Patent Publication Number: US-2022212707-A1

Title: Container, method for delivering a plurality of articles, and method for picking up at least one article implementing such container

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a container and to a method for delivering a plurality of articles and a method for picking-up at least one article implementing such container. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The invention especially applies to distribution of articles ordered by users, in particular urban users living in a city. Articles are generally gathered in warehouses outside the city before being delivered by distribution vehicles of different companies to the user individually or through a retail business, such as a supermarket or a store. 
     Many distribution vehicles of different sizes therefore deliver a same geographical area during restricted hours, which cause congestion in traffic, pollution in the city and which increases costs of article distribution for the users. 
     As an attempt to address such issues, delivery systems implementing containers with a plurality of compartments each configured to accommodate at least one of the articles are known. In particular, the container is prepared according to the orders of the users and temporary placed on a ground surface where the users may pick-up their article. An example of such delivery system is disclosed in document WO 2017/196755. 
     However, the containers implemented in such delivery systems are not convenient to handling and transportation and do not offer satisfying safety and modularity. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention aims at solving the above problems. 
     To that end, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a container for carrying a plurality of articles, the container comprising:
     a carriage including a base and a rack superposed along a carriage axis, the base being configured to rest on a ground surface, the carriage including a plurality of compartments each configured to accommodate at least one of the articles,   a cabinet extending along a cabinet axis from a bottom end and defining an inner space provided with a bottom opening along the cabinet axis in the bottom end, the inner space being configured to accommodate the carriage with the carriage axis parallel to the cabinet axis and the base within the bottom opening, the bottom end of the cabinet being configured to form an annular skirt around the cabinet axis,   a locking system configured to cooperate with an anchorage provided on the ground surface, the locking system presenting a locked state in which removal of the container from the anchorage is prevented, and an unlocked state in which removal of the container from the anchorage is enabled,   wherein the container presents a closed state in which any access to the compartments is prevented, and an opened state in which an access to at least one of the compartments is enabled,   wherein the cabinet is mounted on the rack of the carriage and the rack is movable with respect to the base in translation along the carriage axis between a retracted position in which said rack is close to the base and an extended position in which said rack is spaced apart from the base, the skirt masking at least a major portion of the base of the carriage in the retracted position of the rack, the locking system being in the locked state when the rack is in the retracted position.   

     Hence, in the extended position of the rack of the carriage, the container presents a configuration simplifying handling and transportation while presenting a configuration better suited for delivery of articles, especially in terms of stability and safety versus theft or degradations, in the retracted position of the rack of the carriage. 
     The carriage may be removable from the cabinet, the container presenting an assembled configuration wherein the carriage is accommodated within the inner space of the cabinet, and a separate configuration wherein the carriage is arranged outside the inner space of the cabinet. 
     The base of the carriage may be provided with casters configured to roll on the ground surface. 
     The carriage may be equipped with a braking system presenting an activated state in which the casters are prevented from rolling, and a deactivated state in which the casters are enabled to roll, the braking system being in the activated state when the rack is in the retracted position. 
     The cabinet may be configured such that the skirt rests on the ground surface when the rack is in the retracted position. 
     The cabinet may include a cabinet lateral wall extending around the cabinet axis and provided with a front opening in an opening axis perpendicular to the cabinet axis, the front opening being configured to enable an access to the inner space, and
     wherein each compartment extends along a casing axis parallel to the opening axis, and presents an access opening along the casing axis and facing the front opening of the cabinet, the access opening being configured to enable an access to the compartment,   at least one of the front opening and access opening being closed in the closed state of the container.   

     The front opening may be configured to allow the carriage to pass through said front opening. 
     The cabinet may further include a front panel configured to cover the front opening in the closed state of the cabinet, and to be spaced apart from the front opening in the opened state of the cabinet. 
     The front panel may comprise a cabinet door hinged to the cabinet lateral wall. 
     The cabinet door may extend over an upper portion of a height of the cabinet and the front panel may further comprise a baseboard mounted in a removable manner on the cabinet lateral wall, the baseboard forming a part of the skirt in the closed state of the container. 
