METHODS AND DEVICES FOR HANDLING AND EXAMINING TRANSPORT RACKS FOR DELIVERING GOODS

Abstract

An unloading device for unloading and checking quality of a transport rack having shelf compartments, and a corresponding method, includes an operating unit having a horizontally-extendable thrust element for pushing a load carrier out of one shelf compartment and a monitoring unit for acquiring a retaining force acting on the operating unit when the element is extended. Moreover, a loading station for a transport rack, and a corresponding method, includes a loading device for automatically loading the transport rack shelf compartments with load carriers. Further, a method for delivering goods delivers the goods in load carriers in a transport rack that can be loaded in a loading station and unloaded by an unloading device for unloading and checking transport rack quality. Finally, a transport rack includes two mutually antiparallel transport frames having two vertical uprights each, a distance therebetween being smaller than the respective transport frame width.

Claims

1. An unloading device (12) for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack (5.1) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) for receiving load carriers (6.1), which shelf compartments (15) are located on top of one another and/or next to one another, comprising a support frame (29) that is vertically displaceable by means of a first drive device (61) and an operating unit (28) arranged on the support frame (29), which operating unit (28) has a thrust element (60) for pushing a load carrier (6.1) out of one of the shelf compartments (15), which thrust element (60) is horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device (32), wherein the unloading device (12) has a monitoring unit for acquiring a retaining force, which retaining force acts on the operating unit (28) when the thrust element (60) is extended in an extension direction (AR), wherein the monitoring unit is configured to generate an error message if the retaining force reaches a threshold value for the retaining force.

2. The unloading device (12) according to claim 1, wherein the second drive device (32) has an electric motor (75) and the monitoring unit is configured to acquire a motor current and to evaluate the retaining force from the motor current.

3. The unloading device (12) according to claim 1, wherein the thrust element (60) has a front end (62a) in an extension direction (AR) and a rear end (62b) in an extension direction (AR) as well as a support body (63) extending between the front end (62a) and the rear end (62b), wherein the front end (62a) is configured to push out the load carrier (6.1).

4. The unloading device (12) according to claim 3, wherein the operating unit (28) has a test body (61), which is mounted on the support body (63) and can be pushed into a shelf compartment (15) of the transport rack (5.1).

5. The unloading device (12) according to claim 4, wherein the test body (61) is adapted to a length dimension, width dimension and/or height dimension of the load carrier (6.1).

6. The unloading device (12) according to claim 4, wherein the test body (61) has a side part (80) that can be moved orthogonally to the extension direction (AR).

7. The unloading device (12) according to claim 4, wherein the test body (61) is releasably connected with the thrust element (60) by means of a coupling unit (69), wherein the coupling unit (69) is configured such that it releases automatically and allows a relative movement between the thrust element (60) and the test body (61) if the retaining force acts on the test body (61) and the threshold value is reached when the thrust element (60) is extended in the extension direction (AR).

8. The unloading device (12) according to claim 4, wherein the operating unit (28) has a pusher dog device (74a, 74b), which is configured to pull back the test body (61) from the transport rack (5.1).

9. The unloading device (12) according to claim 8, wherein the pusher dog device has a first pusher dog element (74a), which is arranged on the thrust element (60) and is engageable with the test body (61) when the thrust element (60) is retracted in a retraction direction opposite the extension direction (AR).

10. The unloading device (12) according to claim 9, wherein the pusher dog device has a second pusher dog element (74b), which is arranged on the test body (61) and is engageable with the first pusher dog element (74a) when the thrust element (60) is retracted.

11. The unloading device (12) according to claim 7, wherein the unloading device (12) comprises a sensor system (73a, 73b), with which the relative movement between the thrust element (60) and the test body (61) can be acquired.

12. The unloading device (12) according to claim 4, wherein the test body (61) comprises a test body base frame (66) and a test body housing (65), wherein the test body base frame (66) is mounted on the support body (63) so as to be pushable in and opposite the extension direction (AR) and the test body housing (65) is mounted on the test body base frame (66) so as to be movable.

13. The unloading device (12) according to claim 1, wherein the second drive device (32) comprises a traction drive mounted on the support frame (29), which traction drive has a drive motor (75), a drive wheel affixed to a first shaft (76a), a deflection wheel affixed to a second shaft (76b) and a traction means (77) guided around the drive wheel and the deflection wheel, and the thrust element (60) is mounted on the support frame (29) and coupled with the traction means (77) of the second drive device (63) via a guide assembly (78).

14. The unloading device (12) according to claim 1, wherein the second drive device (32) has a safety unit, which interacts with the thrust element (60) in order to acquire a reaching of a safety threshold value for a push-out force, with which the thrust element (60) is extended.

15. The unloading device (12) according to claim 14, wherein the safety unit comprises a safety coupling, which is configured such that the second drive device (63) can be switched to an idle run if the safety threshold value for the push-out force is reached.

16. The unloading device (12) according to claim 15, wherein the second drive device (32) comprises a traction drive mounted on the support frame (29), which traction drive has a drive motor (75), a drive wheel affixed to a first shaft (76a), a deflection wheel affixed to a second shaft (76b) and a traction means (77) guided around the drive wheel and the deflection wheel, wherein the drive motor (75) is coupled with the first shaft (76a) via the safety coupling.

