NZ764398B2 - An automated outdoor terminal for storage and handover of online orders and a method to operate the terminal - Google Patents
An automated outdoor terminal for storage and handover of online orders and a method to operate the terminalInfo
- Publication number
- NZ764398B2 NZ764398B2 NZ764398A NZ76439820A NZ764398B2 NZ 764398 B2 NZ764398 B2 NZ 764398B2 NZ 764398 A NZ764398 A NZ 764398A NZ 76439820 A NZ76439820 A NZ 76439820A NZ 764398 B2 NZ764398 B2 NZ 764398B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- tote
- loader
- grocery
- terminal
- console
- Prior art date
Links
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D88/00—Large containers
- B65D88/74—Large containers having means for heating, cooling, aerating or other conditioning of contents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
- B65G1/02—Storage devices
- B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
- B65G1/0407—Storage devices mechanical using stacker cranes
- B65G1/0435—Storage devices mechanical using stacker cranes with pulling or pushing means on either stacking crane or stacking area
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
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- B65G1/0492—Storage devices mechanical with cars adapted to travel in storage aisles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
- B65G1/02—Storage devices
- B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
- B65G1/06—Storage devices mechanical with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level
- B65G1/065—Storage devices mechanical with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level with self propelled cars
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
- B65G1/02—Storage devices
- B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
- B65G1/12—Storage devices mechanical with separate article supports or holders movable in a closed circuit to facilitate insertion or removal of articles the articles being books, documents, forms or the like
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
- B65G1/02—Storage devices
- B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
- B65G1/137—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
- B65G1/1371—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed with data records
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
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- B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
- B65G1/137—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
- B65G1/1373—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed for fulfilling orders in warehouses
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
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- B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
- B65G1/137—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
- B65G1/1373—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed for fulfilling orders in warehouses
- B65G1/1378—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed for fulfilling orders in warehouses the orders being assembled on fixed commissioning areas remote from the storage areas
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
- B65G2201/02—Articles
- B65G2201/0235—Containers
- B65G2201/0258—Trays, totes or bins
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2203/00—Indexing code relating to control or detection of the articles or the load carriers during conveying
- B65G2203/02—Control or detection
- B65G2203/0208—Control or detection relating to the transported articles
- B65G2203/0233—Position of the article
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2203/00—Indexing code relating to control or detection of the articles or the load carriers during conveying
- B65G2203/04—Detection means
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
- B65G47/90—Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials
- B65G47/92—Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials incorporating electrostatic or magnetic grippers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
- B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
- B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
- B66F9/063—Automatically guided
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
- B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
- B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
- B66F9/075—Constructional features or details
- B66F9/12—Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members
- B66F9/18—Load gripping or retaining means
- B66F9/186—Container lifting frames
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
- G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
- G05B19/18—Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form
- G05B19/4155—Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by programme execution, i.e. part programme or machine function execution, e.g. selection of a programme
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G06F16/23—Updating
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
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- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/18—Payment architectures involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
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- G06Q50/28—
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- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
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- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
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- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/38—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal
- G07F11/42—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal the articles being delivered by motor-driven means
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/62—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/0064—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for processing of food articles
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/0092—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/10—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
- G07F17/12—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
Abstract
automated temperature -controlled outdoor terminal for storage and handover of online grocery orders allowing simultaneous operation of two transaction and a method to operate the terminal is described here. In particular, there is described an automated temperature-controlled grocery storage and retrieval terminal constructed into a shipping container having multiple temperature zones. The terminal has two longitudinal rows of shelves for storing grocery items of different sizes in standardized grocery totes supported by specifically designed tote frames. A mast moves between the rows from one temperature zone to another and a loader moving vertically along the mast is configured to retrieve a predetermined grocery tote from the shelf and delivering it to one of two inner consoles. The inner consoles have openable doors for a user to pick the groceries from the tote delivered there or for a courier to load an empty tote delivered to the console. A computer-controlled method to retrieve and deliver grocery orders for or to the storage is also described. d retrieval terminal constructed into a shipping container having multiple temperature zones. The terminal has two longitudinal rows of shelves for storing grocery items of different sizes in standardized grocery totes supported by specifically designed tote frames. A mast moves between the rows from one temperature zone to another and a loader moving vertically along the mast is configured to retrieve a predetermined grocery tote from the shelf and delivering it to one of two inner consoles. The inner consoles have openable doors for a user to pick the groceries from the tote delivered there or for a courier to load an empty tote delivered to the console. A computer-controlled method to retrieve and deliver grocery orders for or to the storage is also described.
Description
An automated temperature olled outdoor terminal for e and handover of online
y orders allowing simultaneous operation of two transaction and a method to operate the
terminal is described here. In particular, there is described an automated temperature-controlled
grocery storage and retrieval terminal constructed into a ng container having multiple
temperature zones. The terminal has two longitudinal rows of shelves for storing grocery items
of different sizes in rdized grocery totes supported by specifically designed tote frames.
A mast moves between the rows from one temperature zone to another and a loader moving
vertically along the mast is configured to retrieve a predetermined grocery tote from the shelf and
delivering it to one of two inner consoles. The inner consoles have openable doors for a user to
pick the ies from the tote delivered there or for a courier to load an empty tote delivered
to the console. A computer-controlled method to retrieve and deliver grocery orders for or to the
storage is also described.
NZ 764398
AN AUTOMATED OUTDOOR TERMINAL FOR STORAGE AND HANDOVER OF
ONLINE ORDERS AND A METHOD TO OPERATE THE TERMINAL
Priority
This application claims priority of U.S. ional application number
62/847,813 filed on May 14, 2019 and the t of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
Field of invention
This invention relates generally to self-service parcel als, and more
specifically to ted grocery terminals for online grocery orders and a method to
deliver and retrieve y orders from the terminal.
Background
Various kinds of parcel terminal solutions and processes to control inserting
and discharging objects are known from the prior art. Generally, each parcel is stored in a
separate locker or shelf.
One such system is disclosed in US 20160244260 which discloses an
automatic warehouse including a storage shelf and a carriage device that carries a
package. The ge device includes a horizontal guide member located inside of the
storage shelf and extending in a lateral direction, a prop inside of the storage shelf and
supporting the horizontal guide member, a cart that travels along the horizontal guide
member, a vertical guide member connected to the cart at an ediate position, and a
lift stage guided by the vertical guide member. The automatic warehouse r includes
a transfer device attached to the lift stage.
US 20150259141 dislcoses a erring apparatus including an elevating
platform, a pair of side arms that are placed on the elevating platform and are each capable
of stretching toward and retracting from both sides of a package, and a lower conveyor
that is placed on the elevating platform. At least either one of the pair of the side arms is
movable in a left-and-right direction orthogonal to a stretching-and-retracting direction of
the side arm. The side arm that is movable in the left-and-right direction includes a base
member that is e in the left-and-right direction. The base member of the side arm
includes a front guide leg-member and a rear guide leg-member that are ed to
respective ends in the stretching-and-retracting direction of the base member on the lower
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
side f. The lower conveyor is provided below a base body member n the front
guide leg-member and the rear guide leg-member.
US 20150302351 discloses a carousel-like system used instead of a
conventional parcel system based on a shelf system. Compared to the generally known
solutions where each parcel is stored on a shelf in a separate locker or container with a
door, the shelves in this system form a conveyor system moving circumferentially and
multiple doors located one above the other for inserting and retrieving parcels have been
provided at the access point of the storage compartment.
US 8,919,637 discloses a parcel storage dynamically allocating storage
space for parcels. In order to ensure highest capacity, a system of shelves is used inside
the parcel storage apparatus for storing parcels of variable size
It is clear however, that the consumers are today ng not only consumer
products online, but more and more grocery shopping is conducted via the internet. Due
to the requirement of different storage temperatures, groceries cannot be d as bulk,
and even one order from a single customer most likely es storing the items in different
temperatures. However, the mentioned systems are not meant for groceries.
