ITBO20110653A1 - EQUIPMENT FOR STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BENCH PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Description

Description

EQUIPMENT FOR STORAGE AND DISPENSING OF

COUNTER PRODUCTS

Technical field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the storage and dispensing of over-the-counter products, in particular products packaged in boxes, bags or the like, such as for example medicinal products.

Known art

It is known that in order to automatically store and distribute products inside pharmacies, it is possible to resort to the use of Cartesian robotic systems operating on vertical and horizontal shelves or to the use of anthropomorphic robots for storage and the removal of products from drawers.

In particular, it is known that in order to reduce the waiting times of customers at the counter, equipment is used that automatically picks up canned products from the site where they have been deposited manually or automatically and their transport to a special carpet. distribution.

The storage, handling, picking and transport of canned products are critical phases of the cycle. In fact, due to the wide range of possible conformations, canned products cannot be managed through repetitive operating cycles, but through single operational phases designed ad hoc for the specific dimensions of the product to be managed. To avoid this inconvenience, it is usual practice to manually deposit the individual canned products inside the available shelves. Therefore, the manual handling of the products generally increases management costs. To make the phase of distribution of canned products more efficient, automatic devices have been proposed, suitably associated with known equipment, which allow the products to be deposited by arranging them in ordered stacks. However, these arrangements by stacking the boxes are not optimal as they do not allow the products to be easily picked up by means of mechanical gripping members.

It should also be noted that the stacked boxes, manually or by means of the aforementioned known devices, must be subsequently picked up and handled by means of suitable means of transport. The method of picking usually used consists in necessarily taking the last deposited product, that is the one at the top of the stacking pile. This entails, especially for products handled less frequently, the risk of first distributing products with a shorter maturity, i.e. deposited more recently, and instead of keeping previously deposited products in the warehouse, possibly even after the date set for the expiry, when they are no longer eligible for sale.

Finally, application EP 1980503 illustrates an apparatus for dispensing pharmaceutical products comprising a plurality of stacked drawers sliding on suitable guide trolleys. The drawers are operated between a rest position and an active unloading position and cooperate with retention means for unloading the desired products.

However, such known equipment does not allow to fully satisfy the needs of the specific sector and, in particular, to automate both the loading and unloading phases of the products in the storage units.

Presentation of the invention

The task of the present invention is that of solving the aforementioned problems, devising an apparatus for the storage and dispensing of over-the-counter products which allows to operate in a rapid, reliable and effective way.

In the context of this task, a further aim of the invention is to provide an equipment that allows the automatic management of a significant quantity of over-the-counter products, for example drugs, in particular by simultaneously carrying out both the storage that the withdrawal of products.

A further task of the invention is to provide an apparatus of simple constructive and functional conception, with reliable operation, of versatile use, as well as relatively cheap cost and reduced overall dimensions.

Another object of the invention is to provide equipment which is suitable for use in existing warehouses.

The aforementioned purposes are achieved, according to the present invention, by the apparatus according to claim 1.

According to the present invention, the automatic equipment for the storage and dispensing of products allows to store packaged products or the like in a simple, rapid and effective way.

Thanks to the provision of superimposed shelves on which suitable containment modules or distributors equipped with a plurality of containment alveoli are arranged in support, multiple products can be stored, easily loaded and unloaded in free fall through suitable loading and unloading passages obtained in the shelves same. In particular, the succession of containment alveoli is mobile in correspondence with at least one loading and / or unloading port, which can be selectively intercepted in order to allow the loading of a product by falling from above and / or the release of a product. by falling down.

Loading and unloading can also be carried out simultaneously in correspondence with different containment modules, simply by controlling access to the loading and / or unloading passages.

The equipment advantageously allows to store different products on the same containment shelf. In fact, the withdrawal of a specific product is in any case made possible by the ability of each containment module to be mobile so as to selectively intercept the aforementioned loading and / or unloading passage. Therefore, each station or containment compartment of the module is accessible for loading or unloading, simply by vertically aligning the same compartment with the selectively blocked or freed passage, for loading or unloading a product, respectively.

The positioning of the products loaded on each containment module can be easily memorized and managed by the electronic warehouse management system, simply by controlling the movement of the containment modules. Therefore it is possible to manage a constantly updated mapping of the warehouse, with the possibility of unconditional access to all stored products.

