阅读说明：本技术 集装箱装置及方法 (Container apparatus and method ) 是由 特龙·奥斯特海姆 于 2019-09-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种集装箱装置,该集装箱装置包括多个连接的集装箱,每个集装箱用于存储自动存储和取回系统。联接装置并排连接集装箱并对准连接的集装箱。集装箱可以是联运集装箱。本发明还涉及一种用于提供这种装置的方法。(The present invention relates to a container arrangement comprising a plurality of connected containers, each container being for storing an automated storage and retrieval system. The coupling devices connect the containers side-by-side and align the connected containers. The container may be an intermodal container. The invention also relates to a method for providing such a device.)

1. A container apparatus, comprising:

-a first container (1) for storing a first automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the first container (1) comprises a first container frame (1') defining a first connection face;

-a second container (10) for storing a second automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the second container (10) comprises a second container frame (10') defining a second connection face; and

-a coupling device (51) for connecting and aligning the first and second containers (1, 10) side by side, wherein the first connection face of the first container (1) is aligned with the second connection face of the second container (10), wherein at least a part (2 ', 3', 4 ') of the first container frame (1') at the first connection face and at least a part (12 ', 13', 14 ') of the second container frame (10') at the second connection face comprise a connection feature (7, 17) configured to interface with the coupling device (51) for connecting and aligning the first and second containers (1, 10).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device is configured to releasably connect the first and second containers (1, 10) such that the first and second containers (1, 10) can be separated from each other when required.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first container frame (1 ') has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a first bottom panel (2) and the second container frame (10') has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a second bottom panel (12), and wherein the connection feature is located along the first bottom panel (2) at the first connection face and along the second bottom panel (12) at the second connection face.

4. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first container frame (1 ') has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a first top panel (3) and the second container frame (10') has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a second top panel (13), and wherein the connection feature is located along the first top panel (3) at the first connection face and along the second top panel (13) at the second connection face.

5. The arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first container frame (1 ') has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a first plurality of vertically extending profiles (4) and the second container frame (10') has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape and comprises a second plurality of vertically extending profiles (14), and wherein the connection feature is located along two of the first plurality of vertically extending profiles (4) at the first connection face and along two of the second plurality of vertically extending profiles (14) at the second connection face.

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection feature is a hole (7, 17) and the coupling means comprises a connection pin (51), wherein the connection pin (51) is received within the hole (7, 17) to form a tight-fitting friction connection.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the holes (7, 17) have a funnel shape and the connecting pin (51) is configured to match at least the smallest diameter of the funnel-shaped holes (7, 17) resulting in a tight-fitting frictional connection.

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the cross section at the ends (52, 53) of the connecting pin (51) is smaller than the cross section at its midpoint (54), such that the cross section of the connecting pin (51) expands from the ends (52, 53) of the connecting pin (51) towards the midpoint (54).

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the diameter of the cross-section at the midpoint (54) of the connecting pin (51) is at least 1.05 times the diameter of the cross-section at the ends (52, 53) of the connecting pin.

10. Device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein said connecting pin (51) is telescopic.

11. The arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second container (1, 10) comprises height adjustable feet (60) fixed to the outer lower surface, allowing height adjustment of the first and/or second container (1, 10).

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first container (1) comprises two side panels (5, 6), each arranged between two adjacent vertically extending profiles (4).

13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second container (10) comprises two side panels (15, 16), each arranged between two adjacent vertically extending profiles (14).

14. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises at least three containers removably connected adjacent to each other.

15. A method of providing a container arrangement by connecting and aligning a first container (1) and a second container (10),

wherein the first container (1) comprises a first container frame (1 ') defining a first connection face, the second container (10) comprises a second container frame (10') defining a second connection face,

wherein the first connection face is aligned with the second connection face when connected,

and wherein at least a part (2 ', 3', 4 ') of the first container frame (1') at the first connection face and at least a part (12 ', 13', 14 ') of the second container frame (10') at the second connection face comprise connection features (7, 17), the method comprising:

aligning the connection features (7, 17) of the first and second containers (1, 10); and

connecting and aligning the first container (1) and the second container (10) by docking the connecting feature (7, 17) with a coupling device (51).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the device is a device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. A method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the coupling means are connecting pins (51) and the connecting features (7, 17) are holes, and the method comprises inserting a first end (52) of the connecting pin (51) into a hole (7) of the first container (1) and then moving the second container (10) including the respective hole (17) onto the other end (53) of the connecting pin (51), thereby creating a tight-fitting friction connection.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a container arrangement comprising a plurality of moving containers aligned together with high accuracy.

