Storage facility incorporating a movable storage unit, and logistics facility incorporating such a storage facility

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage facility (300) comprising: - at least one movable storage unit (1); - at least one storage rack (100), comprising at least two pairs of angle brackets (18), the two angle brackets of the same pair being horizontal, parallel, located at the same height, and spaced apart by a distance identical to the distance separating the two angle brackets of another pair (4), placed on a movable storage unit (1); - at least one transport means (200) capable of vertically and horizontally moving the at least one movable storage unit (1) opposite a storage rack (100) in order to bring a pair of angle brackets of the at least one movable storage unit (1) into coincidence with a pair of angle brackets (18) of the at least one storage rack (100), so as to allow a shelf (5, 23) to be moved between the at least one movable storage unit (1) and the at least one storage rack (100), characterised in that the at least one movable storage unit (1) comprises: -- a casing (6) formed of four panels, arranged in two parallel pairs, two panels being vertical and two panels being horizontal, the casing (6) having at least one open vertical face (7, 8) located between two vertical panels; -- at least two pairs of angle brackets (5), the two angle brackets of the same pair being horizontal, parallel, and located at the same height, one angle bracket being placed on the first vertical panel, and the other angle bracket being placed on the second vertical panel; -- at least two shelves (4) capable of sliding on one of the pairs of angle brackets (4); -- at least two movement means (2, 3) secured to the movable storage unit (1), one of the movement means being located along one of the two open faces (7, 8) of the casing (6), while another is located along the opposite face (7, 8) of the casing, each movement means: --- allowing at least one shelf (4) to be inserted into the casing (6) or at least one shelf (4) to be removed from the casing (6) by sliding it on a pair of angle brackets (5); --- being movable vertically so as to be placed at any one of the shelves (4) of the movable storage unit (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Storage facility incorporating a mobile storage unit, and logistics facility incorporating such a storage facility

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of logistics. It concerns, in particular, the storage of goods, especially in the manufacturing, logistics, and distribution sectors. More specifically, it targets storage installations that include a mobile storage unit for transferring containers of varying sizes between two storage racks, or between a storage rack and a workstation.

[0005] EARLIER ART

[0006] In the field of logistics, there is a wide variety of solutions for managing containers.

[0007] In a broad sense, a "container" can be defined as an object that allows for the storage of a multitude of identical products, which may vary in size. These products can be of all kinds: raw materials, components, semi-finished products, and finished products. The stored products may be intended for delivery to business or individual customers, production lines, or for temporary storage within logistics platforms.

[0008] The weight of these containers, once filled, can vary from a few kilograms to several hundred kilograms. Their volume can also vary by a few centimeters. 3 to several m 3 The ground area they occupy can vary by a few centimeters. 2 at about one m 2 Finally, they can contain anywhere from a few individual parts (engines, cans, etc.) to several million individual parts (hardware, seals, etc.).

[0009] Three main types of containers can be distinguished: pallets, boxes, and crates. The term "pallet" refers not only to the physical support that constitutes the pallet itself (approximately one meter long and 15 cm thick) but also, colloquially, to the support itself when combined with its load. These pallets are made, for example, of wood or plastic. The products are simply placed on the pallets and may be secured with strapping or shrink wrap. While several sizes exist, the "Euro" pallet, measuring 80 cm x 120 cm x 14.5 cm, is the most widely used standard worldwide. Pallets of different sizes, known as "oversized" pallets, exist but are not covered by this patent.

[0010] Parcels consist of boxes, usually made of cardboard, such as those used for transporting goods. Parcels are often sealed. They can also sometimes be opened and resealed to remove part of their contents. Their dimensions range from one to several tens of centimeters in each direction.

[0011] Finally, bins are designed for storing bulk products. They generally have an opening at the top and / or a front opening to facilitate handling of the contents. They can be made of cardboard or plastic. These bins may also have a lid and be divided into compartments. For example, they can hold mechanical parts such as screws or bolts, which are stored individually.

[0012] Today, various solutions exist for managing either pallets, parcels (and in that case, also containers), or containers exclusively. These solutions allow both the storage of these containers and their transfer to a work area where, for example, an operator can pick the number of products ordered by a customer for shipment.

[0013] In the case of pallets, these are stored in pallet racking. A non-automated pallet racking system is between 4 and 17 meters high. The racking is divided into bays, each typically holding one to four pallets per level, depending on the configuration. The height between two levels depends on the average size of the pallets to be stored, ranging from less than 1 meter to more than 2 meters. The depth of a pallet racking system is defined by the depth of the pallets, which is approximately 1.20 meters. Pallets are loaded and unloaded using a forklift, operated by a human operator. Automated pallet racking systems also exist: in these systems, pallets are transferred using autonomous forklifts, without operators, or even by robots capable of moving vertically and horizontally within the racking. Some of these automated versions can reach up to 40 meters in height, allowing for the storage of up to thirty pallets at a time.

[0014] One drawback of these solutions is that the heights of the different levels are fixed during the racking assembly. Therefore, if the pallets are shorter than the defined levels, the space between the top of the pallet and the level above is wasted. Conversely, if the pallet is too large, it cannot be stored in the racking. Furthermore, pallet racking is poorly suited to storing individual packages or bulk containers. The risk of having multiple different SKUs on a single pallet is the potential for errors during order picking. Finally, pallet transfers are carried out individually, requiring a forklift or transport robot for each pallet.

[0015] Packages or containers can be stored on fixed shelves, generally no more than 3 meters high for operator safety reasons. These shelves have adjustable-sized compartments. Loading and unloading packages or containers is done manually. These solutions present ergonomic problems for goods stored at height or at ground level, imposing working positions that increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

[0016] Solutions exist that combine standardized storage shelves with transport robots, allowing individual shelves to be moved to a work area without operator intervention. In one such solution, the first shelf level is sacrificed to allow a robot to slide underneath and lift the shelf for relocation. The main advantage of these solutions is that they eliminate the need for operators to physically access the desired shelf.

