AU2016313019B2

AU2016313019B2 - Release device for enabling and blocking discharging of an article and method for discharging an article

Info

Publication number: AU2016313019B2
Application number: AU2016313019A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephan Brokonier; Dietmar Gross; Christoph Hellenbrand
Original assignee: Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH
Current assignee: Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2015-08-25
Filing date: 2016-08-09
Publication date: 2021-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-09
Also published as: KR20180044275A; AU2016313019A1; WO2017032593A1; BR112018002313A2; EP3135615B1; BR112018002313B1; CA2994775A1; DK3135615T3; EP3135615A1; ES2713395T3; CN107922129B; JP2018525297A; CN107922129A; JP6768055B2; MX2018001982A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a release device and a method for discharging an article. In known release devices, the weight of the article is limited, since articles sliding down damage the lock of the device in the case of excessive weight. The release device according to the invention comprises a lifting and initial stopping component (30) having an upper sliding face (31), wherein the lifting and initial stopping component (30) is coupled to a drive (20) such that the sliding face (31) is movable over a sliding plane (GE) into an enabling position and level with the sliding plane (GE) into a blocking position, and wherein the lifting and initial stopping component (30) has a stop (32) that projects over the sliding plane (GE) in the enabling position. Downstream of the lifting and initial stopping component (30) in the sliding direction is a blocking body (40) having an upper blocking-body sliding face (41), a blocking edge (42) that projects over the sliding plane (GE), and a retractable and extendable lock (50), wherein the lock (50) is coupled to the drive (20) such that the lock (50) is movable under the blocking-body sliding face (41) into an enabling position and over the blocking-body sliding face (41) into a blocking position, wherein the lock (50) is configured such that the blocking edge (42) is formed upstream of the lock (50) in the sliding direction, such that no contact takes place between the article and lock (50) in the blocking position.

Description

Release device for enabling and blocking discharging of an article and method for discharging an article