Background

Mobile containers such as intermodal or sea containers are used to store cargo, which may be transported by, for example, trains, ships, airplanes, and trucks, and may also be used across these different transport vehicles.

Intermodal containers are used globally to efficiently and safely store and transport cargo. Which are often given different names such as cargo containers, ISO containers and sea containers.

Intermodal containers come in many different standard sizes, usually made of steel or aluminum. The dimensions of the intermodal containers may vary from 2.4m to 17.1m in length, from 2.2m to 2.5m in width, and from 2.2m to 2.9m in height.

Table 1 shows some of the most common intermodal container standardized types of dimensions and payload examples.

Table 1: size and payload of the intermodal container.

Intermodal containers may bundle cargo and goods into larger, unitary cargo that may be easily handled, moved, and stacked, and tightly packed on a ship or in a yard. Intermodal containers have many common structural features to withstand the pressure of intermodal transport, thereby facilitating handling and stacking. Furthermore, intermodal containers may be identified by a single unique ISO 6346 reporting mark.

Different attachment mechanisms or devices are known from the prior art for attaching intermodal containers. WO2011/094835 a1 discloses a fastening assembly attached to the outer surface of a container to be connected, in which the containers can be easily separated from each other by a user since no screws are used in the fastening assembly. The fastening assembly includes a boss welded to the container to be connected for fastening the plate to the container and locking the plate to the boss using, for example, L-bolts.

However, none of the prior art documents is directed to connecting intermodal containers in a side-by-side arrangement that facilitates alignment of the containers with respect to each other with a high degree of accuracy.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container arrangement comprising a plurality of containers (e.g. intermodal containers) connected in a side-by-side arrangement which facilitates alignment of the containers with respect to each other with a high degree of accuracy.

A second object is to provide a method for connecting a plurality of containers.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other optional or preferred features of the invention.

The present invention relates to a container device having at least two containers connected in a side-by-side arrangement with high precision alignment.

Such high accuracy may be important, for example, when the container device comprises a container having an automated storage and retrieval system therein, in order to interface with such automated storage and retrieval systems.

Automatic storage and retrieval systems of the prior art are described in detail in WO2014/090684 a1 and WO2015/104263 a 1. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid structure for storing storage cabinets in a stacked manner. The storage grid is typically constructed as columns interconnected by overhead rails that provide a rail system on which remotely operated transport vehicles or robots are arranged to move horizontally. The storage bins are stacked on top of each other to a height, and the transport vehicles are configured to pick up and store the bins within the three-dimensional storage grid. Norwegian patent NO317366 discloses details of a prior art transport vehicle in connection with such an automatic storage and retrieval system.

The track system providing the running surface of the vehicle should have a low roughness and no discontinuities in the track to avoid any kind of interruption in the movement of the vehicle which could lead to the vehicle stalling, stopping or jumping. Roughness/discontinuities are caused inter alia by imperfections in the dimensions or orientation of the rail system. To allow smooth operation, the size of such roughness/discontinuity should be less than 0.1 mm. Therefore, when connecting two such rail systems, the rail systems must be aligned with high precision at the time of connection. When two rail systems are each housed in a separate mobile container, the two rail systems can be connected and then the mobile containers can be connected. In this case, the connecting sides of the containers must have corresponding openings to allow rail system connection between the containers.

Furthermore, the mentioned automated storage and retrieval systems are not easily moved after being placed within a container, as these systems comprise a plurality of storage bins containing items. Therefore, the attachment of the containers must provide high precision alignment.

A first embodiment of the present invention is directed to a container device having a first container for storing a first automated storage and retrieval system and a second container for storing a second automated storage and retrieval system. The first container includes a first container frame defining a first connection face and the second container includes a second container frame defining a second connection face. The container arrangement further comprises coupling means for connecting and aligning the first container and the second container side by side, wherein the first connecting face of the first container is aligned with the second connecting face of the second container. 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 include a connection feature configured to interface with a coupling device to connect and align the first container and the second container.

The coupling device may be further configured to releasably connect the first container and the second container such that the first container and the second container may be separated from each other when desired.

