Method and device for the order picking of piece goods with a roller container

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for the order picking of piece goods (1) into a roller container (2) which comprises a loading floor (4) which is movable on rollers (3) and two side walls (6) which are arranged so as to lie opposite one another, laterally delimit a storage space (5) of the roller container (2) for the piece goods (1), and extend upwards from two opposite edge portions of the movable loading floor (4), wherein, during a vertical introduction of a piece goods stack (Ia), arranged on a loading tongue (7), into the storage space (5) of the roller container (2) and / or during a lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue (7) from the storage space (5) of the roller container (2), the piece goods stack (Ia) is laterally supported by means of the method and / or by means of a feed device (9) in at least one height portion and / or in at least one width portion of the piece goods stack (Ia) by automatic feeding and / or pressing of the feed device (9) against the piece goods stack (Ia) on at least one side of the piece goods stack (Ia).

Description

[0001] Method and device for picking

[0002] General cargo in a roll container

[0003] The invention relates to a method and a device for picking piece goods into a roll container, which comprises a loading floor which can be moved on rollers and two oppositely arranged side walls which laterally delimit a storage space of the roll container for the piece goods and which extend upwards from two opposite edge sections of the movable loading floor.

[0004] DE 10 2018 203 336 A1 describes a device for picking loads into roll containers, the roll container having a loading floor and at least one lateral grid wall, with a picking platform, a picking shaft which extends up to a picking level in which loads are moved during picking, on the picking platform, a lifting and lowering device for lifting and lowering the roll container in the picking shaft, a tongue which can be moved into the picking shaft from the side and can be moved out again for loading with loads, a device for gradually lowering the tongue during loading with loads, so that an upper side of a layer of load last placed on the tongue is arranged approximately at the level of the picking level, and stripping means,which at least when the tongue is extended from the picking shaft scrape the load from the top of the tongue onto the loading floor of the roll container.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for picking piece goods into a roll container, in which a stack of piece goods built up on a loading tongue can be automatically deposited on a loading floor of the roll container without disruption.

[0006] The object is achieved by a method for picking piece goods into a roll container, which comprises a loading floor movable on rollers and two oppositely arranged side walls which laterally delimit a storage space of the roll container for the piece goods and which extend upwards from two opposite edge sections of the movable loading floor, comprising the steps:

[0007] - automatic insertion of a loading tongue into a picking shaft, within which the loading tongue is stored in a height-adjustable manner,

[0008] - automatic loading of the loading tongue with general cargo to form a general cargo stack within the picking shaft, at least essentially vertical insertion of the general cargo stack arranged on the loading tongue into the storage space of the roll container from above via an upper opening of the roll container into the storage space of the roll container,

[0009] - pulling the loading tongue out laterally from the storage space of the roll container while holding back the piece goods stack in the storage space of the roll container, so that the loading tongue is removed from the storage space of the roll container and the piece goods stack is placed on the loading floor of the roll container, - during the vertical introduction of the piece goods stack arranged on the loading tongue into the storage space of the roll container and / or during the lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue from the storage space of the roll container, laterally supporting the piece goods stack in at least one height section and / or in at least one width section of the piece goods stack by automatically feeding and / or pressing a feeding device against the piece goods stack on at least one side of the piece goods stack.

[0010] A picking shaft is generally used for building up a stack of piece goods layer by layer. This involves taking piece goods individually or in groups of several items layer by layer or piece by piece from the picking level and placing them on a loading tongue or a piece goods stack that is being built up. To simplify the transfer of individual piece goods or the layer or partial layer of piece goods, once a layer has been built up the partially loaded piece goods stack is lowered within the picking shaft so that a new layer of piece goods can be built up on the piece goods stack that is being built up. The side walls of the picking shaft should form a boundary within which the built up (partial) piece goods stack is to be guided.

[0011] However, there is the problem that the picking shaft must have a clear width that is at least large enough for the loading floor to be lowered within the picking shaft. However, since a built-up stack of piece goods is often smaller in terms of the respective base area of ​​its layers than the base area of ​​the loading floor, the piece goods in the stack of piece goods are located a considerable distance from the side walls of the picking shaft, even if the picking shaft walls are reduced to a size that corresponds to the base area of ​​a smaller loading floor of a roll container. However, such picking shaft walls cannot be narrowed beyond the outer contour of the loading floor of a roll container in the direction of a piece goods stack because the loading floor prevents this.This creates the risk that individual items within the picking chute could tip off the stack of items, or even fall completely off the stack. This is extremely disadvantageous because dropped items can be damaged and become wedged between the stack of items and a side wall of the picking chute. This can disrupt the automatic process and even bring the entire picking system to a standstill.

[0012] The risk of individual piece goods tipping or falling off the piece goods stack exists in particular when the piece goods stack is lowered within the picking shaft, and / or when a loading tongue on which the piece goods stack has been built is pulled out to the side in order to be able to place it on a loading floor of a roll container, and / or when the piece goods stack is transferred from the picking shaft to a wrapping station.

[0013] The loading tongue is used to build up a stack of general cargo outside of a roll container and to place the fully assembled stack of general cargo in one movement onto the loading floor of the roll container. The main advantage of a loading tongue is that the general cargo can be built up to form a stack of general cargo automatically, for example by means of an automatically controlled robot arm, and the empty loading tongue or the only partially assembled stack of general cargo is easily accessible from all sides, so that the individual general cargo can be built up with the position and orientation optimal. However, building it up directly in the storage space of the roll container is only partially possible due to the two existing side walls of the roll container.

