DK177550B1

DK177550B1 - Apparatus and method for managing stored goods such as tobacco related products, which products are contained in packages

Info

Publication number: DK177550B1
Application number: DKPA201170192A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Rasmus Thyrring; Christian Cramer Nielsen
Original assignee: Proces Data As
Priority date: 2011-04-19
Filing date: 2011-04-19
Publication date: 2013-10-07
Also published as: DK201170192A; EP2699495A1; EP2699495B1; WO2012143453A1; NO2699495T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing stored goods contained in packages in a storage unit (16) for storing packages in a number of storage shelves or tubes (15), a unit (14) for conveying one or more packages (1, 100) from the storage unit (16) to an outlet, said unit (14) being in the form of a fetcher mechanism comprising means for determining position, whereby the fetcher mechanism (14) can be situated next to a given storage shelf or tube (15), comprising the steps of: - Placing one or more packages (1, 100) in an inlet device (3) from where the individual packages (1, 100) are detected and registered; - Transferring one or more packages (1, 100) from the inlet device (3) to a fetcher mechanism (14); - Checking if a dedicated sheif or tube (15) is full; - If the dedicated sheif or tube is full, position the fetcher mechanism (14) under a chaos tube (25); - Transferring the one or more packages (1, 100) to the chaos tube (25). The invention also relates to an apparatus for managing stored goods.

Description

DK 177550 B1

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING STORED GOODS SUCH AS TOBACCO RELATED PRODUCTS, WHICH PRODUCTS ARE CONTAINED IN PACKAGES

5 The invention relates to a method for managing stored goods such as tobacco related products, which products are contained in packages in an apparatus comprising a storage unit for storing packages in a number of storage shelves or tubes, said storage shelves or tubes forming an angle to the horizontal which is larger than or smaller than 90°, a unit for conveying 10 one or more packages from the storage unit to an outlet, said unit being in the form of a fetcher mechanism which comprises means for determining position, whereby the fetcher mechanism can be caused to be situated next to a given storage shelf or tube.

15 The invention further relates to an apparatus for managing stored goods such as tobacco related products, which products are contained in packages in an apparatus comprising a storage unit for storing packages in a plurality of storage shelves or tubes.

20 From EP1977401 A1 is known an apparatus for storing and dispensing goods such as tobacco related products, which products are contained in packages. The apparatus comprises a storing unit, which unit is connected to a pneumatic distribution device for delivering packages from the storage unit to a row of check-out counters.

25

Such an apparatus requires installation of pneumatic delivery piping and is not suitable to be installed in small stores such as gas stations or kiosks.

The apparatus does not allow for packages to be inputted using the same 30 mechanism that is used to deliver packages.

2 DK 177550 B1

The present invention deals with the problem of managing storage space for packages.

When allocating a number of shelves or tubes to a certain product in a 5 storage apparatus it is essential to know how many packages of each product is available for delivery in the apparatus.

Some products are sold in higher volumes than others, and hence it is convenient to dedicate a number of shelves or tubes to a single product.

10

When packages are positioned in an inlet of the storage apparatus, the individual packages are scanned and registered. When registering the packages, the individual package is assigned to a given position, corresponding to an inclining shelf or tube in the storage unit. Thereby it is 15 possible to keep a register of the individual packages contained in the storage unit and the actual position of the packages.

When a person, typically being a shop assistant, puts a number of packages into an insert opening of the storage apparatus and the packages are 20 registered the storage apparatus takes over the “responsibility” for the packages, since the apparatus is designed in such a way that the shop assistant or other persons being in the store, cannot get access to the storage compartment of the storage apparatus.