The person skilled in the art will understand that the coupling means may also be used to connect the connection faces of stacked containers.

The first and second container frames may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The first container frame may include a first bottom panel/floor, a first top panel/ceiling, and a first plurality of vertically extending profiles (e.g., four vertically extending profiles) extending between the first bottom panel/floor, and the first top panel/ceiling.

Similarly, the second container frame may include a second bottom panel/floor, a second top panel/ceiling, and a second plurality of vertically extending profiles (e.g., four vertically extending profiles) extending between the second bottom panel/floor, and the second top panel/ceiling.

The connection feature may be located along the first base plate at a first connection face (vertical extent) of the first base plate and located along the second base plate at a second connection face (vertical extent) of the second base plate. Alternatively or additionally, the connection feature may be located along the first top panel at the first connection face and located along the second top panel at the second connection face. Alternatively or additionally, the connection feature may be 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.

In a preferred embodiment, the first container comprises at least two holes arranged along the first bottom panel at the first connection face, the at least two holes facing at least two corresponding holes arranged on the second connection face of the second bottom panel of the second container.

In a more preferred embodiment, the first container comprises at least four apertures arranged along the first bottom panel at the first connection face, which at least four apertures face at least four corresponding apertures arranged on the second connection face of the second bottom panel of the second container.

In a preferred embodiment, the holes are evenly distributed along the connecting surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the holes are evenly distributed along the joint plane, so that no holes are provided at the corners of the joint plane.

In another embodiment, the connection feature is a hole and the coupling device includes a connection pin (or pins) wherein the pin is received in the hole to form a close-fitting friction connection.

The holes may be funnel shaped and the connecting pin may be configured to match at least the smallest diameter of the funnel shaped holes to form a close fitting friction connection.

An example of a "funnel-shaped" bore is a smoothly tapering bore, tapering from a maximum cross-section at the entrance of the bore to a minimum cross-section at the other end of the bore. The bore may have a circular cross-section along its length. Thus, a "funnel-shaped" bore may be a conical (or frustoconical) bore.

Alternatively, the "funnel-shaped" bore may comprise a generally cylindrical outer portion (closest to the bore entrance) and a frustoconical inner portion (furthest from the bore entrance). Then, the cross-section of the outer part of the bore is initially constant before narrowing along the inner part.

Thus, the bore may be conical/frustoconical, partially conical/frustoconical or otherwise tapered.

In other embodiments, the bore is not tapered, but is generally cylindrical.

In another embodiment, the cross-section at the end of the connecting pin is smaller than the cross-section at the midpoint thereof, such that the cross-section of the connecting pin expands from the end of the connecting pin to the midpoint.

The diameter of the cross-section at the midpoint may be at least 1.05 times, preferably at least 1.07 times, more preferably at least 1.09 times the diameter of the cross-section at the end of the connecting pin.

The cross-sectional diameter at the midpoint of the pin may be, for example, 4 to 10cm, the cross-sectional diameter at the end may be 2 to 7cm, and the total length of the pin may be 10 to 50 cm.

In one example, the cross-sectional diameter at the midpoint of the pin is 5.5cm, the cross-sectional diameter at the ends is 5cm, and the total length of the pin is 25 cm.

The number of holes and connecting pins to be inserted into the holes varies depending on the size of the containers to be connected.

In an exemplary embodiment of connecting two 20' containers, the container comprises two holes distributed along the connecting surface of the floor of the two containers, and two pins are inserted into the two holes during the connection.

Furthermore, the connecting pin may be retractable.

Typically, the frames of the first and second containers abut when connected.

Alternatively, the coupling means may take the form of a spacer sandwiched between the first and second containers. Such spacers may for example comprise strips (platks) having holes along both sides for connection to the first and second containers, said holes receiving pins which are received in corresponding holes on the first and second containers for connection and alignment of the first and second containers. A plurality of such slats, for example four slats, may be provided for bridging the gap on all four sides between the first container and the second container. Not all slats have holes/pins. In some embodiments, the pins may be integrally formed with the slats, in which case the slats would not have holes.

In another embodiment, the first container and/or the second container may stand on height adjustable feet secured to the outer lower surface, allowing the height of the first container and/or the second container to be adjusted.

The first container may have one, two, three or four side panels/walls, each side panel/wall being arranged between two adjacent vertically extending profiles. The side plates may be detachably connected to the vertically extending profiles. The side panels may be removably attached to the top and/or bottom panels. A portion of one or more side panels may be removable to form an opening for accessing the first container.

