Storage of autonomously moving hanging bags in a hanging-bag warehouse with pathways used as high-speed routes and shunting routes

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a hanging-bag warehouse (1) which has storage items (3) received in hanging bags (5). Quick delivery along with highest-possible storage densities can be achieved by - the storage items (3) received in hanging bags (5) being stored in a row (60) on a storage route (62) of the hanging-bag warehouse (1), - one of the storage items (3) in the row (60) being identified for delivery, - a delivery path (70) being freed for the identified item among the storage items (3) by - other items among the storage items (3) in the row (60) being shifted into a shunting route (66) and / or a high-speed route (72) of the hanging-bag warehouse (1) by means of the other items among the storage items (3) in the row (60) being spun out or shuttled via the storage route (62) and a further storage route (64), arranged parallel and adjacent to the first-mentioned storage route, in a direction of rotation, and - the identified item among the storage items (3) being delivered along the freed delivery path (70) on both sides of the storage routes (62, 64).

Description

[0001] STORAGE OF AUTONOMOUSLY DRIVING HANGING BAGS IN A HANGING BAG WAREHOUSE WITH TRAVELWAYS USED AS HIGHWAYS AND SHUNTING ROADS

[0002] Description

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a method for operating a hanging bag warehouse with stored goods held in hanging bags and to a hanging bag warehouse according to the method.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] In automated warehouses, production facilities and during goods transport, for example in mail order businesses, it is necessary to load and unload goods into containers as automatically as possible. The goods can be stored in these containers before being delivered and are then transported to the station where they are packaged for onward transport to the customer. Transport within the warehouse is usually carried out using overhead conveyors. The containers are usually made like fabric bags and are suspended from a rail system at the top with a type of wire hanger. A container of this type is known, for example, from WO 2014 / 012965 A1. Its side wall elements are controlled by a rod system so that the side wall elements, which are connected to one another via a connecting area, can be folded out.In the area of ​​a loading station, the containers are also transferred into a horizontal or inclined position.

[0007] Comparable material containers and associated overhead conveyor systems are known, for example, from DE 102004018 569 A1, EP 2 130 968 A1 or EP 2 196 415 A. The transport pockets described therein are made of flexible materials in the form of a loop in which the material to be conveyed is held. For loading, these transport pockets are opened from above in order to be able to insert the material into the loop. Unloading occurs by either removing the material from the side of the loop or ejecting it, or, for example, according to EP 2 130 968 A1, by opening the loop downwards. Furthermore, from DE 103 54 419 A1, a material carrier is known which has a relatively rigid and flat plastic wall with a cutout for loading and unloading with material to be conveyed.

[0008] Other material containers are made like hanging, flat plastic trays that are covered on one side with elastic materials, which clamps the material in place.

[0009] It is known to load such containers mechanically and unload them manually. The transport cycle is determined by the slowest process, which also depends on the quantity of transported goods. In particular, a large number of individual items can slow down loading and / or unloading. For example, the unloading and / or reassembly of disassembled transport containers can determine the maximum possible transport cycle. EP 2 686 258 B1 relates to an overhead conveyor system with a transport pocket for the automatic unloading of a loaded piece of goods and with an unloading station. The transport pocket has a horizontal base on which the piece of goods can be stored for transport purposes.The base interacts with a lifting device which is designed to raise the base of the transport bag loaded with at least one piece of goods, when the transport bag is in an unloading position, in a vertical direction in such a way that the at least one piece of goods can be pushed out centrally through an end face of a base body of the transport bag by means of a pushing device, wherein the pushing device has a slide which engages through another end face of the base body into an interior of the base body where the at least one piece of goods is located when the base is raised. For unloading, the two opposite open end faces, the base which can be lifted in the vertical direction and the slider of the pushing device which extends through one of the end faces are therefore required.DE 202017 100 206 U1 discloses a material container for an overhead conveyor system for transporting material, which container is adjustable between an open position and a closed position. The material container has a base that is mechanically associated with an ejection device. By means of the ejection device, the base can be adjusted between a transport position, in which the material can be stored within the material container, and an ejection position, in which the material can be ejected from the material container.

