Storage device for small goods, kit for making a storage station for small goods ready for storage and method for storing storage stations

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage device for small-unit goods, a kit for making a storage station storable, and a method for storing storage stations. The storage device (1) comprises a storage station (5) for small-unit goods, comprising a housing (10) and a holding device (40). The housing (10) has an outer maximum housing contour (15) with a base structure (50) arranged beneath the housing (10), each having two side regions (51a, 51b) and two end regions (52a, 52b). The storage device further comprises an adapter means (100) with at least two contact means (110a, 110b) which are detachably arranged on the base structure (50) and which are designed such that each contact means, in the attached state, provides a contact section (111a, 111b) adjacent to the side regions, which are designed and aligned such that the contact sections can be gripped by clamping jaws of the jaw gripper.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage device for small piece goods, a kit for making a storage station storable for storage in a picking device operated with a jaw gripper and a method for storing storage stations.

[0002] Modern blister pack machines, such as those disclosed in WO 2013 / 034504 A1, comprise, depending on their configuration, several hundred storage and dispensing stations. These stations store, for example, several portions of a specific type of medication or individual portions of a dietary supplement, and dispense individual portions on demand. The blister pack machines individually assemble and blister pack the portions stored in the storage and dispensing stations according to the dosage times prescribed by the physician. The exact method of blister pack- ing the medication portions or individual portions of a dietary supplement stored in the storage and dispensing stations is disclosed in the aforementioned publication, but is not relevant to the present invention.

[0003] The storage and dispensing stations used in a blister packaging machine typically comprise two component groups: a storage station, in which the medication portions or individual portions of a dietary supplement are stored, and a dispensing station, which controls the storage station. To facilitate refilling and cleaning of the storage stations, these are usually removably mounted on the dispensing stations. The dispensing stations usually remain on the blister packaging machine while the storage stations are refilled or cleaned. However, they are generally not formed integrally with the blister packaging machine, but are also detachably attached, e.g. screwed, to a frame of the blister packaging machine and coupled to a control device of the blister packaging machine.

[0004] Due to the way in which the pharmaceutical portions or individual portions of a dietary supplement stored in a storage and dispensing station (hereinafter referred to as small items, whereby this term shall include all small items that can be stored and separated in such a station) are separated (individual components of the storage station must be adapted to the size of the small items to be separated), a blister machine is usually operated with a number of storage stations that far exceeds the number of dispensing stations of the blister machine. The storage stations that are not currently in use must be stored regardless of whether they are already filled or not. For this purpose, they are usually arranged by the user in a shelving system. This type of storage is complex and not space-optimized.

[0005] The present invention is based on the object of making the known storage stations storable and of providing a method for storing storage stations which are not storable per se.

[0006] A variety of blister machines are known from the state of the art that operate with the aforementioned storage and dispensing stations. Due to the design of the blister machines and the lack of standardization specifications, the storage stations used by different manufacturers are inconsistent, and it is not possible to handle all of these storage stations with an actuator of the same type; the shapes and contours of the storage stations are too inconsistent for this.

[0007] The problem is therefore solved by a storage device for small-unit goods, wherein the storage device is suitable for storage in a picking device. The storage device comprises two main assemblies, namely any storage station (not capable of automated storage) and an adapter, which are detachably connected to one another. The adapter is adapted and configured such that the combination of the two main assemblies provides an automatically storable storage device.

[0008] In detail, the object is achieved by a storage device for storage in a picking device operated with a jaw gripper with a plurality of horizontal storage locations, comprising a storage station for small piece goods with i) a housing with an upper housing section, a lower housing section and a base plate with a discharge opening, wherein the upper and lower housing sections define a receiving space with a lower, inner circular-cylindrical receiving space section and an upper receiving space section extending thereabove, and with a separating device arranged in the lower circular-cylindrical receiving space section and a holding device, wherein the housing has an outer maximum housing contour, and with ii) a base structure arranged below the housing and supporting the housing, each having two opposite side regions and two opposite end regions, wherein the side regions and the end regions together define a basic structure contour, further comprising an adapter means with at least two contact means,which are detachably arranged on the base structure and which are designed such that each contact means, in the attached state, provides a contact section adjacent to the side regions, wherein the contact sections are designed and aligned such that the contact sections can be gripped by clamping jaws of the jaw gripper.

