Transfer container for the combined manual transfer of piece goods and corresponding method

Abstract

The invention relates to a transfer container (12) for the joint manual transfer of unit loads (9) into a shipping container (15) during order picking, comprising at least one manual actuating means (21) arranged within reach of a handle (14) on the transfer container (12) for actuation by means of at least one finger of a hand of a person (13) who holds the transfer container (12) by the handle (14), wherein the manual actuating means (21) is designed to release an adjustable bottom wall (19) of the transfer container (12) from its closed position when actuated, so that the bottom wall (19) can be moved into its release position in order to discharge the unit loads (9) located in the storage space (17) of the transfer container (12) downwards through a downwardly pointing opening (20) by falling out of the transfer container (12) due to the manual actuation of the actuating means (21).The invention also relates to an associated method for transferring unit loads (9) into a shipping container (15) by means of such a transfer container (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transfer container for the manual transfer of individual items into a shipping container during order picking, comprising at least one side wall laterally delimiting the storage space of the transfer container, at least one handle arranged on the side wall designed for grasping by a person's hand to manually handle the transfer container, and a bottom wall delimiting the storage space of the transfer container from below. The invention further relates to an associated method for transferring individual items into a shipping container using such a transfer container.

[0002] EP 4 067 266 A1 describes a picking workstation comprising a pick station which has a single receiving device for a single load carrier, wherein the single receiving device can be connected to a load carrier conveyor for transporting load carriers between the pick station of the picking workstation and a storage area, further comprising a stationary intermediate buffer storage area at the pick station separate from the single receiving device, wherein the stationary intermediate buffer storage area is designed for the simultaneous intermediate storage of several items to be picked, and a transfer device for moving the items temporarily stored at the intermediate buffer storage area together into a load carrier positioned at the single receiving device of the pick station.

[0003] The object of the invention is to create a transfer container with which picked goods can be transferred manually into a shipping container particularly quickly and gently. A further object is to create a method by which picked goods can be transferred manually into a shipping container particularly quickly and gently.

[0004] The task is solved by a transfer container for the joint manual transfer of individual items into a shipping container during order picking, comprising: at least one side wall laterally delimiting the storage space of the transfer container, at least one handle arranged on the side wall, designed for grasping by a person's hand in order to manually handle the transfer container, a bottom wall delimiting the storage space of the transfer container from below, which is adjustably mounted on the side wall between a closed position, in which the bottom wall closes a downward-facing opening of the transfer container enclosed by at least one side wall, so that any goods present in the storage space of the transfer container are retained in the transfer container, and a release position, in which the bottom wall releases the downward-facing opening of the transfer container enclosed by at least one side wall, so that any goods present in the storage space of the transfer container can fall out of the transfer container,At least one manual actuating device arranged within reach of the handle on the transfer container for actuation by means of at least one finger of a person's hand holding the transfer container by the handle, wherein the manual actuating device is designed to release the bottom wall from its closed position when actuated, so that the bottom wall can be moved into its release position in order to discharge the goods located in the storage space of the transfer container downwards through the downward-facing opening by falling out of the transfer container due to manual actuation of the actuating device.

[0005] Especially in the field of intralogistics, automated picking systems, such as automatic conveyors and automatically controlled robots, are used to assemble individual items, particularly different goods from a range held in a warehouse, into an order according to a specific order.

[0006] In intralogistics, automated order picking utilizes intralogistics containers, which are used, for example, for the automated transport of individual goods, packaging units, and / or groups of goods, such as between a warehouse and a picking workstation. Typically, the individual items are gathered into a single intralogistics container according to the order.

[0007] An intralogistics container is a container, such as a rigid plastic box, also known as a storage container or transport container. The intralogistics container is intended to remain within the intralogistics system and not leave the company premises.

[0008] In contrast, shipping containers are designed to form a package for picked goods, which are then transported, for example, by a freight forwarder outside the premises of the intralogistics system to a predetermined destination. These shipping containers are usually made of cardboard, forming a shipping package or carton for the picked goods.

[0009] Within a picking system, the fundamental task is therefore to transfer the individual items picked into an intralogistics container into the shipping container.

[0010] The transfer of picked goods into shipping containers is largely not automated, but rather done manually by a person, also known as a picker or order picker. A filled intralogistics container, or several filled intralogistics containers, are placed at a picking station, where the picker manually transfers the individual items into the shipping containers according to the order. This process is, however, very time-consuming.