[0010] DE 10 2018 105 795 A1 discloses a method for loading or unloading a conveyed material held on a flexible material of a conveyed material container by means of a station such as an unloading station and / or a loading station of an overhead conveyor system, as well as a conveyed material container, unloading station, and overhead conveyor system according to the method. The conveyed material container is brought close to the station, where an attractive force is then exerted between the station and the conveyed material container to couple the flexible material of the conveyed material container. The thus coupled conveyed material container is tilted, and the conveyed material is ejected from the conveyed material container in a sliding motion.

[0011] DE 102018 128 417 A1 describes a method for transporting and sorting a sorting pocket suspended from a rolling adapter rolling on a rail network of a sorting system for transporting a piece goods, characterized by: providing the rail network of the sorting system, providing the rolling adapter of the sorting pocket rolling on the rail network, providing an electrical drive energy for the rolling adapter, - converting the provided electrical drive energy by means of the

[0012] The rolling adapter itself converts kinetic energy for transporting the sorting bag, as well as devices according to the method. The rolling adapters serve to suspend and move the sorting bags. For this purpose, they each have a chassis with two coaxially rotating wheels, a suspension arranged between and supported by the wheels, on which the sorting bag is suspended, an electric drive for driving the wheels, and a control device or partial control device for autonomously or at least semi-autonomously controlling the rolling adapter along a path selected from a plurality of paths.

[0013] It is also known that industrial objects communicate with each other according to a network standard, which is also referred to as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

[0014] Summary of the invention

[0015] Based on this prior art, the present invention is based on the object of enabling retrieval processes and / or sorting processes, in particular up to 30,000 per hour, at a particularly high eager density in a hanging bag warehouse with a large number of autonomously or at least semi-autonomously movable hanging bags, in particular with more than one million individual hanging bags.The problem is solved in a method for controlling a hanging bag warehouse with goods held in hanging bags by storing the goods held in the hanging bags in a row on a storage line of the hanging bag warehouse, scheduling one of the goods in the row for retrieval, clearing a retrieval path for the scheduled goods, moving further goods in the row to a shunting line and / or a fast lane of the hanging bag warehouse by circling or oscillating the further goods in the row across the storage line and another storage line arranged parallel and adjacent to it in a direction of rotation, and retrieving the scheduled goods along the cleared retrieval path on both sides of the storage lines. Because retrieval takes place on both sides, faster retrieval can be achieved, with an optimized path being selectable depending on the destination.

[0016] Preferably, the remaining stored goods can rotate in a first direction of rotation in a block of the hanging bag storage system, with the storage lanes arranged adjacent to one another. This rotation allows all of the stored hanging bags to be gradually and cyclically brought to an edge of the storage lanes and retrieved upon request.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the remaining stored goods are circulated in a plurality of adjacent storage lines in the same direction of rotation. All hanging pockets can be moved in the same direction of rotation, resulting in movements in the same direction at the ends of the storage lines. This can accelerate the unloading process.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the other stored goods are rotated in an opposite direction and in a plurality of adjacent storage lines in a further block located adjacent to the block. This allows movement between the blocks to be achieved in the same direction, simplifying the removal of the hanging bags between the blocks.

[0019] Preferably, exactly one shunting lane and exactly one expressway are located between the block and the next block. This allows for one-way unloading via the shunting lane and particularly rapid removal via the expressway when several blocks are arranged. This saves storage space.

[0020] Another advantageous option is to have a single expressway between one block and the next. In this case, the expressway is also used as a shunting lane, which also saves storage space. The circling can occur continuously until the goods to be unloaded reach one of the two edges of the corresponding storage lane, at which point it can immediately stop. This frees up the single lane between the blocks, which can be used jointly as a shunting lane and a storage lane, or at least reduced to two lanes, and can be used to transport the planned stored goods or hanging pockets, i.e. as an expressway. This minimizes the number of routes required for movements between the storage locations and the unloading station.

[0021] Furthermore, the procedure can be implemented by driving along the expressway in a direction-specific manner, adapted to the direction of rotation and the further direction of rotation. This can achieve a uniform and thus optimized traffic flow on the expressway.

[0022] A further preferred embodiment of the method involves driving along the expressway and the shunting lane in a direction-dependent manner, adapted to the direction of rotation and the further direction of rotation. This allows for a synchronized and thus optimized traffic flow on the expressway and the shunting lane.

[0023] The problem is also solved by a hanging pocket storage system for carrying out a previously described process. This results in the advantages described above.

