Container arrangement and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a container arrangement comprising a plurality of connected containers, each for storing an automated storage and retrieval system. A coupling arrangement connects and aligns connected containers side-by-side. The containers may be intermodal containers. The invention also relates to a method for providing such an arrangement.

Claims

1. A container arrangement comprising: a first container for storing a first automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the first container comprises a first container frame defining a first connection face; a second container for storing a second automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the second container comprises a second container frame defining a second connection face; and a coupling arrangement for connecting and aligning the first and second container side-by-side, with the first connection face of the first container aligned with the second connection face of the second container, wherein at least a portion of the first container frame at the first connection face and at least a portion of the second container frame at the second connection face comprise connection features comprising holes configured to interface with the coupling arrangement comprising a connecting pin, wherein the connecting pin is received within the holes to align and connect the first and second containers forming a tight-fit friction connection, and wherein the first container and/or the second container comprise height adjustable feet fixed to an outer lower surface, allowing height adjustment of the first and/or second container.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the coupling arrangement is configured to releasably connect the first and the second containers, such that the first and second containers can be separated from each other when needed.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first container frame has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a first base panel, and the second container frame has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a second base panel, and wherein the connection features are located along the first base panel at the first connection face, and along the second base panel at the second connection face.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first container frame has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a first top panel, and the second container frame has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a second top panel, and wherein the connection features are located along the first top panel at the first connection face, and along the second top panel at the second connection face.

5. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first container frame has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a first plurality of vertically extending profiles, and the second container frame has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a second plurality of vertically extending profiles, and wherein the connection features are located along two of the first plurality of vertically extending profiles at the first connection face, and along two of the second plurality of vertically extending profiles at the second connection face.

6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the holes have a funnel shape and the connecting pin is configured to match at least the smallest diameter of the funnel shaped holes creating the tight fit friction connection.

7. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the connecting pin has a smaller cross-section at its ends than at its midpoint, such that the cross-section of the connecting pin expands from the ends towards the midpoint of the connecting pin.

8. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the diameter of the cross-section at the midpoint is at least 1.05 times greater than the diameter of the cross-section at the ends of the connecting pin.

9. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the connecting pin is telescopic.

10. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first container comprises two side panels each arranged between two adjacent vertically extending profiles.

11. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second container comprises two side panels each arranged between two adjacent vertically extending profiles.

12. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement comprises at least three containers removably connected adjacent to each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The following drawings are appended to facilitate the understanding of the invention. The drawings show embodiments of the invention, which will now be described by way of example only, where:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container of a container arrangement according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of a container arrangement where two containers are to be connected;

(4) FIG. 2(b) is a detailed view of a connecting pin;

(5) FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are perspective views of a container arrangement where two containers are to be connected;

(6) FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of a container arrangement of two containers standing on height adjustable feet;

(7) FIG. 6(b) is a detailed view of the height adjustable foot shown in FIG. 6(a);

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container having two open vertical faces;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container having an automated storage and retrieval system inside the container; and

(10) FIG. 9(a) is an open top view of the container arrangement shown in FIG. 6(a).

(11) FIG. 9(b) is a detailed view of the circled area in FIG. 9(a) showing an intermediate element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) In the following, embodiments of the invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are not intended to limit the invention to the subject-matter depicted in the drawings.

(13) FIG. 1 illustrates a first container 1 or a second container 10.

(14) The first container 1 has a substantially rectangular cuboid shaped first container frame 1′. The container frame shown in FIG. 1 comprises a base panel 2, a top panel 3 and four vertically extending profiles 4 extending from each corner of the base panel 2. The four vertically extending profiles 4 are connected to the corners of the top panel 3 such that the top panel 3 and the base panel 2 are aligned in a parallel relationship, directly on top of each other. Thus, the width W and the length L of the base and top panel 2, 3 are equal and separated by a height H by the vertically extending profiles 4 being of the same height H. Two adjacently arranged vertically extending profiles 4 form the edges of a vertical face. Thus, the substantially rectangular cuboid shaped first container frame 1′ can be considered to comprise two short end vertical faces and two long end vertical faces.