17. The unloading device (12) according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit (28) has multiple thrust elements (60) for simultaneously unloading shelf compartments (15) located on top of one another and/or next to one another, which thrust elements (60) are simultaneously horizontally extendable by means of the second drive device (32).

18. The unloading device (12) according to claim 1, wherein the unloading device (12) has a takeover unit (35) for receiving the at least one load carrier (6.1), which is pushed out of one of the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1).

19. The unloading device (12) according to claim 18, wherein the unloading device (12) comprises a support frame (37) that is vertically displaceable by means of a third drive device (38) and a takeover unit (35) arranged on the support frame (37), which takeover unit (35) has a receiving platform (36) and a pusher (41) that is horizontally movable relative to the receiving platform (36) by means of a fourth drive device (40).

20. An unloading station (8) with an unloading device (12) for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack (5.1) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) for receiving load carriers (6.1), which shelf compartments (15) are located on top of one another and/or next to one another, comprising: the unloading device (12) according to claim 18, a transport rack provisioning device (25) for provisioning the transport rack (5.1), in which multiple load carriers (6.1) are received in the shelf compartments (15) and one load carrier (6.1), or multiple load carriers (6.1), are to be pushed out of at least one of the shelf compartments (15), and wherein the operating unit (28) of the unloading device (12) is arranged on a first side of the transport rack provisioning device (25) and the takeover unit (35) of the unloading device (12) is arranged on a second side of the transport rack provisioning device (25) opposite the first side.

21. The unloading station (8) according to claim 20, wherein the unloading station (8) further comprises: an automated transport rack conveying system (7c) for transporting transport racks (5.1) to the transport rack provisioning device (25) and/or for transporting transport racks (5.1) away from the transport rack provisioning device (25).

22. The unloading station (8) according to claim 19, wherein the transport rack provisioning device (25) comprises: a provisioning location (26), at which the transport rack (5.1) can be deposited, from which the load carrier (6.1), or the multiple load carriers (6.1), are to be pushed out of the at least one of the shelf compartments (15), and centering and/or clamping devices (27) for positioning and/or fixing the transport rack (5.1).

23. A picking warehouse (1) for storing and picking goods, having a storage area (2) for provisioning goods and a picking station (3) for picking the goods into load carriers (6.2) in accordance with orders and an automated goods conveying system (7a) for transporting the goods between the storage area (2) and the picking station (3) and an unloading station (8) with an unloading device (12) for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack (5.1), wherein the unloading station (8) is configured according to claim 20 and the unloading station (8) and the picking station (3) are connected via an automated load carrier conveying system (7b), which adjoins the takeover unit (35) and by means of which a load carrier (6.1) can be transported from the unloading station (8) to the picking station (3).

24. The picking warehouse (1) according to claim 23, wherein the picking warehouse (1) has at least one other unloading station (8).

25. A method for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack (5.1) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) located on top of one another and/or next to one another, comprising the steps: provisioning the transport rack (5.1) in the unloading station (8) according to claim 20 at an unloading device (12) for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack (5.1), in particular at an unloading device (12), with a support frame (29) that is vertically displaceable by means of a first drive device (61) and an operating unit (28) arranged on the support frame (29), which operating unit (28) has a thrust element (60) that is horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device (32), positioning the operating unit (28) with the thrust element (60) in front of one of the shelf compartments (15), in which a load carrier (6.1) to be pushed out is located, pushing out the load carrier (6.1) to be pushed out of the shelf compartment (15) by horizontally extending the thrust element (60), further comprising the steps: acquiring a retaining force by means of a monitoring unit, which retaining force acts on the operating unit (28) when the thrust element (60) is extended in an extension direction (AR), generating an error message if the retaining force reaches a threshold value for the retaining force.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the second drive device (32) has an electric motor and a motor current can be acquired by the monitoring unit and the retaining force can be evaluated from the motor current.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein the operating unit (28) has a test body (61), which is mounted on the thrust element (60), wherein the test body (61) is inserted into the shelf compartment (15) when the thrust element (60) is extended.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the test body (61) is coupled with the thrust element (60) and a coupling between the test body (61) and the thrust element (60) is automatically released and the thrust element (60) is moved relative to the test body (61) in an extension direction (AR) if the retaining force reaches the threshold value when the thrust element (60) is extended in the extension direction (AR).

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein a relative movement of the thrust element (60) to the test body (61) is monitored by a sensor system in order to acquire the reaching of the threshold value of the retaining force.

30. The method according to claim 25, wherein the extending of the thrust element (60) is stopped if the retaining force reaches or exceeds the threshold value.

31. The method according to claim 25, wherein a movable side part (80) of the test body (61) is moved orthogonally to the extension direction (AR) from a retracted position to an extended position after the test body (61) has been inserted into the shelf compartment (15).

32. The method according to claim 25, wherein the provisioning of the transport rack (5.1) in the unloading station (8) comprises the steps: provisioning the transport rack (5.1) at a transport rack provisioning device (25) in the operating range of the operating unit (28) and positioning and fixing the transport rack (5.1) on the transport rack provisioning device (25) by means of a centering and/or clamping device (27).

33. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the steps: provisioning the operating unit (28) on a first access side of the transport rack (5.1), provisioning a takeover unit (35) on a second access side of the transport rack (5.1) opposite the first access side, pushing the load carrier (6.1) out of the shelf compartment (15) and pushing the load carrier (6.1) onto the takeover unit (26) by horizontally extending the thrust element (60).

34. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the steps: provisioning multiple thrust elements (60) by means of the operating unit (28), simultaneously pushing load carriers (6.1) out of different shelf compartments (15) by simultaneously horizontally extending the thrust elements (60).

35. The method according to claim 34, further comprising the steps: provisioning the operating unit (28) on a first access side of the transport rack (5.1), provisioning a takeover unit (35) on a second access side of the transport rack (5.1) opposite the first access side, simultaneously pushing load carriers (6.1) out of the different shelf compartments (15) and pushing the load carriers (6.1) onto the takeover unit (35) by simultaneously horizontally extending the thrust elements (60).

36. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the step: transport of the load carrier (6.1) that has been pushed from the transport rack (5.1) out of the shelf compartment (15) onto the takeover unit (35), or the load carriers (6.1) that have been pushed from the transport rack (5.1) out of the shelf compartments (15) onto the takeover unit (35) by means of the operating unit (28), from the unloading station (8) to a picking station (3) by means of an automated load carrier conveying system (7b).

37. A method for delivering goods to recipients of goods, in particular to end consumers and/or resellers, comprising the steps: i) provisioning the goods, ii) electronically acquiring picking orders for orders from the recipients of goods, iii) compiling the goods, in accordance with the picking orders, in load carriers (6.1, 6.2), iv) provisioning at least one transport rack (5.1) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) located on top of one another and/or next to one another in a loading station (10), v) loading the at least one transport rack (5.1) with the load carriers (6.2) for at least one order of the orders in the loading station (10), wherein steps i) to v) are carried out in a supply warehouse and the method further comprises the following steps: vi) transport of the at least one transport rack (5.2) with the load carriers (6.2) by means of a transport system (11), comprising: a transport of the at least one transport rack (5.2) from the supply warehouse to a recipient of goods, or different recipients of goods, or a transport of the at least one transport rack (5.2) from the supply warehouse to a buffer warehouse (103) and a transport of the at least one transport rack (5.2) from the buffer warehouse (103) to a recipient of goods, or to different recipients of goods, vii) handover of the goods to the recipient of goods, or to the different recipients of goods, viii) transport of the at least one transport rack (5.1) with load carriers (6.1) to be returned by means of the transport system (11) after step vii), comprising a transport of the at least one transport rack (5.1) with load carriers (6.1) to be returned from one of the recipients of goods to the supply warehouse, or a transport of the at least one transport rack (5.1) with load carriers (6.1) to be returned from one of the recipients of goods to the buffer warehouse (103) and a transport of the at least one transport rack (5.1) with load carriers (6.1) to be returned from the buffer warehouse (103) to the supply warehouse, ix) provisioning the at least one transport rack (5.1) with load carriers (6.1) to be returned in an unloading station (8) at an unloading device (12) or at a checking device (121a) located upstream of an unloading device (12) or at a checking device (121b) located downstream of an unloading device (12), in particular in an unloading station (8) according to claim 20, which comprises the unloading device (12) and/or the upstream checking device (121a) and/or the downstream checking device (121b), x) automatically unloading the transport rack (5.1) by means of the unloading device (12), comprising: pushing the load carriers (6.1) to be returned out of the shelf compartments (15) of the at least one transport rack (5.1), xi) automatically checking at least one quality characteristic on the at least one transport rack (5.1) in the unloading station (8), using a monitoring unit for checking a quality of a transport rack (5.1), wherein the automatic checking, in particular, is carried out during step ix) and/or is carried out during step x) and a load carrier (6.1) is pushed out of the shelf compartment (15) of the at least one transport rack (5.1).

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the transport system (11) comprises a first transport system (11) with a first transport capacity and a second transport system (11) with a second transport capacity that is different from the first transport capacity and, in accordance with step vi): the transport of the at least one transport rack (5.2) from the supply warehouse to the buffer warehouse (103) is carried out by the first transport system (11), the transport of the at least one transport rack (5.2) from the buffer warehouse (103) to a recipient of goods, or different recipients of goods, is carried out by the second transport system (11), wherein, in the buffer warehouse (103), the at least one transport rack (5.2) is discharged by the first transport system (11) and the at least one transport rack (5.2) is received by the second transport system (11).

39. The method according to claim 37, wherein the handover of the goods to the end consumer, or to the different end consumers, comprises, in accordance with step vii): a removal of a load carrier (6.2) with the goods for the at least one order from the at least one transport rack (5.2) and/or a removal of the goods for the at least one order from the load carrier (6.2) in the at least one transport rack (5.2).

