BAG FOR A SURFACE CONVEYOR AND CORRESPONDING SURFACE CONVEYOR

Description

[0001] The invention is based on a pocket for an overhead conveyor, which pocket has two pocket walls that are detachably connected to one another at a pocket base, wherein the pocket has at least one adjusting mechanism for detaching the pocket walls connected at the pocket base from one another to form a discharge opening, wherein the pocket has an actuating means that is designed to actuate the at least one adjusting mechanism in response to a corresponding signal, typically a data signal, so that the pocket base is opened, wherein the actuating means has an actuator for actuating the at least one adjusting mechanism and a control unit connected to the actuator, wherein the actuating means has a memory connected to the control unit for storing at least one predetermined pocket position for opening the pocket.

[0002] DE 10 2021003 096 A1, which discloses the preamble of claim 1, discloses a transport pocket for a conveyor system with a locking device in the lower region for releasably connecting the front wall to the rear wall. The locking device is locked using a lifting magnet with spring return. The lifting magnet is connected to electrical contacts located in the upper region of a suspension device of the transport pocket. The reversible locking mechanism is achieved using the spring of the lifting magnet. To open the locking device, the lifting magnet is switched, and the reversible locking mechanism is released. The pocket is opened in an unloading station arranged along the conveyor line, which has corresponding electrical switching contacts for actuating the lifting magnet.

[0003] EP 3 442 884 B1 discloses a transport pocket for a conveyor device, comprising a first and a second pocket wall which, at a lower end of the pocket walls, have locking strips which can be reversibly coupled to one another and with which the pocket walls can be connected to one another to form a pocket base. In the locked state, the locking strips are arranged offset in parallel in the direction of their longitudinal axis. By moving the locking strips in the longitudinal direction, the locking elements are disengaged, so that an object located in the transport pocket can fall downwards through the opening in the pocket base. To unlock the strips, an unloading station is provided along the conveyor line, at which the locking strips are moved from their locked position into the unlocked position.

[0004] The unloading station has two pressure stamps with pressure surfaces extending perpendicular to the locking bars, between which the transport bag 1 can be positioned, and between which the locking bars can be moved against each other and separated from each other.

[0005] EP 2 130 968 B1 discloses a transport bag for a conveyor system with a carrying wall provided at its upper end with a hook and a pivoting bracket, and with a flexible side wall connected at its upper end to the pivoting bracket. The carrying wall has a coupling at its lower end and an actuating lever for opening the coupling at its upper end. The flexible side wall has counter-coupling means at its lower end for being received in the coupling. By releasing the counter-coupling means from the coupling, the bag base can be opened to unload articles contained in the bag. To actuate the opening means, a plurality of unloading stations fixed to a conveyor rail are provided along a conveyor section of the conveyor system.The unloading stations each have a driven release lever that can be pivoted into the path of the operating lever so that the bottom of the bag is opened.

[0006] The devices disclosed in the above-mentioned publications each have the disadvantage that they have to be opened in a fixed location via an external and stationary opening device or unloading station, so that the opening of the pockets has to take place at one or more predefined locations along the conveyor line.

[0007] It is therefore the object of the invention to further develop a pocket for an overhead conveyor and a corresponding arrangement in such a way that the unloading of the pocket can be carried out more flexibly.

[0008] The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0009] Accordingly, it is provided that the actuating means further comprises either a position-determining unit for determining a current pocket position and / or the actuating means is remotely controllable and the data signal is a radio signal, wherein the actuating means comprises a receiver connected to the control unit for receiving the radio signal, and the receiver is configured to receive the current pocket position. Upon determining that the at least one predetermined pocket position for opening the pocket has been reached, the control unit is configured to control the actuator in such a way that the actuator actuates the at least one actuating mechanism and opens the pocket base.

[0010] The bag according to the invention allows the bag to be opened and closed during travel and at any position in the system. This makes it possible, for example, to line up roll containers one behind the other and to deposit items from the bags into the roll containers as the bag is passed over. Of course, any suitable container type can be used for this purpose, such as different types of containers, appropriately equipped AGVs, terminal stations, etc.

[0011] The control unit can be configured to control the actuator in such a way that it activates at least one actuating mechanism and opens the bag bottom. The actuator can be, for example, a solenoid or a comparable technical element.

[0012] It can be provided that the control unit is configured to control the actuator upon or after or in the temporal context of receipt of the radio signal by the receiver in such a way that the actuator actuates at least one actuating mechanism and opens the bottom of the bag.

