MXPA01002842A - Automatic warehouse - Google Patents

Abstract

System fully controlled by computer and intended to manage the incoming and outgoing of goods to and from a storage or warehouse, from the time where the goods are received from the supplier until they are distributed to the clients, in the various quantities and types of goods asked for. To this effect, the systems of the invention for storing and dispatching or unloading of goods are necessary, the interconnection of such systems providing for the integral processing of the goods within the storage house.

Description

AUTOMATIC WAREHOUSE It treats of a system of storage of merchandise and of manipulation of the same that allows to be managed by a computer, from the point of entrance of the goods coming from the providers until the point of exit of the same, destination to the customers, in the quantities ordered by them.

The operations that the goods have to undergo within a warehouse are essentially storage of the merchandise, load ruptures and repackaging. These operations in turn can be decomposed into others, which will be explained in the development of this description.

As soon as the containers used in the stores can be reduced to the following three classes: pallets (containing boxes, usually protected by a plastic strip), boxes (often cardboard) and boxes, which are the fractions that contain the boxes . In many cases no specific type will be cited, since some operations and mechanisms are general for all types. In any case, it will be assumed that whatever the package, it will be provided with a label with a bar code located in the appropriate place (eg in the pallets: in its base), which allows to identify both the merchandise and the container.

The two fundamental types of load rupture are the depalletization of boxes placed on pallets, and the emptying of these boxes into uniform fractions thereof (which will be called boxes throughout the text), As an end to this introduction, the exhibition will refer to many devices that are already common in the handling of goods, and which are cited for clarity, although obviously they are not claimed. Among them are packers, lifting platforms, conveyor belts, roller belts, label readers, photoelectric cells, etc.

The methodology that will be followed will be: description of the operations and basic systems that are storage, palletized load breaking and opening of boxes, to which we must add positioners, in view of the possible need to change the orientation of the loads before some operations. Within each of these systems the parts in which it decomposes will be described. Finally, several forms of interconnection will be indicated to obtain various types of automatic warehouses.

STORAGE SYSTEM It is based on the scheme of figure 1. It comprises two basic stages: feeding and extracting cargo.

Feeding stage This would be the system's default operating system.

Merchandise enters by, passing in front of the label reader h. either from a supplier or from another part of the warehouse. It is deposited on the first section of the circular conveyor belts b, (in the drawing with derivations bj_ and b_2"there may be as many as they take in the warehouse). In this stage the deflector c closes the access to the exit, forcing the merchandise to follow on the conveyor belt b.

We assume that the storage boxes can store several load units, although for reasons that will be seen in some designs of the same, each box must have only one type of merchandise.

If any square of the conveyor belt bj. has a gap for the merchandise to be stored, the gi deflector will block the passage through the main conveyor belt b, routing the load towards bl_. All the deflectors f of the boxes e that have hollow will remain open, diverting to the first box with hollow the introduced load. When entering the load in a box, the bar code reader d is activated, which registers the entry, activates the internal movement of the merchandise inside the box, and transmits to the computer the data of the entry: hall number of the box, box number, type of merchandise, type of container. If in any of the boxes b_L there is no space for the merchandise in question, the deflector gl will be deactivated, allowing the passage to a posterior aisle., Until there is a gap.

Extraction stage The computer will not activate this mode until it has completed any feeding operation in progress, which will detect because the sum of entries in h is greater than the entry in boxes e, and should block the input until the extraction is complete.

The extraction is achieved by deactivating the deflector c, which thus allows the passage to the outlet j of the goods circulating on the belt b. By giving the box with the appropriate merchandise the order to eject a unit, it is emptied on b, ending by leaving j, passing previously in front of the bar reader i, which will let the computer know that the operation has been completed.

Internal movements and order preparation Always under the assumption that the system is governed by a computer, we will assume that, in order to consider the capacity of the cells, there are three series of variables: one in which the actual total capacity of the cells is stored, another in which stores a total virtual capacity, and finally the content of each cell, only the virtual capacity being taken into account for operations, which, for for the feeding stage it will be zero for squares occupied by merchandise other than the one to be stored and the difference between the real total capacity and the occupation for the merchandise to be stored.

The internal movements consist in the passage of merchandise from one determined square to another, also determined.

To do this, proceed to perform the extraction operation, and as soon as the merchandise is out of the box, a feeding operation, zeroing the virtual capacities of all the boxes except that of the one to which it is destined. For the preparation of orders to customers, it will be considered that they are made on the same storage system (which would lead to optimizing the space of a warehouse).