The second container may have one, two, three or four side panels/walls, each side panel/wall being arranged between two adjacent vertically extending profiles. The side plates may be detachably connected to the vertically extending profiles. The side panels may be removably attached to the top and/or bottom panels. A portion of one or more side panels may be removable to form an opening for accessing the second container.

The connecting sides of the first and second containers may have respective openings that align when the first and second containers are connected together. In one embodiment, the aligned openings are provided by removing a side panel at the connecting face of the first and second containers.

In another embodiment, the container device may comprise at least three containers detachably connected adjacent to each other.

The invention also relates to a method of providing a container arrangement by connecting and aligning a first container and a second container. The method includes aligning the connection features of the first and second containers, and connecting and aligning the first and second containers by interfacing the connection features with the coupling device.

When the coupling means is a connecting pin and the connecting feature is a hole, the method may comprise inserting a first end of the connecting pin into the hole of the first container and then moving a second container comprising a corresponding hole onto the other end of the connecting pin, forming a close-fitting friction connection.

In one embodiment, the containers are of the size and shape of 20 ', 40 ' and/or 45 ' intermodal containers.

Drawings

The following drawings are included to facilitate an understanding of the invention. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, which will now be described, by way of example only, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container device according to the invention;

fig. 2 (a) is a perspective view of a container device to which two containers are to be connected;

fig. 2 (b) is a detailed view of the connecting pin;

figures 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views of a container arrangement in which two containers are to be connected;

fig. 6 (a) is a perspective view of a container device in which two containers stand on a height-adjustable leg;

fig. 6 (b) is a detailed view of the height adjustable leg shown in fig. 6 (a);

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

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a shipping container having an automated storage and retrieval system therein;

fig. 9 (a) is a plan view of the container device shown in fig. 6 (a) in an open state; and

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

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are not intended to limit the invention to the subject matter described in the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a first container 1 or a second container 10.

The first container 1 has a first container frame 1' of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The container frame shown in fig. 1 comprises a floor 2, a roof 3 and four vertically extending profiles 4 extending from each corner of the floor 2. Four vertically extending profiles 4 are connected to the corners of the top plate 3 so that the top plate 3 and the bottom plate 2 are aligned in parallel relationship directly on top of each other. The bottom plate 2 and the top plate 3 are thus equal in width W and length L and are separated by a vertically extending profile 4 having a height H by the same height H. Two adjacently arranged vertically extending profiles 4 form the edge of the vertical face. Therefore, the first container frame 1' of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape can be considered to include two short-end vertical faces and two long-end vertical faces.

The first short-end vertical face in fig. 1 includes a short-end side panel 5, and the other short-end vertical face includes a gate device 8, and the gate device 8 functions as a short-end side panel when closed. Further, the figure shows a long end side plate 6 arranged at a first long end vertical face, while the other long end side vertical face is open/hollow, forming an opening 9. The open vertical face will be connected to another container having a corresponding opening.

An automated storage and retrieval system may be arranged inside the first container frame 1'.

Fig. 1 also shows a second container 10 having a second container frame 10 'of generally rectangular cuboid shape, the second container frame 10' comprising a bottom plate 12, a top plate 13 and four vertically extending profiles 14 extending from each corner of the bottom plate 12. Four vertically extending profiles 14 are connected to the corners of the top plate 13 so that the top plate 13 and the bottom plate 12 are aligned directly on top of each other in parallel relationship. Thus, the bottom plate 12 and the top plate 13 are equal in width W and length L and are separated by a vertically extending profile 14 having a height H by the same height H. Two adjacently arranged vertically extending profiles 14 form the edge of a vertical face. Therefore, the second container frame 10' of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape can be considered to include two short-end vertical faces and two long-end vertical faces.

The first short end vertical face in fig. 1 is the short end side panel 15, while the other short end vertical face includes the gate arrangement 18, which gate arrangement 18 functions as a short end side panel when closed. Further, the figure shows a long end side plate 16 arranged at a first long end vertical face, while the other long end side vertical face is open/hollow, forming an opening 19. This open vertical face will be connected to another container having a corresponding opening.

An automated storage and retrieval system may be disposed within the interior of the second container frame 10'.