Preferably, the containment modules are vertically superimposed in columns, which can be placed next to each other on a single unloading device comprising a belt for collecting the unloaded products.

The equipment preferably includes a transfer device capable of transferring the unloaded products, from a lower level of collection to a higher level of distribution.

Finally, the equipment can be placed in an easy way, thanks to its very small footprint and compact shape, like any other piece of furniture.

Brief description of the drawings

The details of the invention will become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for the storage and dispensing of canned products according to the invention, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show respectively a perspective, front and side view of the apparatus according to the invention;

figure 4 shows a detail view of a detail of the apparatus itself;

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a distributor module used in the apparatus according to the invention;

Figures 6 and 7 respectively show perspective views of the module illustrated in Figure 5, arranged on a shelf of the apparatus according to the invention; figure 8 illustrates a plan view of a distributor module according to a different embodiment;

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate respective perspective views of the distributor module illustrated in Figure 8 in different operating phases.

Embodiments of the invention

With particular reference to these figures, together with 1 the equipment for the storage and dispensing of products 2 packaged in boxes, bags or the like, such as pharmaceutical or food products, has been indicated. The apparatus 1 preferably comprises a plurality of distribution modules 10 arranged in a suitably superimposed way one on top of the other resting on respective shelves 3, so as to define a plurality of distribution columns placed side by side, as better described below. . The apparatus 1 also comprises a loading device 30, an unloading device 40 for the products 2 fed, as well as a device 50 for transferring the unloaded products 2 to a delivery line downstream of the apparatus itself (see Figures 1 to 3).

The equipment 1 is made by means of a frame adequately protected by a protective casing and preferably resting on wheels 4 to facilitate movement. Basically, the equipment has the appearance of a cabinet that can be easily moved and placed where necessary in a warehouse. Advantageously, at the base of the equipment, the protective casing can provide adequate passage openings for the forks of a so-called â € œtranspalletâ € transport vehicle, to allow maximum mobility of the equipment as well as its contents.

The loading device 30 is preferably arranged at the top of each distribution column and is in turn fed at the input by a power supply line. This feeding line can be realized, for example, by a suitable succession of loading belts with rollers of reduced diameter, suitable for the transport of the products 2 on the counter, packaged in boxes or in any case in the shape of a parallelepiped. The power supply line can usefully provide blocking members or barriers, which can be activated by actuation members of the solenoid type for the diversion of the products towards the entrance area to the equipment 1. In correspondence with the aforementioned barriers, sensor means can be provided for detect the presence of the products and send appropriate activation signals to the barrier means. In the case of a plurality of devices arranged in succession, each column can be served by the same main power line.

Each distributor module 10 has a succession of containment alveoli 11 which can be loaded from above through a loading passage and unloaded through an unloading passage, as better described below.

The distributor module 10 is preferably made in the form of a box-like element or drawer, open on two opposite faces turned to respective shelves 3 in succession of the appliance 1. Each distributor module 10 is inserted in a mobile way in a respective shelf 3 of the ™ equipment 1, resting on special lateral guides 5. Preferably, each distributor module 10 is equipped with wheels 13 adapted to slide on rails 14 formed in the shelf 3. The module 10 also comprises an actuation unit 12 adapted to move the succession of cells 11 on the respective support shelf 3. The actuation assembly 12 preferably comprises a motor member 15 as well as transmission means 16, for example of the gear type, belt or equivalent, for transmitting to the module 10 a translation motion along the shelf 3. In practice, the module 10 can be made by means of a mobile trolley on wheels 13 along the shelf 3.

The module 10 comprises a box-like framework preferably defined by a pair of side walls 17, between which a plurality of spaced transverse partitions 18 are fixed. In the space between a pair of adjacent septa 18, an alveolus 11 is therefore defined, suitable for receiving a single product 2. The septa 18 are preferably arranged parallel and equidistant from each other so as to create alveoli of volume and conformation parallelepiped substantially the same. Alternatively, different conformations can be provided for the alveoli 11.

Furthermore, the partitions 18 and / or the side walls 17 can be made of sheet metal and provided with lightening holes 19 (see Figure 5). In practice, a product 2 received in charge by the module 10 is housed between two successive septa 18 and resting on an underlying portion of the shelf 3.