40. The method according to claim 37, wherein the handover of the goods to the end consumer, or to the different end consumers, comprises, in accordance with step vii): a delivery of the at least one transport rack (5.2) to a pick-up station (104) having an automated goods storage and/or goods dispensing system, optionally rearranging the goods with the load carriers (6.2), or rearranging the goods without load carriers (6.2), from the transport rack (5.2) into the automated goods storage and/or goods dispensing system, and/or dispensing the goods with the load carriers (6.2), or dispensing the goods without load carriers (6.2), from at least one provisioning location for the pick-up of an order by the end consumer at the automated goods storage and/or goods dispensing system at a goods dispensing station, at which the goods with the load carriers (6.2), or without load carriers (6.2), are provisioned if the goods are requested by entering a request command at the pick-up station (104).

41. The method according to claim 37, wherein step xi) comprises: classifying the at least one transport rack (5.1) as “fit for reuse” if the at least one quality characteristic meets a specified quality requirement, or as “unfit for reuse” if the at least one quality characteristic does not meet a specified quality requirement.

42. The method according to claim 41, further comprising the step: provisioning the at least one transport rack (5.1) in the loading station (10) for a new loading operation in accordance with step v) if the at least one transport rack (5.1) was classified as “fit for reuse” in step xi), or eliminating the at least one transport rack (5.1) by transporting the at least one transport rack (5.1) to a collecting location (14) if the at least one transport rack (5.1) was classified as “unfit for reuse.”

43. The method according to claim 42, further comprising the step: transporting the at least one transport rack (5.1) from the unloading station (8) to the loading station (10) by means of an automated transport rack conveying system (7c) and newly provisioning the at least one transport rack (5.1) for a new loading operation in accordance with step iv).

44. The method according to claim 37, wherein step x) comprises transporting away of load carriers (6.1) to be returned from the unloading station (8) by means of an automated load carrier conveying system (7b), wherein the transporting away of load carriers (6.1) to be returned comprises at least a transporting away of empty load carriers (6.1) of the load carriers (6.1) to be returned from the unloading station (8) to a picking station (3) by means of the automated load carrier conveying system (7b).

45. A loading station (10) for a transport rack (5.1, 5.2) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) located on top of one another and/or next to one another, having a transport rack provisioning device (85) for provisioning a transport rack (5.1, 5.2), a first loading device (13) for automatically loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1, 5.2), a second loading device (13) for automatically loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1, 5.2), an automated transport rack conveying system (7c) for transporting the transport rack (5.1) to the transport rack provisioning device (85) and/or transporting the transport rack (5.2) away from the transport rack provisioning device (85), wherein the transport rack (5.1) has a first loading side accessible by the first loading device (13) and a second loading side accessible by the second loading device (13) and the transport rack provisioning device (85) is arranged between the first loading device (13) and the second loading device (13) and is arranged such the first loading device (13) can load shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) from the first loading side and the second loading device (13) can load shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) from the second loading side when a transport rack (5.1) is provisioned at the transport rack provisioning device (85).

46. The loading station (10) according to claim 45, wherein the transport rack provisioning device (85) comprises: a provisioning location (86), at which the transport rack (5.1) which is to be loaded with load carriers (6.2) in the shelf compartments (15) can be deposited, and centering and/or clamping devices (27) for positioning and/or fixing the transport rack (5.1).

47. The loading station (10) according to claim 45, wherein the transport rack conveying system (7c) comprises: a first conveying section for transporting the transport rack (5.1) to the transport rack provisioning device (85), a second conveying section for transporting the transport rack (5.2) away from the transport rack provisioning device (85), and a third conveying section for provisioning the transport rack (5.1), which third conveying section forms the provisioning location (86) and to which third conveying section the first conveying section for transporting the transport rack (5.1) to the transport rack provisioning device (85) and the second conveying section for transporting the transport rack (5.2) away from the transport rack provisioning device (85) adjoin.

48. The loading station (10) according to claim 45, wherein the loading station (10) is connected with an unloading station (8) arranged upstream of the loading station (10) via the automated transport rack conveying system (7c) for transporting the transport rack (5.1) to the transport rack provisioning device (85).

49. The loading station (10) according to claim 45, wherein the loading station (10) comprises a number of loading devices (13), which correspond to a number of shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) located next to one another, which loading devices (13) comprise the first loading device (13), the second loading device (13) and a third loading device (13), and that the transport rack provisioning device (85) is arranged such between the first loading device (13), the second loading device (13) and the third loading device (13) that the first loading device (13) and the third loading device (13) can load shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) from the first loading side and the second loading device (13) can load shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) from the second loading side when a transport rack (5.1) is provisioned at the transport rack provisioning device (85).

50. The loading station (10) according to claim 45, wherein the first loading device (13), the second loading device (13) and optionally the third loading device (13) each have a support frame (88) that is vertically displaceable by means of a first drive device (87) and an operating unit (89) arranged on the support frame (88), which operating unit (89) has a thrust element (95a, 95b) for pushing a load carrier (6.2) into one of the shelf compartments (15), which thrust element (95a, 95b) is horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device (90).