[0011] To reduce the time required to transfer individual items from the intralogistics container to the shipping container, it is also known that the order picker manually grasps the intralogistics container and manually empties the contents into the shipping container. However, this method has disadvantages because, firstly, the items are exposed to a high risk of damage during the transfer, and secondly, manually tipping the intralogistics container is ergonomically inconvenient for the order picker, as the container has to be turned upside down.

[0012] Therefore, according to the invention, a special transfer container is proposed into which the individual items are picked. This transfer container has at least one adjustable bottom wall that can be opened, allowing the picked items to fall out of the transfer container through a downward-facing opening and into the shipping container. The person picking the container manually positions the transfer container, with the picked items inside, into or at least over the shipping container with the bottom wall closed. Then, the bottom wall is opened, releasing the lower opening of the transfer container and allowing the items to fall out of the transfer container and into the shipping container. This eliminates the need to turn the container upside down.

[0013] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the transfer container filled with the goods can first be placed directly into the shipping container. The order picker then activates the manual release mechanism, which unlocks the bottom of the container. The order picker then pulls the transfer container upwards out of the shipping container, allowing the bottom to open completely. The goods are then automatically dispensed into the shipping container by gravity alone, and the empty transfer container, with the bottom open, is manually removed from the shipping container. A particular advantage of this embodiment is that the goods can be positioned as close as possible to the bottom of the shipping container, thus minimizing the drop height when the goods leave the transfer container and are dispensed into the shipping container.In such a design, it can be of particular additional advantage if at least one bottom wall of the transfer container is not a pivoting flap, but a linearly adjustable bottom wall that can be moved or rolled up and down.

[0014] Even if the bottom panel is designed as a hinged flap, it can be released from its closed position when the transfer container is placed inside the shipping container. Subsequently, as the transfer container is lifted out of the shipping container, the bottom panel gradually folds downwards, allowing the goods to slide along the sloping surface formed by the partially opened bottom panel from the transfer container into the shipping container. In this case, the goods are prevented from being pushed down, and they are thus transferred very gently into the shipping container.

[0015] However, if the goods are robust and there is no risk of damage from falling from a certain height, a special type of transfer container can be used: it can simply be manually positioned above the shipping container, its bottom opened, and the goods inside the transfer container can fall into the shipping container. The fall height can be at least substantially equal to the height of the shipping container or slightly greater. The transfer container is therefore a separate container from the shipping container. It is intended to remain within the intralogistics system and not leave the company premises. In particular, the transfer container can be a separate container from the intralogistics container.Accordingly, the transfer container can be placed in an empty intralogistics container before picking, so that the picked item goods can be picked not into the intralogistics container as such, but directly into the transfer container.

[0016] In a modified embodiment, however, the intralogistics container itself can be designed as a transfer container. In this modified embodiment, the intralogistics container would then directly feature at least one adjustable bottom wall, at least one handle, and the manual operating mechanism.

[0017] In general terms, the transfer container can, for example, be a plastic container. Although the invention does not require a specific shape for the transfer container, and the transfer container can generally have any shape, a cuboid shape will nevertheless be advantageous. In particular, the transfer container can have four side walls that laterally define a cuboid storage space. Accordingly, the transfer container can have a downward-facing, rectangular lower opening, i.e., a rectangular bottom opening. In the closed position, the opening is closed by at least one adjustable bottom wall.

[0018] The transfer container can have a single, adjustable bottom wall. Alternatively, the transfer container can have several bottom wall sections, each of which can be individually and independently adjustable. In their closed position, the multiple bottom wall sections can combine to form a bottom wall assembly that completely seals the lower opening of the transfer container, at least to the extent that no goods can fall out of the storage space of the transfer container in the closed position. Accordingly, the bottom wall or bottom wall sections can be either solid or designed as a grid or perforated wall. Optionally, instead of being rigid, the bottom wall can also be flexible and, for example, made of a fabric or film.

[0019] The transfer container has at least one handle. For example, in the case of a cuboid transfer container, two opposite side walls can each have a handle, so that the transfer container can have, for example, two handles. This allows a person to grasp and lift the transfer container with both hands, one on the left and one on the right.

[0020] The handle can be formed, for example, as a recessed grip in the side wall of the transfer container. Alternatively, a recessed grip could be provided on the side wall. Another design option is the use of a handle cord attached to the side wall. In a simplified version, the handle could also be formed by a bent and / or undercut edge protrusion on the upper edge of a side wall, provided it is designed in such a way that a person can grasp it with the fingers of one hand to safely lift the transfer container manually.