The present invention relates to a release device for enabling and blocking delivery of a piece good from an inclined storage chute, and a method for delivering a piece good from such a storage chute. Release devices of the above-mentioned type are used in storage bays having a plurality of inclined storage chutes. The inclined storage chutes each contain a plurality of piece goods situated one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute. The release device is situated at a delivery end of the storage chute, and includes a block for holding the piece goods in the storage chute. As soon as the block is moved into the "enabled position," one or more piece goods are delivered from the storage chute. For inclined storage chutes, this takes place in that one or more piece goods slip or slide from the storage chute due to gravity, the inclination of the storage chute determining the sliding direction. A storage facility for storing pharmaceutical packages in inclined storage chutes is known from the publication WO 03/010073 Al, for example. A release device for enabling or blocking the delivery of at least one piece good is known from EP 1 803 663 Al, for example. The release device known from the cited publication is customarily used in picking devices, employed in pharmacies or hospitals, for automatically retrieving pharmaceutical packages. In the above-mentioned release device, a block is moved over a drive situated below a storage chute, or is moved below the storage chute base, to enable or block delivery from the storage chute. A disadvantage of this release device is that, due to the design of the block, only piece goods having a relatively low weight can be used, since otherwise the block could be damaged when it is struck by a subsequent piece good which is not to be retrieved. Another disadvantage is that for relatively high piece goods, the block must likewise have a relatively high design in order to prevent a subsequent piece good which is not to be retrieved from rolling over at or on the block. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Some embodiments of the present disclosure aim to provide a release device by means of which large and/or heavy piece goods may be reliably delivered.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a Release device for enabling and blocking delivery of a piece good from an inclined storage chute having a storage chute base and a delivery end, wherein the storage chute base defines a sliding plane, and piece goods are able to move from the storage chute in a sliding direction along the longitudinal direction of the storage chute, comprising a drive, a lifting and pre-stopping part having an upper sliding surface, wherein the lifting and pre-stopping part is coupled to the drive in such a way that the sliding surface is movable over the sliding plane into an enabled position of the release device, and is movable at the level of the sliding plane into a blocked position of the release device, and wherein the lifting and pre stopping part has a stop which in the enabled position protrudes beyond the sliding plane, wherein a blocking element, situated downstream of the lifting and pre-stopping part in the sliding direction, having an upper blocking element sliding surface, a permanent blocking edge which protrudes beyond the sliding plane, which is designed as an integral component of the blocking element, and an extendable and retractable block for preventing a rollover of the piece good, wherein the block is coupled to the drive in such a way that the block is movable below the blocking element sliding surface into the enabled position of the release device, and is movable above the blocking element sliding surface into a blocked position of the release device, wherein the block is designed in such a way that the blocking edge is provided upstream of the block in the sliding direction, so that in the blocked position of the release device in which the sliding surface of the lifting and pre-stopping component is aligned with the sliding plane, no contact between the piece good and the block takes place but the movement of the piece goods in the storage chute is stopped by the blocking edge. The release device according to the invention is used for enabling and blocking delivery of a piece good from an inclined storage chute, the storage chute having a delivery end, and a storage chute base which defines a sliding plane, on or along which piece goods are able to move from the storage chute in a sliding direction in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute. Multiple inclined storage chutes are customarily situated next to one another, so that multiple storage chute bases likewise define the above-mentioned sliding plane, along or on which the piece goods are able to slip or slide from the storage chutes in the sliding direction as soon as a release device has enabled a storage chute. The release device according to the invention includes a drive and a lifting and pre-stopping part, coupled to the drive, having an upper sliding surface, the lifting and pre-stopping part being coupled to the drive in such a way that the sliding surface is movable over the sliding plane defined by the storage chute base(s) into an enabled position, and is movable at the level of the sliding plane into a blocked position. The lifting and pre stopping part also includes a stop which in the enabled position protrudes beyond the sliding plane. The lifting and pre-stopping part according to the release device according to the invention is thus movable between two positions, namely, the enabled position and the blocked position, in the enabled position the sliding surface of the lifting and o pre-stopping part being situated above the sliding plane; i.e., a piece good resting partially on the lifting and pre-stopping part in the blocked position is at least partially lifted over the sliding plane when the lifting and pre-stopping part moves. At the same time, when the lifting and pre-stopping part moves beyond the sliding plane into the enabled position, a stop which acts as a stop for a subsequent piece good situated in the storage chute moves over the sliding plane. The lifting and pre-stopping part thus has two functions, namely, to lift a resting piece good and thus allow the delivery (as discussed below), and to provide an at least temporary stop or at least a deceleration for a subsequent piece good. In the blocked position, the piece good to be retrieved rests partially (or completely) on the lifting and pre-stopping part. To prevent multiple piece goods from being lifted (and retrieved) when the lifting and pre-stopping part moves into the enabled position, the lifting and pre-stopping part is always "shorter" than the length of a pharmaceutical package to be retrieved, in the retrieval direction (relative to the longitudinal axis of the release device, the dimension of the piece good