[0013] Because the actuating means has a memory connected to the control unit for storing at least one predetermined pocket position for opening the pocket, and has a position determination unit for determining a current pocket position and / or the receiver is designed to receive the current pocket position, wherein the control unit is designed to control the actuator upon determining that the at least one predetermined pocket position for opening the pocket has been reached, such that the actuator actuates the at least one actuating mechanism and opens the pocket base, the data signal according to the invention can be output by the actual pocket position matching the at least one predetermined pocket position for opening the pocket.

[0014] Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one adjusting mechanism has at least one closing means configured to automatically close the bag bottom after unloading of goods transported in the bag or as soon as the bag walls are brought closer together again after unloading. The closing means can comprise, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener, a zipper, a screw closure, a snap closure, a Ziploc closure, a click closure, a snap closure, a roll closure, an elastic band closure, or a magnetic closure, whereby combinations of the aforementioned closing means can also be provided.

[0015] It is conceivable that the pocket bottom is formed by a coupling with which the pocket walls are detachably connected to one another, with each side wall having one of two coupling halves of the coupling. The coupling halves can be designed as rigid strips and extend essentially along the lower edge of the respective side wall. It can be provided that the actuator and the control unit are arranged in only one of the two coupling halves, and the other coupling half has no mechanically adjustable components.

[0016] The at least one actuating mechanism can be adjustable between a closed position, in which the coupling halves are secured to one another, in particular by a positive fit, and a release position, in which the coupling halves are released from one another. Furthermore, at least one actuating mechanism can have an actuating end controlled by the actuator. The actuator can be permanently coupled to the actuating end or can be articulated thereto in such a way that the actuator rests against the actuating end in an actuated state, for example, during the transfer of the actuating mechanism from the closed position to the release position, and is separated from the actuating end outside of the actuated state.

[0017] The locking means may include a return spring for returning the actuating mechanism to the closed position. The direction of action of the return spring may be opposite to the direction of action of the actuator.

[0018] It can be provided that the at least one adjusting mechanism is accommodated in one of the coupling halves and the actuating means is accommodated in the same or the other of the coupling halves.

[0019] Furthermore, the actuating means can be further assigned an electrical energy storage device for supplying the actuating means with electrical energy. The electrical energy storage device can also be arranged in one of the coupling halves. The electrical energy storage device can be designed as a rechargeable battery or a capacitor. The rechargeable battery can be designed for contactless, in particular inductive, charging. The charging capacity of the energy storage device can be dimensioned such that it is sufficient for at least one pocket opening. Alternatively, it can be provided that the pocket and the overhead conveyor are at least partially configured for the contactless transmission of electrical energy, for example, by means of induction rails.

[0020] The clutch arranged on the pocket base can have two, in particular counter-rotating, actuating mechanisms, each with a magnetic slide, and the actuating means can have two actuators, one of which is assigned to the first actuating mechanism and the other to the second actuating mechanism. The actuating means can be arranged between the first and second actuating mechanisms, with the first of the actuators acting in the direction of the first actuating mechanism and the second of the actuators acting in the opposite direction, or in the direction of the second actuating mechanism. The actuators, for example solenoids, can act in opposite directions, so that the actuators both act either by pulling one toward the other or pushing the other away from the other.

[0021] For example, the coupling halves can each have at least one of the magnetic elements, wherein the magnetic elements are adjustable relative to one another via the adjusting mechanism and are brought closer together in the closed position relative to the release position. Furthermore, the coupling halves can each have at least one magnetic element, preferably a permanent magnet, which are similarly polarized and, in the release position, are brought closer together relative to the closed position and are preferably arranged opposite one another with their same poles.