[0024] Finally, the task is solved with a hanging bag warehouse for storing and sorting goods that can be received in hanging bags across a plurality of levels, each with: a network on which the hanging bags can be moved autonomously or at least semi-autonomously, a plurality of storage lines of the network arranged parallel to one another for storing the goods received in the hanging bags, a block and at least one further block arranged adjacent to it, in which the storage lines are arranged, at least one shunting line into which the plurality of storage lines flow and / or at least one expressway that is downstream of the plurality of storage lines and / or the at least one shunting line, wherein exactly one of the expressways or exactly one expressway and exactly one of the shunting lines is / are arranged between the blocks. Synchronized traffic for retrieval can take place between the blocks.This allows for faster retrieval processes. With only two or just one lane between the blocks, comparatively more storage space is available.

[0025] Further advantages emerge from the subclaims and the following description of a preferred embodiment.

[0026] Short description of the characters

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. They show:

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view from the side at the front and top of a hanging pocket storage system;

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a hanging pocket for the hanging pocket storage shown in Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of several of the hanging pockets shown in Figure 2 on a rail network; and

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a level of the hanging pocket storage for

[0032] Illustration of a retrieval with a roundabout in a multitude of two adjacent storage streets in neighboring blocks.

[0033] Description of preferred embodiments

[0034] Before describing the invention in detail, it should be noted that it is not limited to the specific components of the device and the specific method steps, as these components and methods may vary. The terms used herein are intended only to describe particular embodiments and are not used in a limiting sense. Furthermore, if the singular or

[0035] REVISED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP Where indefinite articles are used, this also refers to the majority of these elements, unless the overall context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional view from the side front and top of a hanging pocket storage unit 1.

[0037] The hanging pocket storage system 1 has at least two levels 9, 13, here a total of four, with a first level 9 and a second level 13 being provided with reference numerals, for example. More or fewer levels are conceivable, for example, 10 levels or more, arranged vertically one above the other.

[0038] Each of the levels 9, 13 of the hanging pocket storage 1 has a transfer buffer 7, 11, of which only a first transfer buffer 7 and a second transfer buffer 11 are provided with reference numerals.

[0039] The hanging pocket storage system 1 serves for receiving, storing, sorting, and / or retrieving stored goods 3. It can be used either as a pure storage or as a sorting device. The transfer buffers 7, 11 are preferably arranged vertically one above the other, as symbolized by a line 27. However, it is also conceivable to arrange at least two of the transfer buffers 7, 11 one above the other and / or to arrange them at an angle to a vertical spatial direction along the line 27.

[0040] A ring conveyor system 23, preferably a plurality of such, also runs along the imaginary line 27 along which the transfer buffers 7, 11 are arranged. The transfer buffers 7, 11 are arranged adjacent to the ring conveyor system 23 in such a way that the stored goods 3 can be transferred from them into the ring conveyor system 23 and / or stored from there into the levels 9, 13 or the transfer buffers 7, 11 of the levels 9, 13.

[0041] In one embodiment, the stored goods 3 are transferred directly to the ring conveyor system 23. Preferably, the stored goods 3 are transferred to the ring conveyor system 23 while located in a hanging pocket 5. Particularly preferably, the entire hanging pocket 5 is driven, controlled, and / or moved autonomously before provision, during provision, and / or transfer of the hanging pocket 5. The method is particularly carried out without drag chains. For this purpose, the hanging pocket warehouse 1 is designed, for example, at least partially or entirely without drag chains, preferably at least within levels 9, 13.

[0042] For this purpose, the suspended pocket storage system 1 comprises a network 49, for example, a rail network with connecting sections and branches such as crossings and / or switches. This is preferably a grid with straight rails connected to each other by crossings and / or switches. For example, with rectangular meshes.

[0043] In order to store the stored goods 3 in the hanging bag warehouse, the latter has a transfer point 53, via which the individual stored goods are transferred into individual hanging bags 5. Preferably, only one of the stored goods 3 is transferred per hanging bag 5. However, several are also conceivable, provided they fit in the corresponding hanging bag 5. In the transfer point, the stored goods 3 can optionally be buffered and transferred directly into the hanging bags 5, which for this purpose head for the transfer point 53 and then move autonomously to a storage location in the hanging bag warehouse 1.