The computer would first determine the number of boxes each customer needs (rounding up superiorly), reserving these, matching each order (one order = one customer) with the number of boxes they need, preferably in the last derivations of the tape b.

Then the computer proceeds to serve the orders by type of merchandise, that is to say: the process that will be described next will be repeated as many times as types of goods have to be served.

The computer orders the emptying of a merchandise box, with the deflector c preventing the output by j, until: the capacity of the conveyor belt is saturated b. empty the box, or run out of all the merchandise of the type in question.

Immediately afterwards, I would give the feed order, with the virtual capacities of all the boxes to zero, except those of the customers that have demanded this type of merchandise.

The operation that begins in the 2nd previous paragraph is repeated as many times as necessary to serve a whole class of merchandise.

Here you see the convenience (rather than the need) that in the stage of pure food, only one type of merchandise is stored in the boxes, otherwise it would be like that, and in one box the type of merchandise that is needed will be left in between. , it would be necessary to reposition internal merchandise located before it is needed. Besides, this would complicate the computer program An alternative to the above would be that the orders were prepared in another "storage system", which would cause the need to allocate space from the warehouse permanently.

The mechanism would be the same, except that the deflector c should no longer block the output, and that it should be connected to the entry of the order picking store.

Once all the orders with all the goods have been completed, their consecutive extraction by client will be ordered up to the loading area, or to other treatments (palletization, repackaging, labeling).

Storage boxes 1 / Horizontal configuration.

It is schematized in figure n ° 2.

Entry of the merchandise: The merchandise enters through a, activating the reading of labels b, which has already been discussed at a previous point, and the photoelectric cell c, which starts the conveyor belt e in the inward direction. When the merchandise arrives at the other photocell d, it stops the tape. At the end a security stop f warns the computer that the box is full, although the computer must already have in its memory the capacity of it that will be given by the length of the conveyor belt e, divided by the distance between the photoelectric cells c and d.

Exit of the merchandise.

The computer activates the conveyor belt e outwards, pushing the merchandise closest to the exit towards the external conveyor belts. The box itself stops the movement of the tape as follows: when the photoelectric cell c stops detecting the merchandise, after it passes in front (activating it) of the label reader.

Observation.

Another alternative configuration to the previous one is that the merchandise leaves the back, falling on another derivation of the tape b of figure 1. In that case the box must be open at the end, thus lacking the switch f, but having to have another photoelectric cell that makes the paper that makes the c to the output. 2 / Vertical configuration.

It is schematized in figure n ° 3, It has a silo shape with four sliding bars not shown, through which platforms d slide, which when not occupied remain at rest in pit e. These platforms are linked together through the extendable joints f.

Goods entry: The load enters through a, being detected by the reading of labels b, which places the input stop c, which holds the load momentarily. Simultaneously with the establishment of said stop c, the motor h is started, which is raised to the platforms by means of the cable g, until any of the k-type anchors, latch type, is reached, turning off the motor (they also act as switches) . Simultaneously with the stoppage of the engine, the stop c rises, allowing the entry of the merchandise, pushed by the outer ribbons to the square not shown. When the load reaches switch 1, the operation is terminated by putting the system on hold. The upper part of the highest platform, when the box is filled, must activate the fill limit of cell m, transmitting this information to the computer, although it must already know it by the number of platforms operating in each pit.

Output of merchandise: A piston, not represented on the same face as switch I, pushes the load outwards, until it touches the belt, this being the one that will drag the load in the future.

After a predetermined time from when the label reader detects the passage of the load, the anchors k are relaxed, while the brake j is applied on the braking wheel i, allowing the cable to descend slowly. After a predetermined time, enough for the platforms to go beyond the anchors that held them, the anchors are activated again, stopping the platforms in the lower stage.

Warehouse not controlled by computer In all cases systematic mention has been made of the action of a computer, limiting the exposure to refer to the mechanisms and elements connectable to it.

But this system, with the appropriate control elements, which will be described in this section, is susceptible to manual and semiautomatic control, being necessary for a fully automatic control the presence of a computer, given the complexity of the system.

A manual system can be easily achieved by assigning a counter to each photocell or label reader, and a switch to each box activating deflector. The readings and switches can be carried on a board that mimics the warehouse configuration, e.g. own figure 1 could serve as a model. In addition, you must have the right pilots to announce the operations that are being carried out.

