WO2011051332A1

WO2011051332A1 - Automated picking device and method for the automated picking of books, media, brochures and similar objects

Info

Publication number: WO2011051332A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/066249
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Groessl; Max Winkler
Original assignee: SSI Schäfer PEEM GmbH
Priority date: 2009-10-30
Filing date: 2010-10-27
Publication date: 2011-05-05
Also published as: DE102009052345A1; DE102009052345B4; EP2493788A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an automated picking device (10) for picking stackable piece goods (22), comprising a separating device (12), a conveying section (14), and a delivery device (66); wherein the separating device (12) comprises a receiving unit (16) for receiving an angled carrier (20), in which piece goods (22) are stored and transported, preferably unmixed, in the form of a piece goods stack (24), an ejector unit (26), and a first ram (38), wherein the first ram (38) is adapted to reach through a floor (42) of the angled carrier (20) when the angled carrier (20) is located in the receiving unit (16) in order to move (40), preferably lift, piece goods (22) that are stored in the angled carrier (20) in the receiving unit (16), selectively by at least one length of a piece good (22) of the piece goods stack (24) relative to the angled carrier (20) such that the ejector unit (26) ejects at least one of the moved piece goods (22) of the piece goods stack (24) transversely (36) to the piece goods stack (24) onto the conveying section (14). Said conveying section conveys (60) the at least one ejected piece good (22') to the delivery device (66), which delivers the at least one ejected piece good (22') to a piece goods collecting location (72) or directly into an order loading aid.

Description

Automated picking device and method for automated picking of books, media, brochures and similar items

The present invention relates to an automated picking device and a method for the automated picking of stackable piece goods, such. Books, audio media, brochures, shrink-wrapped garments, toys, cosmetics, magazines, newspapers and the like.

A storage and picking system is known from the German patent applications DE 10 2006 025 620 AI and DE 10 2006 025 618 AI, which is operated with auxiliary e of trays as (single) charge carriers. On the goods entry side, a pallet high-bay warehouse can be provided, in which completely loaded storage pallets are kept, which are depalletized as required in layers. Each tray accommodates a complete pallet layer, consisting of a large number of individual articles, and is then in one Tray warehouse stored. The trays loaded in this way are conveyed to a separating station for the purpose of order picking, where individual items of a pallet position can be taken from the tray. The removal takes place either manually or automatically. The tray is then returned to the tray warehouse. If a tray has been completely emptied, it will be transported back to the depalletising station at the high-bay warehouse. The system just described is particularly suitable for the retail sector, such as for the food trade to supply stores from a central warehouse.

Smaller items are usually stored in so-called automated small parts warehouses (AKL). An AKL often includes a storage area with shelves designed to hold trays or containers. Shelf-operating cranes moving in rack aisles between the shelves are used to automatically load and unload the trays or containers and transfer them to a conveyor system. The conveyor system transports the trays or containers to manually operated picking stations, where the goods to be picked are manually removed from the storage trays or containers and delivered to order containers. Alternatively, the picking process can also be carried out fully automatically by means of so-called pick robots, as described by way of example in DE 10 2008 046 325 A1.

European Patent EP 1 572 558 B1 discloses an inclined picking station, where a worker manually removes articles from storage containers and delivers the removed articles to order containers in accordance with a picking order. In order to facilitate the gripping process for the worker and for reasons of clarity, a conveyor line for the storage containers is inclined by the transport plane is inclined to the worker about the longitudinal axis of the conveyor line. The worker can then intervene in the slightly obliquely presented storage containers and simply view them. The storage containers are preferably presented at chest height. The order containers are usually presented a little deeper, for example at waist level, so that removed articles or Goods just have to be dropped. The picking itself is done manually.

The German Utility Model DE 20 2009 002 919 Ul discloses a testing station, in which it is checked whether articles or goods that were collected or collected in accordance with a picking order, actually correspond to the goods that are specified in the picking order , For this purpose, the contents of an order container, which has been picked up, are emptied onto a work table. The evacuated goods are then manually added to a conveyor line consisting of two V-shaped conveying legs. The goods are then passed on the conveyor to scanners to compare actual data with target data. At the end of the conveyor line, the scanned goods are returned to a waiting order container.

