Transport procedure and transport device for goods from multiple orders

Abstract

A goods transport process comprises the following steps: supplying goods (37) for multiple orders, wherein the goods (37) are transported in transport containers (27) on a circulating conveyor belt (5) along a transport direction (6); registering the supplied goods (37) on the circulating conveyor belt (5); generating a list of completed orders based on the supplied goods (37) on the circulating conveyor belt (5); defining the goods of order (37) as goods that are included in at least one of the completed orders;automatically evaluate complete orders with respect to their suitability for allocation to one of several receiving sinks (3A, 3B, 3C) taking into account at least one characteristic of the goods in the order (37) and / or of the receiving sinks (3A, 3B, 3C), wherein the receiving sinks (3A, 3B, 3C) are connected to the circulating conveyor belt (5); and allocating a complete order to one of the receiving sinks (3A, 3B, 3C) depending on the evaluation and transporting the goods from the allocated order (37) to the goods sink (3A, 3B, 3C).

Description

Transport procedure and transport device for goods from multiple orders The content of German patent application DE 10 2022 205 210.2 is incorporated herein by reference. The invention relates to a transport method and a transport device for multi-order goods. US patent 2014 / 0303770 A1, which discloses the preamble of claim 1, discloses a device and a method for grouping items in a merchandise warehouse according to a specified classification. Chilean patent CH 714004 A1 discloses an order picking system for preparing orders of various goods, particularly those that can be transported suspended, as well as a method for operating said order picking system. In a conveyor system, goods from multiple orders can be transported from a continuous-flow conveyor to at least one goods sink, specifically a packing station. The continuous-flow conveyor has a circulation time within which a good passes through any point on the conveyor twice. The goods that make up an order are assigned to exactly one goods sink and are referred to as order goods. In the case of a random distribution of goods on a continuous flow conveyor, a setup time occurs, which defines the time elapsed between the request for goods at the goods sink and the arrival of the last item in the order at the goods sink. The larger the order, i.e., the more items it includes, the longer the average setup time. Setup time influences the throughput of goods at the goods sink, that is, their logistical efficiency. For an order with a single item, the average setup time is 50% of the through time. As the number of items per order increases, the setup time approaches the through time.Prolonged preparation time affects the logistics transport performance of the goods sink and can lead to a reduction in the overall efficiency of the transport device. The objective of the present invention is to reduce the average order preparation time for orders with multiple goods. This objective is achieved according to the invention by means of a transport method with the characteristics indicated in claim 1, as well as by means of a transport device with the characteristics indicated in claim 10. The core of the invention consists in assigning goods on a continuous-circulation conveyor to at least one order and defining them as order goods, wherein complete orders are automatically evaluated for their suitability for allocation to one of several goods sinks. The goods sinks are connected to the continuous-circulation conveyor via conveyor technology, specifically directly. In particular, the respective position of a goods sink relative to the continuous-circulation conveyor is known a priori. The evaluation of orders is performed taking into account at least one property of the order goods and / or the goods sinks. In particular, there are several complete orders on the continuous-circulation conveyor.Specifically, at least one complete order is compatible with multiple goods sinks. A complete order is suitable for shipment to multiple goods sinks. Based on the valuation, a complete order is logically assigned to one of the goods sinks, and the goods from the complete order are shipped to that goods sink. A goods sink is considered occupied when a complete order has been assigned to it, and especially when the goods from the order have not been shipped or have only been partially shipped to the goods sink. Orders cannot be assigned to an occupied goods sink, nor can their goods be shipped to it. According to the invention, the average preparation time for complete orders can be reduced. This allows for increased throughput, particularly at the goods sinks. The quantity of goods that can be processed at the goods sinks is increased. The efficiency of the installation, particularly the throughput, is also increased. With the same number of goods sinks, a greater quantity of goods can be processed. By processing a constant quantity of goods, the number of goods sinks in the conveyor system can be reduced. This lowers both investment and operating costs. The space required for this conveyor system is also reduced. Specifically, orders typically include multiple items, although single-item orders are also possible. The goods are transported in shipping containers along a freight route. Specifically, exactly one item is transported per shipping container. A transport container is, in particular, a transport bag that is transported, in particular, suspended on a transport device. The transport device is, in particular, an overhead conveyor. Such a transport bag is known, for example, from documents DE 10 2018 201 675 A1 or DE 102018 201 676 A1. Alternatively, the transport device may be a horizontal conveyor, and in particular, the transport container may be a horizontal goods container, in particular a box or carton. In this case, the transport device is a horizontal conveyor, in particular a belt conveyor, specifically a tilting tray sorter, also called a split tray sorter, and / or a cross-belt conveyor.Specifically, the transport container is the packaging for the goods, particularly a shipping box and / or a shipping bag. The continuous circulation conveyor itself functions as a temporary storage area and, in particular, allows for flexible allocation of goods to the goods sinks. Since the continuous circulation