in the direction of the longitudinal axis). The release device according to the invention also includes a blocking element, behind the lifting and pre-stopping part in the sliding direction, having an upper blocking element sliding surface, a blocking edge which protrudes beyond the sliding plane, and an extendable and retractable block, the block being coupled to the drive in such a way that the block is movable below the blocking element sliding surface into an enabled position, and is movable above the blocking element sliding surface into a blocked position. The blocking edge of the blocking element forms the actual hold or stop for the piece goods situated in a storage chute. This blocking edge protrudes beyond the sliding plane; i.e., in the O blocked position in which the sliding surface of the lifting and pre-stopping part is aligned with the sliding plane, the blocking edge forms the actual hold or stop for the piece goods in the storage chute. The blocking edge is part of the blocking element, and is not formed by an element which is movable out of the sliding plane, so that the blocking edge, as an integral part of the blocking element, may have a design that is significantly more compact and stable than would be conceivable for extendable and retractable blocks. The blocking edge may thus be used for stopping/holding larger loads than is possible with known blocks. It is also provided according to the invention that the block is designed or situated in such a way that the blocking edge is provided in front of the block in the sliding direction, so that no long-lasting contact between the piece good and the block takes place in the blocked position. As already discussed, the movement of the piece goods in the storage chute is stopped by the blocking edge, and not by the block itself. The block is used primarily to prevent rolling over when a piece good strikes the blocking edge. The use of an immovable blocking edge which is provided by a stable component and which protrudes beyond the sliding plane, in combination with a height-adjustable lifting and pre-stopping part, ensures that even large, heavy piece goods can be securely delivered or held. The stop provided for the lifting and pre stopping part, which in the enabled position is situated above the sliding plane, already provides for "pre-stopping" (or at least deceleration) of the subsequently sliding piece goods, which contributes to the ability to securely handle large, heavy piece goods. In known release devices, a continuous sliding plane is provided in the enabled position, so that there is a risk that multiple piece goods may "slide through" when a block is not moved quickly enough into the blocked position. According to the invention, however, a stop or hold, a blocking edge of the blocking element, or a stop of the lifting and pre-stopping part o is provided in every position, so that "sliding through" is effectively prevented. In addition, for the release device according to the invention it is advantageous that the release device can be enabled without great effort, since the piece goods do not rest against a block. In contrast to known release devices, in which a block is always moved into the sliding plane, according to the invention a permanent (and thus potentially more stable) blocking edge is provided which can be overcome only by moving a component (the lifting and pre-stopping part), this component at the same time providing a stop for subsequent piece goods. According to the invention, the block, which is normally used for holding piece goods, is utilized solely as rollover protection, but not for holding piece goods themselves. The combination of the features according to the invention makes it possible to securely handle even large, heavy piece goods. The release device according to the invention includes a movable lifting and pre-stopping part and a movable block. Both components are coupled to the drive of the release device in order to trigger the appropriate movements. In one embodiment having a particularly simple design, it is provided that the release device according to the invention has a movement converter which is coupled to the drive, the lifting and pre-stopping part, and the block of the blocking element in such a way that when the movement converter moves, the lifting and pre-stopping part and the block are movable at the same time; i.e., the lifting and pre-stopping part as well as the block are movable together with a movement of the drive. One embodiment of the release device according to the invention which is mechanically particularly simple and robust provides that the movement converter has a three-armed section which is rotatable about an axis, the three arms of the three armed section being coupled to the lifting and pre-stopping part, the block, and a gear of the drive. Due to the movement converter having a rotatable three-armed section according to the invention, it is possible, with a rotary motion of the movement converter, to raise or lower the block and simultaneously lower or raise the lifting and pre-stopping part. In one corresponding embodiment, it is also possible to adapt the release device to various design sizes by a simple change of the arm lengths. The release device according to the invention is usually coupled to a control unit of a picking device. The release device receives the command from this control unit to deliver one or more piece goods from the storage chute. However, due to defective piece goods or other unforeseeable sources of error, it may occur that no piece good is delivered from the storage chute when the release device moves into the enabled position. To verify the delivery of a piece good, in one preferred embodiment it is provided that the blocking element includes a delivery sensor which detects the delivery of a piece good from a storage chute, the delivery sensor customarily being situated behind the block in the sliding direction. To simplify the delivery of a piece good, in one preferred embodiment it is provided that the block in its upper portion includes a blocking roller. This roller assists with or simplifies the sliding of a piece good over the blocking element. Alternatively or additionally, in another preferred embodiment it may be provided that for the stop of the lifting and pre-stopping part, which temporarily pre-stops or at least decelerates a subsequent piece good, a stop roller is provided which assists with or simplifies the movement of the subsequent piece good on the lifting and pre-stopping part when the lifting and pre stopping part moves into the blocked position. For simplifying the sliding or slipping of piece goods over individual components of the release device, in one preferred embodiment it may be provided that the sliding surface of the lifting and pre-stopping part and/or the blocking element sliding surface have/has a coating with reduced friction resistance.

