FI12837Y1 - Device for storing and dispensing articles - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for storing and delivering goods, comprising a storage tower (13) arranged in a circumferential arrangement with a plurality of adjacent vertical elongate stacking units (14) for storing goods (12) stacked in a stacking direction in one stack in each stacking unit (11); 12) for dispensing out of the device (10), gripping means (30) for picking up the uppermost article (12) of the stack unit (14) provided with a carriage structure (18) and a radially projecting horizontal beam structure (19) for reciprocating the gripping means (30) in the stacking units (14) (30) provided with a conveyor (16) for transferring goods (12) from the stacking units (14) to the delivery arrangement (11) comprising a vertical stack structure (17) parallel to the vertical stacking units (14) in the stacking direction and provided with gripping means (30) by slides or the like on a trajectory implemented with a rail arrangement, an elongate stacking access (25) arranged on the stacking units (14) on the side of the vertical beam structure (17) for moving the radially projecting horizontal beam structure (19) and gripping means (30) inside the stacking unit (14) in the stacking direction, characterized in that (13) to the central region and includes a motorized pivoting mechanism for pivoting the radially projecting horizontal beam structure (19) and the gripping means (30) disposed therein circumferentially between the delivery tower (11) and the stacking units (14) to remove the gripping means (30). for gripping the suction-based article (12) to the gripping means (30) formed by the suction head, the horizontal structure (19) with the gripping means (30) is adapted to enter the stack unit (14) above it, descend along the access (25) down to the top of the stack unit (14) on and lifting the gripping means (30) and the article (25) gripped therewith along the access (25) up and out of the stacking unit (14) above the stacking unit (14). In addition, protection requirements 2-6.

Description

The invention relates to a device for storing and delivering goods, comprising: - Teesta out - with picking up the topmost goods tarttujavälineet stack unit stack tray structure and radially projecting vaakasalkoraken- basis tarttujavälineiden moving back and forth through the stack of units in the longitudinal direction of stacking, - transferring the slide goods arranged tarttujavälineille stack of units the supply arrangement comprising pystysalkorakenteen with vertical stack units in parallel stacking and provided with tarttujavälineille with slides or similar track arrangement - an elongate stacking access arranged on the N stacking units on the side of the vertical beam structure to move the radially N projecting horizontal beam structure and the gripping means inside the stacking unit S in the stacking direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,782 discloses a vending machine for goods.

It consists essentially of an access opening for delivering the goods O out of the device, a storage tower in which a plurality of adjacent vertical channels are arranged in a circumferential arrangement and conveying means for transferring the goods from the channel to the access opening.

In the channels, the goods are stored in stacks.

you. However, this structure is quite complex in its operating mechanism. The goods to be delivered are at the bottom of the stacks. This limits the vending machine's suitability for goods with special materials and essences. In addition, it makes the implementation of the transmission means complicated and even uncertain. U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,805 B2 discloses another vending machine. Also in this solution, the goods are stored stacked in the channels. Channels are now operated from above. At the top of the device are trajectories for two-dimensional movement of the gripper. The goods to be picked up from the stack of the channel selected by the gripper are picked up by a longitudinal movement of the channel from above. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for storing and dispensing goods which is simple in structure and operation. The characteristic features of the device according to the invention are set out in claim 1. With the invention, the structure of the device is simple and the operation is certain. By arranging the conveyor parallel to the stacking units and moving the gripping means longitudinally of the stacking units, the picking up of the goods takes place N with certainty. With the invention, the gripping means can be brought into contact with the uppermost article of the stack for retrieval - because the support provided by the transducer to the gripping means and the force S affect the entire main storage length of the stacking units. Thanks to the simple and reliable transmitter and its O location, the device can also be used to store and deliver goods that are difficult to mechanically handle and deliver. One example of this is 5 unpackaged goods.