[0021] According to the invention, the transfer container comprises at least one manual actuating means arranged within reach of the handle on the transfer container for actuation by means of at least one finger of a person's hand who holds the transfer container by the handle, wherein the manual actuating means is designed to release the bottom wall from its closed position when actuated, so that the bottom wall can be moved into its release position in order to discharge the goods located in the storage space of the transfer container downwards through the downward-facing opening by falling out of the transfer container due to the manual actuation of the actuating means.

[0022] In a first embodiment, the manual actuating device can be directly coupled to the at least one adjustable floor panel via a coupling device, so that a mechanical movement of the manual actuating device is directly transmitted to the adjustable floor panel, causing the floor panel to move in accordance with the mechanical movement of the manual actuating device. This has the advantage, among others, that the adjustable floor panel can be actively opened and closed by the movement of the manual actuating device. For this purpose, the coupling device can, for example, comprise a Bowden cable that transmits the movement of the manual actuating device to the adjustable floor panel.

[0023] In an alternative second embodiment, the manual actuating device can also actuate a coupling device connected to a release device. The release device is adjustably mounted on the transfer container between an unlocking position and a locking position. In its locking position, the release device holds the adjustable bottom wall in its closed position, preventing the bottom wall from opening unintentionally, i.e., from moving into the release position. If the release device is then moved into its unlocking position by manual actuation of the manual actuating device, the bottom wall is released by the release device and can move into its release position.

[0024] In the simplest case, the adjustable floor panel can move from its closed position to the released position by automatically opening it under the influence of gravity, for example, if it is designed as a hinged floor flap. This opening can optionally be assisted by a spring mechanism that moves the floor panel from the closed position to the released position using spring force.

[0025] The transfer container can in particular have a first side wall on which a first handle is arranged, the transfer container can have a second side wall opposite the first side wall on which a second handle is arranged, and the manual actuating means can have at least one manually operated release lever adjustable on the first handle and / or the second handle or at least one manually operated release button adjustable on the first handle and / or the second handle, wherein the release lever or the release button is connected to a coupling device which transmits a manual adjustment movement of the release lever or the release button to the adjustable bottom wall or to a release means coupled to the bottom wall.

[0026] The release lever can, for example, be pivotally mounted on the respective side wall and can have a lever section that projects into the grip area of ​​the associated handle, so that a person carrying the transfer container with both hands can reach and operate the lever section of the release lever with at least one finger. The release lever can thus be designed in the manner of a conventional manual brake lever.

[0027] Instead of a release lever, a release button can also be provided. The release button can be designed as a push-button switch with a tactile surface that can be pressed, for example, with the thumb or index finger of one hand. Such a release button can be positioned, for instance, in the area of ​​a grip section of an associated handle on the transfer container. Such a release button can be particularly advantageous if it is coupled to a release mechanism, so that manually pressing the release button moves the release mechanism into its unlocked position, allowing the adjustable bottom wall to move automatically into its release position.

[0028] The coupling device can be designed to transmit, on the one hand, an opening movement of the release lever or release button to the adjustable bottom wall or the unlocking means in order to bring the bottom wall from its closed position to its release position, and on the other hand, to transmit a closing movement of the release lever or release button to the adjustable bottom wall or the unlocking means in order to bring the bottom wall from its release position to its closed position.

[0029] The bottom wall can be rotatably mounted on a lower edge of the side wall of the transfer container about a pivot axis, so that the bottom wall can pivot back and forth between a horizontal position, in which the bottom wall is in its closed position, and a sloping position, in which the bottom wall is in its released position.

[0030] In a sloping position, at least one floor wall can, for example, be oriented vertically downwards. If the floor wall tilts downwards in the area of ​​one edge of the floor wall while rotating around a horizontal pivot axis, the floor wall will assume a vertical orientation under the influence of gravity.

[0031] However, in a special design variant, the transfer container can have at least one stop that limits the swivel angle of the bottom wall, so that the bottom wall can only swivel from its horizontal closed position by less than 90 degrees towards the vertical release position, thus preventing the bottom wall from fully swiveling into the vertical release position. At least one bottom wall therefore remains in a slightly inclined position.

[0032] Accordingly, the sloping position of the pivoting floor wall, in particular the sloping position of a pivoting first floor wall part and / or a second floor wall part described in more detail below, can be a rotational position deviating from the vertical orientation and angled towards the closed position in the direction of rotation.