51. A method for automatically loading a transport rack (5.1, 5.2) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) located on top of one another and/or next to one another in a loading station (10) comprising a transport rack provisioning device (85) for provisioning a transport rack (5.1), a first loading device (13) for loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1), a second loading device (13) for loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1), and an automated transport rack conveying system (7c) for transporting the transport rack (5.1) to the transport rack provisioning device (85) and transporting the transport rack (5.2) away from the transport rack provisioning device (85), the method comprising the steps: provisioning a transport rack (5.1) at the transport rack provisioning device (85) such that the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) are accessible by the first loading device (13) on a first loading side and the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) are accessible by the second loading device (13) on a second loading side, loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) by means of the first loading device (13) from the first loading side by supplying the load carriers (6.2) to the shelf compartments (15) on the first loading side and pushing the load carriers (6.2) in the shelf compartments (15) in a direction of the second loading side, and loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) by means of the second loading device (13) from the second loading side, by supplying the load carriers (6.2) to the shelf compartments (15) on the second loading side and pushing the load carriers (6.2) in the shelf compartments (15) in a direction of the first loading side.

52. The method for automatically loading a transport rack (5.1) according to claim 51, wherein the steps loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) by means of the first loading device (13) from the first loading side and loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) by means of the second loading device (13) from the second loading side are executed simultaneously.

53. The method for automatically loading a transport rack (5) according to claim 51, wherein the steps loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) by means of the first loading device (13) from the first loading side and loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) by means of the second loading device (13) from the second loading side are each executed on different shelf compartments (15).

54. The method for automatically loading a transport rack (5) according to claim 51, wherein the provisioning of the transport rack (5.1) at the transport rack provisioning device (85) comprises the following step: positioning and fixing the transport rack (5.1) on the transport rack provisioning device (85) by means of a centering and/or clamping device (27).

55. A method for unloading and loading a transport rack (5.1) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) located on top of one another and/or next to one another, wherein the transport rack (5.1) is provisioned in an unloading station (8) with at least one unloading device (12) at a first transport rack provisioning device (25) and load carriers (6.1) deposited in the shelf compartments (15) are automatically unloaded from the shelf compartments (15) by means of an operating unit (28) of the unloading device (12) and provisioned in a loading station (10) at a second transport rack provisioning device (85) and the shelf compartments (15) are automatically loaded with pre-picked load carriers (6.2) by means of an operating unit (89) of the loading device (13), wherein an unloaded transport rack (5.1) is conveyed from the unloading station (8) to the loading station (10) by means of an automated transport rack conveying system (7c), provisioned at the second transport rack provisioning device (85) of the loading station (10) and loaded with the pre-picked load carriers (6.2).

56. The method according to claim 55, wherein a provisioning position of the transport rack (5.1) at the first transport rack provisioning device (25) of the unloading station (8) and a provisioning position of the transport rack (5.1) at the second transport rack provisioning device (85) of the loading station (10) remain unchanged.

57. The method according to claim 55, wherein the automated transport rack conveying system (7c) comprises a buffer device (9), or adjoins a buffer device (9), in which the unloaded transport rack (5.1) is stored temporarily before being transported into the loading station (10) by means of the automated transport rack conveying system (7c).

58. The method according to claim 55, wherein the step of the unloading of load carriers (6) by means of the operating unit (22) of the unloading device (12) comprises: pushing the load carriers (6.1) out of the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) with at least one thrust element (60) of the operating unit (22), which operating unit (22) is arranged on a support frame (29) that is vertically displaceable by means of a first drive device (61) and which thrust element (60) is horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device (32), automatically checking at least one quality characteristic on the transport rack (5.1), in particular while at least one of the emptied load carriers (6.1) is pushed out of the shelf compartment (15) of the transport rack (5.1), and/or the step of the loading of pre-picked load carriers (6.2) by means of the operating unit (89) of the loading device (13) comprises pushing the pre-picked load carriers (6.2) into the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) by means of at least one thrust element (95a, 95b) of the operating unit (89), which operating unit (89) is arranged on a support frame (88) that is vertically displaceable by means of a first drive device (87) and which thrust element (95a, 95b) is horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device (90).

59. The method according to claim 55, wherein the unloading device (12) is configured for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack (5.1) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) for receiving load carriers (6.1), which shelf compartments (15) are located on top of one another and/or next to one another, the unloading device comprising a support frame (29) that is vertically displaceable by means of a first drive device (61) and an operating unit (28) arranged on the support frame (29), which operating unit (28) has a thrust element (60) for pushing a load carrier (6.1) out of one of the shelf compartments (15), which thrust element (60) is horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device (32), wherein the unloading device (12) has a monitoring unit for acquiring a retaining force, which retaining force acts on the operating unit (28) when the thrust element (60) is extended in an extension direction (AR), wherein the monitoring unit is configured to generate an error message if the retaining force reaches a threshold value for the retaining force and/or the unloading station (8) has an unloading device (12) for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack (5.1) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) for receiving load carriers (6.1), which shelf compartments (15) are located on top of one another and/or next to one another, the unloading station comprising: the unloading device (12), a transport rack provisioning device (25) for provisioning the transport rack (5.1), in which multiple load carriers (6.1) are received in the shelf compartments (15) and one load carrier (6.1), or multiple load carriers (6.1), are to be pushed out of at least one of the shelf compartments (15), and wherein the operating unit (28) of the unloading device (12) is arranged on a first side of the transport rack provisioning device (25) and the takeover unit (35) of the unloading device (12) is arranged on a second side of the transport rack provisioning device (25) opposite the first side.