25 When a customer wants to purchase a package, which for example can be a pack of cigarettes, the shop assistant presses an icon on a display, which icon represents the desired product. A fetcher mechanism will be positioned relative to the storing shelf or tube containing the specific pack of cigarettes, the fetcher mechanism releases the pack of cigarettes from the inclining 30 storage shelf or tube and the package slides into a chamber in the fetcher mechanism. Hereafter, the fetcher mechanism moves to an outlet opening, to 3 DK 177550 B1 which the pack of cigarettes is delivered and from where the shop assistant or the customer can pick up the purchased pack of cigarettes.

Hereby it is only possible to distribute the exact number of packages 5 corresponding to the packages bought, and no one may obtain a pack of cigarettes that has not been properly processed and bought.

When a dedicated shelf, shelves or tube(s) representing a product is running low, the shop assistant will have to input some more packages of such 10 product. This operation can be very difficult during busy periods with a lot of people to serve within a short timeframe.

When the apparatus is filled it may occur that a number of packages from a carton or outer cannot be contained in a shelf or tube. If the product has additional available dedicated tubes, the system will place the surplus 15 packages in the next shelf or tube dedicated for this product. If there are no additional available dedicated shelves or tubes to receive the further packages, the further packages are placed in one or more shelves or tubes, which are not dedicated to a certain product. Such shelves or tubes are referred to herein as chaos tubes and are used to contain surplus packages.

20 The chaos tubes act like a kind of buffer to the dedicated tubes.

A feeding device comprising a detecting device for detecting a unique code provided on a package makes it possible to register and keep track of packages inputted into the system.

25

Therefore the aim of the invention is to minimize the need for filling up shelves or tubes at short notice and to allow stock to be replenished more efficiently whilst reducing the risk of the system running out of stock of a particular product.

30

This is achieved by a method comprising the steps of: 4 DK 177550 B1 ’ΐ - Placing one or more packages in an inlet device from where the individual packages are detected and registered; - Transferring one or more packages from the inlet device to a fetcher 5 mechanism; - Checking if a dedicated shelf or tube is full; - If the dedicated shelf or tube is full, positioning the fetcher mechanism under a chaos tube; - Transferring the one or more packages to the chaos tube.

10

Further the method can comprise the following steps: - Positioning the fetcher mechanism under a chaos tube; - Releasing one or more packages from the chaos tube into the fetcher mechanism; 15 - Positioning the fetcher mechanism over a discharge opening, which discharge opening is in connection to an outlet opening; - Releasing the one or more packages into the discharge opening.

Alternatively the method can comprise the following steps: 20 - Positioning the fetcher mechanism under a chaos tube; - Releasing one or more packages from the chaos tube into the fetcher mechanism; - Positioning the fetcher mechanism under a dedicated shelf or tube, ready for receiving one or more packages; 25 - Transferring the one or more packages into the dedicated shelf or tube.

In an embodiment of the invention the number of packages and the identity of the one or more packages are registered before delivering the one or more 30 packages.

5 DK 177550 B1

Further the exact location of each package can be registered and processed in a processing unit.

Hereby is achieved that the system is able to provide a reliable overview over 5 the flow of packages into and out of the storage apparatus.

It is also achieved by an apparatus for managing stored goods such as tobacco related products, which products are contained in packages in an apparatus comprising a storage unit for storing packages in a plurality of 10 storage shelves or tubes, where the storage unit further comprises chaos tubes provided to hold an assortment of packages and where the apparatus is able to obtain any one package from any position in the tube due to the unique code assigned to the individual packages inserted through the inlet and convey the package to a designated tube, another chaos tube or into the 15 discharge opening, it is possible to retrieve an exact package and to have an active buffer when further packages of an exact product are needed..

By having a unit for conveying one or more packages from the storage unit to an outlet, said unit being in the form of a fetcher mechanism which comprises 20 means for determining position, whereby the fetcher mechanism can be caused to be situated next to a given storage shelf or tube, it is possible to position an exact package at an exact location.

25

As used herein, the terms tobacco-related products and cigarettes are taken to include all tobacco industry products and for example include smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco 30 substitutes and also heat-not-burn products.