It will be appreciated, however, that fig. 1 does not show the first and second containers to be connected as shown, as this would require mirroring one of the containers so that the first and second containers have a connection face comprising the respective openings 9, 19. If the first and second containers to be connected comprise automated storage and retrieval systems, the respective openings 9, 19 will provide an interconnection between the rail systems of the two storage and retrieval systems.

When the first container 1 is connected to the 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 container 1 and the second container 10 have an engagement surface comprising the respective openings 9, 19.

The bottom plates 2, 12 of the first and second containers 1, 10 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Thus, the floor panels 2, 12 have a length and width defining upper and lower surfaces of the floor panels 2, 12, and a depth (i.e., vertical extent 2 ', 12') extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the floor panels 2, 12.

Similarly, the top plates 3, 13 of the first and second containers 1, 10 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Accordingly, the top plate 3, 13 has a length and width defining upper and lower surfaces of the top plate 3, 13, and a depth (i.e., vertical extent 3 ', 13') extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the top plate 3, 13.

Furthermore, each vertically extending profile 4, 14 of the first and second containers 1, 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The extension profiles 4, 14 thus have a length and a width, defining an upper and a lower surface of each vertically extending profile 4, 14, and a depth (i.e. a vertical extent 4 ', 14') extending between the upper and lower surfaces of each vertically extending profile 4, 14.

The vertical extent 2 ', 12' of the floor of the first container and the second container, and/or the vertical extent 4 ', 14' of the top panels 3 ', 13' of the first and second containers, and/or the vertical extent of the vertically extending profiles of the first and second containers, are docked with the coupling device, and correspond to 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 as described above, 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 including a connection feature configured to connect with the coupling device to connect and align the first container and the second container.

When the first container 1 and the second container 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 a connecting interface. The coupling means will be arranged such that at least one of the vertical extents of the bottom plates 2, 12, top plates 3, 13 and vertically extending profiles 4, 14 connecting the joint faces will be connected in a tight fitting frictional connection.

The coupling means may comprise a plurality of pins inserted into connecting features, such as holes 7, 17, the holes 7, 17 being arranged on at least one of the floor panels 2, 12, roof panels 3, 13 and vertically extending profiles 4, 14 of the first and second containers 1, 10 to be connected. Fig. 2 to 5 will explain an example of such a configuration in detail.

Fig. 2 (a) shows the first container 1 and the second container 10 before the connection. The coupling means comprise a plurality of connecting pins 51, which connecting pins 51 are to be inserted into holes 7, 17 in the bottom plates 2, 12, top plates 3, 13 and/or vertical extending profiles 4, 14 of the first and second containers 1, 10. In fig. 2, the holes 7 of the first container are arranged on the vertical extent 2' of the floor 2, extending into the floor 2 below the opening 9 (see fig. 3). The aperture 17 of the second container 10 is arranged on the vertical extent 12' of the floor 12, extending into the floor 12 below the opening 19.

The holes 7, 17 may have a variety of shapes to allow the pins to be connected in a tight fitting frictional connection. However, it is preferred that the holes 7, 17 are shaped, for example, funnel-shaped, to guide the connecting pin 51 into the holes 7, 17. Pins 51, which correspond in shape to holes 7, 17, may be configured to match the smallest diameter of holes 7, 17.

Typically, the holes 7, 17 and the connecting pin 51 will have corresponding shapes such that when the connecting pin 51 is received in the holes 7, 17 a tight fitting friction connection is formed.

If the container arrangement comprises only the first container 1 and the second container 10, the long end vertical faces of the two containers not connected to any container will comprise long end side plates for protecting the interior of the container arrangement. As shown, the first short-end vertical face of the first and second containers 1, 10 includes short-end side panels 5, 15, and the other short-end vertical face includes door devices 8, 18.

However, if the container arrangement comprises three or more containers arranged side by side, a container located between two containers will have openings on two long end vertical faces if connected between these two long end vertical faces.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the containers may alternatively or additionally be connected along their short end vertical faces, as long as the vertical faces to be connected have corresponding openings.

The outer perimeter/boundary/vertical face of the container means shall comprise side panels or door means.

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

The cross-section at the midpoint 54 of the connecting pin 51 may have a dimension that is at least 1.05 times the diameter of the cross-section at the ends 52, 53.