A semiautomatic control could allow the operator to perform global operations, without dealing with control. P.e. the power stage could be programmed at the beginning of the same with a logical system in which each box had a button and the "power" button existed. Each baffle of a box would be activated by a logical AND gate if the button in that box is pressed, the power button and if the difference between the capacity of a box and the counter is positive. The deflector of a bypass of the tape b would be activated by an OR logic gate in which the activation / deactivation of the deflector boxes would be collected, and the result of this door, and the power button, as an input to another AND gate whose result would be the one that opened or closed the said deflector.

In fact, a good design of this system would first imply a wide operation design in manual and semi-automatic mode, making the connection with the computer through the control panel. But this is left for a possible later addition.

Observations The constitution of the transport belts has not been mentioned. These must be naturally adequate to the load. So if it is on pallets, the tapes should be rollers. If in boxes or boxes, in general, the most classic transport belts made of leather, plastic, canvas, etc ... will suffice.

DEPALLETIZER It is considered that the pallet is strapped with plastic, and that on the pallet itself is fixed a label with the barcode that identifies the merchandise, the number of boxes and their distribution in the pallet (dimensions, number of fixed, height of each row, ...).

The operations carried out by the depalletizer are schematized in figure 4, the following being: It is assumed that the pallet is placed on the roller belt a, endowed therewith with a label reader b. Placing the pallet on the roller belt, they push it towards the derailleur c. The reading made by b is transmitted to the computer, which takes over control of the operation. The deflejadora consists of a platform of rollers, able to transmit through these to the following stage. It will be described in more detail later.

Deflected the pallet, it is pushed towards the adjustable lifting platform d. In this, row by row, the palette is being raised by the computer based on the data that over it has in his memory, so that each row is placed in front of the emptier e, that pushes each row on the tape f. The emptier and the tape f (not visible), are located in a plane transverse to the aforementioned elements.

Not represented in the figure for clarity, the platform d must have an empty pallet ejector, perpendicular to the plane, and a conveyor that takes them to where they are needed (to the cargo area if they are to be returned to the supplier, or to the discharge for reuse them).

The following elements are described in more detail below: deflector c, blade to eliminate the strapping plastic whose function will be described in the derailleur, and vane vane e.

Desflerjadora.

It is schematized in figure 5.

It is a roller platform a, equipped with b anchors for fastening the pallet. This platform can rotate on itself with impulses of the rotor c, on the bearings d. On one side is the vertical guide f through which the blade can slide and be suitable for tearing the strapping plastic. which will be described later.

On the platform there is a vacuum cleaner g.

Its operation would be as follows: The pallet is fixed to the platform by the anchors b.

The blade sinks in the base of the strapping, that is to say in the low part of the guide £ beginning to turn the platform, with what the breaking of the strapping in the base is obtained. Once this has been done, the platform stops rotating, positioning itself in the initial position, moving the blade towards the upper part of the guide, still sunk in the plastic, with which it breaks one side of it. Then it is lowered, and it is retracted to be in position for the next palette.

Finally the vacuum cleaner g sucks the plastic, already loose.

Scratch blade.

It is schematized in figure 6.

It consists of a handle to hold the guide a, a heatspiral b, the blade itself a soft metal (eg copper) of tetrahedral shape, inner tube d, which passes through the blade.

The blade penetrates and cuts the plastic more by the heat to which it is subjected by the heatspiral than by its tip and edge. The temperature of the blade must be intermediate between the meltof the plastic and the combustion of the packof the boxes inside the blade, otherwise the blade could not be used.

The mechanism of penetration of the blade in the plastic would be lodged in the handle of this one, and would consist in the relaxation of a sprwith only force to cross the plastic, but not the container of the box.

Simultaneously with the penetration, air or nitrogen would be injected (if there is a risk of combustion) through the hole d, in order to facilitate the separation of the plastic from the merchandise.

Valetador of pallets.

It is schematized in figure n ° 7.

A sprocket driven by a motor b acts on the worm with an internal thread, to which it adjusts an axis that pushes the blade f on the upper row of the blade a. The axis ends with a sprd, so that, when there is If the jam stops the blade, keep movthe shaft until the switch e is activated that will stop the motor b until the sprd relaxes again.