[0033] This has the advantage that, for example, the closing of at least one bottom wall can be achieved by placing the emptied transfer container with its open bottom wall onto a surface, such as the floor of an intralogistics storage unit or a table surface, thereby pressing the bottom wall into its closed position. Thus, the closing of the bottom wall can be initiated directly by placing the transfer container on the surface. Consequently, complex closing mechanisms for moving the bottom wall from its released position to the closed position are unnecessary.

[0034] The bottom wall can be made up of multiple parts and have at least one first bottom wall part which is rotatably mounted on the lower edge of a first side wall of the transfer container about a first pivot axis, so that the first bottom wall part can be pivoted back and forth between a horizontal position in which the first bottom wall part is in its closed position and a sloping position in which the first bottom wall part is in its release position, and have at least one second bottom wall part which is rotatably mounted on the lower edge of a second side wall of the transfer container about a second pivot axis, so that the second bottom wall part can be pivoted back and forth between a horizontal position in which the second bottom wall part is in its closed position and a sloping position in which the second bottom wall part is in its release position.

[0035] For example, two adjustable bottom walls can be provided, each covering half the area of ​​the lower opening of the transfer container in the closed position and complementing each other completely in their closed positions. If necessary, the two bottom walls can also partially overlap in their closed positions.

[0036] In another embodiment, it is also conceivable, for example, that a total of four bottom walls are provided, each having a triangular shape and each being pivotably mounted on one of the four lower edges of a cuboid transfer container, with the tips of the four triangular bottom walls meeting in their closed position at a common central point of the opening of the transfer container.

[0037] In another embodiment, as an alternative to a pivoting flap, the bottom wall can be linearly adjustable mounted on opposite lower edges of two side walls of the transfer container, so that the bottom wall can be moved or rolled up and down between an arrangement covering the opening, in which the bottom wall is in its closed position, and an arrangement releasing the opening, in which the bottom wall is in its released position.

[0038] The floor wall can therefore be made of a flexible material, such as a grid, fabric, or film, instead of being rigid. Alternatively, the flexible floor wall can be designed like a roller blind and thus have several fixed slats that are flexibly connected to each other.

[0039] If the bottom wall is not rigid but flexible, this can have the advantage that the transfer container can be inserted very deeply into the shipping container, especially down to the inner surface of the shipping container's bottom, while the bottom wall can still be moved from its closed to its released position. This allows the goods in the transfer container to be released very gently into the shipping container when the bottom wall of the transfer container is opened, particularly without the goods having to fall from a significant height.

[0040] The adjustable bottom wall can be pre-tensioned into its closed position by means of a spring device of the transfer container, so that when the bottom wall partially or completely releases the opening, it can automatically move back into the closed position due to a pre-tension of the spring device.

[0041] The spring mechanism can be calibrated such that the weight of the goods stored in the transfer container is sufficient to move an unlocked bottom wall into its release position, allowing the goods to fall into the shipping container. Once the goods have fallen into the shipping container, the bottom wall is relieved of the weight of the goods, and the spring force of the mechanism is then sufficiently high to move the bottom wall back from its release position to its closed position, even against the direction of gravity.

[0042] The problem is also solved by a method for transferring unit loads into a shipping container using a transfer container, in particular a transfer container according to one of the described embodiments, comprising the steps: Manual or automatic picking of individual items from a warehouse containing different types of goods into the transfer container; manual or automatic provision of a shipping container in the immediate vicinity of the transfer container containing the picked item; transfer of the picked item from the transfer container into the shipping container by manually positioning the transfer container over or into the shipping container, and by manually adjusting a bottom wall of the transfer container in such a way that a lower opening of the transfer container is released and the item contained in the transfer container can automatically fall into the shipping container.

[0043] The process can be used in particular for transferring individual items from an intralogistics container to a shipping container using the transfer container.

[0044] The manual or automatic picking of individual items from a warehouse containing different types of goods into the transfer container can be carried out, in particular, within the premises of an intralogistics system.

[0045] The shipping container can be, in particular, a shipping carton or a shipping package.

[0046] The manually triggered adjustment of the transfer container's base wall, such that the lower opening of the transfer container is released and the goods inside can fall automatically into the shipping container, does not necessarily mean that the goods must fall from a significant height into the shipping container. Rather, the fall can preferably occur from a very low height, even just a few centimeters or millimeters. In this respect, the falling is similar to a gentle placement.

