WO2022264179A1

WO2022264179A1 - Structure for the stocking and preservation of packages of at least one product and related managing system

Info

Publication number: WO2022264179A1
Application number: PCT/IT2022/050153
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo BERNARDI
Original assignee: Neodisplay Srl
Current assignee: Neodisplay Srl
Priority date: 2021-06-16
Filing date: 2022-05-31
Publication date: 2022-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-16
Also published as: IT202100015569A1

Abstract

It is subject of the present patent application a structure for the stocking and preservation of packages of at least one product and related managing system.

Description

Title: "Structure for the stocking and preservation of packages of at least one product and related managing system"

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The project subject of the present patent application applies to the sector which manufactures elements such as equipped walls or cabinets or shelves or similar suitable for the stocking of packages of at least one product.

State of the art

Conventionally the equipped walls or cabinets - refrigerated or not refrigerated - for the preservation of packages of at least one product are made up of a set of support elements, such as racks or similar, above which said packages are placed in horizontal position or in vertical position according to the needs in term of rationalizing footprint/space or in terms of exposure and visibility of the displayed packages.

The solutions known to date and most widespread do lack of integrated systems in the structures, capable of allowing a remote inventory for an accurate feedback of stock, as well as they lack of integrated systems in the structures, allowing a clear and unique visualization of the searched product by consulting a database remotely. Especially for managers or operators employed in businesses such as bars, restaurants and similar or shops and large retail distribution, it is particularly beneficial the realization of a structure properly refined which allows to

A remote managing of information concerning the exact position of a specific package, for example but not limited to a bottle of wine, as well as the information about the package content - for example the product organoleptic features or its shelf life - not last the quantity of packages containing a specific content, A visualisation system in the structure itself of the specific position of a particular package or corresponding to specific criteria selected remotely.

The solutions known to date do not present such peculiar features of functionalisation and this implies a number of disadvantages, namely:

Lack of stock control remotely;

Extremely long time to search for a specific product in stock; Risk of confusing identification of products with similar packages;

Lack of a unique correlation of correspondence between a desidered product and a product in stock;

Problem to share information referring to the packages/products actually in stock in the business.

Trouble to restore automatically those products which passed reorder minimum threshold.

At the state of the art it is known about realizations of elements such as refrigerated cabinets equipped with detection systems of presence/absence of the bottle in a specific position. For instance, the product known by the trade name ECELLAR185 "smart connected wine cellar" consists of a structure for stocking and preserving packages of at least one product and related managing system, said structure being made up of a series of shelves, each of them is associated to the cabinet inner wall, said series of shelves being used for the placement of at least one product package, said at least package of product consisting of a solid polygonal or of a rotating body and presenting a base and side surfaces, where each shelf accommodates at least one control unit aimed at determining the presence of that at least product package, said at least control unit being associated to an electronic board, this one in turn associated to a concentrator - gateway board associated to a server.

The product named ECELLAR185 is thus equipped with a detection system associated to the cabin, said detection system prove to be physically detached from the visualisation system showing presence/absence of the object placed on the shelf.

The cabinet ECELLAR185 appears to be therefore equipped of a number of shelves, each shelf showing a front display located in a separate site as opposed to the site where the sensor, which has to determine the presence of the package, is placed.

Namely the sensor capable of determining the presence/absence of the package is housed in the surface body of a bar properly shaped for housing the bottle neck, said bar including a detection system of positioning or picking of the bottle. The system described in document D1 therefore implies the need to modify the common shaped bars housing in each shaped site a further site for housing the detection system.

Furthermore, the visualisation system used by ECELLAR185 is of "on/off" type, that is it returns a single light pulse depending on whether the bottle is or is not placed in the housing, providing thus a visual limited answer to possible other conditions which can be determined and different from the solely "presence/absence" or "corresponding to/not corresponding to" preselected parameters. The document DE4435812 describes a structure for the stocking and the preservation of wine bottles, namely an improved structure of minibar such as those available in hotel rooms.