The German patent application DE 42 25 041 AI discloses a device for automated picking of CDs. Manhole-like containers are arranged above a central conveyor belt. At the bottom of each container, a dispenser is provided so that CDs can be delivered by gravity to the horizontally oriented central belt. At the end of the central belt, a further conveyor is provided, which then throws the CDs thus collected into a job container.

A disadvantage of automated picking using gravity is the fact that the articles land scattered on the central belt. Identification features, such as bar codes or the like, then can not always be read safely, especially if the articles lose their original orientation during the fall or when hitting the central belt. In addition, it is difficult, if not impossible, to automatically create new stacks of articles after being dropped on the central belt. The exchange of storage containers is very complex in the prior art. Containers can not be replaced individually, as they in accordance with DE 42 25 041 one behind the other in rows be positioned in the central band. This is particularly hindering for picking orders where a large range of products or articles has to be used. The more different the articles needed to process picking orders, the more frequently the containers have to be exchanged. However, container replacement takes a long time and therefore reduces picking efficiency. Also, subsequent labeling of articles located on the central belt is almost impossible due to the chaotic arrangement of the articles on the central belt.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved picking device, which is operated automatically, and an improved method for automated picking of stackable piece goods. In particular, the piece goods should be treated gently during ejection, so that e.g. their surfaces have no scratches. Preferably, an ejection mechanism should be used, which is easily adaptable to different cargo geometries.

This object is achieved with an automated picking device for picking stackable piece goods with a separating device, a conveyor line and a dispensing device, wherein the separating device stores a receiving device for receiving an angular load carrier, in which piece goods, preferably sorted, in the form of a stack of goods and transported are, an ejector device and a first punch, wherein the first punch is adapted to engage through a bottom of the angular load carrier, when the angular load carrier is in the receiving device, to at least goods stored in the angular load carrier in the receiving device, optionally by at least To move a length of a piece goods of the cargo stack relative to the angular load carrier, preferably raise, that the Aufwurfeinrichtung at least one of the moving cargo of Stückgutsta pels transversely to the stack of items ejected onto the conveyor line, the at least one ejected cargo to the dispenser promotes the at least one ejected piece goods to a general cargo collection or directly into a job loader.

The object is further achieved by a method for automated order picking of piece goods, which are stored in the form of stacks of pieces in angular load carriers and transported, the method comprising the following steps: Spend an angular load carrier in a separating device; Penetrating a bottom of the angular load carrier with a first punch to move a stack of stock stored in the angular load carrier towards an ejector; Ejecting piece goods according to a picking order on a conveyor line; and conveying ejected cargo to a dispenser where the ejected cargo is discharged from the conveyor line and collected for the purpose of loading a job carrier or for the purpose of collecting at a cargo collection location.

The commissioning device according to the invention has the advantage that the piece goods to be picked are ejected in a controlled manner without damaging them. The ejection takes place individually. The conveyor line is arranged so that the ejected piece goods are preferably transported or transported upright to their destination. The ejected piece goods maintain a predetermined orientation during transport to their destination. This makes it possible to read barcodes and the like without problems. The ejected piece goods can be labeled on the conveyor line. The labeling is carried out at a point on the piece goods, which can be specified according to customer requirements.

In particular, it is isolated individually. This reduces the number of commissioning errors. Subsequent control of the ejected quantity of piece goods can be dispensed with. If a check is not waived, the verification can be carried out, for example, using the barcode. In addition, the separation preferably takes place upwards, and thus not downwards, as is known from the prior art. This has the advantage that the surfaces of the piece goods or their packaging are not damaged during ejection. If isolated with the help of gravity at a lower end of a cargo stack, usually takes the entire weight of the stack of goods on the bottom cargo, while this example is pushed out laterally. This allows packaging to be torn open and scratches to be created. In order to avoid such damage, so far separate ejectors have been used by the ejector, which easily held up the remaining piece goods during ejection. Such mechanisms are complex, take up a lot of space and are maintenance-intensive.

Singling up has the further advantage that piece goods with different geometries are easy to handle. Earlier, e.g. the outer packaging of CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs were standardized. This standardization was abandoned. Therefore, more and more good-quality items with varying dimensions are appearing. These varying dimensions used to mean, at worst, replacement of the ejector. With the ejector device of the present invention, differently sized piece goods can be handled, so that an exchange is not necessary. One is thus more flexible.

