Storage and dispensing system as well as storage and dispensing procedures

Abstract

Storage and dispensing system (100) for storing and dispensing products (10), wherein the storage and dispensing system comprises: a plurality of storage modules (20) arranged side by side, each having a substantially vertical extension direction and in which a plurality of different products (10) are accommodated, wherein in a single storage module (20) of the plurality of storage modules (20) several products (10) of a certain type are accommodated in such a way that the products (10) are stacked on top of each other in a substantially vertical direction in the storage modules (20), a plurality of product boxes (40), each of which is accommodated in a plurality in each of the storage modules (20) and which are arranged such that each of the product boxes (40) accommodated in a particular storage module (20) contains a particular product (10), wherein the product boxes (40) are stacked on top of each other in a substantially vertical direction in the storage modules (20), and a support facility (70), where: Each storage module (20) includes at its lower end a storage module output section (24) which is configured to output the products (10) contained in the corresponding storage module (20) to the conveying device (70), the conveying device (70) is designed to transport products (10) dispensed from the storage module dispensing sections (24) to a product dispensing point (80), Each storage module output section (24) is further equipped to output the product boxes (40) received in the corresponding storage module (20) to the conveyor system (70), and the conveying device (70) is further equipped to transport product boxes (40) issued from the storage module dispensing sections (24), which no longer contain any product (10), to a product box collection point (90), characterized by the fact that Each product box (40) is configured to dispense the respective contained product (10) through a product box dispensing section (42), wherein the product box dispensing section (42) is formed by an open side (42), in particular wherein a lowest product box (40) in a respective storage module (20) is arranged at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane in order to dispense the respective contained product (10) through the open side (42).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage and dispensing system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Several such or similar systems are known, which have in common that the release of the products from the storage modules in which they are stored is often cumbersome and is carried out, for example, by robot arms with suction heads, by people by hand or the like, for example by pulling the products upwards out of the storage modules.

[0003] US patent 2018 / 0086573A1 discloses a storage and dispensing system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] DE 10 2020 212 346 A1 discloses a storage and retrieval system for containers, comprising a grid structure with a plurality of grid cells, wherein each grid cell defines a storage shaft of a container storage structure arranged below the grid structure, wherein the storage shafts are configured to each accommodate a vertical stack of containers, and at least one transport robot designed to move on the grid structure for handling the containers.

[0005] DE 10 2016 125 786 A1 discloses a storage system for containers in which a plurality of containers can be stacked on top of each other in the form of a container stack and a plurality of container stacks can be arranged side by side, wherein the insertion of a container into the container stack and the removal of a container from the container stack is carried out from the underside of the container stack, comprising several vertical shafts, wherein each shaft is designed to at least partially accommodate a container stack and has a lower opening for the insertion and removal of containers, wherein at least one holding device for holding the container stack in the shaft is provided in the area of ​​the lower opening, which has pivotable holding hooks by which a container can be held on at least two opposite sides of the container on holding edges arranged on the underside of the container.

[0006] WO 2023 / 283 662 A1 discloses a rack storage system or method for operating a rack storage system in which several storage locations for the storage items are defined and assigned to each rack system, wherein the storage of a storage item or goods is carried out vertically descending, in particular from the next free uppermost storage location downwards, by the transfer carriage moving vertically upwards and the storage item or goods being stored above the transfer carriage in the rack system, in particular only by a vertical movement of the transfer carriage.

[0007] Against this background, it was an object of the present invention to provide a storage and dispensing system as well as a storage and dispensing method for storing and dispensing products, by means of which the storage and dispensing of the products can be carried out efficiently and in a user-friendly manner.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the invention problem formulated above is solved by a storage and dispensing system according to claim 1.

[0009] A key feature of the present invention is therefore that the products to be dispensed are stored vertically in modules and discharged downwards to a conveyor system via a type of airlock. This has the advantage that products filled into the storage modules from above are dispensed in the same order in which they were filled.

[0010] This is particularly advantageous in the case of food products with a best-before date, as it ensures that the product with the shortest best-before date is dispensed first. The conveying device can preferably be a conveyor belt, as described later, which transports the products to a dispensing point; however, it is also possible for the conveying device to be a box, a bag, etc., by means of which the dispensed products can be transported further, particularly to a customer.