[0017] In both cases, the severe height restriction necessitates the construction of platforms to utilize all available space in high-bay warehouses. However, these platforms, the staircases providing access to the different levels, and the conveyor systems required to transfer goods all represent wasted space. US patent application 2023 / 0406636 A1 describes such an installation comprising storage shelves, workstations, and robots capable of transporting a shelf to a workstation. The main drawback of this invention lies in the fact that the shelves are designed for the same type of container. If a shelf is needed for a workstation, the entire shelf is transported, including packages or bins not required at that workstation, rendering them temporarily unavailable for other operations.

[0018] US patent 11,939,163 B2 describes another type of installation comprising tablets arranged within individual storage units, these units being able to be moved by floor robots and by a mobile gantry within storage columns.

[0019] The individual storage units consist of four vertical uprights and four horizontal crossbars forming a box with all sides open. They are designed to accommodate only one shelf per pair of corner brackets, with each unit able to have several pairs of corner brackets.

[0020] Individual storage units can be stacked one on top of the other in storage columns. Each storage column has four vertical uprights and several pairs of horizontal brackets. Each storage unit is placed on a pair of brackets. Several storage columns can be placed side by side to form a storage row. Multiple storage rows can be arranged parallel to each other.

[0021] The installation also includes individual rails laid on the floor between each storage row, as well as mobile gantries with hoists. Each mobile gantry can move between two storage rows using the rails. Each mobile gantry can transfer, via the hoist, an individual storage unit from a storage column to the floor, in the immediate vicinity of the area occupied by the storage rows, and vice versa.

[0022] Once on the ground, the individual storage units are moved individually by a robot that positions itself under the individual storage unit.

[0023] The installation also includes temporary storage units, which can be moved on the ground using a robot. These temporary storage units are similar in size and shape to the individual storage units. The temporary storage units also include a device for transferring a tablet from the temporary storage unit to an individual storage unit, or vice versa. This tablet transfer device has two arms. Each arm is designed to fit into a space between an angle bracket and the two uprights to which the bracket is attached. Each arm also has a device for temporarily securing the arm to the side of the tablet resting on the angle bracket.

[0024] The temporary storage unit also includes two systems for raising or lowering the tablet transfer device. They are positioned vertically on either side of the temporary storage unit, perpendicular to the pairs of corner brackets.

[0025] The temporary storage unit also allows for the individual transfer of tablets from a single storage unit to an order preparation area. The transfer of tablets is carried out via a second hoist to a conveyor system, which then delivers the tablets to the workstation.

[0026] The installation described in this patent application consists of identical individual storage units, identical shelves, and a variety of robotic means to perform all the movements necessary for the logistics activity. It therefore presents three major drawbacks.

[0027] The first drawback concerns space optimization, as this system has four types of dead zones that limit the use of the total available volume for storing goods. Each individual storage unit has a first dead zone on its lower part. This is the area where the robot positions itself to move the unit. In this first dead zone, it is impossible to place the angle brackets, shelves, and therefore goods. The second dead zone is related to the two arms of the shelf transfer device. Each arm positions itself opposite the side faces of the shelf, moving outside the angle brackets, between the brackets and the uprights of the storage unit. The space required for the arm's passage cannot be occupied by a shelf, which increases the volume of the storage unit relative to the volume of the stored containers.The third dead zone is related to the space occupied by individual storage units within the storage columns, both in width and height. In width, between two shelves holding goods, there is the height of the storage column plus twice the height of the storage unit. In height, between two shelves holding goods, there is the upper beam of the storage unit below, the lower beam of the storage unit above, and the technical space left between the two storage units to allow for their handling by the mobile gantry crane equipped with a hoist. The fourth dead zone is related to the area temporarily housing storage units while they await relocation to workstations or return to the storage columns.These zones are delimited by a series of posts fixed to the floor to accommodate the storage units, and all the space above these posts up to the warehouse ceiling is unusable for storing goods. The same applies to the space above the conveyor system, workstations, and the areas where individual storage units are placed near the storage columns.

[0028] The second drawback concerns the transfer of a tablet from a storage row to a preparation area or vice versa. Such a transfer requires at least four steps:

[0029] - a first step to move the individual storage unit from a storage row to the ground,

[0030] - a second step to move the individual storage unit close to a temporary storage unit

[0031] - a third step to move the tablet from a temporary storage unit to a workstation feeding unit comprising a platform equipped with rollers and capable of moving up and down, so as to extract the tablets from the temporary storage units, and then send them onto a conveyor system,

[0032] - a fourth step to transport the tablets to the preparation stations, using the conveyor system.

[0033] - a fifth step is also possible, consisting of putting the individual storage units on standby at the level of the area delimited by the set of posts fixed to the ground.

[0034] The third drawback concerns the number of different robotic devices required to manage the flow of goods, and therefore the associated costs and risks of breakdowns, in addition to the goods transfer time due to the number of setup and re-selection operations required. Indeed, five devices are necessary: ​​mobile gantries on rails, robots for moving floor storage units, temporary storage units, workstation feeders, and the conveyor system. Some solutions, called "stacker cranes," can handle standard plastic bins, sometimes with up to two or three different bin sizes. Typically, a central mast transfers the bins one by one to a workstation. Some variations allow for storage at two depths to increase storage capacity.Among the limitations of this system, a failure on the single mast leads to the blocking of the entire installation while the failure is being resolved, which can be very detrimental to delivering to customers or production lines.