[0047] In a further development of the process, before manual or automatic picking of individual items from a warehouse containing goods of different types into the transfer container, the transfer container can be placed into an empty intralogistics container.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, the manual positioning of the transfer container over or into the shipping container can be carried out in such a way that at least one adjustable bottom wall of the transfer container is placed directly above the bottom of the shipping container, and after the manually triggered adjustment of the bottom wall of the transfer container or during a manually triggered adjustment of the bottom wall of the transfer container, such that the lower opening of the transfer container is released, the transfer container is manually lifted to release the package into the shipping container.

[0049] Manual release to adjust the bottom wall of the transfer container, such that the lower opening of the transfer container is released, can be achieved by manually operating a release lever or release button of the transfer container while a person holds the transfer container by means of at least one handle of the transfer container.

[0050] Specific embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. Specific features of these exemplary embodiments, regardless of the specific context in which they are mentioned, and optionally also individually or in further combinations, may represent advantageous features of alternative embodiments of the invention.

[0051] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an exemplary order picking workstation with a robot for the automated picking of unit loads into a transfer container, Fig. 2 a sectional view of an exemplary transfer container according to the invention, which is placed in an intralogistics container so that unit loads can be automatically picked into the transfer container, Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of the transfer container according to 2 with unit loads placed therein during manual lifting of the transfer container from the intralogistics container by a person, Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of the transfer container according to 2 with unit loads placed therein in a position manually transferred into a shipping container with the bottom wall of the transfer container manually released, Fig.Fig. 5 A schematic sectional view of the transfer container according to Fig. 2 during manual lifting of the transfer container from the shipping container with the bottom wall open in order to release the packaged goods into the shipping container; Fig. 6 A schematic side view of the shipping container with a release button mounted linearly adjustable in the area of ​​the handle; Fig. 7 A schematic side view of the shipping container with a release lever mounted pivotably adjustable in the area of ​​the handle; Fig. 8 A modified embodiment of a shipping container with linearly adjustable bottom wall sections, on the left in a release position and on the right in a closed position; and Fig. 9 A flowchart of the steps in the basic method according to the invention.

[0052] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows an example of a picking workstation 1 within the premises of an intralogistics system with a robot, which includes the robot arm 2 and a robot controller 3.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the robot arm 2 comprises several links 5 arranged one after the other and rotatably connected to each other by means of joints 4.

[0054] The robot controller 3 is configured to execute a robot program and automatically move the links 5 and joints 4 of the robot arm 2. One of the several links 5 forms an end link of the robot arm 2, which has a tool flange 6 to which the gripper 7 is attached. In the present embodiment, the gripper 7 is designed as a suction gripper.

[0055] At picking station 1, in the present embodiment, order-related unit loads 9 are picked from a source container 8 into a target container 10. Both the source container 8 and the target container 10 are intralogistics containers 11. According to the invention, a transfer container 12 according to the invention is placed in the intralogistics container 11 designated as the target container 10. The transfer container 12 is in Fig. 2 The picked item 9, already located in the transfer container 12, is shown in dashed lines. In the present embodiment, the item 9 is automatically picked into the transfer container 12 by means of the robot arm 2.

[0056] Once the automatic picking of a given order is complete, a person 13 manually lifts the transfer container 12 out of the destination container 10. In this embodiment, the transfer container 12 has a total of four handles 14. The person 13 can then position the transfer container 12, filled with individual items 9, over a shipping container 15, which may, for example, be connected to a... Fig. 1 Only the conveying means 16, shown schematically, can be provided. In the present embodiment, the shipping container 15 is designed as a shipping carton.

[0057] The transfer container 12 is used for the joint manual transfer of the unit load 9 into the shipping container 15 as part of the order picking process.

[0058] As in Fig. 2 bis Fig. 5 As shown in sectional views using a schematic embodiment, the transfer container 12 has a storage space 17 and side walls 18 that laterally limit the transfer container 12.

[0059] At least on two opposite sides, a handle 14 is arranged on each side wall 18, each designed to be grasped by a person's hand 13 in order to be able to handle the transfer container 12 manually, in particular to lift it.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the transfer container 12 has two bottom walls 19 or bottom wall parts 19a that delimit the storage space 17 of the transfer container 12 from below, each of which is attached to one of the side walls 18 between a closed position ( Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 ), in which the bottom walls 19 close a downwardly pointing opening 20 of the transfer container 12 enclosed by the side walls 18, so that the unit load 9 present in the storage space 17 of the transfer container 12 is retained in the transfer container 12, and a release position ( Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 ), in which the bottom walls 19 release the downward-pointing opening 20 of the transfer container 12 enclosed by the side walls 18, so that the general cargo 9 present in the storage space 17 of the transfer container 12 can fall out of the transfer container 12, is adjustableally mounted.