[0011] Because each storage module contains products of the same type, while the different storage modules also contain different types of products, a modular system exists which can be expanded with almost any number of storage modules. In a preferred application of the present invention, this allows for the creation of an entire supermarket, in particular a so-called smart store with automated dispensing, which can comprise, for example, between 500 and 6,000 storage modules and thus the same number of different products or goods. In such a case, it is advantageous to divide the storage and dispensing system into product-adapted temperature zones, for example, -18°C for frozen goods, 6°C for fresh goods, and ambient temperature for other goods, by arranging the storage modules for the corresponding products in the respective temperature zones.Another preferred application area of ​​the present invention may relate to delivery services or so-called fast-delivery services, in particular food delivery services.

[0012] The storage and dispensing system can be advantageously configured to dispense products from different storage modules in parallel. In this context, this means that multiple products from different storage modules can be dispensed essentially simultaneously, drastically improving the system's user-friendliness, particularly due to a shorter waiting time until all desired products are dispensed.

[0013] Furthermore, each storage module can preferably have a tubular shape and / or each storage module can include a filling section at its upper end and / or the storage module dispensing section can be an opening at the lower end of the storage module and / or the cross-section in a substantially horizontal plane of the storage modules can be substantially rectangular. Such a design of the storage modules allows products of any shape to be stored in them, and the storage modules themselves can be arranged next to each other in a space-saving manner.

[0014] According to the invention, the storage and dispensing system further comprises a plurality of product boxes, each of which is accommodated in a plurality of storage modules and which are arranged such that each product box accommodated in a specific storage module contains a specific product, wherein the product boxes are stacked one above the other in a substantially vertical direction within the storage modules, wherein each storage module dispensing section is further configured to dispense the product boxes accommodated in the corresponding storage module to the conveyor device, and the conveyor device is further configured to transport product boxes dispensed from the storage module dispensing sections, which no longer contain a product, to a product box collection point. By using product boxes, any product shape can be dispensed.The product boxes can have a rectangular shape and thus, in addition to providing protection for the product they contain, serve the purpose of adapting the products for storage in the storage modules.

[0015] Furthermore, each product box is designed to dispense its contained product through a product box dispensing section, wherein the product box dispensing section is formed by an open side, and in particular, wherein the lowest product box in a respective storage module is arranged at an angle to dispense its contained product through the open side. Specifically, a product box can be open at the top in addition to having an open side and walls on the other sides, which are preferably higher than the product contained in the box to prevent pressure marks on the product. The product can be easily dispensed through the open side without any walls, for example, by tilting the product box and allowing the product to slide out of the box via an inclined surface of the product box base.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conveying device can be a conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt can be configured to change its conveying direction in order to transport the products in a first conveying direction to the product dispensing point and to transport the product boxes in a second conveying direction different from, and in particular opposite to, the first conveying direction to the product box collection point. In this case, the product and product box are separated at the storage module dispensing section, for example, by dispensing one or more products first and the corresponding product boxes following after the conveying direction has changed, in particular reversed. In this way, the products can, for example, be conveyed to a product dispensing point located at a point accessible to a user or customer of a supermarket or similar facility.The Smart Store is located in an accessible location, whereas the product boxes are transported to a product box collection point located on, for example, the opposite side of the conveyor belt, which is not accessible to customers but only to staff, who can refill the product boxes with products and sort them into the storage modules.

[0017] As previously mentioned, the cross-section of the product boxes in a substantially horizontal plane can be essentially rectangular, thus compensating for complex product geometries or shapes. Product boxes with a rectangular cross-section are preferably accommodated in storage modules with a similarly rectangular cross-section, thereby optimizing product storage.

[0018] Furthermore, the individual storage modules can preferably have different cross-sectional sizes and / or shapes in a substantially horizontal plane, and the product boxes held in a single storage module can each have a cross-sectional size and / or shape adapted to the cross-section of the storage module in the substantially horizontal plane. This allows for the accommodation of different product sizes. In this context, an adapted cross-sectional size means that the product boxes have a cross-section that is slightly smaller than the cross-section of the storage modules, so that the product boxes can be stored as efficiently and in as little space as possible, while still providing sufficient clearance for the product boxes to gradually fall downwards within the storage modules.

[0019] Each product box can be held in the corresponding storage module by at least one linear actuator, preferably implemented by at least one magnet. By releasing the product box for a predetermined, relatively short period of time via the at least one linear actuator, the product boxes in a storage module can fall one position downwards towards the storage module's output section, with the lowest product box being dispensed to the conveyor. Linear actuators, particularly in the form of magnets, provide a reliable and low-wear holding option; however, other methods of temporarily releasing the product boxes are also possible.