According to the present disclosure, there is further provided a method for delivering a piece good from an inclined storage chute with a release device disclosed herein, whereby in the storage cute multiple piece goods are situated one behind the other in a sliding direction, and the storage chute a storage chute base which defines a sliding plane, wherein the lifting and pre-stopping part coupled to the drive is moved from a blocked position of the release device into an enabled position of the release device, the sliding surface of the lifting and pre-stopping part being moved over the sliding plane, with the movement of the lifting and pre-stopping part, a piece good to be delivered which at least partially rests thereon is lifted over the blocking edge of the blocking element situated downstream of the lifting and pre-stopping part in the sliding direction, the stop of the lifting and pre-stopping part is moved over the sliding plane and provides a temporary stop for a subsequent piece good, the block in the blocking element which is coupled to the drive is moved below the blocking element sliding surface, and the piece good to be delivered exits the storage chute via the blocking element sliding surface, and the subsequent piece good is at least temporarily held by the stop of the lifting and pre stopping part. In the method according to the invention for delivering a piece good from an inclined storage chute, multiple piece goods are situated thereon, lying one behind the other in the sliding direction, and the storage chute base of the storage chute defines a sliding plane on or along which piece goods slide or slip in the O direction of a delivery end of the storage chute. According to the invention, for delivering a piece good, a lifting and pre-stopping part coupled to a drive is moved from a blocked position into an enabled position; during this movement, a sliding surface of the lifting and pre-stopping part is moved over the sliding plane. With the movement of the lifting and pre stopping part into the enabled position, a piece good to be delivered which at least partially rests thereon is lifted over a blocking edge of a blocking element situated behind the lifting and pre-stopping part in the sliding direction. At the same time, a stop of the lifting and pre-stopping part is moved over the sliding plane and forms a temporary stop for subsequent piece goods. According to the invention, a block in the blocking element which is coupled to the drive is moved below a blocking element sliding surface, and the piece good to be delivered then exits the storage chute via the blocking element sliding surface. For large and/or heavy piece goods, to provide "rollover protection" in addition to the blocking edge, in one preferred embodiment it is provided that after the piece good to be delivered is delivered, the lifting and pre-stopping part is moved back into the blocked position, wherein the sliding surface is aligned with the sliding plane, and upon successful alignment in the sliding direction, the subsequent piece good moves onto the blocking edge, which provides a stop for the piece good, and the block is moved over the blocking element sliding surface, and the piece good is prevented from rolling over when the subsequent piece good strikes the blocking edge. In one preferred embodiment, it may also be provided that the exiting of the piece good to be delivered may be monitored with a delivery sensor, which is preferably situated behind the block in the sliding direction. One preferred embodiment of the release device according to the invention and of the method according to the invention is described below with reference to the drawings, which show the following: Figure 1 shows an oblique view of a shelf having a plurality of storage chutes and a plurality of release devices, Figure 2 shows a detailed view of Figure 1, Figures 3A-3D show multiple oblique views of the preferred embodiment of the release device in the enabled position, Figures 4A-4D show multiple oblique views of the preferred embodiment of the release device in the blocked position, Figures 5A and 5B show side views of the preferred embodiment in the enabled position, Figures 6A and 6B show side views of the preferred embodiments in the blocked position, and