[0014] The side walls of the roll container are generally and usually formed by mesh walls that are more or less loosely attached to two opposite edge sections of the mobile loading floor of the roll container. However, the side walls of the roll container can also be constructed in a manner other than mesh walls.

[0015] By supporting the stack of piece goods laterally in at least one height section and / or in at least one width section of the stack of piece goods by automatically feeding and / or pressing a feeding device against the stack of piece goods on at least one side of the stack of piece goods during the vertical introduction of the stack of piece goods arranged on the loading tongue into the storage space of the roll container and / or during the sideways withdrawal of the loading tongue from the storage space of the roll container, any undesired tipping or falling of piece goods from the stack of piece goods can be reliably prevented. This avoids disruption to the operation of the entire order picking system, since a stack of piece goods built up on a loading tongue can be automatically deposited on a loading floor of the roll container and further processed without disruption.

[0016] The delivery device can be moved inwards over the floor plan contour of the loading floor in the direction of the built-up piece goods stack, so that the piece goods stack or the individual piece goods or groups of piece goods can be supported close to the contour of the stack. The delivery device can preferably engage in contact with selected surface areas on at least one side of the piece goods stack or can be delivered close to there in order to support the piece goods stack. The delivery device can preferably engage on a side of the piece goods stack opposite the feed side of the loading tongue. The delivery device can have one or more delivery devices and / or pressing devices, of which a respective delivery device or pressing device can engage in a supporting manner on another side of the piece goods stack or can be held close to there.

[0017] A single pressing device can be positioned on one side of the stack of goods or on multiple sides of the stack of goods, or multiple pressing devices can be positioned on each side. For example, two or more pressing devices can be positioned at different heights on the stack of goods on the corresponding side of the stack of goods, or two or more pressing devices can be positioned at different widths on the stack of goods.

[0018] The object is thus also achieved by a device for picking piece goods into a roll container, which comprises a loading floor which can be moved on rollers and two oppositely arranged side walls which laterally delimit a storage space of the roll container for the piece goods and which extend upwards from two opposite edge sections of the movable loading floor, having a control device which is designed and configured to automatically carry out a method according to one of the described embodiments.

[0019] The device can accordingly have a delivery device which is designed to laterally support the piece goods stack in at least one height section and / or in at least one width section of the piece goods stack by automatically delivering and / or pressing the delivery device against the piece goods stack on at least one side of the piece goods stack.

[0020] The delivery device extends only to the same height as the stack of general cargo. In particular, the delivery device does not extend to the same height as the loading floor of the roll container.

[0021] The delivery can be carried out by the delivery device being moved from the side towards the stack of piece goods, specifically inwards over the outer contour of the loading floor of the roll container. During delivery, the delivery device, in particular at least one adjustable wall, can be moved towards the stack of piece goods. This can in particular take place quite close to the stack of piece goods, whereby a certain, albeit small, gap can remain. Supporting then takes place in that, in the event of a certain or slight movement of one or more piece goods, these can temporarily brace themselves against the delivery device or the adjustable wall in order to prevent them from tipping over or falling down. After a brief contact, the piece goods can then, for example, return to their original position or a slightly changed position in which they are then no longer in contact with the delivery device or the adjustable wall.

[0022] The pressing by means of the feed device can be carried out automatically with different pressure forces. The level of the pressure force can be determined, for example, as a function of the height or the width position at which the feed device engages the stack of piece goods. Alternatively or additionally, the pressure force with which the feed device engages the stack of piece goods can be determined individually as a function of certain physical parameters of the piece goods in contact, such as the type of piece goods, the size, the weight, the flexibility, the stability, the rigidity or the softness of the respective piece goods.

[0023] In a specific development of the method, an automatic delivery and / or pressing of a wall that is adjustable at least substantially towards the stack of piece goods against a lateral side area of ​​the stack of piece goods can take place.

[0024] The lateral side area of ​​the piece goods stack is determined by the outward-facing side wall sections of the individual piece goods that are stacked. In general, the piece goods stack will not form a uniform, smooth side wall across the entire height and / or width of the piece goods stack. This would only be approximately the case if the piece goods stack were made up exclusively of identical piece goods of the same cubic shape and size. Nevertheless, there would be gaps between the individual layer levels and vertically between any two adjacent piece goods, such as cartons, which would prevent the side wall of the piece goods stack from being even.

[0025] Often, or even predominantly, however, picking is not carried out according to type, but rather mixed stacks of piece goods are built up. Mixed stacks of piece goods are built up in automated picking using a stacking algorithm, essentially according to the achievable stack density and the stability of the piece goods stack. This means that, on the one hand, there may well be certain gaps in the piece goods stack, for example to ensure the stability of the stack structure, and on the other hand, the built-up piece goods stack does not have a precise cuboid shape, but tends to have a somewhat pyramid-like shape. In such a case, the lower layers of the piece goods stack would therefore take up a larger storage area than layers of piece goods built up further up, which would therefore take up a smaller storage area.

[0026] In order to be able to support layers of the piece goods stack which take up a smaller footprint, in particular a footprint which is significantly smaller than the outer contour of the loading floor of the roll container, the invention provides that the delivery device is designed to be adjustable, in particular is designed to be adjustable in such a way that the delivery device is designed to be adjustable so as to move further inwards towards the piece goods stack beyond the outer contour of the loading floor of the roll container.