[0020] Particularly preferably, a linear actuator for a product box holder, which is located near the vertically lowest point of the storage module near the storage module's dispensing section, can be arranged such that the product box is inclined at an angle with respect to a vertical axis. This arrangement allows the product to slide from the tilted base of the product box through the dispensing section onto the conveyor, with the product box itself initially remaining attached to the dispensing section and only being released later.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the inventive problem formulated at the outset is solved by a method for storing and dispensing products by means of a storage and dispensing system according to claim 9.

[0022] A key feature of the present invention is that the products to be dispensed are stored vertically in modules and discharged downwards to a conveyor system via a type of airlock. This offers the advantage that products filled into the storage modules from above are dispensed in the same order in which they were filled. The conveyor system is preferably a conveyor belt that transports the products to a dispensing point; however, it is also possible for the conveyor system to be a box, a bag, etc., by means of which the dispensed products can be transported further. Because each storage module contains products of the same type, while the different storage modules contain different types of products, the system is modular and can be expanded with virtually any number of storage modules.In a preferred application of the present invention, an entire supermarket, in particular a so-called smart store, can be equipped with an automated goods dispensing system, which can comprise, for example, between 500 and 6,000 storage modules and thus the same number of different products or goods. In such a case, it is advantageous to divide the storage and dispensing system into product-adapted temperature zones, for example, -18°C for frozen goods, 6°C for fresh goods, and ambient temperature for other goods, by arranging the storage modules for the corresponding products in the respective temperature zones.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing of one or more products can include the parallel dispensing of products from different storage modules. In this context, this means that several products from different storage modules can be dispensed to a user or customer essentially simultaneously, thereby drastically improving the user-friendliness of the process, particularly due to a shorter waiting time until all desired products have been dispensed.

[0024] According to the invention, the storage and dispensing system further comprises a plurality of product boxes, each of which is received in a plurality of storage modules, wherein each product box received in a particular storage module contains a specific product, wherein filling the storage modules with products comprises filling the storage modules with the product boxes containing the products by the filling section, so that the product boxes are stacked one above the other in a substantially vertical direction in the storage modules, wherein dispensing the one or more products comprises dispensing the one or more products from at least one product box at the bottom in a vertical direction in a respective storage module to the conveying device upon selection by the user, and the method after dispensing the one or more products further comprises the following steps: dispensing the at least one,The empty product box, from which the product was dispensed, is moved from the dispensing section of the respective storage module to the conveyor system, and the at least one empty product box is transported to a product box collection point by the conveyor system. Product boxes of any shape can be dispensed using this system. In particular, the product boxes can be rectangular and thus, in addition to protecting the product they contain, serve the purpose of adapting the products for storage in the storage modules.

[0025] In particular, the conveying device can be a conveyor belt, and the procedure, prior to the dispensing of at least one product box to the conveying device, can further include changing the conveying direction of the conveyor belt in order to transport the products in a first conveying direction to the product dispensing point and to transport the product boxes in a second conveying direction different from, in particular opposite to, the first conveying direction to the product box collection point. In this case, the product and product box are separated at the storage module dispensing section, for example, by dispensing one or more products first and the corresponding product boxes following after the conveying direction has changed, in particular reversed. In this way, the products can, for example, be conveyed to a product dispensing point located at a point accessible to a user or customer of a supermarket or similar facility.The Smart Store is located in an accessible location, whereas the product boxes are transported to a product box collection point located on, for example, the opposite side of the conveyor belt, which is not accessible to customers but only to staff, who can refill the product boxes with products and sort them into the storage modules.

[0026] According to the invention, the product boxes in a respective storage module are held by at least one linear actuator in the storage module. Dispensing the at least one product and dispensing the at least one empty product box from the storage module's dispensing section further comprises releasing a hold by the at least one linear actuator for a predetermined time, causing the product boxes in the respective storage module to fall downwards by one position in a vertical direction, and dispensing the lowest product or product box in the respective storage module to the conveyor. Due to an inclined arrangement of the product box, the product can slide from a bottom surface of the product box through the product box dispensing section onto the conveyor, with the product box itself initially remaining attached to the product box dispensing section and only being released later.A mounting bracket can be created, for example, by means of a recess in a wall of the product box into which an extension of the linear actuator engages. A recess can also be used for a tilting function of the lowest product box in the storage module, for example by acting as a pivot point for an extension of another linear actuator.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a storage and dispensing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 a side view of an output section of a storage module of the storage and output system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and Fig. 3 a sectional view of the output section of the storage module Fig. 2.

