage container according to the second embodiment.

[0113] [Figure 11D] Figure 11D is a plan view of a storage container according to the second embodiment.

[0114] [Figure 11E] Figure 11E is a bottom view of a storage container according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11F] Figure 11F is a detailed view of section C of Figure 11E.

[0115] [Figure 11G] Figure 11G is a diagram along line DD in Figure 11B.

[0116] [Figure 12A] Figure 12A is a top view of the sheet material and four side views that constitute the base of the storage container according to the second embodiment.

[0117] [Figure 12B] Figure 12B is a side perspective view of the sheet material in Figure 12A, with the sides folded substantially 90 degrees upward relative to the base.

[0118] [Figure 12C]Figure 12C is an exploded view of the corner post, side and locking frame of a storage container according to the second embodiment.

[0119] [Figure 13A] Figure 13A shows a pallet with two stacks of partially folded sides of sheet material and another pallet with stacked locking frames for transport.

[0120] [Figure 13B] Figure 13B is a short side view of the pallet with the stacked locking frames shown in Figure 13A.

[0121] [Figure 13C] Figure 13C is a top view of the pallet with the stacked locking frames shown in Figures 13A and 13B.

[0122] [Figure 13D] Figure 13D is a view from a short side of the pallet with partially folded sides of the stacked sheet material shown in Figure 13A.

[0123] [Figure 13E] Figure 13E is a top view of a pallet with stacked and partially folded sides of the sheet material shown in Figures 13A and 13D. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0124] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are not intended to limit the present invention to the subject matter shown in the drawings.

[0125] The framework structure 100 of the automatic storage and retrieval system 1 is constructed according to the conventional framework structure 100 described above in relation to Figures 1 to 3, namely several upright members 102 and several horizontal members 103 supported by the upright members 102, and furthermore, the framework structure 100 is equipped with a first upper rail system 108 in the X and Y directions.

[0126] The frame structure 100 further comprises storage compartments in the form of storage columns 105 provided between members 102 and 103, and storage containers 106 are stackable in stacks 107 within the storage columns 105.

[0127] The frame structure 100 can be of any size. In particular, it is understood that the frame structure can be considerably wider and / or longer and / or deeper than disclosed in Figure 1. For example, the frame structure 100 may have a horizontal range exceeding 700 × 700 columns and a storage depth of more than 12 containers.

[0128] (First embodiment of a storage container) Here, with reference to Figures 4 to 10, a first embodiment of the automated storage and retrieval system according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0129] Figure 4A is a top perspective view of a storage container 108 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The storage container 106 is used in an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) 1 (see Figure 1) as described in relation to Figure 1, and is configured to be lifted by container handling vehicles 201, 301 as described in relation to Figures 2 and 3. However, other forms of container handling vehicles 201, 301 may also be used. The storage container 106 is further configured to be stacked within a stack 107 of storage containers 106 (see Figure 1), where lower storage containers 106 support upper storage containers 106. The storage container 106 is further adapted to be lifted by a gripper 304 (see Figure 3) on a lifting device using a lift hole 41 so that the storage container 106 can be lifted from above. The storage container 106 is disclosed to have a rectangular base 10 and four sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11''''. Each of the sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' is hinged to the respective edges 14', 14'', 14''', 14'''' of the base 10. Four corner posts 12', 12'', 12''', 12'''' are further disclosed. Each of the corner posts 12', 12'', 12''', 12'''' is configured to interconnect a pair of adjacent sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' horizontally when the sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' are positioned substantially at 90 degrees with respect to the base 10 and to each other (i.e., as shown in Figure 4A). The first short side 11' (i.e., the "first side") is connected to the first long side 11'' (i.e., the "second side") using the first corner post 12'. The first long side 11'' (i.e., the "second side") is further connected to the second short side 11''' (i.e., the "third side") using the second corner post 12''. The second short side 11''' (i.e., the "third side") is connected to the second long side 11''' (i.e., the "fourth side") using the third corner post 12'''.The second long side 11'''' (i.e., the "fourth side") is connected to the first short side 11' (i.e., the "first side") by a fourth corner post 12''''.

[0130] Figure 4B is an enlarged plan view of section A of the storage container 106 of Figure 4A. Section A is a detailed view of the intersection between the third side 11'''' and the fourth side 11''''. Both the disclosed first side 11' and the fourth side 11'''' include an upper edge 18 and two opposing side edges (only one of the side edges of each side is disclosed). The first and fourth sides 11', 11'''' are folded to form folds 20 at the side edges to provide outwardly extending ribs 19 at each side edge. The corner post 12'''' is disclosed having a pair of grooves 21 extending in its longitudinal direction, each groove receiving one of the ribs 19 extending outward from the first and fourth sides 11', 11'''' respectively.