[0009] According to the invention, an existing and known storage station is combined with an adapter means that provides contact sections designed such that they can be grasped by the clamping jaws of a jaw gripper, whereby the storage station as such can be stored automatically. The precise design of the adapter means depends on the design of the storage station itself. It is essential that the contact means of the adapter means are adapted or designed depending on the basic structure of the storage station so that grippable contact sections are provided. Typically, the contact means are designed such that parallel, vertical contact sections are provided.However, depending on the precise design of the jaws of the jaw gripper, this is not mandatory; what is essential is that the contact sections enable automatic handling of the storage device.

[0010] The precise design of the adapter means depends, as already mentioned, in particular on the basic structure of the storage station, which is to be made storable with the adapter means. For example, it is conceivable for the adapter means to have "only" two structurally separate contact means, which are designed according to the invention and are, for example, releasably attached to the side areas of the basic structure and accordingly provide the contact sections.

[0011] In order to support the positioning of the adapter means and its fastening, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the adapter means is U-shaped and has a base section to which the contact means are fastened.

[0012] According to the invention, the adapter means is detachably attached to the base structure. The detachable attachment of the adapter means to the base structure of the storage station can be achieved in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, it is provided that at least one contact means has an elastic clamping section and the contact means and the at least one clamping section are arranged and designed such that the adapter means is detachably attached to the base structure by means of a frictional connection. In this embodiment, it is therefore provided that the base structure of the storage station is clamped by the contact means of the adapter means, and the connection is thus established via frictional connection. The elastic clamping section is to be designed such that the clamping force is sufficient to move the storage device over the contact sections.

[0013] Alternatively, for the detachable fastening of the adapter means, it can be provided that at least one contact means has, at its end section facing away from the base section, an inwardly facing, at least partially elastic gripping section which is designed such that the adapter means is detachably fastened to the base structure via the base section and the gripping section by means of a clamping force.

[0014] A further alternative provides that each contact means has a first fastening means and each side region has a second fastening means, wherein the first fastening means and the second fastening means are coordinated with one another such that the contact means are releasably fastened to the base structure. The precise design of the fastening means is not important. For example, it is conceivable that a bore is simply provided in the side regions as the second fastening means, into which a locking lug of the first fastening means engages.

[0015] As explained above, the object of the present invention is to provide an automated storage device that can be moved with a jaw gripper of a picking device. Modern picking devices tend to increase the storage depth of the storage locations as much as possible so that a plurality of, for example, pharmaceutical packages can be stored one behind the other. For this purpose, it can be advantageous to arrange a plurality of (identical) pharmaceutical packages (hereinafter referred to as unit loads) on a storage area of ​​a storage device of the picking device during storage, to move them together into the picking device, and to grip them together with the jaw gripper.Known storage stations are typically constructed with an upper housing section defining an upper receiving space intended for the storage of small-unit goods. Below this, there is usually a housing section with a circular-cylindrical interior in which the separating device is located. Below this housing section, in turn, is a base structure that supports the housing. Accordingly, a storage station typically does not have a cuboid shape, but rather a vertically tapered outer contour. It is therefore common for the contour of the base structure to be "smaller" than the maximum outer housing contour, meaning that the housing protrudes outward beyond the base structure, at least in sections. This applies particularly to the front areas of the storage station.If a theoretical vertical contact surface is applied to the outer maximum housing contour on the one hand and the front areas of the basic structure contour on the other, a gap results between the contact surfaces of known supply stations "front" and / or "rear." Thus, if the supply stations are arranged one behind the other so that the housings touch, a gap arises between the basic structures of the two supply stations. Even if it were theoretically possible to move the two supply stations together, this could cause the rear of the two supply stations to stand upright, potentially hindering further movement.

[0016] To avoid such behavior in the storage devices according to the invention, a preferred embodiment provides that the adapter means has at least one contour compensation section, which, in the attached state, is arranged in an end region of the base structure and is designed such that an adapter means contour in the region of the end regions of the base structure is vertically adapted to the maximum housing contour. The at least one contour compensation section thus ensures that the aforementioned gap is eliminated and that even two (or more) storage devices arranged one behind the other can be moved together without any problems.