Namely, according to what stated in the description, the system described in the above mentioned document is equipped with a number of shelves each of them is associated to the inner wall of the structure, said series of shelves being used for stocking bottles. According to what described in the above mentioned document, the system is equipped of means for detecting the presence or absence of at least one bottle on a specific position of the shelf.

Namely, the above mentioned document reaches the goal of "visualization of the content presence" exclusively by means of inclination of the shelves and a transparent front door, thus the project described in the above mentioned document includes means of bottles presence detection only, said means being integrated in the cabinet structure. The document US2016048798 describes a system and related device for carrying out the inventory of products housed on a rack equipped with a number of shelves.

According to what stated in the Description, the system depicted in the above mentioned document includes a number of shelves each of them being associated to side frames, said shelves being used to place at least one package of product.

The detecting system comprehends multiple shelves having an electric communication and energy distribution system and detection means matched to the electric communication and energy distribution system in order to determine the position of retail products on the shelves. Thus, the above mentioned document describes a system equipped with with components for the analysis of presence/absence of an object placed on a shelf and means, which are placed in front of the shelf surface, for the visualization of the detected output.

In particular, the means for the analysis of presence/absence of the object, according to the project described in the above mentioned document, are sensors for the weight calculation of the object placed on the shelf surface, said sensors being integrated on a surface (mat) which is placed on the shelf.

As remarked referring to known solutions, the solution described in the above mentioned document requires the production of sensors matrix placed on each shelf.

As for the referred solutions, a further disadvantage in the solution proposed in document US2016048798 is the visualisation system of which the project is equipped with, that is made up of a "on/off" or "yes/no" system with resulting limitations as for possible further indications beyond the mere "presence/absence" or "corresponding/not corresponding" to preselected parameters.

Goal of the project subject of the present patent application is therefore to realise a structure for the stocking and the preservation of products packages and an 'integrated' related management system, capable to solve the disadvantages of the state of the art. Namely, the goal of the project subject of the present patent application is to realise a structure for the stocking and the preservation of products packages and an 'integrated' related management system, which is easy-to-use even by operators not necessarily experts about the packages content placed on the shelves.

A further goal of the project subject of the present patent application is to realise a management system for the stocking structure, able to provide a quick information retrieval referred to the correct product type contained in the package/packages and that allows the operator to perform a fast identification of the position of the searched package inside the preservation structure. Another goal of the project subject of the present patent application is to realise a management system for the stocking structure which allows a puctual check of stock, also remotely, with the possibility to automatically reorder items which are below safety stock level.

A further goal of the project subject of the present patent application is to realise a managing system of the preservation structure which allows to manage information about what stocked inside the preservation structure, providing - as for example but not limited to this - possible matchings between the package content and other types of products.

Invention summary

It is subject of the present patent application a structure for the stocking and the preservation of products packages and related 'integrated' managing system, said structure being basically made up of a number of shelves properly refined/finalised in order to integrate a series of control units capable of determining the presence/absence of a product/products package in a specific position and to process in remote mode information achieved by detecting presence/not presence of the product/products package. Namely, the project subject of the present patent application includes a structure cabinet or shelf type, said structure being internally equipped with a number of shelves above which a series of product/products packages are placed.

According to the project subject of the present patent application, each shelf forming the structure is equipped with proper control units which are electronically connected in series to each other and connected to a generic gateway (G).

In particular each control unit belonging to the series of control units integrated in the shelves and connected in series communicates with a serial bus transmission model to a concentration board which in turn interfaces to an integrated server in the cabinet or in the equipped walls.