According to one embodiment, the storage arrangement may include at least one storage tower. It has been possible to fit a number of adjacent vertical stacking units in a circumferential arrangement. In this case, the conveyor can be formed, for example, by a support structure located in the middle of the storage tower, in which the gripping means are adapted to move vertically up and down. With the conveyor, the gripping means can be arranged to pivot between the stacking units and the delivery arrangement. Such a storage arrangement is particularly advantageous in terms of space utilization and is therefore well suited for office and living spaces, for example. In addition, the transmitter in this embodiment is also simple, increasing its reliability. In addition to the vertical upward movement of the gripper, only the pivoting movement of the gripper needs to be performed on the conveyor. There are several ways to accomplish this.

According to one embodiment, the operation of the gripping means may be, for example, based on suction. This facilitates the seizure and delivery of difficult-to-handle goods. There is no need for moving gripping members in the suction effect, but the suction can simply be controlled by valves, for example.

According to one embodiment, the goods can be brought into the delivery arrangement from above. This also simplifies the operation of the device. The goods can be detached above the delivery arrangement, in which case it drops by gravity into, for example, N delivery openings, from which the goods can be picked up by the user.

OF

N N Several other significant advantages are achieved by the invention. S There are few moving parts and the E 30's movement mechanisms are very clear and simple. The device is also suitable for storing and handing over goods with special O properties. Completing the device is also simple. O Other features of the invention will become apparent from the appended> protection requirements and other advantages of the invention will be set forth in more detail in the specification.

The invention, which is not limited in any way by the following embodiments, will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which Figures 1a to 1d show the device seen from different directions with the gripper above the delivery opening,

Figures 2a to 2d show the device seen from different directions with the gripper above the selected stacking unit ready to pick up the goods from the stacking unit,

Figures 3a to 3d show the device seen from different directions with the gripper gripping the goods inside the stacking unit,

Figures 4a to 4d show the device seen from different directions after the gripper has picked up the article and it is above the stacking unit,

Figures ba to bd show the device from different directions with the gripper at the top of the delivery opening.

ready to drop into the delivery opening,

Figures 6a to 6d show the device seen from different directions with the gripper above the delivery opening and the goods falling into the delivery opening,

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the method N implemented by the device according to the invention in the form of a flow chart, and = Fig. 8 shows an application example of a stacking unit formed of elements with the gripper z 30 inside it. Figures 1c to 6c show an example of a device 10 for storing and dispensing goods 12 for use obliquely from the side without enclosure.

In its basic form, the device 10 may include a storage arrangement 20, a delivery arrangement 11, gripping means 30, and a conveyor 16 for transferring goods 12.

between the storage arrangement 20 and the delivery arrangement 11. In the storage arrangement 20, the goods 12 can be stored inside the device 5 10, for example, one on top of the other, i.e. stacked. To this end, the storage arrangement 20 may include a plurality of elongate stacking units 14 for storing the goods 12 stacked therein. In its simplest form, the storage arrangement 20 can even be a base 15 arranged inside the device 10, in which the goods 12 are permanently stacked on top of each other without lateral support in at least one stack. If the package of the article 12 is suitably shaped or the shape and nature of the article 12 itself allow it, then the article 12 can remain stacked even without special support structures around it. In this case, the stacks can be so low, for example, that keeping them upright is not a problem. In addition, the stacks may even rely on each other in certain cases. The delivery arrangement 11 may include at least one access, for example in the form of a delivery opening, for the delivery of the goods 12. From the delivery opening, the goods 12 can be delivered out of the device 10 to its user. The delivery opening may be in the outer casing of the device 10, for example on its side. The delivery opening can even be open or closed with a door.

N Further, the device 10 also includes gripping means 30 and a conveyor 16 arranged on the gripping means 30. The gripping means N 30 can be used to pick up the stack 12 of the selected stack unit 14. The goods 12 E 30 picked up by the gripping means 30 can be transferred from the stacking units 14 to the delivery arrangement. 11.

