Storage containers and bins

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018142947-A1
Application number	US-201615579172-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 3, 2016
Priority date	Jun 3, 2015
Publication date	May 24, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A container for use in a robotic storage and picking system is described. The container includes a base and four sides, at least two of the sides being provided with apertures therein to enable fluids to flow therethrough.

First claim

1 . A storage system in combination with a container configured for storing at least one item within in a storage system, the storage system comprising:
a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending substantially perpendicularly to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern having a plurality of grid spaces; a set of uprights, the uprights supporting the tracks, the uprights and tracks together defining a framework; and one or more containers being located beneath the tracks and within the framework, at least one of said containers occupying a space below a grid space; wherein container includes four sides and a base, at least two of the sides of the container having a series of apertures.

2 . A storage system and container according to claim 1 , in which a portion of the at least two sides of the container adjacent the base comprises:
material free from apertures.

3 . A storage system and container according to claim 1 , in which the portion of the at least two sides of the container which are free from apertures comprises:
more than 50% of a height of the container.

4 . A container according to claim 3 , in which the portion of the at least two sides of the container which are free from apertures comprises more than 60% of the height of the container.

5 . A storage system and container according to claim 1 , in which the container comprises plastics material such as polypropylene, or HDPE or PET or any other suitable plastics material.

6 . A storage system and container according to claim 1 , in which the container comprises:
a further container located therein, the further container having four sides and a base, at least two of the sides of the further container having apertures, the apertures in the at least two sides of the container and the further container aligning so as to provide a channel through the at least two sides of the container and further container.

7 . A storage system and container according claim 7 , in which the further container comprises:
a number of bags located therein, the bags being disposed in the further container so as to retain items placed therein for delivery to a user.

8 . A storage system and container according to claim 1 , wherein the container is configured a container-based greenhouse or in a parcel sortation system.

9 . A storage system and container comprising:
a plurality of containers according to claim 1 .

10 . A storage system and container according to claim 1 , the storage system comprising:
a cooling system requiring air flow through the containers within the storage system.

Assignees

• Ocado Innovation Ltd

Inventors

• Bates Martyn Lee
• Ingram-Tedd Andrew John
• Shields Jennifer Jane

Classifications

• B65D2205/02

  Venting holes · CPC title

• B65G1/0464 Primary

  with access from above · CPC title

• B65D21/0209 Primary

  stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position (B65D21/0234, B65D21/0235 take precedence) · CPC title

• B65D81/263 Primary

  for ventilating the contents (B65D5/4295, B65D51/1605 take precedence) · CPC title

• F25D25/005 Primary

  using containers · CPC title