[0061] The transfer container 12 has at least one manual actuating device 21 arranged within reach of the handle 14 on the transfer container 12, which is designed to be actuated by at least one finger of a hand of the person 13 who holds the transfer container 12 by the handle(s) 14, wherein the manual actuating device 21 is designed, when actuated, to release the bottom walls 19 or the bottom wall parts 19a from their closed positions, so that the bottom walls 19 or the bottom wall parts 19a can be moved into their release positions in order to discharge, by means of the manual actuating device 21, the item 9 located in the storage space 17 of the transfer container 12 downwards through the downward-facing opening 20 by falling out of the transfer container 12 with the bottom walls 19 or the bottom wall parts 19a open, as is shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 has been shown.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the transfer container 12 accordingly has a first side wall 18.1 on which a first handle 14.1 is arranged, and a second side wall 18.2 opposite the first side wall 18.1 on which a second handle 14.2 is arranged, wherein the manual actuating means 21 comprises at least one manually actuated release lever 21a adjustable on the first handle 14.1 and / or the second handle 14.2, or at least one manually actuated release button 21b adjustable on the first handle 14.1 and / or the second handle 14.2, wherein the release lever 21a or the release button 21b is connected to a coupling device 22 which transmits a manual adjustment movement of the release lever 21a or the release button 21b to the adjustable bottom wall 19 or to a release means 23 coupled to the bottom wall 19. transfers.

[0063] The coupling device 22 can be configured to transmit, on the one hand, an opening movement of the release lever 21a or the release button 21b to the adjustable bottom wall 19 or the unlocking means 23 in order to bring the bottom wall 19 from its closed position to its release position, and on the other hand, to transmit a closing movement of the release lever 21a or the release button 21b to the adjustable bottom wall 19 or the unlocking means 23 in order to bring the bottom wall 19 from its release position to its closed position.

[0064] An example of a trigger button, 21b, is Fig. 6 The release button 21b is mounted on the transfer container 12 in the area of ​​the handle 14 in the direction of arrow P1 and is linearly adjustable.

[0065] An example of a release lever 21a is Fig. 7 The release lever 21a is pivotably adjustable in the direction of arrow P1 in the area of ​​the handle 14 and is mounted on the transfer container 12.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the bottom wall 19 or the bottom wall parts 19a are rotatably mounted on a lower edge of the side walls 18 of the transfer container 12 about a pivot axis S, so that the bottom wall 19 can be moved between a horizontal position in which the bottom wall or the bottom wall parts 19a are in their closed positions ( Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 ) are located, and in a sloping position in which the floor wall 19 or the floor wall parts 19a are in their release positions ( Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 ) is located, swivels back and forth.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the bottom wall 19 is multi-part, i.e., specifically two-part, and accordingly has the first bottom wall part 19a, which is rotatably mounted on the lower edge of the first side wall 18.1 of the transfer container 12 about a first pivot axis S1, so that the first bottom wall part 19a can be moved between a horizontal position, in which the first bottom wall part 19a is in its closed position ( Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 ) is located, and a sloping position in which the first floor wall section 19a is in its release position ( Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 ) is located, is pivotable back and forth, and the second bottom wall part 19b, which is rotatably mounted on the lower edge of the second side wall 18.2 of the transfer container 12 about a second pivot axis S2, so that the second bottom wall part 19b can be moved between a horizontal position in which the second bottom wall part 19b is in its closed position ( Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 ) is located, and in a sloping position in which the second floor wall section 19b is in its release position ( Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 ) is located and can be swivelled back and forth.

[0068] As especially in Fig. 5 As shown, the sloping position of the pivotable floor walls 19, in particular the sloping position of the pivotable first floor wall part 19a and / or the second floor wall part 19b, can be a rotational position deviating from the vertical orientation and directed towards the closed position.

[0069] The respective adjustable floor wall 19 or the floor wall parts 19a, 19b can each be, as shown in Fig. 5 As shown schematically by way of example, the transfer container 12 is pre-tensioned in its closed position by means of a spring device 24, so that the respective bottom wall 19 or the respective bottom wall part 19a, 19b, when it partially or completely releases the opening 20, can automatically move back into the closed position due to a pre-tension of the spring device 24.