[0131] The locking frame 70 is connected to the upper edge 18 of the side surface 11'~11''''.

[0132] The sides 11' to 11'''' and the base 10 are disclosed with recesses 40 for increased strength. The sides 11' to 11'''' are disclosed with recesses that extend vertically (when the sides 11' to 11'''' are folded upward). The recesses are contoured (i.e., not through holes). Similarly, the base 10 is disclosed with recesses that extend from the second side 11'' toward the fourth side 11'''' (i.e., extending between the first and second long sides 11'', 11'''' of the base 10).

[0133] As shown in Figure 4B, the fourth corner post 12'''' is disclosed having a longitudinal recess 17 on its outer surface. The longitudinal or vertical recess 17 helps allow the storage container 106 to be lifted by the gripper 304 of the lifting device (see Figure 3), in that a bin guide (not shown) of the lifting device can be guided along the recess 17 on the different corner posts 12', 12'', 12''''.

[0134] The corner post 12'''' is further disclosed having an outer surface 42 for sliding contact with the upright member 102 of the frame structure 100 (see Figure 1). If the upright member 102 is formed from aluminum, at least the outer surfaces 42 of the corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' guided by the upright member 102 shall be coated or formed from a material other than aluminum to avoid scratching and noise caused by aluminum sliding against the aluminum during the raising and lowering of the storage container 106 within the frame structure 100.

[0135] Figure 4C is a perspective view from below of Figure 4A, showing further details of the recess in the base 10, in particular. Furthermore, the lift hole 41 is visible from below.

[0136] Figure 4D is a side view of the relatively long side of the storage container 106 according to the first embodiment, namely the second side 11'' (extending in the X direction). As can be seen from Figure 4D, the upper ends of the first and second corner posts 12', 12'' are at a higher level than the upper edge 18 of the second side 11''. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the lower ends of the first and second corner posts 12', 12'' are at a higher level than the lower end of the second side 11''. This configuration ensures that the upper ends of the corner posts 12'~12'''' contact the lower sides of the corner posts of the storage container above, which ensures that all or most of the vertical load of the storage container is supported by the corner posts 12'~12''''.

[0137] Figure 4E is a side view of a relatively short side (i.e., in the Y direction) of a storage container according to the first embodiment, showing the relative height of the first side 11' compared to the heights of the first and second corner posts 12', 12''.

[0138] Figure 4F is a top view of the storage container 106 according to the first embodiment.

[0139] Figure 4G is a top view of a sheet material 13 forming the rectangular base 10 and four sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' of a storage container 106 according to a first embodiment. The sheet material 13 may also be supplied as a blank with the base 10 and the four sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' formed on it. Each of the sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' is connected to the respective edges 14', 14'', 14'', 14'''' of the base 10 by live hinges provided by fragile lines 14', 14'', 14''', 14''''. The weak lines 14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''' extend between each side 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' and the base 10, and each side 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' can be bent relative to the base 10 along the weak lines 14', 14'', 14'''', 14''''. In particular, the first weak line 14' extends between the first edge of the base 10 and the first side 11', the second weak line 14'' extends between the second edge of the base 10 and the second side 11'', the third weak line 14'''' extends between the third edge of the base 10 and the third side 11'''', and the fourth weak line 14'''' extends between the fourth edge of the base 10 and the first side 11''''. Thus, the base and sides can be made from the same material.

[0140] The weak lines 14', 14'', 14'', 14'''' may be lines where the amount of material in the sheet material 13 is reduced. Alternatively or additionally, the weak lines 14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''' may include through holes 15. As shown in Figure 4G, the through holes 15 may constitute a significant amount of weak lines; for example, as shown, the through holes may constitute more than 30% of the weak lines 14', 14'', 14''''.

[0141] As shown in the diagram, to simplify the folds of the sides 11', 11'', 11'''', and 11'''', the fragile lines 14', 14'', 14'''', and 14'''' can be straight lines.

[0142] As shown in Figure 4G, the sheet material 13 may be punched to provide the base 10 and the contours of the four sides 11', 11'', 11'', 11''''. The punching process may also form other features such as weak lines 14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''' and / or through holes 15 during the contour-providing step.