conveyor is directly connected to several goods sinks, rigid assignment of goods to a specific sink is unnecessary. The procedure can be carried out flexibly. The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for orderless quantity distribution and / or order-linked distribution, which is used, for example, for e-commerce orders. In order-linked distribution, instead of individual goods, a quantity of goods constituting an order is allocated to a goods sink. An order comprises at least one good and, in particular, several goods, especially different goods, i.e., different types of goods. In particular, the goods sinks each have several goods locations. Each goods location forms a temporary storage space for at least one order good and, in particular, for at least one order consisting of at least one order good and, in particular, several order goods. A transport procedure in which at least one property of the order goods and the goods sinks is a respective distance from the order goods to the goods sinks, oriented in the direction of transport, allows for optimization of the average picking time. It has been recognized that the distance from the goods to their respective destination is a determining factor in setting up time. In particular, the respective distance from an order item to a goods sink is a snapshot. The distance between the order goods and the goods sinks is, in particular, a function of time, especially when the order goods are transported continuously on a continuous-flow conveyor. Specifically, the determination of the distance and the resulting assessment of order suitability are performed repeatedly. A procedure in which the valuation of a complete order on a continuous circulation conveyor is higher the shorter the distance of the order item furthest from its respective destination, takes into account the setup time for different orders to different destinations. The respective setup time is determined by the distance of the order item furthest from its destination. The shorter this distance, the higher the order valuation. In this case, the setup time is short. A method according to claim 2 ensures periodic updating of the snapshot when assessing the suitability of orders. In particular, the determined positions of the order goods are transmitted to a logistics control system. This ensures that, for example, new goods on the continuous flow conveyor allow for a new allocation of goods to orders and / or the creation of new order lists. The cycle time for determining the position, particularly the cyclical position, of the order goods is, in particular, at most 10 s, in particular at most 5 s, and in particular at most 1 s. The shorter the cycle time, the more up-to-date the assessment can be. A transport method according to claim 3 allows for simple and direct determination of the position of the ordered goods. In particular, the continuous circulation conveyor has a fixed conveyor system for transport containers, which is achieved by means of a transport drive means, specifically a transmission chain driven by a drive motor. Based on a relative transport position of the transport drive means and a fixed drive position of a pusher carried by the transport drive means, a so-called roller adapter, a fixed drive position can be defined. The relative transport position is, in particular, a rotational position of the drive motor, which can be determined by means of a suitable sensor, specifically a rotary encoder.The fixed drag position can be determined when the pusher enters the continuous circulation conveyor. This is achieved, in particular, by using a signal emitter attached to and / or integrated into the pusher, specifically in the form of an identification device such as an RFID chip. The goods transported in the transport containers can be uniquely identified. For this purpose, the transport containers are equipped with known identification devices, specifically RFID chips and / or machine-readable codes, such as barcodes or QR codes. Readers are arranged along the goods transport direction of the conveyor to read these identification devices. The transport containers and the goods they contain can then be tracked within the conveyor.In particular, the position of each transport container within the transport device can be determined. A transport procedure according to claim 4 allows for the consideration of additional criteria when assessing the suitability of order goods for allocation to a goods sink. For example, the time of the last allocation of order goods and / or the current fill level of the goods sink with order goods can be taken into account when assessing the availability of a goods sink. This prevents order goods from accumulating in front of a goods sink until it becomes available. The term "equipment criterion" for a goods sink means that a goods sink, in particular due to design and / or construction conditions, is authorized exclusively for handling specific goods, specifically goods with a certain maximum volume and / or maximum external dimensions, as well as a certain maximum weight. A procedure according to claim 5 simplifies the automated, in particular computer-assisted, valuation of orders. A transport procedure according to claim 6 allows for the accounting of goods unsuitable for automated order valuation. For this purpose, an independent indicator is used, which differs in particular from the numerical values ​​used as the basis for valuing individual orders. These numerical values ​​are scaled, in particular ordinally or metrically. The aforementioned indicator differs from these numerical values, in particular, in that the indicator has the value "zero" or is a negative number. A transport procedure according to claim 7 simplifies the determination of an overall optimum for processing multiple orders. A transport procedure according to claim 8 improves the conditions for automated execution and, in particular, computer-implemented execution. A transport procedure according to claim 9 simplifies the delivery of order products to goods sinks. A conveying device according to claim 10 essentially offers the advantages of the conveying method to which it therefore refers. In particular, each goods sink can be designed to receive one or more goods. The goods sinks are specifically designed as packing stations. At the packing stations, the goods for an order are delivered from the continuous-flow conveyor and packed to form an