60. The method according to claim 55, wherein the unloading is carried out in accordance with a method for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack (5.1) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) located on top of one another and/or next to one another, comprising the steps: provisioning the transport rack (5.1) in an unloading station (8) at an unloading device (12) for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack (5.1), in particular at an unloading device (12), with a support frame (29) that is vertically displaceable by means of a first drive device (61) and an operating unit (28) arranged on the support frame (29), which operating unit (28) has a thrust element (60) that is horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device (32), positioning the operating unit (28) with the thrust element (60) in front of one of the shelf compartments (15), in which a load carrier (6.1) to be pushed out is located, pushing out the load carrier (6.1) to be pushed out of the shelf compartment (15) by horizontally extending the thrust element (60), Further comprising the steps: acquiring a retaining force by means of a monitoring unit, which retaining force acts on the operating unit (28) when the thrust element (60) is extended in an extension direction (AR), generating an error message if the retaining force reaches a threshold value for the retaining force.

61. The method according to claim 55, wherein the loading station (10) is configured for a transport rack (5.1, 5.2) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) located on top of one another and/or next to one another, having a transport rack provisioning device (85) for provisioning a transport rack (5.1, 5.2), a first loading device (13) for automatically loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1, 5.2), a second loading device (13) for automatically loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1, 5.2), an automated transport rack conveying system (7c) for transporting the transport rack (5.1) to the transport rack provisioning device (85) and/or transporting the transport rack (5.2) away from the transport rack provisioning device (85), wherein the transport rack (5.1) has a first loading side accessible by the first loading device (13) and a second loading side accessible by the second loading device (13) and the transport rack provisioning device (85) is arranged between the first loading device (13) and the second loading device (13) and is arranged such the first loading device (13) can load shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) from the first loading side and the second loading device (13) can load shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) from the second loading side when a transport rack (5.1) is provisioned at the transport rack provisioning device (85).

62. The method according to claim 55, wherein the loading is carried out in accordance with a method for automatically loading a transport rack (5.1, 5.2) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) located on top of one another and/or next to one another in a loading station (10) comprising a transport rack provisioning device (85) for provisioning a transport rack (5.1), a first loading device (13) for loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1), a second loading device (13) for loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1), and an automated transport rack conveying system (7c) for transporting the transport rack (5.1) to the transport rack provisioning device (85) and transporting the transport rack (5.2) away from the transport rack provisioning device (85), the method comprising the steps: provisioning a transport rack (5.1) at the transport rack provisioning device (85) such that the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) are accessible by the first loading device (13) on a first loading side and the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) are accessible by the second loading device (13) on a second loading side, loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) by means of the first loading device (13) from the first loading side by supplying the load carriers (6.2) to the shelf compartments (15) on the first loading side and pushing the load carriers (6.2) in the shelf compartments (15) in a direction of the second loading side, and loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) by means of the second loading device (13) from the second loading side, by supplying the load carriers (6.2) to the shelf compartments (15) on the second loading side and pushing the load carriers (6.2) in the shelf compartments (15) in a direction of the first loading side.

63. A picking warehouse (1) for storing and picking goods, comprising an unloading station (8) and a loading station (10), which are connected via an automated transport rack conveying system (7c), wherein the unloading station (8) is configured according to claim 20 and the loading station (10) is configured for a transport rack (5.1, 5.2) that has a plurality of shelf compartments (15) located on top of one another and/or next to one another, having a transport rack provisioning device (85) for provisioning a transport rack (5.1, 5.2), a first loading device (13) for automatically loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1, 5.2), a second loading device (13) for automatically loading the shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1, 5.2), an automated transport rack conveying system (7c) for transporting the transport rack (5.1) to the transport rack provisioning device (85) and/or transporting the transport rack (5.2) away from the transport rack provisioning device (85), wherein the transport rack (5.1) has a first loading side accessible by the first loading device (13) and a second loading side accessible by the second loading device (13) and the transport rack provisioning device (85) is arranged between the first loading device (13) and the second loading device (13) and is arranged such the first loading device (13) can load shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) from the first loading side and the second loading device (13) can load shelf compartments (15) of the transport rack (5.1) from the second loading side when a transport rack (5.1) is provisioned at the transport rack provisioning device (85).

64. A transport rack (500) comprising a first transport frame (501) and a second transport frame (502) that adjoins the first transport frame (501), wherein the first and second transport frames (501, 502) are each configured with a specific frame width (RB) and comprise a plurality of shelf compartments (15) for receiving load carriers (6.1, 6.2), which shelf compartments (15) are arranged on top of one another, push-in openings (508) on an access side (503), which push-in openings (508) are assigned to the shelf compartments (15), and vertical uprights (505) on a support side (504) opposite the access side (503), wherein a distance (AV) between the vertical uprights (505) is smaller than the frame width (RB) of the respective first and second transport frames (501, 502) and the first transport frame (501) and the second transport frame (502) are aligned relative to each other such that the access side (503) of the first transport frame (501) is arranged next to the support side (504) of the second transport frame (502).