In order to clarify and arrange the storage arrangement 20, for example for suitable upright stacks, the storage arrangement 20 may comprise at least one storage tower 13 according to the embodiment shown. The storage tower 13 is arranged in a circumferential arrangement with a number of adjacent vertical stacking units 14 already referred to above. In this embodiment, there is only one frame formed by the stacking units 14, but there may be even more in the storage tower 13. The storage tower 13 is a compact solution for spaces where space, in particular wall space, is limited for the device 10. Here, the stacking units 14 are adapted to form channel-like structures into which the goods 12 can be fitted to the stacks. In the following, the stacking units 14 can also be referred to as channels. The conveyor 16 is adapted to be moved from the stacking unit 14 to the delivery arrangement 11. In this embodiment, the conveyor 16 is arranged in the middle of the storage tower 13, more generally the storage arrangement. In this case, the entire circumferential storage arrangement 20 can be operated by one transfer 16. In the case of the embodiment, the transfer 16 is arranged in the middle of the storage tower 13 belonging to the storage arrangement 20 or, more generally, in the middle area of the storage arrangement 20 free of stacking units 14. In this case, with one transfer 16 it is possible to operate on all stacks of the storage arrangement 20. The conveyor 16 is arranged parallel to the stacking units 14. In addition, the conveyor 16 is adapted to move the gripping means 30 in the upward direction in the longitudinal direction of the elongate stacking units 14 N. Being parallel to the stacking units N 14, the conveyor 16 may be adjacent to the stacking units 14 for the entire main storage length of the support.

S E 30 The transducer 16 includes a support structure provided with a trajectory O for the gripping means 30. In the case of the embodiment, the support structure is formed by a vertical structure 17. The vertical structure 17 may extend from the bottom of the storage arrangement 20 to the top of the device 10, which may have a transverse support structure 24 of the device 10. The vertical movement of the gripping means 30 -

by sliding guides or a similar track arrangement fitted to the carcass 17, in which the gripping means 30 can reciprocate longitudinally of the stacking units 14.

According to one embodiment, the gripping means 30 may be provided with a carriage structure 18 or a similar movement mechanism by means of which they are adapted to move back and forth vertically in a vertical space. Thus, the carriage structure 18, more generally the gripping means 30 are movably arranged on the vertical alcove structure 17.

For example, a radial horizontal beam structure 19 or a similar protrusion can be arranged in the carriage structure 18. It can be fixed in structure, but of course also telescopic. It should be noted that the horizontal beam structure 19 does not necessarily have to be completely horizontal, but it is sufficient for it to have a dimension in the radial direction of the storage arrangement 20 to extend into the area of the stacking units 14. The horizontal structure 19 can also be curved downwards. At its end, gripping means 30 are arranged on the horizontal beam structure 19 for picking up the uppermost goods 12 of the stack from the storage arrangement 20. Depending on the degree of integration, the boundary of the subassemblies can be very volatile. For example, the carriage and the horizontal bar may be one integrated structure.

In addition, in the case of the embodiment, the transfer 16 also includes a pivoting mechanism for pivoting the gripping means 30 between the delivery arrangement 11 and the stacking units 14. The reversing mechanism can be implemented in several different ways. According to one embodiment, the vertical substructure structure 17 is adapted to pivot in a motorized manner through its axis in the circumferential direction of the storage arrangement 20E30. It can rest on the bottom of the device 10, where it is O pivotally mounted. According to another embodiment, the gripping means 30 themselves can also turn while the vertical structure 17 O itself remains in place. In this case, the turning mechanism can be> in the carriage, for example. Here, too, the possibilities are manifold.

The operation of the gripping means 30 can be, for example, based on suction, i.e. a vacuum. The suction effect can be obtained by suction or also by compressed air blowing (ejector principle). The suction is simple to implement and simply causes the article 12 to grip and detach from it. Suction means (not shown) may be associated with the device 10. The compressed air providing the suction effect can also be introduced from the operating environment of the device 10 (for example, a compressed air network in an industrial plant).

In the case of the embodiment shown, the gripping means 30 comprise a suction head fitted at the end of the air hose. The suction head can be made of plastic, for example. The nozzle of the suction head can be, for example, round and its size can be adjusted according to the article 12 to be gripped.