order, specifically by loading them into a shipping container and sealing the container. A shipping container can be a box, carton, or bag. At the packing stations, the goods for an order are prepared for shipment and, in particular, are conveyed to a goods outlet of the conveying device as a pre-packaged order. A transport device according to claim 11 allows for improved circular transport of goods on the continuous circulation conveyor. It is advantageous for the continuous circulation conveyor to have a first conveyor branch and a second conveyor branch, where only the first conveyor branch has a fixed container conveying system. The second conveyor branch does not have a fixed container conveying system. The second conveyor branch serves as a temporary storage area. It is used, in particular, for the recirculation of goods and, specifically, as a branch line within the continuous circulation conveyor, connecting to the first conveyor branch. Specifically, the closed continuous circulation conveyor consists of the first and second conveyor branches. In this configuration, the continuous circulation conveyor has no other conveyor branches. It is also possible for the continuous circulation conveyor to have more than two conveyor branches, with several first conveyor branches (i.e., with a fixed container drag system) and / or several second conveyor branches without a fixed container drag system. It is essential that only the first conveyor branches are equipped with a fixed container drag system. Consequently, however, more than one conveyor branch (i.e., several first conveyor branches) may also each have a fixed container drag system. It has been verified that with the continuous circulation conveyor, and in particular with the second conveyor branch without a fixed container drag system, it is possible to decouple the transport containers and the container drag system.This allows, in particular, the synchronization of transport containers within the continuous flow of goods on the conveyor with adjustable spacing, essentially integrating them into the conveyor in terms of transport technology. Gaps in the flow of goods, particularly returned goods, which occur mainly due to the delivery of goods to goods sinks, can be closed by at least temporarily accumulating goods on the second conveyor branch and / or by selectively synchronizing goods from at least one source. This effectively re-compactes the flow of goods. The transport container and a transport drive that drives the transport containers on the continuous circulation conveyor can be decoupled at least in sections and / or at least temporarily, i.e., not be firmly connected to each other. This decoupling occurs along the second transport branch. The continuous circulation conveyor itself functions as a temporary storage area and, in particular, allows for flexible allocation of goods to the goods sinks. Since the continuous circulation conveyor is directly connected to several goods sinks, rigid assignment of goods to a specific sink is unnecessary. The process can be carried out flexibly. The container transport system is implemented using a conveyor rail and a drive chain running along it, which interacts with pushers. The pushers are specifically designed as roller adapters, which are guided along the conveyor rail. For the design and function of these roller adapters, please refer to document DE 102005 006 455 A1. The roller adapters allow the transport container to be coupled with the transport drive mechanism, i.e., the drive chain. Alternatively, the first conveyor branch may be designed as a belt conveyor or conveyor belt driven by a known conveyor drive mechanism. Horizontally positioned containers are transported on the belt conveyor or conveyor belt. On the belt conveyor, goods may be transported directly or indirectly in transport boxes. A conveying device according to claim 10 enables an improved temporary storage function for the continuous-circulation conveyor. In particular, the flow of goods can be consolidated and subsequently compacted. Specifically, the second conveying branch allows the goods to be decoupled from the fixed container conveying system. The second conveyor branch can be implemented particularly advantageously and simply as a gravity conveyor. As a gravity conveyor, the second conveyor branch is arranged at an angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal, the inclination corresponding to the direction of goods transport. The angle of inclination is, in particular, a maximum of 15°, in particular a maximum of 10°, in particular a maximum of 8°, in particular a maximum of 5°, in particular a maximum of 3°, and in particular at least 1°. With the gravity conveyor, the goods are transported automatically along the second conveyor branch by the effect of gravity. In addition to or as an alternative to gravity transport, there can be an independent conveyor drive on the second conveyor branch for mechanically assisted transport. If the conveying device is an overhead conveyor, the accumulation section can also be implemented as a power-and-free conveyor, specifically as a two-lane system with an upper lane on which a drive chain travels and a lower lane on which the pushers, i.e., the roller adapters, travel. In this case, the roller adapters are coupled to the drive chain and can be disengaged as needed so that the drive chain can run continuously while the individual roller adapters can be stopped and / or ejected. This type of conveyor is also known as a double-lane overhead conveyor. If the conveying device is a horizontal conveyor, the second conveying branch may be implemented, in particular, as a downward-inclined ramp and / or a roller conveyor. Additionally or alternatively, a driven conveyor belt may be present. At least one goods source according to claim 13 ensures the reliable and flexible preparation of goods to the continuous circulation conveyor. Both the features stated in the claims and the features shown in the following example of a transport device according to the invention are suitable, alone or in combination with each other, in each case for perfecting the object of the invention. The respective combinations of features do not constitute any limitation on the further improvements to the object of the invention, but are essentially illustrative in nature. Further features, advantages, and details of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments with the aid of drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a transport device according to the invention, Fig. 2 an enlarged and partially cut side view of a first transport branch of a continuous circulation conveyor of the transport device according to Fig. 1 in the form of an overhead conveyor, Fig. 3 a representation corresponding to Fig. 1 to explain an automated valuation of complete orders on the continuous circulation conveyor. A conveying device 1, represented schematically in Fig. 1, serves to transport goods from at least one goods source 2 to several goods sinks 3. The conveying device may comprise several goods sources 2, which in particular are arranged parallel to each other. Each goods sink 3 has in particular several goods delivery points 4, which are mechanically separated from each other, particularly by partitions. The goods delivery points 4 in a goods sink 3 may also be implemented as independent feed channels with a funnel-shaped goods housing that is open at the top. Goods sinks 3 are, in particular, packing stations where the goods of an order can be packed and, in particular, delivered to a goods output of the transport device 1 for dispatch. The goods source 2 and the goods sinks 3 are connected in terms of transport technology by means of a continuous circulation conveyor 5. The continuous circulation conveyor 5 features a continuous circulation transport path and enables circulation transport along the goods transport direction 6, which is symbolized by an arrow in Fig. 1 and is oriented counterclockwise. The continuous circulation conveyor 5 has a first transport branch 7 and a second transport branch 8. At the goods source 2, the goods are supplied in each case in transport containers and are transported by means of the transport containers to the goods sinks 3. The goods sinks 3 are connected, in particular directly, to the at least one goods source 2 via the first transport branch 7. In particular, exactly one good is arranged in each transport container. The first transport branch 7 features a transport drive mechanism, not shown in detail, which enables a fixed conveyor system for transport containers. The transport drive mechanism comprises, in particular, a drive motor and a transmission chain mechanically coupled to it. The transmission chain is guided, in particular, within a conveyor rail 13 of the first transport branch 7, specifically within a guide profile made of plastic. The first transport branch 7 and the second transport branch 8 are coupled together in terms of transport technology at two transfer points 35, 36. The first transfer point 35 is arranged in the freight transport direction 6 between the end of the first transport branch 7 and the beginning of the second transport branch 8. At the first transfer point 35, transport containers are transferred from the fixed transport container drag system on the first transport branch 7 to the second transport branch 8 without a fixed transport container drag system.At the second transfer point 36, which is arranged in the freight transport direction 6 between the end of the second transport branch 8 and the beginning of the first transport branch 7, goods are transferred from the second transport branch 8 to the fixed transport container drag system on the first transport branch 7. The goods source 2 is coupled to the continuous circulation conveyor 5 via at least one feed conveying branch 10, in particular downstream of the second conveying branch 8 and in particular downstream of the conveying drive means. The second conveyor branch 8 is designed specifically as an accumulation section and, in particular, as a gravity conveyor. Its implementation as a gravity conveyor is especially straightforward, as it is inclined downwards from the horizontal. This inclination is directed towards the first conveyor branch 7, specifically towards the conveyor drive mechanism. The second conveyor branch 8 serves as a temporary storage area. The transport device 1 comprises several goods sinks 3, in particular of different designs. The goods sinks 3 may also be identical. The goods sinks 3 are arranged along the goods transport direction 6, i.e., one behind the other. A first goods sink 3, shown on the left in Figure 1, has a discharge unit, not shown in detail, which allows for the discharge, particularly automatic, of goods from the transport containers. The first goods sink 3, and in particular the delivery compartments 4, are spatially arranged adjacent to the first transport branch 7.The automatic unloading unit can, for example, allow the automatic opening or tilting of transport bags and / or the automatic rotation or tilting of conveyor containers horizontally, with the delivery compartments of the first goods sinks 3 arranged in the direction of goods delivery. Therefore, the first goods sink 3 is located directly adjacent to the first conveyor branch 7. Downstream of the goods sumps 3, there is a discharge section 11 connected to the continuous circulation conveyor 5. The discharge section 11 serves to unload, in particular automatically, empty transport containers from the continuous circulation conveyor 5. The discharge section 11 leads, in particular, to a loading station (not shown) where the transport containers can be loaded with goods. In particular, the discharge section 11 can also be connected to an intermediate storage area for the temporary storage of empty transport containers. The unloading section 11 can be omitted, particularly if the transport containers are not automatically emptied by means of an unloading unit. A second goods sink 3, shown on the right in Fig. 1, is connected to the continuous flow conveyor 5, specifically to the first transport branch 7, by means of an ejection unit 12. The second goods sink 3 can be positioned at a distance from the first transport branch 7, with a transport connection to the first transport branch 7 being ensured by means of the ejection unit 12. The ejection unit 12 is designed in particular to be identical to the unloading section 11. The ejection unit 12 allows for the selective ejection of transport containers from the continuous flow conveyor 5 to the ejection unit 12. In the area of ​​the second goods sink 3, the transport containers are stopped by means of a buffer, not shown in detail, and are then unloaded, in particular, manually.It is conceivable that the ejection unit 12 leads to a loading station in a manner analogous to