Method for packing at least one item of an order, packaging system for packing at least one item, and storage system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packing at least one item (1) of an order. The method comprises: - providing the at least one item (1) on an item provision surface (2), - receiving goods information of the at least one item (1) of the order, wherein the goods information comprises at least one property of the at least one item (1) of the order, - providing a packaging for the at least one item (1) of the order based on the goods information, and - moving the at least one item (1) of the order from the item provision surface (2) into the packaging based on the goods information. The invention also relates to a packaging system (10) and to a storage system.

Description

[0001] Method for packing at least one article of an order, packaging systems for packing at least one article and storage system

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for packaging at least one article of an order, a packaging system for packaging at least one article and a storage system.

[0003] It is known in the art to prepare items that are removed from a warehouse system for shipping and to package them at the same time. However, due to the large number of different items that are assigned to an order and have to be packed together in one package, a large part of the packaging process is often carried out manually. Furthermore, partially automated processes have the disadvantage that different items are randomly packed together in one package. This can cause damage to heavy items, for example, and more fragile and / or lighter items in the packaging. This is because the order in which the items are packed into a package is random. For example, heavy items can be stacked on top of fragile items. This can lead to damage to the items.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system and a method that can, on the one hand, automate the packaging process and, on the other hand, ensure that the items are packed in a package without damage and without problems.

[0005] This problem is solved by a method for packing articles of an order having the features of claim 1, by a packaging system for packing articles having the features of claim 18, and by a storage system having the features of claim 30.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for packaging at least one article of an order is provided. The method preferably comprises providing the at least one article on an article provision area. Furthermore, the method preferably comprises receiving product information of the at least one article of the order, wherein the product information comprises at least one property of the at least one article of the order. Furthermore, the method preferably comprises providing packaging for the at least one article of the order based on the product information, and moving the at least one article of the order from the article provision area into the packaging based on the product information.

[0007] Compared to the known prior art, the present invention offers the advantage that the articles are not randomly relocated into the packaging, but rather based on product information that can describe the articles. This can be achieved by the article staging area on which the articles of an order are staged. More precisely, the articles can only be relocated from the article staging area to the packaging once all articles of an order have been arranged on the article staging area. This makes it easy to select, for example, which article is the most robust and can be placed at the bottom of the packaging. This offers the possibility of relocating the articles individually into the packaging based on the product information.For example, other properties of the articles can also be taken into account, and the articles can be fed into the packaging accordingly. This allows for individual feeding of the articles into the packaging. Preferably, the present invention makes it possible to introduce different goods or articles into one package. In other words, a method for packaging at least two different articles can be provided. It is particularly advantageous here that the product information is taken into account in order to be able to take individual characteristics of the articles into account.