(15) The first short end vertical face in FIG. 1 comprises a short end side panel 5, while the other short end vertical face comprises a door arrangement 8 which when closed acts as a short end side panel. Further, the figure shows a long end side panel 6 arranged at the first long end vertical face, while the other long end side vertical face is open/empty, thereby creating an opening 9. This open vertical face is to be connected with another container having a corresponding opening.

(16) An automated storage and retrieval system may be arranged inside the first container frame 1′.

(17) FIG. 1 may also illustrate a second container 10 having a substantially rectangular cuboid shaped second container frame 10′ comprising a base panel 12, a top panel 13 and four vertically extending profiles 14 extending from each corner of the base panel 12. The four vertically extending profiles 14 are connected to the corners of the top panel 13 such that the top panel 13 and the base panel 12 are aligned in a parallel relationship directly on top of each other. Thus, the width W and the length L of the base and top panel 12, 13 are equal and separated by a height H by the vertically extending profiles 14 being of the same height H. Two adjacently arranged vertically extending profiles 14 form the edges of a vertical face. Thus, the substantially rectangular cuboid shaped second container frame 10′ can be considered to comprises two short end vertical faces and two long end vertical faces.

(18) The first short end vertical face in FIG. 1 is a short end side panel 15, while the other short end vertical face comprises a door arrangement 18 which when closed acts as a short end side panel. Further, the figure shows a long end side panel 16 arranged at the first long end vertical face, while the other long end side vertical face is open/empty thereby creating an opening 19. This open vertical face is to be connected with another container having a corresponding opening.

(19) An automated storage and retrieval system may be arranged inside the second container frame 10′.

(20) It should however be understood that FIG. 1 does not illustrate a first and a second container to be connected as illustrated, since that would require one of the containers to be mirrored in order for the first and second container to have connection faces comprising corresponding openings 9, 19. If the first and second container to be connected comprise an automated storage and retrieval system, the corresponding openings 9, 19 will provide for interconnection between the rail systems of the two storage and retrieval systems.

(21) When a first container 1 is connected to a second container 10, the vertical face of the first container 1 having the opening 9 will be connected to the vertical face of the second container 10 having the corresponding opening 19. In other words, the first and second container 1, 10 have interfaces comprising the corresponding openings 9,19.

(22) The base panel 2, 12 of the first and second container 1, 10 has a cuboidal form. Thus, the base panel 2, 12 has a length and a width, defining an upper surface and lower surface of the base panel 2, 12, and a depth (i.e. a vertical extent 2′,12′) that extends between the upper surface and the lower surface of the base panel 2.

(23) Similarly, the top panel 3, 13 of the first and second container 1, 10 has a cuboidal form. Thus, the top panel 3, 13 has a length and a width, defining an upper surface and lower surface of the top panel 3, 13, and a depth (i.e. a vertical extent 3′,13′) that extends between the upper surface and the lower surface of the top panel 3, 13.

(24) Further, the each vertically extending profile 4, 14 of the first and second container 1, 10 has a cuboidal form. Thus, the extending profiles 4, 14 have a length and a width, defining an upper surface and a lower surface of each vertically extending profile 4, 14, and a depth (i.e. a vertical extent 4′,14′) that extends between the upper surface and the lower surface of each vertically extending profile 4, 14.

(25) The vertical extents 2′,12′ of the base panel of the first and second containers, and/or the vertical extents of the top panel 3′,13′ of the first and second containers, and/or the vertical extents 4′,14′ of the vertically extending profiles of the first and second containers which interface with the coupling arrangement correspond to the claimed «at least a portion of the first container frame at the first connection face and at least a portion of the second container frame at the second connection face» which «comprise connection features configured to interface with the coupling arrangement to connect and align the first and second containers».