[0022] Furthermore, the adjusting mechanism can have at least one magnetic slide on which the at least one magnetic element, preferably a permanent magnet, is arranged in one of the two coupling halves, wherein the magnetic slide can be used to adjust the distance between this magnetic element and the at least one magnetic element of the other coupling half. The magnetic slide can further have a hook or an undercut hook receptacle complementary to the hook, which can be adjusted between the closed position and the released position with the magnetic slide. The coupling half having the magnetic slide can extend along the width of the pocket base, wherein the magnetic slide points in the width direction with an actuating end towards the actuator.Furthermore, if two adjusting mechanisms are provided, the coupling can have two magnetic slides that are arranged at opposite ends of the pocket base in the width direction of the pocket base and in opposite extension directions. The magnetic slide can be accommodated in a housing of the coupling half having the magnetic slide and can be exposed at least partially towards a positive-locking receptacle of the other coupling half. The magnetic slide, on which the at least one magnetic element of one of the two coupling halves is arranged, can have a mechanical preload in the direction of the closed position in the release position. The coupling can have a positive-locking section in which the two coupling halves engage with each other with complementary contours, wherein the positive-locking section can be arranged between the adjusting mechanism and the pocket walls.The positive locking section can have a groove extending in the width direction of the pocket bottom on a first of the two coupling halves and a return spring extending in the width direction of the pocket bottom and engaging in the groove in the closed position on the other of the two coupling halves. The coupling halves can extend substantially across the entire width of the pocket bottom to provide the positive locking.

[0023] The invention further relates to an overhead conveyor with at least one pocket according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a conveyor path along which the pocket is moved, and a control device for transmitting a radio signal to open the pocket bottom of the at least one pocket. The overhead conveyor further comprises a pocket tracking device connected to the control device, which is configured to determine the position of the at least one pocket along the conveyor path. The control device can thereby cause the remotely controllable actuating means to open the pocket bottom as soon as the at least one pocket reaches a predeterminable target position along the conveyor path.

[0024] The invention further relates to a method for operating an overhead conveyor according to claim 15 comprising the steps: Conveying at least one pocket along the conveyor line of the overhead conveyor; determining a target position along the conveyor line at which the pocket is to be opened; transmitting a data signal related to the target position from the control device to the pocket, wherein the data signal related to the target position is either a signal for controlling the actuating means for opening the pocket bottom and is transmitted by the control device upon reaching or approaching the target position, or the data signal is location information of the target position, upon reaching which the pocket autonomously controls the actuating means for opening the pocket bottom; autonomously opening the pocket bottom at the target position.

[0025] Further details of the invention are explained with reference to the following figures. Figure 1 shows a functional flow diagram of an embodiment of an overhead conveyor known from the prior art; Figure 2 shows a schematic flow diagram of a first embodiment of the overhead conveyor according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a functional flow diagram of a second embodiment of the overhead conveyor according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a functional flow diagram of a third embodiment of the overhead conveyor according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a functional flow diagram of a fourth embodiment of the overhead conveyor according to the invention; Figure 6a shows an exemplary embodiment of the pocket according to the invention; Figure 6b shows an enlarged view of the pocket bottom of the pocket according to the invention according to Figure a; Figure 7a shows an embodiment of the pocket bottom in the release position of the adjusting mechanism; Figure 7b shows the embodiment according to Figure 7a with the coupling halves detached from one another; Figure 8a shows the embodiment according to Figure 7b with the adjusting mechanism in the closed position;Figure 8b shows the embodiment according to Figure 8a with the coupling halves partially brought closer together; Figure 8c shows the embodiment according to Figure 8b with the coupling halves completely brought closer together.

[0026] In Figure 11 shows, by way of example, a functional flow diagram of a sorting arrangement 1000 with an overhead conveyor 100 known from the prior art. This essentially comprises an overhead conveyor 100 and a warehouse 309, for example a high-bay warehouse, from which individual articles 320 are removed and fed into the overhead conveyor 100. Other possible storage or provision types can be implemented, for example, by block storage, shelving, gravity racks, flow racks, pallet racks, cantilever racks, floor storage, storage and retrieval machines, horizontal carousel storage, vertical carousel storage, an automated small parts warehouse, a storage container open storage, mobile racks, or shuttle systems. The articles do not necessarily have to come from a warehouse, but can also come, for example, from an automatic / manual infeed during the unloading of containers / trucks or even from a sorter.Furthermore, the transfer of the articles can take place via an interface with a similar or different conveyor or sorter. In the overhead conveyor 100, the articles 320 are sorted in a multi-step process and ultimately delivered in a predetermined sequence to packing stations 306, where the individual articles 320 are packaged according to predefined shipping orders. The individual articles 320 are removed from the warehouse 309 by a plurality of order pickers 308 in the form of appropriate picking devices or in the form of personnel. The individual articles 320 removed in the process are each collected at one of a plurality of transfer points 310 and compiled into individual order batches, which are to be transferred to the pocket sorter.The individual articles 320 collected at the transfer points 310 are then loaded into pockets 1 of the overhead conveyor 100 via several loading stations 303, wherein the assignment of each article 320 to the respective pocket 1 is stored as long as the article 320 is on the overhead conveyor. The loaded pockets are then fed to a dynamic batch buffer 302, in which a pre-sorting of the pockets 1 is carried out. For example, the dynamic batch buffer 302 can have several buffer circuits, wherein all pockets that are to be fed to the same packing station 306 as a sorting destination are held in the same buffer circuit until they are discharged from the buffer circuit as a group of pockets with the same sorting destination, for example upon a request.