     Each compartment may be delimited by a casing lateral wall extending around the casing axis, and a casing door hinged to the casing lateral wall so as to cover the access opening in the closed state of the container, and to be spaced apart from the access opening in the opened state of the container. 
     Each compartment may be formed in a casing mounted in a removable manner on the rack of the carriage. 
     Each casing may be chosen among a range of casings having different sizes, the plurality of compartments resulting from a modular arrangement of casings. 
     The base may present a contact surface intended to be in contact with the ground surface and the locking system may comprise a locking member mounted on the rack and configured to cooperate with the anchorage, the locking member being arranged at a distance from the contact surface when the rack is in the extended position and at proximity of the contact surface when the rack is in the retracted position. 
     The locking member may be electromagnetic, the locking system comprising a power source configured to supply the electromagnetic locking member with power in the locked state of the locking system. 
     The locking system may further comprise a blocking arrangement configured to prevent the rack from being moved towards the extended position while the locking member is in the locked state. 
     The container may further comprise a central unit connected to the carriage, the cabinet and the locking system and configured to set the rack in one of the retracted and extended positions, the container in one of the opened and closed state and the locking system in one of the locked and unlocked state. 
     The container may further comprise a communication interface connected to the central unit and configured to enable a user to communicate with the central unit. 
     According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a method for delivering a plurality of articles implementing the aforementioned container, the method comprising steps of:
     preparing the container, the container being in the opened state, articles being accommodated in the compartments of the carriage,   setting the container in the closed state,   placing the container on a ground surface provided with an anchorage,   moving the container with the rack of the carriage in the extended position, setting the rack of the carriage in the retracted position and the locking system in the locked state,   enabling at least one user to pick-up at least one of the articles, the container being set in the opened state,   retrieving the container.   

     Prior to prepare the container, the articles may be ordered by users. The method may further comprise steps of:
     defining a location of the ground surface based on information related to the users,   communicating the location and an access code to each user, the access code enabling the cabinet to be set in the opened state.   

     According to a third aspect, the invention proposes a method for picking-up at least one article implementing the aforementioned container, the container being placed on a location of a ground surface provided with an anchorage, the container being in the closed state, the rack being in the retracted position and the locking system being in the locked state, the method comprising steps of:
     enabling at least one user to deposit at least one article in at least one compartment of the carriage, the container being set in the opened state,   retrieving the container.   

     Prior to enabling the user to deposit the article, the article may be requested to be picked-up by the user. The method may further comprise a step of communicating a location of the ground surface and an access code to the user, the access code enabling the container to be set in the opened state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following disclosure of a particular embodiment of the invention given as a non-limitative example, the disclosure being made in reference to the enclosed drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a container for carrying articles according to an embodiment of the invention, the container comprising a carriage including a plurality of compartments each configured to accommodate one or several of the articles, and a cabinet defining an inner space configured to accommodate the carriage, the container presenting a closed state in which any access to the compartments is prevented, and an opened state in which an access to at least one of the compartments is enabled, 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of two different arrangements of casings of different sizes intended to be mounted on the carriage of the container of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the casing including one of the compartments, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the carriage of the container of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the carriage including a base and a rack superposed along a carriage axis, the base being provided with casters configured to roll on the ground surface, the cabinet being mounted on the rack of the carriage and the rack being movable with respect to the base in translation along the carriage axis, the rack being in an extended position in which it is spaced apart from the base, the container further presenting a locking system with a locking member mounted on the rack and configured to cooperate with an anchorage provided on the ground surface, the locking system being in an unlocked state in which removal of the container from the anchorage is enabled, 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged bottom view of the carriage of  FIG. 5 , 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the carriage of the container of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rack being in a retracted position in which it is close to the base, the locking system being in a locked state in which removal of the container from the anchorage is prevented, 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged bottom view of the carriage of  FIG. 7 , 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective bottom view of the carriage of the container of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating a blocking arrangement configured to prevent the rack from being moved towards the extended position while the locking member is in the locked state, 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are enlarged perspective view and side view along orientation referenced XI-XI in  FIG. 10  of a braking system mounted on the base of the carriage of the container of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the braking system being in an activated state in which the casters are prevented from rolling, 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are enlarged perspective view and side view along orientation referenced XIII-XIII in  FIG. 10  of the braking system of the container of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the braking system being in a deactivated state in which the casters are enabled to roll, 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating a method for delivering a plurality of articles implementing the container of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , 
         FIGS. 15 to 19  are perspective views of the container of  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrating steps of a method for delivering articles, 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart illustrating a method for picking-up an article implementing the container of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In the Figures, the same reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a container  1  for carrying articles according to an embodiment of the invention. Although not limited thereto, such container  1  finds particular applications for delivering articles ordered by different users  2  of a same geographical area, such as a town or a neighborhood of a city. 