US 6,467,293 teaches a grocery delivery vehicle. The vehicle is adapted to
hold and transport groceries for home ry. The storage includes multiple
compartments maintained at different temperatures to keep items place therein
refrigerated, frozen or at t temperature. Each of the compartments are accessible
from outside.
US 8,857,208 discloses a climatic cabinet and storage cabinet that includes
an upper zone, a lower zone, storage ons for g objects in one or the upper and
the lower zone, and at least one ature control unit structures and arrange to
maintain a temperature in the one of the upper and lower zone different from the other of
upper and lower zone. The cabinet includes a lock, a horizontal transport mechanism
arranged at least in part in the other of the upper and lower zone to move the objects to
and from the lock in a direction having a horizontal component and a vertical transport
mechanism structured and arrange to move the s n the lower zone and the
upper zone.
US 2018/0094846 teaches multi-zone transport refrigerator units (TRUs) with
panels for solar power to control temperatures in the units.
EP 1614376 ses a method of delivering groceries purchased over the
internet. The method includes filling up internet orders in a warehouse by filling the ordered
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
groceries in totes, moving the totes into a truck transporting the groceries closer to
destination and r vehicles then picking up totes from the truck to deliver the totes to
customer’s homes.
US 7,054,832 discloses a general method and system for selling
merchandize. The method includes receiving an order from a customer for a product
d to be picked up by the customer at a given on, readying the product for
er pickup at the given location after receiving the order, detecting the arrival of the
customer, and moving the product to a g station at the given location for customer
pickup.
The shortcoming of the currently known solutions is that they are timeconsuming
because the systems are constructed to do only one activity at a time or that
the activities are manual. Moreover, even if containers with different temperature zones
are known there has been no system for an automatic loading customer´s grocery-orders
in ent temperature zones, especially in a manner that loading or ving multiple
items to or from the grocery terminal would be fast and efficient. There are no existing
ons for an ted outdoor terminal specially for requirements of fulfilling grocery
orders quickly.
Accordingly, there is a need for an efficient and safe system for storing and
handing out grocery orders made remotely, e.g. over the internet.
Summary of the invention
ingly, it is an objective of this invention to provide an mous
grocery storage and retrieval terminal comprising: a transportable temperature-controlled
container having a top, a bottom, two longitudinal walls, a back end, a front end, and a
temperature controlling system; a user console attached to the front end of the container,
said user console comprising at least an input device for receiving an input from a user for
loading or retrieving one or more grocery orders; the container and the user console
together forming an outer shell of the terminal; an inner frame inside the outer shell, the
inner frame comprising at least one temperature zone, two longitudinal rows of shelf posts
along the longitudinal walls forming s, and a longitudinal aisle between the rows,
and the shelf posts being configured to hold a ude totes or receptacles with totes,
two inner consoles at the front end of container locating on te sides of the aisle,
each having an access opening facing toward the aisle, and a lockable inner console door
providing an access to the inner console from outside the terminal to receive or load the
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
grocery , a mast configured to move along the aisle on a bottom rail, and a loader
attached to the mast, the loader being configured to move vertically along the mast and
pull out a tote or a tote acle fixed to a tote from a shelf and attach on top of the tote
or the tote receptacle via guide rails located on a lower side of the loader such the tote is
resting eath the loader, and the mast and the loader being configured to move the
tote or the tote receptacle fixed to the tote attached to the loader through the access
opening into the inner console that locates on same side of the aisle as the shelf from
which the tote was pulled out, the loader further being configured to pull out a tote or tote
receptacle fixed to a tote from either of the inner consoles through an access opening and
move the tote or the receptacle fixed to the tote to a shelf on same side of the aisle as the
inner e from which the tote was pulled out; and the al further comprising a
controller, and a server in communication with a database for tracking at least one grocery
tote within the terminal, and the controller being in communication with the server and the
server updating the database regarding on of totes in the terminal.
Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for moving
grocery totes within a grocery storage and retrieval terminal, said arrangement sing
a horizontally moving mast, and a vertically moving loader attached thereto, wherein the
loader comprises a rectangular main structure having two open ends, and two closed
sides, each of the closed sides having a guide rail on their lowermost part and distance
between the guide rails being such that a grocery tote fixed in a tote frame can be
supported by the rails; a magnetic head having two electromagnets, each of the
electromagnets facing toward one open end of the main structure, the magnetic head
hanging on a linear rail d underneath the main structure in between and parallel to
the guide rails, and being configured to move along the linear rail between the open ends,
the magnetic head being ured to attach to a tote frame, and upon moving along the
linear rail pulling a grocery tote fixed into the tote frame through one open end of the loader
along the guide rails to underneath the main structure or pushing the grocery tote fixed to
the tote frame out from one open end of the loader along the guiderails to a selected
location; and wherein the loader is configured to move vertically along the mast to a height
such that one open end is adjacent to the selected location for the magnetic head to push
the grocery tote to the location or to pull a grocery tote from the location to the loader along
the guiderails.
It is another object of this invention to provide a computerized system to store
and retrieve grocery orders in and from a grocery storage and retrieval al having a
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
multitude of temperature zones, wherein the system comprises at least a row of parallel
shelf posts forming shelves, said posts being arranged such that a multitude of grocery
totes or tote acles fixed to grocery totes can be supported between the posts, and
the at least one shelf post row extends h the ude of temperature zones, and
wherein the system ses a user interface and computer controls for controlling a
horizontally moving mast having a vertically moving loader attached thereto to retrieve or
insert grocery totes from or to a shelf in a predetermined temperature zone.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a computer-controlled method
to retrieve or insert multiple grocery orders from or to a grocery storage and retrieval
terminal sing the terminal with an input device and computer implemented controls;
the terminal comprising two shelf post rows configured to hold a multitude of grocery totes
preferably fixed in tote receptacles, a longitudinal aisle in between the rows, a vertically
moving loader attached on a mast configured to move along the aisle, wherein movement
of the loader and movement of the mast can be parallel (simultaneous), and two inner
consoles locating inside the terminal at same end of the al on opposite sides of the
aisle for retrieving and loading grocery orders, said method comprising the steps of:
a) selecting a retrieval (also called customer mode) or a loading mode (also called courier
mode) based on identification information entered by a user at the input device;
b) upon entering the retrieval mode, ting movement of the mast along the aisle to a
location at the shelf post rows where a tote containing a first order s, or upon entering
g mode initiating movement of the mast along the aisle to a location at the shelf post
rows where an empty tote is located;
c) ting vertical movement of the loader to a level of the tote containing the first order
or to the empty tote and initiating the loader to pull out the tote and initiating the loader to
attach to the receptacle fixed to the tote or ly to the tote such that tote is attached
underneath the loader;
d) initiating the mast with the tote attached underneath the loader to move along the aisle
to the first of the two inner es located on the same side of the terminal as the shelf
from which the tote was retrieved;
e) initiating the loader to push the tote or the tote with the receptacle into the first of the
two inner consoles through an access opening;
f) causing the first inner console door to unlock for the user to open the door and retrieve
the first order from the tote located in the first inner console, or the user to load the items
of a first order into the empty tote in the first inner console;
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
g) locking the first inner console upon receiving information that the user closed the door
of the first inner console and receiving confirmation from the user input device that retrieval
of items at the first inner e is finalized or that loading of items at the first inner console
is finalized;
h) simultaneously with step f)) identifying a second tote with a second order or a second
empty tote locating on the opposite shelf post row than the tote with the first order or the
first empty tote, and initiating the mast to move along the aisle to the location where a tote
containing the second order or the second empty tote is located;
i) initiating vertical movement of the loader to a level of the tote containing the second
order or the second empty tote and initiating the loader to attach to the receptacle fixed to
the tote or directly to the tote such that tote is attached underneath the loader;
j) initiating nt of the mast with the tote attached underneath the loader along the
aisle to the second of the two inner consoles on the same side of the aisle as the shelf
from which the second tote was retrieved;
k) initiating the loader to push the tote or the receptacle with the tote into the second inner
console;
l) initiating the second inner e door to unlock after which the user can open the door
and retrieve the second order from the second inner console, or the user can load the
items of a second order to the empty tote at the second inner console;
m) g the second inner console upon receiving information that the user closed the
door of the second inner console and receiving confirmation from the user input device
that retrieval of items at the second inner console is finalized or that g of items at the
first inner console is finalized;
n) simultaneously with step l)) initiating the mast and the loader to remove the full tote or
the empty tote from the first inner console and transport to an empty shelf locating on the
same side of the aisle as the first inner console for storage;
o) repeating steps b-g) for a third order;
p) repeating steps h-m) for a fourth order;
q) repeating steps b-n) until each of the grocery orders are picked up or each of the grocery
orders are filled in.