[0017] The task is further solved by a kit for making a storage station for small items in a jaw gripper operated

[0018] Order picking device, the kit comprising: a storage station for small piece goods with a housing having an upper housing section, a lower housing section and a base plate with a discharge opening, wherein the upper and lower housing sections define a receiving space with a lower, inner circular-cylindrical receiving space section and an upper receiving space section extending above it, and with a separating device arranged in the lower circular-cylindrical receiving space section and a holding device, wherein the housing has an outer maximum housing contour, and with a basic structure arranged below the housing and supporting the housing, each having two opposite side regions and two opposite end regions, wherein the side regions and the end regions together define a basic structure contour;and an adapter means for releasably fastening to the base structure of the storage station, wherein the adapter means comprises two contact means, each with a contact section. ;

[0019] According to the invention, the contact means are designed such that each contact means is arranged adjacent to the side regions in the fastened state, wherein the contact sections are designed such that the contact sections can be gripped by clamping jaws of a jaw gripper in the fastened state of the adapter means.

[0020] The kit can be further developed in a number of preferred embodiments, as described below. Unless technical advantages are mentioned, these correspond to those of the corresponding embodiments of the storage device.

[0021] The adapter means is preferably U-shaped and has a base section to which the contact means are fastened. The at least one contact means can preferably have an elastic clamping section, and the contact means and the at least one clamping section are arranged and designed such that the adapter means is releasably fastened to the base structure by means of a frictional connection. Alternatively, it can be provided that at least one contact means, at its end section facing away from the base section, has an inward-facing, at least partially elastic gripping section which is designed such that the adapter means is releasably fastened to the base structure via the base section and the gripping section by means of a clamping force.

[0022] Furthermore, it can alternatively be provided that each contact means has a first fastening means and each side region has a second fastening means, wherein the first fastening means and the second fastening means are coordinated with one another in such a way that the contact means are detachably fastened to the basic structure.

[0023] In order to avoid the aforementioned gap, it is provided that the adapter means has a contour compensation section which can be arranged in a front region of the basic structure and is designed such that an adapter means contour in the fastened state is adapted vertically to the maximum housing contour in the region of the front regions of the basic structure.

[0024] According to the invention, a method for storing storage stations in a picking device with a plurality of horizontal storage locations, a storage device and a jaw gripper is also proposed, wherein a storage station to be stored is provided with a housing having an outer maximum housing contour and with a basic structure arranged below the housing and supporting the housing, each with two opposite side regions and two opposite end regions, wherein the side regions and the end regions together define a basic structure contour; an adapter means with at least two contact means is determined and provided, wherein each contact means comprises a contact section, wherein the adapter means is determined such that the contact means are designed such that the fixed adapter means is detachably fastened to the basic structure of the storage stations to be stored via the contact means and the contact sections can be gripped by clamping jaws of a jaw gripper;the adapter means is detachably fastened to the base structure of the storage stations to be stored, thus providing a storage device that can be gripped with the jaw gripper; the grippable storage device is arranged in a storage area of ​​the storage device; the grippable storage device arranged in the storage area is moved with the storage device in a storage direction, and the grippable storage device is gripped with the jaw gripper at the contact sections and moved to a horizontal storage location.

[0025] In the following, preferred embodiments of the storage device for small-unit goods according to the invention, the kit for making a storage station for small-unit goods storable and a method for storing storage stations are described with reference to the drawing, in which: Figures 1A - 1Cshow various views of the first preferred embodiment of the storage device, Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the supply station as part of the first preferred embodiment of the kit, Figures 3 - 5 show various views of the supply station as part of the first preferred embodiment of the kit, wherein Figure 3 an oblique view, Figure 4 a top view and Figure 5 a sectional view shows Figures 6A and 6B show different views of the adapter means of the first embodiment of the kit, Figure 7 shows a bottom view of an adapter means of the second preferred embodiment of the kit, Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the second preferred embodiment of the storage device, Figures 9A and 9B Show views of two storage stations arranged one behind the other according to the first embodiment of the kit, wherein Figure 9A a side view and Figure 9B a schematic plan view shows Figures 10A and 10B Views of two storage devices arranged one behind the other according to the first embodiment, wherein Figure 10A a side view and Figure 10B a schematic plan view shows Figure 11 shows a schematic plan view of an order-picking device in which the method according to the invention is operated, Figures 12A and 12B show schematic side views of a method for storing a further embodiment of the storage devices according to the invention, Figures 13A and 13B show schematic side views of the process according to the invention. Figures 1A - 1C show different views of the first preferred embodiment of the storage device 1, wherein Figure 1A an oblique view, Figure 1B a top view and Figure 1Ca view from below. The storage device 1 comprises a storage station 5 and an adapter means 100. The storage station 5 comprises a housing 10 with an upper housing section 11 and a lower housing section 12. The housing 10 has an outer maximum housing contour 15, which in the embodiment shown is defined by the upper housing section 11. Below the housing 10, the storage station 5 has a base structure 50, which in Figure 1A is only partially visible, as it is largely concealed by the adapter means 100. A handle 13 extends from the base structure 50 to the upper housing section 11. This handle simplifies the handling of the storage station 5 or the storage device 1.