[0008] The order can, for example, be an order from an end customer. Such an order can consist of one or more items. For example, it is common today to order a large number of different items from an online retailer. Nevertheless, an order can also only comprise a single item. An item can be a product intended for the end customer. In other words, the items can include household items. Accordingly, an order can comprise household quantities of the same or different items. Providing the at least one item on the item provision area can be understood to mean that the item is deposited on the item provision area. For example, an item can be retrieved from a warehouse and transported by an item conveying device or a transport system (e.g.a shuttle) to the article staging area and deposited there. The goods information can, for example, be digital data that includes at least one property of the article deposited on the article staging area. In other words, the goods information does not have to be recorded when the at least one article is staging on the article staging area, but can, for example, be retrieved (i.e., received) from a database. Thus, it is not necessary to use analysis means when the at least one article is staging. In particular, it is not necessary to scan, analyze, or identify an article retrieved from a storage system between the article's storage position and the staging position on the article deposition area.The packaging can, for example, be a box or other outer packaging in which items are usually shipped. Depending on how many items and / or which items are included in an order, the packaging can be provided based on the product information. For example, packaging can offer greater protective effect for particularly fragile items than for robust items. Furthermore, the packaging can be larger for a large number of items in an order and correspondingly smaller for only a few items. In other words, a packaging size can be individually adapted to each order. This ensures that packaging with the optimal size and / or properties is provided that suits the items in an order.The relocation of at least one article from the article staging area into the packaging can then also be carried out based on the product information. As already described above, particularly fragile articles can be stored in the packaging in such a way that damage to the articles during transport of the packaging can be avoided. Furthermore, the relocation itself can be individually adapted to the articles. For example, some articles are easy to move, whereas others require a special type of relocation. For example, when articles are moved using a suction gripper, some articles can be gripped with less negative pressure than others. With particularly fragile articles, excessive negative pressure can cause damage.By adapting the movement of at least one article based on the product information, it can be ensured that exactly the level of vacuum is provided that does not damage the article. This allows for particularly gentle movement of the articles. The suction gripping device serves only as an example, and other movement systems are conceivable in which the movement can be adapted based on the product information. For example, with a mechanical gripping device, the gripping pressure can be adjusted accordingly based on the product information. The movement can therefore be the individual packing of the individual articles of an order into the packaging. This makes it possible to provide a method that allows articles of an order to be packed automatically and also enables the articles of an order to be shipped without damage.Furthermore, the method can prevent incompatible articles from being introduced together into packaging. Overall, an efficient method for packaging articles of an order can thus be provided. Preferably, the at least one article of an order is transported from a storage system to the article staging area. In other words, after an order has been received, the ordered articles can be retrieved from a storage system and transported to the article staging area. The order can comprise a single article or a plurality of articles. In the case where the order comprises a plurality of articles, the articles can be transported to the article staging area individually or together.A single feed to the article staging area is possible because all articles of an order are first collected at the article staging area before being moved into the packaging. This makes it possible to determine the order in which the articles are moved into the packaging solely based on the goods information. Instead, the articles of an order can be transported directly from the warehouse system to the article staging area. Direct here can mean that no intermediate article recognition or identification takes place. According to a preferred embodiment, the goods information is determined before the articles are stored in the warehouse system, so that after articles are removed from the warehouse system, no further identification or recognition of articles is necessary to determine the associated goods information.This allows an order to be transported to the item staging area directly after being removed from the warehouse system (i.e., without any intermediate handling devices). This can accelerate order packing, thereby reducing overall delivery times. Furthermore, the overall processing capacity of a warehouse system can be increased.

[0009] Preferably, the at least one article is fed to the article staging area by means of a shuttle and, in particular, deposited on the article staging area by a transport device of the shuttle. The shuttle (also referred to as a storage and retrieval machine) can be designed to transport articles or goods back and forth. In other words, a single article can be individually picked up and deposited by the shuttle. The shuttle can move along a section of rail. The shuttle can therefore be designed to individually transport articles in their smallest packaging unit. In other words, no transport box or the like is necessary for the shuttle to transport an article. By eliminating the need for additional transport devices such as crates or the like, moving or transporting the articles within the warehouse system can be simplified.Furthermore, the shuttle can have a transport device designed to move the article to be picked up by the shuttle onto a transport surface of the shuttle. Furthermore, the transport device can be designed to move an article arranged on the transport surface of the shuttle from the shuttle to a target position. Thus, no external transport or gripping devices are required to load or unload the shuttle. It is therefore possible for the shuttle to independently enter a storage system, pick up an article from an order, bring it to the article staging area, and unload the article there independently. This allows the required devices to be reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, it is conceivable to use a plurality of shuttles, each shuttle supplying a different article from an order to the same article staging area.This can speed up the retrieval process.

[0010] Preferably, the goods information is determined before the at least one article is stored. As already described above, the goods information can be determined before the goods are placed in the storage system, so that when the goods are removed from the storage system (i.e., when the articles are transported to the article staging area), no further determination of the goods information is necessary.

[0011] Preferably, the article provision surface is a table-like structure on which the at least one article can be passively held. In other words, the article provision surface can have a surface on which the at least one article can be placed. In this case, "passive" can mean that the articles remain on the article provision surface independently, without the intervention of any other devices. Preferably, the article provision surface is a rigid structure that is not readily movable relative to the surface on which it stands. This allows the structure of the article provision surface to be particularly simple, thereby saving costs.