[0070] The Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows a modified embodiment in which the bottom wall 19 or two bottom wall parts 19a, 19b are mounted on opposite lower edges of two side walls 18 of the transfer container 12 in the direction of arrow P3 so that the bottom wall parts 19a, 19b can be moved or rolled up and down between an arrangement covering the opening 20 (shown on the right), in which the bottom wall part 19b is in its closed position, and an arrangement releasing the opening 20 (shown on the left), in which the bottom wall part 19a is in its release position.

[0071] The Fig. 9 The diagram schematically shows in a flowchart the basic procedure for transferring unit loads 9 into a shipping container 15 by means of a transfer container 12, in particular a transfer container 12 according to one of the described embodiments.

[0072] In a first step S1 of the procedure, individual items 9 are picked manually or automatically from a warehouse containing goods of different types into the transfer container 12.

[0073] In a second step S2 of the procedure, a shipping container 15 is provided manually or automatically in the immediate vicinity of the transfer container 12, in which the picked item 9 is located.

[0074] In a third step S3 of the procedure, the picked item 9 is transferred from the transfer container 12 into the shipping container 15 by manually positioning the transfer container 12 over the shipping container 15 or into the shipping container 15.

[0075] In a fourth step S4 of the procedure, the bottom wall 19 of the transfer container 12 is manually adjusted in such a way that the lower opening 20 of the transfer container 12 is released and the package 9 contained in the transfer container 12 can fall automatically into the shipping container 15.

[0076] Before the first step S1 of manual or automatic picking of individual items from a warehouse containing different types of goods into the transfer container 12, the transfer container 12 can be placed in an empty intralogistics container 11.

[0077] The manual positioning of the transfer container 12 over or into the shipping container 15 can be carried out by placing the adjustable bottom wall 19 of the transfer container 12 directly above the bottom of the shipping container 15, and after the manually triggered adjustment of the bottom wall 19 of the transfer container 12 or during a manually triggered adjustment of the bottom wall 19 of the transfer container 12, such that the lower opening 20 of the transfer container 12 is released, the transfer container 12 is manually lifted to release the package 9 into the shipping container 15.

[0078] Manual release to adjust the bottom wall 19 of the transfer container 12, such that the lower opening 20 of the transfer container 12 is released, can be carried out by manually actuating the release lever 21a or the release button 21b of the transfer container 12, while the person 13 holds the transfer container 12 by means of at least one handle 14 of the transfer container 12 in the hand or hands.

Claims

1. Transfer container (12) for the joint manual transfer of unit loads (9) into a shipping container (15) during order picking, comprising: - at least one side wall (18) laterally delimiting the storage space (17) of the transfer container (12), - at least one handle (14) arranged on the side wall (18), which is designed for grasping by a person's hand (13) in order to manually handle the transfer container (12), - a bottom wall (19) delimiting the storage space (17) of the transfer container (12) from below, which is located on the side wall (18) between a closed position in which the bottom wall (19) closes a downwardly facing opening (20) of the transfer container (12) enclosed by the at least one side wall (18), so that unit loads (9) present in the storage space (17) of the transfer container (12) are retained in the transfer container (12), and a release positionin which the bottom wall (19) releases the downwardly pointing opening (20) of the transfer container (12) enclosed by at least one side wall (18), so that the goods (9) present in the storage space (17) of the transfer container (12) can fall out of the transfer container (12), is adjustably mounted, - at least one manual actuating means (21) arranged within reach of the handle (14) on the transfer container (12) for actuation by means of at least one finger of a hand of a person (13) who holds the transfer container (12) by the handle (14), wherein the manual actuating means (21) is designed to release the bottom wall (19) from its closed position when actuated, so that the bottom wall (19) can be moved into its release position,to discharge the unit load (9) located in the storage space (17) of the transfer container (12) downwards through the downward-facing opening (20) by falling out of the transfer container (12) by means of the manual actuation of the actuating device (21) when the bottom wall (19) is open.

2. Transfer container (12) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thatThe transfer container (12) has a first side wall (18.1) on which a first handle (14.1) is arranged, the transfer container (12) has a second side wall (18.2) opposite the first side wall (18.1) on which a second handle (14.2) is arranged, and the manual actuating means (21) has at least one manually actuated release lever (21a) adjustable on the first handle (14.1) and / or the second handle (14.2) or at least one manually actuated release button (21b) adjustable on the first handle (14.1) and / or the second handle (14.2), wherein the release lever (21a) or the release button (21b) is connected to a coupling device (22) which enables a manual adjustment movement of the release lever (21a) or the release button (21b) onto the adjustable bottom wall (19) or onto a the bottom wall (19) transmits coupled unlocking means (23).