[0044] At an unloading station 55 of the hanging bag storage system 1, the stored goods 3 are removed from the ring conveyor system 23 and are available there, preferably in a predetermined or predeterminable sequence 15. It is conceivable for a column of hanging bags 5 to move from the ring conveyor system 23 into the unloading station 55 in the desired sequence 15, or to be transferred from the ring conveyor system 23 to the unloading station, be unloaded there, and then return for further loading. The unloading station 55 can be arranged inside or outside one of the levels 9, 13, preferably on a lowest level.Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the hanging pockets 5 are conveyed by means of the ring conveyor system 23 and unloaded at the unloading station 55 in the desired order and immediately transported back empty to the hanging pocket storage 1, i.e. without the respective hanging pockets 5 being directly available there, for example to be transported further to the transfer point 53 after unloading.

[0045] Particularly preferably, the hanging pockets 5 are designed so that they travel autonomously along the network 49. Hanging pocket warehouses 1 with autonomously moving hanging pockets 5 are known and are described, for example, in DE10 2018 128 417 A1, so a more detailed description is omitted here. Preferably, a control device 25 is provided for monitoring and controlling the hanging pocket warehouse 1, in particular for specifying the desired sequence 15 and controlling the ring conveyor system 23, which control device exchanges information with the functional units of the hanging pocket warehouse 1.

[0046] Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of such a hanging pocket 5 for the hanging pocket warehouse 1 shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of several of the hanging pockets 5 shown in Figure 2, suspended in the network 49, which is designed, for example, as a rail network. For this purpose, these pockets have wheels 57 and can be driven by means of a drive energy, only indicated by the reference numeral 59, and a drive that uses this energy. The hanging pockets 5 have a rolling adapter 61 and a pocket material suspended or suspendable therefrom, in particular a sagging and / or foldable material, in which a stored item 3 can be accommodated. In Figure 3, a possible direction of movement of the hanging pockets 5 in the network 49 is indicated by a double arrow 51. The hanging pockets 5, in particular their rolling adapter 61, are set up, programmed, and / or designed for autonomous or semi-autonomous travel on the network 49.For this purpose, these, in particular the roll adapters 61, can have their own drive and their own longitudinal and lateral dynamics control.

[0047] Figure 2 shows the hanging pocket 5 with the stored goods 3 held therein. The stored goods 3 are located within a U-shaped suspended material, particularly a flexible material. Loading and unloading can occur, in particular, from above or from the side.

[0048] Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a level of a hanging pocket storage system, for example, level 9 of the previously described hanging pocket storage system 1. Level 9 is only partially shown, whereby the dimensions and number of individual elements of level 9 described here can be varied depending on the requirements of the hanging pocket storage system 1. Likewise, the number of levels themselves can be varied.

[0049] Unless explicitly stated, reference is also made to the following figures. Level 9, which is only partially shown, has the network 49 with a plurality of rails. The network 49 has, for example, rectangular meshes formed by the rails and crossings, wherein corresponding four-way switches can be provided at mesh nodes. The wheels 57 of the hanging pockets 5 can roll on the rails of the network 49. Movement of the hanging pockets 1 can occur autonomously or at least semi-autonomously. For this purpose, each of the hanging pockets 5 can have its own drive acting on the wheels 57 and a corresponding control system.

[0050] The network 49 can, in principle, be traversed in any direction by the suspended pockets 5. Preferably, the switches are designed to be passive, and the suspended pockets 5 interact with the switches through appropriate steering devices (not shown in detail) to effect desired changes of direction. Movements of the suspended pockets 5 are shown in bold dashed lines in the figure.

[0051] Preferably, however, the network 49 is used and traveled by the hanging pockets 5 – regardless of the previously described free travel and usage options – according to predefined or predeterminable rules. For this purpose, directions, speeds, and preferably types of use can be specified for specific sections of the network 5. In the present case, the network 49 can have at least one storage lane 62 for storing the hanging pockets 5. In the storage lanes 62, one or more of the hanging pockets 5 can be stored in a row 60, symbolized, for example, by a curved bracket. For this purpose, they remain at rest, preferably in a power-saving idle state, parked one behind the other in the row 60 of the corresponding storage lanes 62.

[0052] For display, all of the hanging pockets 5 that are to be moved can be woken up and moved again accordingly.