18406611_1 ters) P113546.NZ
Short ption of the drawings
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the grocery al 1. The figure shows
the outer shell 10 , the user console 600 at a front end of the terminal with an inner console
door 506 open.
Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the grocery terminal 1. The figure
shows the back end of the terminal with doors 10a to enter the temperature controlling or
refrigeration unit 20 .
Figure 3A and 3B show a view to the user console. In Figure 3B the inner
console doors 506 are open while in Figure 3A the doors are closed. The figures show
user console 600 , end-user scanners 601a and 601b, touch screen assembly 602 , console
dome cameras 603 , LED lights 604 , viewing window 605 , instrument unit 606 that houses
a cover plate which hides motion sensors and conference call system, console roof 607 ,
isement space 515 , inner console 505 , inner console doors 506 . In Figure 3B also
two sets of safety light curtains 511 are shown.
Figure 4 is a partially opened view of the terminal 1. The figure shows the
outer shell 10 having the user console 600 with inner console door 506 in open on.
Inside the terminal an inner frame 514 comprises a multitude of shelf posts 403 against
both of the udinal walls of the terminal. A mast 400 and a loader 200 are shown.
Figure 5 is another illustration of a partial opened view of the terminal 1. The
figure shows the outer shell 10 , the shelf posts 403 , support rails 503 , the mast 400 , the
loader 200 , the top rail 504, and bottom rail 402 , and the inner console 505 with bottom
parts 513 of the side walls of the inner console, and the counter 512 . Notably, on the
te side of the aisle the structure is identical, i.e. there is a second inner console on
the other side of the aisle. The terminal is divided into two different temperature zones, A
and B, separated from each other by insulated wall 501 and sliding door 502 .
Figure 6 shows yet another partial opened view of the terminal. Shown are
the shelf posts 403 , support rails 503 , the top rail 504 and bottom rail 402 , the mast 400 ,
and the loader 200 . Furthermore, the figure shows the insulated chamber 507 of an inner
console, the bottom part 508 of the inner console (includes an access opening), the guide
rails 509 for a tote frame, and safety light ns 511 at the bottom part of the inner
console. Again there is an identical second inner console on the opposite side of the aisle
having same elements.
Figure 7 shows a longitudinal cross section of the grocery terminal. At the
back end of the terminal is a refrigerator unit 20 . Closest to the erator unit is a low
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
temperature zone A ted from the warmer zone B by an insulated wall 501 and a
sliding door 502. Both zones have shelf posts 403 and totes 100. Steel plates 102 of the
tote frames are visible here. The figure also shows the user console 600 and the insulated
chamber 507 of an inner console. Top 11 , bottom 12 , back end 13 , and front end 14 of the
terminal are shown here also.
Figure 8A shows a tote 100 and a tote frame (receptacle) 101 . The front side
of the tote frame has a steel plate 102 . The tote has an upper edge 100a extending around
the outer surface of the tote.
Figure 8B is an illustration of a dip-in tote frame 101 . The frame has four sides
(side rails) a, b, c, and d that leave an empty rectangular space e in the middle. The
dimensions of the empty space are such that a tote can be dipped through the empty
space and the tote will hang from the sides of the frame ted by its upper edge. At
least two opposite side rails are r than the edge such that when the tote rests on
the frame the outer parts of the side rails are not covered by the edge (seen in figure 8C).
These outer parts will be supporting the tote fixed in the frame on the guide rails of the
Figure 8C shows a tote 100 inserted into the frame 101 . The steel plate 102
is also shown. The four sides of the tote frame are snugly attached around the tote such
that the tote is supported by the frame from its upper edge 100a .
Figure 8D illustrates a tote 100 that has the steel plate 102 attached directly
to the tote. The upper edge 100a is shown.
Figure 8E is a view from inside the inner console toward the tote 100 . The
tote is resting on the U-shaped guide rails 509 by means of the tote frame sider rails and
the tote frame is locked into the inner console with a lock 516 to prevent the frame to be
removed from the inner console by a user.
Figure 9 shows the uction of the main structure 201 of the loader 200 .
The loader has two open ends 220 and two closed sides 230 . The figure shows the guide
rails 202 , the electric motor 203 , the position sensors 210 , the home sensor 208 , the drive
belt 204 , and the magnetic head 300 . Also shown are adjustment screws 205, two plates
206 in between of which the drive belt is placed, home sensor 208 , and junction box 201
collecting all sensor signals generated on the .
Figure 10 is an illustration where a tote 100 is inserted underneath the loader
200 . The tote frame (not visible) is supporting the tote by resting on the guide rails 202 of
the loader that locate on the lowermost parts of the closed sides 230 .
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
Figure 11 shows the structure of the mast 400 with the loader 200 . The figure
shows the carriage 405 , linear guide rails 407 , lift belt drive 408 , counterweight 409 , lift
drive motor 411 , upper support rollers 414 , loader carriage plate 413 , hanging ts
401 , and the loader 200 . Also shown are drive rollers 406 connecting mast to rail, lift belt
drive 408 , metal plates 410 to support ures for mast and to give ty to the
structure, adjustable idlers 412 , homing sensor 415 , and camera 416 for recording and
video streaming loader operations.
Figures 12A and 12B are r illustrations showing the loader 200 holding
the tote 100 in a tote frame 101 .
Figure 13 is a detailed drawing of the magnetic head 300 , comprising two
electromagnets 301 , a housing 304 , pushers 303 and linear guiderails 302 from which the
magnetic head is hanging.
Figures 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D show flow charts illustrating the computercontrolled
method of loading and unloading grocery orders to and from the terminal. More
specifically Figure 14 A shows operation when the system is on courier mode (loading
mode); Figure 14 B shows operation when the system is on customer mode (retrieval
mode) Figure 14 C illustrates the parallel ions during insertion process (loading
mode) of multiple totes and Figure 14 D illustrates the parallel operations during receiving
process (receiving mode) of multiple totes. In figures 14 C and D the two inner consoles
are marked as L (left) and R (right) console - these equal with terms first and second
consoles elsewhere in the text.
Fig. 15 is a tic illustration showing the communications between the
user via a communication device, the terminal via the user console and the server.
Detailed description of the invention
The parcel terminal according to this ion is built inside a temperature
controlled transportable container, and the terminal comprises of outer shell 10 which
includes a user console 600 , at least one and preferably two inner consoles 505 , a mast
400 , a loader 200 , an inner frame 514 comprising multiple shelf posts 403 for storing
grocery items of different sizes in standardized grocery totes 100 inside specifically
designed tote frames 101 . The terminal has multiple ature zones.
The terminal according to this ion is preferably meant for storing and
delivering grocery orders and accordingly the temperature l preferably is a g
system comprising a refrigerating unit 20 .