6 DK 177550 B1

Further embodiments and advantages are disclosed below in the description and in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5

The invention will now be described more fully below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a section of a feeding device with packages positioned in an 10 inlet opening and a pushing device ready to push one or more packages;

Figure 2 shows a section of the feeding device with one or more packages pushed towards a bend; 15 Figure 3 shows a section of the feeding device with a package pushed beyond a bend;

Figure 4 shows a storing unit; 20 Figure 5 shows a position of the inlet opening in the storing unit;

Figure 6 shows the fetcher mechanism positioned just below a chaos tube;

Figure 7 shows the fetcher mechanism ready to pick up a stored package 25 from a chaos tube;

Figure 8 shows the fetcher mechanism releasing a package from a chaos tube; 30 Figure 9 shows the fetcher mechanism with a package in a chamber for delivery to the outlet opening or to a storage shelf or tube; 7 DK 177550 B1

Figure 10 shows the fetcher mechanism with a package in the chamber for delivery to a storage shelf or tube; 5 Figure 11 shows the fetcher mechanism ready to place a package in a storage shelf or tube;

Figure 12 shows the fetcher mechanism delivering a package showing a lifting device lifting the package over the stop means of a storage shelf or 10 tube;

Figure 13 shows the fetcher mechanism with the lifting device and the second restraining device positioning the package in a storage shelf or tube; 15 Figure 14 shows the fetcher mechanism retracting the lifting device and the second restraining device holding the package; and

Figure 15 shows the fetcher mechanism with the second restraining device after positioning the package in place on a storage shelf or tube.

20

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is carried out in a storage unit 16 for storing packages in a number of storage shelves 15, said storage shelves 15 forming an angle to 25 the horizontal which is larger than or smaller than 90°, a unit 14 for conveying one or more packages 1, 100 from the storage unit 16 to an outlet, said unit 14 being in the form of a fetcher mechanism 14 which comprises means for determining position, whereby the fetcher mechanism 14 can be caused to be situated next to a given storage shelf 15.

30 8 DK 177550 B1

The shelves 15 can be tubes, which tubes are positioned in an angle to the horizontal which is larger than or smaller than 90°. The tubes 15 are provided with an edge or protrusion at their bottom end to prevent the packages from falling out. The packages must be moved or pushed over the edge or 5 protrusion to be released from the storage shelf or tube.

When inserting one or more packages 1, 100 in an insert opening 2 of the apparatus for storing and dispensing goods such as tobacco related products, the one or more packages 1, 100 are placed in a feeding device 3 10 on a base surface 4. In a feeding device 3 a number of packages 1 can be positioned on top of each other in such a way, that they rest against each other with respect to their largest surfaces, with a bottom package 100 resting against a first pushing device 7 on the largest surface of the package 100 and the packaging or packages resting with their edges on the base 15 surface in such a way that it is possible for a detecting device 6 to detect read or in another way scan a code for the specific kind of package.

When a package is detected and identified through the code in the inlet, the package is provided with a unique code, which code can comprise an 20 electronic “time stamp”. This “time stamp” makes it possible at any time to determine when a given package 1, 100 is inserted into the apparatus for storing and dispensing goods, and allows the exact location of the package within the apparatus to be known.

25 This “time stamp” or unique code makes it possible to withdraw certain packages from the storage unit for example if a given group of packages are recalled and need to be removed from circulation.

The unique code makes it also possible to offer certain products and 30 packages 1, 100 for shorter periods without reconfiguration of the storage unit.

9 DK 177550 B1

In an embodiment of the invention the detecting device 6 is placed below the base surface and at least a part of the base surface 4 is provided with a transparent part 5, which transparent part 5 in the rest of the description for 5 convenience will be called a window 5.

When the one or more packages 1, 100 are pushed across the base surface 4 and thereby across the window 5 the detecting device 6 is able to scan the unique codes of the packages one at the time.