The blade f pushes the last row of the blade on the vibratbelt h, until it trips with the switch g, which reverses the direction of the motor b, removthe blade to its startposition, allowthe elevator to lift to the palette one more row to start another cycle.

The vibratbelt h has the mission of preventjams.

The photoelectric cell j, when a box passes through it, closes the door i for a preset time, sufficient to achieve a certain spacbetween two consecutive boxes.

Automatic and manual control of the depalletizer.

As in the case of the storage system, it has been assumed that the depalletizer is controlled by a computer. In another case, a great automation can be achieved by type of merchandise, for which the key element is the pallet elevator. All other elements can achieve sequences of automatic movements with the switches and tag readers, with a pallet entry blocksystem until an operation is completed.

The pallet elevator must be able to raise an initial height (the one needed to level the top of the pallet with the tape h of figure 7) and fixed sections, pulsed by a counter, whose maximum value would be the number of rows of the palette, these beprecisely the data that should appear in the scorecard.

BOX VACUUM Part of the mechanisms are schematized in Figure No. 8. The rest is simply described, as its drawwould remove clarity to the representation and description. All the mechanisms have to be placed above a conveyor belt.

When the computer orders to activate the box emptier, the first thit does is to lower the stop c, provided with the switch d that warns the system of the crash of a box against it and stops it. When this happens, lower the two support blades b that raise the box just enough to allow the installation of two suction cups under it, which pull the bottom of the box, allowthe passage of a blade in the middle, which tears its lower part without damagthe merchandise it contains. Then the box is raised slowly, allowthe boxes inside it to fall on the tape by gravity. The vibratbars prevent jams, while the narrowbars f (also vibrat channel the merchandise.

When the photoelectric cell g detects the passage of a box, it closes the door h, making it possible for the boxes to leave the device with a uniform spacing, similar to the last section of the depalletizer.

When the photoelectric cell counts the number of boxes that the box has (what the computer knows by its bar code), the paddles take the empty box out of the circuit, and put the device on hold.

If the type of container is not enough gravity to remove the boxes, you should open the box at the top (analogous to the bottom), and push the load down, slowly.

POSITIONER It is schematized in figure n ° 9.

The load moves along the conveyor belt a. When passing through the photoelectric cell b, lower the bar with a switch d. If, when the load is passed through the label reader c, it registers reading, the bar is raised with switch d, the device is put in the waiting state, and the load continues forward, since the reading indicates that the load is in the correct position.

In another case, when the load hits the bar d, it is momentarily retained, the clamping blades e are activated, which hold the load f, raising it, making it turn 90 degrees (in any sense, provided it is the same), and the it deposits again before the photoelectric cell b, putting the system on hold again.

Only the positioning in the dimension of the ribbon plane is considered, not considering it necessary to do it in other dimensions, since the starting merchandise, which is assumed in pallets, is supposedly positioned in the same way, and all the manipulations cited in this text occur in the plane of a tape ..

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF AN AUTOMATIC WAREHOUSE The interconnection of the aforementioned devices, and others that have been pointed out, either by conveyor belts or other means (such as automatically guided trolleys), can lead to a fully automatic warehouse, in which the merchandise enters at one end, and on the other, the merchandise already grouped in customer orders is obtained at the warehouse exit.

The model, in my most general opinion, is schematized in figure 10, and its operation is explained below.

The palletized merchandise, coming from suppliers, goes through to the pallet warehouse b, which will be the one that supports the mass storage of merchandise. The warehouses e (of boxes), and h (of boxes), are auxiliary for the preparation of orders in these units, and they would only store the remains of previous operations, except emergencies (because they can also be used to store general cargo, although, obviously, in their type of unit).

When it comes time to make customer orders for distribution, the computer, by type of merchandise, determines the totals in boxes and boxes. By difference with what is stored in storage systems g and h, get the number of boxes needed, and of these the number of pallets, rounded in both cases above.

The computer directs the deflector £ so that the merchandise goes to the warehouse e, going through the depalletizer d, ordering b to serve the number of pallets needed for each merchandise.

Once the total of boxes and boxes are stored in e (in boxes), analogously, the computer places the deflector f so that the goods to be served in boxes pass to h through the box opener g.

Once all the goods are placed in each warehouse, the orders are prepared in the three warehouses according to the order preparation routines, identical in all three.

Once the orders are prepared, they are extracted one by one, leaving the merchandise in the three units: boxes (exit r), boxes (exit s) and pallets (exit t), with deflectors i and k channeling the goods to the packing machine j and the palletizer I, respectively.