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
According to a preferred embodiment the transportable container is a
shipping container.
The grocery terminal 1 may be connected to a server 2 in order to s
data, generate user and parcel codes and for identifying users with the web application or
smart device application 3, as well as sending data to the parcel terminal. The terminal
may e computing hardware for carrying out the above-noted functionalities of FIGS.
14A -14D and other ons, processes, steps, etc. of this disclosure. In an ment,
the grocery terminal may include a first ing device, such as a general purpose
computer having a computer-readable memory with instructions and a processor
executing those instructions, that provides the user interface, effects communications with
the server, and initiates ds to move the mast and/or the loader, and other
mechanical components of the al. The terminal may r include a second
computing device that controls movement of the loader and other mechanical components.
The second computing device may receive movement commands from the first processing
device and transmit nt instructions to the mechanical components. In one
embodiment the second computing device may be a programmable logic controller (PLC).
The second computing device may also control locking and unlocking of the inner e
door, in an embodiment, responsive to input from the motion sensor, scanner, and/or first
computing device. It should be noted that, although specific computing hardware is noted
above for the first and second computing devices, any type of appropriate computing
hardware may be used for any computing device in the parcel terminal, including but not
limited to a general-purpose computer, a PLC, another programmable logic device (PLD),
an application-specific integrated t (ASIC), etc. Further, it should be noted that
functions, processes, steps, etc. of this disclosure that are carried out by such computing
devices may be embodied in any combination of software, digital hardware, and analog
hardware. Still further, although two computing devices are explicitly bed above, it
should be appreciated that the functions, processes, steps, etc. of this disclosure may be
carried out by a single computing device, by two computing devices, or by more than two
computing devices of the parcel terminal.
The invention is now described in light of the appended gs.
According to a preferred embodiment and referring specifically to s 1
and 2, the terminal according to this invention is constructed inside a refrigerated
transportable container, which according to a preferred embodiment is a shipping
container. The container has a bottom and top, two longitudinal walls, one shorter back
18406611_1 ters) P113546.NZ
end wall and an opposite short front end. In a case when the container is a shipping
container, the wall of the front end of the al shipping container has been removed
before building the terminal. Alternatively, only the original doors of the shipping container
may have been removed. The container has cooling, and refrigeration systems as is known
in the art. The udinal container walls form the side walls of the terminal and the top
and the bottom of the container form the floor and ceiling of the terminal, respectively.
User console:
Referring specifically to s 3A, B and 4, the grocery terminal has a user
console 600 . The user console is attached onto the outer shell 10 of the terminal. The
attachment according to one preferred embodiment is via hinges such that the user
console can be opened when necessary to e full access into the terminal. Other
attachment means are also possible. The user console is installed preferably at a short
end of the terminal. The user e serves as an interaction area of the terminal. The
user e comprises an input device which according to a red embodiment
comprises a touch screen, two scanners, an NFC (near field communication) module and
an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) -compliant one jack with a volume control
button. The user console further comprises a motion detector, a speaker and a
microphone. A customer retrieving his/her online order(s) from the terminal will enter via
the user console his/her credentials, which may e, for example, an order number,
customer’s identity, and items that are picked up this time.
A courier delivering groceries to the terminal is also required to identify
him/herself at the user console. Depending whether the person identifying at the user
console is customer or a courier, the system will be activated to be on retrieval mode (also
called customer mode) or loading mode (also called r mode). According to one
preferred embodiment the system is in idle mode when not activated to be on retrieval or
g mode. According to another embodiment the retrieval mode may be a default
mode.
The presence of the user at the console may be recognized by a motion
sensor. A scanner will be activated, and the user may be identified by scanning a
previously generated unique single-use code, such e, a bar code, a combination
of number/letter, etc., with the scanner. The code may be generated with a
communications device app, e.g. smart phone app The code will indicate whether the user
is a customer (i.e. retrieval mode) retrieving his/her groceries or a courier (i.e. loading
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
mode) to load in ordered groceries. According to one preferred embodiment the computercontrolled
system is on idle mode and will be switched to retrieval mode upon customer
identifying him/herself or to courier mode upon a courier identifying him/herself. According
to another preferred embodiment a default mode of the terminal is customer mode
(retrieval mode) and upon a courier identifying him/herself the er-controlled system
switches to courier mode (loading mode).
The controller may e scanned signals from the scanner, and the
controller may transmit scanned information to the central server.
Inner console:
Now referring specifically to Figures 5 and 6, the parcel (grocery) terminal has
preferably two inner consoles 505 . The inner es locate at same end of the terminal
on te sides of the aisle. Both of the inner consoles comprise an insulated chamber
507 inside the terminal. Both of the inner consoles have at least one door 506. The door
is preferably of glass or other transparent material. The door provides access to outside
the terminal. The door is locked by default while the mast 400 or the loader 200 is moving.
ing to one embodiment the door(s) may be opened when the terminal is on courier
mode (loading mode) even at same time when the mast moves. The doors can be locked
in an open position by a courier having access to the al. According to one
embodiment the console doors are automated via a motorized solution and the handover
of the delivery thus can be contactless. Automated closing and opening may for example
be controlled via a smart phone. Both of the inner consoles have a bottom part 508 with
an access opening accessible to the loader 200. Preferably, the accessible bottom part
comprises a suitably dimensioned opening in a wall facing toward the mast through which
the loader can insert or remove a tote or a tote receptacle with or t a tote into or
from the inner console.
ing to one preferred embodiment the bottom part of the console has
guide rails 509 matching with the tote receptacle, which is a tote frame, such that the tote
frame and the tote can be slid into and out from the inner console (see Fig. 8E). These
guide rails are easily replaceable and made of highly durable material such as
ymethylene, i.e., polyacetal or similar material, which ensures their long life and the
capacity to carry maximum weight totes.
According to one preferred ment the tote receptacle which preferably
is a tote frame is locked to the inner part of the e so that it is impossible to
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
accidentally move the tote frame (Fig 8E). According to a preferred embodiment the tote
frame slides into the guiderails that are positioned inside the inner console. The guiderails
are closed on top thus forming a U-form around the tote frame edges so that the tote frame
cannot be pulled s out of the inner e. The tote frame is preferably also locked
via an electric lock 516 so that it cannot move back toward the aisle of the terminal. The
lock may also be for preventing a user to remove the frame from the console. The tote
frame is preferably also locked via an electric lock so that it cannot move back toward the
aisle of the terminal. According to certain embodiment the tote can be removed from the
tote frame once the tote frame has been moved into the inner console. According to a
red ment a customer retrieving his/her groceries is not removing the tote but
only the items inside the tote. However, according to another preferred embodiment the
customer or the courier may pick up the tote and return an empty tote to a dedicated place
or replace an empty tote with a full tote. In certain embodiments the tote can be locked to
the internal console in such a way that it cannot be removed from the console. On the
ceiling or an upper part of the inner console there is a camera 510 for taking pictures of
the totes inside the inner e.
According to a preferred embodiment, the terminal has two inner consoles to
operate the terminal with greater ency by allowing the mast 400 and the loader 200
to operate at one inner console while customer or courier is operating at the other. In a
case of two inner consoles, the consoles are located on opposite sides of the short end of
the terminal such that the mast moves on a rail between the consoles. According to a
preferred ment (reference to Figures 14A-D), both of the inner consoles may be
operated simultaneously: a user may retrieve or insert groceries from both inner consoles
one after another, or alternatively a courier may load grocery orders one after another at
both of the inner consoles. The essence being that both of the inner consoles can be used
elly either for loading or for ing. To allow parallel operation of both consoles,
opto-electronic safety light curtains 511 l (Fig 3B) are placed into the door opening. If these
safety light ns 511 are obstructed, a signal is received by the al computing
system and the tote frame cannot be moved by the loader. This functionality is also
implemented in courier regime: while the courier can remove totes from the terminal, the
loader cannot move the tote before the safety light curtains at the door opening are
unobstructed. Similarly, the bottom part 508 ding the access opening) of the internal
console contains safety light curtains 511 (Fig. 6, Fig. 8E) that need to be unobstructed
before the tote frame t a tote can be removed from the inner console. This will also
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
ensure that nothing is in the way of the mast and loader while they move towards the
internal console. According to a preferred embodiment the internal console also has optical
sensors that detect oversize. These s detect oversize while the tote is being pulled
to the loader from the internal console. If any oversize is detected the tote is pushed back
to the console.