[0012] The product information preferably includes fragility, load-bearing capacity, dimensional stability, surface texture, porosity, sensitivity, potential hazards posed by the article, cooling requirements, incompatibilities, physical state, shelf life, information and / or a serial number of the at least one article. The product information can include batch numbers and / or manufacturing batch numbers. This makes it easy to implement, for example, a recall of certain articles. The product information can therefore reflect a variety of different properties of the article. This allows the article to be processed in an optimal manner to ensure that the articles can be processed and transported as needed and without damage. The fragility of the article can mean, for example, that no heavy objects may be placed on the article.The load-bearing capacity of an article can define the weight that a particular article can support. This is important, for example, when it comes to whether articles can be stacked and, if so, which articles can be placed on top of another article. The dimensional stability of an article can define how resistant an article is to unwanted deformation. The surface texture can define how porous, wrinkled, or jagged an article's surface is. This can be important, for example, for a processing of the article in which the article is gripped with a suction gripping device. Based on this, it can be determined with what vacuum an article is optimally held with the suction gripping device. Furthermore, it can be determined how and where the suction gripping device can contact the article to ensure optimal hold.The sensitivity of an article can generally define the environment in which the article can be located without being damaged. In contrast, hazards emanating from the article can define potential dangers for other articles located nearby. For example, it may be necessary for articles to be transported at a certain distance from other articles. The cooling requirements of an article can define the climatic environment in which the article can be kept and for how long without being damaged. Incompatibilities in this case can include, for example, an intolerance to magnetic fields. This can ensure that electrical devices, for example, are not damaged. A state of matter can primarily mean that the article is a solid or a liquid. The further processing of the article can be adapted based on this.The shelf life of an item can indicate how long the item can be stored. This can be important, for example, if the item is scheduled for shipment, which will take a long time. Odor information can indicate whether the item emits unpleasant odors or not. This can, for example, determine where or with which other items the specific item is transported. Overall, the product information can be used to individually describe the items to ensure optimal processing.

[0013] Preferably, the at least one article is supplied to the article staging area without outer packaging and / or transport aids. In other words, the at least one article can be provided in its smallest packaging. This means that, on the one hand, no further transport aids such as a transport box or transport container are required, and, on the other hand, the article can be used as delivered by the manufacturer. This simplifies the overall process. Furthermore, it is not necessary to transport empty transport containers back to a starting point. Furthermore, when the article is packaged, there is no unnecessary outer packaging that would take up any storage space.

[0014] Preferably, the packaging is provided in a relative position to the article provision area that is dependent on the product information. In other words, the packaging into which the at least one article of an order is to be moved is provided in a spatial relationship to the article provision area. Preferably, the packaging is arranged on a packaging provision area. In particular, the packaging is provided in the immediate vicinity of the article provision area. This ensures that the provided articles of an order only have to be moved a minimal distance to reach the packaging. The relative position can be dependent on the product information of the at least one article of an order. For example, in the case of a very large order (ieIn certain cases (e.g., when a large number of items are to be assigned to an order), very large packaging may be required. Accordingly, this packaging (e.g., the base of the packaging) must be provided at a greater distance from the item staging area, compared to a case where only a small packaging needs to be provided, into which, for example, only one item is to be moved. By variability of the staging position (i.e., the relative position) of the packaging with respect to the item staging area, the movement path between the item staging area and the packaging can be minimized. This can increase the efficiency of the packaging.

[0015] Preferably, the relative position is varied during movement of the at least one article into the packaging. Thus, during a movement process of an article into the packaging, the packaging can be moved relative to the article provision surface. For example, when moving a first article into the packaging, the packaging can be arranged such that the bottom of the packaging is arranged at substantially the same vertical height (i.e. in the direction of gravity) as the article provision surface. Once the first article has been arranged in the packaging, the packaging can be lowered downwards in the direction of gravity in order to minimize the movement path of a further article which is to be stored in the packaging. In this way, it can always be ensured that the minimum movement path is provided between the article provision surface and the packaging.Preferably, the packaging is provided at a different height in the direction of gravity compared to the article provision area. Preferably, a bottom of the packaging is located below the article provision area in the direction of gravity. This allows an initial state to be achieved in which a small displacement path of the articles on the article provision area into the packaging is ensured.

[0016] Preferably, the packaging is placed directly adjacent to the item staging area. This also reduces travel distances. Furthermore, the installation space required for the packaging system can be minimized.

[0017] Preferably, a provision direction of the at least one article and a provision device of the packaging intersect. A provision direction of the at least one article can be the direction of movement in which the article is fed to the article provision area. The direction of movement can be understood here as a vector in two-dimensional space. In other words, the intersection of the directions of movement can be determined in a plan view of the packaging system. The provision direction of the packaging can be the direction in which the packaging is fed to its provision position. Thus, feeding to the article provision area and to the provision position of the packaging can occur from different directions. This advantageously allows delivery devices to be arranged, whereby a packaging system can be designed to be particularly compact.