Figures 7A-7C show side views of various positions during release of a piece good. Figure 1 shows an oblique view of a shelf of a picking device, having a plurality of adjacently situated inclined storage chutes 10, each having a storage end 12 and a delivery end 11. A release device 1 according to the invention is provided for each delivery end 11 of a storage chute 10. The storage chutes 10 are formed in each case by two side walls 14 and a storage chute base 13, the storage chute bases 13 defining a sliding plane along which piece goods slide or slip toward the delivery end or toward the release devices in a sliding direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction or the inclination of the storage chutes. The sliding plane is utilized in the following discussion for simplifying the description of the invention, but is not a component of the release device itself. The component(s) corresponding to the sliding plane is/are the storage chute bases. Figure 2 shows a detailed view having a plurality of adjacently situated storage chutes 10, whereby a release device 1 according to the invention (in the preferred embodiment described here) is provided for each delivery end of a storage chute. The release device 1 includes a lifting and pre-stopping part 30 which directly adjoins a chute base 13. This lifting and pre-stopping part 30 includes a sliding surface 31 on which a piece good (not illustrated) would at least partially rest in the shown blocked position of the release device. The sliding surface 31 is in the sliding plane in the blocked position shown. A blocking element 40 is situated behind the lifting and pre stopping part 30 in the sliding direction. This blocking element includes a blocking element sliding plane 41 which is "higher" than the sliding plane defined by the storage chute bases, so that as a result of this height difference, the sliding element has a blocking edge 42 which faces the lifting and pre-stopping part. The release device also includes a block 50, which in the position of the release device shown is moved out from the blocking element; i.e., the blocked position of the release device is depicted for all release devices illustrated in Figure 2. In the preferred embodiment described in the figures, a blocking roller 51 is situated in the upper section of the block, which simplifies movement of a piece good to be delivered over the block or the blocking element sliding surface. Figures 3A-3D show side views of the preferred embodiment of the release device according to the invention; various components or portions of components have been omitted in Figures 3B-3D in order to show the interior of the release device. Figure 3A shows a release device in the enabled position in which the block 50 is completely moved into the blocking element 40, and for the blocking element sliding surface 41 of the blocking element 40, only the blocking roller 51 is discernible. In the enabled position illustrated, the sliding surface 31 of the lifting and pre-stopping part is aligned with the blocking element sliding surface 41, so that a piece good resting on this shared sliding surface 31, 41 can be delivered via the release device; i.e., the piece good slips or slides from the storage chute or the release device along the shared sliding surface 31, 41 due to gravity. Also apparent in this enabled position is the stop 32 of the lifting and pre-stopping part 30, which halts, stops, or at least slows the movement of a subsequent piece good in the enabled position before the actual stop for the piece goods, and which is described for the subsequent figures. Unintentional "sliding through" of multiple piece goods in the enabled position is thus effectively prevented. A drive housing 21 in which a drive (not illustrated) is situated adjoins the lifting and pre-stopping part 30, opposite to the sliding direction. It is also apparent in Figure 3A that a delivery sensor 60 is situated in the blocking element 40, behind the block 50 in the sliding direction. Portions of the blocking element 40, of the lifting and pre stopping part 30, and of the drive housing 21 are omitted in Figure 3B. A printed circuit board 61 of the delivery sensor 60 is apparent in the blocking element 40, the printed circuit board 61 being connected via lines 62, merely indicated, to a control unit of a picking device in which the release device is used. The block 50, which in the enabled position illustrated is completely retracted into the blocking element, is also discernible in the blocking element 40. The drive 20, which is coupled to the block 50 and to the lifting and pre-stopping part 30 via means, not discernible in this figure, is apparent due to omission of a portion of the drive housing 21. In the illustration shown in Figure 3C, the lifting and pre stopping part 30 is almost completely omitted, allowing a view of the interior of the release device. In the illustrated embodiment, the release device includes a movement converter 70 having a three-armed section which is supported in the release device via an axis 71. The three arms 72, 73, 74 of the three-armed section, of which only one arm 72 is apparent in Figure 3C, are coupled to the block 50, to the lifting and pre-stopping part 30, and to a gear 22 of the drive 20, in particular in such a way that the block 50 and the lifting and pre-stopping part 30 are moved at the same time by a movement of the drive. Due to the design of the movement converter with the three-armed section, it is ensured that the block is lowered when the lifting and pre-stopping part is raised, and the block itself is raised when the lifting and pre-stopping part is lowered. Figure 3D shows a further oblique view of the preferred embodiment; in this view the three arms 72, 73, 74 are apparent, in particular in the position which they assume in the enabled position of the release device.