The stacking units 14 include a longitudinal access 25 of the stacking unit 14 arranged on the side of the transfer 16 for the gripping means 30 (Figures 1d and 8). One way to provide access 25 is to split the channels vertically. In this case, the channels have at least one vertical splitting which splits the channel at least from its upper part in the longitudinal direction. The splitting allows the goods 12 to be picked up from the channel using gripping means 30 which move vertically above them. With the horizontal boom of the horizontal beam structure 19, the gripping means 30 can be lowered into the channel along the elongate opening N formed by splitting down on the uppermost article 12 of the stack. The picking of the article 12 N into the gripping means 30 takes place by suction. Correspondingly - with the horizontal boom of the horizontal beam structure 19, the gripping means 30 and the goods 12 gripped therein can be lifted up and thus out of the channel O along the opening formed by the splitting of the E 30 arranged in the channel. That is, the horizontal boom fitted to the transducer 16 and even more generally, the gripping means 30 passes through the elongate opening S into the channel.

5 The conveyor 16 as described above is safe, fast and simple to operate. The pivoting movement of the gripping means 30 guarantees it precise positioning in relation to the stacking units 14 and the delivery arrangement 11 arranged in a circumferential arrangement. The vertical movement of the gripping means 30, i.e. the longitudinal movement of the stacking units 14, which is effected by the conveyor 16 arranged next to the stacking units 14, is certain. In this case, the gripping means 30 are acted upon by the force moving it over the entire main storage length of the stacking unit 14. In addition to ensuring contact of the gripping means 30 with the article 12, this also speeds up the operation of the device 10. This is an advantage over, for example, the operation of the storage arrangement 20 from above. One way to implement access to the channel 25 is to arrange them to consist of two opposed stack unit elements

14.1, 14.2, in the area between which the channel 14 is formed. The stack unit elements 14.1, 14.2 are now C-profiles and can be made of sheet metal, for example. The structure is very simple and inexpensive to manufacture. In addition, it allows for easy modification of the size of the channels, which will be discussed in more detail later in the application. The storage tower 13 is on a base 15, which may have mounting openings for the stack unit elements 14.1, 14.2 forming the channel. The mounting openings can also help to change the size of the ducts.

N Next, the operation of the device 10 will be explained step by step, and N at the same time also the method associated with the device 10 for storing and delivering the goods 12 T from the storage device 10. The device 10 is shown in the figures without an E 30 outer shell. In Figures 1a to 6a the device is seen from the front in the direction of the opening O, in Figures 1b to 6b seen from the side, in Figures 1c to 6c seen obliquely from the side and in Figures 1d to 6d seen from above O. Figure 7, in turn, shows as a flow chart> an example of a method implemented by the device 10 for storing and delivering goods 12.

Figures 1a to 1d show an example of the initial situation of picking up the goods 12. In this case, the gripping means 30 arranged in the transducer 16 can be above the delivery opening in its home position. After the user of the device 10 has provided information on the user interface (not shown) of the device 10 about the desired item 12, which is now gloves by way of example, the item 12 is delivered from the device 10 by transferring it from the selected stack unit 14 to the delivery arrangement 11. After receiving the order, pivots the horizontal bar structure 19 attached thereto above the right channel (step 701). During the turning, the horizontal beam structure 19 is in its upper position above the channels, whereby it can turn freely and unobstructed in the circumferential direction of the storage arrangement 20. As a result of the operation, the setup shown in Figures 2a to 2d is reached. In it, the gripping means 30 is ready to pick up the article 12 from the stack arranged in the channel above the channel, where the article 12 is stored in the device.

10.

Figures 3a to 3d show the third sub-step. In it, the gripping means 30 is lowered in the channel to retrieve the uppermost glove of the stack (step 702). The lowering now takes place on a carriage fitted to a vertical beam, to which the arm of the horizontal beam structure 19 and the gripping means 30 at its end are attached. As a result of the function, N is the arrangement shown in Figures 3a to 3d. The opening in the channel on the inner edge, i.e. on the side of the transducer 16, more generally the access 25, = allows the gripping means 30 to be lowered into the channel. Thus, when S picks up the article 12, the gripping means 30 is brought over the stack of the stacking unit 14 to the innermost article 12 of the stack.