[0018] Preferably, the at least one article is moved from the article provision area into the packaging by means of a gripping device. In other words, the article can be gripped from the article provision area and moved into the packaging and placed there. The gripping device can be an automated robot arm controlled by a control unit. The gripping device can be designed to move only one article at a time from the article provision area into the packaging. Preferably, the gripping device is controlled as a function of the product information. The product information can be indicative of how an article can be gripped and / or moved. For example, with particularly delicate articles, gripping processes must be carried out particularly carefully (e.g. the gripping device should only be operated with low accelerations).Furthermore, for items that are difficult to grip, it can be advantageous to move them very slowly to prevent them from accidentally falling off the gripping device. Thus, by making the gripping device's control dependent on the product information, malfunctions or accidental falling off the gripping device can be avoided.

[0019] Preferably, the gripping device is equipped depending on the product information. The gripping device can be designed to be equipped with various gripping elements. For example, the gripping device can be equipped with a large-area vacuum suction device, a vacuum suction device with a plurality of suction heads, a mechanical gripper, or other gripping devices. The various adapters can be stored in a magazine near the article staging area. Based on the product information, the gripping device can use the optimal gripper. Such a determination can be carried out, for example, by a control unit. The gripper can be designed to change the adapter independently (i.e., without manual intervention).

[0020] Preferably, a conveying level of the at least one article differs from the conveying level of the packaging. A conveying level can describe a height position in the direction of gravity. In other words, the articles and the packaging can be fed at different heights in the direction of gravity. In this way, a particularly compact packaging system can be realized, since articles and packaging can be transported on top of each other or underneath each other. Preferably, the packaging (e.g. a carton) is only made available once all articles of an order have been made available on the article provision area. In this way, it can be ensured that packaging is not made available for an unnecessarily long time until all articles of an order are available on the article provision area. In this way, unnecessary use of the packaging provision area can be avoided.Furthermore, it may be the case that an item that is last added to the item staging area should be inserted into the packaging first, for example, because it is the most stable. This can increase the overall efficiency of the packaging process. Furthermore, it is conceivable for two item staging areas to be assigned to one packaging staging area. Thus, for example, while one item staging area is being supplied with items from one order, another order can be packed into the packaging. This allows for optimal use of space in a packaging system.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a packaging system for packaging at least one article is provided. The packaging system preferably comprises an article provision area for providing at least one article, a packaging provision area for providing a package, an article conveying device for feeding the at least one article to the article provision area, a packaging conveying device for feeding a package to the packaging provision area, a gripping device configured to move at least one article provided on the article provision area into a package provided on the packaging provision area, and a control unit configured to control the gripping device based on commodity information of the at least one article.The packaging system can be a device designed to pack items of an order into packaging. The packaging can be, for example, a box, a carton, a shipping bag, or other types of packaging. The article provision surface can be a rigid body designed to place articles or goods thereon. Preferably, the article provision surface is a substantially rectangular, flat surface that is fixed in position relative to a base on which it stands. A packaging provision surface can be a device on which packaging can be provided. Preferably, the packaging provision surface is smaller than the article provision surface (e.g., in terms of its surface area). The article conveying device can be a shuttle system, as already described above.The packaging conveyor device can be a device that can transport packages. Furthermore, the packaging conveyor device can be configured to produce packages. For example, cartons can be in an unfolded state, wherein the packaging conveyor device can fold the unfolded cartons to form packages for receiving articles. These packages can then be delivered to the package staging area. The gripping device can be a device configured to individually grip articles from the article staging area and transfer them into a package arranged on the packaging staging area. The control unit can be a computer-like device configured to receive and process input data, and output output data.The output data can, for example, include control commands for various devices of the packaging system. Furthermore, the control unit can have a memory unit in which, for example, product information can be stored.

[0022] The article conveying device preferably comprises a rail system which runs at least partially along the article staging area. The rail system can be designed so that a shuttle can move along it. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the rail system to run at least partially along a plurality of article staging areas. Thus, different shuttles can travel on the rail system and deposit a transported article at a desired article staging area. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly high throughput of the packaging system. The rail system is preferably directly adjacent to the article staging area so that articles can be easily transferred from a shuttle to the article staging area. The article conveying device preferably comprises a shuttle which can move on a rail system.This allows items to be individually added to the item staging area.