[0026] The adapter means 100 is U-shaped in the embodiment shown and comprises a base portion 101, from which two parallel contact means 110a, 110b extend. In the first embodiment shown, the base portion 101 comprises a contour compensation portion 120, the function of which has already been indicated above and will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures. As shown in Figure 1B As can be seen, the housing 10 comprises a bottom plate 18 with a central opening 17 and a discharge opening 19 in the lower housing section 12. In the central opening 17, a coupling means of a separating device is arranged, which is described in more detail with reference to a subsequent figure. In particular, in the Figures 1B and 1C It can be seen that each contact means 110a, 110b comprises a contact section 111a, 111b, which serves as a contact surface for the jaws of a jaw gripper.

[0027] In Figure 1C A bottom view of the first embodiment of the storage device is shown. In particular, it can be seen that the base structure 50 comprises two opposite side regions 51a, 51b and two opposite end regions 52a, 52b. The contact means 110a, 110b abut the side regions 51a, 51b, and the base section 101 of the adapter means 100 is arranged at the end region 52a. Figure 1CIt can be seen that the side regions 51a, 51b of the basic structure 50, in their section facing away from the base section 101, are penetrated by a first fastening means 115a, 115b. The first fastening means 115a, 115b extend inward from the contact means 110a, 110b of the U-shaped adapter means 100, as will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures. In the embodiment shown, the side regions 51a, 51b and the end regions 52a, 52b are designed to cover the entire surface. However, this is not essential; at least partial regions can also be open. It is also conceivable for the end region 52b opposite the base section to be completely free of material.

[0028] In Figure 2 a view from below of the first embodiment of the storage station 5 is shown, ie opposite Figure 1C the adapter means 100 is omitted. In Figure 2It can be seen that the side regions 51a, 51b and the end regions 52a, 52b define a basic structural contour 55 of the basic structure 50. It can also be seen that in the embodiment shown, the outer maximum housing contour 15 of the housing 10 extends over the basic structural contour 55 of the basic structure 50, specifically in the side regions 51a, 51b and the end region 52a.

[0029] Figures 3 - 5 show different views of the storage station 5 as part of the first preferred embodiment of the kit (as well as the storage device), wherein Figure 3 an oblique view, Figure 4 a top view and Figure 5 shows a sectional view. When describing the Figures 3 - 5 Those components of the supply station 5 which have already been described with reference to previous figures will not be explained in more detail; however, the reference numerals are included in the figures for reasons of clarity. Figure 3It can be seen that the housing 10 is provided with a cover 14, which is always arranged on the housing 10 when the supply station is "in operation." Of the basic structure 50, the front region 52a and the side region 51b are particularly visible. The side region 51b comprises a second fastening means 53b and a fourth fastening means 54b, which in the embodiment shown are designed as through-holes in the side region 51a. Fastening means of the adapter means 100 engage in these fastening means, wherein the fastening means of the adapter means are described in more detail with reference to subsequent figures.

[0030] As in the Figures 4 and 5As can be seen, the lower housing section 12 encloses or defines a lower circular-cylindrical receiving space section 21, in which a separating device 30 is arranged, which in the embodiment shown has the shape of a rotor. The separating device 30 comprises a base body 31, on which a plurality of vertical webs 33 are arranged, wherein a channel 32 is defined between each two webs 33. The webs 33 or channels 32 are adapted to the small-piece goods to be separated in such a way that only a certain number of small-piece goods can be arranged in a defined channel. On the conical surface of the base body 31, a plurality of projections 34 are arranged, which, during operation, ensure that the rotating separating device 30 moves the small-piece goods, so that any existing jamming is released and the small-piece goods are guided to the channels 32. As shown in Figure 5As can be seen, the singling device 30 does not extend over the entire height of the inner circular-cylindrical receiving section 21, which is defined by the lower housing section 12. Since the channels 32 have to be adapted to the small piece goods to be singulated and their shape, a singling device 30 can, in another embodiment (with which other small piece goods are to be singulated), also extend through the entire height of the lower circular-cylindrical receiving section 21. An upper receiving space section 22 extends above the inner circular-cylindrical receiving section 21. The inner circular-cylindrical receiving section 21 and the upper receiving space section 22 form a receiving space 20. The section of the receiving space 20 not occupied by the singling device 30, i.e. the area above the cover surface of the singling device 30, serves for the chaotic storage of small piece goods to be singulated.As already mentioned above, this storage area can vary depending on the vertical extension of the separating device 30.