Each shelf 3 comprises a port 6 preferably arranged in a central position, of such extension as to allow the passage of a product 2 to be loaded into an underlying module. The opening 6 is made for example by means of a slot interposed between adjacent portions of the shelf 3, but it can be made by means of a hole or any other discontinuity in the support constituted by the shelf 3. The opening 6 is preferably rectangular in shape, as well as of extension corresponding to the maximum cross section of a product 2 that can be loaded on the equipment. The opening 6 of each shelf 3 of the appliance 1 is associated with closing means 7 for example comprising a movable shutter able to be operated in alternating motion to obstruct and free the passage shaped by the light 6. The movable shutter 7 can be associated with actuation and return means, for example with spring, for opening and closing the aforementioned passage. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the shutter 7 can form a grille sliding parallel to the plane of the shelf 3 or overturning in correspondence with the opening 6, or it can also be made by means of a shutter member in sheet metal. In the overlapping of the shelves 3 of the apparatus 1 the ports 6 are arranged substantially aligned in a vertical direction so as to contribute to defining a passage for loading and unloading 8 of the products 2 fed by falling from the top of the apparatus 1. In practice , the product 2 fed from above by the loading device 30 passes through the ports 6 left free by the damper 7, while it is blocked and then loaded onto the first module from above which, in the vertical succession of modules 10, presents the damper 7 in the configuration of obstruction of the port 6. Likewise, the product 2 loaded on a module 10 is able to be unloaded through the ports 6 below, if the aforementioned product is brought in correspondence with the corresponding port 6 by operating the module 10 itself along the shelf 3 and the corresponding damper 7 and the dampers 7 below the aforementioned loading and unloading passage are arranged in con opening figuration (see figure 7).

The loading device 30 comprises a feeding belt 31, as well as means 32 for intercepting the products 2 fed onto the belt 31 moved in a known way. The device 30 is placed at the top of the frame of the equipment 1, above the loading and unloading passage mentioned above, to receive the products 2 from the upstream supply line, to intercept the products selectively, thus to be sent through the loading passage for storage in a specific module 10 (see Figure 4). The interception means 32 are preferably made by means of portal members which can be operated alternately, for example in oscillation, between an inactive position 32a, for the passage of the fed product 2 and an active position 32b, for interception and deviation, for the insertion of a product 2 intercepted in the loading passage corresponding to a succession of ports 6 aligned in the vertical direction, as previously described.

In practice, the portal members 32 comprise an inverted U-shaped frame, defined for example by a pair of plates arranged parallel, so as to define inside a volume suitable for housing a product 2 transported on the belt 31. Each portal member 32 can therefore be operated by means of actuation means, for example of the magnetic type, between the inactive passage position 32a, with the aforementioned parallel walls substantially orthogonal to the belt 31, suitable for guiding the product 2 in advance on the belt 31 itself, and a position active 32b of interception and deviation, rotated with respect to the previous one, able to block the advancement of an adjacent product and to divert an intercepted product between the aforementioned parallel walls towards the loading passage (see figure 4). In other words, in the same active position 32b, the portal organ 32 is able to divert a first product 2 inserted between the respective side walls towards the fall in the loading passage with its own oscillation motion, as well as to blocking the passage to a product 2 advancing on the belt 31. Conveniently, next to each portal member 32, a hopper 33 is arranged to facilitate the insertion of the product 2 diverted into the loading passage. The portal members 32 are preferably hinged in suspension to a support rod 34 arranged transversely to the top of the equipment 1. On the opposite side to the hopper 33, the portal member 32 can laterally form abutment means, for example examples having a protrusion 35 suitable for ensuring the barrier function in the aforementioned active configuration 32b. In practice, when the portal member 32 is rotated towards the hopper 33, the protrusion 35 transversely engages the passage on the feeding way, preventing the further advancement of a product 2 which is placed on the belt 31. For example the protrusion 35 can be made by means of one or more lateral fins, for example with a curved shape, having a center of curvature substantially coinciding with the axis of the support rod 34. Alternatively, further embodiments can be provided for the protrusion 35, provided they are designed to selectively block the passage on the mat 31.