[0023] Preferably, the shuttle is designed to transport articles from a storage system to the packaging system and deposit them there on the article staging area. In other words, the shuttle can independently pick up and deposit the articles using a transport device provided thereon. Furthermore, the articles can be fed directly from the storage system to the packaging system without any intermediate stations where the articles would have to be processed.

[0024] Preferably, the packaging system further comprises a magazine for storing a plurality of different adapters for the gripping device, wherein the control unit is configured to determine an adapter based on the product information. The magazine can be a storage device in which various gripping adapters for the gripping device are stored. Preferably, the adapters are stored in the magazine in such a way that the gripping device can change them independently.

[0025] Preferably, the packaging provision surface is designed to be displaceable between a packaging receiving position and a loading position, wherein the packaging receiving position and the loading position differ with regard to their positioning in the direction of gravity. In other words, the packaging provision surface can be designed to be displaceable. In the packaging receiving position, the packaging provision surface can receive a package from the packaging conveyor device. If the package is then located on the packaging provision surface, it can be moved in the direction of gravity to assume a position in which the gripping device has to travel the shortest distance when the gripping device transfers an article from the article provision surface into the packaging. This position can be referred to as the loading position.As already mentioned above, the loading position can change during packaging loading to always provide the shortest possible distance for the gripping device between the item staging area and the packaging. The direction of gravity can also be referred to as the direction of gravity.

[0026] Preferably, the gripping device is a suction gripping device. With the suction gripping device, the article can be held on an adapter, such as a suction cup, by means of a vacuum.

[0027] Preferably, the suction gripping device is configured to grip the at least one article based on the product information. As already explained above, different articles can place different demands on a gripping process. These requirements can be met using the product information.

[0028] The packaging conveying device is preferably designed as a conveyor belt. This allows the packaging to be easily fed to the packaging preparation area.

[0029] Preferably, the packaging conveyor and the article conveyor are arranged at different heights in the direction of gravity. This allows article feeding and packaging feeding to be realized in a very small space.

[0030] The packaging conveyor device and the article conveyor device preferably run transversely to one another. In a plan view of the packaging system, the article conveyor device and the packaging conveyor device preferably run transversely to one another. As a result, an article input into the packaging system and a packaging output from the system can be realized on different sides of the packaging system, whereby the packaging system can be advantageously arranged spatially. The packaging system is preferably designed like a portal, with the gripping device being provided such that it can grip the articles from above in the direction of gravity. In other words, the packaging system can be designed analogously to a gantry crane. The packaging system can have a spatially rectangular shape. The gripping device can, for example, be movable in a first direction on a movable arm.Furthermore, the gripping device on the first arm can be movable in a second direction by means of a movable carriage. An extension mechanism allows the gripping device to be movable in a third direction (i.e., the direction of gravity). This allows the gripping device to reach any position in the packaging system.

[0031] Preferably, a plurality of article provision areas and a plurality of packaging provision areas are provided, with each packaging provision area being assigned to an article provision area, wherein a gripping device is arranged and configured such that it can serve the plurality of article provision areas and packaging provision areas. In other words, only one gripping device can be provided to serve a plurality of packaging provision areas. This allows for an efficient packaging system to be provided.

[0032] Preferably, a storage system is provided, comprising a storage area for storing articles, an article conveying device for storing and retrieving the articles into or from the storage area, and a packaging system according to one of the above embodiments, wherein the article conveying device is configured to feed articles from the storage area to the article provision area of ​​the packaging system. Preferably, the articles retrieved from the storage area are fed directly to the packaging system without the need for recognition and / or identification of the articles.

[0033] Preferably, the goods information of the at least one article is determined by a goods information determination unit before being placed in the storage area. Thus, after the article has been removed from storage, it is no longer necessary to recognize or identify it again in order to obtain goods information. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a computer program with program code is provided which, when executed on a computing unit, carries out the above method. The computer program can be in any code, in particular in a code suitable for controlling logistics systems. According to a further aspect, the invention is directed to a computer-readable medium comprising a computer program as defined above. The computer-readable medium can be any digital data storage device, such as a USB stick, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an SD card, or an SSD card.Of course, the computer program does not have to be stored on such a computer-readable medium in order to be made available to a customer, but can also be obtained via the Internet.