The inner console 505 also has a counter 512. Bottom parts 513 of the
sidewalls of the inner console and the counter are preferably made out of brushed stainless
steel to ensure high resistance to scratches that can occur during tote switching, these
bottom parts of the sidewalls are also placed in such a way that a space is left on the sides
of the tote to allow easy access to tote s so that the placement and removal of the
tote is as easy as possible. In essence, this means that the width of the insulated chamber
of the inner console is slightly broader than the length of the tote to allow easy access for
the customer or the courier to the tote handles.
Inner frame:
An inner frame 514 of the terminal is constructed inside the shipping
container. The inner frame is divided at least into two different temperature zones A and
B, shown in Figure 7. In an alternative embodiment there may be more zones, e.g. A, B,
A, or B, A, B etc. According to some embodiments, there may be more than one terminal
attached together from their shorter end and each of the terminals have at least one
temperature zone. According to one embodiment terminal A may have temperature zone
A, and an attached terminal B may have temperature zone B. ing to some
embodiments, the terminal contains more than two zones, e.g. A, B and C. The at least
two zones are separated from each other by insulated walls 501 and sliding doors 502 .
These ature zones may be selected to be adjusted to re from -18°C to
+15°C. ing to some embodiments, temperature of one or more zones may also kept
at ambient temperature. ing to one preferred embodiment, one zone has a
ature adjusted to -18°C for storage of frozen groceries and one zone has a
temperature adjusted to +2°C for e of dairy products and such. The temperature is
controlled via the container’s built-in refrigeration unit 20 , preferably located at an opposite
end of the terminal from the inner console. In a preferred embodiment of this ion, a
zone with lowest temperatures is located closest to the refrigeration unit and the zone with
highest temperatures is located closest to the inner console. The size of each zone may
vary as the size is determined by the on the sliding doors 502 and the ted walls
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
501 , which are positioned ing to needs. These sliding doors open to allow the mast
400 to temporarily enter the low temperature zone for loading or retrieving the tote frames
with totes containing groceries requiring low temperature storage to and from post rows in
the low temperature zone and return to the higher temperature zone. Once the mast has
returned to the higher temperature zone, the sliding doors 502 close. These sliding doors
may be operated, for example, by electric motors (not shown) and a rack and pinion drive
system (not shown). The sliding doors end positions are confirmed by sensors (not shown).
According to a red embodiment, the inner frame 514 ses shelf
posts 403 at a distance from each other such that the distance between the posts is equal
to a width of a tote receptacle. The receptacle ing to a preferred embodiment is a
tote frame, preferably a dip-in tote frame such as shown in Figure 8B. According to one
preferred embodiment, the inner frame may have posts installed at different distances from
each other such that tote frames of different width can be used in the terminal for totes of
different sizes. According to a preferred embodiment, there is a multitude of support rails
503 attached on both sides of each flat shelf post in such a manner that a ude of tote
frames can be supported between two shelf posts by support rails in both respective shelf
posts. The tote frame, according to the most preferable embodiment, is a dip-in frame
having four sides framing an empty space ly dimensioned to hold a tote. It is also to
be noted that, in special cases, the totes have metal plates embedded inside the edges of
the totes, and that in such a case, no frame is needed, but such totes can ly be placed
between the shelf posts 403 and be supported by the support rails 503 .
Again, in reference to Figures 6 and 7, the shelf posts 403 form two rows
inside the al and leave a middle aisle for the mast to move between the post rows.
In the middle aisle, a top rail 504 is attached onto the ceiling of the terminal and a bottom
rail 402 is attached onto the floor of the terminal. Both the bottom and the top rail extends
through the terminal from to each temperature zone. The mast 400 moves along the
bottom and top rails. The top rail has a U-profile. The bottom rail is a custom profile
developed for this terminal. It consists of two iles placed back to back with T-nut
slots in between to allow easy mounting of mast drive belt system and adds possibility join
two profiles together.
Still referring to Figures 5, 6, a mast 400 configured to move n both of
the end walls of the terminal and to elevate and decline the loader 200 to move totes is
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
driven along a bottom rail 402 along an aisle between the shelf post rows. Transmission
is achieved through a drive belt running along the bottom rail and being fixed to the rail at
both of its ends. At one end of the rail there is a drive belt tensioning system (not .
ing to figures 11 and 12 A, B, a mast drive motor/mast motor 404 is located on the
mast and it moves with the mast. The lower part of the mast ses a carriage 405 ,
through which the mast is connected to the bottom rail and to the mast’s drive belt. The
carriage holds the rollers of the drive belt system (not shown) inside the two sides of the
ge, through which power is transmitted to the drive belt. The drive system uses an
omega type belt routing to ensure maximum number of belt teeth connecting to the drive
wheel and also to make the belt be as close to the mast rail as possible. Both of the omega
drive idlers are adjustable to ensure the drive belt runs as linear as possible along the
entire length of the machine.
The ge also holds drive rollers 406 , through which the mast is connected
to the rail. These rollers are covered with polyurethane layer to ensure longevity and silent
movement along the machine. The mast may have different number of s depending
on the loads of the given mast needs to carry. The rollers are mounted to the carriage in a
way that they are easily replaceable.
The mast has a lift which moves the loader vertically along the mast. The lift
comprises two beams 417 of which the one closer to the loader is also a linear guide 407
rail for the loader. Also connected to the lift drive belt 408 is a counterweight 409 . The
counterweight is situated in between the two lift beams. The two beams are connected
with each other with metal plates 410 to give the mast its rigidity. Power transmission for
the lift is achieved through a belt drive 408 running between the lift beams. Lift drive motor
411 is located next to the mast drive motor. All the idlers 412 of the lift belt system are
adjustable to make the belt move as linearly as possible. The belts tension can be adjusted
on the loader carriage plate 413 that is moving along the s linear guide.
At the upper end of the mast, there are support rollers 414 , which drive along
a top rail 504 that is fixed to the ceiling of the ner to prevent the lateral movement of
the mast. These upper rollers 414 allow easy adjustment of the mast to make sure that the
mast is perfectly in center of the mast corridor between the shelves. On top of the mast is
also located a camera 416 which can see the loader.
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
Loader
As shown for e in Figure 11, the loader 200 is located on the mast 400
and it can move up and down along the mast to a desired height to load or unload a tote.
In reference to Figure 10, the loader is positioned over the tote frame and tote. In an
alternative embodiment where the system does not have the tote frame the loader is
oned over the tote itself. The loader comprises a main structure 201 that has
connection points for all the other loader parts. According to one embodiment the loader
may have a cover over the main ure (not shown).
The main structure has a rectangular shape. Along a length of two opposite
sides of the main structure there are placed guide rails 202. The dimensions of the
rectangular main structure are such that a tote frame or alternatively the tote alone will fit
under the main structure, and the location of the guide rails being such that a tote frame
with a tote or the tote alone can be supported by the rails. The loader is configured to push
and pull tote frames with totes or alternatively the totes alone (i.e. such that the tote frame
or an edge of the tote rests on the guide rails) onto and off from the loader, and the main
structure allows sliding the tote frame and the tote or the tote alone along the rails. The
rails are mounted to the main ure and can be easily replaced, if necessary. The
material of the rails is highly durable and strong, such as polyoxymethylene i.e. polyacetal
or similar, which ensures their long life and the capacity to carry maximum weight totes.