[0027] Preferably, several groups of bags that are to be fed to the same packing station 306 or have the same sorting destination can be received, i.e. buffered, in each buffer circuit. This pre-sorting in the dynamic batch buffer 302 can be carried out fully automatically based on at least one criterion. These criteria can relate to the departure time, identification of the freight forwarder, the total volume of objects with the same shipping destination, prioritization, a weight class, a size class and / or the like. In addition, a dynamic buffer 301 is connected upstream of the dynamic batch buffer 302, which is fed by returns 311, which are also fed to it via a loading station 303. It can be provided that the returns 311 are fed to the dynamic batch buffer 302 in a prioritized manner before the corresponding article 320 has to be removed from the warehouse 309 again.Furthermore, it can be provided that each of the loading stations 303 is assigned a separate dynamic buffer 301.

[0028] The separation of the bags 1 according to their groups or sorting destinations takes place in a sorting matrix 304, which is connected downstream of the dynamic batch buffer 302 in terms of conveyor technology and into which the bags 1 are fed. The several complete groups of bags 1 with the same sorting destination are fed to the sorting matrix 304 in a random order. After passing through the sorting matrix 304, the bags 1 leave the sorting matrix 304 sorted by type, i.e. as a compact group of bags 1, with all bags 1 assigned to a group of bags 1 with the same sorting destination being discharged from the sorting matrix 304 in immediate succession. The sorting matrix 304 is further configured, in addition to sorting by type, to also establish an order of the bags 1 within the same group, thus creating a sequencing of the bags 1. This sequencing can, for example, be provided to achieve a further sorting stage.The sequenced bags 1 are then fed to a bag buffer 305 located upstream of the packing stations 306. Upon request from the packing stations 306, groups of sequenced bags, which, for example, belong to the same order, can be removed from the bag buffer 305 and fed to the packing station 306 requesting the order. In the packing stations 306, the articles 320 are then gradually removed from the incoming bags 1 and packed as specified by the order. The empty bags 1 are then temporarily stored in an empty bag buffer 307 and can be fed from there again to the loading stations 303.

[0029] The Fig. 2shows an exemplary first embodiment of the overhead conveyor 100 according to the invention. The overhead conveyor 100 essentially consists of a system of conveyor rails 101, which can be designed, for example, as an accumulating conveyor 105 or as a transfer conveyor 107. At a transition 108 between an accumulating conveyor 105 and a transfer conveyor 107, the pockets 1 are transferred between the two transport systems. Suitable systems for an accumulating conveyor 105 and a transfer conveyor 107 are described in WO 2020 / 128941 A1 and EP 3670393 A1.

[0030] For sequencing the pockets 1, which are transported along the conveyor rail 101 and are to be fed in a preferred order and at a preferred time, for example, to an unloading workstation 104 or to a freely selectable unloading location 200, for example, to a plurality of roll containers 201, a sorting loop comprising a plurality of parallel accumulating conveyors 105, which can be connected to a transfer conveyor 107 via switches 102 on the forward and return sides, can be provided. To reduce the footprint of the system, inclined conveyors 103 can be used, which allow a multi-level system design. Overfill sensors 106 along the accumulating conveyor sections 105 of the sorting loop detect the fill level of the respective accumulating conveyor 105 in order to avoid overfilling of certain accumulating conveyor sections 105 by appropriately rerouting new pockets fed from the sorting loop.