In the situation shown in Figures 3a to 3d, the uppermost article 5 12 is picked up from the selected stack unit S14 by the gripping means 30. The gripping means 30 form a suction effect on the article 12, which causes the glove to grip the gripping means 30 (step 703).

When the article 12 is in the grip of the gripping means 30, the article 12 picked up from the stack is delivered by transferring it from the stack unit 14 to the delivery arrangement 11. There, the article 12 is transferred to the delivery arrangement adapted to the delivery arrangement 11. Delivery is initiated by lifting the gripping means 30 in the channel (step 704). The lifting takes place again with a carriage fitted to the vertical leg, to which the arm of the horizontal leg structure 19 and the gripping means 30 at its end are attached. Again, the opening in the channel on the inner edge, i.e. on the conveyor 16 side, more generally the access 25, allows the gripping means 30 to be lifted out of the channel. The result is the arrangement shown in Figures 4a-4d, in which the gripping means 30 have picked up the article 12 from the channel stack and are now above the channel. When away from the channel, the gripping means 30 are again free to pivot in the circumferential direction of the storage arrangement 20. In the next step of the delivery of the goods 12, the gripping means 30 are turned vertically above the tray acting as a delivery arrangement 11, whereby it returns to its home position, which can also be called the delivery station (step 705). The result is the setup shown in Figures 5a to 5d. While on the trough, the suction effect can be cut off from the gripping means 30 to detach from the article 12. As a result, the grip of the gripping means 30 from the glove comes off and the glove drops down into the tray for its delivery, i.e. the article 12 moves to the delivery arrangement 11 by force N (step 706). Thus, the article 12 can be brought into the delivery arrangement 11 above it, which makes it safe, N because the conveyor 16 does not act in the region of the delivery opening. As a result, S is the arrangement shown in Figures 6a to 6d. The user of the device can take the glove from the tray, which can be open and thus take place without hindrance. The device 10 is then immediately ready to search for the next glove from the selected channel.

When it is desired to fill the device 10, i.e. to add gloves to the channels of the storage tower 13, this can be done, for example, by opening a front wall from the housing of the device 10, which may be door-shaped. Thus, the housing of the device 10 is adapted to be opened for filling. The front wall may be, for example, the wall of the device 10 with the delivery opening and the user interface of the device 10. Once the wall has been opened, the storage tower 13 exposed behind it can be rotated in a carousel, for example by hand. Thus, the storage tower 13 is adapted to rotate for filling the channels. Items 12 can be placed channel by channel into the desired channels. For filling the channels, the stacking units 14 may comprise a longitudinal access 21 of the stacking units 14 arranged on the opposite side to the transfer 16. Here too the access 21 is formed by a slit arranged in the channel, the opening formed by which substantially facilitates filling. The elongate opening serving as the access 21 is on the outer side of the channel, the outer periphery (Fig. 1d). Through the opening formed by the splitting, the goods 12 can be placed in the stack, for example in large bundles, and at the same time the filling situation of the channels can be easily seen. The housing of the device 10 may be soundproofed. The vertical chamber can be rotated by a motor, for example at the bottom of the device 10. The vertical movement of the horizontal alcove structure 19, more generally the gripping means 30 formed by the horizontal compartment, can take place by a motor 22, for example via a belt drive 23, which motor 22 is at the top of the device 10 (Fig. 2a). Figure 8 shows a way of implementing the N modular stack unit elements 14.1, 14.2 forming the channel 4 in more detail and also the access provided to the gripper means 30 in the channel = 25. Now both stack unit elements 14.1, 14.2 are arranged to consist of several parts 31-36. to each other so as to be adapted to move relative to each other to change the size of the stack unit 14, for example for products of different sizes.