OTHER REALIZATIONS OF AN AUTOMATIC WAREHOUSE Different needs, or economic availability, can give rise to other configurations.

A slightly more complex configuration than the previous one would be the one that had a specific, order picking store for the palletized merchandise that in figure 10 would be in front of the deflector c. In this way the Order preparation operations could be made independent of those stored.

On the other hand, a simpler configuration would be the one that started from a massive storage in boxes, in which case the merchandise input would be done in the depalletizer d, saving the warehouse b.

Finally, a minimum configuration would be the one expressed in figure 11. In the same, the merchandise would go through the depalletizer to, with exit to the conveyor belt b, which would move it to the conveyor belt circuit c, on which would be placed the box opener j, positioner m, and storage boxes h, where they would be stored in bulk in boxes. The orders would be prepared in boxes and boxes, which would be provisionally stored as boxes, leaving by the deflector d, destined to the packing machine and palletizer i., And from there to the destination shipment to the client. The label reader k, would detect if it is boxes or boxes, activating or deactivating respectively the packaging machine i, according to its reading.

Claims (14)

1. Automatic warehouse of packaged goods, endowed with labels with bar codes or magnetic, susceptible to be governed in all its operations by a computer, whose mission is to perform all the movements that the goods need between which they are received and dispatched to customers. It is characterized by having a closed circuit conveyor belt (11c), capable therefore of transporting any merchandise along its mechanisms. On said circuit (11c) are located: the entrance to the belt (l lb) preceded by a depalletizer (l ia), the outlet of the belt (l ie) followed by a packing machine (111) and a palletizer (l li). ), a box emptier (l lj), a positioner (l lm) and storage boxes (l lh), each of which can store one or several load units. These, to expand their number, and therefore the storage capacity, can be arranged in several branches of the main circuit (1 lhl). To orient the goods on the exit and the storage boxes, baffles are available in front of each of them (l id and l lg), and in front of the branches of the conveyor belt circuit (Un). For the control of the system, there will be readers of labels at the entrance, at the exit (1 lk) and at the entrance of each square (1 lf).

2. Automatic warehouse according to claim 1, of packaged goods, equipped with labels with bar codes or magnetic, capable of being governed in all its operations by a computer, whose mission is to perform all the movements that the goods need between which they are received and dispatched destination to customers. It is characterized by having the following consecutive elements: entrance for pallets (10a), storage unit and preparation of orders for pallets (10b), pallet deflector (10c), depalletizer (lOd), storage and order picking unit for boxes (10e), box deflector (lOf), box emptier (lOg), storage and preparation unit orders for boxes (lOh), baffle deflector (lOi) and outlet boxes (lOr). To adapt the containers to the customers' orders, the following items are available: a palletizer (101) following the box deflector, and a packer (lOj) following the box deflector. The flow control is achieved with the aforementioned baffles and with a second box baffle (lOk) located after the packer and the first box baffle. The outputs of boxes and pallets (lOs and lOt) are always following their corresponding baffle. All the referenced elements are linked together by suitable conveyor belts.

3. Storage and order picking unit (storage system) according to claims 1 and 2, for packaged goods, equipped with labels with bar codes or magnetic, capable of being governed in all its operations by a computer, whose mission is to perform the operations of storage and preparation of orders. It is characterized, as in claim 1, by having a closed circuit conveyor belt (Ib), thus able to transport any merchandise along all its mechanisms. On said circuit are located: the entrance (the), the exit (lj), and storage boxes (le), each of which can store one or more cargo units. These, to expand their number, and therefore the storage capacity, can be arranged in several branches of the main circuit (lbl, lb2). To guide the goods on the exit and the storage boxes, baffles are available in front of each of them, and in front of the derivations of the conveyor belt circuit (le, lf, lgl). For the control of the system, there will be readers of labels at the entrance (lh), at the exit (1 i) and at the entrance of each square (Id).