10

The inlet chamber 3 can be provided with a line pattern at the top 20 of the inlet 3 opposite the base surface 4 and the window 5. Further a mirror 24 can be placed at the top 20 of the inlet 3 to reflect an image of a line pattern placed on top 21 of the base surface 4, which pattern is visible for the 15 detecting device 6 if no packages 1, 100 are placed in the inlet 3 in front of the first pushing device 7, when the first pushing device 7 is retracted to its initial position. The underside 22 of the first pushing device 7 can also be provided with a line pattern.

20 The purpose of the line pattern is to make it possible to distinguish between packages with authorized codes, objects with unauthorized codes and if objects with no codes are present in the inlet opening 3.

If the pattern is visible for the detecting device 6 the system will know that 25 there is no objects present in the inlet ahead of the first pushing device 7. If the detecting device 6 detects that the line pattern is interfered the first pushing device 7 will be advanced and the system checks through the detecting device if an authorized bar code is present. If this is the case, the first pushing device 7 is advanced to push the one or more packages 1, 100 30 over a bend or edge 9 from where the one or more packages 1,100 slides in a substantially downwards direction until the package or first package 1, 100 10 DK 177550 B1 rests against a stopping member 10. If the system does not detect an authorized bar code, the first pushing device will return to its initial position and a display or other form for signal will give the instruction “remove object”. Thereby no fingers or hands should be caught in the inlet, when the first 5 pushing device 7 moves forwards. Further a person operating the system will know the instruction can be caused by a package 1, 100 placed the wrong way, why the bar code cannot be detected. Then the package can be placed correct and the operation can continue.

10 If only one or a few packages 1, 100 are placed in the inlet the first pushing device 7 will start advancing after a defined time interval. Hereby it is possible for the system to await insertion of any further packages 1, 100 before the first pushing device is advanced (again when determined whether the object is a package 1, 100 with an acceptable code or if the object could 15 be a finger or a hand).

The lines in the pattern will have a certain thickness, which is larger than the average thickness of a bar code. The line pattern is provided by lines preferably in black and white, but other colours or greyscale contrasts can be 20 used. The black and white lines can be of the same thickness or they can be of different thickness. The most important is that the detecting device is capable of recognising the pattern or can recognise if the pattern is interfered by an unauthorized object, which object could be a finger or a hand.

25 When the line patterns are placed out of optimal focus of the scanner, it is advantageous to have a line pattern of relatively wide lines to ensure that the scanner is able to detect the difference between “pattern” and “not pattern”

At the top of the inlet 3 a hatch 23 can be provided. The hatch 23 is 30 connected to the first pushing device 7 and prevents that a package 1,100 or 11 DK 177550 B1 another object by mistake or deliberately can be inserted into the storage unit 16 without first being detected and registered by the detecting device 6

In alternative embodiment the detecting device 6 can be placed behind a 5 window (not shown) placed behind the packages 1, 100 shown in figure 1. In such an embodiment the packages 1, 100 should be placed on the base surface 4 with their shortest edges facing towards the base surface 4 and the surfaces of the packages 1,100 whereon the unique codes i.e. bar codes are placed facing towards the detecting device 6.

10

In an alternative embodiment of a feeding device 3, the packages 1, 100 can rest on the base surface 4 on one of their narrow sides of the packages 1, 100.

15 In an embodiment the window 5 and the detecting device 6 are preferably arranged relative to each other in such a way that the window is not positioned perpendicular to a longitudinal axis through the detecting device. Hereby reflections are avoided.

20 On the other hand an angle between the window and the detecting device must not be too wide since total reflection then can occur and the detecting device will not be able to detect the code on the packages, which code can be a bar code.

25 In yet an alternative embodiment (not shown) packages is placed in the inlet with a bottom package resting on the base surface on the largest surface of the package.