the discharge section 11. It is also conceivable that the ejection unit 12 connects to the discharge section 11 or that the ejection unit 12 discharges into the discharge section 11. In particular, several discharge units 12 can be connected to the continuous flow conveyor. It is advantageous that for every second goods sink 3, either an ejection unit 12 or a discharge unit is provided. Next, with reference to Figure 2, the first transport branch 7 is explained in more detail. The first conveyor branch 7 is implemented as a conveyor rail 13, also referred to as a conveyor track. Consequently, the conveyor device 1 is a suspended conveyor. The conveyor rail 13 can be installed in a room using suitable support equipment. The conveyor rail 13 is designed as a hollow box profile in which a drive chain 14 is arranged and can be driven in the goods transport direction 6 by means of the drive 9, which is shown schematically in Fig. 2. The clamping elements 15 can be moved along the transport rail 13 by means of the transmission chain 14. The transmission chain 14 and the drive 9 form a transport drive means for the first transport branch 7. The drive 9 is in particular an electric motor drive that is mechanically coupled to the transmission chain 14 by means of a power transmission element, in particular a drive sprocket, i.e., for power transmission. The drive chain 14 is a so-called roller chain with rollers 16 that are joined together at a small distance from each other by connecting tabs 17. The pins 18 have bolt-like extensions that project downwards and serve as pushers 19. The pins 18 with the pushers 19 run perpendicular to the transport rail 13 in a vertical plane defined by the goods transport direction 6. The transmission chain 14 is guided and held on the transport rail 13 in the direction of the bolts 18, i.e., perpendicular and transverse to the goods transport direction 6, by means of guides 20 that are coupled below the connecting flanges 17. The distance between adjacent pushers 19 in the transport lane 13 in the goods transport direction 6 corresponds exactly to the pitch of the drive chain 14 and is therefore invariable and constant. The firm transport container pulling system is defined by the pushers 19. On one underside of the transport rail 13, two guide ribs 21 are configured, aligned with each other, between which a groove 22 is configured or delimited, extending in the longitudinal direction of the transport rail 13, i.e., in the direction of goods transport 6. A flat support portion 23 of each fastening element 15 projects downwards from the transport rail 13 through this groove 22. In its upper area, the fastening element 15 has a running roller 24 on each side of the support portion 23, which in each case rests on one of the two guide ribs 21 and can move on them in the direction of goods transport 6. Therefore, there is only one pair of running rollers 24, which are rotatable about a common axis 25, so that the entire fastening element 15 can oscillate about the axis 25 in the transport rail 13. At its lower end, the support part 23 has a housing opening 26 in which a transport container in the form of a transport bag 27 can be suspended. The transport bag 27 is shown in purely schematic form in Fig. 2. The clamping element 15, which is transported by rolling on the transport rail 13 by means of the rolling rollers 24 and which is suitable for housing the transport bag 27 by means of the housing opening 26, is also called a roller adapter. The fastening element 15 features an identification element 28, which is implemented as a transponder, specifically an RFID chip, or as a machine-readable code, specifically a barcode or a QR code. The identification element 28 is positioned between the housing opening 26 and the underside of the transport rail 13, enabling it to be read by a reader, particularly in an automated manner. The identification element 28 runs in accordance with the arrangement of the plate-shaped support portion 23 in the direction of goods transport 6, i.e., with its main open surface perpendicular to the direction of goods transport 6, i.e., laterally. Once mechanically coupled to the clamping element 15, the transport bag 27 containing the goods to be transported remains attached to this clamping element 15 throughout the entire transport process; in other words, it is "married" to it, so to speak. In this way, the goods to be transported are tracked via the identification element 28 and, consequently, the clamping element 15. Since the entire transport process is carried out via the transmission chain, it is crucial that the clamping element 15 maintains an absolutely unambiguous position relative to the transmission chain 14 during transport. The transport rail 13 has horizontal limiting ribs 29 aligned directly above the running rollers 24, defining a groove 30 between them. A projection 31 extends through this groove 30, acting as a post for the clamping element 15, which is configured as a single piece with the support portion 23 at its upper end. At the upper end of the post-like projection 31, a crossbar-shaped stop 32 is configured. Its horizontal extension, perpendicular to the direction of goods transport 6, is greater than the width of the slot 30. This allows the stop 32 to make contact with the limiting ribs 29 when the fastening element 15 tilts relative to the transport rail 13, preventing it from tilting further. The projection 31 and the stop 32 are basically T-shaped, shaped like a hammer. The pushers 19 of the drive chain 14 extend directly above the limiting ribs 29, so that a clamping element 15 located between two pushers 19 is always reliably pulled, i.e., it does not disengage from the pusher 19. The transport device 1 includes a control unit 33, which is in particular in signal communication with at least one goods source 2, goods sinks 3, the continuous circulation conveyor 5, and / or the transport branches 7 and 8. Signal communication can be wired or wireless. In particular, the control unit 33 is in signal communication with the conveyor drive means 9 to allow selective introduction of the transport bags 27 from at least one goods source 2 or return of the transport bags 27 from the second transport branch 8. In particular, the control unit 33 comprises a machine controller 38 and a logistics controller 39. The machine controller 38 is specifically designed as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The