4. Storage boxes (le) according to claims 1 and 3. Store several load units, automatically activating when the load enters the same pushed by the conveyor belt (Ib). To remove merchandise, simply "activate the box" with a switch from a computer. A characterization of these boxes adopts a horizontal configuration. The box extends perpendicular to the conveyor belt of the storage system (2a) having an internal conveyor belt (2e), a label reader at the entrance (2b), two photoelectric cells at the entrance (2c, 2d) and a stop-switch at the end of the box (2f). When the merchandise enters the first photocell (2c) activates the motor that moves the tape of the box (2e) in the direction of entry, and the second cell (2d) turns it off. In order to take out merchandise the motor is activated in the output direction by the control computer ("activation of the box"), being stopped by the first input photocell (2c) when it stops detecting merchandise. Another alternative provision would be that the box had no background. The output would be done from behind, turning on the motor of the conveyor belt (2e) that now would only have one direction. At the exit there should be another reader of labels and a photoelectric cell to stop the motor of the tape. The capacity of a cell of this type is the length of the cell divided by the distance between the two photoelectric cells of the input (2c, 2d).

5. Storage boxes (le) according to claims 1 and 3. Store several loading units, automatically activated when the load enter it pushed by the conveyor belt (Ib). To remove merchandise, simply "activate the box" with a switch from a computer. They are characterized by a vertical configuration. The box is silo-shaped, with a pit (3e), where platforms (3d) linked together by flexible links (3f) are stored, so that they are folded. From the entrance level and to the top of the silo, regularly spaced bolt-type anchors (3k), which do in addition to switches, while the platforms are liftable by a mechanism similar to a forklift (engine (3h), cable ( 3g), brake (3j)), but acting floor to floor. At the entrance (3a) there is the usual label reader (3b) and a stop stop (3 c), and at the back a sensor or switch (31) that alerts when the load is completely inside, as well as a plunger to push to load it out. At the entrance there could be a pusher also if the conveyor belt of the main system was not enough to put the load on its platform. Finally, in the highest part of the silo there must be a stop-switch (3m) that warns when the capacity of the system is completed, coinciding with the er of existing platforms in the pit. When the merchandise enters the label reader (3b) activates the stop stop (3c) and starts the forklift motor (3h), which is stopped by the anchors-switches (3k), which at the same time raises the stopper detention (3c). For the output of goods, the computer connects the output piston (not shown), "activating the box". The label reader, after a predetermined time when detecting the load output, releases the widths (3k) for a preset time, and connects the forklift brake (3j) for a smooth lowering of the same.

6. Depalletizer according to claims n ° 1 and 2 to transform pallets into boxes. It is considered that the pallet is strapped with plastic and that a label is fixed on the pallet. It is characterized by having a roller belt (4a), a label reader (4b), a derailleur (4c), an adjustable lifting platform (4d) and a drainer of pallets (4e). The adjustable lifting platform (4d) is controlled by the computer according to the label reader (4b).

7. Deflector (4c) according to claim n ° 6. The strapping eliminates the strapping of a pallet generally consisting of a plastic film with which the load is coated. It is characterized by a roller platform (5a) for the movement of the pallets, provided with anchors (5b) for fixing, which turns on itself. In the turn, a special blade (5e), mounted on a vertical guide (5f), which tears the strip by its base, and then along this guide is sinked. Then aspirate with a vacuum cleaner (5g) of good power located at the top.

8. Strip knife (5e) according to claim No. 7. Separates the plastic from the merchandise, tearing it without affecting it. It is characterized by having a tetrahedral shape, being made of a soft material (like copper), with a hole (6d) running through it for its entire length for injection of air or nitrogen (if there is a danger of fire) to separate the plastic from the strap. the merchandise. It has a heating spiral (6b) that heats it to an intermediate temperature between the melting point of the strip and the wrapping of the merchandise. Penetrates in the plastic of the strip by the heat, not by its tip or edge, driven by a spring (6a) that joins it to the guide (5f) on which it moves.

9. Vane vane (4e) according to claim n ° 6. Place the last row of a pallet on a conveyor belt, with the goods in evenly spaced boxes. It is characterized by having a blade (7f) at an angle of about 45 ° in relation to the last row of the blade (7a) which pushes the merchandise towards a vibrating belt (7h) to avoid jamming. The boxes go through a photoelectric cell (7j) that detects their presence, closing a door (7i) that prevents the passage of other boxes until a predetermined time passes. The blade (7f) is driven by an axis to which it is attached by a spring (7d), and the shaft, by a worm (7c), and the worm by a motor and a gear wheel (7b) . There is a jamming switch (7e) that activates when the spring (7d) is compressed by a certain length, stopping the engine, and another row emptying switch (7g), which turns the engine in the opposite direction, and passes instructions to the lifting platform (4d) to raise one more row the pallet.