[0031] At the loading and / or unloading workstation 104, the objects held by the bag 1 can be manually removed from the bag, for example by lateral engagement parallel to the bag walls 2 of the bag 1. In contrast, unloading at the selected unloading location 200 can be automated. At the unloading location 200 located along the conveyor line, unloading containers such as roll containers 201 can be available, into which the transported goods are to be unloaded. The locations of all bags 1 transported along the overhead conveyor 100 are recorded in real time by a bag tracking device 50. As soon as a bag 1 to be unloaded reaches the unloading location 200, the bag tracking device 50 signals information relating to this event to a control device 40, which then transmits an opening signal to the remote-controllable actuation device of the bag.There, the signal is received by the receiver and transmitted to the control unit, which then activates the actuator to open the opening device. This opens the bag bottom 3 and unloads the goods into the designated roll containers 201.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows a sorting arrangement 1000 with a first embodiment of the overhead conveyor 100 according to the invention. This does not have any Fig. 2The overhead conveyor 100 shown does not have a dynamic batch buffer 302, a sorting matrix 304, a pocket buffer 305, or packing stations 306 for sequentially unloading the pockets 1. Instead, an end-point module 330 is provided, which is located directly downstream of the loading stations 303 and the dynamic buffer 301. The end-point module 330 provides a conveyor section along which a plurality of end points 312 are positioned, which can be provided, for example, by means for receiving the individual articles 320, such as containers or boxes of any type, for example roll containers / containers, etc., but also AGVs with loading areas, conveyor belts, etc. The pockets 1 are guided along this conveyor section until they reach a predetermined end point 312, at which the loaded articles 320 are unloaded.As soon as all pockets 1 of an order have passed the end point assigned to it and the respective pocket contents have been emptied at this point, the corresponding container is moved away by an autonomous mobile robot 313 and a new empty container is positioned at the end point 312. Because a plurality of end points 312 are provided simultaneously and each end point 312 is passed by each of the pockets 1, prior sorting and sequencing of the pockets 1 can be completely dispensed with. By means of the pocket opening mechanism according to the invention, which is integrated into each pocket, it is possible to open the pockets 1 by appropriate control at any point along the conveyor line of the end point module 330. Of course, the area for opening the pockets is not limited to the end point module 330, but opening can take place at any location along the overhead conveyor 100.Via an empty pocket buffer connected downstream of the terminal module 330, the pockets 1 are filled according to the diagram in . Figure 2 shown arrangement is made available for loading again.

[0033] The Fig. 4 The arrangement 1000 shown is a different arrangement from the arrangement shown in Fig. 3Upscaled arrangement, which is configured to process a number of pockets that is a factor of 3 larger. The essential difference is, on the one hand, that the illustrated arrangement has three separate end-station modules 330, each with a conveyor section, and, on the other hand, that an allocation matrix 321 is connected upstream of the three parallel end-station modules 330, via which the pockets 1 are discharged into the designated end-station module 330. The allocation matrix 321 is connected directly downstream of the loading stations 303 and the dynamic buffer 301 and has a corresponding number of inputs and a separate output for each of the end-station modules 330.

[0034] The Fig. 5 The terminal module 330 shown has, compared to the Figures 3 and 4The difference from the end point modules 330 shown is that in this case, the end points 312 are not formed by containers into which the transported material is directly delivered, but rather by respective chutes 322 onto which the individual articles 320 are dropped and along which the articles slide down towards a manually operated packing station. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the chutes, intermediate storage areas can be provided in which the articles, for example packages or boxes, can be temporarily stored. The articles 320 arriving there are packed at the packing station by a packing worker 323 according to the order. It can be provided that each packing worker 323 is assigned to a plurality of chutes 322.Furthermore, it can be provided that a signaling device, for example a green flashing lamp, is installed on each of the chutes, by means of which a packing worker 323 can be made aware that all articles 320 of an order have arrived at the predetermined chute 322.

[0035] Fig. 6a shows an overall view of a conveyor pocket 1, Fig. 6b a detailed view A of a coupling 4 of a pocket base of the conveyor pocket from Fig. 6a. The pocket 1 has two pocket walls 2 which are connected to one another at the lower end to form a pocket base 3 and are held at the upper end by a bracket 7 which, on the one hand, provides a loading opening 9 and, on the other hand, has a means for suspending the pocket 1 from a roller carrier 8 for movement along a rail of the overhead conveyor 100. At the lower end of each of the pocket walls 2, one of the coupling halves 5 is fastened, which are releasably locked together by means of two adjusting mechanisms 10.A remotely controllable actuating means 20 is arranged centrally in one of the coupling halves 5 between the two actuating mechanisms 20. The actuating means 20 comprises a receiver 21 for receiving a radio signal for receiving an opening signal, an actuator 22 for actuating the left actuating mechanism and an actuator 22 for actuating the right actuating mechanism, as well as a control unit 23 connected to the receiver 21 and the actuators 22, respectively. The control unit is configured to control the two actuators 22 upon or after receipt of the radio signal by the receiver 21 such that the respective actuating mechanisms 10 are actuated and the pocket base 3 is opened.