logistics controller 39 is referred to as a warehouse management system (SCM). The transport device 1 has several reading units 34, at least one reading unit 34 being arranged along the continuous circulation conveyor 5, in particular along the first transport branch 7. The reading units 34 are used to read the identification elements 28. Since the transport bags 27 are transported along the first transport branch 7 by a fixed transport container drag system, the respective position of a transport bag 27 within the continuous circulation conveyor 5, and in particular along the first transport branch 7, can be unambiguously determined from the identification data read by the reading units 34 and a specific rotational position of a rotary encoder mechanically coupled to the transmission chain 14.For each transport bag 27, the exact position along the first transport lane 7 is known at all times and is fixed invariably. The reading units 34, together with the rotary encoder, allow the respective positions of the transport bags 27 within the continuous circulation conveyor 5, particularly along the first transport lane 7, to be directly deduced. In particular, the control unit 33 is in signal connection with the unloading unit and / or the ejection unit 12 to ensure the automatic unloading and / or ejection of the transport bags 27. The following explains in more detail a goods transport procedure in transport device 1, in particular with reference to Figure 3. From the goods source 2, the goods 37 are individually transported in transport bags 27 to the continuous circulation conveyor 5 and there are transported in a circular fashion along the goods transport direction 6. Three goods sinks 3, which are specifically designed as packing stations, are directly connected to the continuous circulation conveyor 5. Each goods sink 3 is equipped with a discharge unit that allows for automatic unloading, particularly by gravity, of the transport containers. The goods sinks 3 are identical in design and each has four goods delivery points 4. The goods sinks 3 are identified with the letters A, B, and C for clarity in the following procedure. The reading unit 34, located upstream of the continuous flow conveyor 5 in the goods transport direction 6, records the transport containers 27 fed onto the continuous flow conveyor 5. This recording data is transmitted to the central control unit 33. A list of orders to be processed is stored in the control unit 33. This list represents an order requirement. Each order comprises at least one item 37, also called an order item 37. In the control unit 33, the order requirement is compared with the items 37 present on the continuous flow conveyor 5. The items 37 present on the continuous flow conveyor 5 are then assigned to the orders to be processed. This assignment is typically performed in advance during a logistics process.Each item of order 37 that is loaded onto the continuous circulation conveyor 5 from at least one goods source 2 is already assigned to an order at that time. In particular, the handling and transport of items of order 37 are carried out in an order-oriented manner. The handling and transport of order items are performed according to orders. In particular, the goods of order 37 from goods source 2 are fed unsorted and, in particular, quasi-randomly onto the continuous circulation conveyor 5. Quasi-randomly means that, in particular, the order and / or preparation time of the goods of order 37, which are transferred at a given time from goods source 2 to the continuous circulation conveyor 5, are not fixed and, in particular, are specified by goods source 2 itself. The degree of randomness is determined, in particular, by the number of goods of order 37 requested simultaneously, this number corresponding at most to the storage capacity of the continuous circulation conveyor 5.The degree of randomness may also be determined additionally or alternatively by the temporal characteristics of commodity source 2, in particular by a circulation time in commodity source 2, if commodity source 2 is realized as a circular commodity warehouse. In Figure 3, the 37 goods assigned to the same order are marked with identical symbols. For optimized allocation of complete orders to the various goods sinks 3A, 3B, 3C, orders are automatically evaluated based on their suitability. One possible evaluation criterion is the setup time of the order goods to one of the goods sinks 3A, 3B, or 3C. To determine this, the distance of all order goods to their respective goods sinks is calculated at a given time. For each complete order, the goods furthest from a goods sink 3A, 3B, or 3C are the determining factor. A complete order can only be processed at a goods sink once the last item has also arrived there. The evaluation of a complete order on the continuous flow conveyor 5 is higher the shorter the distance of the furthest respective order goods. The higher the suitability number, the better the suitability. If the suitability number is 0, this means that the respective order is not suitable for the corresponding goods sink. This is the case, for example, if a good in the order cannot be delivered to the specific goods sink due to its characteristics, particularly its weight or size. It is also possible that an order must be assigned to a specific goods sink based on picking criteria, particularly due to customer allocation. In the embodiment shown, goods sink 3A is not suitable for triangular goods in order 37, goods sink 3B is not suitable for square goods in order 37, and goods sink 3C is not suitable for both square and circular goods in order 37. The results of the valuation of complete orders can be advantageously and clearly represented in a so-called transportation matrix according to Table 1. Table 1: Transportation matrix according to Figure 3 In principle, it's possible to assign completed orders to goods sinks 3A, 3B, and 3C based on the transportation matrix. In this case, the order would be assigned to goods sink 3A, as it's the only suitable order for this goods sink. Correspondingly, the order is assigned to goods sink 3B. It's true that the order would be more suitable for goods sink 3A than for goods sink 3B due to the setup time. Thus, by assigning all open orders to all open goods sinks 3A, 3B, and 3C, a global optimum can be found for all possible order-goods sink pairings. Using the same explanation, the order is assigned to goods sink zone 3C