Brief description of drawings

The project subject of the present patent application is illustrated as for example but not limited to this in the attached Charts where Fig 1 View of the external structure of a generic structure cabinet type;

Fig 2 View of a first preferred configuration of the structure subject of the present patent application;

Fig 3 View of a second preferred configuration of the structure subject of the present patent application;

Fig 4 - 4.a - 4.b: View of a preferred configuration of the structure subject of the present patent application;

Fig 5 - 5.a - 5.b: View of a preferred configuration of the structure subject of the present patent application;

Fig 6 - 6.a: View of a preferred realisation procedure of the detection system of presence/absence of a product package;

Fig 7 - 7.a: View of a preferred realisation procedure of the detection system of presence/absence of a product package;

Fig 8 - Configuration exemplification of control units of each shelf in a first preferred realisation procedure;

Fig 9 - Configuration exemplification of control units of each shelf in a second preferred realisation procedure;

Fig 10 - Exemplification of a configuration mode of the structure subject of the present patent application; Fig 11 - Exemplification of a configuration mode of the structure subject of the present patent application;

Detailed description of the project subject of the patent application

The project subject of the present patent application is housed in a generic cabinet (1, Fig 1) refrigerated or not refrigerated, or in a support structure attached to a vertical wall of a generic place/room, being said cabinet or generic structure attached to a vertical wall (1) internally equipped with a number of shelves (2,2.1-2.n Fig 2) on which some product/products packages are laid/placed (3,3.1-3.n, Fig 2).

Each shelf (2,2.1-2.n Fig 4.b, Fig 5.b) is basically made up of a couple of side supports, left one and right one (30.1,30.2 Fig 4; 40.1,40.2 Fig 5), which are one another separated by a number of bodies transversely placed between the first side support on the right (30.1,40.1) and the second side support on the left (30.2,40.2) and each having at one end a plate (10) suitable for associating the shelf (2,2.1-2.n) to the inner wall of a generic cabinet (1) or to a support structure attached to a vertical wall of a generic room.

According to the project subject of the present patent application, each shelf (2,2.1-2.n Fig 4.b, Fig 5.b) has at one end a box-shaped body (11) which extends from one end of the first side support (30.1, 40.1) to one end of the second side support (30.2,40.2) and that accomodates inside at least one control unit (12, 12.n Fig 4, Fig .b, Fig 5, Fig 5.b), said at least one control unit being connected to an electronic board (S) in its turn associated to a concentrator board (G) by means of a cable (16).

In a preferred, but not esclusive, realisation procedure, the cable (16) is placed externally to the side support (30.1,40,1 - 30.2,40.2) by means of a trunking (13) which is removable from the support (30.1,40,1 - 30.2,40.2).

Each control unit (12, 12.n Fig 4, Fig .b, Fig 5, Fig 5.b) of the box-shaped body (11) is basically composed of a detection system (18, Fig 4.b, Fig 5.b). According to the project subject of the present patent application, the portion of the external and front surface of the box-shaped body (11) has additionaly at least one signalling device (17) and on the portion of the top surface one site (18, Fig 4.b, Fig 5.b) where the portion of surface of a generic product package (3,3.1-3.n) is housed, said product package (3,3.1-3.n) being made up of a polygonal solid or of a rotating body and presenting a base and side surfaces. In a preferred, but not exclusive, realisation procedure, the at least one signalling device (17) is of light signalling RGB led type of device.

According to the project subject of the present patent application, the at least one control unit (12, 12.n) is connected to an electronic board (Sl-S.n).

According to the project subject of the present patent application, the at least control unit (12, 12.n) and related electronic board connected (Sl-S.n), integrated on the shelves (2,2.1-2.n) and realised in the way previously described, communicates with a serial bus transmission model to a concentrator board (G) which in turn interfaces to an integrated server in the cabinet or in the equipped walls (1).

Description of a first preferred configuration

With reference to Fig 2, Fig 4-4.a-4.b-4.c, in a first preferred configuration, each shelf (2,2.1-2.n, Fig 4) is made up of a couple of side supports left and right (30.1,30.2) one another separated by a number of bodies (15.1 - 15.n) transversely placed between the first support (30.1) and the second support (30.2).

In a preferred, but not exclusive, realisation form, each body (15.1-15.n) is composed of a tubular body with circular section. With reference to Fig 4.b e Fig 4.c, each side support (30.1,30.2) has a plate (10) at one end for the connection from the inner wall of the structure (1).