[0036] Figures 7a to 8c show a coupling 4 suitable for remote-controlled unlocking. The coupling 4 can, for example, be arranged in the base region 3 of a pocket 1 of the arrangement according to Fig. 6 and connect the two opposite pocket walls 2 of the pocket, which are oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction X. The magnetic slide 11 can have a mechanical preload in the closed position shown in Fig. 8c. For this purpose, in the embodiment according to Fig. 6, a spiral spring 30 is provided, which is received in the coupling half 5 having the magnetic slide 11 and is supported inside the housing of the coupling half 5 on a housing wall through which the magnetic slide extends with a guide pin. Alternatively, the spring can also be installed in the actuator itself. The coupling halves 5, 6 have magnetic elements 12, 13, 14.Preferably, all magnetic elements 12, 13, 14 are designed as permanent magnets. However, the magnetic element 13 in particular can also be designed as a ferromagnetic element, for example comprising a ferrous metal. In the closed position shown in Fig. 8c, the magnetic slide 11 is spaced from the actuator 22 with its actuating end 17 by a maximum adjustment path, by which the actuating end 17 can be adjusted between the closed position and the release position. In the closed position, the hook 15 of the magnetic slide 11 engages in the undercut hook receptacle 16, wherein the undercut receptacle 16 engages under the hook 15 with a projection which forms the undercut engaged by the hook 15 and rests against the hook 15, so that the closed position of the adjusting mechanism 10 shown in Fig. 8c is reproducibly defined. In the position shown in Fig.In the release position of the magnetic slide 11 shown in Figure 7a, the latter is at its maximum proximity to the actuator 22, so that the hook 15 of the first coupling half 5 and the undercut hook receptacle 16 of the second coupling half 6 are spaced apart from one another and disengaged, so that the coupling halves 5, 6 can be detached from one another in or against the conveying direction X. To transfer the magnetic slide 11, the actuator 22, which in the example shown is designed as a pulling lifting magnet, pulls the magnetic slide 11 away from the closed position from the undercut hook receptacle 16, to the right as viewed in the illustration, against the spring force of the return spring 30. Of course, the actuator 22 can also be designed as a pushing lifting magnet, in which case the orientation of the hook 15 and the hook receptacle 16, as well as the orientation of the magnets 12-14, would be reversed accordingly.To control the actuator 22, a control unit 23 is provided, which is connected to or has a receiver 21. Furthermore, an electrical energy storage device 24, such as a rechargeable battery, is provided to supply the control unit 23, the receiver 21, and the actuator 22 with energy. As soon as the receiver 21 receives a wireless signal to open the pocket base 3, this signal is transmitted to the control unit 23, which then controls the actuator 22 to move the magnetic slide 11 from the closed position to the released position.

[0037] To provide a repulsion force between the two coupling halves 5, 6 in the release position of the actuating mechanism 10 shown in Fig. 7a, the magnetic elements 12 and 14 can each be designed as permanent magnets and face each other with identical poles, so that the two coupling halves 5, 6 are repelled from each other. Since in the release position shown in Fig. 7a, not only are the two like-polarized permanent magnets 12, 14 aligned opposite each other, but also the hook 15 is released from the undercut of the undercut receptacle 16, the two coupling halves 5, 6 can be released from each other, which is shown in Fig. 7b. In the present case, in particular, the second coupling half 6 having the hook 15 can be released from a form-fitting receptacle of the first coupling half 5. Since in the release position according to the Figures 3a and 3bthe like-polarized permanent magnets 12, 14 are aligned, while the distance between the attracting, oppositely polarized magnetic elements 12, 13 is increased compared to the closed position (see Fig. 8c), the repulsion between the permanent magnets 12, 14 prevails over a possibly also in the release position according to the Figures 3a and 3b remaining, slight force of attraction between the magnetic elements 12 and 13.

[0038] After the two coupling halves 5, 6 have been separated from each other, the actuating mechanism 10, in particular the magnetic slide 11, can return to the closed position, whereby it automatically assumes this closed position due to its pretension in the closed position, for example, due to the return spring 30. This leads to, as shown in the Figures 4a and 4bIt is shown that the oppositely polarized magnetic elements 12 and 13 are brought back into alignment, whereby even in the partially spaced position shown in Fig. 8a, they are centered and brought closer together due to the attractive force between the magnetic elements 12 and 13, as shown in Fig. 8b. The alignment of the coupling halves 5, 6 to each other, as shown in Fig. 8a, can, for example, be the initial state which the two coupling halves 5, 6 assume immediately after the unloading process, for example after unloading at an unloading location 200 into a roll container 201, as shown in Fig. 1 is shown.