[0027] The delivery device can have at least one adjustable wall which is at least substantially adjustable towards the piece goods stack and which can be automatically delivered and / or pressed against a lateral side region of the piece goods stack. The adjustable wall can therefore be mounted to move back and forth in the sense that the adjustable wall extends along one side of the piece goods stack and can be moved towards the piece goods stack and can also be moved away from the piece goods stack again. The adjustable wall can be automatically adjustable, for example by means of a linear guide and / or a rotary movement and an automatic drive. The adjustable wall can be mounted, for example, on an inside of the picking shaft.Alternatively, the adjustable wall can be pivotally mounted, if necessary by means of at least one hinge, so that a freely pivotable surface section of the adjustable wall can be moved towards the stack of piece goods and can also be moved away from the stack of piece goods. For example, the pivotable wall can be moved automatically via a lever attached to the pivotable wall, an articulated gear and / or a connected motor. The respective drive or motor of the adjustable wall or the pivotable wall can be an electric motor, for example. As an alternative to an electric motor, a pneumatic drive or a hydraulic drive can also be used as the motor if necessary.

[0028] Each adjustable wall can be arranged on a single side of the picking shaft. Alternatively, two or more adjustable walls can be arranged on two or more sides of the picking shaft. Either a single adjustable wall can be provided on each side of the picking shaft, or several adjustable walls can be arranged on each side of the picking shaft. The adjustable wall can be automatically moved inwards over the outer contour of the loading floor of the roll container towards the inside of the stack of piece goods to provide lateral support for the stack of piece goods. This has the advantage that a stack of piece goods or individual piece goods in the stack of piece goods that are arranged deeper within the outer contour of the loading floor of the roll container can also be supported.The adjustable wall therefore does not extend to the height at which the loading floor of the roll container is arranged.

[0029] The adjustable wall can have a lower height than a given total height of the piece goods stack and the adjustable wall can only support the piece goods stack laterally at a certain height.

[0030] For example, it can be provided that the piece goods stack is only supported in an upper half of the piece goods stack by the adjustable wall, but the piece goods stack remains free in a lower half and is not supported.

[0031] If necessary, the adjustable wall can, in addition to being adjustable towards and away from the piece goods stack, also be adjustable in height. For example, a wall that is additionally adjustable in height can be moved to a higher height and then towards the piece goods stack in order to press against the piece goods stack at this higher height. Such a wall that is additionally adjustable in height can then be moved to a lower height and then towards the piece goods stack in order to press against the piece goods stack at this lower height.At least one first adjustable wall of a lower height than the total height of the piece goods stack can be arranged at a first height, and the first adjustable wall can laterally support the piece goods stack only at a first height, and at least one second adjustable wall of a lower height can be arranged at a second height, and the second adjustable wall can laterally support the piece goods stack only at a second height different from the first height.

[0032] In such a design, height adjustment is not required, and the first adjustable wall can either press against the stack of goods at a lower height, or the second adjustable wall can press against the stack of goods at a higher height. In this design, both adjustable walls can then press against the stack of goods simultaneously, both at the top and bottom.

[0033] The adjustable wall can have a smaller width than a given total width of the piece goods stack and the adjustable wall can only support the piece goods stack laterally in a certain width position.

[0034] This can be particularly useful if the piece goods stack is not made up of a single type, but of a mixed order. For example, the stability may be reduced in one corner area of ​​the piece goods stack, necessitating support from an adjustable wall, while in other areas the piece goods stack is sufficiently stable and does not require support. The adjustable wall can, if necessary, be automatically adjustable laterally in order to be able to change the surface on which the adjustable wall is to engage on the piece goods stack.

[0035] At least one first adjustable wall of a smaller width can be arranged in a first width position and the first adjustable wall can laterally support the piece goods stack only in a first width position, and at least one second adjustable wall of a smaller width can be arranged in a second width position and the second adjustable wall can laterally support the piece goods stack only in a second width position different from the first width position.

[0036] For example, three adjustable walls can be provided arranged next to one another, so that a first adjustable wall can support a left-hand section of one side of the piece goods stack, a second adjustable wall can support a middle section of the side of the piece goods stack, and a third adjustable wall can support a right-hand section of the side of the piece goods stack. In order to achieve an even finer division, more than three adjustable walls can be provided if necessary. These multiple adjustable walls can be automatically controlled independently of one another in order to optionally press them against the piece goods stack or not press them against the piece goods stack.

[0037] Rod-shaped support strips or support rods can also be used as adjustable walls, with the respective free end faces of the support strips or support rods then forming the adjustable walls. The adjustable wall can have at least two wall surfaces that can be adjusted relative to one another, whereby the effective total area of ​​the adjustable wall can be optionally increased or decreased by adjusting at least one first wall surface relative to at least one second wall surface.

[0038] The first wall surface and the second wall surface can be mounted by means of adjustment devices, such as joints, in particular pivot joints, hinges, rails, or guide grooves. If the effective total area of ​​the adjustable wall is enlarged, a portion of the effective total area can protrude upwards, for example, beyond an access opening in a picking level. In this way, an adjustment device can be created that can also be used outside the picking shaft, in particular above the picking level, to support piece goods.