According to the project subject of the present patent application, each shelf (2,2.1-2.n, Fig 4) is frontally equipped with a transversal box-shaped body (11) which extends from one end of the first side support (30.1) to the end of the second side support (30.2).

According to the project subject of the present patent application, the transversal box-shaped body (11) houses inside a number of control units (12, 12.n Fig 4, Fig 4b), each other connected by means of a cable (16) in turn connected to a generic concentrator board (G) connected to a server.

Namely, each control unit (12, 12.n) includes a detection system (18).

According to what previously presented, the portion of front and external surface of the box-shaped body (11) has at least one signalling device (17) and one site (19) on the portion of upper surface.

In one preferred, but not exclusive, realisation form, the signalling device (17) is of light signalling RGB led type of device.

According to this just mentioned preferred configuration, at least one shelf (2,2.1-2.n) is suitable to house at least one product package (3,3.1-3.n), having said package a shape basically polygonal or conical or cylindrical and having at least one base and side surfaces.

According to the preferred configuration, one side surface of the at least one product package (3,3.1-3.n) is housed on a number of bodies (15.1 - 15.n) in an orthogonal direction compared to the plane of developing series (15.1 - 15.n) therefore presenting the lower portion of side surface near the surface portion (19) of the box-shaped body (11) of which the end of each shelf (2,2.1-2.n) is equipped with.

In case of more product packages (3,3.1-3.n) placed on a shelf (2,2.1-2.n) realised as previously described, these packages (3,3.1- 3.n) will be thus one next to each other with their side surfaces placed in parallel with each other. According to the project subject of the present patent application, the control units (12, 12.n) of the box-shaped body (11) are connected to an electronic board (Sl- S.n). For example and with reference to Fig 4.d, according to the above mentioned preferred configuration, a first series of six shelves (2.1-2.6) implemented in the way we previously explained, is housed on the inner wall of the structure (1) by means of plates (10) of which each side support (30.1,30.2) is equipped with.

According to what previously stated, the upper end of each side support (30.1) presents the free end of the output connector (16.1- 16.n) from the first series of control units (12.1-12.n) of which the box-shaped body (11) is equipped with. According to the project subject of the present patent application, under construction of the structure (1) the configuration of single shelves (2.1-2.n) becomes necessary depending on design needs. For instance, Fig. 10 refers an example of implementable configuration where on a first shelf (2.1) is expected the housing of six packages (3.1-3.6) each of them placed on a corresponding control unit (12.1-12.6).

According to the project subject of the present patent application, a first trio of control units (12.1-12.3) is controlled by a single board (S) to which a serial number Si is assigned. According to the reported exemplification, in case of the placement of six packages (3.1-3.6), the first shelf (2.1) is equipped with two boards (S.1,S.2) each of them is able to manage three detection systems (18.1-18.3/18 .4-18.6).

The shelf (2.2), which is positioned above the first shelf (2.1), is set up to accommodate further six packages (3.7-3.12). To set up correctly the series of shelves (2.1-2.2) and according to what previously stated, the boards (S) of which is equipped with the second shelf too (2.2) are identified as S3 and S4 each of them capable of manage three detection systems (18.7-18.9/18.10-18.12). In case of a potential third shelf (2.3), placed above the second shelf ( (2.2), set up for the accomodation of twelve packages (3.13- 3.24), the boards (S) connected to the mentioned third shelf (2.3) are identified as S5, S6, S7, S8. With reference to Fig 8, according to the described preferred configuration, the transversal box-shaped body (11) of each shelf is then equipped with a number of signalling devices (17). Based on what previously stated, each shelf (2.1-2.n) can therefore be identified by

Identification number of first board for example, the first shelf (2.1) is identified by first board SI, the second shelf (2.2) is identified by first board S3, the third shelf (2.3) is identified by S5

Number of boards for each shelf for example, the first shelf (2.1) is identified by nr. 2 boards, the second shelf (2.2) is identified by further nr. 2 boards, the third shelf (2.3) is identified by nr. 3 boards. If, for instance, each board S manages a trio of control units (12), the total number of available positions (19) is determined by the total count of boards S integrated in the shelves (2.1-2.n) included in the structure (1). Therefore, once information related to indicated parameters are entered, it is possible to manage, by means of a proper algorithm, the information referring to the number of positions (19) available inside the structure (1) as well as the information relating to the content of each package (3.1-3.n) and the information about the presence/absence of package in a specific position (19), said presence/absence being determined by the detection system (18) of which each control unit (12) is endowed with .