Furthermore, the portal organ 32 can form a corresponding flared inlet section at the front, so as to facilitate the insertion of the product 2 in advance. For example, the entrance section can include one or more fins 36, purposely diverging towards the outside of the portal 32 itself, to configure a suitable invitation to the entrance of the products 2 in succession. The invitation, for symmetry, can be replicated in correspondence with the opposite exit section.

It should be noted that the portal organ 32 arranged in front of the loading way acts as a gantry-template, calibrating the advancing products 2 to dimensions smaller than a certain maximum size established for the storage line. In practice, only the products 2 having dimensions corresponding to or smaller than this caliber can pass the template holder to advance along the feeding line, while the larger products 2 remain blocked at the front, to be discarded and carried elsewhere.

The unloading device 40 comprises a preferably motorized or inclined collection belt, adapted to collect the products 2 unloaded from the modules 10 preferably through the same succession of ports 6.

The collection belt 40 is therefore arranged below the apparatus, in communication with the device 50 for transferring the unloaded products 2.

This transfer device 50 is preferably arranged at the side of the columns of dispensing modules 10 and usefully comprises an elevator member 51 suitable for transferring the products unloaded from the collection belt 40 to a distribution line located at a higher level. Basically, the lifting member consists of a containment tank 51 able to be operated by means of actuation along substantially vertical guides to alternatively make the passage from the aforementioned lower level to the aforementioned upper level of distribution of the products 2. The bottom of the containment 51 preferably comprises a series of perforations designed to prevent the formation of an air cushion resistant to the return motion of the tank at the level of the collection belt 41. Conveniently, the containment tank 51 can provide an opening containment wall, for example tilting , able to be operated to release the products upon reaching the distribution quota. This actuation could for example be achieved by providing mechanical abutment means suitable for producing the desired overturning.

The operation of the apparatus according to the invention can be understood from the above description.

In a loading phase, a succession of products 2 is fed on the power supply line upstream of the loading device 30. Preferably on the power supply line each product 2 is identified and assigned by the warehouse management system to a specific distributor module 10 .

When the product 2 arrives on the feeding belt 31, the management system allows its advancement to the loading station corresponding to the loading passage in which the aforementioned distributor module 10 is vertically aligned, in a position below, to which the product is assigned.

At the same time, the aforementioned passage is arranged in such a way as to allow the transit of product 2 up to the assigned distributor module. For this purpose, the shutters 7 associated with the lights 6 above the assigned module 10 are operated in the open position and the respective modules 10 moved so as to align a recess 6 free from products 2 to the respective port 6. Furthermore, the shutter 7 of the shelf 3 of the assigned module 10 is operated in the closed position. The assigned module 10 is eventually activated in motion along the shelf 3 to bring the cell 11 which, among those available on the same shelf 3, is intended to accommodate the product 2, in vertical alignment with the opening 6 prepared with the shutter 7 closed. In this case, since the module 10 is open at the bottom and at the top, the shutter 7 acts as a closing bottom for the respective aligned recess 11.

In correspondence with the aforementioned loading station, the product 2 to be loaded is engaged by the corresponding portal member 32. Further advancement is blocked by the oscillation of the next portal member 32, operated in the active position 32b interception, in correspondence with which the abutment means 35 operate the barrier of the product 2 to be loaded. Subsequently, the oscillation of the portal organ 32 is activated which engages the product 2 to be loaded, diverting it towards insertion into the hopper 33.

The released product 2 falls through the loading passage until it reaches the assigned module 10, where it is blocked by the respective shutter 7 in the closed position. Product 2 is therefore received between the walls of the alveolus 11 assigned.

By operating further loading cycles as described above, it is possible to assign products of the same or different types on the same module 10 and on the remaining modules 10 of the appliance 1. In this loading operation, each cell 11 is in any case accessible from the € ™ high, simply by operating the respective module 10 along the shelf 3 in vertical alignment with the loading passage.

When a specific product 2 is requested from the automatic warehouse described, the management system locates its position, identifying the specific cell 11 in which it is stored.

The identified cell 11 is therefore brought in correspondence with the opening 6 of the corresponding shelf 3, by activating the module 10 in motion.

The opening of all the shutters 7 underlying the module 10 itself is then activated, so as to free the corresponding discharge passage. Also for unloading, as well as for loading, it is preferable that an alveolus 11 of each module 10 is left free, for example the central alveolus of the succession of alveoli, so as to be aligned with the opening 6 and allow the free passage of a product 2 during loading from the top or unloading downwards.