10. Box emptier according to claims 1 and 2. It ejects the boxes of a box, and the assembly must be mounted on the conveyor belt of the warehouse .. It is characterized by a stop (8c) that stops the box, provided with a switch (8d), that when activated, lowers two blades (8b) located initially on both sides of the belt, capturing the box (8a) and raising it just enough so that two suction cups can pass underneath that pull the wrapper slightly, making it protrude. A blade, at the level of the box, tears the projection, opening it. Then the two blades (8b) rise slowly emptying the boxes by gravity. If the gravity was not enough to make the boxes fall, you can have another pair of suction cups and another blade in the upper part of the box, which would open it, and a plunger, which would slowly push the boxes against the conveyor belt from the warehouse.

11. Positioner according to claim n ° 1. Its function is to make a certain merchandise is oriented in a certain way before entering a particular device, especially those that are activated with readers of labels. The necessary movements are made in the plane of the conveyor belt of the warehouse. It is characterized by a photoelectric cell (9b) that detects the passage of a merchandise, and a label reader (8c). If the latter detects the passage of merchandise in a time interval since it was detected by the photoelectric cell, it is that the merchandise is well positioned, and continues its way. If no reading occurs, the following positioning mechanism is activated: a stop (9d) that would block the conveyor belt (11c), provided with a switch that is activated when the merchandise collides. Then two blades (9e) grasp the merchandise and rotate it 90 ° in a fixed direction, depositing it before the photoelectric cell (9b).

12. Method for storing and preparing orders according to claim 1. It is characterized by the following: The operation is governed by a computer. To store merchandise, it is placed in pallets on the entrance, being transformed into boxes by the depalletizer (l ia), entering the main belt of the warehouse. The exit deflector (l id) is deactivated, activating the deflectors of the squares (l lg) with recess of this type of merchandise, and those of the derivations (Un) that have recessed spaces. To retrieve merchandise from a box, the expulsion is activated and the exit deflector (l id) is activated. For internal movements, merchandise is ejected from a box, its deflector is disabled, and the one in the destination box is activated. For preparation of orders, which must be done by merchandise and type of container, the whole of the merchandise to be served (or the greater capacity thereof) is expelled on the tape system, with the exit blocked. Then it is considered that they are storage operations on squares assimilated to clients. When the container type is the box, the merchandise stored in boxes (from previous operations) must be served first and then stored in boxes, for which the computer must activate the operation of the box emptier (1 lj), remaining inactive Until then. The remaining boxes are stored as if they were boxes. The output to the final customers is through a baffle (l id) by a packer (111) and a palletizer (11 i). The label reader of the output (l lk) will detect if it is boxes or boxes, connecting or disconnecting the packing machine (111) and / or the palletizer (l li) according to the reading and with the customer service specifications Have the computer in your memory.

13. Method for storing and preparing orders according to claim 2. It is characterized by the following: The operation is governed by a computer. The entry of the goods is in pallets being stored in the pallet storage unit. To prepare orders the computer determines the quantities of pallets to be served in boxes and boxes (rounding up), taking them out of their storage unit (10b) and taking them to the box storage unit (lOe) through the depalletizer (lOd) ). From the box storage unit (lOe) it extracts the boxes needed to serve the orders in boxes and transfers them to the box storage unit (lOh), through the box emptier (lOg). Orders are prepared according to the operating method of the storage and order picking unit. Prepared the orders by type of container, they are removed from their warehouse and are carried on the appropriate output (pallets (lOt), boxes (lOs) and boxes (10r)), directing the goods by means of deflectors (10c, lOf, lOi, lOk) to the appropriate devices (packer (lOj) and palletizer (101)).

14. Method for storage and preparation of orders according to claim 3 in the storage and order picking unit .. It is characterized by the following: The operation is governed by a computer. To store merchandise, the exit deflector (2c) is deactivated, activating the deflectors of the squares (2f) with recess of this type of merchandise, and those of the derivations (2gl) that have recessed spaces. To retrieve merchandise from a box, the expulsion is activated and the output deflector (2c) is activated. For internal movements, merchandise is ejected from a box, its deflector is disabled, and the one in the destination box is activated. For order preparation, which must be done by merchandise, the entire merchandise to be served (or the greater capacity thereof) is expelled on the tape system, with the output (lj) blocked. Then it is considered that they are storage operations on squares assimilated to clients.