[0143] The base 10 and sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' may be formed from a metal sheet material 13, a plastic sheet material 13, a cardboard sheet material 13, a composite sheet material 13, etc. If made from a metal sheet material 13, it may be made from, for example, an aluminum sheet material 13 or a steel sheet material 13.

[0144] Figure 4H is a side perspective view of the sheet material of Figure 4G, where sides 11', 11'', 11''', and 11'''' are folded upward at approximately 75 degrees relative to the base 10 to facilitate stacking of the sheet material 13 during transport.

[0145] Figure 4I is a side perspective view of the sheet material 13 of Figures 4G and 4H, with sides 11', 11'', 11'''', and 11'''' bent substantially upward relative to the base 10. In this position, two adjacent sides 11' to 11'''' form a 90-degree angle between them. Furthermore, as seen in Figure 4I, the distance between the side edges of one side 11' to 11'''' is shorter than the distance between the two edges 14' to 14'''' of the base 10, thereby shortening the true geometric corners inside the storage container 106 and forming an opening 34 between them.

[0146] Referring here to Figures 4G, 4H, and 4I, the upper edge 18 of the storage container forms part of the flange portion 30 of the sides 11', 11'', 11''', and 11''''. The flange portion 30 comprises a main portion 31, an intermediate portion 32, and an outer portion 33. The upper edge 18 forms the upper end of the outer portion 33. The intermediate portion 32 is bent outward relative to the main portion 31, and the outer portion 33 is bent upward relative to the intermediate portion 32. Thus, the intermediate portion 32 forms a step or shelf between the main portion 31 and the outer portion 33. This configuration reinforces the sides because the sides 11' to 11'''' are reinforced by the flange portion 30. Therefore, the risk of buckling of the storage container is reduced. To make the storage containers 106 stackable and to maximize storage volume, the main portion 31 and the outer portion 33 are shown to be parallel.

[0147] As shown in Figure 4I, the intermediate portion 32 of the flange portion 30 may be provided with a locking hole 35 for engaging with the pin member 36 on the corner post 14' (see Figures 5A to 5C).

[0148] Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C are detailed views of the corner posts 12' to 12'''' of a first embodiment of the storage container, where Figure 5A is a side perspective view of the corner posts 12' to 12'''', Figure 5B is a top view of the corner posts 12' to 12'''', and Figure 5C is a side view of the corner posts 12' to 12''''.

[0149] The corner posts 12'~12'''' are provided with first and second pin members 36 for locking into locking holes 35 in the intermediate portions 32 of the flange portions 30 on each side 11'~11''''. The corner posts 12'~12'''' are further provided with snap-locking connectors 37 for locking the corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' to the flange portions 30. The snap-locking connectors 37 are connected to the sides 11'~11'''' by contacting the inner surface of the sides 11'~11'''' when the outer portion 33 of the flange portion 30 enters a recess 38 provided on the lower upper side of the corner post 12'~12''''.

[0150] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the corner posts 12'~12'''' and side surfaces 11'~11'''' of the storage container 106 according to the first embodiment.

[0151] Figure 7A shows a stack 107 of storage containers 106 according to the first embodiment.

[0152] Figure 7B is a detailed view of section G of Figure 7B, showing the relative position of the through-hole 15 of the upper storage container 106 with respect to the outer portion 33 of the flange portion 30 of the lower storage container 106. The cross-sectional area of ​​the through-hole 15 is large enough for water to flow through. Figure 7C is a simplified view of Figure 7B showing the upper storage container 106 relative to the upper storage container 106, with the centerline 16 of the through-hole 15 of the upper storage container 106. The cross-sectional area formed by the outer portions of the sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' is larger in all directions than that of the base 10. Therefore, the through-hole 15 of the base 10 of the storage container 106 supported directly above is located inside the outer portion 33, thereby directing water flowing through the through-hole 15 of the upper storage container 106 into the storage container 106 via the outer portion 33, intermediate portion 32, and main portion 31 of the flange portion 30.

[0153] As shown in Figures 7B and 7C, the through-hole 15 is disclosed having an inlet 43 located on the inner surface of the storage container 106 and an outlet 44 located on the outer surface of the storage container 106. As disclosed, the inlet 43 is positioned at a higher height than the outlet 44 of the through-hole 15. Further referring to Figures 7B and 7C, the centerline 16 of the through-hole 15 forms a negative angle α with respect to the horizontal plane P. The horizontal plane P is shown parallel to the base 10 of the storage container 106.