Description of a second preferred configuration

With reference to Fig 5, Fig 5.a, Fig 5.b, Fig 5.c, in a second preferred configuration each shelf (2,2.1-2.n) is made up with a couple of supports (40.1, 40.2) which are one another separated by a series of bodies transversely placed between the first support (40.1) and the second support (40.2).

With reference to Fig. 5.b, each support (40.1, 40.2) has at one end a plate (10) suitable for housing the shelf (2,2.1-2.n) to the inner wall of a generic cabinet (1) or ) or to a support structure attached to a vertical wall of a generic room.

According to the just mentioned preferred configuration, the series of bodies placed transversely between the first support (40.1) and the second support (40.2) is made up of a series of box-shaped bodies (11-11.n) said box-shaped bodies (11-11.n) housing inside a series of control units (12, 12.n Fig 5, Fig 5.b), connected to a generic concentrator board (G) by means of at least one cable (16), being each said control units (12,12.n) endowed with a detection system (18-18.n).

Namely, accoding to this preferred realisation configuration, the external and front surface portion of the only first box-shaped body (11), placed at the opposite end compared to the inner wall of the structure (1), has at least one signalling device (17) and on the portion of the upper surface one site (19, 5.b, 5.c) where a portion of surface of a generic package is housed (3,3.1-3.n).

In a preferred, but not exclusive, realisation form, the at least one signalling device (17) is of light signalling RGB led type of device.

The box-shaped bodies (11.1-11.n) transversely placed between the first support (40.1) and the second support (40.2) and included between the first box-shaped body (11) and the inner wall of the structure (1) have themselves a series of control units (12.1-12.n) each of them endowed with a detection system (18.1-18.n).

In the just mentioned preferred configuration, each box-shaped body (11.1-11.n) transversely placed between the first support (40.1) and the second support (40.2) has on an upper surface portion a site (19.1-19.n) where a portion of surface of a generic package is housed (3,3.1-3.n) .

According to the just mentioned second preferred configuration, the shelf (2,2.1-2.n) is suitable for the housing of at least one product package (3,3.1-3.n), having said package a shape basically polygonal or conical or cylindrical and having at least one base and side surfaces.

According to the just mentioned preferred configuration, the base of the at least one package (3,3.1-3.n) is housed on the sites (19- 19.n) of transversal box-shaped bodies (11-11.n). According to the project subject of the present patent application, to at least one control unit (12, 12.n) is connected an electronic board (Sl-S.n).

In one preferred realisation form, to each electronic board S is connected a trio of control units (12).

For example and with reference to Fig. 3, according to the above mentioned preferred configuration, a first series of six shelves (2.1-2.n) implemented in the way we previously explained, is housed on an internal wall of the structure (1) by means of plates (10) of which each support (40.1-40.2) is equipped with.

Referring to what previously explained, the upper end of each support (40.1,40.2) presents the free end of the output connector (16.1- 16.n) from the series of control units (12.1-12.n) of which the box-shaped bodies (11-11.n) are equipped with.

According to the project subject of the present patent application, under construction of the structure (1) the configuration of single shelves (2.1-2.n) becomes necessary depending on design needs.

For example, in Fig 9 and Fig 11 an example of potential configuration is shown, where on a first shelf (2.1) equipped with three transversal box-shaped bodies (11,11.1,11.2) the housing of a series of packages (3.1-3.36) is planned, each of them placed on a corresponding control unit (12.1-12.36) of each transversal box shaped body (11-11.2).

According to the project subject of the present patent application, a first trio of control units (12.1-12.3) is managed by a single board (S) to which a serial number SI is assigned.