[0053] In this exemplary embodiment, storage lines 62 are arranged parallel to each other throughout level 9 and are shown horizontally and as solid lines in the figure. The rules and arrangement offer the advantage that material flows during storage and retrieval can be standardized and thus faster, simpler, and free of resource conflicts on network 49.

[0054] The hanging pockets 5 are symbolized in the figure by rectangles. The storage aisles 62 of the hanging pocket warehouse 1 have a cross-intersection length compared to other areas of the hanging pocket warehouse 1, in particular expressways and / or marshalling yards, in particular a length that is at least 1.5 times longer, preferably at least 3 times longer, in particular at least 10 times longer, for example between 3 and 25 times longer, preferably approximately 20 times longer. The cross-intersection length can be, for example, between 3 and 20 meters longer, preferably approximately 15 meters longer. The cross-intersection length can be, for example, between 3 and 20 meters longer, preferably approximately 15 meters longer, depending on the use or optimization of the hanging pocket warehouse 1. For example, the length can be shorter for rapid access and short storage times of the stored goods 3 and longer for comparatively low handling frequencies.

[0055] The hanging bag warehouse 1 also has shunting lines 66, preferably at least one shunting line 66. The shunting lines 66 are arranged at an angle to the storage lines 62, preferably orthogonally thereto. In the figure, the shunting lines 66 are shown vertically and also in solid lines. Preferably, at least one of the storage lines 62 opens into at least one of the shunting lines 66 at the angle, preferably orthogonally. In contrast to the storage lines 62, stopping for storage purposes is not permitted on the shunting lines 66. A reversal of the direction of movement is optionally possible. In the present case, the storage lines 62, which are combined in blocks 76, open into two of the shunting lines 66 at least on one side, preferably on both sides and at the angle, in particular orthogonally. The blocks 76 each have a plurality of storage lines 62 arranged parallel to one another. In the present case, 5 each.The number can vary, for example, between 2 and 30, preferably between 5 and 20, in particular approximately 15. The number can also be adapted to a task of the hanging bag storage 1.

[0056] It is optionally conceivable that the blocks 76 are surrounded by a ring of shunting roads 66. However, expressways 72 are provided at an upper and / or lower end of the respective blocks 76 and parallel to the storage roads 62, preferably directly adjacent to each other.

[0057] In order to achieve a good and rapid outflow of the stored goods 3 or hanging bags 5, a comparatively high speed may be driven on the expressways 72 and, in particular, continuous travel is provided, i.e., stopping without reason is not intended or should be avoided. Reasons for stopping can therefore preferably be limited to collision avoidance. Particularly preferably, the expressways 72 can generally have a directional movement of the hanging bags 5. Furthermore, it is optionally possible for the expressways 72 to be arranged parallel to one another at a certain distance, with the blocks 76 arranged in between. It is conceivable that expressways 72 arranged parallel to one another have opposite specifications for the direction of movement, i.e., at least one pair of expressways 72 arranged parallel to one another is provided with opposite specifications for the direction of movement.Furthermore, the expressways 72 can be arranged at an angle to one another, preferably intersecting at the angle. For example, they can be arranged orthogonally to one another. In this case, the expressways 72 can be arranged in a grid pattern and preferably with alternating directions of movement. In this way, ring roads surrounding at least one or more of the blocks 76 can be formed, allowing for particularly fast, one-way travel. The optional alternating directions are indicated in the figure by arrows 78, and the expressways 72 are shown in dashed lines.

[0058] It can be seen in the figure that, particularly preferably, the storage roads 62 are crossed at least on one side by one of the shunting roads 66, and one of the expressways 72 arranged at an angle to the storage roads 62 runs parallel to the respective shunting road 66. As shown in the figure, it is possible for one of the shunting roads 66 to be arranged parallel to each of the expressways 72 on both sides, with one of the blocks 76 adjacent to each of them, with a plurality of connections and junctions connecting one of the shunting roads 66 to the respective expressway 72 and in turn to the storage roads 62 of the respective blocks 76.Thus, a grid-like arrangement of at least two, preferably three mutually parallel rails of the network 49 is formed, which has at least partially autonomous or autonomously navigable switches or crossings at a distance of the storage lines 62 from the hanging pockets 5 and limits the trestles 76 orthogonally to the orientation of the storage lines 62 or connects them to the remaining network 49 of the hanging pocket storage 1. The arrangement is divided by the traffic regulations into the shunting lines 66 and the expressways 72, whereby a physical structure can have identical parts of switches and rail sections in order to enable a cost-effective and easily assembled structure.