The way of positioning the packages on the base surface in the inlet is 30 determined by a position of the window and the detecting device for detecting, reading or in another way scanning a unique code for the specific 12 DK 177550 B1 kind of package. Such a unique code could be a bar code or another code presenting information i.e. about size of the package, price, content, date of production or the like.

5 When a number of packages are positioned on the base surface of the inlet or feeding device a first pushing device moves into an engaging position, bringing a protrusion into position to push the bottom package from the its position and over a bend or edge from where the package slides in a substantially downwards direction until the package rests against a stopping 10 member.

To ensure that only the bottom package is pushed out from a stack of packages in this embodiment, a first restraining device holds back the package lying on top of the bottom package.

15

To position the first restraining device in a suitable distance from the base surface to hold back the package lying on top of the bottom package, the restraining device is provided with a distance sensing device.

20 In an embodiment, the distance sensing device is provided by an arm, which is hinged at a hinging point to the restraining device in such a way, that the length of the arm ensures that the restraining device is positioned to hold back the package lying on top of the bottom package.

25 When the bottom package is pushed against and beyond the bend, the arm will pivot around the hinging point allowing the bottom package to pass under the first restraining device while the first restraining device is holding back the package (if any) lying on top of the bottom package.

13 DK 177550 B1

When the package is pushed towards the bend, the restraining device can follow the package guiding the package downwards in an inclining direction towards the stopping member.

5 When the package is resting against the stopping member, the package is ready to be collected by a fetcher mechanism.

The fetcher mechanism 14 is arranged to be moved under a number of storage shelves or tubes 15, which storage shelves or tubes 15 are arranged 10 inclining relative to a storage unit 16 in such a way that the packages 1, 100 will be positioned in a lower end of a shelf or tube 15 due to gravity. Hereby it is possible to release a package, stored on a shelf or tube, by means of the fetcher mechanism 14. The fetcher mechanism 14 can then transport the package 1, 100 to the outlet opening or the second pushing device 17 can 15 simply let the package 1, 100 drop through an opening in the bottom of the fetcher mechanism 14 by moving the second pushing device to the side so it will no longer support the package 1,100. Then the package 1,100 will drop onto a kind of funnel leading the package 1,100 to the outlet opening.

20 On the second pushing device 17 a substantially vertically positioned plate 18 is provided. The plate 18 can lift a package 1, 100 over the stopping member 10 when it extends through a slit in a storage shelf or tube 15, in a chaos tube 25, or in an inlet shelf 25 in order to release the package 1,100.

25 A third pushing device 19 is positioned on another side of a chamber in the fetcher mechanism 14 in relation to the position of the storage shelves or tubes 15 or the inlet shelf 25 to be able to push a package 1,100 through the chamber of the fetcher mechanism 14. The third pushing device is able to follow a pack 1, 100 through the chamber and to place the package 1, 100 30 over the stopping member in such a way that the package 1,100 rests on the stopping member 10 of a storage shelf or tube 15. Further the third pushing 14 DK 177550 B1 device 19 could be capable of lifting a package over the stopping member 10 to release a package 1,100 for transport by the fetcher mechanism.

The third pushing device also secures that a released package 1, 100 does 5 not fall through the chamber of the fetcher mechanism.

The fetcher mechanism 14 can be moved in a substantially horizontal direction to bring packages 1, 100 from the feeding device 3 to the storage 10 shelves or tubes 15 and from the storage shelves or tubes 15 to an outlet (not shown).

The invention comprises a method for storing and dispensing goods such as tobacco related products, which products are contained in packages in an 15 apparatus comprising a storage unit 16 for storing packages in a number of storage shelves or tubes 15, a unit 14 for conveying one or more packages 1, 100 from the storage unit 16 to an outlet, said unit 14 being in the form of a fetcher mechanism which comprises means for determining position, whereby the fetcher mechanism 14 can be caused to be situated next to a 20 given storage shelf or tube 15, comprising the steps of: - Placing one or more packages 1, 100 in an inlet device 3 from where the individual packages 1, 100 are detected and registered; - Transferring one or more packages 1,100 from the inlet device to a 25 - fetcher mechanism 14; - Checking if a dedicated shelf or tube 15 is full; - If the dedicated shelf or tube is full, positioning the fetcher mechanism 14 under a chaos tube 25; - Transferring the one or more packages 1,100 to the chaos tube 25.