As storage and transport units angular load carriers are used. The angular load carriers are easy to load. The angular load carriers are used both for storing and for transporting the piece goods within a picking system. A commissioning device according to the invention can be equipped simultaneously with a plurality of angular load carriers. Each of the angular load carriers can be replaced individually. The angular load carriers can be easily moved back and forth as an overhead conveyor in the entire picking system. The angular load carriers can be moved by means of transport trolleys. The angular load carriers are designed such that they can interact with the punch of the picking device according to the invention, while the angular load carriers are located securely in the receiving device. As a general rule the piece goods can be used like a column in the preferably three-sided angular load carriers. The angular load carriers can alternatively be used in picking machines, such as A-frames. Separation by robots is also possible in principle. The angular charge carrier is therefore universally applicable. The angular load carrier is preferably constructed in a modular manner, for example by slotted (side) walls, hinged (side) walls, hinged Fixierstege, lockable fixing webs or the like are used.

Preferably, the conveying path has two conveying elements which enclose such an angle with each other that ejected piece goods are conveyed standing on a predetermined side to the dispensing device, wherein at least one of the conveying elements is driven.

This measure ensures that the ejected piece goods maintain a predetermined orientation during transport to their destination. The predetermined orientation is e.g. important for a scan. During the scanning process, it can be verified whether the ejected piece goods (actual data) corresponds to the piece goods, which a higher-level control device, such as. a stock management computer or a material flow calculator, depending on the currently being processed order picking expected (target data). Preferably, the angles are L-shaped relative to each other so as to enclose an angle of substantially 90 ° with each other.

Both conveyor elements can be driven, preferably synchronously. However, it is sufficient if only one conveying element is driven, wherein the other conveying element then preferably has a relatively low coefficient of friction, so that the ejected piece goods, which are transported on the conveying path, are not braked and thus form a jam.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if at least one of the conveying elements has a gap which is designed such that an identification input direction, in particular a scanner, a conveyed piece goods, which passes the gap, on the basis of an identification feature that is attached to the piece goods, recognizes or that a labeling device provides the passing piece goods with a label (label).

If a sufficiently wide gap is provided in the conveying path or in one of the conveying elements, which need not be particularly wide, an identification can be carried out during a continuous transport of the piece goods on the conveyor line. This saves time. If the piece goods stand on its predetermined side, it is ensured that the identification device can actually recognize the passing piece goods. The gap is then logically located where one expects the identification feature.

In a particular embodiment, the dispenser on at least one slide, which moves the at least one ejected piece goods from the conveyor line, preferably in the direction of a back pressure slide, which may be arranged opposite the at least one slide to form a new stack of goods, the contains all general cargo of a picking order.

The piece goods to be picked so are not randomly thrown into a job container. The piece goods are already grouped into a new stack, as e.g. when sending books or audio media (DVDs, CDs, etc.) is often desired by the customer. The thus formed stacks of items can then be e.g. welded to prevent finished picking orders from being intermixed (e.g., during transport to the client).

Preferably, the separating device has a second punch, which meshes, for example, with the first punch, wherein the second punch is coupled to a driven traction means which rotates endlessly and is arranged so the second punch engages through the first punch in a transfer position in order to eject piece goods of the stack of items which the first punch has moved from the angular load carrier to the transfer position, irrespective of a dwell time of the load carrier in the receiving device, with the ejector device.

The angular charge carriers are thus immediately after they are fixed in the receiving device, emptied by means of the first punch. The first punch pushes out the piece goods located in the angular load carrier or the piece goods stack formed therefrom out of the angular load carrier. The first punch then reaches a transfer point where the first punch combs with a second punch. The second punch takes over the raised stack of goods at the transfer point, so that the first punch can move back again. The angular charge carrier is then unloaded. The unloaded angular load carrier can then be exchanged for a full angular load carrier. The full angular load carrier can contain piece goods of a completely different type than the angular load carrier that was previously unloaded. The replacement operation may take place during a period of time in which the unloaded piece goods stack is gradually separated by means of the ejection device.

In particular, the ejector device comprises a single ejector device, such as a single ejection device. two separating rollers, which are spaced from each other so that only a single piece goods can be ejected from the stack of items on the conveyor line.

In this way, it is ensured that not two piece goods are ejected simultaneously on the conveyor line, which may not be recognized by the identification device as two piece goods, because one of the piece goods in the shadow space of the other piece goods resides. In a preferred embodiment, the ejector thus ejects only a single piece of goods at the same time.