According to the reported example, in case of the housing of twelve packages (3.1-3.12) on the first box-shaped body (11), the first shelf (2.1) is equipped with four boards (SI, S2,S3,S4) each of them suitable to manage three detection systems (18.1-18.3/18.4- 18.6/18.7-18 .9/18.10-18.12).

According to the project subject of the present patent application, even in the box-shaped body (11.1) of the first shelf (2.1), each control units trio (12) is managed by a single board (S) to which it is assigned a progressive serial number compared to the boards (SI,S2,S3,S4) of the first box-shaped boards (11).

Namely, being the boards (S) connected serially, the board to which the serial number S5 is assigned is the board that manages the control units (12.13,12.14,12.15) placed right behind board S4 of the first transversal box-shaped body (11).

The transversal box-shaped body (11.2) placed nearby the inner wall of the structure (1) is likewise equipped with twelve control units (12.25-12.36), being said control units managed by four control boards (S9-S12).

Namely, being the boards (S) connected serially, the board to which the serial number S9 is assigned is the board placed right behind board S8 of the second transversal box-shaped body (11.1).

With reference to Fig. 9, according to the described preferred configuration, the first transversal box-shaped body (11) of shelf (2.1) is additionaly equipped with a series of signalling devices (17).

As for what previously stated, each shelf (2.1-2.n) can be thus identified by

Identification number of boards which form each first transversal box-shaped body: for example the first box-shaped body (11) is identified by four boards S1,S2,S3,S4

Number of boards placed horizontally as compared to each board of the first box-shaped body: for example, next to the first board SI further two boards S8 e S9 are placed horizontally.

Whenever, for example, each board S manages a trio of control units (12), the total number of available positions (19) is determined by the total count of boards S integrated in the shelves (2.1) included in the structure (1).

In case of more shelves (2.1-2.n) realised as described, once the information corncerning the specified parameters are entered, it is possible to manage - by means of a proper algorithm - the information referring to the number of available positions (19) inside the structutre Ul) as well as the information concerning each package content (3.1-3.n) and the information concerning the package presence/absence in a specific position (19), being said presence/absence determined by the detection system (18) of which each control unit (12) is equipped with.

According to the just mentioned configuration the project subject of the present patent application, each control unit (12) and related connected board (S), integrated in the box-shaped bodies (11) of each shelf (2.1-2.n) communicates to a concentrator board (G), by means of a connector cable (16) being said concentrator cable (G) in turn interfaced with an integrated server.

According to the project subject of the present patent application, each control units trio (12.1-12.3; 12.4-12.6) is controlled by an electronic board (S1,S2).

Description of a first detection mode of package "presence/absence"

With reference to Fig 6 and Fig 6.a according to a first preferred mode, a first series of packages (3.1,3.n) is placed horizontally on a series of transversal bodies forming a first shelf (2.1), said first shelf (2.1) being placed below a second shelf (2.2). According to the project subject of the present patent application, in the above mentioned preferrred configuration, the shelf is equipped with a transversal box-shaped body (11) which accomodates inside a series of control units (12.1-12.n) each of them endowed with a detection system (18.1-18.n).

Namely, each detection system (18.1) of each control unit (12.1- 12.n) includes at least one IR led (18.1.1) placed in a lower position compared to the body of the product package (3.1,3.n), asecond IR led (18.2.1) placed between a first product package (3.1) and a second product package (3.2) right nearby, and one detection device (18.3.1).

In a preferred - but not exclusive - realisation form, each control unit (12.1-12.n) includes a single IR led (18.1.1) and a detection device (18.3.1). Namely, the detection device (18.3.1) is placed in correspondence of the second IR led (18.2.1) thus in correspondence of a shelf area

(2.1) not occupied by the packages body (3.1,3.2).

According to the project subject of the present patent application, the first IR led releases a ray which reflects on the second shelf surface (2.2) placed above, being it thus spotted by the detection device (18.3.1).