[0039] The picking shaft can accordingly have an access opening at the height of a picking level and the adjustable wall can be extended upwards beyond the picking level by enlarging the effective total area of ​​the adjustable wall.

[0040] In a further aspect of the method, the lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue from the storage space of the roll container can be carried out automatically with different speed profiles and / or acceleration profiles depending on the piece goods present on the loading tongue.

[0041] As the loading tongue is pulled out of the roll container's storage space, the stack of general cargo is moved against a scraper, which holds the stack of general cargo above the loading floor onto which the stack of general cargo is to be placed. This can result in individual items in the stack of general cargo being pulled together because they are pressed against the scraper by the pulling movement of the loading tongue. This can sometimes lead to an undesirable shifting of individual items in the stack of general cargo. This can negatively impact the stability of the stack of general cargo.In order to best maintain the stability of the piece goods stack, it may be expedient to extend the loading tongue with individual speed profiles and / or acceleration profiles, depending on certain physical parameters of the stacked piece goods, such as the type of piece goods, the size, the weight, the flexibility, the stability, the rigidity, or the softness of the respective piece goods. Accordingly, the inertia of individual piece goods or the surface roughness of individual piece goods, in particular the bottom layer of piece goods that rest directly on the surface of the loading tongue, or the weight or inertia of the entire piece goods stack can be taken into account in order to select the most suitable speed profile and / or acceleration profile.The most suitable speed profile and / or acceleration profile can be determined, if necessary, through tests on a specific, assembled piece goods stack. Alternatively, the most suitable speed profile and / or acceleration profile can be automatically calculated using a computer using a physics engine based on the values ​​of physical properties of individual, specific piece goods and / or a specific, assembled piece goods stack.

[0042] In the various embodiments of the method and the device, a loading tongue can be used in particular, which has a shape with a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile, wherein the wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile of the

[0043] The loading tongue is tapered from a proximal end section of the loading tongue to a distal end section at the free end of the loading tongue.

[0044] At its proximal end section, the loading tongue is coupled to a drive which is designed and configured to move the loading tongue automatically. The respective drive or motor of the loading tongue can, for example, be an electric motor. As an alternative to an electric motor, a pneumatic drive or a hydraulic drive can also be used as the motor if necessary. The distal end section of the loading tongue is accordingly opposite the proximal end section of the loading tongue and in this respect defines the free front edge of the loading tongue, which can also be suitable for moving into a horizontal gap in a stack of piece goods.

[0045] In order to disturb or move the stack of general cargo as little as possible when setting it down from the loading tongue onto the loading floor of a roll container, the free front edge of the loading tongue, i.e. the distal end section of the loading tongue, should be as narrow as possible, i.e. have the lowest possible height. When the loading tongue is pulled out, the general cargo "falls", so to speak, from the surface of the loading tongue onto the surface of the loading floor. Therefore, the drop height should be as small as possible so as not to disturb the stability of the stack of general cargo.

[0046] In this respect, the device can have a loading tongue which has a shape with a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile, wherein the wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile of the loading tongue is tapered from a proximal end section of the loading tongue to a distal end section at the free end of the loading tongue.

[0047] The mobile loading floor of the roll container can be placed on an inclined platform such that the upper side of the loading floor is parallel to the underside of the wedge-shaped loading tongue.

[0048] This allows the loading tongue to be pulled out with its underside in a plane parallel to the top of the loading floor.

[0049] In a further development, the device can thus have an obliquely aligned platform which is designed to support a mobile loading floor of the roll container.

[0050] The mobile loading floor of the roll container can be placed on an automatically adjustable platform in such a way that when the loading tongue is pulled out sideways from the storage space of the roll container, the platform is raised and / or pivoted so that the loading floor of the roll container occupies the gap space created below the loading tongue as a result of the wedge-shaped loading tongue being pulled out, in order to reduce the height at which the piece goods are deposited from the loading tongue onto the loading floor.

[0051] The current height and / or inclination of the platform and / or the surface of the loading floor can therefore change dynamically depending on the current position of the loading tongue in the withdrawal sequence. Thus, active automatic raising, lowering and / or pivoting of the platform and / or the surface of the loading floor can be started as soon as the loading tongue begins to move to initiate the withdrawal. While the loading tongue is being withdrawn, the active automatic raising and / or pivoting of the platform and / or the surface of the loading floor can proceed continuously and end when the loading tongue is completely withdrawn from the stack of general cargo.The active, automatic lifting and / or pivoting of the platform and / or the surface of the loading floor can be carried out with a speed profile and / or acceleration profile that is adapted to, and in particular synchronized with, the speed profile and / or acceleration profile of the loading tongue's extension movement. The loading floor can remain aligned parallel to the underside of the loading tongue and, when the loading tongue is extended, can be adjusted in height according to the current extension position of the loading tongue in order to reduce the drop height for the piece goods.

[0052] Thus, as an alternative or in addition to an adjustable loading floor, the loading tongue can be adjusted in height and / or controlled, in particular pivoted depending on the position, even when the loading tongue is pulled out sideways from the storage space of the roll container, in order to reduce the height at which the piece goods are deposited from the loading tongue onto the loading floor. Accordingly, the device can have a loading tongue that is adjustable in height and / or controlled, in particular pivotable depending on the position, and designed to reduce the height at which the piece goods are deposited from the loading tongue onto the loading floor.

[0053] In a further development, the device can thus have an automatically adjustable platform which is designed to support a mobile loading floor of the roll container.