[0154] Figure 7D is a simplified diagram of Figure 7B, and some details of the upper and lower storage containers 106 have been omitted to better illustrate the principle of how water W flows from the relatively upper storage container 106 to the relatively lower storage container 106 through the through-holes before the water W is guided through the outer part 33, intermediate part 32, and main part 31 of the flange part 30 to the relatively lower storage container 106. Thus, the intermediate part 32 forms a step or shelf between the main part 31 and the outer part 33. In other words, the outer part 33 of the upper flange part 30 on the side 11'~11'''' protrudes to guide water coming out of the through-holes 15 used to form a weak line in the upper storage container 106. That is, the through-holes 15 have both the function of forming a weak line 14'~14'''' and the function of guiding water downward through the lower storage container 106 in the event of a fire.

[0155] Therefore, the outer portion 33 of the side can be positioned in all horizontal directions beyond any through-hole of the storage container supported directly above.

[0156] Therefore, the configuration of the flange portion 30 relative to the through-hole 15 ensures that water from above, whether from the sprinkler system within the building, from the storage container 106 above, or from another source, is directed to the storage container 106 below, providing better fire suppression.

[0157] Figure 7E is a perspective view of a stack 107 of storage containers 106 according to the first embodiment, showing that a gap 39 is formed between the sides 11'~11'''' of two storage containers stacked on top of each other.

[0158] Figure 8A is a plan view showing the position of the side edges of the sides 11'~11'''' relative to the upright members 102 of the frame structure 100. Figure 8B is a similar view to Figure 8A, but with the corner posts 12'~12'''' removed. The length of the sides 11'~11'''' in the X and Y directions is preferably longer than the distance between the two upright members 102 in the X and Y directions. This allows the position of the side edges of the sides 11'~11'''' of the storage container 106 relative to the upright members 102 of the ASRS frame structure 100 to be such that if the corner posts 12'~12'''' melt during a fire event and one or more of the four sides 11'-11'''' are no longer supported by the corner posts 12'~12'''', the sides 11'~11'''' will tilt relative to the upright members 102, as shown by line M. This preserves most of the integrity and stability of the storage container stack 107 and prevents the stack 107 from collapsing.

[0159] Figure 9A is an exploded view of a storage container 106 according to a first embodiment, further comprising a partition 50 for separating the inventory of the storage container 106 into separate sections. The partition 50 is shown having projections 51 on both sides thereof.

[0160] Figure 9B is a detail view of section L of Figure 9A. As shown in Figure 9B, a slot 52 is provided in the middle portion 32 of the flange portion 30 for receiving the projection 51 of the partition 50.

[0161] Figure 10 shows a transport platform in the form of a pallet 60 on which two stacks of partially folded sides of sheet material 13 for transport are arranged. Figure 10 shows that the two stacks of partially folded sides of sheet material 13 are within the vertical projection of the base of the pallet 60.

[0162] The storage container 106 according to the first embodiment can be installed on-site in the following steps. - Step of partially folding each side 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' relative to the base 10 between 20 and 85 degrees; - Steps of stacking the partially folded sides 11', 11'', 11'', 11'''' and base 10 at least partially on the pallet 60, or inside each other; - Step 1: Place the corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' on the platform (a platform with corner posts not shown in Figure 10); - Steps to transport stacks of partially folded sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' and base 10 and corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' to the ASRS site; - Steps to assemble storage container 106 on-site.

[0163] The assembly steps are: -Fold the sides 11', 11'', 11''', and 11'''' completely so that each extends 90 degrees from the base 10, -Sliding each corner post 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' from above so as to engage with the edges of a pair of adjacent sides 11', 11'', 11'''', -This may include snapping the corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' to the flange portion 30 of the storage container 106, thereby engaging the corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' with the side edges of the adjacent sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''.

[0164] (Second embodiment of the storage container) Next, a first embodiment of the automated storage and retrieval system according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 11 to 13.

[0165] Many of the features are the same as those of the first embodiment described in detail earlier. The different features and functions are described below. Common features will not be repeated.