[0028] With reference to Fig. 1 is a storage and dispensing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 100.

[0029] The storage and dispensing system 100 for storing and dispensing products 10 comprises a plurality of adjacent storage modules 20, each of which has a substantially vertical orientation. Each storage module 20 contains a plurality of different products 10 (not shown). Within a single storage module 20, several products 10 of a specific type are stacked on top of each other in a substantially vertical direction within the storage module 20.

[0030] The storage and dispensing system 100 also includes a conveying device, which can be implemented in particular as a conveyor belt 70. Alternatively, boxes, baskets, bags, pouches, etc. can also be used as a conveying device for the further transport of products 10 dispensed from the storage modules 20 to a customer or user of the system 100.

[0031] Each storage module 20 has a storage module output section 24 at one lower end (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) by means of the products 10 received in the corresponding storage module 20, which are dispensed to the conveying device, in particular the conveyor belt 70. The conveying device or conveyor belt 70 is configured to transport products 10 dispensed from the storage module dispensing sections 24 to a product dispensing point 80, at which a user of the system 100 or a customer can receive the products 10 previously selected by him / her. The product dispensing point 80 may preferably include a further conveyor belt 80, which can transport the products 10 to a customer / user.

[0032] The selected products 10 from different storage modules 20 can preferably be issued in parallel, i.e., essentially simultaneously.

[0033] In the preferred embodiment, each storage module 20 can have a tubular shape and / or include a filling section 22 at its upper end. Furthermore, the storage module dispensing section can be an opening 24 at the lower end of the storage module 20 and / or have a substantially rectangular cross-section in a substantially horizontal plane of the storage modules 20 (see Figure 1). Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the products 10 can preferably each be contained in a product box 40, the size of which can be adapted to the product 10 contained therein. Accordingly, the system 100 comprises a plurality of product boxes 40, with several product boxes 40 being contained in each of the storage modules 20 (see Figure 1). Fig. 3) Each product box 40, located in a specific storage module 20, contains one product 10 of a specific type. The product boxes 40 are stacked on top of each other in a substantially vertical direction within the storage modules 20. The respective storage module output sections 24 discharge the product boxes 40 to the conveyor system or conveyor belt 70, from where they are transported to a product box collection point 90.

[0035] For this purpose, the conveyor belt 70 can be set up in such a way that it can change its conveying direction in order to convey the products 10 in a first conveying direction to the product dispensing point 80 and to convey the product boxes 40 in a second conveying direction opposite to the first conveying direction to the product box collection point 90.

[0036] Again, with reference to Fig. 1 comprises a method according to the invention for storing and dispensing the products 10 by the storage and dispensing system 100, including filling the storage modules 20 with the various products 10 by the filling section 22, such that the products 10 are stacked one above the other in a substantially vertical direction in the storage modules 20, wherein a single storage module 20 of the plurality of storage modules 20 is each filled with several products 10 of a specific type, selecting one or more products 10 by a user of the storage and dispensing system 100 or a customer, dispensing the one or more products 10 from the storage module dispensing section 24 of the respective storage module 20 to the conveying device or conveyor belt 70 upon the user's selection, and conveying the one or more products 10 to the product dispensing point 80 by the conveying device or conveyor belt 70.Again, the output of the products can take place in parallel or essentially simultaneously.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the products 10 are first packed into the product boxes 40, and the product boxes 40 are then loaded into the storage modules 20 via the filling section 22. A customer or user then selects at least one product 10, usually several products 10. When dispensing the selected products 10, products 10 can be dispensed from the lowest product box 40 in each storage module 20 onto the conveyor belt 70, for example, by tilting the lowest product boxes 40 and allowing the product 10 to slide from a bottom surface 44 of the box 40 through the product box dispensing section 42, which is formed by an open side 42 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) In this way, product 10 can be separated from product box 40. The now empty product box 40 can then be dropped from the storage module output section 24 of the respective storage module 20 onto conveyor belt 70 and transported by conveyor belt 70 to the product box collection point 90. As described previously, conveyor belt 70 can change its conveying direction for this purpose.

[0038] The product boxes 40 can be held in the storage module 20 by at least one linear actuator 60. In the present embodiment, four lifting magnets 60a, 60b can be provided as linear actuators for this purpose. The dispensing of the products 10 and the product boxes 40 from the storage modules 20 can include the release of a hold by the actuators or the magnets 60 for a predetermined period of time, so that the product boxes 40 fall one position downwards in the respective storage module 20 and the lowest product 10 or the lowest product box 40 is dispensed onto the conveyor belt 70.