[0035] Another solution is known, offering a container storage system using bins. In this case, the bins are made of plastic and are all the same size. The storage system consists of stacked shelves of the same height. Each shelf has the same number of slots, or compartments, for storing a bin. This storage system includes rails positioned vertically along the structure. Autonomous mobile robots can move along the structure, following the rails to retrieve a bin and move it to a work area. Once a bin is used, the system also returns it to its storage compartment. This system reduces the risk of collision in case of a robot failure, as another robot can take over. However, this system prevents the use of double-depth storage, thus limiting the overall storage capacity of the warehouse.

[0036] Another solution involves stacking identical plastic bins vertically, one on top of the other, across a grid. Robots moving across the grid can stack or unstack the bins and transport them to a work area. To reach a bin at the bottom of a stack, all the bins above it must first be moved. This system offers better warehouse occupancy rates compared to other plastic bin solutions, but it has limitations: the bin stacks cannot exceed 6 meters in height, and a 2-meter technical clearance is required above the grid. Therefore, this solution is suitable for buildings 8 meters high, which is not a particularly common height: the aisles have simply been relocated above the structure.This system also presents potentially long transfer times between a storage area and a work area, as the containers are transported individually and access is difficult, especially when the container is located at the bottom of a stack.

[0037] Finally, all solutions that exclusively handle standard-sized bins have one major drawback: they remain poorly suited to parcel storage. When one or more parcels are stored in a bin, the bin generally ends up being only partially full. And of course, no solution specifically designed for storing parcels and / or bins allows for the storage of pallets.

[0038] Thus, the various solutions currently available either have the disadvantage of not being suitable for managing different types of containers together (pallets, parcels and bins), or the disadvantage of having transport times between a storage rack and a workstation that are not optimal, or the disadvantage of posing ergonomic problems or access to goods in case of breakdown, and in all cases a low utilization of the total available volume.

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The invention addresses the difficulties encountered in managing containers of different sizes within a logistics unit, by proposing equipment with a different and advantageous structural design in terms of:

[0041] - occupancy rate of available space,

[0042] - container transport time, and minimum number of setups and re-setups

[0043] - ability to move multiple containers simultaneously,

[0044] - impact in case of a breakdown of one of the container transfer robots,

[0045] - capacity to accommodate all types of containers: pallets, parcels and bins,

[0046] - Ergonomics for users,

[0047] - investment costs and operating costs,

[0048] - Implementation times and project costs. According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a storage installation comprising:

[0049] - at least one mobile storage unit,

[0050] - at least one storage rack, comprising at least two pairs of angle brackets, the two angle brackets of the same pair being horizontal, parallel, located at the same height, and spaced apart by a distance identical to the distance separating the two angle brackets of another pair, placed on a mobile storage unit,

[0051] - at least one means of transport capable of moving vertically and horizontally, a mobile storage unit in relation to a storage rack, in order to make a pair of angle brackets of the mobile storage unit coincide with a pair of angle brackets of the storage rack, in order to be able to move a shelf between the mobile storage unit and the storage rack.

[0052] This means of transport could be a forklift independent of the racking, or an installation more integrated with the racking, on rails for example.

[0053] More specifically, the mobile storage unit comprises a box formed of four panels, parallel in pairs, two panels being vertical and two panels being horizontal, said box having at least one open vertical face located between two vertical panels, at least two pairs of angle brackets, the two angle brackets of the same pair being horizontal, parallel, located at the same height, one angle bracket being placed on the first vertical panel, and the other angle bracket being placed on the second vertical panel, at least two shelves capable of sliding on a pair of angle brackets, at least two means of movement, one of the means of movement being located along one of the two open faces of the box while another is located along the opposite face of said box.

[0054] More specifically, each means of transport:

[0055] - is integral to the mobile storage unit,

[0056] - allows at least one shelf to be inserted into said cabinet or at least one shelf to be removed from said cabinet by sliding it along a pair of corner brackets,

[0057] - can be moved vertically to be placed at the level of any of the shelves of the mobile storage unit.

[0058] In other words, the invention relates to a set of shelving units accommodating a plurality of shelves and at least one mobile buffer unit, and it allows for the simultaneous storage, in the same storage shelving unit, of containers of varying sizes (of the pallet, parcel, or bin type), by freely choosing the storage height of the different containers, which allows for optimizing the occupancy rate of a warehouse.

[0059] This invention also allows for the individual transfer of storage shelves between two storage racks, for example to reorganize stock in order to anticipate and optimize future preparation or storage operations.

[0060] The means of transport allows a mobile storage unit to be moved vertically and / or horizontally and / or diagonally in relation to a storage rack, in order to align a pair of corner brackets of the mobile storage unit with a pair of corner brackets of a storage rack, so as to be able to transfer a shelf from the mobile storage unit to the storage rack or vice versa.

[0061] The mobile storage unit is movable and features shelves that can be inserted or removed. Each shelf rests on a pair of brackets, allowing it to slide in and out. Containers are placed on each shelf, so that when a shelf is inserted or removed, the containers on that shelf are also removed. Finally, selecting the shelf to be removed, or the location where a shelf will be inserted, is done by positioning a shelf-moving mechanism in relation to the desired location.

[0062] The mobile storage unit therefore has a parallelepiped-shaped volume delimited by four vertical planes parallel in pairs. This enclosure can have one or two open sides, to allow the tablets to be inserted and removed, either from a single side or from two opposite sides.

[0063] Depending on various embodiments, the vertical panels between the open faces can be solid or open. In the case of an open panel, it can, for example, be made from two vertical uprights and two horizontal crossbars. The crossbars and uprights are joined together to form a frame that acts as the open panel. The mobile storage unit can have a variable number of shelves, depending in particular on its capacity and the number of operations it is intended to perform, and in practice up to about ten.

[0064] Several containers of the same type or of different types can be placed on the same shelf, namely either a pallet, or a set of parcels and / or bins.

[0065] Tablets can have a variable structure and thickness, depending on the weight they will have to support.