The product 2 is therefore released in falling from the shelf 3 of origin, up to the unloading belt 41.

The actuation of the belt 41 then involves the transfer of the unloaded product 2 to the transfer device 50. By operating the lifting tray 51 it is then possible to transfer the product 2 to the distribution quota for the requested delivery.

Obviously the unloading operation can take place in a suitable phase relationship, for example simultaneously, for a plurality of products 2 required by the distribution counter. In this case the required products 2 are unloaded from corresponding modules 10 of the apparatus 1 onto the conveyor 41 and transferred, preferably cumulatively, to the lifting tray 51 of the transfer device 50.

According to a further embodiment of the distribution module, illustrated in Figures 8 to 10, it is possible to provide that the succession of product containment cells 110 2 is defined by a spiral 111 of metal wire or other suitable material.

In this case, the module 100 is equipped with actuation means 112 which include transmission means able to rotate the spiral 111 itself about its own longitudinal axis, so as to operate the advancement of the products 2 between a coil 113 and the other of the spiral 111. This forward motion can allow, for example, the transfer of a loaded product 2 up to and beyond the end 114 of the spiral 111, at which the product 2 is released by gravity, in a substantially similar way to that described above.

It should also be noted that even in this embodiment it is possible to store 100 different products on the same module, for example by arranging a first module and a second module mutually aligned. This arrangement allows the second module to be used to deposit any products 2 that are placed in front of the product 2 to be unloaded, with respect to the unloading end 114. More precisely, the transfer from one spiral 111 to the other of the first module and of the second module, respectively, can take place by approaching by activating special drive means 115, until the respective spirals 111 are arranged with their respective ends 114 juxtaposed seamlessly.

In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in figure 8, a feed motor member 112 is provided which is adapted to drive the succession of coils 113 in axial rotation, producing, by virtue of the spiral conformation, the feed of the individual products 2 between the coils 113. In substance, each 360 ° rotation of the spiral 111 produces the advancement of one step for each product 2 housed therein, preferably to reach the end position, in correspondence with which an unloading passage is accessible , in a very similar way to what was previously described.

The loading of the products 2 onto the spiral 111 can take place in a completely similar way, by falling on the same end position of the spiral or in a different position.

It is preferably possible to load each product 2 through a compartment 116 defined at the end of the spiral 111 opposite the unloading end 114. In the latter case, the compartment 116 can be freed or intercepted, by correspondingly activating the advancement or retraction of the spiral 111. Furthermore, sensor means can be advantageously provided to detect every 360 ° rotation performed by the spiral 111 , in such a way as to control the positioning of each product 2 loaded in module 100.

The motor 112 for advancing the advancement of the alveoli 110 is connected to the spiral 111 by means of suitable transmission means 117, for example of the flexible belt type, so as to transfer the rotational motion from the respective motor shaft to a coaxially arranged driven shaft and integral with the spiral 111. Likewise, the drive member 115 for actuating the translation of the spiral 111 can provide transmission means 118 of the gear type to transform the rotational motion output from the respective driven shaft into the described translation motion, and retreat. Thanks to these means, the spiral 111 can be operated alternately between an advanced position 111a, in which the compartment 116 suitable for the passage of a falling product 2 from an upper position is defined at the front, and a rear position 111b, suitable for receiving a product 2 on the spiral 111. In practice, when a vertical succession of modules 100 is placed with the spiral 111 in the forward position, the respective compartments 116 define a continuous loading passage accessible and traversable without interruption for a falling product 2 from a loading station located at the top (see figure 8).

On the other hand, when at least one spiral 111 is in the rear loading position, the corresponding compartment 116 is at least partially intercepted, so as to interrupt the continuity of the load passage. In particular, in this configuration the spiral 111 is in a position such as to intercept at least in part a product 2 falling from above. In order to facilitate the reception of this falling product, the head of the spiral 111 can comprise a deviating member 119 made for example by means of a sheet metal slide suitably inclined in the direction of the first loading cell 110 of the spiral 111.

In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions, can be any according to requirements.

Where the technical characteristics mentioned in each claim are followed by reference signs, these reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and consequently they have no limiting value on the purpose of each element identified by way of ™ example from such reference marks.