[0039] Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of the output section 24 of a storage module 20 of the storage and output system 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of this output section 24. Product box 40 is also included in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shown more clearly.

[0040] According to the preferred embodiment, the box 40 is open at the top. Walls 46 are provided on both sides, preferably higher than the product 10 lying on a base 44 inside the box 40, in order to prevent pressure marks on the product. Furthermore, recesses 50a are provided essentially in the middle of the walls. Fig. In the side view shown in Figure 2, a further recess 50b is provided in the side wall 46, preferably also on both sides 46. Each product box 40 has a product box dispensing section 42, which is formed by an open side 42. The lowest product box 40 in a respective storage module 20 is, as shown in Fig. 2 can be seen, arranged at an angle to a horizontal plane in order to be able to discharge the respective contained product 10 through the open side 42 onto the conveyor belt 70.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage module dispensing section 24, hereinafter also referred to as the gate section or gate system, operates, as already mentioned, with four lifting magnets, two of which are arranged on each side. The vertically oriented lifting magnets 60a hold the product boxes 40 by means of a projection 62a, which engages in the recess 50a provided in each side wall 46, preventing them from falling down onto the conveyor belt 70. When a product 10 is dispensed, the upper lifting magnets 60a open for a very short period of time (the time depends on the friction and weight of the products and is generally in the range of milliseconds). The lowest product box 40 in the corresponding storage module 20 falls with the product 10 into a holder by the lower lifting magnets 60b, while simultaneously the box 40 above it falls into the holder of the upper lifting magnets 60a.The lower box 40 is tilted due to the offset, off-center position of the lifting magnets 60b and complementary recesses 50b in the side walls 46 of the box 40. A pin or projection 62b of the lifting magnets 62a acts as a pivot point for the box 40. The tilt can be adjusted by a stopper 30. The product 10 slides across the base 44 of the product box 40 onto the conveyor belt 70 below and is conveyed by the conveyor belt 70 in the first conveying direction to the product dispensing point 80. Once this process is complete, the projections 62b of the lower lifting magnets 60b can be retracted, causing the box 40 to fall onto the conveyor belt 70 and be conveyed by the conveyor belt 70 in the opposite, second conveying direction to the product box collection point 90. Thus, one complete unloading process is finished, and a new one can begin. It should be noted that any linear actuator can be used instead of a lifting magnet.

[0042] The separation process between product 10 and product box 40 can also be carried out in an alternative way, not shown in the figures, by separating the box containing the product only after it has fallen onto a conveyor belt. This approach would significantly simplify the airlock system, but the entire process takes somewhat longer.