     The container  1  comprises a carriage  5  including a plurality of compartments  55  each configured to accommodate one or several of the articles, and a cabinet  35  defining an inner space  36  configured to accommodate the carriage  5 . The carriage  5  will be disclosed more in details in relation with  FIGS. 5 to 8 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the cabinet  35  has a global parallelepiped shape along a cabinet axis A. The cabinet  35  includes a cabinet lateral wall  37 , cylindrical along the cabinet axis A and of rectangular cross-section, with:
     two lateral panels  38  parallel to each other, along short sides of the rectangular cross-section, and presenting each two longitudinal edges along the cabinet axis A facing the longitudinal edges of the other lateral panel  38 , and   a back panel  39 , along one of the long sides of the rectangular cross-section, perpendicular to the lateral panels  38  and connecting two respective longitudinal edges facing each other of the lateral panels  38 .   

     Each of the lateral  38  and back  39  panels presents opposite bottom and upper transverse edges perpendicular to the cabinet axis A and at a distance from each other along the cabinet axis A. The bottom transverse edges of the lateral  38  and back  39  panels define a bottom end  40  of the cabinet  35  and the upper transverse edges of the lateral  38  and back  39  panels define an upper end  41  of the cabinet  35 . 
     The cabinet  35  is configured to enable an access to the inner space  36  perpendicularly to the cabinet axis A. To that end, a front opening  42  is provided in an opening axis O perpendicular to the cabinet axis A. In addition, the cabinet  35  has a front panel  45  configured to removably cover the front opening  42 . In particular, the front panel  45  comprises a cabinet door  46  hinged to the longitudinal edge of one of the lateral panel  38  of the cabinet lateral wall  37  along an axis parallel to the cabinet axis A. The cabinet door  46  presents a closed position in which it covers at least a portion of the front opening  42 , and an opened position in which it is spaced apart from the front opening  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cabinet door  46  extends over an upper portion of a height, measured along the cabinet axis A, of the cabinet  35 , departing from the upper end  41  of the cabinet  35 . The front panel  45  then further comprises a baseboard  47  mounted in a removable manner on the cabinet lateral wall  37  and connected in any suitable manner to the respective longitudinal edges, facing each other, of the lateral panels  38 , close to their bottom transverse edges. Alternatively, the cabinet door  46  could extend over the whole height of the cabinet  35 , the baseboard  47  being part of the cabinet door  46 . 
     The cabinet  35  includes a top panel  49  extending transversally to the cabinet axis A and connecting the top transverse edges of the lateral  38  and back  39  panels whereas the bottom transverse edges of the lateral  38  and back  39  panels as well as a bottom transverse edge of the baseboard  47  remain free. The cabinet  35  then has a closed top end  41  and an opened bottom end  40 , which opened bottom end define a bottom opening  36   a  along the cabinet axis A for the inner space  36 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the container  1  presents a closed state in which the cabinet door  46  in the closed position and the baseboard  47  cover the front opening  42  so that any access to the inner space  36  and hence to the compartments  55  is prevented. In such closed state, the bottom end  40  of the cabinet forms a continuous annular skirt  50  around the cabinet axis A of the cabinet  35 , which skirt  50  includes the baseboard  47  and portions of the lateral  38  and back  39  panels close to their bottom transverse edges. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the container  1  presents an opened state in which at least the cabinet door  46  in the opened position is spaced apart from the front opening  42  so that an access to the inner space  36  and hence to at least one of the compartments  55  is enabled. 