[0066] The term "gliding" also refers to rolling, in cases where the shelves are equipped with casters or rollers that facilitate movement along the corner brackets. In this case, the shelves have casters positioned on each of the two sides parallel to the vertical panels of the cabinet, which roll along the corner brackets.

[0067] According to another embodiment of the invention, the horizontal panel at the bottom of the mobile storage unit's casing has, on its upper surface, a motorized conveying system, for example in the form of rollers or a conveyor belt, also positioned horizontally and whose axis of rotation is parallel to the open face of the casing. This conveying system facilitates the insertion of a shelf into the casing, or its removal from it, particularly when the shelf supports heavy containers, such as a pallet.

[0068] The mobile storage unit is also equipped with at least two means of movement, which are fixed to the mobile storage unit. Each means of movement allows a shelf to be inserted into the unit or removed from the unit by sliding the shelf along the pair of corner brackets where it rests.

[0069] Each means of movement can also be moved vertically to be positioned at the level of the shelf that it will remove from the box or at the level of a pair of corner brackets of the box on which it will place a shelf.

[0070] In other words, the presence of two means of moving a tablet allows a tablet to be inserted or removed through each of the open faces of the mobile storage unit's casing.

[0071] These two means of movement can be moved to any shelf of the mobile storage unit without either means hindering the vertical movement of the other. According to another aspect of the invention, each means of movement comprises at least one element for connecting to the unit, at least one means for attaching to a shelf, and at least one deployable device, the latter being connected to the element for connecting to the unit and to the means for attaching to a shelf. The deployable device allows the means for attaching to a shelf to which it is connected to be pulled or pushed.

[0072] The deployable device, among other things, may consist of a system of jacks, a mechanical scissor mechanism, a mechanism using rigid chains, or a combination of several mechanisms. One end is connected to the linking element to the housing, while the other end is connected to a shelf attachment.

[0073] The linking element between the transport mechanism and the enclosure is located along the vertical face of the enclosure opposite the face through which the shelves will be inserted or removed. It ensures that the deployment mechanism is securely attached to the mobile storage unit.

[0074] When the tablet transport mechanism is not in use, the deployable device is retracted so that it, along with the tablet attachment mechanism and the connection element to the cabinet, is located along the opposite side of the cabinet from the open side through which a tablet is inserted or removed. In this configuration, the transport mechanism can be moved vertically without being obstructed by the tablets.

[0075] To allow a tablet to be inserted or removed from the housing, the tablet movement means moves vertically, i.e., up or down, so that the connecting element with the tablet is positioned approximately at the height of the tablet.

[0076] If a shelf needs to be removed from the cabinet, the connecting element of the movement device makes contact with the shelf and locks onto it. Then, the deployable device extends to push the shelf out of the cabinet.

[0077] Conversely, if a tablet is to be inserted into the compartment, the deployable mechanism of the means of transport extends so that the tablet attachment can be secured to the tablet. The deployable mechanism then retracts to pull the tablet into the compartment. Once the tablet has been inserted or removed, the tablet attachment system detaches from the tablet, and the means of transport returns to its initial configuration.

[0078] The connecting element of each of these two means of movement is located on the face of the box opposite the face from which the means of movement can insert or extract a shelf.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one shelf has a depth less than half the depth of at least one storage rack, such that at least two shelves can be stored one behind the other on the same pair of angle brackets of this at least one storage rack. Obviously, by choosing shelves of appropriate depth, the number of shelves on the same level can be increased beyond two.

[0080] According to another variant of the invention, the mobile storage unit has means for adjusting its inclination and / or position relative to a storage rack.

[0081] These means allow, for example, when a pair of corner brackets on the mobile storage unit is positioned almost directly opposite a pair of corner brackets on a storage rack, the position and / or inclination of the mobile storage unit to be adjusted to precisely align the corner brackets of the mobile unit with those of the rack, so that the shelf can be transferred from one to the other, minimizing the risk of malfunction. The mobile storage unit is equipped with means for moving the container forward or backward, laterally, and raising or lowering it. The mobile storage unit is also equipped with means for adjusting the inclination of the container along the three axes of an orthonormal coordinate system.

[0082] According to another variant of the invention, the mobile storage unit can be temporarily attached to a storage rack.

[0083] This temporary connection facilitates the positioning of a pair of corner brackets on the mobile storage unit opposite a pair of corner brackets on a storage rack. It guides the vertical movement of the mobile storage unit along a storage rack when the mobile storage unit is moved by a means of transport.

[0084] This temporary securing can, for example, be achieved using rails placed along a storage rack and casters placed along the mobile storage unit.

[0085] Temporary securing is also possible to guide the horizontal movement of the mobile storage unit when moving between several storage racks, in order to gain speed and ensure its correct positioning at all times.

[0086] According to a variant of the invention, the two means of moving a tablet of the same mobile storage unit can be temporarily joined together, for example by means of hook or cleat type devices.

[0087] According to one embodiment of this invention, the presence of two means for moving the shelves facilitates the removal of a shelf from the cabinet, particularly when the shelf is heavily loaded. To this end, the first means of movement, whose attachment to the cabinet is located along the open face opposite the face from which the shelf will be removed, is used to push the shelf. To facilitate the removal of the shelf from the cabinet, the second means of movement, located along the face from which the shelf will be removed, is positioned lower than the first means of movement. It is secured to the first means of movement via their respective shelf attachments.The first means of movement will push the tablet, while the second will simultaneously pull it for, for example, the first 20% to 50% of the tablet's travel. Once the first 20% to 50% of the travel has been completed, the two means of movement are separated. The remaining sliding of the tablet out of the mobile storage unit is ensured solely by the first means of movement, which pushes the tablet. As the tablet is extracted from the enclosure, it slides along the second means of movement.