[0054] The wedge-shaped loading tongue can carry at least one belt, in particular a winding or rotating belt or a belt driven by gravity, which runs over the surface of the loading tongue, wherein in a further development of the method the belt is driven synchronously with the movement of the loading tongue when the loading tongue is pulled out laterally, so that no or at most slight relative movement takes place between the surface of the at least one belt and the underside of the lowest layer of piece goods in the piece goods stack during the lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue.

[0055] In the device, the wedge-shaped loading tongue can thus carry at least one winding or revolving, or gravity-driven belt that runs over the surface of the loading tongue. The same can also be done with a constant thickness of the loading tongue.

[0056] Such a winding or revolving, or gravity-driven belt can be moved synchronously with the movement of the loading tongue. This means that there is no relative movement between the stack of piece goods and the surface sections of the belt on which the stack of piece goods rests. The loading tongue itself is therefore not in contact with the stack of piece goods and can therefore be pulled out without direct surface contact with the stack of piece goods. The winding or revolving, driven belt can be moved with a speed profile and / or acceleration profile that is adapted to the speed profile and / or acceleration profile of the pull-out movement of the loading tongue, in particular is synchronized with it.

[0057] In the case of a gravity driven belt, belt tension can be provided by guiding the belt downwards over a pulley in a vertical direction and fitting a weight to one free end of the dangling belt. When the loading tongue is retracted, the weight drops, the free length of the dangling belt increases and the weight keeps the belt tensioned. When the loading tongue is extended again, the weight lifts and the free length of the dangling belt shortens because a greater length of the belt is now resting on the surface of the loading tongue.

[0058] The two opposite side walls of the roll container can each be received in an automatically adjustable receiving pocket assigned to the picking shaft, wherein in a special embodiment of the method the two adjustable receiving pockets can be moved into a widened opening position before, during or after the picking of piece goods onto the loading tongue, in which the side walls of the roll container are aligned at least substantially vertically or the upper edges of the side walls of the roll container are positioned outwards away from each other.

[0059] The two opposite side walls of the roll container can thus each be received in an automatically adjustable receiving pocket assigned to the picking shaft, wherein in a further embodiment of the method the two adjustable receiving pockets can be moved before, during or after the picking of piece goods onto the loading tongue and / or while the loading tongue is being pulled out of the storage space of the roll container and / or while the roll container loaded with the stack of piece goods is being lowered into a predominantly horizontally narrowed closed position, in which the upper edges of the side walls of the roll container are moved inwards towards one another so that these and / or the receiving pockets are laterally pushed and / or pressed against the stack of piece goods. Pushing and / or pressing by means of the side walls of the roll container and / or the receiving pockets can take place on one side or two sides, i.e.Either only one of the two side walls can be actively moved or both side walls can be actively moved.

[0060] According to this embodiment of the method, the side walls of the roll container can be moved in a wing-like manner and can be opened or closed as desired. Since the two side walls of the roll container are arranged opposite the stack of general cargo, the stack of general cargo or individual layers of the stack of general cargo can be pushed together from opposite sides by such a wing-like closing of the side walls of the roll container, i.e., compacted or compressed with respect to their base area.

[0061] Specific embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. Regardless of the specific context in which they are mentioned, specific features of these exemplary embodiments may, if appropriate, also represent general features of the invention when considered individually or in further combinations.

[0062] It shows :

[0063] Fig. 1 is a flow chart of the steps in the basic method according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation in a

[0064] Side view of an exemplary device according to the invention for picking piece goods into a roll container according to a basic principle with an exemplary wedge-shaped loading tongue,

[0065] Fig . 3 is a schematic representation in a

[0066] Side view of an exemplary device according to the invention for picking piece goods into a roll container with three delivery devices arranged one above the other, in particular adjustable walls,

[0067] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation in a

[0068] Top view of an exemplary device according to the invention for picking piece goods into a roll container with three delivery devices arranged next to one another, in particular adjustable walls and automatically adjustable side walls of the roll container,

[0069] Fig . 5 is a schematic representation in a

[0070] Side view of an exemplary device according to the invention for picking piece goods into a roll container according to a basic principle with an exemplary wedge-shaped loading tongue, which is provided with a rotating, driven belt, wherein a platform for the roll container is also arranged at an angle,

[0071] Fig . 6 a schematic representation in a

[0072] Side view of an exemplary device according to the invention analogous to Fig. 5, but with a winding belt and a height-adjustable and / or pivotable loading tongue, and

[0073] Fig . 7 is a schematic representation in a

[0074] Side view of an exemplary device according to the invention for picking piece goods into a roll container which has side walls which can be automatically moved between an open position and a closed position according to the method.

[0075] Fig. 1 schematically shows a method for picking piece goods 1 into a roll container 2, which comprises a loading floor 4 which can be moved on rollers 3 and two oppositely arranged side walls 6 which laterally delimit a storage space 5 of the roll container 2 for the piece goods 1 and which extend upwards from two opposite edge sections of the movable loading floor 4, as is also shown in more detail in Fig. 7.

[0076] In a first step S 1 of the method, a loading tongue 7 is automatically moved into a picking shaft 8, within which the loading tongue 7 is mounted in a height-adjustable manner.

[0077] In a second step S2 of the method, the loading tongue 7 is automatically loaded with piece goods 1, forming a piece goods stack 1a within the picking shaft 8.