(26) When a first and a second container 1, 10 are connected, at least one of the vertical extents 2′,3′,4′ of the first container 1 facing the second container 10 and correspondingly, at least one of the vertical extents 12′,13′,14′ of the second container 10 facing the first container 1 will have connected interfaces. A coupling arrangement will be arranged such that at least one of the vertical extents of the base panel 2, 12, top panel 3, 13 and vertically extending profiles 4, 14 of the connected interfaces will be connected in a tight fit friction connection.

(27) The coupling arrangement may comprise a plurality of pins to be inserted into connection features, e.g. holes 7, 17 arranged within at least one of the base panel, 2, 12, top panel 3, 13 and vertically extending profiles 4, 14 of the first and second container 1, 10 to be connected. Examples of such configuration will be explained in detail in FIGS. 2 to 5.

(28) FIG. 2(a) illustrates the first and the second containers 1, 10 before being connected. The coupling arrangement comprises a plurality of connecting pins 51 to be inserted into holes 7, 17 within the base panel 2, 12, top panel 3, 13 and/or vertically extending profiles 4, 14 of the first and second container 1, 10. In FIG. 2 the holes 7 of the first container are arranged on the vertical extent 2′ of the base panel 2, extending into the base panel 2 below the opening 9 (see FIG. 3). The holes 17 of the second container 10 are arranged on the vertical extent 12′ of the base panel 12, extending into the base panel 12 below the opening 19.

(29) The holes 7, 17 can have many shapes for allowing a pin to connect in a tight fit friction connection. However, it is preferred that the shape of the holes 7, 17 are for example funnel-shaped for guiding the connecting pins 51 into the holes 7, 17. The pin 51 with a corresponding shape to the holes 7, 17 can be configured to match the smallest diameter of the holes 7, 17.

(30) In general, the holes 7, 17 and connecting pins 51 will have corresponding shapes, such that when the connecting pin 51 is received within a hole 7, 17, a tight fit frictional connection is formed.

(31) If the container arrangement only comprises the first and the second container 1, 10, the long end vertical faces of the two containers that are not connected to any container will comprise a long end side panel for protecting the inside of the container arrangement. As shown in the figure, the first short end vertical face of the first and second container 1, 10 comprises a short end side panel 5, 15, while the other short end vertical face comprises a door arrangement 8, 18.

(32) However, if the container arrangement comprises three or more containers in a side-by-side arrangement, the container that is situated between two containers will have openings at both long end vertical faces if connected between these vertical faces.

(33) Further, it be understood that the containers can alternatively or additionally be connected along their short end vertical faces as long as the vertical faces to be connected have corresponding openings.

(34) The outer perimeter/border/vertical faces of the container arrangement should comprise side panels or door arrangements.

(35) FIG. 2(b) illustrates a detailed view of a connecting pin 51 having a smaller cross-section at its ends 52, 53 than at its midpoint 54, such that the cross-section of the connecting pin 51 expands from the ends 52, 53 towards the midpoint 54 of the connecting pin 51.

(36) The dimeter of the cross-section at the midpoint 54 of the connecting pin 51 may be at least 1.05 times greater than the diameter at the cross-section at the ends 52, 53.

(37) The connecting pin 51 can be telescopic allowing easy removal of a container. Thus, when a container is to be removed from the container arrangement, the connecting pin 51 can retract into a retracted state wherein the connecting pin 51 does not protrude outside the framework of the container that it has been inserted in to. Thus, it may retract to occupy the hole 7, 17 of the container that is not removed from the container arrangement.

(38) FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate the connection of a first container 1 with a second container 10.

(39) When connecting the two containers, the first end 52 of the connecting pin 51 is inserted into the hole 17 of the second container 10 followed by moving the first container 1 comprising the corresponding holes 7 onto the other end 53 of the inserted connecting pin 51 until the two adjacent vertical faces of each container meet (not shown).