Figures 4A-4D show views of the preferred embodiment comparable to Figures 3A-3D, the release device being illustrated in the blocked position in Figures 4A-4D. In this blocked position, as is apparent in particular from Figure 4A, the block 50 moves in sections out of the blocking element 40 and protrudes beyond the blocking element sliding surface 41 of the blocking element. As is likewise apparent in Figure 4A, the sliding surface 31 of the lifting and pre-stopping part 30 is lowered relative to the enabled position, and is situated "below" a plane formed by the blocking element sliding surface 41. A blocking edge 42 of the blocking element 40 is enabled due to this configuration of the sliding surface 31 of the lifting and pre-stopping part 30, this blocking edge taking over the actual stopping or holding function for the piece goods, as discussed in greater detail below with reference to Figures 7A-7C in the description of the method according to the invention. As is apparent in particular from Figures 4C and 4D, in the blocked position illustrated the movement converter 70 is in a different configuration than was the case in Figures 3C and 3D. The three arms 72, 73, 74 of the three-armed section are rotated in relation to the above-mentioned illustration, this rotation causing the movement of the block 50 and of the lifting and pre stopping part 30. Figures 5A and 5B show side views of the preferred embodiment in the enabled position, portions of the blocking element 40, of the lifting and pre-stopping part 30, and in Figure 5B the drive housing 21 is omitted in order to illustrate components of the release device situated in the interior. As is apparent in the left portion of Figure 5A, the sliding surface 31 of the lifting and pre-stopping part 30 is aligned with the blocking element sliding surface 41, and the two sliding surfaces form a shared sliding surface GF. In the enabled position illustrated, the sliding surface of the lifting and pre-stopping part is situated "above" the sliding plane GE which is defined by the storage chute base 13, and is at the height of the surface of the storage chute bases. As is very apparent in this illustration, the lifting and pre-stopping part 30 includes a stop 32, which in this enabled position of the release device protrudes beyond the sliding plane GE and provides a stop for subsequent piece goods. Figure 5B shows once again the position of the three-armed section of the movement converter 70, in this illustration it being apparent that the arm 73 coupled to the block is slightly longer than the two arms 72, 74 which are coupled to the lifting and pre-stopping part and the gear 22. Figures 6A and 6B show two side views of the preferred embodiment in the blocked position, in which the block 50 is moved over the blocking element sliding surface 41 of the blocking element, and the sliding surface 31 of the lifting and pre stopping part 30 is aligned with the sliding plane GE defined by the storage chute base 13. In this illustration it is apparent that the blocking element 40 includes a blocking edge 42, this blocking edge providing the actual stopping or holding function for resting piece goods. Figures 7A-7C show side views of one preferred embodiment of the release device according to the invention, configured with a delivery end of a storage chute, and two piece goods 5', 5'' situated in the storage chute; one embodiment of the method according to the invention will be explained with reference to these illustrations. The blocked position of the release device is illustrated in Figure 7A. As is apparent in this illustration, the sliding surface 31 of the lifting and pre-stopping part 30 is aligned with the sliding plane GE defined by the surface of the storage chute base 13. The stop 32 of the lifting and pre-stopping part 30 is situated below the sliding plane GE, and therefore cannot produce a stopping or holding effect in this position of the release device. As is apparent in Figure 7A, the blocking element sliding surface 41 is situated "above" the sliding plane; i.e., the blocking element sliding surface 41 is not aligned with the sliding plane, so that in the blocked position of the release device the blocking edge 42 is situated above the sliding plane, and the movement of the piece goods 5', 5'' in the sliding direction, i.e., to the left in the illustration, is prevented. As is also apparent in this figure, in the blocked position there is no contact between a piece good 5' to be retrieved and the block 50, and the entire weight or the entire pressure of the piece goods situated in the storage chute is absorbed by the blocking edge 42, which is an integral part of the blocking element 40. As already stated, this allows larger, heavier piece goods to be reliably delivered with the release device according to the invention. For delivering a piece good from the storage chute, the lifting and pre-stopping part, which is coupled to a drive (not illustrated in Figures 7A-7C), is moved from the blocked position illustrated in Figure 7A into an enabled position; during this movement, the sliding surface 31 of the lifting and pre-stopping part is moved "upwardly" over the sliding plane toward the blocking element sliding surface 41. During this movement of the lifting and pre-stopping part, as indicated in Figure 7B, a piece good 5' resting at least partially on the lifting and pre-stopping part 30 is lifted over the blocking edge 42 of the blocking element, and the stop 32 of the lifting and pre-stopping part is moved over the sliding plane GE, thus providing a temporary stop (or at least a deceleration) for a subsequent piece good 5'' (see Figure 7C). The block 50, which is coupled to the drive (not illustrated), is moved below the blocking element sliding surface 41 simultaneously with the movement of the lifting and pre stopping part. When the sliding surface 31 of the lifting and pre stopping part 30 is aligned with the blocking element sliding surface 41, the piece good to be delivered is output from the storage chute, the subsequent piece good 5'' being at least temporarily held by the stop 32 of the lifting and pre-stopping part. To return to the blocked position from the enabled position, the lifting and pre-stopping part 30 is lowered once again and the block 50 is moved over the blocking element sliding surface. During the movement of the lifting and pre-stopping part, the stop 32 of the component moves increasingly farther in the direction of the sliding plane until ultimately the sliding surface 31 of the lifting and pre-stopping part is aligned with the sliding plane 30, and the stop 32 no longer produces an effect; in this position, the subsequent piece good 5'' slips or slides to the blocking edge 42 which is enabled by the movement of the lifting and pre-stopping part 30. Due to the configuration according to the invention of the blocking edge and the block, the movement of the piece good is stopped only by the blocking edge 42, and the block 50 is used solely for preventing a possible rollover of the subsequent piece good 5''.