65. The transport rack (500) according to claim 64, wherein the shelf compartments (15) each extend between the access side (503) and the support side (504) and have receiving locations for one load carrier (6.1, 6.2) each, which receiving locations are arranged in succession.

66. The transport rack (500) according to claim 64, wherein the first and second transport frames (501, 502) each comprise a front upright (16), which is arranged at an end of the shelf compartments (15) opposite the respective support side (504).

67. The transport rack (500) according to claim 64, wherein the first and second transport frames (501, 502) each have a removal side (509) with removal openings (510) respectively assigned to the shelf compartments (15), which removal side (509) extends between the access side (503) and the support side (504), wherein the removal side (509) of the first transport frame (501) and the removal side (509) of the second transport frame (502) face away from each other.

68. The transport rack (500) according to claim 67, wherein the first and second transport frames (501, 502) each comprise an interior side opposite the removal side (509), which interior side extends between the access side (503) and the support side (504), wherein the interior side of the first transport frame (501) and the interior side of the second transport frame (502) face each other and abut on each other.

69. The transport rack (500) according to claim 64, wherein the shelf compartments (15) each comprise a first support profile (18), a longitudinal profile (506) extending parallel to the first support profile (18), a second support profile (19) arranged on the access side (503) and a second support profile (19) arranged on the support side (504), wherein the second support profiles (19) are aligned parallel to each other and orthogonal to the first support profile (18) and extend from the first support profile (18) at least to the longitudinal profile (506), wherein the first support profile (18) and the longitudinal profile (506) each provision a rest (511) for a load carrier (6.1, 6.2), or wherein the first support profile (18), the second support profile (19) and the longitudinal profile (506) each provision a rest (511) for a load carrier (6.1, 6.2).

70. The transport rack (500) according to claim 69, wherein the support profile (18), in addition to the rest (511) for a load carrier (6.1, 6.2), has a push-off ramp (512), which is configured such that, upon a removal of a load carrier (6.1, 6.2) from the removal side (509), this load carrier (6.1, 6.2) can be pushed off the shelf compartment (15).

71. The transport rack (500) according to claim 69, wherein the longitudinal profiles (506) of two shelf compartments (15) arranged next to each other are configured as a longitudinal profile produced as a single piece.

72. The transport rack (500) according to claim 69, wherein the second support profiles (19) each extend across two shelf compartments (15) arranged next to one another, so that the second support profile (19) of a shelf compartment (15) and the second support profile (19) of a shelf compartment (15) adjacent to this shelf compartment (15) are configured as a support profile produced as a single piece.

73. The transport rack (500) according to claim 64, wherein the vertical uprights (505) of the first transport frame (501) comprise a first vertical upright (505) and a second vertical upright (505), whose side walls (513) facing away from each other are each arranged in relation to vertical planes, which bound the frame width (RB), offset in a direction of the respective other first or second vertical upright (505) and the vertical uprights (505) of the second transport frame (502) comprise a first vertical upright (505) and a second vertical upright (505), whose side walls (513) facing away from each other are each arranged in relation to vertical planes, which bound the frame width (RB), offset in a direction of the respective other first or second vertical upright (505).

74. A transport unit comprising a first transport rack (500) and a second transport rack (500), which are arranged in succession (in a depth direction), wherein the first and second transport racks (500) are each configured according to claim 64 and the access side (503) of the first transport frame (501) of the first transport rack (500) is arranged opposite the support side (504) of the first transport frame (501) of the second transport rack (500) and the support side (504) of the second transport frame (502) of the first transport rack (500) is arranged opposite the access side (503) of the second transport frame (501) of the second transport rack (500), wherein vertical uprights (505) of the first transport frame (501) of the second transport rack (500) and vertical uprights (505) of the second transport frame (502) of the first transport rack (500) are arranged next to one another.

Description

[0359] These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

[0360] FIG. 1 a block diagram for a picking warehouse having a first embodiment of an unloading station, a transport system, an optional buffer warehouse and an optional pick-up station;

[0361] FIG. 2 a processing area in the picking warehouse, which processing area has an unloading station and a loading station;

[0362] FIG. 3 a non-loaded transport rack in a perspective view;

[0363] FIG. 4 the unloading station, loading station, a transport rack conveying system and a load carrier conveying system in a perspective view;

[0364] FIG. 5a an unloading device having a takeover unit and an operating unit with one retracted, or multiple retracted, thrust elements;

[0365] FIG. 5b the unloading device according to FIG. 5a with one, or multiple, extended thrust elements;

[0366] FIG. 6 a thrust element of the operating unit in a perspective view;

[0367] FIG. 7a a first embodiment for a monitoring unit for acquiring a retaining force, and the thrust element while inserting the test body into a shelf compartment in a first position;

[0368] FIG. 7b the thrust element while inserting the test body into a shelf compartment in a second position;

[0369] FIG. 8a the thrust element with a test body in a coupled-in operating position;

[0370] FIG. 8b the thrust element with a test body in a coupled-out operating position;

[0371] FIG. 9 a height-adjustable operating unit of the unloading device with multiple thrust elements in retracted positions, in a first perspective view;

[0372] FIG. 10 the operating unit according to FIG. 9 in a second perspective view;

[0373] FIG. 11a a loading station with unloading devices with retracted thrust elements;