The opposite stack unit elements 14.1, 14.2 arranged to form the stack unit 14 comprise plate pieces 31 arranged to form a vertical side wall of the stack unit 14,

32 in the assembled mounted storage arrangement 20 in its radial direction. There is a connection between the plate pieces 31, 32 which allows their mutual movement. The connection is now effected by a pair of guide hole pins 40 arranged in the upper and lower parts of the plate pieces 31, 32. In this case, for example, the plate 31 may have a pin fitted in an elongate horizontal guide hole arranged in the second plate 32. The guide hole pin pairs 40 allow the length of the stack unit 14 to be changed in the radial direction of the storage tower 13.

At the rear edge of the plates 31 of the stacking unit elements 14.1, 14.2 there may be a fold 42 into which the inner end plates 36 delimiting the stacking unit 14 in the direction of the center of the storage tower 13 are fitted. There may also be a joint between the plates 36 and 31. , 31 with pairs 41 of guide hole pins arranged in the upper and lower parts. In this case, the fold 42 of the plate 31 may have a pin fitted in an elongate horizontal guide hole arranged in the inner end plate 36. Here, the guide hole-pin pairs 41 allow the width of the stack unit 14 to be changed in the circumferential direction of the storage tower 13. Correspondingly, the front edge of the plates 32 acting as a side wall of the stack unit elements 14.1, 14.2 may also have a fold 43 into which the outer end plates 33 delimiting the stack unit 14 are arranged. The N plates 32, 33 may also have a connection N allowing them to move relative to each other. 32, 33 with pairs 39 of guide hole S arranged in the upper and lower part. In this case, the plate 33 may have a pin E 30 fitted in an elongate O horizontal guide hole arranged in the fold 43 of the plate 31. Here, too, the pairs 39 of the guide hole pin s make it possible to change the width O of the stacking unit 14 in the circumferential direction of the storage tower 13 in a manner similar to that of the rear edge of the stacking unit 14. The width (in the circumferential direction of the base 15) and the length (in the radial direction of the base 15) of the stacking units 14 can be changed independently of each other. Thus the stacking unit

14 is adaptable to products of different sizes. The size locking of the stack unit elements 14.1, 14.2 can be realized, for example, with locking screws (not shown) arranged in pairs 39-41 of the guide opening pin.

At their lower part, the stacking unit elements 14.1, 14.2 are connected to each other by a connecting piece 37 fitted to the lower part of the rear edge of the stacking unit 14 and a corresponding connecting piece fitted to the lower part of the front edge of the stacking unit 14, not shown in Fig. 8. The connecting pieces do not affect the stacking unit The side walls of the stack unit elements 14.1, 14.2 at the lower edge of the plate body 32 may have bends 35 directed outwards from the stack unit 14, which are against the base 15 of the storage tower 13 and allow the stack unit 14 to be resized in length and width. Figure 8 shows the stack unit elements forming the stack unit 14

The embodiment shown in Figures 14.1, 14.2 further enables the ingenious interconnection of adjacent stacking units 14, in which, for example, the radial center line of the stacking units 14 is maintained, even if the size of the stacking units 14 is changed steplessly. For this purpose, the stacking unit elements 14.1, 14.2 of the adjacent stacking units 14 of the storage tower 13 can be connected to each other synchronously. An exemplary way of accomplishing the synchronization is to fit a fold 34 facing laterally outwardly of the stack unit N from the stack unit N 14 as a side wall portion of the stack unit elements 14.1, 14.2. The storage tower 13 N assembled between these stack units 14. S An elongate guide opening 38 is arranged in the fold 34. E 30 O With the stacking units 14 on the base 15 in a circumferential arrangement, the stacking unit elements 14.1, 14.2 S of the adjacent stacking units 14 are connected to each other by means of the folds 34. In this case, the guide openings 38 in the folds 34 intersect and a connecting member, such as a pin, arranged at the intersection of the guide openings 38 synchronizes the size changes of the stack units 14 so that the center line of the stack units 14 is maintained despite their size change.