[0166] Figure 11A is a perspective view of a storage container 106 according to a second embodiment. A storage container 106 for an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) 1 is shown. The storage containers 106 are configured to be stacked in a stack of storage containers 106, with lower storage containers 106 supporting storage containers 106 positioned above. The storage containers 106 are provided with lift holes 41 adapted to be lifted by a gripper 304 (see Figure 3) on a lifting device so that the storage containers 106 can be lifted from above. The storage container 106 is disclosed having a rectangular base 10 and four sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''', each hinged to the edges 14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''' of the base 10, and four corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''', each configured to horizontally interconnect a pair of adjacent sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' when the sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' are positioned substantially at 90 degrees relative to the base 10 and to each other. A first short side 11' (i.e., the "first side") is connected to a first long side 11'' (i.e., the "second side") by a first corner post 12'. The first long side 11'' (i.e., the "second side") is further connected to the second short side 11''' (i.e., the "third side") by the second corner post 12''. The second short side 11''' (i.e., the "third side") is connected to the second long side 11''' (i.e., the "fourth side") by the third corner post 12'''. The second long side 11''' (i.e., the "fourth side") is connected to the first short side 11' (i.e., the "first side") by the fourth corner post 12'''.

[0167] The sides 11' to 11'''' and the base 10 are disclosed with recesses 40 for increased strength. The sides 11' to 11'''' are disclosed with recesses that extend vertically (when the sides 11' to 11'''' are folded upward). The recesses are contoured (i.e., not through holes). Similarly, the base 10 is disclosed with recesses that extend from the second side 11'' toward the fourth side 11'''' (i.e., extending between the first and second long sides 11'', 11'''' of the base 10).

[0168] Figure 11B is a side view of the long side, which is the second side 11'' of the storage container 106 according to the second embodiment.

[0169] Figure 11C is a side view of the short side, which is the first side 11' of the storage container 106 according to the second embodiment.

[0170] Figure 11D is a top view of the storage container 106 according to the second embodiment.

[0171] Figure 11E is a bottom view of the storage container 106 according to the second embodiment.

[0172] Figure 11F is a detail view of section C of Figure 11E. As seen in Figure 11F, the fourth corner post 12'''' is disclosed having a longitudinal recess 17 on its outer surface. The longitudinal or vertical recess 17 helps enable the storage container 106 to be lifted by the gripper 304 of the lifting device (see Figure 3), in that a bin guide (not shown) of the lifting device can be guided along the recess 17 on the different corner posts 12', 12'', 12''''.

[0173] The corner post 12''' is further disclosed having an outer surface 42 for sliding contact with the upright member 102 (see Figure 1) of the frame structure 100. If the upright member 102 is formed from aluminum, at least the outer surfaces 42 of the corner posts 12', 12'', 12''', 12'''' guided by the upright member 102 shall be coated or formed from a material other than aluminum to avoid scratching and noise caused by aluminum sliding against the aluminum during the raising and lowering of the storage container 106 within the frame structure 100.

[0174] Figure 11G is a diagram along line DD in Figure 11B. The locking frame 70 is disclosed having a snap locking connector 37 for locking the corner post 12'. The snap locking connector 37 extends downward from the underside of the locking frame 70 and locks into contact with a recess 72 in the upper edge 18 of the side surface 11'~11'''' and the upper end of the corner post 12'~12'''' (as clearly shown in Figures 12B and 12C).

[0175] Figure 12A is a top view of the base 10 and the sheet material 13 forming the four sides 11'~11'''' of the storage container 106 according to the second embodiment.

[0176] Figure 12A is a top view of a sheet material 13 forming the base 10 and four sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' of a storage container 106 according to a second embodiment. The sheet material 13 may also be supplied as a blank with the base 10 and the four sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' formed on it. Each of the sides 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' is connected to the respective edges 14', 14'', 14'', 14'''' of the base 10 by live hinges provided by fragile lines 14', 14'', 14''', 14''''. The weak lines 14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''' extend between each side 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' and the base 10, and each side 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' can be bent relative to the base 10 along the weak lines 14', 14'', 14'''', 14''''. In particular, the first weak line 14' extends between the first edge of the base 10 and the first side 11', the second weak line 14'' extends between the second edge of the base 10 and the second side 11'', the third weak line 14'''' extends between the third edge of the base 10 and the third side 11'''', and the fourth weak line 14'''' extends between the fourth edge of the base 10 and the first side 11''''. Thus, the base and sides can be made from the same material.

[0177] The weak lines 14', 14'', 14'', 14'''' may be lines where the amount of material in the sheet material 13 is reduced. Alternatively or additionally, the weak lines 14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''' may include through holes 15. As shown in Figure 12A, the through holes 15 may constitute a significant amount of weak lines, for example, as shown, the through holes may constitute more than 30% of the weak lines 14', 14'', 14'''', 14''''.