30

Further the method can comprise the following steps: 15 DK 177550 B1 - Positioning the fetcher mechanism 14 under a chaos tube 25; - Releasing one or more packages 1, 100 from the chaos tube 25 into the fetcher mechanism 14; - Positioning the fetcher mechanism 14 over a discharge opening, 5 which discharge opening is in connection to an outlet opening; - Releasing the one or more packages 1, 100 into the discharge opening.

Alternatively the method can comprise the following steps: 10 - Positioning the fetcher mechanism 14 under a chaos tube 25; - Releasing one or more packages 1, 100 from the chaos tube 25 into the fetcher mechanism 14; - Positioning the fetcher mechanism 14 under a dedicated shelf or tube 15, ready for receiving one or more packages 1,100; 15 - Transferring the one or more packages 1, 100 into the dedicated shelf or tube 15.

In another embodiment the number of packages 1,100 and the identity of the one or more packages 1, 100 are registered before delivering the one or 20 more packages 1,100.

In yet another embodiment the exact place of each package 1, 100 is registered and processed in a processing unit.

25 Use of the chaos tubes can be described as follows in following example. A customer wants to buy five packages of a specific type and there are three packages of this specific type left in the dedicated shelf or tube. Now the shop assistant has to get one or more cartons or outers to have enough packages to sell to the customer and to fill up the dedicated shelf or tube.

30 16 DK 177550 B1

If packages of the specific type were present in a chaos tube, the system would tell the shop assistant how many packages are left in the apparatus. If no packages are present in the chaos tubes, the shop assistant will sell the three remaining packages from the dedicated shelf or tube and two packages 5 from the carton or outer. Afterwards the remaining packages from the one or more cartons or outers are placed in the inlet of the apparatus. The packages will be registered and by the fetcher mechanism filled into the tube or tubes dedicated to the specific type of packages. If more packages than the tube or tubes can contain are filled into the inlet, the remaining packages are filled 10 into one or more chaos tubes from where they can be retrieved when needed.

To ensure that the packages from the carton or outer, which was handed directly to the customer will not disappear from the register, a deviation report 15 is generated due to the fact that the shop assistant counts for the cartons and outers taken from another storage facility, which cartons or outers are registered in the same or in another system.

When comparing the stockpiles a deviation occurs, but the deviation should 20 be balanced by comparing to the list of sold packages.

Rules can be set up in the system for when to supply with packages from the chaos tubes to supply the dedicated tubes.

25 In general the number of packages in the chaos tubes should be kept low in case chaos tubes are needed for filling the dedicated tubes before or during busy periods or for holding other products held within the storage unit.

These rules are incorporated in the control unit in the apparatus and thereby 30 the apparatus is capable of determining when packages from chaos tubes should be transferred to dedicated tubes. The apparatus can run 17 DK 177550 B1 consolidation sequences cleaning up the chaos tubes by moving packages from chaos tubes into dedicated tubes when the fetcher mechanism is not occupied for other duties.

5 The packages are selected in such a way that the packages of a specific product first filled into the apparatus also are the packages first selected when the specific product is sold. This is a particularly beneficial feature of the system as it ensures that product is sold on a “first-in, first-out” (FIFO) basis, and so older product stock is held for longer than is necessary.

10

The FIFO system also ensures that older stock for example product from discontinued product lines or lower priced product is sold before newer products.

15 The invention also comprises an apparatus for managing stored goods such as tobacco related products, which products are contained in packages 1, 100 in an apparatus comprising a storage unit 16 for storing packages 1,100 in a plurality of storage shelves or tubes 15, where the storage unit 16 further comprises chaos tubes 25.