(40) In the exemplary embodiment the container arrangement comprises a first container 1 and a second container 10 to be connected, each having the size of a 20′ container as shown in Table 1. Four holes 7 are arranged in the vertical extent 2′ of the base panel 2, 12 (distributed along its horizontal extent) of the first container 1 and four corresponding holes 17 are arranged at the vertical extent 12′ of the base panel 12 (distributed along its horizontal extent) of the second container 10. The holes 7 of the first container face the holes 17 of the second container 10 during connection, thus one hole 7 of the first container 1 and the corresponding facing hole 17 of the second container 10 are connected by the connecting pin 51. The holes 7, 17 should be distributed along the horizontal length of the base panel.

(41) It should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the number and position of the holes including connecting pins will vary depending on the size and weight of the containers to be connected.

(42) FIG. 6(a) illustrates a first and second container 1, 10 arranged on height adjustable feet 60. The feet 60 are placed below the lower surface of the base panel 2,12 of the first and second container 1, 10 at each corner thereof allowing leveling of the first container 1 and the second container 10 and providing substantially flush lower surfaces between base panels 2, 12 of the first and second containers 1, 10.

(43) FIG. 6(b) shows a detailed view of the exemplary height adjustable foot 60 shown in FIG. 6(a). The foot 60 comprises a bracket 61 comprising lower base 67 for standing/resting on the ground. The base 67 of the bracket comprises two side walls 62 vertically extending from opposite sides of the base 67 and being interconnected by a bridge 63 comprising a hole 64 in its center. A bar 65 is arranged inside the hole 64 of the bridge 63 and is displaceable in the vertical the Z-direction, restricting movements in the horizontal X and Y-directions. The bar 65 has a resting plate 66 arranged above the bridge 63 allowing the container to rest thereon. By this arrangement the bar 65 can be displaced by loosening and fastening fixtures (for example nuts) which are attached in this case to a threaded bar 65 of both sides of the bridge 63 of the bracket 61. As shown the bar 65 may pass through a hole arranged at the center of the base 67 of the bracket 61. Further, the bar 65 may be fixed to the container at its upper end, for example by welding or by some other connecting means.

(44) When displacing the bar 65, the part of the container arranged on the foot 60 will be displaced accordingly allowing fine adjustment Z-direction of the mobile container.

(45) When arranging a plurality of containers 1, 10 in a side-by-side arrangement and placing height adjustable feet 60 under every corner of the base plate of each container 1, 10, the mobile containers 1, 10 can all be arranged such the outer surfaces of the base panels of the two mobile containers connecting to each other are flush with one another during connection and after connection.

(46) Whilst the height adjustable feet have been described as being placed under every corner of the base plate of each mobile container, they may additionally be provided at other locations around the bottom perimeter of the base plate of each mobile container.

(47) FIG. 7 illustrates a first or second container 1, 10 similar to one shown in FIG. 1, where both of the long end vertical faces have an opening, thus allowing each of the vertical faces to be connected to other containers.

(48) FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a first or a second container 1, 10 having an automated storage and retrieval system within the container frame 1′,10′.

(49) A typical automated storage and retrieval system has a framework structure 100 comprising a number of upright members/vertical members 102 and a number of horizontal members 103 which can be supported by the vertical members 102 (not shown) and/or be arranged at the base of the framework structure 100 as shown. When the horizontal members 103 are arranged at the base of the framework structure 100, they may be arranged in a grid pattern supporting the vertical members 102. The members 102, 103 may typically be made of metal, e.g. extruded aluminum profiles.

(50) The framework structure 100 further defines a storage grid structure 104 comprising storage columns 105 arranged in rows. In these storage columns 105, storage bins (not shown) are stacked one on top of another to from a stack of storage bins. The storage grid structure 104 guards against horizontal movement of the stacks and guides vertical movement of the bins, but normally does not otherwise support the storage bins when they are stacked.

(51) Further, the automated storage and retrieval system comprises a rail system 108 arranged in a grid pattern across the top of the storage grid structure 104, on which rail system 108 a bin handling vehicle 201 is operated to raise storage bins from, and lower storage bins into, the storage columns 105, and to transport the storage bins above the storage columns 105. It should be understood that the automated storage and retrieval system may comprise a plurality of vehicles, even if this is not shown in FIG. 8. The rail system 108 comprises a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of the bin handling vehicle 201 in a first direction X across the top of the framework structure 100, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the bin handling vehicle 201 in a second direction Y which is perpendicular to the first direction X.