[0031] At Figure 5 a coupling means 70 can be seen, which extends through the central opening in the base plate 18 and couples the separating device 30 to a drive (not shown) in a delivery station (not shown). Figure 5It can also be seen that the webs 33 of the separating device 30 are divided into an upper section and a lower section by a horizontally running slot 35. A retaining section 41 of a holding device 40 is guided in the slot 35. The holding device 40 itself is fixed to the lower housing section 12 via a fastening section 42. The retaining section 41 is guided into the inner circular-cylindrical receiving space section through a slot in the lower housing section 12. The function of the holding device 40 and in particular of the retaining section 41 is to separate small piece goods arranged in a channel section defined by the upper sections of the webs from small piece goods in the lower channel section. This is necessary to prevent an undefined number of small piece goods from being dispensed in a channel that is rotated via the discharge opening 19.By holding the retaining section 41 in the slot 35 above the discharge opening 19, only the small piece goods (or goods) arranged in the lower channel section are discharged; usually, this is only one small piece goods.

[0032] Figures 6A and 6B show different views of the adapter means 100 of the first embodiment of the kit, wherein Figure 6A an oblique view and Figure 6Bshows a view from below. In the first embodiment, the adapter means 100 is U-shaped and comprises a base section 101, from which two contact means 110a, 110b extend. In this embodiment, the contact means are not completely parallel, but the angle between the base section and the contact means 110a, 110b is < 90°, so that the contact means 110a, 110b converge slightly at their end sections 113a, 113b. At the end sections 113a, 113b, a first fastening means 115a, 115b in the form of a locking lug is arranged on each contact means 110a, 110b, which protrudes into the interior of the U-shape of the adapter means 100. In the central region, the contact means 110a, 110b in the embodiment shown further comprise a third fastening means 116a, 116b.The first and third fastening means of the adapter means 100 cooperate with the second and fourth fastening means 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b at the side regions 51a, 51b of the base structure in order to releasably fasten the adapter means 100 to the base structure 50 of the supply station 5.

[0033] In order to be able to easily bend the contact means 110a, 110b apart for the fastening (and detaching) process, the contact means 110a, 110b each comprise an elastic clamping section 112a, 112b. As shown in Figure 6B As can be seen, each contact means 110a, 110b in this embodiment comprises two sliding areas 117a, 117b, which ensure that a storage device does not cause any disturbing noises during a pulling or pushing movement and that the pulling and pushing as such also causes less friction, so that less clamping force has to be exerted on a storage device.

[0034] On the outwardly facing surfaces of the contact means 110a, 110b, contact sections 111a, 111b are arranged, at which the clamping jaws of a gripper engage and via which the frictional connection between the storage device and the gripper is generated to move the storage device. In the embodiment shown, the contact sections 111a, 111b are formed vertically, but this can vary depending on the clamping jaws used.

[0035] Figure 7 shows a bottom view of an adapter means 100 of the second preferred embodiment of the kit. In this embodiment, the contact means 110a, 110b do not comprise first and third fastening means, but elastic gripping portions 114a, 114b are arranged at the end portions 113a, 113b of the contact means 110a, 110b. As shown in Figure 8, which shows a view from below of the second preferred embodiment of the storage device, these elastic gripping sections 114a, 114b engage around sections of the end region 52b, whereby a releasable fastening of the adapter means 100 to the storage station 5 is achieved.