[0178] As shown in the illustration, in order to simplify the folds of the sides 11', 11'', 11'''', and 11'''', the fragile lines 14', 14'', 14'''', and 14'''' can be straight lines.

[0179] As shown in Figure 12A, the sheet material 13 may be punched out to provide the base 10 and the contours of the four sides 11', 11'', 11'', 11''''.

[0180] The base 10 and sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' may be formed from a metal sheet material 13, a plastic sheet material 13, a cardboard sheet material 13, a composite sheet material 13, etc. If made from a metal sheet material 13, it may be made from, for example, an aluminum sheet material 13 or a steel sheet material 13.

[0181] Slits 80 are pre-cut at the positions of complementary lift holes 41 of the locking frame 70, on the upper edges 18 of the second and fourth sides 11'', 11''''.

[0182] Figure 12B is a side perspective view of the sheet material of Figure 12A, with the sides 11' to 11'''' bent substantially upward at a 90-degree angle relative to the base 10. In this position, two adjacent sides 11' to 11'''' form a 90-degree angle between them. Furthermore, as seen in Figure 12B, the distance between the side edges of one side 11' to 11'''' is shorter than the distance between the two edges 14' to 14'''' of the base 10, thereby shortening the true geometric corners inside the storage container 106 and forming an opening 34 between them.

[0183] Referring here to Figures 12A and 12B, the upper edge 18 of the storage container forms part of the upper 90 of the sides 11', 11'', 11''', and 11''''. The upper 90 includes the main upper 91 and the folded portion 92. The upper edge 18 forms the folded portion 92. The folded portion 92 is folded outward relative to the main upper 91. Thus, the folded portion 92 forms a flat platform on the sides 11' to 11''''. This configuration reinforces the sides because the sides 11' to 11'''' are reinforced by the upper 90. Thus, the risk of buckling of the storage container is reduced.

[0184] Figure 12C is an exploded view of the corner posts 12'~12'''', side 11'~11'''', and locking frame 70 of the storage container 106 according to a second embodiment. Corner post receptacles 71 for receiving the corner posts 12'~12'''' are shown at each corner of the base 10.

[0185] Referring to Figures 12A, 12B, and 12C, each side 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''' is shown with an upper edge 18 and two opposing side edges. Each side 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' is folded to form a fold 20 (not shown in Figures 12A–12C, see Figure 11F) at each side edge to provide outward-extending ribs 19 at each side edge. Each corner post 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending grooves 21 (see detail in Figure 11F) to receive the respective outward-extending ribs 19 from a pair of adjacent side 11', 11'', 11''''.

[0186] As shown in Figure 12C, when the upper edge 18 is folded so that the folded upper part 92 faces upward, the closed locking frame 70 locks all of the upper edges 18 of the sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' and the corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' together. The upper edges 18 and the corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' may have recesses 72 with upward-facing openings, and the locking frame 70 may have complementary downward-facing projections 37 for locking into the recesses 72, thereby snapping the locking frame 70 into the sides 11'~11'''' and the corner posts 12'~12''''.

[0187] Figure 13A shows a transport platform in the form of a pallet 60 having two stacks of partially folded sides 11'~11'''' of sheet material 13, and another pallet 60 having a stacked locking frame 70 placed on top of it. Both pallets 60 are for transport.

[0188] Figure 13B is a short side view of the pallet 60 having the stacked locking frames 70 shown in Figure 13A.

[0189] Figure 13C is a top view of a pallet 60 having the stacked locking frames 70 shown in Figures 13A and 13B.

[0190] Figure 13D is a view from a short side of a pallet 60 having stacked, partially folded sides 11'~11'''' of the sheet material 13 from Figure 13A.

[0191] Figure 13E is a plan view of a pallet 60 having stacked partially folded sides 11'~11'''' of the sheet material 13 as shown in Figures 13A and 13D. As shown, the two stacks of partially folded sides 11'~11'''' of the sheet material 13 are located within the vertical projection of the base of the pallet 60, thereby facilitating efficient transport.

[0192] Next, the storage containers can be loaded onto the site in the following steps. - Step of partially folding each side 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' relative to the base 10 between 20 and 85 degrees; - Steps of stacking the partially folded sides 11', 11'', 11'', 11'''' and base 10 at least partially on the pallet 60, or inside each other; - The step of placing the corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' on the platform (not shown in Figure 10); - Steps to transport stacks of partially folded sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' and base 10 and corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' to the ASRS site; - Steps to assemble storage container 106 on-site.