[0039] The pocket walls 2 of the pocket 1 can, for example, be made of a flexible textile material, so that the coupling halves 5, 6 bring the pocket into the vertical position like a weight in the bottom area of ​​the pocket walls 2, wherein the two pocket walls 2 are already largely brought closer together, for example due to a likewise substantially vertical arrangement of an opening bracket 7 at the upper end of the pocket 1. Any remaining distance between the coupling halves 5, 6, as shown in Fig. 8a, can be bridged by means of the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic elements 12, 13, so that the two coupling halves 5, 6 in the Figures 4a to 4c shown approach and locking.

[0040] After the pockets have been brought close enough to one another due to the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic elements 12 and 13 so that the hook 15 of the first coupling half 5 comes to rest with a starting bevel on a corresponding starting bevel on an undercut of the undercut receptacle 16 of the second coupling half 6, the attractive force between the magnetic elements 12 and 13 can be sufficient due to the small residual distance remaining in this position between the position shown in Fig. 8b and the final closed position according to Fig. 8c, to overcome the pretension of the magnetic slide 11 in its closed position shown in Fig. 8a, the magnetic slide 11 is displaced at least far enough from the closed position in the direction of the release position, i.e. to the right in the illustration, that the hook 15 can engage behind the undercut of the undercut receptacle 16 with its hook tip, as shown in Fig.8c, whereupon the magnetic slide 11 is then moved back into the closed position shown in Fig. 8c due to the mechanical preload. When the two coupling halves 5, 6 are fully locked to one another, as shown in Fig. 8c, the two complementarily polarized magnetic elements 12, 13 are as close as possible, while a lateral distance exists between the like-polarized magnets 12 and 14, which, due to the magnetic field lines propagating perpendicular to the pole face, is sufficient to reduce repulsion between the magnets 12, 14 to a permissible minimum. List of reference symbols:

[0041] 1Pocket 2Pocket walls 3Pocket base 4Coupling 5Coupling half 6Coupling half 7Bail 8Roll carrier 9Loading opening 10Adjusting mechanism 11Magnetic slide 12First magnetic element 13Second magnetic element 14Third magnetic element 15Hook 16Hook receptacle 17Actuating end 20Actuating means 21Receiver 22Actuator 23Control unit 24Electrical energy storage device 30Return spring 40Control device 50Pocket tracking device 100Overhead conveyor 101Conveyor rail 102Switch 103Inclined conveyor 104Unloading workstation 105Accumulating conveyor 106Overfill sensor 107Transfer conveyor 108Transition from transfer conveyor to accumulating conveyor 200Freely definable unloading location 201Roll container 301Dynamic buffer 302Dynamic batch buffer 303Loading station 304Sorting matrix 305Packing buffer 306Packing station 307Empty pocket buffer 308Order picker 309Warehouse 310Transfer point 311Returns 312End point / container 313Autonomous mobile robot 320Goods unit 321Assignment matrix 322Slide 323Worker 330End point module1000Sorting arrangement AEnlarged section XConveying direction

Claims

1. Pouch (1) for an overhead conveyor (100), which has two pouch walls (2) which are releasably connected to one another at a pouch base (3), wherein the pouch (1) has at least one actuating mechanism (10) for releasing the pouch walls (2) connected to the pouch base (3) from one another in order to form an unloading opening, wherein the pouch (1) has an actuating means (20) which is configured to actuate the at least one actuating mechanism (10) in response to a corresponding signal, typically a data signal, such that the pouch base (3) is opened, wherein the actuating means (20) has an actuator (22) for actuating the at least one actuating mechanism (10) and a control unit (23) connected to the actuator (22), characterized in that the actuating means (20) has a memory connected to the control unit (23) for storing at least one predetermined pouch position for opening the pouch, wherein the actuating means furthermore either has a position determination unit for determining a current pouch position and / or the actuating means (20) can be remotely controlled, the signal is a radio signal, the actuating means (20) has a receiver (21) connected to the control unit (23) for receiving the radio signal and the receiver (21) is configured to receive the current pouch position, wherein the control unit (23) is configured, when it is determined that the at least one predetermined pouch position for opening the pouch has been reached, to actuate the actuator (22) such that the at least one actuating mechanism (10) is actuated by said actuator and the pouch base (3) is opened.