Guide rails 202 have tapered ends to guide the tote frame onto the loader while it is being
pulled to the loader.
Referring to figures 9 and 10, underneath the main structure 201 in between
and parallel to the guide rails 202 moves a double-sided magnetic head 300 that has two
electromagnets 301 facing te directions along the moving direction of the loader and
pointing s the shelves on both sides of the loader. This enables tote frames or totes
to be picked up from shelves on both sides of the loader. According to one preferred
embodiment, the loader is capable of moving tote frames with a tote fixed therein or a tote
alone to and from an inner console 505 and to and from the shelf posts 403 . The magnetic
head 300 is hanging from at least one linear rail 302 attached to the underside of the main
structure of the loader. The magnetic head consists ially of two electromagnets and,
multiple pushers 303 and a housing 304 which connects the omagnets and the
pushers. The two electromagnets are facing to opposite directions, such that one is facing
toward the direction of one shelf columns and the other in the opposite direction. The
omagnets are capable of moving in on to the housing 304 , which makes it
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
possible to compensate for any potential tote or loading–position inaccuracies The
magnetic head moves to the end of the linear guides to an extent that is necessary to
reach across the edge of the loader to grab tote frames or totes placed on a shelf (by shelf
it is meant here the location between two shelf posts where the tote frame or tote can be
supported by the guide rails of the shelf posts) in both end ons of the magnetic head.
The pushers are located on the sides of the omagnets. The pushers are connected
to a sensor 305 that provides a signal to define whether or not the tote frame is attached
to the electromagnet. The pushers also help to push the tote frame or tote away from the
electromagnet if any residual magnetism should occur, so as to ensure that the tote frame
or tote is not attached to the magnetic head when the loader starts moving away from the
shelf.
The ic head is moved via an electric motor 203 and drive belt system
204 . The electric motor and the drive belt are preferably located on the upper side of the
loader. The drive belt has easy access adjustment screws 205 on both ends of the loader
that allow to change the angle of the endmost rollers of the drive belt system to ensure
that the movement of the drive belt is as linear as possible and also to adjust the tension
of the belt. The drive belt system with rollers is placed between two plates 206 that stretch
along the entire length of the loader.
The energy chain 207 of the magnetic head is located beside the magnetic head. There is
a home sensor 208 for the magnetic head at one end of the loader.
There is at least one position sensor 210 outside s main structure
detecting the position of the tote frame on the loader as well as whether or not a magnet
is holding the tote frame.
On top of the loader is d a junction box 211 that collects all the sensor
signals that are generated on the loader.
As shown in Figure 11, the s main frame is attached to the mast via
hanging brackets 401 that connect the loaders main structure. These hanging brackets
also allow adjustment of the loader in all axes so as to guarantee straight loading and
unloading of the tote frame.
Tote Frame and Tote
The automated grocery al uses standard grocery totes 100 to store
goods inside the terminal. In certain embodiments, the totes may come in different sizes
preferably based on their depth, but also the length may differ. ing to a preferred
embodiment, to accommodate totes with different lengths different sized tote frames may
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
be used. The frame may also be adjustable for different sized totes. The frame is also
called here receptacle. ing to figures 8A-E, ing to a preferred embodiment the
frame has four sides a, b, c, d such that the sides leave an empty space e in the middle to
adapt a tote dipped into the empty space. Such a tote frame is called here -tote
frame. The totes are not by default locked into the frame, which allows removing the tote
from the frame when the frame with a tote is t into the inner e. The frame has
a metal plate 102 on one edge. The steel plate is used as an attachment point for an
electromagnet 301 that is used to move the frame with the tote perpendicularly to mast
movement. The frame can be made of different materials including but not limited to steel,
stainless steel and different thermoplastics and composites. According to one embodiment
(figure 8D), the terminal does not have tote frames at all but pulling the tote onto and from
the loader takes place with, for example, mechanical hooks that pull the tote or rollers that
use friction to move the tote to and from a shelf, or in some embodiments of this invention
the totes have metal plates molded into their sides so that the electromagnet can directly
connect to the tote. Examples of the loader in work are provided below.
Case 1 Loading a tote to the loader from a shelf
The loader is empty i.e. it is not holding a tote frame and a tote. The loader
moves up to a predetermined tote placed on a shelf. The magnetic head of the loader
moves into an end position, during which the electromagnet and pushers move against
the steel plate of the tote frame. The electromagnet is ted, and the pushers are now
level with the electromagnet, so the sensor sends out a signal to indicate that the tote
frame is attached to the magnet. The magnetic head moves toward the other end of the
loader until the tote frame is fully g on the guide rails of the loader. Once the tote
frame and the tote are attached to the loader, the mast may begin to move.
Case 2. Moving a tote from a shelf to an inner console
A tote frame with a tote has been pulled to the loader (i.e. the frame is g
on the guide rails underneath the loader) from a shelf on the left or right side of the terminal
and is brought by movement of the mast to the inner console that locates on the same side
of the terminal as the shelf from which the tote was retrieved. The tote frame with the tote
is pushed into the inner console through the opening in the console wall by the magnetic
head that moves toward its end position. Once the magnetic head has reached the end
position the tote is fully inside the inner console such that the tote frame fully rests on the
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
guide rails in the inner console. In case the tote was empty and the system is on courier
mode, the courier will fill the tote with orders or alternatively pick up the empty tote and
exchange it with a tote that is prefilled with customer orders and once the tote has been
loaded, it is moved back to the loader. In case the tote was full and the system is on item
val mode, the er picks the items from the tote or alternatively picks the full
tote, and once the tote is empty or the frame no more contains the tote, the frame with
empty tote or an empty frame is pulled back to the loader. Once the tote frame and the
tote or the empty frame is on the loader, it is placed back onto a shelf on the same side
from which it was taken from. According to one embodiment the tote may not be removed
from the inner console when the system is on retrieval mode mer mode) but the
customer may only pick up the items from the tote. According to one preferred embodiment
if the customer tries to remove the tote an alarm may be activated. According to r
embodiment the tote may be locked via a id to the inner console when the system
is on customer mode.
In reference to flow charts in Figures 14 A-D A detailed description of the
method to load and unload grocery orders to and from the terminal is now described:
Retrieval of grocery order
Referring to Figure 14B as retrieval of a single tote by a customer: The motion
detector of the user console detects an approaching user. ctions for entering a PIN
code or scanning a QR code are displayed on the screen for the user. Upon identifying as
a customer, the system will switch from idle mode to retrieval (customer mode) or
alternatively the system is by default on retrieval mode. The information is transferred to a
processor locating the desired tote in the terminal and providing information to the mast
and loader system to retrieve the identified tote from the identified location. Once the
desired tote is loaded to the loader as bed above the mast moves to the inner
console, the loader is ascended to the level of the inner console entry and the loader
loads the tote frame with the tote into the inner console which is on the same side of the
terminal as the shelf from which the tote was retrieved. Once the system detects (sensors,
s) the tote frame and the tote in the e, information is sent to the processor
which allows the outer door lock to be opened and the customer can retrieve the groceries
from the console.