[0193] The steps for assembling the storage container 106 on-site are: -Fold the sides 11', 11'', 11''', and 11'''' completely so that each extends 90 degrees from the base 10, -This may include sliding each corner post 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' from above so as to engage with the edges of a pair of adjacent sides 11', 11'', 11''''.

[0194] The final step in assembling the storage container according to the second embodiment is: -This may include locking the locking frame 70 to the sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' and the corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12''''. The locking of the locking frame 70 to the sides 11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''' and the corner posts 12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''' may be done using recesses 72 and projections 37 that form snap-locking connections 37 between them.

[0195] In the preceding description, various aspects of the storage container and automated storage and retrieval system according to the present invention were described with reference to exemplary first and second embodiments. For explanatory purposes, specific numbers, systems, and configurations were described to provide a complete understanding of the system and its operation. However, this description is not intended to be constrained. Various modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments, and other embodiments of the system that are obvious to those skilled in the art to which the disclosed subject matter relates, are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

[0196] (List of reference symbols) Table 1-1 Table 1-2

Claims

1. A storage container (106) for an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) (1), wherein the storage container (106) is configured to be stacked in a stack of storage containers (106), with lower storage containers (106) supporting upper storage containers (106), and the storage containers (106) are adapted to be lifted by a gripper (304) on a lifting device, thereby allowing the storage containers (106) to be lifted from above, and the storage containers (106) Bass (10) and Four sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''), each of the four sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') having an upper edge (18), and each of the four sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') being hinged to the edges (14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''') of the base (10), Four corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') Equipped with, Each of the four corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') is configured to interconnect a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') horizontally when the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') are positioned substantially 90 degrees to the base (10) and substantially 90 degrees to each other. The base (10) and sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') of the storage container (106) are made of sheet material (13), and the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') can be bent relative to the base (10) along weak lines (14', 14'', 14''', 14''''), the weak lines are made of through holes (15), The side surface is provided with a flange portion (30), the flange portion is provided with a main portion (31), an intermediate portion (32), and an outer portion (33), and the upper edge portion (18) forms the upper end of the outer portion (33). The outer portion (33) extends in all directions beyond the base (10) of the storage container (106), which is supported directly above, so that the through hole (15) of the storage container (106) guides water into the storage container (106) through the outer portion (33), the intermediate portion (32), and the main portion (31) of the flange portion (30).

2. The storage container (106) according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material (13) is provided as a blank, the base (10) and four sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') are formed from the blank, and each of the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') is connected to each edge (14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''') of the base (10) by live hinges provided by fragile lines (14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''') extending between each of the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') and the base (10), thereby allowing the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') to be folded relative to the base (10) along the fragile lines (14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''').

3. The storage container (106) according to claim 2, wherein the weak lines (14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''') are lines where the amount of material in the sheet material (13) decreases.

4. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the through-hole (15) constitutes more than 30% of the weak lines (14', 14'', 14'''', 14'''').

5. The aforementioned through hole (15) is - An entrance (43) located on the inner surface of the storage container (106), - An outlet (44) located on the outer surface of the storage container (106) and Equipped with, The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inlet (43) is positioned at a height equal to or higher than the outlet (44) of the through-hole (15).

6. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sheet material (13) is punched to provide the contours of the base (10) and the four sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''').

7. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base (10) and the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') are formed from a metal sheet material (13), a plastic sheet material (13), a cardboard sheet material (13), or a composite sheet material (13).

8. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base (10) and the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') are formed of aluminum or steel.

9. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') are at least the same height as the side surfaces (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''').

10. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the upper end of the corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') is at the same height as the upper end of the side surface (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') or is above the upper end of the side surface (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''').

11. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the lower end of the corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') is at the same height as the lower end of the side surface (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') or is below the lower end of the side surface (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''').

12. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') are formed from a plastic material.

13. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') are provided with longitudinal recesses (17) on their outer surfaces.

14. Storage container (106) according to claim 13, each of the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') comprises two opposing side edges, each of the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') is bent to form a fold (20) at the side edge to provide an outwardly extending rib (19) at each side edge, and each corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') comprises a pair of longitudinally extending grooves (21) for receiving the outwardly extending rib (19) from a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''').