[0059] In the following, possible uses of this grid-like arrangement of storage aisles 62, shunting lanes 66, and expressways 72 are explained in more detail using the example of a relocation. One of the stored goods 3 in the hanging bag warehouse 1 is scheduled for relocation, for example, retrieval, preferably initially to the unloading station 55. The hanging bag 5 with the scheduled stored goods 3 is shown in dotted lines in the figure, although the stored goods 3 itself contained in the hanging bag 5 is not visible. The scheduled stored goods 3 can be identical at one or more locations in the hanging bag warehouse 1, and a selection can be made based on a criterion before scheduling.

[0060] As can be seen in the figure, the hanging pockets 5 shown in dotted lines are removed and symbolized by dashed and bold arrows 74.

[0061] Before this can take place, however, the item 3 shown in dotted lines is first scheduled for retrieval. This can be done using the control device 25.

[0062] In order to free up a retrieval path 70 along which the scheduled storage goods 3 can leave row 60, further storage goods 3 are relocated to a shunting line 66, 68 of the hanging pocket warehouse 1, shown in solid lines. The shunting line 66 is arranged orthogonally to the storage line 62 and intersects it at a four-way switch at one end of the storage line 62. As soon as the retrieval path 70 is free, the relocation or retrieval of the scheduled storage goods 3 can take place along this path, which is symbolized in the figure by the bold and dashed arrow 74. The scheduled storage goods 3 can then optionally be temporarily stored or, if necessary, travel directly to or be conveyed to the unloading station 55, preferably enter the ring conveyor system 23 and be conveyed by this to the unloading station.

[0063] Figure 4 shows one possibility for clearing the retrieval path 70 and relocating the planned storage goods 3 along it. To do this, the remaining storage goods 3 are moved in a circular pattern, symbolized by arrow 80. The storage line 62 and another storage line 64 of the corresponding block 76 are used for circling, as indicated by the dashed and bold arrow 80 in Figure 4. When using the additional storage line 64, the shunting lines 66, 68 are used in a particularly short section. This allows a comparatively large number of these processes to run in parallel, further reducing sorting and / or access times.As soon as the planned storage goods 3 have arrived at one end of the storage road 62, the removal path 70 is free and it can be relocated, in particular removed, by crossing the shunting road 66 and via the expressway(s) 72, which is symbolized in Figure 4 by the dashed and bold arrow 74.

[0064] Preferably, the hanging pockets 5 or the stored goods 3 are rotated by a maximum of 180 degrees per retrieval. Preferably with an adjacent one of the storage lines 62. The stored goods 3 are therefore swapped between the storage lines 62, preferably between the two adjacent storage lines 62, whereby a sequence of the stored goods 3 is reversed or mirrored in each case and the retrieval takes place in the process. This simplifies inventory management because, although the contents of the respective storage lines 62 are mirrored, they remain intact in their entirety except for the planned storage goods. The arrangement of the individual stored goods 3 within the storage lines 62 is also irrelevant. The planned storage goods 3 can be moved out autonomously and independently of the non-planned storage goods 3. It is also irrelevant which of the storage lines 62 also participates in the rotation.It is only important that the planned one of the storage goods 3 is addressed and that the storage line 62 with this planned one of the storage goods 3 as well as any other, in particular directly adjacent, one of the storage lines 62 participates in the rotation.

[0065] It is evident that half a rotation is sufficient for each of the stored goods 3 thus moved along the two storage roads 62 to pass exactly once along one of the shunting roads 66, 68, which are arranged on both sides of the front ends of the storage roads 62. At this moment, the planned stored goods 3 leave the circular movement, in particular onto the corresponding one of the shunting roads 66, 68 or by crossing directly onto the adjacent or parallel expressway 72. In this application, circular movement or rotation can also be understood as a movement on a closed track that deviates from a pure circular shape. The shunting roads 66 can be traveled in a constant direction and, due to the circling, are subject to comparatively low traffic loads, which allows for more fluid traffic overall.