It is also advantageous if a plurality of separating devices couple to the conveying path and the dispensing device.

The more singulation devices couple to the conveyor line, the greater the general cargo variety that can be processed simultaneously. The time required to process a picking order is reduced as a result. The overall efficiency is increased.

Moreover, it is advantageous if a picking device according to the present invention is installed in a picking, which has a bearing for angular load carrier and an angular load carrier conveyor, which connects the bearing material flow with at least one separating device of a picking device according to the invention.

In particular, a contract load carrier conveyor system is provided which couples to the dispensing device in order to convey the piece goods of a picking order to a dispatch area of the picking system.

In the method according to the invention, it has been found to be advantageous if the angular load carriers are loaded with, preferably unmixed, piece goods and buffered in a warehouse before they are spent on the separating device. Preferably, each ejected piece goods is recognized with an identification device on its way on the conveyor line to the dispenser and / or provided with a label.

Further, it is advantageous if a stack of pieces is moved with a first punch so relative to its angular load carrier that a second punch, for example, the first punch combs, takes over the stack of pieces, so that the angular load carrier can be removed, although not all packaged goods were ejected.

In particular, piece goods which were discharged from the conveyor line in the case of the delivery device are arranged with a counterpressure slide directly to a new stack of articles which has the piece goods of a picking order.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained not only in the particular combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

1 shows a side view of part of a picking device according to the invention.

2 shows a plan view of a picking device according to the invention.

3 shows a block diagram of a picking system with a picking device according to the invention.

4 shows a flowchart of a picking method according to the invention.

In the following description of the figures, the same elements are provided with the same reference numerals. Similar elements are included provided with similar reference numerals. The picking device according to the invention is provided with the reference numeral 10.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of part of a picking device 10 according to the invention.

The picking device 10 has a separating device 12 and a conveying path 14. The separating device 12 has a receiving device 16, which is arranged on a guide plate or a guide rail 18, where an angular charge carrier 20 can be fixed, as described in the German patent application DE 10 2009 038 124, the content of which is here in full Reference is made. DE 10 2009 038 124 describes in particular the use of angular load carriers 20 in order-picking systems. Such angular load carriers 20 and picking systems are used in connection with the invention described here. In particular, an angular charge carrier 20 is used, as it is e.g. is shown in Fig. 5 of DE 10 2009 038 124.

In the angular load carrier 20, which is shown in Fig. 1 is transparent, piece goods 22 are stored and transported. The piece goods 22 are stackable articles or goods, e.g. Books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, CD-ROMs, CDs, shrink-wrapped garments (e.g., polo shirts, T-shirts, shirts, etc.), toys or similar items. The piece goods 22 are stored in the form of stacks of goods 24.

For separating the piece goods 22 of a stack 24, an ejector device 26 is provided. The ejector device 26 is in particular designed to singulate the piece goods 22 individually. In other embodiments, however, the ejector device 26 can also eject a plurality of piece goods 22 at the same time. In Fig. 1, the ejector means 26 is exemplified in the form of two rollers 28 and 30, one or both of which can be driven. Preferably, one of the rollers is biased by a tensioning device 32 such that the rollers 28 and 30 rest in the resting state and are spaced apart in an ejection position such that just a single piece 22 passes through the rollers 28 and 30. The tensioning device 32 can be implemented in the form of a spring 34.

The ejector device 26 ejects piece goods 22 laterally to the longitudinal extent of the stack 24, as indicated in Fig. 1 by means of an arrow 36. The ejection takes place on the conveying path 14. The conveying path 14 is arranged relative to the separating device 12 so that the piece goods 22 land safely on the conveying path 14, in particular on a predetermined footprint, as will be explained in more detail below.

In order to move the stack 24 from the angular load carrier 20 in the direction of the ejector device 26, a first punch 38 is provided, which presses the stack 24 here substantially vertically upwards. The first punch 38 may be designed such that it can move all piece goods 22 resting on it to the ejector device 26 alone. The lifting movement takes place here parallel to the indicated arrow 40. For this purpose, the angular charge carrier 20 preferably has an opening in its bottom 42, as shown by way of example in FIG. 5 of DE 10 2009 038 124.