The "presence/absence" condition is therefore determined by the comparison, in absolute terms, between the signal of the first reflected ray released by the first IR led (18.2.1) placed below the product package (3.1) and the second reflected ray released by the second IR led (18.2.1) positioned on an object-free space.

In a second preferred configuration (Fig 6.a), the detection device

(18.3.1) is placed in correspondence with the first IR led (18.2.1), thus in correspondence with the area of shelf (2.1) occupied by the package body (3.1).

According to the project subject of the present patent application, the first IR led (18.2.1) releases a ray which reflects on the surface of the second shelf (2.2) placed above being it spotted by the detection device (18.3.1) and the second IR led (18.2.2) releases a ray which reflects on the surface of the second shelf (2.2P placed above, being it also spotted by the detection device (18.3.1).

The "presence/absence" condition is thus determined by the comparison between the ray released by the first IR led (18.2.1) reflected by the surface of the second shelf (2.2) and spotted by the detection device (18.3.1), and the signal released by the second IR led.

Description of a second detection mode ref. package

"presence/absence" condition.

With reference to Fig 7 and Fig 7.a, in a second preferred configuration a first series of product packages (3.1,3.n) is placed vertically on a first transversal box-shaped body (11) of a series of transversal box-shaped bodies (11) forming a first shelf (2.1), being said first shelf (2.1) positioned below a second shelf (2.2). According to the project subject of the present patent application, the transversal box-shaped body (11) houses inside at least one control unit (12.1) equipped with a detection system (18.1).

Namely, each detection system (18.1) of each control unit (12.1- 12.n) includes a first IR led (18.1.1) located below the product package body (3.1,3.n), a second IR led (18.2.1) placed between a first product package (3.1) and a second product package (3.2) right nearby, and one detection device (18.3.1).

According to the project subject of the present patent application, the first IR led (18.2.1) releases a ray which reflects on the surface of the second shelf (2.2) placed above, being it so spotted by the detection device (18.3.1).

In a first preferred configuration, the detection device (18.3.1) is placed in correspondence of the second IR led (18.2.1).

In a second preferred configuration (Fig 7.a), the detection device (18.3.1) is placed in correspondence with the first IR led (18.2.1), below the product package space, while the second IR led is placed outside the product package space.

According to the project subject of the present patent application, the first IR led (18.2.1) releases a ray which reflects on the surface of the second shelf (2.2) placed above being it then spotted by the detection device (18.3.1) and the same thing is done by the second IR led placed outside the product package space.

The "presence/absence" condition is thus determined by the comparison between the ray released by the first IR led (18.2.1) reflected by the surface of the second shelf (2.2) and spotted by the detection device (18.3.1), with the signal released by the second IR led (which does not find any obstruction to the released ray). Regardless of the described preferred configurations, according to the project subject of the present patent application, each shelf (2-2.n) is therefore endowed with a series of control units (12.1- 12.n) each of them having a detection system (18.1-18.n), said control units (12.1-12.n) are connected to boards (Sl-Sn) in turn connected to a concentrator board (G) suitable for managing data detected by the control units themselves, said concentrator board being in turn connected to a server, which by means of a proper algorithm shares data and develops specific functions with hardware devices such as tablet or smartphone type or with a network server. The project, realised according what described, allows therefore to - Manage remotely the information referring to the inventory, meaning the information related to the number of packages present on each shelf realised in the way previously described.

And, according to the needs,

Enter remotely to the info relating to the package content as well as the precise position inside the structure (1) realised and set up as previously described.

Namely, in case of remote search of the information regarding the position of a specific package, the visualisation inside the structure (1) of the package position or of the area where the package is placed, will be allowed by activation of visual signalling devices (17), of RGB led type, of which the first box shaped body (11) of each shelf is endowed with.