[0078] In a third step S3 of the method, the stack of piece goods 1a arranged on the loading tongue 7 is introduced at least substantially vertically into the storage space 5 of the roll container 2 from above via an upper opening of the roll container 2 into the storage space 5 of the roll container 2.

[0079] In a fourth step S4 of the method, the loading tongue 7 is pulled out sideways from the storage space 5 of the roll container 2 while retaining the piece goods stack 1a in the storage space 5 of the roll container 2, so that the loading tongue 7 is removed from the storage space 5 of the roll container 2 and the piece goods stack 1a is placed on the loading floor 4 of the roll container 2.

[0080] In a fifth step S5 of the method, during the vertical introduction of the piece goods stack 1a arranged on the loading tongue 7 into the storage space 5 of the roll container 2 and / or during the lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue 7 from the storage space 5 of the roll container 2, the piece goods stack 1a is laterally supported in at least one height section and / or in at least one width section of the piece goods stack 1a by automatically feeding and / or pressing a feeding device 9 against the piece goods stack 1a on at least one side of the piece goods stack 1a. The device for picking piece goods 1 into a roll container 2 is shown schematically in particular in Fig. 6. The roll container 2 has a loading floor 4 which can be moved on rollers 3 and two oppositely arranged side walls 6 which laterally delimit a storage space 5 of the roll container 2 for the piece goods 1 (Fig.7 ) , which extend upwards from two opposite edge sections of the movable loading floor 4. The device has a control device 10 which is designed and configured to automatically carry out a method according to one of the described embodiments.

[0081] The delivery device 9 according to the invention is designed to laterally support the piece goods stack la in at least one height section ( Fig. 3 ) and / or in at least one width section ( Fig. 4 ) of the piece goods stack la by automatically delivering and / or pressing the delivery device 9 against the piece goods stack la on at least one side of the piece goods stack la.

[0082] As shown schematically in Fig. 2, the automatic feeding and / or pressing can be carried out by means of a wall 11 which is adjustable at least substantially so as to feed the piece goods stack 1a against a lateral side region of the piece goods stack 1a.

[0083] The adjustable wall 11 can be automatically moved inwards towards the stack of general cargo la over the outer contour K of the loading floor 4 of the roll container 2 in order to laterally support the stack of general cargo la, as is illustrated by the arrow PI.

[0084] As shown specifically in Fig. 3, the adjustable

[0085] Wall 11 has a lower height H2 than a specified total height Hl of the piece goods stack and the adjustable wall 11 can only laterally support the piece goods stack 1a at a certain height.

[0086] At least one first adjustable wall 11 of a lower height H2 can be arranged at a first height, wherein the first adjustable wall 11 laterally supports the piece goods stack 1a only at a first height. At least one second adjustable wall 11 of a lower height H2 can be arranged at a second height, wherein the second adjustable wall 11 laterally supports the piece goods stack 1a only at a second height different from the first height, as is specifically illustrated in Fig. 3.

[0087] As is specifically shown in Fig. 4, the adjustable wall 11 can have a smaller width B2 than a predetermined total width B1 of the piece goods stack, wherein the adjustable wall 11 laterally supports the piece goods stack 1a only in a certain width position.

[0088] At least one first adjustable wall 11 of a smaller width can be arranged in a first width position, wherein the first adjustable wall 11 laterally supports the piece goods stack 1a only in a first width position. At least one second adjustable wall 11 of a smaller width can be arranged in a second width position, wherein the second adjustable wall 11 laterally supports the piece goods stack 1a only in a second width position different from the first width position, as is specifically illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0089] As shown in particular in Fig. 5, the adjustable wall 11 can have at least two mutually adjustable wall surfaces 11a and 11b, wherein the effective total area of ​​the adjustable wall 11 can be selectively increased or decreased by adjusting at least one first wall surface 11b relative to at least one second wall surface 11a. The adjustable wall surface 11b can, for example, be vertically adjustable as shown, or be foldable or pivotable.

[0090] The picking shaft 8 can have an access opening 12 at the level of a picking level E and the adjustable wall 11 can create an effective total area of ​​the adjustable wall 11 by enlarging the first wall surface 11b against the second wall surface 11a, which is extended upwards beyond the picking level E, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0091] The lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue 7 in the direction of arrow P2 from the storage space 5 of the roll container 2 can be carried out automatically with different speed profiles and / or acceleration profiles depending on the piece goods 1 present on the loading tongue 7.

[0092] As shown in the figures, a loading tongue 7 can be used which has a shape with a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile, wherein the wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile of the loading tongue 7 is tapered from a proximal end section 7a of the loading tongue 7 to a distal end section 7b at the free end of the loading tongue 7.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 5, the mobile loading floor 4 of the roll container 2 can be placed on an obliquely aligned platform 13 such that the upper side of the loading floor 4 is aligned parallel to the underside of the wedge-shaped loading tongue 7.

[0094] The platform 13 can be inclined and / or automatically adjustable.

[0095] The mobile loading floor 4 of the roll container 2 can accordingly be placed on an automatically adjustable platform 13 in such a way that, when the loading tongue 7 is pulled out sideways from the storage space 5 of the roll container 2, the platform 13 can be pivoted, for example, about the pivot axis A and / or, as shown in Fig. 6, can be raised vertically in the direction of arrow VI, so that the loading floor 4 of the roll container 2 occupies the gap space created below the loading tongue 7 as a result of the wedge-shaped loading tongue 7 being pulled out, in order to reduce the height at which the piece goods 1 can be deposited from the loading tongue 7 onto the loading floor 4.