and processed there, even if the order theoretically had a better individual suitability for goods sink zone 3B. Considering the overall optimum, i.e., for overall suitability, assigning the order to goods sink 3B is better. The allocation of complete orders to the various goods sinks is carried out in such a way as to minimize the maximum average distance between the order goods and the goods sinks. This means that the overall value of all allocations is optimized to minimize, in particular, the preparation time. The applicant's calculations have shown that, in this way, the average preparation time for complete orders, and therefore, in particular, the number of goods sinks required to process a predetermined order volume, can be reduced by at least 10%. The algorithm determines, in particular, the global optimum such that the sum of the suitability for the assigned orders is maximized. The valuation, particularly based on the distance between order goods and goods sinks, is repeated regularly and cyclically, for example, with a cycle time of 1 second. The valuation process is dynamic. When an order has been assigned to a goods sink, that order disappears from the valuation matrix. When new goods arrive on the continuous flow conveyor and are assigned to a complete order, new order lines are generated in the valuation matrix. If goods sinks are occupied by an order, they may be temporarily removed from the valuation matrix. For the valuation matrix, in addition to or as an alternative to the distance of the order goods to a goods sink, other valuation criteria may also be considered. These criteria may be properties of the order itself and / or properties of the packing station, i.e., the respective goods sink. In this respect, these may include situational properties relating to the order and / or the packing station, such as, for example, the order's compatibility with the packing station, the position of the order goods on the continuous flow conveyor 5, and / or the age of the order goods on the continuous flow conveyor 5. Properties of the goods sinks include, for example, the priority of a delivery compartment 4 within a goods sink 3 and / or the fill level of the delivery compartments 4.Inherent order properties include, for example, its priority and its cut-off time. A cut-off time refers specifically to the latest possible processing time for an order. This term is common, particularly in the e-commerce sector. The cut-off time is defined, in particular, by a collection deadline for packaged orders at the goods dispatch point, i.e., a collection by transport service providers such as Deutsche Post, DHL, Hermes, etc. Orders must be processed before this collection deadline. The cut-off time can vary, particularly depending on the sender, the customer's priority, and / or the chosen shipping method, especially express shipping. The characteristics inherent to the order and the packing station are called picking criteria. Picking criteria include, for example, the priority of an order and / or individual order items, the age of the order, in particular its number of cycles on the continuous circulation conveyor 5, the sender, i.e., the transport service provider, the size of the order, in particular single-product orders, multi-product orders, and / or large orders, a security level such as, for example, particularly high-value goods, a hazard level such as, for example, hazardous substances, an order type such as, for example, e-commerce or retail, referred to as "retail," and / or a type of packaging such as, for example, carton, bag, and different packaging sizes. Based on the transport matrix in Table 1, the other criteria are taken into account, as explained above. For each criterion, an individual suitability score is determined for each order. These individual suitability scores are multiplied to obtain an overall suitability score. The assessment matrix, which represents the overall suitability, is shown in Table 2. Table 2: Valuation Matrix In particular, all values ​​in the valuation matrix are normalized, specifically such that the highest valuation value is set to 1 and all other valuation values ​​are normalized accordingly. In the valuation matrix, all fields have a value between 0 and 1. In the example shown, the allocation of orders to goods sinks does not change due to the valuation matrix in Table 2 compared to the transport matrix in Table 1. However, a change in allocation is possible when considering individual suitability. The valuation matrix can be transformed into a so-called cost matrix. For this transformation, a fictitious constant C is used for the following calculation rule: Kij = C - C · Bij In this respect, Kij is the value of the cost matrix in row i and column j. Consequently, Bij is the value in the valuation matrix in row i and column j. According to the calculation rule, with maximum suitability of 1, minimum costs of 0 are obtained. In the special case of no suitability, i.e., when Bij = 0, the maximum costs are generated accordingly, based on the fictitious constant C. In this case, no allocation of the order is made to this goods sink. Table 3 summarizes the cost matrix generated from the valuation matrix by transformation with the constant C = 10. Table 3: Cost Matrix For the cost matrix, an optimum is sought, specifically the global optimum, in relation to the minimum costs. This can be done particularly advantageously with the so-called Hungarian method, that is, based on the Kuhn-Munkres algorithm. It has been shown that applying the Kuhn-Munkres algorithm is especially advantageous for obtaining an efficient and optimized solution for the cost matrix. Other algorithms and / or heuristics are possible if they exhibit a sufficiently high degree of optimization and, in any case, approximate the global minimum-cost optimum. Such an algorithm is considered suitable if it corresponds to the global optimum at least 80%, specifically at least 85%, and particularly at least 90%. These algorithms can operate comparatively quickly and efficiently. Examples include Vogel's approximation method, the MODI method (also known as the modified distribution method), the minimum matrix method, and the Stepping-Stone method. The transformation of the valuation matrix to the cost matrix can also be omitted, in particular if an algorithm is chosen from the valuation matrix to maximize the total sum of the suitability values, i.e., the valuation values.