     In  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each compartment  55  is formed in a casing  56  of global parallelepiped shape along a casing axis C and of rectangular cross-section. Each casing  56  includes a casing lateral wall  57  around the casing axis C. The casing lateral wall  57  presents opposite back and front edges annular around the casing axis C. A back end  58  of the casing lateral wall  57  may be closed by a back wall  59  extending transversally to the casing axis C and connected to the back edge of the casing lateral wall  57 . The front edge of the casing lateral wall  57  remains free so that a front end  60  of the casing lateral wall  57 , opposite the back end  58 , define an access opening  61  along the casing axis C. In the illustrated embodiment, a casing door  62  is hinged to the casing lateral wall  57  so as to cover the access opening  61  in a closed position, and to be spaced apart from the access opening  61  in an opened position. 
     The invention is disclosed in relation with a container  1  having both cabinet door  46  and casing door  62  in their opened position in the opened state of the container  1  and both cabinet door  46  and casing door  62  in their closed position in the closed state of the container  1 . The container  1  could however be deprived of cabinet door  46  in which case, in the opened state of the container  1 , only the casing door  62  is opened and, in the closed state of the container  1 , only the casing door  62  is closed. Alternatively, the container  1  could be deprived of casing door  62  in which case, in the opened state of the container  1 , only the cabinet door  46  is opened and, in the closed state of the container  1 , only the cabinet door  46  is closed. 
     As apparent from  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each casing  56  may be chosen among a range of casings having different sizes to provide a modular arrangement of casings  56 . On  FIGS. 3 and 4 , two different arrangements of casings  56  of different sizes are shown. 
     As shown on  FIG. 2 , the arrangement of casings  56  is placed within the inner space  36  of the cabinet  35  so that each compartment  55  opens perpendicularly to the cabinet axis A, the casing axis C being parallel to the opening axis O and the access opening  61  facing the front opening  42  of the cabinet  35 . 
     Advantageously, the arrangement of casings  56  is mounted in a removable manner on the carriage  5  and the carriage  5  is removable from the cabinet  35 . 
     A particular embodiment of the carriage  5  is represented in  FIGS. 5 to 8 . The carriage  5  includes a base  6  and a rack  12  superposed along a carriage axis B. 
     The base  6  extends globally transversally to the carriage axis B. In the illustrated embodiment, the base  6  includes an arrangement of rigid bars to form a frame  7  of rectangular shape with two long bars  8  parallel to each other, and two short bars  9  parallel to each other and each connecting two respective ends facing each other of the long bars  8 . The base  6  is configured to rest on a ground surface. In particular, the base  6  is provided with casters  10  configured to roll on the ground surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the casters  10  are placed at each corner of the frame  7  and at least two of them may further pivot along an axis parallel to the carriage axis B to enable orientation of the carriage  5  while it is moved on the ground surface. 
     The rack  12  is mounted on the base  6  and configured to receive the arrangement of casings  56 . In particular, the rack  12  includes an arrangement of rigid bars forming a frame  13  of global parallelepiped shape with four main posts  14  extending along the carriage axis B substantially aligned respectively with the corners of the base  6  and a number of main traverses  16  arranged perpendicularly to the carriage axis B and connecting the main posts  14  together to provide sufficient rigidity. In particular, in the figures, four lower main traverses  16  arranged in a rectangular configuration connect two by two lower ends, namely close to the base  6 , facing each other of the main posts  14 . Two upper main traverses  16 , parallel to the long bars  8  of the base  6 , each connect two respective upper edges, namely spaced apart from the base  6 , facing each other, of two main posts  14 . Additional posts  15  and traverses  17  are provided to ensure further rigidity and enable attachment of the arrangement of casings  56  in any suitable manner. 