The synchronization thus facilitates and speeds up the resizing of the stacking units 14, since it does not require repositioning of the channels on the base 15, nor does it have to reprogram the operation of the transmitter 16 or change components.

The device 10 can be equipped with intelligence, data connections and the necessary sensing and detection switches, whereby, for example, the need to supplement the device 10 is always known.

The shifter 16 may have its limit switches to control their movements.

The number of products in the duct shafts can also be determined from the pulse data of the motors of the converter 16.

The adhesion of the article 12 to the gripping means 30 can be detected by a vacuum, and if the article 12 detaches from the gripping means 30, it can also be ascertained from the pressure change.

Instead of gloves, the goods 12 can be almost anything.

Suction and pick-up of goods 12 from above is very advantageous because it does not limit the type of goods 12, as may be the case, for example, in solutions where the goods 12 to be delivered are the lowest in the stack.

A particularly functional device 10, for example in goods 12, which are unpackaged and which can thus be difficult to obtain on the gripper.

Thus, one aspect of the invention is the use of a device 10 for storing unpackaged goods 12 and dispensing N other types and types of goods, without in any way excluding N from the scope of the application.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying E 30 figures are intended only to illustrate the present invention.

Thus, the invention is not limited solely to the S embodiments set out above or defined in the claims, but many different variations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art which are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the appended claims.

Claims (6)

PROTECTIVE REQUIREMENTS An apparatus for storing and delivering articles, comprising - a storage tower (13), to which is arranged in an annular configuration a number of vertical elongate stacking units (14) next to each other for storing articles (12) stacked in the stacking direction. on top of each other in a stack for each stacking unit (14), - a dispensing arrangement (11) for delivering the articles (12) from the device (10), - gripping devices (30) for receiving the stacking article of the stacking unit (14) (12), equipped with a slide structure (18) and radially projecting horizontal bar structure (19) for moving the gripping devices (30) back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the stacking units (14) in the stacking direction, - with gripping devices (30) arranged conveyor (16) for moving the articles (12) from the stacking units (14) to the delivery arrangement (11) including a vertical closing structure (17) together with the vertical stacking units (14) p all in the stacking direction and equipped for the gripping devices (30) with sliding guides or with a path of movement designed with the corresponding rail construction, A - an elongate passage (25) in the stacking direction arranged to the stacking units (14) on the vertical E Side of the closing structure (17) for moving the radially projecting horizontal closing structure (19) and the gripping devices (30) inside the stacking unit (14) in the stacking direction, = characterized in that - - the vertical closing structure (17) is arranged on the central area of the storage tower (13) and the takes a motorized rotating mechanism for rotating the radially projecting horizontal bar structure (19) and the gripping devices (30) placed on its end in the circumferential direction (13) of the storage tower (13) between the delivery arrangement (11) and the stacking units (14) ) function in picking up an article (12) is based on suction for gripping an article (12) with a gripping device (30) formed by a suction head, - the horizontal bar construction (19) with gripping devices (30) is arranged to - enter the stacking unit (14) from above, - descend via the passage (25) on the top article (12) of the stacking unit (14) and - lift the gripping devices (30) and the article (12) gripped to them by suction via the passage (25) up and away from the stacking unit (14) via the upper part of the stacking unit (14). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stacking units (14) comprise a passage (21) arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor (16) in the longitudinal direction of the stacking units (14). N Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the N stacking units (14) are arranged to be formed by two stacking unit elements (14.1, 14.2). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the stacking elements (14.1, 14.2) are arranged to be formed by several parts (31 - 36) connected to each other so that the parts (31 - 36) N are arranged to move in relative to each other to change the size of the stacking unit (14). Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that stacking elements (14.1, 14.2) of stacking units (14.1, 14.2) located next to each other in the storage tower (13) are synchronously connected to each other. A device according to any one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that - the housing of the device (10) is arranged to be opened from the side for filling the stacking units (14), - the storage tower (13) is arranged to rotate for the stacking units (14). ) filling. oO N O N N 0 O I a a o R oO < O N O N D