Claims

1. A goods transport method in a transport device (1) comprising the procedural steps of: preparing goods (37) for several orders, wherein the goods (37) are transported on a continuous circulation conveyor (5) along a goods transport direction (6); registering the prepared goods (37) on the continuous circulation conveyor (5); forming a list of complete orders from the goods (37) prepared on the continuous circulation conveyor (5); defining order goods (37) as goods that are contained in at least one of the complete orders; and automatically assessing the complete orders as to their suitability for allocation to one of several goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C), taking into account at least one property of the order goods (37) and / or the goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C), wherein the goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B,3C) are connected to the continuous circulation conveyor (5) in terms of transport technology, - assign a complete order to one of the goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C) based on the valuation, - transport the assigned order goods (37) to the goods sink (3; 3A, 3B, 3C), characterized in that - at least one property of the order goods (37) and of the goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C) is a respective distance from the order goods (37) to the goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C) oriented in the goods transport direction (6), and - the valuation of a complete order on the continuous circulation conveyor (5) is higher the smaller the distance of the order goods furthest from the respective goods sink (3; 3A, 3B, 3C).

2. Transport procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that the positions of the ordered goods (37) are determined,in particular, repeatedly, in particular, cyclically.

3. Transport method according to claim 2, characterized in that the position of an order item (37) is determined from a relative transport position of a transport drive means (14), which is determined in particular by means of a sensor, and from a fixed drag position of a pusher (15) carried by the transport drive means (14), wherein the fixed drag position is determined in particular when the order item (37) is introduced into the continuous circulation conveyor (5), in particular by means of a reading unit (34) that interacts with a signal emitter (23) fixed to and / or integrated in the pusher (15).

4. Transport method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one property of the order item (37) and / or of the goods sinks (3; 3A,3B, 3C) is the availability of the goods sink (3; 3A, 3B, 3C), the prioritization of goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C), in particular the prioritization of delivery compartments (4) of a goods sink (3; 3A, 3B, 3C), the compatibility of order goods (37) with the goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C), the prioritization of orders, in particular the prioritization of order goods (37) within orders, a picking criterion, the reduction of unprocessed orders on the continuous circulation conveyor (5) and / or the reduction of unused order goods (37) on the continuous circulation conveyor (5).

5. A transport procedure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valuation of orders is carried out on the basis of a transport matrix, wherein the transport matrix comprises columns and rows,symbolizing in particular the rows the different orders and the columns the different goods sinks (3A, 3B, 3C).

6. Transport method according to claim 5, characterized in that, during valuation, each order is assigned a numerical value, in particular adjusted to an ordinal or metric scale, wherein in particular, an independent indicator is assigned to an order when that order is not suitable for the respective goods sink (3A, 3B, 3C).

7. Transport method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by a transformation of the transport matrix into a cost matrix, in particular by multiplying the individual valuations of each order and / or by multiplying the individual costs and / or by applying the Kuhn-Munkres algorithm.

8. Transport method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by automated execution and,In particular, the procedure is fully automatic, in particular by means of a machine control (38) for the continuous circulation conveyor (5) and / or by means of a logistics control (39) for defining the position of the goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C).

9. A transport procedure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ordered goods (37) are delivered to the goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C), in particular by means of an unloading, in particular an automatic one,of the order goods (37) from the transport containers (27) by means of an unloading unit and / or by ejecting the transport containers (27) carrying the order goods (37) into the assigned goods sink (3) by means of an ejection unit (12).

10. Transport device for multi-order goods comprising: a. an enclosed continuous-circulation conveyor (5) on which the goods (37) are continuously circulated, b. readers (34) arranged along a goods transport direction (6) of the transport device (1) for reading the identification means of the transport containers (27) in which the goods (37) are transported, c. several goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C) coupled to the continuous-circulation conveyor (5) in terms of transport technology, to which the goods are transported as order goods (37),d. a control unit (33) that is designed to execute a transport procedure according to any of the preceding claims for the goods (37) in the transport device (1).

11. Transport device according to claim 10, characterized in that the continuous circulation conveyor (5) has a first transport branch (7) with a fixed transport container drag system, wherein the first transport branch (7) is connected to the goods sinks (3; 3A, 3B, 3C), in particular directly, and / or wherein the first transport branch (7) has a transport drive means (14) for the fixed transport container drag system,in particular a drive chain (14) running on a conveyor rail (13) and pushers (15) interacting with it and capable of being coupled to a transport container (27).

12. A transport device according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the continuous circulation conveyor (5) has a second transport branch (8) without a fixed transport container drag system, wherein the second transport branch (8) forms, together with the first transport branch (7), the closed continuous circulation conveyor (5).

13. A transport device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by at least one goods source (2) that prepares the goods (37) in the transport containers (27).

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