The connecting pin 51 may be retractable, allowing easy removal of the container. Thus, when a container is to be removed from the container device, the connecting pin 51 may be retracted to a retracted state, in which the connecting pin 51 does not protrude out of the frame of the container in which it is inserted. Thus, the connecting pin 51 can be retracted and occupy the holes 7, 17 of a container that has not been removed from the container arrangement.

Fig. 3 to 5 show the connection of the first container 1 to the second container 10.

When connecting two containers, a first end 52 of the connecting pin 51 is inserted into the hole 17 of the second container 10, and subsequently the first container 1 including the corresponding hole 7 is moved onto the other end 53 of the inserted connecting pin 51 until the two adjacent vertical faces of each container meet (not shown).

In an exemplary embodiment, the container arrangement comprises a first container 1 and a second container 10 to be connected, each having the dimensions of a 20' container as shown in table 1. Four apertures 7 (distributed along the horizontal extent of the floor 2) are arranged in the vertical extent 2 'of the floor 2 of the first container 1 and four corresponding apertures 17 (distributed along the horizontal extent of the floor 12) are arranged in the vertical extent 12' of the floor 12 of the second container 10. During connection, the hole 7 of the first container faces the hole 17 of the second container 10, so that one hole 7 of the first container 1 and the corresponding facing hole 17 of the second container 10 are connected by means of the connecting pin 51. The holes 7, 17 should be distributed along the horizontal length of the bottom plate.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number and location of the holes and connecting pins will vary depending on the size and weight of the containers to be connected.

Fig. 6 (a) shows the first container 1 and the second container 10 arranged on the height-adjustable feet 60. The feet 60 are placed under each corner of the lower surface of the floor 2, 12 of the first and second containers 1, 10 such that the first and second containers 1, 10 remain horizontal and provide a substantially flush lower surface between the floor 2, 12 of the first and second containers 1, 10.

Fig. 6 (b) shows a detailed view of the exemplary height adjustable foot 60 shown in fig. 6 (a). The foot 60 comprises a stand 61, the stand 61 comprising a lower base 67 for standing/resting on the ground. The base 67 of the stand comprises two side walls 62, the two side walls 62 extending vertically from opposite sides of the base 67 and being interconnected by a bridge 63, the centre of the bridge 63 comprising a hole 64. The rod 65 is arranged within the aperture 64 of the bridge 63 and is movable in the vertical direction, but limited in movement in the horizontal direction X and Y. The bar 65 has a rest plate 66, the rest plate 66 being disposed above the bridge 63, allowing a container to rest thereon. With this arrangement, the rod 65 can be moved by loosening and tightening a fixing device (e.g. a nut), in this case attached to the threaded rod 65 on both sides of the bridge 63 of the bracket 61. As shown, the rod 65 may pass through a hole disposed in the center of the base 67 of the bracket 61. Furthermore, the upper end of the rod 65 may be fixed to the container, for example by welding or some other connection means.

When the bar 65 is moved, the part of the container device on the feet 60 will move accordingly, allowing fine adjustment in the Z-direction of the movable container.

When arranging a plurality of containers 1, 10 side by side and placing a height adjustable foot 60 under each corner of the floor of each container 1, 10, the movable containers 1, 10 can all be arranged so that the outer surfaces of the floors of two movable containers connected to each other are flush with each other during and after connection.

Although the height adjustable feet are described as being placed under each corner of the floor of each mobile container, the height adjustable feet may alternatively be provided at other locations around the bottom perimeter of the floor of each mobile container.

Fig. 7 shows a first container 1 or a second container 10 similar to that shown in fig. 1, where both long end vertical faces have openings allowing each vertical face to be connected to the other container.

Fig. 8 shows an example of a first container 1 or a second container 10 with an automated storage and retrieval system within a container frame 1 ', 10'.

A typical automated storage and retrieval system has a frame structure 100, the frame structure 100 including a plurality of upright/vertical members 102 and a plurality of horizontal members 103, the plurality of horizontal members 103 may be supported by the vertical members 102 (not shown) and/or arranged at the bottom of the frame structure 100, as shown. When the horizontal members 103 are arranged at the bottom of the frame 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, such as extruded aluminum profiles.

The frame structure 100 also defines a storage grid structure 104, the storage grid structure 104 including storage columns 105 arranged in rows. In these storage columns 105, storage cabinets (not shown) are stacked one on top of the other to form a storage cabinet stack. The storage grid structure 104 prevents horizontal movement of the stack and guides vertical movement of the storage cabinets, but generally does not support the storage cabinets when they are stacked.