Claims

1. A release device for enabling and blocking delivery of a piece good from an inclined storage chute having a storage chute base and a delivery end, wherein the storage chute base defines a sliding plane, and piece goods are able to move from the storage chute in a sliding direction along the longitudinal direction of the storage chute, comprising a drive, a lifting and pre-stopping part having an upper sliding surface, wherein the lifting and pre-stopping part is coupled to the drive in such a way that the sliding surface is movable over the sliding plane into an enabled position of the release device, and is movable at the level of the sliding plane into a blocked position of the release device, and wherein the lifting and pre-stopping part has a stop which in the enabled position protrudes beyond the sliding plane, wherein a blocking element, situated downstream of the lifting and pre-stopping part in the sliding direction, having an upper blocking element sliding surface, a permanent blocking edge which protrudes beyond the sliding plane, which is designed as an integral component of the blocking element, and an extendable and retractable block for preventing a rollover of the piece good, wherein the block is coupled to the drive in such a way that the block is movable below the blocking element sliding surface into the enabled position of the release device, and is movable above the blocking element sliding surface into the blocked position of the release device, wherein the block is designed in such a way that the blocking edge is provided upstream of the block in the sliding direction, so that in the blocked position of the release device in which the sliding surface of the lifting and pre-stopping component is aligned with the sliding plane, no contact between the piece good and the block takes place but the movement of the piece goods in the storage chute is stopped by the blocking edge.

2. A release device according to Claim 1, wherein the release device has a movement converter which is coupled to the drive, the lifting and pre-stopping part, and the block of the blocking element in such a way that when the movement converter moves, the lifting and pre-stopping part and the block are movable at the same time.

3. A release device according to Claim 2, wherein the movement converter has a three-armed section which is rotatable about an axis, and wherein the three arms of the three-armed section are coupled to the lifting and pre stopping part, the block, and a gear of the drive.

4. A release device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the blocking element includes a delivery sensor which detects the delivery of a piece good from a storage chute.

5. A release device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the block in its upper portion includes a blocking roller.

6. A release device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein a stop roller is situated at the stop.

7. A release device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the sliding surface of the lifting and pre stopping part and/or the blocking element sliding surface have/has a coating with reduced friction resistance.

8. A method for delivering a piece good from an inclined storage chute with a release device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, whereby in the storage chute multiple piece goods are situated one behind the other in a sliding direction, and the storage chute has a storage chute base which defines a sliding plane, wherein the lifting and pre-stopping part coupled to the drive is moved from a blocked position of the release device into an enabled position of the release device, the sliding surface of the lifting and pre-stopping part being moved over the sliding plane, with the movement of the lifting and pre-stopping part, a piece good to be delivered which at least partially rests thereon is lifted over the blocking edge of the blocking element situated downstream of the lifting and pre-stopping part in the sliding direction, the stop of the lifting and pre-stopping part is moved over the sliding plane and provides a temporary stop for a subsequent piece good, the block in the blocking element which is coupled to the drive is moved below the blocking element sliding surface, and the piece good to be delivered exits the storage chute via the blocking element sliding surface, and the subsequent piece good is at least temporarily held by the stop of the lifting and pre-stopping part.

9. A method for delivering a piece good from an inclined storage chute according to Claim 8, wherein, after the piece good to be delivered is delivered, the lifting and pre-stopping part is moved back into the blocked position, wherein the sliding surface is aligned with the sliding plane, and upon successful alignment in the sliding direction, the subsequent piece good moves onto the blocking edge, which provides a stop for the piece good, and the block is moved over the blocking element sliding surface, and the piece good is prevented from rolling over when the subsequent piece good strikes the blocking edge.

10. A method for delivering a piece good from an inclined storage chute according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the exiting of the piece good to be delivered is monitored with a delivery sensor.