The stroke movement performed by the first punch 38 can be supplemented by a second punch 44. The second punch 44 is implemented in FIG. 1 by means of a circumferential comb-like element. The second punch 44 has air gaps which mesh with corresponding fingers of the first punch 38, so that the second punch 44 can pass through the first punch 38 from the rear (bottom) and pass through to take over the stack of pieces (24). The second punch 44 is preferably to an endlessly circulating Traction means 46, such as a toothed belt, coupled, which is guided around Umlenkzahnräder 48.

The second punch 44 is shown in Fig. 1 in a transfer position, where the second punch 44 has taken a stack of articles 24 from the first punch 38. The first punch 38 has returned to its original initial position in order to move another stack of articles 24 out of a further angular load carrier 20 as soon as the second punch 44 has delivered its stack 24 to the conveying path 14 via the ejector device 26. It is understood that the piece goods 22 of the stack of goods 24 are preferably provided sorted.

While the second punch 44 ejects a stack of articles 24 with piece goods 22 of a first type, a new angle load carrier 20 can be fixed in the receiving device 16, wherein the exchanged angular load carrier 20 stores a cargo stack 24 containing piece goods 22 of a different type.

The conveyor line 14 here has two e.g. L-shaped arranged conveying elements 52 and 54 on. The conveying plane of the conveying element 54 is e.g. slightly inclined to the vertical. The conveying plane of the conveying element 52 is e.g. slightly inclined to the horizontal. The conveyor elements 52 and 54 include here by way of example a right angle with each other. It is understood that the orientation of the conveying planes and the included angle can be varied, with the orientation shown here and the angle shown here being preferred.

With the driven rollers 28 and 30, in particular, an ejection distance can be determined, which travels a ejected piece goods 22 'from the ejector device 26 to the conveying path 14. The ejected cargo 22 is on a predetermined page 56 and leans with his back 58 to the Conveyor element 54 at. Such an orientation is particularly desirable when the ejected cargo 22 'is identified on its way on the conveyor line 14 and / or labeled or marked, as will be explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a picking device 10 according to the invention.

The picking device 10 of FIG. 2 has two separating devices 12. However, the separating devices 12 do not differ from each other and are formed according to the separating device 12 of FIG. To arrange a plurality of separating devices 12 sequentially in succession along the conveying path 14 always makes sense when high picking performance is required, in particular when a large number of different piece goods are contained in the picking orders. The separating devices 12 can be operated independently of one another, but also simultaneously.

In the example of FIG. 2, the second conveying element is divided into two elements 54 'and 54. The ejected piece goods 22 'are transported on the conveyor line 14 in the direction of a main conveying direction 60 downstream. The two elements 54 'and 54 define a gap 61 which may be filled, for example, with an identification device 62, such as a scanner 64. It is understood that more than one gap 61 can be provided in each of the conveyor elements 52 and 54. In the other gaps 61, other elements may be integrated, which are needed in order picking, such as a labeling device, which is not shown here in detail in Fig. 2. By means of the labeling device, for example, markings can be attached to the piece goods 22, such as barcodes and the like. The scanner 64, in turn, can read bar codes on the ejected piece goods 22 ', which are attached, for example, to the back 58 (see FIG. Should a barcode be arranged on the underside 56, then of course the conveying element 52 can also be a Have gap 61. The gap 61 is either smaller than the smallest length of ejected piece goods 22 or is closed with a material which is permeable to the scanner 64 and its signal.

By means of the scanner 64 it can be verified whether the correct article 22 has been ejected. The data that the scanner 64 reads can be transmitted to a higher-level controller 76, which then makes a comparison of the setpoint data with the actual data. The controller 76 may be implemented in the form of a warehouse management computer, a material flow computer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), or the like.

At least one of the conveying elements 52 and 54 is driven. For this purpose, a motor M is indicated by way of example in FIG. The motor M drives here only the conveyor element 52. The motor M preferably drives the conveyor element 52 continuously. The identification by means of the scanner 64 then takes place without any intermediate stops and interruptions, which in turn increases the efficiency of the overall system.