[0036] Figures 9A and 9B show views of two storage stations 5(1), 5(2) arranged one behind the other according to the first embodiment of the kit, wherein Figure 9A a side view and Figure 9B a schematic top view. The two supply stations 5(1), 5(2) are arranged one behind the other, ie the front area of ​​the supply station 5(2) borders directly on the back area of ​​the supply station 5(1). The outer maximum housing contour 15 as well as the basic structure contour 55 of the illustrated supply stations 5(1), 5(2) have identical front vertical contact surfaces 15f, 55f, which in the Figure 9Aare indicated by vertical dashed lines. This means that the base structure 50 and the housing 10 extend the same distance forward, i.e., the contours of the housing 10 and the base structure 50 are identical in their front areas. However, the rear contact surfaces 15b, 55b are not identical, but rather there is a distance Δ[15b, 55b] between them, as shown in Figure 9Acan be clearly seen. The rear contact surfaces 15b, 55b are not identical, since the housing 10 extends further rearward in the rear area of ​​the supply station 5 than the base structure 50 does. The maximum contours of the housing 10 and the base structure 50 in this area are therefore different. Due to the fact that the two supply stations are located directly behind one another and touch each other in the area of ​​the housings, there is not only a gap between the rear contact surfaces 15b, 55b, but also between the rear contact surface 55b of the base structure contour 55 of the supply station 5(1) and the two (identical) front contact surfaces of the supply station 5(2). Figures 9A and 9BThis gap is marked with Δ[55b, (15f, 55f)]. While the supply stations are directly adjacent to each other in the area of ​​the housings, there is a gap between the basic structures of the supply stations. In the theoretical case that supply stations arranged in this way are removed or moved with a jaw gripper, this can lead to jamming of the supply station 5(1). This jamming is explained in more detail in the following figures. Figure 9B This gap is schematically illustrated, with the basic structure contour 55 indicated by an inner dashed line, and the outer maximum housing contour 15 by an outer line. In the area of ​​contact between the two supply stations, the gap Δ[55b, (15f, 55f)] is again illustrated in the lower area.

[0037] Figures 10A and 10B show views of two storage devices 1(1), 1(2) arranged one behind the other according to the first embodiment, wherein Figure 10Aa side view and Figure 10B shows a schematic plan view. Figure 10A are in contrast to the Figure 9Bnot the supply stations (as part of the kit), but supply devices each comprising a supply station and an adapter means are shown. As described with reference to previous figures, each adapter means comprises two contact means 110a, 110b and, in the described embodiment, a base section 101 and a contour compensation section 120. According to the invention, this contour compensation section 120 is selected such that a rear contact surface 120b to the adapter means contour 125 is identical to the rear contact surface 15b to the outer maximum housing contour 15 of the housing 10.Due to the identity of the rear contact surface 15b to the outer maximum housing contour 15 and the rear contact surface 120b to the adapter center contour 125, there is also no gap between the rear contact surface 120b to the adapter center contour 125 of the storage device 1(1) and the front contact surfaces 15f, 55f of the storage device 1(2). This affects how the storage devices can be removed or moved, as described with reference to a subsequent figure. In . Figure 10B is according to the Figure 9B a schematic view is shown, wherein it can be seen that the contour compensation section 120 of the adapter means fills the space which, in the embodiment according to the Figures 9A, 9B which had a gap Δ[55b, (15f, 55f)].

[0038] Figure 11shows a schematic plan view of an order-picking device 200 in which the method according to the invention is operated and in which the storage devices according to the invention can be stored. A corresponding order-picking device is disclosed, for example, in EP 3 141 497 A1, the disclosure content of which with regard to the order-picking device is hereby incorporated into this application. The order-picking device 200 comprises a plurality of horizontal storage locations 201 on which, among other things, storage devices according to the invention can be stored. The order-picking device further comprises a storage device 220, which is usually designed as a storage belt. The storage device 220 comprises a storage area 221 which extends outwards and which serves to receive piece goods to be stored.The order-picking device further comprises a gripper 210, with which piece goods can be removed from the storage device 220 and fed to a horizontal storage location. In the embodiment shown, the gripper is designed as a jaw gripper, which has a storage table 211 and two clamping jaws 212a, 212b. The clamping jaws 212a, 212b are attached to a clamping jaw guide 213, by means of which the clamping jaws can be moved horizontally across the storage table 211. Furthermore, the clamping jaw guide 213 serves to pivot the clamping jaws in order to grip piece goods, as shown in FIG. Figure 11 is indicated. A further detailed description of the picking device is omitted here; reference is made to the above-mentioned publication.

[0039] To carry out the method according to the invention, a storage station to be stored is first provided, which has the aforementioned structural features. In order to ensure the storability of this storage station, it is to be connected according to the invention to an adapter means corresponding to the features described above, whereby a storable, tangible storage device is created. This tangible storage device 1(10) is arranged in the deposit area 221 of the storage device 220 and is moved with the storage device in a storage direction into the storage area of ​​the order-picking device (in the figure, two storage devices arranged one behind the other are always shown in order to Figure 11 to be adjusted to subsequent figures). In relation to the Figure 11 This means that the tangible storage devices 1(10) are moved to the right. Subsequently, the tangible storage devices, in Figure 11then designated 1(11), grasped with the gripper, and moved to a horizontal storage location 201 (see storage devices 1(12)). By connecting the storage station with the adapter, which is positioned precisely on this storage station to be stored, the actually non-storable storage station becomes a storable (because tangible) storage device, which can be handled with a conventional picking device.