2. Pouch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (23) is configured, when or after receiving the signal, to actuate the actuator (22) such that the at least one actuating mechanism (10) is actuated by said actuator and the pouch base (3) is opened.

3. Pouch (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (23) is configured, when or after receiving the radio signal by the receiver (21), to actuate the actuator (22) such that the at least one actuating mechanism (10) is actuated by said actuator and the pouch base (3) is opened.

4. Pouch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (22) is an electric actuator, preferably a solenoid.

5. Pouch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one actuating mechanism (10) furthermore has at least one closing means which is configured for automatically closing the pouch base (3) after unloading goods transported in the pouch (1) or as soon as the pouch walls (2) of the pouch (1) are moved closer to one another again after unloading.

6. Pouch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pouch base (3) is formed by a coupling (4) by means of which the pouch walls (2) are releasably connected to one another, wherein each side wall (2) has one of two coupling halves (5, 6) of the coupling (4).

7. Pouch (1) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one actuating mechanism (10) is adjustable between a closed position, in which the coupling halves (5, 6) are fixed to one another, in particular in a form-fitting manner, and a release position, in which the coupling halves (5, 6) are released from one another, wherein the at least one actuating mechanism (10) has an actuating end (17) actuated by the actuator (22).

8. Pouch according to claim 7, wherein the closing means has a restoring spring (30) for returning the actuating mechanism (10) into the closed position.

9. Pouch according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the at least one actuating mechanism (10) is received in one of the coupling halves (5, 6) and the actuating means (20) is received in the same or the other of the coupling halves (5, 6).

10. Pouch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating means (20) is furthermore assigned an electric energy store (24) for supplying the actuating means (20) with electric energy.

11. Pouch according to one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the coupling has two actuating mechanisms, in particular opposing actuating mechanisms, and wherein the actuating means (20) has two actuators (22), of which one is assigned to the first actuating mechanism (10) and the other is assigned to the second actuating mechanism (10).

12. Pouch according to claim 11, wherein the actuating means (20) is arranged between the first and the second actuating mechanism (10), wherein the first of the actuators (22) acts in the direction of the first actuating mechanism (10) and the second of the actuators (22) acts in the opposite direction or in the direction of the second actuating mechanism (10).

13. Pouch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pouch walls (2) on the pouch base (3) each have at least one magnetic element (12, 13, 14) which attract one another, wherein the magnetic element (12, 13, 14) of a first of the two pouch walls (2) is a permanent magnet and the magnetic element (12, 13, 14) of a second of the two pouch walls (2) is a ferromagnetic metal or a permanent magnet with opposite polarity with respect to the permanent magnet of the first of the two pouch walls (2).

14. Pouch (1) according to claim 13, wherein the actuating mechanism (10) has at least one magnetic slide (11) on which the at least one magnetic element (12, 13, 14), preferably a permanent magnet, is arranged in one of the two coupling halves (5, 6), wherein a distance of this magnetic element (12, 13, 14) with respect to the at least one magnetic element (12, 13, 14) of the other coupling half (5, 6) is adjustable with the magnetic slide (11).

15. Overhead conveyor (100) having at least one pouch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, having a conveying section along which the pouch is moved, and an actuating device (40) for emitting a radio signal for opening the pouch base (3) of the at least one pouch (1) at a position along the conveying section at which the pouch (1) is to be opened, wherein the overhead conveyor (100) furthermore has a pouch tracking device (50) which is connected to the actuating device (40) and which is configured to determine the position of the at least one pouch (1) along the conveying section such that the actuating device (40) can cause the remotely controllable actuating means (20) to open the pouch base as soon as the at least one pouch (1) reaches a predeterminable desired position (200) along the conveying section.

16. Method for operating an overhead conveyor according to claim 15, having the steps: conveying at least one pouch along the conveying section of the overhead conveyor; determining a desired position along the conveying section at which the pouch is to be opened; transmitting a data signal relating to the desired position from the actuating device to the pouch, wherein the data signal relating to the desired position is either a signal for actuating the actuating means for opening the pouch base and is emitted by the actuating device when the desired position is reached or when the desired position is approached, or wherein the data signal is location information of the desired position, when the desired position is reached, the pouch autonomously actuating the actuating means for opening the pouch base; autonomously opening the pouch base at the desired position.