Referring to Figure 14 D for retrieval of multiple totes by a customer: If
customer has several totes with orders (e.g. one tote with items that are stored in cold
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
zone and one tote with items stored in warmer zone, or several totes in same ature
zone), the mast will move to retrieve the second tote immediately after the first tote is
inserted into the inner console; i.e. the mast moves to retrieve the second tote while the
customer empties the first tote at the first inner console. Now the second tote is brought
into the second inner console. However, as long as the customer is working at the first
inner console retrieving his groceries from the first tote, the inner console door of the
second console remains closed. Only upon the customer confirming from the user e
input device that the first tote is empty will the door of the second inner console open and
at same time the first inner console door is locked again. If the customer has still more
totes with , then the system according to a preferred embodiment retrieves the
empty tote from the inner console while the customer empties the full tote in the second
inner console. Similarly, later when the customer empties the third tote at the first inner
console the system retrieves the empty tote from the second inner console. Immediately
after the empty tote has been retrieved from the first console, the system will locate a third
tote be retrieved still while the er works on the second inner console and the mast
again brings a third tote to the first inner console (which now is empty) and the door of the
first inner console remains closed until customer has confirmed on the user console input
device that the tote is empty. Parcel retrieval is continued until all the totes with customer
orders are emptied.
Because the mast and the loader are so constructed that a tote can only be
loaded into an inner console on the same side as the shelf from which the tote was picked,
it is necessary that the mast and loader picks every other tote from one side and every
other tote from the other side of the aisle. In practice this means that when there are
le totes for one customer they have to be loaded in such a manner that the first tote
is on one side of the aisle and the second tote is on the other side of the aisle, third tote is
on same side as the first one, and fourth is on same side as the second and so on. If there
are more totes for the customer, the totes have to be loaded such that every second is on
one side and every second is on the other side. This will apply even if the totes would be
in different temperature zones. When the totes are in ent temperature zones, the
sliding door between the zones will open upon the mast is programmed to move from a
temperature zone to r. The sliding door will be closed again when the mast moves
back to the first zone.
11_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
The process is continuing until all totes with customer orders are taken out. If
customer has d the last tote, closed the door and then the door locks and customer
can leave from the terminal.
If customer has different code with different order, then customer scans or
enters the order code and the process is started from the beginning.
According to a preferred embodiment, when there are more than two orders
to be retrieved, the system has to move empty totes ing from customer retrieving
his/her groceries at one of the inner consoles back to the al. This takes place always
while the customer is emptying his orders at the other inner console. Preferably the
mast/loader picks up the empty tote from the first inner console, customer works on the
second inner console and brings the empty tote to the terminal and loads on the shelf of
same side as the first inner console. Then ately the system locates the position of
the next tote to be picked up and the mast moves there (this location has to be on the
same side as the first inner console e at his point the customer works at the second
inner e). Once the customer works at the first inner e the mast/loader
retrieves the empty tote from the second inner console and brings it to the terminal before
retrieving next order to the second console.
Entering grocery orders
Referring to Figure 14 A for entry of grocery orders into the terminal by a
courier: The motion detector of the user console detects an ching user. Instructions
for entering a PIN code or scanning a QR code are displayed on the screen for the r
user. Upon user identifying as a courier the system swifts to courier mode (loading mode).
The door(s) of one or both of the inner consoles are opened, and courier can lock the
doors into open position to enable faster parcel entry – no need to open and close the
doors during fast entry. Courier safety is ensured with safety light curtains at the inner
e, and when anything inserted into the inner console while a tote is pushed into or
pulled from the inner console, the terminal stops. When the system is on courier mode
(loading mode) the courier can obstruct the safety light curtains in the inner console and
the mast will not stop moving even when the courier works at the inner console.
In courier mode, the courier first scans the order code, then the mast with the
loader brings an empty tote into an inner console. When the empty tote is fully inside the
inner console, the courier inserts the d goods into the empty tote or alternatively
switches the empty tote to a tote prefilled with customer orders. Then courier enters on the
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
input device which temperature zone the tote is to be stored. After courier has selected
the temperature zone, the loader pulls the tote with ordered items to the loader and the
mast moves to the temperature zone chosen and the tote is stored on a shelf. The
information of the on of the tote is saved in the computerized system.
ing to Figure 14B for entry of multiple orders via two consoles: If the
order requires more than one tote to be filled (e.g. different temperature zones required,
or more items ordered than fits in one tote), then while the courier is filling in the tote at the
first inner console the mast brings another empty tote from an opposite shelf to the second
inner e. While the courier fills in the tote on the second inner e, the full tote at
the first inner console is retrieved by the loader and moved to storage at a shelf on the
same side as the first inner console at required temperature zone. Still while the r
works on the second inner console the system brings an empty tote to the first console.
After courier confirmation of the second tote at the second inner console to be zed,
the tote is pulled to the loader and the mast moves the tote with an order on to a shelf in
selected temperature zone. Simultaneously the courier already fills in the empty tote in the
first console. The process is continued until all totes with customer orders are inserted into
terminal. If courier has other customer orders, then the process is repeated by scanning
order code and inserting totes with orders until all order is inserted into terminal. Loading
is possible until there are no more free shelves in required temperature zones.
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
Element listing
1 – grocery terminal
2-server
3- communications device
10 – outer shell
10a–back doors of outer shell
11 -top
12 -bottom
13- back end
14- front end
-longitudinal wall
– temperature lling or refrigeration unit
100 – grocery tote
100a upper edge of the tote
101 – l dip-in tote frame (to accommodate various tote sizes)
101 a,b,c,d frame side rails
101 e empty space of the frame to dip the tote in
102 – metal plate (attachment point for electromagnet)
200 – loader
201 – “main structure” of loader
202 – guide rails (tote moves along these)
203 – electric motor
204 – drive belt system
205 – adjustment screws (to adjust the angle of endmost rollers)
206 – two plates (drive belt is placed between these)
207 – energy chain of magnetic head
208 – home sensor
210 – position sensors (detects tote position and determines whether magnet is holding
onto tote)
211 – junction box (collects all sensor signals generated on the loader)
220 -open end of the loader
230 -closed side of the loader
18406611_1 ters) P113546.NZ
300 – double sided ic head
301 – electromagnet (2 of them)
302 – linear guide rails tic head hangs from this)
303 – pushers (4 of them, part of magnetic head)
304 – g (joins the assembly together)
305 – sensor (helps determine whether platform is attached to magnet)
400 – mast
401 – hanging brackets (connects loader main structure to mast lift module)
402 – bottom rail (mast can slide along this)
404 – mast drive motor
405 – carriage (connects bottom rail and drive belt)
406 – drive rollers (connects mast to rail)
407 – linear guide rail
408 – lift belt drive
409 – counterweight
410 – metal plates (support structures for mast, give the structure rigidity)
411 – lift drive motor
412 – idlers (adjustable)
413 – loader carriage plate
414 – upper support rollers (allows ment of mast to center it)
415 – homing sensor
416 – camera (records and allows videos stream of loader operations)
417 – lift beam
501 – insulated walls (separates the temperature zones)
502 – sliding doors (allows for movement into/out of the temperature zones)
403 – shelf posts
503 – support rails (supports tote frames)
504 – top rail (for g the mast, 402 bottom rail)
505 – inner consoles (2 of them)
506 – inner console door
507 – insulated chamber
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
508 – bottom part of inner console having access g (accessed by loader)
509 – guide rails for tote frame
510 – camera ds and allows video stream of the inner console)
511 –safety light curtains
512 – counter
513 – bottom parts of sidewalls of inner console
514 – inner frame
515 - advertisement space
516 -lock
517 -lock latch bolt
600 – user console
601a, b - end-user scanners
602 - touch screen assembly
603 - console dome cameras
604 - LED lights
605 - viewing window
606 - instrument unit (houses a cover plate which hides motion sensors and the conference
call system)
607 - console roof
18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ
Claims (14)
1. An mous grocery storage and retrieval term inal sing: a transportable ature-controlled container having a top, a bottom, two 5 longitudinal walls, a back end, a front end, and a temperature controlling unit; a user console attached to the front end of the ner, said user console comprising at least an input device for receiving an input from a user for loading or retrieving one or more grocery orders; the container and the user e together forming an outer shell of the 10 terminal; an inner frame inside the outer shell, the inner frame comprising at least one temperature zone, two longitudinal rows of shelf posts along the longitudinal walls forming shelves, and a longitudinal aisle between the rows, and the shelf posts being configured to hold a multitude totes or receptacles with totes, 15 two inner consoles at the front end of container locating on opposite sides of the aisle, each having an access opening facing toward the aisle, and a lockable inner console door providing an access to the inner console from outside the terminal to receive or load the grocery orders, a mast configured to move along the aisle on a bottom rail, and a loader 20 attached to the mast, the loader being configured to move vertically along the mast and pull out a tote or a tote acle fixed to a tote from a shelf and attach on top of the tote or the tote receptacle via guide rails located on a lower side of the loader such the tote is resting underneath the loader, 25 and the mast and the loader being configured to move the tote or the tote receptacle fixed to the tote attached to the loader through the access opening into the inner console that is located on same side of the aisle as the shelf from which the tote was pulled out, the loader further being configured to pull out a tote or tote acle fixed to a tote from either of the inner consoles through an access opening and move the tote or the receptacle 30 fixed to the tote to a shelf on same side of the aisle as the inner console from which the tote was pulled out; and the terminal further comprising a controller, and a server in communication with a database for tracking at least one grocery t ote within the terminal, and the controller 11_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ being in ication with the server and the serv er ng the database regarding location of totes in the terminal.