[0096] As is also shown in Fig. 5, the wedge-shaped loading tongue 7 can carry at least one rotating, driven belt 14, or as shown in Fig. 6, have a winding belt 14 which runs over the surface of the loading tongue 7, wherein the belt 14 is driven synchronously with the movement of the loading tongue 7 when the loading tongue 7 is pulled out laterally, so that there is no relative movement between the surface of the at least one belt 14 and the underside of the lowest layer of piece goods 1 in the piece goods stack 1a during the lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue 7.

[0097] Fig. 6 also shows a schematic representation of the method by which the automatically adjustable platform 13 can be linearly height-adjustable in order to be able to lift the roll container 2 vertically in the direction of arrow VI. In this embodiment of Fig. 6, the loading tongue 7 is shown with a winding belt 14 instead of being equipped with a rotating belt 14. The winding takes place on a reel 15. Of course, as an alternative, a winding belt 14 can also be used in the embodiment according to Fig. 5 and a rotating belt 14 can be used in the embodiment according to Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, the arrow V2 also shows that, as an alternative or in addition to adjusting the height of the roll container 2 by means of the platform 13, the loading tongue 7 can also be raised and lowered in the direction of arrow V2.

[0098] As is shown in particular in Fig. 4, the two opposite side walls 6 of the roll container 2 can each be received in an automatically adjustable receiving pocket 17 assigned to the picking shaft 8, wherein the two adjustable receiving pockets 17 can be moved into a horizontally widened opening position during the picking of piece goods 1 onto the loading tongue 7, in which the side walls 6 of the roll container 2 are aligned vertically, as is indicated in Fig. 7 by the side walls 6 shown in dotted lines, or the upper edges of the side walls 6 of the roll container 2 are set away from one another outwards, as is indicated in Fig. 7 by the side walls 6 shown in dash-dotted lines.

[0099] The two adjustable receiving pockets 17 can be moved into a horizontally narrowed closed position after the piece goods 1 have been picked onto the loading tongue 7 and / or during withdrawal of the loading tongue 7 from the storage space 5 of the roll container 2 and / or during lowering of the roll container 2 loaded with the piece goods stack 1a, in which the upper edges of the side walls 6 of the roll container 2 are moved inwards towards one another, so that these and / or the receiving pockets 17 are laterally positioned and / or pressed against the piece goods stack 1a, as is indicated in Fig. 7 by the side walls 6 and / or receiving pockets 17 shown in solid lines.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for picking piece goods (1) into a roll container (2) comprising a loading floor (4) movable on rollers (3) and two oppositely arranged side walls (6) laterally delimiting a storage space (5) of the roll container (2) for the piece goods (1), which extend upwards from two opposite edge sections of the movable loading floor (4), comprising the steps: - automatic insertion of a loading tongue (7) into a picking shaft (8) within which the loading tongue (7) is mounted in a height-adjustable manner (Sl), - automatic loading of the loading tongue (7) with piece goods (1) to form a piece goods stack (1a) within the order picking shaft (8) (S2), at least substantially vertical insertion of the piece goods stack (1a) arranged on the loading tongue (7) into the storage space (5) of the roll container (2) from above via an upper opening of the roll container (2) into the storage space (5) of the roll container (2) (S3), - laterally pulling out the loading tongue (7) from the storage space (5) of the roll container (2) while retaining the piece goods stack (1a) in the storage space (5) of the roll container (2), so that the loading tongue (7) is removed from the storage space (5) of the roll container (2) and the stack of general cargo (la) is placed on the loading floor (4) of the roll container (2) (S4), - during the vertical introduction of the piece goods stack (la) arranged on the loading tongue (7) into the storage space (5) of the roll container (2) and / or during the lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue (7) from the storage space (5) of the roll container (2), laterally supporting the piece goods stack (la) in at least one height section and / or in at least one width section of the piece goods stack (la) by automatically feeding and / or pressing a feeding device (9) against the piece goods stack (la) on at least one side of the piece goods stack (la) (S5).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized by automatically delivering and / or pressing a wall (11) which is adjustable at least substantially towards the piece goods stack (1a) against a lateral side region of the piece goods stack (1a).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustable wall (11) for laterally supporting the piece goods stack (1a) is automatically moved inwards towards the piece goods stack (1a) over the outer contour (K) of the loading floor (4) of the roll container (2).

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the adjustable wall (11) has a lower height (H2) than a predetermined piece goods stack total height (H1) and the adjustable wall (11) General cargo stack (la) is only supported laterally at a certain height.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one first adjustable wall (11) of a lower height (H2) is arranged in a first height position and the first adjustable wall (11) laterally supports the piece goods stack (1a) only in a first height position, and at least one second adjustable wall (11) of a lower height (H2) is arranged in a second height position and the second adjustable wall (11) laterally supports the piece goods stack (1a) only in a second height position different from the first height position.

6. Method according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the adjustable wall (11) has a smaller width (B2) than a predetermined total width of the piece goods stack (B1) and the adjustable wall (11) laterally supports the piece goods stack (1a) only in a certain width position.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one first adjustable wall (11) of a smaller width (B1) is arranged in a first width position and the first adjustable wall (11) laterally supports the piece goods stack (1a) only in a first width position, and at least one second adjustable wall (11) of a smaller width (B2) is arranged in a second width position and the second adjustable wall (11) laterally supports the piece goods stack (1a) only in a second width position different from the first width position.