[0034] The features and embodiments presented above can be combined with other features or other embodiments to form new embodiments. All advantages and configurations described in connection with the features or embodiments also apply analogously to the new embodiments. The configurations and advantages described above with regard to the method also apply analogously to the device, and vice versa.

[0035] In the following, the present invention will be described in detail using preferred embodiments with reference to the figures.

[0036] Fig. 1 is a schematic and perspective view of a packaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a packaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a schematic and perspective view of a packaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a packaging system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The packaging system 10 has a portal-like structure and extends substantially in a first direction R1, a second direction R2, and a third direction R3. The three directions are each orthogonal to one another. The packaging system 10 has a plurality of article provision surfaces 2. More specifically, the packaging system 10 of the present embodiment comprises six article provision surfaces 2. Furthermore, the packaging system 10 comprises four packaging provision surfaces 3. The packaging provision surfaces 3 are designed to provide a package (not shown in the figure). The packages are fed via a packaging conveyor device (not shown in the figure).Furthermore, the packaging system 10 has a gripping device 5, which is designed to transfer articles from the article provision area 2 into a provided package on the packaging provision area 3. The gripping device has a first arm 7, which can move in the first direction R1 across the packaging system 10. Furthermore, the gripping device 5 has a carriage 8, with which the gripping device can move in the second direction R2 across the packaging system 10. A second arm 9 allows the gripping device to move in the third direction R3. Thus, the gripping device 5 can move to any position in the packaging system 10. In the present embodiment, the packaging system 10 has only a single gripping device 5. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a plurality of such packaging systems 10, as shown in Fig. 1, can be arranged in order to increase the throughput of articles.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the packaging system 10 shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows an article conveying device 4. The article conveying device 4 is designed as a shuttle that can be moved on a rail system. In the situation shown in Fig. 2, the article conveying device 4 is currently automatically depositing an article 1 onto an article staging area 2 using a transport device 11. At this point in time, there is no packaging on the adjacent packaging staging area 3. This is only added once all articles of an order have been arranged on the article staging area 2. Once the article conveying device 4 has deposited the article 1 on the article staging area 2, the article conveying device 4 moves out of the packaging system 10 again in the second direction R2 (see arrow in Fig. 2).This allows another article conveyor 4 to directly enter the packaging system 10 in the same direction and unload an article 1 at the same or another article staging area 2. This can significantly increase throughput.

[0041] Fig. 3 is a schematic and perspective view of a packaging system 10, as shown in the preceding figures. In Fig. 3, different levels in the third direction R3 (i.e. in the direction of gravity) are indicated by four lines. The plane defined by the straight line 12 is the packaging feed level 12. In this level, articles are fed to the packaging preparation areas 2 by the article feed device 4. In contrast, a packaging feed level 13 is located vertically below (i.e. in the third direction R3) the article feed level. In other words, packages and articles can be fed to the respective target positions at different levels. This allows the packaging system 10 to be designed to be particularly compact. Furthermore, the figures show an adapter magazine 6, which stores a large number of different adapters for the gripping device 5.The gripping device 5 can move automatically to the magazine and change an adapter there. The control unit determines which adapter is correct for the upcoming gripping job based on the product information. This ensures that a successful gripping process can always be carried out.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a schematic flow diagram showing a sequence of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step S1, at least one article is provided on an article provision area. In the present embodiment, this is done by an article conveying device which automatically arranges an article 1 on the article provision area 2. In the next step S2, product information of the at least one article is received. The product information is indicative of at least one property of the at least one article. In a subsequent step S3, packaging for the at least one article is provided based on the product information. The packaging is selected such that it optimally matches the provided articles of the order. In step S4, the at least one article is then moved into the packaging.This is done based on product information, which ensures that items are inserted into the packaging according to their properties, which are known from the product information.