3. Transfer container (12) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact thatthe coupling device (22) is designed to transmit, on the one hand, an opening movement of the release lever (21a) or the release button (21b) to the adjustable bottom wall (19) or the unlocking means (23) in order to bring the bottom wall (19) from its closed position to its release position, and on the other hand, to transmit a closing movement of the release lever (21a) or the release button (21b) to the adjustable bottom wall (19) or the unlocking means (23) in order to bring the bottom wall (19) from its release position to its closed position.

4. Transfer container (12) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact thatthe bottom wall (19) is rotatably mounted on a lower edge of the side wall (18) of the transfer container (12) about a pivot axis (S), so that the bottom wall (19) can pivot back and forth between a horizontal position, in which the bottom wall (19) is in its closed position, and a sloping position, in which the bottom wall (19) is in its released position.

5. Transfer container (12) according to one of claim 4, characterized by the fact thatthe bottom wall (19) is formed in multiple parts and has at least one first bottom wall part (19a) which is rotatably mounted on the lower edge of a first side wall (18.1) of the transfer container (12) about a first pivot axis (S1), so that the first bottom wall part (19a) can pivot back and forth between a horizontal position, in which the first bottom wall part (19a) is in its closed position, and a sloping position, in which the first bottom wall part (19a) is in its released position, and has at least one second bottom wall part (19b) which is mounted on the lower edge of a second side wall (18.2) of the transfer container (12) is rotatably mounted about a second pivot axis (S2) so that the second bottom wall part (19b) can pivot back and forth between a horizontal position in which the second bottom wall part (19b) is in its closed position and a sloping position in which the second bottom wall part (19b) is in its release position.

6. Transfer container (12) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that the sloping position of the pivotable bottom wall (19), in particular the sloping position of the pivotable first bottom wall part (19a) and / or the second bottom wall part (19b), is a rotational position that deviates from the vertical orientation and is set towards the closed position in the direction of rotation.

7. Transfer container (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact thatthe bottom wall (19) is mounted linearly adjustable on opposite lower edges of two side walls (18.1, 18.2) of the transfer container (12), so that the bottom wall (19) can be moved or rolled up and down between an arrangement covering the opening (20), in which the bottom wall (19) is in its closed position, and an arrangement releasing the opening (20), in which the bottom wall (19) is in its released position.

8. Transfer container (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that The adjustable bottom wall (19) is pre-tensioned in its closed position by means of a spring device (24) of the transfer container (12), so that the bottom wall (19), when it partially or completely releases the opening (20), can automatically move back into the closed position due to a pre-tension of the spring device (24).

9. A method for transferring unit loads into a shipping container using a transfer container (12), in particular a transfer container (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of: - manually or automatically picking unit loads (9) from a warehouse containing goods of different types into the transfer container (12), - manually or automatically providing a shipping container (15) in the immediate vicinity of the transfer container (12) containing the picked unit loads (9), - transferring the picked unit loads (9) from the transfer container (12) into the shipping container (15) by manually positioning the transfer container (12) over or into the shipping container (15), and by - manually triggering an adjustment of a bottom wall (19) of the transfer container (12), such thatthat a lower opening (20) of the transfer container (12) is released and the packaged goods (9) contained in the transfer container (12) can automatically fall into the shipping container (15).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that Before manual or automatic picking of individual items (9) from a warehouse containing different types of goods into the transfer container (12), the transfer container (12) is placed into an empty intralogistics container (11).

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by the fact thatThe manual positioning of the transfer container (12) over or into the shipping container (15) is carried out in such a way that the adjustable bottom wall (19) of the transfer container (12) is placed directly above the bottom of the shipping container (15), and after the manually triggered adjustment of the bottom wall (19) of the transfer container (12) or during a manually triggered adjustment of the bottom wall (19) of the transfer container (12) such that the lower opening (029) of the transfer container (12) is released, the transfer container (12) is manually lifted to release the package (9) into the shipping container (15).

12. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by the fact thatThe manual release to adjust the bottom wall (19) of the transfer container (12), such that the lower opening (20) of the transfer container (12) is released, is carried out by manually actuating a release lever (21a) or a release button (21b) of the transfer container (12), while a person (13) holds the transfer container (12) in their hand or hands by means of at least one handle (14) of the transfer container (12).

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