[0066] In a preferred option, the roundabout only occurs when a retrieval is taking place. Furthermore, the roundabout can only occur until the goods 3 to be retrieved have left the roundabout. A decision can be made beforehand as to which of the shunting lanes 66 and 68 the goods should exit the roundabout. Preferably, this should be done in such a way that the circular movement is as small as possible and / or the route to the unloading station 55 is as short as possible. The roundabout can be exited via the closer shunting lanes 66, 68, or expressway 72. In this case, the roundabout is generally exited from both sides following a route optimization decision. This results in comparatively little traffic outside of the storage lanes 62 and 64.

[0067] Within block 76, two of the storage roads, each with the same direction of rotation, are preferably combined to form a roundabout. These can be operated independently of one another. This makes it possible to dispense with at least one, preferably both, shunting roads 66 and 68, i.e., to provide only one of the shunting roads on one side adjacent to the storage roads of block 76, or only one of the expressways 72 on both sides. This can free up additional storage space. A further block 77 of similar design is arranged adjacent to block 76. Such adjacent blocks 76, 77 can have opposite directions of rotation of the roundabouts, which is indicated in Figure 4 by way of example by four curved arrows. This means that the expressways 72, or pairs consisting of one of the shunting roads 66, 68 and one of the expressways, which are then the only ones available, can each be traveled in one direction, which is symbolized by arrows 88.

[0068] REVISED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP Reference Symbol List

[0069] Hanging bag storage

[0070] Hanging pocket first transfer buffer first level second transfer buffer second level sequence ring conveyor system control device line

[0071] network

[0072] Double arrow transfer point unloading station

[0073] Wheels

[0074] Drive energy Rolling adapter Storage road Further storage road Shunting road Further shunting road Removal path Expressway

[0075] Arrow

[0076] Block another block

[0077] Arrow

[0078] Arrow

[0079] Arrow

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for operating a hanging bag warehouse (1) with stored goods (3) held in hanging bags (5), characterized by: - storing the goods (3) held in the hanging pockets (5) in a row (60) on a storage line (62) of the hanging pocket warehouse (1), - Planning one of the stored goods (3) of the row (60) for retrieval, - clearing a retrieval path (70) for the planned storage goods (3) by, - Moving further of the stored goods (3) of the row (60) into a shunting lane (66) and / or a fast lane (72) of the hanging bag warehouse (1) by means of gyrating or oscillating the further of the stored goods (3) of the row (60) over the storage lane (62) and a further storage lane (64) arranged parallel and adjacent thereto in a direction of rotation, and - Outlay! of the planned storage goods (3) along the cleared retrieval path (70) on both sides of the storage streets (62,64).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized by: - Rotating the further stored goods (3) in a block (76) of the hanging pocket storage (1) in a first direction of rotation, wherein the storage lines (62, 64) are arranged adjacent to one another.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized by: - Rotating the further stored goods (3) in a plurality of adjacent storage lines (62,64) in the direction of rotation.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by: - Rotating the further stored goods (3) in an opposite further direction of rotation and in a plurality of adjacent storage lines (62, 64) in a further block (77) arranged adjacent to the block (76). REVISED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP 5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that between the block (76) and the further block (77) exactly one shunting road (66) and exactly one expressway (72) are arranged.

6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that exactly one expressway (72) is arranged between the block (76) and the further block (77).

7. Method according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by: - Driving on the expressway (72) in a direction-bound manner and adapted to the direction of rotation and the further direction of rotation.

8. Method according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by: - Directional driving on the expressway (72) and the shunting road (66) adapted to the direction of rotation and the further direction of rotation.

9. Hanging bag warehouse (1), set up, designed and / or programmed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Hanging bag storage (1) for storing and sorting goods (3) that can be accommodated in hanging bags (5), in particular according to claim 9, characterized by: - A variety of levels (9, 13), each with: - a network (49) on which the hanging bags (5) can be moved autonomously or at least partially autonomously, a plurality of storage lines (62, 64) of the network (49) arranged parallel to one another for storing the goods (3) accommodated in the hanging bags (5), - a block (76) and at least one further block (77) arranged adjacent thereto, in which the storage streets (62, 64) are arranged, at least one shunting road (66, 68) into which the plurality of storage streets (62, 64) open and / or at least one expressway (72) which is arranged downstream of the plurality of storage streets (62, 64) and / or the at least one shunting road (66), wherein between the blocks (76, 77) exactly one of the REVISED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP Expressways (72) or exactly one expressway (72) and exactly one of the shunting roads (66,68) is / are arranged. REVISED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP

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