[0043] List of reference symbols:

[0044] 1 article

[0045] 2 article provision area

[0046] 3 Packaging preparation area

[0047] 4 Article conveying device

[0048] 5 Gripping device

[0049] 6 Magazine

[0050] 7 first arm

[0051] 8 sleds

[0052] 9 second arm

[0053] 10 Packaging system

[0054] 11 Transport device

[0055] 12 article feed level

[0056] 13 Packaging feed level

[0057] R1 first direction

[0058] R2 second direction

[0059] R3 third direction

Claims

Patent claims 1 . A method for packaging at least one article (1) of an order, comprising: - Providing the at least one article (1) on an article provision area (2), - receiving product information of the at least one article (1) of the order, wherein the product information comprises at least one property of the at least one article (1) of the order, - Providing packaging for the at least one item (1) of the order based on the product information, and - Moving the at least one article (1) of the order from the article provision area (2) into the packaging based on the product information.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one article (1) of an order is transported from a storage system to the article provision area (2).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one article (1) is fed to the article provision area (2) by means of a shuttle and is deposited on the article provision area (2) in particular by a transport device (11) of the shuttle.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the goods information is determined before storing the at least one article (1).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the article provision surface (2) is a table-like structure on which the at least one article (1) can be passively held.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the product information comprises a fragility, a load-bearing capacity, a dimensional stability, a surface quality, a porosity, a sensitivity, possible hazards emanating from the article (1), a cooling requirement, incompatibilities, a state of aggregation, a shelf life, odor information and / or a serial number of the at least one article (1).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one article (1) is fed to the article provision area (2) without outer packaging and / or transport aid.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging is provided in a relative position to the article provision surface (2) which is dependent on the product information.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the relative position is varied during movement of the at least one article (1) into the package.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging is provided at a different height position in the direction of gravity compared to the article provision surface (2).

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a bottom of the package is located below the article provision surface (2) in the direction of gravity.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a provision direction of the at least one article (1) and a provision device of the packaging diverge.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one article (1) is moved from the article provision area (2) into the packaging by means of a gripping device (5).

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the gripping device (5) is controlled in dependence on the goods information.

15. Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the gripping device (5) is equipped depending on the goods information.

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a conveying level of the at least one article (1) differs from the conveying level of the packaging.

17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging is only provided when all articles (1) of an order have been provided on the article provision area (2).

18. Packaging system (10) for packaging at least one article (1), the packaging system (10) comprising: - an article provision area (2) for providing at least one article (1), - a packaging supply area (3) for supplying packaging, - an article conveying device (4) for feeding the at least one article (1) to the article provision area (2), - a packaging conveyor device for feeding a package to the packaging supply area (3), - a gripping device (5) which is designed to move at least one article provided on the article provision area (2) into a packaging provided on the packaging provision area (3), and - a control unit designed to control the gripping device (5) based on product information of the at least one article (1).

19. Packaging system (10) according to claim 18, further comprising: a magazine (6) for storing a plurality of different adapters for the gripping device (5), wherein the control unit is designed to determine an adapter based on the goods information.

20. Packaging system (10) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the packaging provision surface (3) is designed to be displaceable between a packaging receiving position and a loading position, wherein the packaging receiving position and the loading position differ with regard to their positioning in the direction of gravity.

21. Packaging system (10) according to one of claims 18 to 20, wherein a plurality of article provision areas (2) and a plurality of packaging provision areas (3) are provided, wherein in each case a packaging provision area (3) is assigned to an article provision area (2), wherein a gripping device (5) is arranged and designed such that it can serve the plurality of article provision areas (2) and packaging provision areas (3).

22. Packaging system (10) according to one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the article conveying device (4) comprises a rail system which runs at least partially along the article provision surface (2).

23. Packaging system (10) according to one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the article conveying device (4) comprises a shuttle which is movable on a rail system.

24. Packaging system (10) according to one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the packaging provision surface (3) is designed to be displaceable between a packaging receiving position and a loading position, wherein the packaging receiving position and the loading position differ with regard to their positioning in the direction of gravity.

25. Packaging system (10) according to one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the gripping device (5) is a suction gripping device.

26. Packaging system (10) according to claim 25, wherein the suction gripping device is configured to grip the at least one article (1) based on the product information.

27. Packaging system (10) according to one of claims 18 to 26, wherein the packaging conveying device is designed as a conveyor belt.

28. Packaging system (10) according to one of claims 18 to 27, wherein the packaging conveyor and the article conveyor are arranged at different height levels in the direction of gravity.

29. Packaging system (10) according to one of claims 18 to 26, wherein the packaging conveyor and the article conveyor extend transversely to each other.

30. Storage system comprising: a storage area for storing articles, an article conveying device (4) for storing and retrieving the articles (1) in or from the storage area, a packaging system (10) according to one of claims 18 to 29, wherein the article conveying device (4) is designed to feed articles (1) from the storage area to the article provision area (2) of the packaging system (10).

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