At the end of the conveyor line 14, a dispenser 66 is arranged, which has a discharge device. The discharge device is implemented here in the form of a pusher 68 and a counter-pressure slide 70, wherein the pusher 68 pushes out articles 22 'ejected in the direction of the arrow 71 from the conveying path 14 in the direction of a collecting station 72. At the collecting station 72, an order container 74 is exemplarily arranged, in which by means of the counter-pressure slide 70, a new stack of articles 75 consisting of a plurality of ejected piece goods 22 'is formed. The new piece goods stack 75 is composed in accordance with a picking order. It goes without saying that an order container 74 does not necessarily have to be placed at the collection station 72 in order to collect ejected piece goods 22 'or to produce a new piece goods stack 75. If order carriers, for example in the form of an order container 74, are used, these order containers 74 can be used with one here indicated by means of a dotted line order carrier conveyor system 106 to the collection point 72 back and away from the collection point 72.

A picking system 100 is shown in highly schematic form in FIG. 3.

3 shows an order-picking station 10 according to the invention with a first separating device 12, a second separating device 12 'and a third separating device 12 "All separating devices 12, 12' and 12" are connected to a conveying path 14 coupled, the ejected piece goods 22 '(see Figures 1 and 2) transported in the main conveying direction 60 to a dispenser 66, not shown here.

The first separating device 12 and the third separating device 12 "are each equipped with an angular load carrier 20. The second separating device 12 'is being equipped with a new angular load carrier 20. The new angular load carrier 20 in the order-picking system 100 consists of a bearing 102 for angular load carriers 20 via an angular load carrier conveyor 104. Both the separating devices 12 'and 12 "and the bearing 102 are connected to the angular load carrier conveyor 104 via infeed and outfeed tracks, which are not designated here in more detail. The supply and discharge conveyors may e.g. Sliding rails 108 have to briefly establish a connection between the angular load carrier conveyor 104 and the separating device 12 'or 12 ".. It is understood that the slide rail 108 can also be replaced by a permanent connection.The arrows in connection with the conveyor system illustrate by way of example Transport directions for the angular load carrier 20.

Alternatively, new angular load carrier 20 can also be spent using a trolley 110 to the separating devices. Also the trolley 110 may have a slide rail 108 to make a temporary connection to the corresponding receptacle 16.

FIG. 4 shows a highly abstracted method for the fully automated order picking of stackable piece goods with the aid of the angular load carrier 20 already explained above.

In a first step S10 of the method 200 goods are delivered to a goods receipt. In the goods receipt, the delivered goods (piece goods) are loaded into preferably empty angular load carriers 20. The angular load carriers 20 are populated in this way. The assembly is preferably sorted. Once an angular load carrier 20 has been loaded, at step S12 it is transferred to a transport and buffer storage, such as a storage tank. the bearing 102 of FIG. 3, spent. The higher-level control 76 generates data records which show which goods are stored in the warehouse 102. The data records contain information about the respective angular load carriers 20 and their equipment. It is understood that in addition to the product types also additional information such. Batch numbers, identification numbers, prices, stock numbers, shelf life data, etc. can be stored.

When the picking system 100 receives one or more picking orders, the higher-level controller 76 (usually a warehouse management computer) decides which angular load carriers 20 from the warehouse 102 for the purpose of ejecting stored piece goods 22 or separating the stored piece goods 22 Commissioning device 10 according to the invention with their separating devices 12 must be spent (step S14). If there are several picking orders, these are preferably processed with batch formation.

As soon as the corresponding piece goods 22 have been ejected onto the conveying path 14 by means of the ejector device 26, transport takes place ejected piece goods 22 'on the conveyor line 14 in the direction of the dispensing device 66. On the way to the dispenser 66 identification features can be detected and / or labels are made in a step S16. It is understood that further other actions can be performed with the ejected piece goods 22 '(reorientation, packaging, etc.).

Once the ejected piece goods 22 'have passed through the various work stations (scanner, labeling, etc.), they reach the dispenser 66, where they are deported from the conveyor line 14 to form a new (mixing) stack 75 in a step S18 become. In this case, a query is made in a step S20 as to whether a job carrier, such as e.g. a carton to be filled automatically or whether the filling is done manually. The automatic filling takes place in a step S22. The manual filling takes place in a step S24.

Once the carton is filled, it can be transported by the order load carrier conveyor 106 into a shipping area, not shown here, to be dispatched to the customer who placed the picking order.