[0088] Following the same principle, the two means of movement can be used to insert a heavy tablet into the enclosure. In this case, the second means of movement is attached to the first means of movement only for the last 20 to 50% of the tablet's travel to complete its insertion. The second means of movement is always used as a support for the tablet during its insertion into the enclosure. In an alternative embodiment, the upper part of one of the two means of movement of the same mobile storage unit is in contact with the underside of a tablet when the tablet is inserted into or removed from said mobile storage unit.

[0089] In other words, when a tablet is inserted into or removed from the mobile storage unit by means of a first means of movement, the second means of movement is positioned below the first, so that its upper face is in contact with the lower face of the tablet and thus serves as a support for the tablet.

[0090] Thus, each means of movement serves as a continuous support between a pair of angle brackets of the mobile storage unit and a pair of angle brackets of a storage rack, when it is the opposite means of movement that extracts or inserts a shelf from or into a storage rack.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the means for attaching to a shelf has a width less than that of a shelf, it is arranged between the two corner brackets on which the shelf is placed, and it can be temporarily attached to the front face of a shelf.

[0092] The front face of a tablet is the face that is perpendicular to the two corner brackets on which the tablet is mounted, and that is closest to the means of transport used to insert or remove it from a mobile storage unit. The rear face of the tablet is the face parallel to the front face, and that is furthest from the means of transporting the tablet.

[0093] Alternatively, the means of attaching to a tablet can be temporarily secured to the back of the tablet.

[0094] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a logistics installation comprising:

[0095] - at least one storage facility as described above,

[0096] - at least one workstation, separate from at least one storage unit, comprising at least one pair of angle brackets, the two brackets of each pair being horizontal, parallel, at the same height, and capable of supporting a shelf. A workstation comprises at least one pair of angle brackets, the brackets of each pair being horizontal, parallel, and at the same height. The angle brackets of a workstation may, for example, be attached to vertical panels or to vertical crossbeams.

[0097] In other words, a logistics installation according to the invention comprises at least one storage rack, at least one mobile storage unit, and at least one means of transport capable of moving a mobile storage unit horizontally and / or vertically. The corner brackets of a workstation are spaced at a distance identical to the distance separating a pair of corner brackets from the mobile storage unit.

[0098] Thus, in a logistics installation, it is possible, using a mobile storage unit, to move a shelf from a storage rack to the mobile storage unit and then from the mobile storage unit to a workstation, or vice versa, in a single movement carried out by a single means of movement, consisting of the mobile storage unit associated with a means of transport.

[0099] According to one embodiment of the invention, the workstation can be integrated into one of the storage racks of the storage facility. Such an installation makes it possible to utilize all available space within the racks, as well as below and above the workstations.

[0100] The workstation can be used to prepare customer orders. It can also be used to replenish the storage shelves in the logistics unit.

[0101] In the case where the workstation is separate from the storage racks, the means of transport may be, for example, a forklift, either driven by an operator or autonomous (type AGV - Automatic Guided Vehicle or AMR - Autonomous Mobile Robot), so as to move freely between the racking area and the different workstations.

[0102] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0103] [Fig. 1] is a first perspective view of the mobile storage unit according to the invention. [Fig. 2] is a second perspective view of the mobile storage unit according to the invention shown in [Fig. 1], showing two means of moving a shelf and for which two panels of the casing have been removed.

[0104] [Fig. 3] is a perspective representation of different types of containers.

[0105] [Fig. 4] is a perspective representation of the first means of moving a tablet integrated into the mobile storage unit [Fig. 1],

[0106] [Fig. 5] is a perspective representation of the first means of transport shown in [Fig. 4] when deployed, and attached to a tablet which it moves in the mobile storage unit.

[0107] [Fig. 6] is a perspective representation of an example of a storage installation according to a second aspect of the invention, this storage installation comprising a mobile storage unit as shown in [Fig. 1],

[0108] [Fig. 7] is a profile representation of the first stage of an initial example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit as shown in [Fig. 1] to a storage rack.

[0109] [Fig. 8] is a profile representation of the second stage of a first example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit as shown in [Fig. 1] to a storage rack.

[0110] [Fig. 9] is a profile representation of the third stage of an initial example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit as shown in [Fig. 1] to a storage rack.

[0111] [Fig. 10] is a profile representation of the fourth stage of an initial example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit as shown in [Fig. 1] to a storage rack.

[0112] [Fig. 11] is a profile representation of the fifth step of an initial example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit as shown in [Fig. 1] to a storage rack.

[0113] [Fig. 12] is a profile view of the sixth step in a first example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit, as shown in [Fig. 1], to a storage shelf. [Fig. 13] is a top view of the first step in a second example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit, as shown in [Fig. 1], to a storage shelf.

[0114] [Fig. 14] is a top view representation of the second stage of a second example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit as shown in [Fig. 1] to a storage rack.

[0115] [Fig. 15] is a side view representation of the second stage of a second example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit to a storage rack shown in [Fig. 14],

[0116] [Fig. 16] is a top view representation of the third stage of a second example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit as shown in [Fig. 1] to a storage rack.

[0117] [Fig. 17] is a side view representation of the third step of a second example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit to a storage rack shown in [Fig. 16],

[0118] [Fig. 18] is a top view representation of the fourth step of a second example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit as shown in [Fig. 1] to a storage rack.

[0119] [Fig. 19] is a side view representation of the fourth step of a second example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit to a storage rack shown in [Fig. 18],

[0120] [Fig. 20] is a top view representation of the fifth step of a second example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit as shown in [Fig. 1] to a storage rack.

[0121] [Fig. 21] is a side view representation of the fifth step of a second example of transferring a tablet from a mobile storage unit to a storage rack shown in [Fig. 20],

[0122] [Fig. 22] is a perspective view of a first example of a logistics unit according to the invention, in which the workstation is not integrated into the storage facility. [Fig. 23] is a perspective view of a second example of a logistics unit according to the invention, in which the workstation is integrated into the storage facility.