15. The distance between the side edges of one side (11' to 11'''') is shorter than the distance between the two edges (14' to 14'''') of the base (10), so that the adjacent side edges of the adjacent side (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') end shorter than a true geometric corner inside the storage container (106), according to claim 14.

16. The storage container (106) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the upper edge portion forms part of the flange portion (30) of the side surface (11', 11'', 11''', 11''''), and the corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') is provided with a snap-locking connection portion for locking the corner post (12', 12'', 12''', 12'''') to the flange portion (30).

17. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the intermediate portion (32) is bent outward relative to the main portion (31), and the outer portion (33) is bent upward relative to the intermediate portion (32).

18. The storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the main portion (31) and the outer portion (33) are substantially parallel.

19. The storage container (106) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the upper edge (18) is bent to form a bent portion (91), and the storage container (106) further comprises a closed locking frame (70) for locking all of the upper edges of the side surfaces (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') together.

20. The storage container (106) according to claim 19, wherein the upper edge (18) and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') are provided with recesses (72), the recesses (72) having upwardly oriented openings, and the locking frame (70) is provided with complementary downwardly oriented projections (37) for locking with the recesses (72).

21. An automated storage and retrieval system (1) comprising a two-dimensional rail system (108), the two-dimensional rail system (108) comprising a first pair of parallel rails (110a, b) arranged to guide the movement of a container handling vehicle (301) in a first direction (X) traversing the top of a frame structure (100), and a second pair of parallel rails (111a, b) arranged perpendicular to the first pair of rails (110a, b) to guide the movement of the container handling vehicle (301) in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X), wherein a plurality of container handling vehicles operate on the rail system (108), and the automated storage and retrieval system (1) comprises one or more storage containers (106) as described in any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A method for transporting a storage container (106) and assembling the storage container (106) on-site, wherein the storage container (106) is Bass (10) and The four sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') are hinged to the edge of the base (10), Four corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') Equipped with, Each of the four corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') is configured to interconnect a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') horizontally when the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') are positioned substantially 90 degrees to the base (10) and substantially 90 degrees to each other. The aforementioned method, - A step of partially bending each of the sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') of the base (10) between 20 degrees and 85 degrees, - The steps of stacking the partially folded sides (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') and base (10) at least partially on a common transport platform (60), - The step of placing the corner posts (12', 12'', 12''', 12'''') on the platform, - A step of transporting the stack of the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') and the partially folded sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') and the base (10) to the ASRS site, - Steps to assemble the storage container (106) on site and Includes, Each of the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') comprises an upper edge and two opposing side edges, each of the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') is bent to form a fold (20) at each side edge to provide an outwardly extending rib (19), each corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') comprises a pair of grooves (21) for receiving the outwardly extending rib (19) from a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''), and the step of assembling the storage container (106) in the field is, - Completely fold each side (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') so that each side (11', 11'', 11'''') extends at a 90-degree angle from the base (10), - To slide each corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') from above so as to engage with the edges of a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') Includes, The upper edge portion forms part of the flange portion (30) of the side surface (11', 11'', 11''', 11''''), and the corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') is provided with a snap-locking connection portion (37) for locking the corner post (12', 12'', 12''', 12'''') to the flange portion (30), and the method is as follows: A method further comprising snapping the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') to the flange portion (30) of the storage container (106) to engage the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') with the side edges of the adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''').

23. The upper edge is bent, and the storage container (106) further comprises a closed locking frame (70) for locking all of the upper edges of the sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') together, and the method is The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of locking the locking frame (70) to the side surfaces (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''').

24. The upper edge and the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') are provided with recesses (72), the recesses (72) having upward-facing openings, the locking frame (70) is provided with complementary downward-facing projections (37) for locking with the recesses (72), and the method is The method according to claim 23, further comprising locking the locking frame (70) to the side surface (11', 11'', 11''', 11'''') and the corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') using the recess (72) and the projection (37).

25. A method for assembling a storage container (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 20 at an ASRS site, wherein the method is: - The step of completely folding each side (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') so that each side (11', 11'', 11'''') extends at a 90-degree angle from the base (10), - The step of sliding each corner post (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') from above so as to engage with the edges of a pair of adjacent sides (11', 11'', 11'''', 11''''), - The steps of snap-locking the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') onto the flange portion (30) of the storage container (106), and engaging the corner posts (12', 12'', 12'''', 12'''') with the edges of the adjacent side surfaces (11', 11'', 11'''', 11'''') and Methods that include...

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