Claims

claims

An automated picking device (10) for picking stackable piece goods (22) with a separating device (12), a conveying path (14) and a dispensing device (66); wherein the separating device (12) comprises a receiving device (16) for receiving an angular load carrier (20) in which piece goods (22), preferably sorted, in the form of a stack of goods (24) are stored and transported, an ejector device (26) and a first punch (38), wherein the first punch (38) is adapted to grip through a bottom (42) of the angular load carrier (20) when the angular load carrier (20) is in the receiving device (16) to hold cargo (22), which are stored in the angular load carrier (20) in the receiving device (16), optionally by at least a length of a piece goods (22) of the cargo stack (24) relative to the angular load carrier (20) to move (40), preferably raise, that the ejector (26) at least one of the moving piece goods (22) of the stack of articles (24) transversely (36) to the stack of articles (24) on the conveyor line (14) ejects the at least one selected ornate piece goods (22 ') to the dispensing device (66) promotes (60), which delivers the at least one ejected piece goods (22') to a piece goods collection point (72) or directly into an order loading aid.

2. Picking device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying path (14) has two conveying elements (52, 54) which enclose such an angle that ejected piece goods (22 ') on a predetermined side (56) standing up to the dispenser (66) promoted be, wherein at least one of the conveying elements (52) is driven.

3. Picking device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the conveying elements (54, 54 ') has a gap (61) which is formed such that an identification device (62), in particular a scanner (64), a conveyed piece goods (22 '), which passes through the gap (61), by means of an identification feature, which is attached to the piece goods (22), recognizes or that a labeling device provides the passing piece goods with a label.

Picking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing device (66) has at least one slide (68) which moves the at least one ejected piece goods (22 ') from the conveying path (14) (71), preferably in the direction of a counter-pressure slide (70 ) disposed opposite to the at least one slider (68) to form a new stack of articles (75) containing all the parcels (22) of a picking order.

A picking apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating means (12) comprises a second punch (44) which meshes with the first punch (38), the second punch (44) being coupled to a driven traction means (46) which is endless revolves and is arranged so that the second punch (44) passes through the first punch (38) in a transfer position to piece goods of the stack of pieces (24), the first punch (38) from an angular load carrier (20) has moved to the transfer position regardless of a dwell time of the angular load carrier (20) in the receiving device (16) with the ejector device (26) eject.

Picking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ejector device (26) comprises a single ejector device, in particular two separating rollers (28, 20), which are spaced from each other so that only a single piece goods (22) from the stack of articles (24) on the conveying path (14 ) is ejected.

7. Picking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ejector device (26) ejects only a single piece goods (22) at the same time.

8. Picking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of separating devices (12, 12 ') to the conveying path (14) and the dispensing device (66) couple.

9. Picking system (100) with a bearing (102) for angular load carrier (20) and an angular load carrier conveyor (104), the bearing (102) with at least one separating device (12 ', 12 ") of a picking device (10) after a of claims 1 to 8 connects.

10. order-picking system according to claim 9, wherein a Auftragladensträger- conveyor (106) is provided, which couples to the dispensing device (66) to promote piece goods (22) of a picking order in a dispatch area of the order-picking (100).

11. A method (200) for automated picking of piece goods (22), which are stored and transported in the form of stacks of pieces (24) in angular load carriers (20), comprising the following steps:

Placing an angular load carrier (20) in a separating device (12; 12 '; 12 ");

Penetrating a bottom (42) of the angular load carrier (20) with a first punch (38) to move a stack of stock (24) stored in the angular load carrier (20) towards an ejector (26); Ejecting (36) piece goods (22) according to a picking order onto a conveyor line (14);

Conveying ejected piece goods (22 ') to a dispensing device (66), where the ejected piece goods (22') for the purpose of loading a Auftragladenträger (74) or for the purpose of a Sammeins at a piece goods collection point (72) discharged from the conveyor line (14) and collected.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the angular load carriers (20) are loaded with, preferably unmixed, piece goods (22) and buffered in a bearing (102) before they are transported to the separating device (12, 12 ', 12 ").

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein each ejected piece goods (22 ') with an identification device (62) on its way on the conveyor line (14) to the dispenser (66) is detected and / or provided with a label.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein a cargo stack (24) with a first punch (38) is moved relative to its angular charge carrier (20) such that a second punch (44) connected to the first punch (38 ), the piece goods stack (24) takes over, so that the angular load carrier (20) can be removed, although not all packaged goods (22) of the cargo stack (24) have been ejected.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein piece goods (22), which were discharged at the dispenser (66) from the conveyor line (14) are arranged with a back pressure slide (70) directly to a new stack of articles (75), which has the piece goods (22) of a picking order.