[0123] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0124] An example of a mobile storage unit 1 according to the invention is shown in [Fig. 1]. This mobile storage unit 1 consists of a box 6, a multitude of pairs of angle brackets 5, on which three shelves 4 are placed, and two means for moving a shelf 2 and 3.

[0125] The box 6 comprises four parallel panels arranged in pairs, two panels being vertical and the other two horizontal. The box 6 also has two open faces 7 and 8, located respectively at the front and rear of the box. According to this example, the box 6 also has four vertical uprights 9, only three of which are visible in [Fig. 1], extending between the lower and upper panels of the box.

[0126] The first means of movement of a tablet 2 is able to move vertically along the second open face 8, while the second means of movement of a tablet 3 is able to move vertically along the open face 7.

[0127] As will be described in relation to the following figures, the first means of moving a shelf 2 allows a shelf to be inserted or extracted from the box 6 through the first open face 7 and the second means of moving a shelf 3 allows a shelf to be inserted or extracted from the box 6 through the second open face 8.

[0128] Parcels and bins are arranged on the two upper shelves. A pallet is placed on the lower shelf.

[0129] The cabinet 6 also includes a device 10 designed to facilitate the movement of a shelf. This device 10 is located between the lower panel of the cabinet 6 and the shelf 4 on which a pallet is placed.

[0130] Fig. 2 is another perspective representation of the mobile storage unit 1 shown in Fig. 1. Two of the four panels of the box 6 have been removed, and only a shelf 4 remains, resting on a pair of angle brackets 5.

[0131] The second means of moving a shelf 3 consists of a means of attaching to a shelf 20, a deployable device 21 and a connecting element with the box 19. The connecting element with the box 19 is inserted into the two vertical uprights 9 located at the front of the box, which allows the means of movement 3 to be moved vertically along the open face 7. The top of the vertical uprights 9 located at the front of the box 9, above the means of movement 2 and 3, have not been shown in [Fig. 2] for reasons of simplicity.

[0132] The attachment means for a shelf 20 is fixed to the shelf 4. The device 21 is deployed in order to extract the shelf 4 from the housing 6 through the second open face 8.

[0133] Similarly, the first means of moving a tablet 2 can be moved vertically along the second open face 8. According to the same mode of operation, the first means of moving a tablet 2 allows a tablet to be inserted or extracted through the first open face 7.

[0134] The vertical movement of the two means of movement 2 and 3 can be done, for example, by means of individual motors associated with belts or roller chains, not shown in this figure, possibly associated with counterweight systems to facilitate their movement.

[0135] The device 10 located at the bottom of the box, above its lower panel, is equipped with rollers 11, whose axis of rotation is parallel to the two open faces 7 and 8.

[0136] When a shelf 4 is placed on a pair of angle brackets 5, in contact with the device for assisting the movement of a shelf 10 and therefore with the rollers 11, its extraction or insertion is done via the means for moving a shelf 2 or 3. This operation is facilitated by the rolling of the shelf on the rollers 11.

[0137] Figure 3 shows, by way of example, different types of containers that can be handled by the invention, namely pallets 31, packages 32, and bins 33. The term pallet refers both to the support 34, generally made of wood or plastic, and to this support combined, for example, with the boxes placed on it. The packages 32 consist mainly of cardboard boxes equipped with flaps that can be opened or, more often, closed.

[0138] Finally, the 33 containers consist of crates, for example made of plastic or cardboard, having at least one open side to facilitate the handling of the products they contain. They may, where applicable, have a lid.

[0139] The first means of moving a tablet 2 is shown in more detail in [Fig. 4], in its undeployed state. It consists of a connecting element with the housing 12, and a means of attaching it to a tablet 13.

[0140] According to an alternative embodiment shown in this figure, the means for attaching to a tablet 13 includes two hooks 16 which will allow it to be secured to a tablet.

[0141] According to another embodiment also shown in this figure, the linking element with the box 12 has two slides 15, facilitating the sliding of a shelf above the means of movement 2, the shelf passing between the two slides when it is inserted or extracted from the box.

[0142] Figure 5 more specifically represents the same means of moving a shelf 2 as Figure 4, but connected to a shelf 4 and deployed. The pair of hooks 16 secures the shelf 4 to the attachment 13. In this example, the deployable device 14 is a mechanical scissor, one end of which is connected to the attachment 13, and the other end to the connecting element to the housing 12. The securing device 17 secures this means of moving a shelf to another means of moving a shelf, via their respective attachments to shelves. In this example, the securing device 17 is a cleat inserted into the attachment 13 to a shelf.Other solutions are possible for the fastening device 17 of the means of movement together, and for the components 16 for fastening the shelf to the attachment means, for example, clamps, hooks, or electromagnetic systems. An example of a storage installation 300, according to the invention, is shown in [Fig. 6]. It comprises a mobile storage unit 1, also shown in [Fig. 1], three storage racks 100, and a means of transport 200. In this example, the means of transport 200 is a forklift.

[0143] The mobile storage installation 1 comprises a plurality of pairs of angle brackets 5, each pair of angle brackets being suitable for receiving a shelf.

[0144] Each of the 100 storage racks has a plurality of pairs of angle brackets 18, each pair of angle brackets being suitable for receiving a shelf.

[0145] The angle brackets of the same pair 18 are spaced apart by the same distance as the distance separating two angle brackets of the same pair 5, so that a shelf can be placed on either the pair of angle brackets 5 or the pair of angle brackets 18.

[0146] The means of transport 200 allows the mobile storage unit 1 to be moved in relation to one of the storage racks 100, so as to position substantially a pair of angle brackets 5 opposite a pair of angle brackets 18 in order to be able to transfer a shelf between the mobile storage unit 1 and a storage rack 100.