Claims

[1] Storage and dispensing system (100) for storing and dispensing products (10), wherein the storage and dispensing system comprises: a plurality of storage modules (20) arranged side by side, each having a substantially vertical extension direction and in which a plurality of different products (10) are accommodated, wherein in a single storage module (20) of the plurality of storage modules (20) several products (10) of a certain type are accommodated in such a way that the products (10) are stacked on top of each other in a substantially vertical direction in the storage modules (20), a plurality of product boxes (40), each of which is accommodated in a plurality in each of the storage modules (20) and which are arranged such that each of the product boxes (40) accommodated in a particular storage module (20) contains a particular product (10), wherein the product boxes (40) are stacked on top of each other in a substantially vertical direction in the storage modules (20), and a support facility (70), where: Each storage module (20) includes at its lower end a storage module output section (24) which is configured to output the products (10) contained in the corresponding storage module (20) to the conveying device (70), the conveying device (70) is designed to transport products (10) dispensed from the storage module dispensing sections (24) to a product dispensing point (80), Each storage module output section (24) is further equipped to output the product boxes (40) received in the corresponding storage module (20) to the conveyor system (70), and the conveying device (70) is further equipped to transport product boxes (40) issued from the storage module dispensing sections (24), which no longer contain any product (10), to a product box collection point (90), characterized by , that Each product box (40) is configured to dispense the respective contained product (10) through a product box dispensing section (42), wherein the product box dispensing section (42) is formed by an open side (42), in particular wherein a lowest product box (40) in a respective storage module (20) is arranged at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane in order to dispense the respective contained product (10) through the open side (42). [2] Storage and dispensing system (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the storage and dispensing system (100) is set up to dispense products (10) from different storage modules (20) in parallel. [3] Storage and dispensing system (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by , that each storage module (20) has a tube shape and / or each storage module (20) includes a filling section (22) at one upper end thereof and / or the storage module output section (24) is an opening (24) at the lower end of the storage module (20) and / or a cross-section in a substantially horizontal plane of the storage modules (20) is each substantially rectangular. [4] Storage and dispensing system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the conveying device (70) is a conveyor belt (70) and the conveyor belt (70) is designed to change direction of conveyance in order to convey the products (10) in a first conveyance direction to the product dispensing point (80) and to convey the product boxes (40) in a second conveyance direction different from, in particular opposite to, the first conveyance direction to the product box collection point (90). [5] Storage and dispensing system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a cross-section in a substantially horizontal plane of the product boxes (40) is each substantially rectangular. [6] Storage and dispensing system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the individual storage modules (20) have different cross-sectional sizes and / or cross-sectional shapes in a cross-section in a substantially horizontal plane, and that the product boxes (40) accommodated in a single storage module (20) each have a cross-sectional size and / or cross-sectional shape adapted to the cross-section of the storage module (20) in the substantially horizontal plane. [7] Storage and dispensing system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that each product box (40) is held by at least one linear actuator (60) in the corresponding storage module (20). [8] Storage and dispensing system (100) according to claim 7, characterized by, that a linear actuator (60) for a holder of a product box (40), which is located near the storage module output section (24) of the corresponding storage module (20), is arranged at the lowest point in the storage module (20) in the vertical direction, such that this product box (40) is arranged at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. [9] Method for storing and dispensing products (10) by means of a storage and dispensing system (100), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (100) comprises: a plurality of storage modules (20) arranged side by side, each having a substantially vertical extension direction and each having a filling section (22) at an upper end and a storage module output section (24) at a lower end, a plurality of product boxes (40), each of which is contained in a plurality in each of the storage modules (20), wherein each of the product boxes (40) contained in a particular storage module (20) contains a particular product (10), and a support facility (70), the procedure comprises the following steps: Filling the storage modules (20) with different types of products (10) through the filling section (22) such that the products (10) are stacked on top of each other in a substantially vertical direction in the storage modules (20), wherein a single storage module (20) of the plurality of storage modules (20) is each filled with several products (10) of a certain type, Selection of one or more products (10) by a user of the storage and dispensing system (100), Dispensing one or more products (10) from the storage module output section (24) of the respective storage module (20) to the conveyor (70) at the user's selection and Transporting one or more products (10) to a product dispensing point (80) by the conveying device (70), where: The filling of the storage modules (20) with products (10) includes filling the storage modules (20) with the product boxes (40) containing the products (10) through the filling section (22) so that the product boxes (40) are stacked on top of each other in a substantially vertical direction in the storage modules (20), the dispensing of one or more products (10) includes dispensing one or more products (10) from at least one of the lowest product boxes (40) in a respective storage module (20) in a vertical direction to the conveyor device (70) at the user’s request and the procedure following the dispensing of one or more products (10) further comprises the following steps: Dispensing the at least one product box (40), which no longer contains any product (10) and from which the product (10) was dispensed, from the storage module dispensing section (24) of the respective storage module (20) to the conveyor device (70) and Transporting the product box (40), which no longer contains any product (10), to a product box collection point (90) by means of the conveying device (70), characterized by , that the product boxes (40) in a respective storage module (20) are held by at least one linear actuator (60) in the storage module (20) and wherein the dispensing of the at least one product (10) and the dispensing of the at least one product box (40) no longer containing a product (10) from the storage module output section (24) further comprise: Releasing a holder by the at least one linear actuator (60) for a predetermined time period, so that the product boxes (40) in the respective storage module (20) fall downwards by one position in a vertical direction and a bottom product (10) or a bottom product box (40) in the respective storage module (20) is dispensed to the conveyor device (70). [10] Method for storing and dispensing products (10) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the dispensing of one or more products (10) involves a parallel dispensing of products (10) from different storage modules (20). [11] Method for storing and dispensing products (10) according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized by , that the conveying device (70) is a conveyor belt (70) and the procedure prior to dispensing at least one product box (40) to the conveying device (70) further comprises: Changing the conveying direction of the conveyor belt (70) in order to convey the one or more products (10) in a first conveying direction to the product dispensing point (80) and to convey the one or more product boxes (40) in a second conveying direction different from the first conveying direction, in particular opposite to it, to the product box collection point (90).

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