In addition, the automated storage and retrieval system includes a rail system 108 arranged in a grid pattern across the top of the storage grid structure 104, on which rail system 108, storage bin handling vehicles 201 operate to raise and lower storage bins from and into the storage columns 105, and transport the storage bins above the storage columns 105. It should be understood that the automated storage and retrieval system may include a plurality of transport vehicles, even though not shown in fig. 8. The track system 108 comprises a first set of parallel tracks arranged to guide movement of the storage cabinet processing vehicles 201 in a first direction X on top of the frame structure 100 and a second set of parallel tracks arranged perpendicular to the first set of tracks to guide movement of the storage cabinet processing vehicles 201 in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X.

In this way, the rail system 108 allows the cabinet processing vehicles 201 to move horizontally, i.e., in a plane parallel to the horizontal X-Y plane, over the storage column 105.

Thus, in order to connect the first and second containers 1, 10 with an automated storage and retrieval system within the frame 1 ', 10', the opening of the first and second containers 1, 10 should be at least the size of the largest cross-section of the storage processing carrier 201 carrying the storage (taken in a vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of movement of the storage processing carrier 201 as it moves through the opening, the vertical plane being parallel to the plane of the side panel in which the opening is formed).

Furthermore, of course, the openings should be positioned accordingly, i.e., so that the storage bin handling vehicles 201 can be moved from the track system 108 of one mobile container to the track system 108 of another mobile container. That is, the opening may have a vertical extent extending at least from directly below the level of the track system to at least the height of the bin handling vehicles on the tracks that carry the bins. The opening may extend vertically below and/or vertically above such an opening.

Of course, the opening may be larger than the size of the largest cross-section of a storage processing vehicle carrying the storage moving on the rail system. For example, the height of the opening may be at least the height of a storage-handling vehicle carrying the storage, which is moving on a rail system, but the width may extend across substantially the entire side to which two containers are to be connected. The opening may be formed by removing a plate, in which case the opening is of course substantially the size of the removed plate.

Fig. 9 (a) is a top view of the container device shown in fig. 6 (a) in an open state, wherein both the first container 1 and the second container 10 have an automated storage and retrieval system arranged inside the respective first frame 1 'and second container frame 10'. Each automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage bin. It can be seen that the openings of the connected vertical faces of the first and second containers 1, 10 allow the first and second automated storage and retrieval systems to be interconnected so that the storage bin handling vehicles can move between the grid-structured rail system 108 of the first container 1 and the grid-structured rail system 108 of the second container 10.

If there is a gap between the rail systems 108 of the first and second containers 1, 10, an intermediate element 109, shown in detail in fig. 9 (b), may be connected to the rail systems 108, allowing the storage bin processing vehicles to move thereon.

List of reference numerals

1 first container

1' first container frame

2 floor of first container

2' at least a part of the connecting surface/vertical extent of the floor of the first container

3 roof of first container

3' at least a part of the connecting surface/vertical extent of the roof of the first container

4 vertical extension section bar of first container

4' at least a part of the connecting surface/vertical extent of the vertically extending profile of the first container

5 short end side plate/side plate of first container

6 Long end side plate/side plate of first container

7 connection feature/hole/funnel-shaped hole of first container

8 door device

9 opening of first container

10 second container

10' second container frame

12 floor of second container

12' at least a part of the connecting surface/vertical extent of the floor of the second container

13 roof of second container

13' at least a part of the connecting surface/vertical extent of the roof of the second container

14 vertical extension section bar of second container

14' at least a part of the connecting surface/vertical extent of the vertically extending profile of the second container

15 short end side plate/side plate of second container

16 long end side plate/side plate of second container

17 attachment feature/hole/funnel-shaped hole of second container

18 door device

19 opening of second container

51 coupling device/connecting pin

52 connecting the first ends of the pins

53 second end of connecting pin

54 midpoint/center of connecting pin

60 height-adjustable support leg

61 support

62 side wall of support

63 bridge piece

64 holes in the bridge

65 rod

66 shelf board

67 support base

100 frame structure

102 vertical member

103 horizontal component

104 storage grid structure

105 storage column

108 track system

109 intermediate element

201 storing cabinet processing carrier

X first direction

Y second direction

Z third direction