[0147] A first example of the transfer of a tablet 4 between a mobile storage unit 1 and a storage shelf 100 is shown in figures [Fig. 7], [Fig. 8], [Fig. 9], [Fig. 10], [Fig. 11], and [Fig. 12].

[0148] According to [Fig. 7], the tablet 4 is located in the mobile storage unit 1, on a pair of corner brackets 5. The tablet movement means 2 and 3 are at rest, not deployed, located respectively along the rear and front faces of the enclosure 6. The tablet movement means 3 is positioned lower than the movement means 2 in order to allow the tablet 4 to pass through the front face of the enclosure 6, while allowing the tablet 4 to slide on the movement means 3.

[0149] Of course, the angle brackets of pair 5 are spaced at the same distance as the angle brackets of pair 18.

[0150] According to [Fig. 8], which represents the second stage of the transfer, the tablet attachment means 20 of the second means of transport 3 is positioned under the tablet attachment means 13 of the first means of transport 2, thanks to the deployable device 21. The tablet attachment means 20 of the second means of transport 3 is secured to the tablet attachment means 13 of the first means of transport 2 by means of the securing device 22 between the second and first means of transport. The securing device 22 is part of the tablet attachment means 20 of the second means of transport 3.

[0151] Figure 9 represents the third stage of the tablet transfer. The tablet attachment means 13 of the first movement means 2 is moved by means of the deployment of the deployable device 14 and becomes attached to the tablet 4. While the movement means of a tablet 2 pushes the tablet 4, via the deployable device 14, the movement means of a tablet 3 pulls on this tablet. This pulling of the tablet 4 by the movement means 3 is achieved by means of its deployable device 21, which retracts and pulls on the tablet attachment means 20, itself connected to the tablet attachment means 13 of the first movement means 2, by means of the locking device 22.

[0152] Figure 10 represents the fourth stage of the tablet transfer. The second means of moving a tablet 3 detaches from the first means of moving a tablet 2, and returns to its initial position along the open front face of the box 6.

[0153] The means of transport 2 continues to push on the tablet 4 via its deployable device 14. The tablet 4 is extracted from the housing 6 by sliding on the means of transport of a tablet 3

[0154] Figure 11 represents the fifth step in the transfer of the tablet. The tablet 4 is pushed out of the mobile storage unit 1 by means of the deployable device 14 of the first means of movement 2. It slides onto the pair of angle brackets 5, then onto the second means of movement 3 and then onto the pair of angle brackets 18, of the storage rack 100.

[0155] Figure 12 represents the sixth step in the transfer of the shelf. The shelf 4 is in place on the pair of angle brackets 18 in the storage rack 100. The shelf attachment means 13 of the second movement means 3 has been detached from the shelf 4 and has returned to its initial position. This is achieved by retracting the deployable device 14 of the second movement means of a shelf 3. A second example of transferring a shelf 4 between a mobile storage unit 1 and a storage rack 100 is shown from a top view in Figures 13, 14, 16, 18, and 20. This same example is shown from a side view in Figures 15, 17, 19, and 21.

[0156] According to [Fig. 13], which corresponds to the first step of this second example, a mobile storage unit 1 is transported by a means of transport 200, which is a forklift, along several storage racks 100. A shelf 4 on which containers are placed, is positioned on a pair of angle brackets 5, in the mobile storage unit 1.

[0157] Figure 14 shows the second stage of this second example, viewed from above. The mobile storage unit 1 is positioned opposite the storage rack 100. The storage rack 100 has a pair of angle brackets 18, the spacing of which is substantially the same as that of the pair of angle brackets 5 of the mobile storage unit 1. A shelf 23 is already placed on the pair of angle brackets 18 of the storage rack 100. Its depth is equal to half the depth of the storage rack 100 and is the same as the depth of the shelf 4 located in the mobile storage unit 1. The forklift 200 has positioned the mobile storage unit so that the pair of angle brackets 5 is located opposite the pair of angle brackets 18.

[0158] Figure 15 shows the second stage of this second example, viewed from the side. The forklift 200 has positioned the pair of angle brackets 5 at the same height as the pair of angle brackets 18. The means for moving a shelf 3, located at the front of the mobile storage unit 1, is positioned below the shelf 4, while the means for moving a shelf 2 is positioned at the same level as this same shelf 4.

[0159] Figure 16 represents the third step of this second example, viewed from above. The means for moving a shelf 2 is attached to the shelf 4, via the means for attaching to a shelf 13. The deployable device of the means for moving a shelf 2 pushes the shelf 4 out of the mobile storage unit 1, by sliding it on the pair of angle brackets 5 and inserts it into the storage rack 100 by sliding it on the pair of angle brackets 18.

[0160] Figure 17 represents the third step of this second example, seen from the side. The shelf 4 is pushed by the shelf placement means 2, via the deployable device 14, by sliding on the pair of angle brackets 5, then on top of the shelf movement means 3 and then on the pair of angle brackets 18 of the storage rack 100.

[0161] Figure 18 shows the fourth step of this second example, viewed from above. Shelf 4 is positioned in the storage rack 100 in front of shelf 23. The attachment means 13 for the movement means 2 is detached from shelf 4.

[0162] Figure 19 represents the fourth step of this second example, seen from the side. The deployable device 14 retracts and the attachment means for a tablet 13 returns to the mobile storage unit 1, passing over the tablet transport means 3.

[0163] Figure 20 shows the fifth step of this second example, viewed from above. The forklift 200 moves the mobile storage unit 1 along the storage racks 100.

[0164] Figure 21 represents the fifth step of this second example, viewed from the side. The first means of moving a tablet 2 has returned to its initial position within the mobile storage unit 1.