     The rack  12  is mounted on the base  6  so as to be movable with respect to the base  6  in translation along the carriage axis B. A driving mechanism  20 , including one or several actuators  21 , is provided to move the rack  12  between an extended position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  and a retracted position shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In the extended position, the rack  12  is arranged at a first distance from the base  6  whereas, in the retracted position, the rack  12  is arranged at a second distance from the base  6 , the second distance being smaller than the first distance. Then, in the retracted position, the rack  12  is close to the base  6  and, in the extended position, the rack  12  is further away from the base  6  with respect to the retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment, although not limited thereto, the driving mechanism  20  comprises four actuators  21  in the form of cylinders each arranged between each main post  14  of the rack  12  and the corresponding corner of the base  6 . 
     As better shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the container  1  further comprises a locking system  25  configured to cooperate with an anchorage  3  provided on the ground surface. In particular, the locking system  25  presents a locked state in which removal of the container  1  from the anchorage  3  is prevented, and an unlocked state in which removal of the container  1  from the anchorage  3  is enabled. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the locking system  25  is of electromagnetic type and comprises an electromagnetic locking member  26  and a power source configured to supply the locking member  26  with power in the locked state of the locking system  25 . The locking member  26  is mounted on the rack  12  of the carriage  5  and configured to cooperate with the anchorage  3 , in the form of magnetic plate  4  fixed to the ground surface. In  FIG. 6 , the rack  12  is in the extended position and the locking member  26  is arranged at a distance from a contact surface of the base  6  of the carriage  5 , defined by contacts of the casters  10  with the ground surface. In  FIG. 8 , the rack  12  is in the retracted position and the locking member  26  is arranged at proximity of the contact surface. 
     Alternatively, any other suitable arrangement of the locking member  26  could be provided. Especially, as it will become apparent from the following of the description, the locking member  26  could be mounted on the cabinet  35 , especially on the skirt  50  of the cabinet  35 . The locking member  26  could also be mounted on the base  6  of the carriage  5 . Besides, the locking system  25  could be of any other suitable type, especially mechanic for example with a hook, forming one of the locking member  26  and the anchorage  3 , and a ring, forming the other of the locking member  26  and the anchorage  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the locking system  25  may further comprise a blocking arrangement  27  configured to prevent the rack  12  from being moved towards the extended position while the locking member  26  is in the locked state. In the illustrated embodiment, the blocking arrangement  27  comprises a cylinder  28  connected to the locking member  26  by an arrangement of articulated links  29  configured so that when the cylinder  28  is in an extended state, the links  29  prevent any movement of the locking member  26 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 to 13 , the carriage  5  is equipped with a braking system  30  presenting an activated state in which the casters  10  are prevented from rolling, and a deactivated state in which the casters  10  are enabled to roll. In particular, the braking system  30  comprises an actuator  31 , for example a cylinder, connected to one or several pads  32  through a transmission mechanism  33  so that the pads  32  are in contact with the casters  10  in the activated position ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ) and spaced apart from the casters  10  in the deactivated position ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ). 
     In order to enable accommodation of the carriage  5  within the inner space  36  of the cabinet  35  and subsequent removal of the carriage  5  from the cabinet  35 , the front opening  42  of the cabinet  35  is configured to allow the carriage  5  to pass through it. In particular, in the opened state of the container  1 , the cabinet door  46  opens wide and the baseboard  47  is removed. The container  1  may then present an assembled configuration wherein the carriage  5  is accommodated within the inner space  36  of the cabinet  35  with the carriage axis B parallel to, especially aligned with, the cabinet axis A and the base  6  within the bottom opening  36   a  of the inner space  36 , and a separate configuration wherein the carriage  5  is arranged outside the inner space  36  of the cabinet  35 . 
     When the carriage  5  is accommodated within the inner space  36  of the cabinet  35 , the cabinet  35  is mounted on the rack  12  of the carriage  5 . The cabinet  35  can be set at a first level from the contact surface in the extended position of the rack  12  and at a second level from the contact surface in the retracted position of the rack  12 , the second level being lower than the first level. The cabinet  35  may then be lowered as the rack  12  is moved from the extended position to the retracted position and elevated as the rack  12  is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. The cabinet  35  is configured so that the skirt  50  masks at least a major portion, namely at least 50%, preferably, at least 75%, especially at least 90%, of the base  6  of the carriage  5 , together with the casters  10  and the locking system  25 , in the retracted position of the rack  12 . More preferably, the cabinet  35  is configured so that the skirt  50  entirely masks the base  6  of the carriage  5 , together with the casters  10  and the locking system  25 , the bottom end  40  of the cabinet  35  being flush with the contact surface of the base  6  so as to rest on the ground surface in the retracted position of the rack  12 . 