20

In an embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises a unit 14 for conveying one or more packages 1,100 from the storage unit 16 to an outlet, said unit 14 being in the form of a fetcher mechanism which comprises means for determining position, whereby the fetcher mechanism 14 can be 25 caused to be situated next to a given storage shelf or tube 15.

In yet an embodiment the chaos tubes 25 are provided to hold an assortment of packages 1,100 and which apparatus is able to obtain any one package 1, 100 from any position in the tube 25 due to the unique code assigned to the 30 individual packages 1, 100 inserted through the inlet 3 and convey the 18 DK 177550 B1 package 1, 100 to a designated tube 15, another chaos tube 25 or into the discharge opening.

Further in operation the system may need to move packages 1,100 from the 5 chaos tube 25 to further tubes (designated tubes or chaos tubes) to access the desired package 1, 100 while the system still keeps precise information regarding the location of each package.

Throughout the description we have used expressions such as packages and 10 cigarette pack. It is obvious that the apparatus can be used for vending other types of packages of a certain value.

Claims

19 DK 177550 B1

A method of handling stored goods, such as tobacco-related products, which are contained in packages in an apparatus comprising a storage unit (16) for storing packaging on a plurality of storage shelves or in storage tubes (15), a unit (14) ) for conveying one or more packages (1, 100) from the storage unit (16) to an outlet, said unit (14) being in the form of a retrieval mechanism comprising means for determining position by which the retrieval mechanism (14) can be brought disposing next to a given storage shelf or tube (15), the method comprising the steps of: - placing one or more packages (1, 100) in an input device (3) from which the individual packages (1, 100) ) are detected and recorded; - transferring one or more packages (1, 100) from the input device (3) to a retrieval mechanism (14); - checking whether a dedicated shelf or pipe (15) is full; - if the dedicated shelf or tube (15) is full, to place the retrieval mechanism (14) under a chaos tube (25); - transferring one or more packages (1, 100) to the chaos tube (25).

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: - placing the retrieval mechanism (14) under a chaos tube (25); - releasing one or more packages (1, 100) from the chaos tube (25) and into the retrieval mechanism (14); 30. positioning the retrieval mechanism (14) over a discharge port, which discharge port is associated with an outlet port; - releasing one or more packages (1, 100) through the discharge opening. 20 DK 177550 B1

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: - placing the retrieval mechanism (14) under a chaos tube (25); 5. releasing one or more packages (1, 100) from the chaos tube (25) to retrieve the mechanism (14); - placing the retrieval mechanism (14) under a dedicated shelf or tube (15), ready to receive one or more packages (1, 100); - transferring one or more packages (1, 100) to the dedicated shelf or tube (15).

Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the number of packages and the identity of one or more packages are recorded before the one or more packages (1, 100) are dispatched. 15

Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the exact location of each package (1, 100) is recorded and processed in a processing unit.

Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each package passing through the input device (3) is assigned a unique code.

Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the unique code comprises a timestamp.

Apparatus for handling stored goods, such as tobacco-related products, which are contained in packaging in an apparatus comprising a storage unit (16) for storing packaging on a plurality of storage shelves or in storage tubes (15), characterized by the storage unit (16) further comprising chaos tubes (25), which chaos tubes (25) are provided to contain an assortment of packages (1, 100), and which apparatus is capable of grasping any of the packages (1, 100) from any position in the tube (25) as a result of the unique code assigned 35 to the individual packages (1,100), introduced through the inlet (3), the packaging 1, 100) to a designated pipe (15), another chaos pipe (25) or through the discharge port.

Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by a unit (14) for conveying 5 or more packages (1, 100) from the storage unit (16) to an outlet, said unit (14) being in the form of a retrieval mechanism comprising means for determining the position by which the retrieval mechanism (14) can be caused to be adjacent to a given storage shelf or pipe (15).