(52) In this way, the rail system 108 allows the bin handling vehicle 201 to move horizontally above the storage columns 105, i.e. in a plane which is parallel to the horizontal X-Y plane.

(53) Thus, in order to connect a first and second container 1,10, each having an automated storage and retrieval system inside the frame 1′,10′, the opening of both the first and second container 1, 10 should be at least the size of the maximum cross section of a bin handling vehicle 201 carrying a storage bin (taken in a vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of movement of the bin handling vehicle 201 when moving through the opening, said vertical plane being parallel to the plane of the side panel in which the opening is formed) moving on the rail system.

(54) Moreover, the opening should of course be located accordingly, i.e. positioned such that the bin handling vehicle 201 can move from the rail system 108 of one mobile container on to the rail system 108 of another mobile container. That is, the opening may have a vertical extent extending at least from just below the horizontal plane of the rail system, upwards at least to the height of the bin handling vehicle carrying a bin on the rails. The opening may extend vertically below, and/or vertically above such an opening.

(55) Of course, the opening may be larger than the size of the maximum cross section of a bin handling vehicle carrying a bin moving on the rail system. For example, the opening may have a height that is at least the height of a bin handling vehicle carrying a bin moving on the rail system, but the width may extend across substantially the entire side at which the two containers are to be connected. The opening may be created by removal of a panel, in which case the opening is of course substantially the size of the removed panel.

(56) FIG. 9(a) is an open top view of the container arrangement shown in FIG. 6(a), wherein both the first and the second container 1, 10 have an automated storage and retrieval system arranged inside the corresponding first and second container frame 1′,10′. Each automated storage and retrieval system comprises storage bins. As can be seen, the openings of the connected vertical faces of the first and second container 1, 10 allow the first and second automated storage and retrieval system to be interconnected such that the bin handling vehicles can move between the rail system 108 of the grid structure of the first container 1 and the rail system 108 of the grid structure of the second container 10.

(57) If there is a gap between the rail systems 108 of the first and second container 1, 10, an intermediate element 109, shown in detail in FIG. 9(b), can be connected to the rail systems 108 allowing the bin handling vehicles to move thereon.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(58) 1 First container 1′ First container frame 2 Base panel of first container 2′ At least a portion of connection face/vertical extent of base panel of first container 3 Top panel of first container 3′ At least a portion of connection face/vertical extent of top panel of first container 4 Vertically extending profile of first container 4′ At least a portion of connection face/vertical extent of vertically extending profile of first container 5 Short end side panel/side panel of first container 6 Long end side panel/side panel of first container 7 Connection features/hole/funnel shaped hole of first container 8 Door arrangement 9 Opening of the first container 10 Second container 10′ Second container frame 12 Base panel of second container 12′ At least a portion of connection face/Vertical extent of base panel of second container 13 Top panel of second container 13′ At least a portion of connection face/vertical extent of top panel of second container 14 Vertically extending profile of second container 14′ At least a portion of connection face/Vertical extent of vertically extending profile of second container 15 Short end side panel/side panel of second container 16 Long end side panel/side panel of second container 17 Connection features/hole/funnel shaped hole of second container 18 Door arrangement 19 Opening of the second container 51 Coupling arrangement/connecting pin 52 First end of connecting pin 53 Second end of connecting pin 54 Midpoint/centre of connecting pin 60 Height adjustable foot 61 Bracket 62 Side wall of bracket 63 Bridge 64 Hole in bridge 65 Bar 66 Resting plate 67 Base of bracket 100 Framework structure 102 Vertical members 103 Horizontal members 104 Storage grid structure 105 Storage columns 108 Rail system 109 Intermediate element 201 Bin handling vehicle X First direction Y Second direction Z Third direction