     The container  1  comprises a central unit  65  connected to the carriage  5 , and especially the driving mechanism  20 , to the cabinet, to the locking system  25  and possibly to the casings  56  to set the rack  12  in one of the retracted and extended positions, the cabinet  35  in one of opened and closed positions, the locking system  25  in one of the locked and unlocked state and the casing doors  62  in one of the opened and closed positions. The container  1  further comprises a communication interface  66  connected to the central unit  65  and configured to enable a user  2  to communicate with the central unit  65 . The communication interface  66  may comprise one or several wired communication devices, such as a keypad  67  mounted on an outer surface of the cabinet  35 , and/or one or several wireless communication device configured to communicate with a portable device held by the user  2 . 
     In relation with  FIGS. 14 and 15 to 19 , a method for delivering articles implementing the container  35  is disclosed. As mentioned previously, the articles may be ordered by users  2 , for example on websites, and gathered in warehouses outside the city. 
     At step Sp 1 , depending on information about the users  2 , and especially their address, a location of the ground surface where the container  1  should be placed is defined. 
     At step Sp 2 , the location is communicated to each user  2  together with an access code of any suitable kind such as an electromagnetic signal, optic signal, a password or other, enabling the cabinet  35  to be set in the opened state. 
     At step S 1 , the container  1  is prepared. Each casing  56  is chosen based on the size and/or number of articles it is to contain. A suitable arrangement of casings  56  is prepared and mounted on the rack  12  of the carriage  5  in the extended position. In  FIG. 15 , the container  1  is set in the opened state and the carriage  5  is moved within the inner space  36  of the cabinet  35 . The container  1  is then set in the closed state. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the container  1  is moved, manually or through a trolley  70 , with the rack  12  remaining in the extended position. 
     The container  1  may be transported in a truck with other similar containers  1  prepared in a similar manner but possibly differing by their arrangement of casings  56 . During transportation, the rack  12  may be set in the retracted position. 
     At step S 2 , as shown in  FIG. 17 , once arrived at the defined location, the rack  12  is set in the extended position so that the container  1  may be placed on the ground surface provided with the anchorage  3 . In  FIG. 18 , the rack  12  of the carriage  5  is set in the retracted position, the cabinet  35  being lowered so that the skirt  50  rests on the ground surface and masks at least a major portion of the base  6  of the carriage  5 . 
     In this retracted position of the rack  12 , the locking member  26  is at the vicinity, especially in contact, with the magnetic plate  4  of the anchorage  3  and power is supplied to the locking member  26  to put the locking system  25  in the locked state. The container  1  is then anchored to the ground surface thanks to attraction forces between the electromagnetic locking member  26  and the magnetic plate  4 . The blocking arrangement  27  is activated to prevent the rack  12  from being moved towards the extended position and the braking system  30  is put in the activated state. Removal of the container  1  from the anchorage  3  is thus prevented. 
     At step S 2 , as shown in  FIG. 19 , each user  2  is enabled to pick-up the article or articles he has ordered thanks to his the access code setting the container  1  in the opened state and the casing door  62  in the opened position. 
     At step S 4 , once the articles have been picked-up or after a determined time period has lapsed, the container  1  may be retrieved or placed at another location defined in accordance with articles remaining therein. 
     In  FIG. 20 , the container  1  may also be implemented in a method for picking-up one or several articles. 
     At step S 1 ′, the article is requested to be picked-up by the user  2 . At step Sp 1 ′, a location of the ground surface on which the container  1  is placed is communicated to the user  2  together with an access code enabling the container  1  to be set in the opened state. At the location, the container  1  is in the closed state, the rack  12  is in the retracted position and the locking system  25  is in the locked state. 
     At step S 2 ′, the user  2  is enabled to deposit the article one of the compartments  55  of the carriage  5  thanks the access code. 
     At step S 3 ′, the container  1  is retrieved.