2. The grocery storage and retrieval terminal of claim 1, wherein the totes or the tote 5 receptacles comprise a metal plate, and the loader has a magnetic head ured to move in a direction perpendicular to the shelf row and to attach to the metal plate and the movement of the magnetic head configured to cause pushing or pulling the tote to and from the shelves or the through the access opening to and from the inner console. 10
3. The grocery storage and retrieval terminal of claim 1 or 2, wherein the transportable container is a shipping container.
4. The grocery storage and val terminal of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature control comprises a refrigeration unit.
5. The grocery storage and retrieval terminal of anyone of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user console is hingeably attached to the front end of the container.
6. The grocery storage and retrieval terminal of an yone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tote 20 receptacles are dip-in-tote frames.
7. The grocery storage and retrieval terminal of anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the terminal has at least two different temperature zones separated from each other by a sliding door.
8. The grocery storage and retrieval terminal of anyone of the previous claims, n the inner console doors are automated and controllable via a smart device, whereby handover of the orders is contactless. 30
9. A erized system configured to store and re trieve grocery orders in and from a grocery e and retrieval terminal having a multitude of temperature zones, wherein the system comprises at least a row of parallel shelf posts forming s, said posts being arranged such that a multitude of grocery totes or tote receptacles fixed to grocery totes can be ted n the posts, and at least one shelf post row extends through 18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ the multitude of temperature zones, and wherein the system ses a user interface and computer controls for controlling a ntally moving mast having a vertically moving loader attached thereto to retrieve or insert grocery totes from or to a shelf in a predetermined temperature zone.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the system comprises at least two different temperature zones.
11. A computer controlled method configured to retrieve or insert multiple grocery orders 10 from or to a grocery storage and retrieval al comprising the terminal with an input device and computer implemented controls; the terminal comprising two shelf post rows configured to hold a multitude of grocery totes preferably fixed in tote receptacles, a longitudinal aisle in between the rows, a vertically moving loader attached on a mast configured to move along the aisle, wherein movement of the loader and movement of the 15 mast can be simultaneous, and two inner consoles located inside the terminal at same end of the al on opposite sides of the aisle for retrieving and loading grocery , said method comprising the steps of: a) selecting a retrieval or a loading mode based on identification information entered by a user at the input device; 20 b) upon entering the retrieval mode, initiating movement of the mast along the aisle to a location at the shelf post rows where a tote containing a first order locates, or upon entering loading mode initiating movement of the mast along the aisle to a location at the shelf post rows where an empty tote is located; c) initiating vertical movement of the loader to a level of the tote containing the first 25 order or to the empty tote and initiating the loader to pull out the tote and ting the loader to attach to the receptacle fixed to the tote or ly to the tote such that tote is attached underneath the loader; d) initiating the mast with the tote attached underneath the loader to move along the aisle to the first of the two inner consoles located on the same side of the al 30 as the shelf from which the tote was ved; e) initiating the loader to push the tote or the tote with the receptacle into the first of the two inner consoles through an access opening; 18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ f) causing the first inner console door to unlock for the user to open the door and retrieve the first order from the tote located in the first inner console, or the user to load the items of a first order into the empty tote in the first inner console; g) locking the first inner console upon ing information that the user closed the 5 door of the first inner console and ing confirmation from the user input device that retrieval of items at the first inner console is finalized or that loading of items at the first inner console is finalized; h) aneously with step f)) identifying a second tote with a second order or a second empty tote located on the opposite shelf post row than the tote with the first 10 order or the first empty tote, and initiating the mast to move along the aisle to the location where a tote containing the second order or the second empty tote is located; i) initiating vertical movement of the loader to a level of the tote containing the second order or the second empty tote and initiating the loader to attach to the receptacle 15 fixed to the tote or directly to the tote such that tote is attached underneath the loader; j) initiating movement of the mast with the tote attached underneath the loader along the aisle to the second of the two inner consoles on the same side of the aisle as the shelf from which the second tote was retrieved; 20 k) initiating the loader to push the tote or the receptacle with the tote into the second inner console; l) initiating the second inner console door to unlock after which the user can open the door and retrieve the second order from the second inner console, or the user can load the items of a second order to the empty tote at the second inner e; 25 m) locking the second inner console upon ing information that the user closed the door of the second inner console and receiving confirmation from the user input device that retrieval of items at the second inner console is finalized or that loading of items at the first inner console is finalized; n) simultaneously with step l)) initiating the mast and the loader to remove the full tote 30 or the empty tote from the first inner e and transport to an empty shelf located on the same side of the aisle as the first inner console for storage; o) ing steps b-g) for a third order; p) repeating steps h-m) for a fourth order; 18406611_1 (GHMatters) P113546.NZ q) repeating steps b-n) until each of the grocery orders are picked up or each of the grocery orders are filled in.
12. An arrangement for moving grocery totes within a grocery storage and retrieval 5 terminal, said arrangement comprising a horizontally moving mast, and a vertically moving loader attached thereto, wherein the loader comprises: a gular main structure having two open ends, and two closed sides, each of the closed sides having a guide rail on their lowermost part and 10 distance between the guide rails being such that a grocery tote fixed in a tote frame can be supported by the rails and thereby located underneath the loader; a magnetic head having two electromagnets, each of the electromagnets facing toward one open end of the main structure, the magnetic head hanging on a linear 15 rail located underneath the main ure in between and el to the guide rails, and being configured to move along the linear rail n the open ends, the magnetic head being configured to attach to a tote frame, and upon moving along the linear rail pulling a grocery tote fixed into the tote frame through one open end of the loader along the guide rails to underneath the main structure or pushing 20 the grocery tote fixed to the tote frame out from one open end of the loader along the guiderails to a ed location; and wherein the loader is configured to move vertically along the mast to a height such that one open end is adjacent to the selected location for the magnetic head to push the grocery tote to the location or to pull a grocery tote from the location to the loader 25 along the guiderails.
13. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein the terminal comprises at least two temperature zones. 30
14. The arrangement of claim 12 or 13, wherein the terminal is within a ng container. 18406611_1 ters) P113546.NZ FK3.1 504 505 513 A‘I\\‘IIAh‘III‘—_I‘_'-'“VAIIIIII_—,I.—.—.— ——— . A—’ 731141.;
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201962847813P | 2019-05-14 | 2019-05-14 | |
US62/847,813 | 2019-05-14 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ764398A NZ764398A (en) | 2022-03-25 |
NZ764398B2 true NZ764398B2 (en) | 2022-06-28 |
Family
ID=
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