Claims

1.Structure for stocking and storing packages of at least one product and related management, said structure consisting of a series of shelves (2-2.n), each shelf (2-

2.n) associated to the inner cabinet wall or to racking posts of a schelf or to vertical walls, said series of shelves (2-2.n) allocated for positioning at least one product package (3-3.n), said at least one product package (3-3.n) consisting on a polygonal solid or of a solid of rotation and having a base and side surfaces, each shelf (2-2.n) housing at least one control unit (12) to determine the presence of at least one product package (3-3.n), said control unit (12) being associated to an electronic board (S) which is in turn associated to a concentrator-gateway board (G) associated with a serve, each shelf (2-2.n) comprising a couple of left side supports (30.1,30.2) and right side supports (40.1,40.2) spaced apart by a series of bodies placed bewteen the first right side support (30.1,40.1) and the second left side support (30.2,40.2) said structure characterized in that each shelf (2-2) has, at one end, a box-like body (11) which extends from one end of the first lateral support (30.1, 40.1) to an end of the second lateral support (30, 40.2) and internally houses the at least one control unit (12 -12.n) said box-line body (11) presenting at least one reporting device (17).

2.Structure as claim 1 characterized in that the at least one reporting device (17) is of the type light signalling led RGB device.

3.Structure as claimed in the preceding claims characterized in that the at least one control unit (12 -12.n) of box like body (11) is constituted by a detection system (18) adapted to determine the presence of at least one surface portion of at least one package (3 -3.n).

4.Structure as as claimed in the preceding claims characterized in that the detection system (18) of the at least control unit (12) includes a first IR led

(18.1.1), a second IR led (18.2.1) and a detection device (18.3.1).

5.Structure as from claims 1,2,3,4 characterized in that that the detection system (18) includes at least one ultrasonic sensor and at least one detection device.

6.Structure as from claims 1,2,3,4 characterized in that the detection system (18) includes at least one time-of- flight sensor and at least one detection device.

7.Structure as from previous claims characterized in that that the portion of the upper surface of the box-shaped body (11) presents at least one base (19) where one portion of the product package surface (3,3.1-3.n) accomodates .

8.Structure as from previous claims characterized in that the couple of left and right side supports (30.1,30.2) are mutually spaced by a series of bodies (15.1 - 15.n) placed transversally between the first support (30.1) and the second support (30.2).

9.Structure as from claim 8 characterized in that each body (15.1-15.n) is a tubular body with circular section.

10. Structure as from claims 8,9 characterized in that the transversal box-shaped body (11) locates internally a series of control units (12, 12.n), connected one another by means of a cable (16) its own associated to a generic concentrator board (G) associated with a server.

11. Structure as from previous claims characterized in that the series of bodies placed transversally between the first support (40.1) and the second support (40.2) is made of a series of box-shaped bodies (11-11.n) these box-shaped bodies (11-11.n) allocate internally a series of control units (12,12.n), connected to a generic concentrator board (G) that by means of at least one cable (16), each of these control units (12,12.n) being equipped with a detection system (18-18.n).

12. Structure as from claim 11 characterized in that the box-shaped bodies (11.1-11.n) placed transversally between the first support (40.1) and the second support (40.2) and included inbetween the first box-shaped body (11) and the structure (1) inner wall present themselves a series of control units (12.1-12.n) each of them equipped with a detection system (18.1-18.n).

13. Structure as from claim 12 characterized in that each box-shaped body (11.1-lln) placed transversally between the first support (40.1) and the second support (40.2) presents on a portion of the upper surface a base (19.1- 19.n) where one portion of the surface of the product package/bottle (3,3.1-3.n) accomodates.

14. Structure as from claim 13 characterized in that to at least one control unit (12, 12.n) is associated to an electronic board (Sl-S.n).

15. Structure as from previous claims characterized in that to each electronic board (S) three control units (12) are associated.

16. Structure as from previous claims characterized in that to each control board is assigned a progressive number (serial number?).

17. Structure as from previous claims characterized in that each shelf (2-2.n) is equipped with a series of control units (12.1-12.n) each of them having a detecting system (18.1-18.n), those control units (12.1-2.n) being associated to a series of boards (Sl-Sn) in turn connected to a concentrator board (G) apt to manage data detected from the control units themselves, this concentrator board being itself connected to a server which shares data and develops specific functions with hardware devices such as tablet or smartphone or with a network server.