8. Method according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the adjustable wall (11) has at least two mutually adjustable wall surfaces (11a, 11b), wherein by adjusting at least one first wall surface (11b) against at least one second wall surface (11a) the effective total surface of the adjustable wall (11) can be selectively increased or reduced.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the picking shaft (8) has an access opening (12) at the level of a picking level (E) and the adjustable wall (11) is extended upwards beyond the picking level (E) by enlarging the effective total area of ​​the adjustable wall (11).

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue (7) from the storage space (5) of the roll container (2) is carried out automatically with different speed profiles and / or acceleration profiles depending on the piece goods (1) present on the loading tongue (7).

11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a loading tongue (7) is used which has a shape with a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile, wherein the wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile of the loading tongue (7) is tapered from a proximal end section (7a) of the loading tongue (7) to a distal end section (7b) at the free end of the loading tongue (7).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the mobile loading floor (4) of the roll container (2) is placed on an obliquely aligned platform (13) such that the upper side of the loading floor (4) is aligned parallel to the underside of the wedge-shaped loading tongue (7).

13. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the mobile loading floor (4) of the roll container (2) is placed on an automatically adjustable platform (13) in such a way that during a lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue (7) from the storage space (5) of the roll container (2), the platform (13) is raised and / or pivoted, so that the loading floor (4) of the roll container (2) occupies the gap space freed below the loading tongue (7) as a result of the withdrawal of the wedge-shaped loading tongue (7), in order to reduce a depositing height of the piece goods (1) from the loading tongue (7) onto the loading floor (4).

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that during a lateral withdrawal of the loading tongue (7) from the storage space (5) of the roll container (2), the loading tongue (7) is adjusted in its height and / or controlled, in particular pivoted depending on the position, in order to reduce a depositing height of the piece goods (1) from the loading tongue (7) onto the loading floor (4).

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the wedge-shaped loading tongue (7) has at least one belt (14), in particular a winding or rotating belt or a belt driven by gravity. driven belt (14) which runs over the surface of the loading tongue (7), wherein the belt (14) is driven synchronously with the movement of the loading tongue (7) when the loading tongue (7) is pulled out laterally, so that no or at most slight relative movement takes place between the surface of the at least one belt (14) and the underside of the lowest layer of piece goods (1) in the piece goods stack (1a) during the lateral pulling out of the loading tongue (7).

16. Method according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the two opposite side walls (6) of the roll container (2) are each received in an automatically adjustable receiving pocket (17) assigned to the picking shaft (8), wherein the two adjustable receiving pockets (17) are moved into a horizontally widened opening position during the picking of piece goods (1) onto the loading tongue (7), in which the side walls (6) of the roll container (2) are aligned vertically or the upper edges of the side walls (6) of the roll container (2) are set away from one another outwards.

17. Method according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the two opposite side walls (6) of the roll container (2) are each received in an automatically adjustable receiving pocket (17) assigned to the order-picking shaft (8), wherein the two adjustable receiving pockets (17) before, during or after the order-picking of piece goods (1) onto the loading tongue (7) and / or during withdrawal of the loading tongue (7) from the storage space (5) of the roll container (2) and / or during lowering of the with the piece goods stack (la) loaded roll container (2) are moved into a horizontally narrowed closed position, in which the upper edges of the side walls (6) of the roll container (2) are moved inwards towards each other, so that these and / or the receiving pockets (17) are laterally positioned and / or pressed against the piece goods stack (la).

18. Device for picking piece goods into a roll container, which comprises a loading floor (4) which can be moved on rollers (3) and two oppositely arranged side walls (6) which laterally delimit a storage space (5) of the roll container (2) for the piece goods (1), which extend upwards from two opposite edge sections of the movable loading floor (4), comprising a control device (10) which is designed and configured to automatically carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 17.

19. Device according to claim 18, characterized by a delivery device (9) which is designed to laterally support the piece goods stack (la) in at least one height section and / or in at least one width section of the piece goods stack (la) by automatically delivering and / or pressing the delivery device (9) against the piece goods stack (la) on at least one side of the piece goods stack (la).

20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the delivery device (9) has at least one adjustable wall (11) which is at least substantially adjustable towards the stack of items (1a) for automatic delivery and / or pressing against a lateral side area of ​​the piece goods stack (la).

21. Device according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized by a loading tongue (7) which has a shape with a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile, wherein the wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile of the loading tongue (7) is tapered from a proximal end section (7a) of the loading tongue (7) to a distal end section (7b) at the free end of the loading tongue (7).

22. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the wedge-shaped loading tongue (7) carries at least one belt (14), in particular a winding or rotating, or gravity-driven belt (14), which runs over the surface of the loading tongue (7).

23. Device according to one of claims 18 to 22, characterized by an obliquely aligned and / or automatically adjustable platform (13) which is designed to support a mobile loading floor (4) of the roll container (2).

24. Device according to one of claims 18 to 23, characterized by a loading tongue (7) which is adjustable in its height and / or a controlled, in particular position-dependent pivotable, loading tongue which is designed to reduce the setting down height of the piece goods (1) from the loading tongue (7) onto the loading floor (4).

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