[0165] An example of a logistics installation 500, according to the invention, is shown in [Fig. 22]. It includes a storage installation 300, also shown in [Fig. 6], and a workstation 400 which is not integrated into the storage unit 300.

[0166] The storage facility 300 comprises a mobile storage unit 1, a forklift 200 and several storage racks 100,

[0167] The angle brackets of the same pair 5, 18 and 24 respectively within the mobile storage unit 1, the storage racks 100 and the workstation 400 are spaced at the same distance so that via the forklift 200 and the mobile storage unit 1, a shelf can be transferred between a storage rack 100 and the workstation 400. The mobile storage unit 1, located on the ground, is first transported by the forklift 200 to a storage rack 100. The shelf A, as well as the packages and bins placed on this shelf, are transferred from the storage rack 100 to the mobile storage unit 1 by sliding the shelf A and its contents from the pair of angle brackets 18 to the pair of angle brackets 5, using the moving means 3. The shelf A passes over the moving means 2, which serves as its support.

[0168] The mobile storage unit 1 is then moved by the forklift 200 along another storage rack 100, in order to transfer the pallet B and its contents from the bottom of the storage rack to the bottom of the mobile storage unit 1. The transfer is carried out by means of a motorized conveyor system in the form of rollers placed on the bottom of the mobile storage unit 1.

[0169] Finally, the mobile storage unit is moved to workstation 400, where, according to the same principle, tablet A and pallet B are extracted from mobile storage unit 1 and placed respectively on the pair of angle brackets 24 and the bottom of workstation 400.

[0170] An example of a logistics installation 500, according to the invention, is shown in [Fig. 23]. It comprises a storage installation 300, also shown in [Fig. 6], and a workstation 400 which is integrated into the storage unit 300.

[0171] The storage facility 300 comprises a mobile storage unit 1, a forklift 200 and several storage racks 100,

[0172] The angle brackets of the same pair 5, 18 and 24 respectively within the mobile storage unit 1, the storage racks 100 and the workstation 400 are spaced at the same distance so that via the forklift 200 and the mobile storage unit 1, a shelf can be transferred between a storage rack 100 and the workstation 400.

[0173] The transfer of a tablet from a storage shelf 100 to the workstation 400 in the same manner as described in [Fig. 22],

Claims

Demands 1. Storage facility (300) comprising: — at least one mobile storage unit (1), — at least one storage rack (100), comprising at least two pairs of angle brackets (18), the two angle brackets of the same pair being horizontal, parallel, located at the same height, and separated by a distance identical to the distance separating the two angle brackets of another pair (4), placed on a mobile storage unit (1), — at least one means of transport (200) capable of moving said at least one mobile storage unit (1) vertically and horizontally in relation to a storage rack (100) in order to align a pair of angle brackets of said at least one mobile storage unit (1) with a pair of angle brackets (18) of said at least one storage rack (100), so as to be able to move a shelf (5,23) between said at least one mobile storage unit (1) and said at least one storage rack (100), characterized in that said at least one mobile storage unit (1) comprises: — a box (6) formed of four panels, parallel in pairs, two panels being vertical and two panels being horizontal, said box (6) having at least one open vertical face (7,8) located between two vertical panels, — at least two pairs of angle brackets (5), the two angle brackets of the same pair being horizontal, parallel, located at the same height, one angle bracket being placed on the first vertical panel, and the other angle bracket being placed on the second vertical panel, — at least two tablets (4) capable of sliding on one of said pairs of angle brackets (4), — at least two means of movement (2,3), attached to the mobile storage unit (1), one of the means of movement being located along one of the two open faces (7,8) of the container (6) while another is located along the opposite face (7,8) of said container, each means of movement: — allowing at least one shelf (4) to be inserted into said box (6) or at least one shelf (4) to be removed from said box (6) by sliding it on a pair of corner brackets (5), — able to be moved vertically to be placed at the level of any one of the shelves (4) of said mobile storage unit (1).

2. Storage installation (300) according to claim 1 characterized in that said at least two means of movement (2,3) comprise at least one connecting element with the casing (12,19), at least one means of attaching to a shelf (13,20) and at least one deployable device (14,21) allowing the means of attaching to a shelf (13,20) to be pushed or pulled horizontally, said deployable device (14,21) being connected to the linking element with the casing (12,19) and to the means of attaching to a shelf (13,20).

3. Storage installation (300) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that at least one shelf (4,23) has a depth less than or equal to half the depth of at least one storage rack (100).

4. Storage installation (300) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said at least one mobile storage unit (1) comprises means for adjusting its inclination and position.

5. Storage installation (300) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said at least one mobile storage unit (1) can be temporarily attached to said at least one storage rack (100).

6. Storage installation (300) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said at least two means of moving a tablet (2,3), of the same mobile storage unit (1), can be temporarily joined together.

7. Storage installation (300) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the upper face of one of said at least two means of moving a tablet (2,3), of the same mobile storage unit (1), is in contact with the lower face of a tablet when the latter is inserted into or extracted from said mobile storage unit (1).

8. Storage installation (300) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that at least one means for attaching to a shelf (13,20) has a width less than that of a shelf, is disposed between the two angle brackets on which this shelf is placed and can be temporarily attached to the front face of this shelf.

9. Logistics facility (500) characterized in that it comprises - a storage facility (300) according to claim 1 to 8, - at least one workstation (400), separated from at least one storage facility, comprising at least one pair of angle brackets (24), the two angle brackets of the same pair being horizontal, parallel, located at the same height, and suitable for receiving a shelf (4,23).

10. Logistics facility (500) characterized in that it comprises - a storage facility (300) according to claim 1 to 8, - at least one workstation (400), integrated into at least one storage installation, comprising at least one pair of angle brackets (24), the two angle brackets of the same pair being horizontal, parallel, located at the same height, and suitable for receiving a shelf (4,23).

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