Claims (6)

Claims 1) Equipment for the storage and dispensing of products packaged in boxes, bags or similar, comprising a plurality of shelves (3) superimposed, a plurality of overlapping distribution modules (10, 100), arranged on said shelves (3) for containing said products (2), each distributor module (10, 100) comprising a succession of cells (11, 110) suitable for to receive respective said products (2), a loading device (30) for loading said products (2) into said containment distribution modules (10, 100), said apparatus being characterized in that each said shelf (3) comprises at least one selectively interceptable opening (6, 116), for passage for at least one said product (2), said openings (6, 116) of said shelves (3) being aligned in a substantially vertical direction to define a passage for said products (2), adapted to receive in fall a said product (2), each distributor module (10, 100) being at least partially open at the top and bottom, and movable relative to a said respective shelf (3) to align vertically a said cell (11, 110) to said respective opening (6, 116), intercepting said passage, in order to receive said product (2) from said loading device (30) or unload said product in said passage. 2) Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said loading device (30) is arranged at the top of said plurality of shelves (3) and comprises interception means (32) for said products (2), movable alternately between an inactive position (32a), for the passage of a said product (2) fed and an active position (32b), of interception and deviation, for the insertion of the said intercepted product (2) in the said passage corresponding to a succession of said ports (6) aligned in a substantially vertical direction. 3) Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said interception means (32) comprise a portal member (32) which can be swiveled at said passage to divert said product (2) towards said passage. 4) Apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that said containment distributor module (10, 100) comprises actuation means (12, 15, 112, 115) which can be activated to operate a translation motion of said module (10, 100) on said shelf (3) in correspondence with said opening (6). 5) Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said containment distributor module (10) comprises a box-like frame defined by lateral walls (17) and by a plurality of spaced transverse septa (18), each said recess (11) of containment for a said product (2) being comprised between a pair of said adjacent septa (17). 6) Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said containment distributor module (10) slides on said shelf by means of rolling means (13) operable by said actuation means (12) 7) Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that said opening (6) is associated with closing means (7) which can be activated in alternating motion, respectively to obstruct and free said passage which said opening (6) helps to define. 8) Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said containment distributor modules (100) comprise a spiral (111) rotatable around its own longitudinal axis, each said containment cell (110) being defined between each pair of coils (113 ) adjacent to said spiral (111), and said passage being defined by a succession of openings or compartments (116), each said compartment (116) being selectively interceptable by translation of said respective spiral (111). 9) Method for storing and dispensing products packaged in boxes, bags or similar, including the steps of: to. feed at least one product (2) to a loading device (30) arranged at the top of a plurality of superimposed shelves (3), each shelf (3) receiving in mobile support at least one containment distributor module (10, 100) equipped with a succession of containment pockets (11, 110) for respective said products (2), said shelves (3) comprising vertically aligned ports (6, 116) to define a passage for said products (2), b. assigning said product (2) fed to a given alveolus (11, 110) of a given module (10, 100) containment distributor, c. operate said module (10, 100) mobile containment distributor on said shelf (3) so as to prepare said cell (11, 110) assigned in correspondence with said respective opening (6, 116) of said passage, said passage being intercepted by said alveolus (11, 110) assigned, d. operate said modules (10, 100) above said assigned module (10, 100) so as to free said ports (6, 116) above said port (6, 116) intercepted by said assigned cell (11), suitable for receiving said fed product (2), so as to allow the transit of said fed product (2), e. inserting said product (2) fed into said passage by said loading device (30), leaving said product (2) in free fall until said alveolus (11, 110) assigned is reached. 10) Method for storing and dispensing products packaged in boxes, bags or the like, according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that it includes the further step of: f. selecting a said product (2) housed in a said cell (11, 110) of a said containment distributor module (10, 100), g. operate said module (10, 100) selected on said shelf (3) so as to prepare said recess (11, 110) selected in correspondence with said respective opening (6, 116) forming part of said passage, said passage thus being intercepted by said selected alveolus (11, 110), h. operate said modules (10, 100) underlying said module (10, 100) selected so as to free said ports (6, 116) underlying said respective port (6, 116) intercepted by said cell (11, 110) intended to unloading said product (2), so as to allow the transit of said product (2), the. freeing said selected port (6, 116) so as to cause said product (2) to fall into said passage, until reaching underlying collection means (41).