[0040] With reference to the Figures 9A - 10B It was indicated that when two storage stations (or two storage devices according to the invention with adapter means without contour compensation section) are arranged one behind the other, a gap is created in the lower area, which can lead to problems when these consecutively arranged piece goods are moved simultaneously. With reference to the Figures 12A - 13B This is illustrated in the Figures 12A, 12BA process view is shown in which two storage devices 1(1), 1(2) according to the invention are arranged on a storage device 220, which are to be moved by the storage device 220 with clamping jaws of a clamping gripper. Figures 12A, 12BIn the third embodiment of the storage device according to the invention shown, however, the adapter means 100 does not comprise a contour compensation section, so that a gap is created between the adapter means 100, which is designated here as Δ100 for the sake of simplicity. Due to this gap between the two adapter means or the gap in the lower region of the storage devices arranged one behind the other, when the two storage devices are moved down from the storage device 220, the left storage device 1(1) can stand up and become wedged, so that further movement of the two storage devices is not possible or could possibly lead to damage to the storage device. However, the absence of the contour compensation section is only relevant if it is even considered to move two storage devices arranged one behind the other simultaneously.If this is not the case, the provision of the contour compensation section is superfluous, because the storage station does not receive the grippability or storage capacity through the contour compensation section as such.

[0041] The Figures 13A and 13B show schematic side views of the method according to the invention when using adapter means with a contour compensation section. Since there is no gap Δ100, the storage device 1(1) cannot tilt during movement, and no damage to the storage device or faulty movement of the two storage devices can occur.

Claims

1. A storage device (1) for storage in a picking device (200) operated with a jaw gripper (210) having a plurality of horizontal storage locations (201), comprising a storage station (5) for small-unit goods with a housing (10) with an upper housing section (11), a lower housing section (12), and a base plate (18) with a discharge opening (19), wherein the upper and lower housing sections (11, 12) define a receiving space (20) with a lower, inner circular-cylindrical receiving space section (21) and an upper receiving space section (22) extending thereabove, and with a separating device (30) arranged in the lower circular-cylindrical receiving space section (21), as well as a holding device (40), wherein the housing (10) has an outer maximum housing contour (15),and with a basic structure (50) arranged below the housing (10) and supporting the housing, each having two opposite side regions (51a, 51b) and two opposite end regions (52a, 52b), wherein the side regions (51a, 51b) and the end regions (52a, 52b) together define a basic structure contour (55); and an adapter means (100) with at least two contact means (110a, 110b) which are detachably arranged on the base structure (50) and which are designed such that each contact means (110a, 110b) in the attached state provides a contact section (111a, 111b) adjacent to the side regions (51a, 51b), wherein the contact sections (111a, 111b) are designed and aligned such that the contact sections (111a, 111b) can be gripped by clamping jaws of the jaw gripper.

2. Storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe adapter means (100) is U-shaped and has a base portion (101) to which the contact means (110a, 110b) are attached.

3. Storage device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one contact means (110a, 110b) has an elastic clamping section (112a, 112b) and the contact means (110a, 110b) and the at least one clamping section (112a, 112b) are arranged and designed such that the adapter means (100) is releasably fastened to the base structure (50) by means of a frictional connection.

4. Storage device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in thatat least one contact means (110a, 110b) has, at its end section (113a, 113b) facing away from the base section (101), an inwardly facing, at least partially elastic gripping section (114a, 114b), which is designed such that the adapter means (100) is releasably fastened to the base structure (50) via the base section (101) and the gripping section (114a, 114b) by means of a clamping force.

5. Storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each contact means (110a, 110b) has a first fastening means (115a, 115b) and each side region (51a, 51b) has a second fastening means (53a, 53b), wherein the first fastening means (115a, 115b) and the second fastening means (53a, 53b) are coordinated with one another such that the contact means (110a, 110b) are detachably fastened to the base structure (50).

6. Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe adapter means (100) has a contour compensation section (120) which, in the fastened state, is arranged at an end region (52a, 52b) of the basic structure (50) and which is designed such that an adapter means contour (125) in the region of the end regions (52a, 52b) of the basic structure (50) is adapted vertically to the maximum housing contour (15).

7. A kit for making a storage station for small-unit goods ready for storage in a picking device (200) operated with a jaw gripper (210), comprising a storage station (5) for small-unit goods with a housing (10) with an upper housing section (11), a lower housing section (12) and a base plate (18) with a discharge opening (19), wherein the upper and lower housing sections (11, 12) define a receiving space (20) with a lower, internally circular-cylindrical receiving space section (21) and an upper receiving space section (22) extending thereabove, and with a separating device (30) arranged in the lower circular-cylindrical receiving space section (21) and a holding device (40), wherein the housing (10) has an outer maximum housing contour (15), and with a base structure (50) arranged below the housing (10) and supporting the housing, each with two opposite side regions (51a,51b) and two opposite end regions (52a, 52b), wherein the side regions (51a, 51b) and the end regions (52a, 52b) together define a basic structural contour (55); and an adapter means (100) for releasably fastening to the basic structure (50) of the supply station (5), wherein the adapter means (100) comprises two contact means (110a, 110b), each with a contact section (111a, 111b); wherein the contact means (110a, 110b) are designed such that each contact means (110a, 110b) is arranged adjacent to the side regions (51a, 51b) in the attached state, wherein the contact sections (111a, 111b) are designed such that the contact sections (111a, 111b) can be gripped by clamping jaws of a jaw gripper in the attached state of the adapter means (100).

8. A kit for making a storage station for small items storable according to claim 7, characterized in thatthe adapter means (100) is U-shaped and has a base portion (101) to which the contact means (110a, 110b) are attached.

9. A kit for making a storage station for small items storable according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one contact means (110a, 110b) has an elastic clamping section (112a, 112b) and the contact means (110a, 110b) and the at least one clamping section (112a, 112b) are arranged and designed such that the adapter means (100) can be releasably fastened to the base structure (50) by means of a frictional connection.

10. A kit for making a storage station for small items storable according to claim 8, characterized in thatat least one contact means (110a, 110b) has, at its end section (113a, 113b) facing away from the base section (101), an inwardly facing, at least partially elastic gripping section (114a, 114b) which is designed such that the adapter means (100) can be releasably fastened to the base structure (50) via the base section (101) and the gripping section (114a, 114b) by means of a clamping force.

11. A kit for making a storage station for small items storable according to claim 7, characterized in that each contact means (110a, 110b) has a first fastening means (115a, 115b) and each side region (51a, 51b) has a second fastening means (53a, 53b), wherein the first fastening means (115a, 115b) and the second fastening means (53a, 53b) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the contact means (110a, 110b) can be detachably fastened to the base structure (50).

12. A kit for making a storage station for small items storable according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter means (100) has a contour compensation section (120) which can be arranged in an end region (52a, 52b) of the basic structure (50) and which is designed such that an adapter means contour (125) in the fastened state is adapted vertically to the maximum housing contour (15) in the region of the end regions (52a, 52b) of the basic structure (50).

13. A method for storing storage stations in a picking device (200) with a plurality of horizontal storage locations (201), a storage device (220) and a jaw gripper (210), wherein a storage station (5) to be stored is provided with a housing (10) with an outer maximum housing contour (15) and with a basic structure (50) arranged below the housing (10) and supporting the housing, each with two opposite side regions (51a, 51b) and two opposite end regions (52a, 52b), wherein the side regions (51a, 51b) and the end regions (52a, 52b) together define a basic structure contour (55);an adapter means (100) with at least two contact means (110a, 110b) is determined and provided, wherein each contact means (110a, 110b) comprises a contact section (111a, 111b), wherein the adapter means is determined such that the contact means are designed such that the fixed adapter means (100) can be releasably fastened to the base structure (50) of the storage stations to be stored via the contact means and the contact sections (111a, 111b) can be gripped by clamping jaws of a jaw gripper; the adapter means (100) is releasably fastened to the base structure (50) of the storage stations (5) to be stored, thus providing a storage device (1) that can be gripped by the jaw gripper (210); the grippable storage device (1) is arranged in a storage area (221) of the storage device (220);the tangible storage device (1) arranged in the storage area (221) is moved in a storage direction by the storage device (220), and the tangible storage device (1) is gripped by the jaw gripper at the contact sections (111a, 111b) and moved to a horizontal storage location;