The invention relates to a palletizing apparatus (10) comprising a compressing apparatus (60) which has a peripheral closed frame (70), wherein at least one slider (61, 62, 63, 64) that is movable in a horizontal direction is arranged on the frame (70), and a set-down device (50) which defines a transport face (53) for transporting article layers (15). The frame (70) surrounds a through-opening (67) that passes through in a vertical direction (Z), and the set-down device (50) is movable in a longitudinal direction (X) relative to the compressing apparatus (60) between a first longitudinal position, in which the transport face (53) is arranged in a manner offset in the longitudinal direction (X) with respect to the frame (70), and a second longitudinal position, in which a projection of the through-opening (67) in the vertical direction (Z) lies on the transport face (53). The compressing apparatus (60) and the set-down device (50) are in this case arranged on a lifting apparatus (20) so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z). The invention also relates to a method for operating a palletizing apparatus (10) according to the invention, which comprises a plurality of steps.

A plant for forming pallets, comprising: an entry station (2); a plurality of picking areas (4), one or more autonomous entry vehicles (3), each of which is arranged to withdraw at least one entry pallet (Pi) from the entry station (2) and to lead the withdrawn pallet (Pi) to a given picking area (4); a plurality of release areas (5), at least one manipulator (6), structured to withdraw a package (C) from an entry pallet (Pi) and to position the package (C) on an exit pallet (Pu) positioned in a release area (5); an exit station (7); one or more autonomous exit vehicles (8), each of which is arranged to withdraw at least one exit pallet (Pu) from the release area (5) and to lead the withdrawn pallet (Pu) to the exit station (7) or to a subsequent release area (5).

The manipulator (6) is movable along a path (61) parallel to a main direction (X) between at least two extreme positions. The picking areas (4) are distributed on one side of the path (61), in a position reachable by the manipulator (6). The release areas are distributed on the opposite side of the path (61) with respect to the picking areas (4), in a position reachable by the manipulator (6).

A plant for forming pallets, comprising: an entry station (2); a plurality of picking areas (4), one or more autonomous entry vehicles (3), each of which is arranged to withdraw at least one entry pallet (Pi) from the entry station (2) and to lead the withdrawn pallet (Pi) to a given picking area (4); a plurality of release areas (5), at least one manipulator (6), structured to withdraw a package (C) from an entry pallet (Pi) and to position the package (C) on an exit pallet (Pu) positioned in a release area (5); an exit station (7); one or more autonomous exit vehicles (8), each of which is arranged to withdraw at least one exit pallet (Pu) from the release area (5) and to lead the withdrawn pallet (Pu) to the exit station (7) or to a subsequent release area (5).

The manipulator (6) is movable along a path (61) parallel to a main direction (X) between at least two extreme positions. The picking areas (4) are distributed on one side of the path (61), in a position reachable by the manipulator (6). The release areas are distributed on the opposite side of the path (61) with respect to the picking areas (4), in a position reachable by the manipulator (6).

A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.

A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.

The present disclosure envisages a mobile power storage, transport and distribution system (100). The system (100) comprises a plurality of storage container units (200), a plurality of energy storage elements (206), a power station (102), and loading means (111), and transportation means (105). The power station (102) is configured to generate electrical power and charge the plurality of energy storage elements (206). The loading means (111) is configured to load each of the storage container units (200). The transportation means (105) is configured to transport the storage container units (200) from the power station (102) to the power consumption centers (104) in need of power and a discharged storage container units (200) back to the power station (102) for recharging energy storage elements (206).

The present disclosure envisages a mobile power storage, transport and distribution system (100). The system (100) comprises a plurality of storage container units (200), a plurality of energy storage elements (206), a power station (102), and loading means (111), and transportation means (105). The power station (102) is configured to generate electrical power and charge the plurality of energy storage elements (206). The loading means (111) is configured to load each of the storage container units (200). The transportation means (105) is configured to transport the storage container units (200) from the power station (102) to the power consumption centers (104) in need of power and a discharged storage container units (200) back to the power station (102) for recharging energy storage elements (206).

A cold storage box is provided that allows individual confirmation that stored objects such as medicine, food, and beverages have been managed at an appropriate temperature. The cold storage box 1 includes: a storage part which can house stored objects; a lid part which covers an opening part of the storage part; and a cooling device which cools the storage part, and the cold storage box includes an RF tag provided for each of the stored objects and equipped with a temperature sensor and a control part which communicates with the RF tag at appropriate time intervals via an antenna part provided inside the storage part and stores ID information of the RF tag and temperature information sensed by the temperature sensor of the RF tag.

An article management system includes an acquirer and a management unit. The acquirer is configured to acquire identification information and management information. The identification information is information read from an electronic tag by the reading device in each of a plurality of bases in a distribution channel for an article, the electronic tag being attached to the article and storing the identification information. The management information is information collected in association with the identification information in a corresponding one of the plurality of bases, the management information relating to management of the article. The management unit is configured to manage the article with reference to the identification information and the management information which are acquired by the acquirer in each of the plurality of bases.

A sensor-equipped RF tag is attached to a cooling box accommodating a cooling agent, and detects a temperature inside the cooling box, and a temperature and a position of the cooling agent. The sensor-equipped RF tag sends the detected temperature inside the cooling box, and the temperature and the position of the cooling agent to a server directly or via a taximeter. The server orders the cooling agent from a center terminal installed in a freezing center around a position of a taxi vehicle based on a detection result of the sensor-equipped RF tag.