[0374] FIG. 11b the loading station according to FIG. 11a with extended thrust elements;

[0375] FIG. 12 a second embodiment for a monitoring unit for acquiring a motor current and for evaluating the retaining force, and a thrust element without a test body of the operating unit;

[0376] FIG. 13 a block diagram for a picking warehouse having a second embodiment of an unloading station, a transport system, an optional buffer warehouse and an optional pick-up station;

[0377] FIG. 14 a block diagram of a method for delivering goods;

[0378] FIG. 15a a top view of a “modified” test body with a side part in a retracted position;

[0379] FIG. 15b a top view of the “modified” test body with the side part in an extended position;

[0380] FIG. 16a a perspective view of the “modified” test body with the side part in the retracted position;

[0381] FIG. 16b a perspective view of the “modified” test body with the side part in the extended position;

[0382] FIG. 17 a top view of another embodiment of a transport rack according to FIG. 19;

[0383] FIG. 18 a front view of the transport rack according to FIG. 19;

[0384] FIG. 19 a perspective view of the transport rack;

[0385] FIG. 20 a top view of a transport unit.

[0386] First of all, it is to be noted that, in the different embodiments described, equal parts are provided with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations, where the disclosures filled into in the entire description may be analogously transferred to equal parts with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations. Moreover, the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, at the side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described and depicted figure, and in case of a change of position, are to be analogously transferred to the new position.

[0387] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a picking warehouse 1, which provisions a supply warehouse, for example. The picking warehouse 1 comprises a storage area 2 for provisioning goods, a picking station 3 for picking the goods in accordance with orders and a processing area 4 for unloading transport racks 5.1 and loading transport racks 5.1.

[0388] Moreover, the picking warehouse 1 comprises a goods conveying system 7a for transporting the goods between the storage area 2 and the picking station 3. The goods conveying system 7a may comprise a conveying system represented by a solid line, with which goods can be transported from the storage area 2 to the picking station 3, and a conveying system represented by a dash-dotted line, with which (remaining) goods can be transported from the picking station 3 to the storage area 2.

[0389] Further, the picking warehouse 1 comprises a load carrier conveying system 7b for transporting the load carriers between the processing area 4 and the picking station 3. An empty load carrier 6.1 can be transported from the processing area 4 to the picking station 3 by means of the load carrier conveying system 7b and be filled, in the picking station 3, with goods in accordance with an order. An empty load carrier 6.1 is preferably a returned load carrier 6.1 which was unloaded from a transport rack 5.1, as will be described below. A picked load carrier 6.2 can be transported from the picking station 3 to the processing area 4 by means of the load carrier conveying system 7b.

[0390] It should also be noted in this context that the load carriers 6.1, 6.2 can be fitted with a data carrier D, as schematically marked in FIG. 8a. The data carrier comprises at least one identification code, by means of which the transport rack 5.1 can be clearly identified. The data carrier is a one-dimensional/two-dimensional barcode, or a QR Code (Quick Response Code), or an RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification Device). The identification code can be acquired by a reading means, for example a handheld scanner, or an RFID reader.

[0391] According to the embodiment shown, the picking warehouse 1 has an unloading station 8, an optional buffer device 9 represented by a dash-dotted line and a loading station 10. The optional buffer device 9 is provided between the unloading station 8 and the loading station 10. The unloading station 8, the optional buffer device 9 and the loading station 10 are preferably arranged in the processing area 4.

[0392] It should also be noted in this context that the picking warehouse 1 may comprise merely the unloading station 8 and an optional buffer device 9, or merely the loading station 10 and the optional buffer device 9.

[0393] Further, a transport system 11 is provided, with which transport racks 5.1 with load carriers to be returned 6.1 can be transported to the picking warehouse 1 and transport racks 5.2 with picked load carriers 6.2 can be transported from the picking warehouse 1, for example to a recipient of goods, to a buffer warehouse or to a pick-up station.

[0394] A transport rack 5.1 with load carriers to be returned 6.1, which transport rack 5.1 was supplied by means of the transport system 11, can be transported to the processing area 4 and through the processing area 4 in a processing direction BR by means of an automated transport rack conveying system 7c, in particular by means of the transport system 11. In this case, the processing direction BR is defined such that the transport rack 5.1 can be provisioned first in the unloading station 8, subsequently optionally in the buffer device 9 and finally in the loading station 10.

[0395] In the unloading station 8, the load carriers 6.1 to be returned are unloaded from the transport rack 5.1. The transport rack 5.1 can be checked, in an advantageous manner, in terms of a quality requirement for a new loading with load carriers 6.2, even though this checking need not necessarily be carried out.

[0396] If the transport rack 5.1 does not meet the quality requirement, the transport rack 5.1 can be sorted out and transported away.

[0397] However, if the transport rack 5.1 meets the quality requirement, the transport rack 5.1 can be transported to the loading station 10 and provisioned at the loading station 10 by means of the transport rack conveying system 7c.

[0398] In the loading station 10, the transport rack 5.1 can be loaded with picked load carriers 6.2, which are inward-transported from the picking station 3 by means of the load carrier conveying system 7b. The transport rack 5.2 now loaded with picked load carriers 6.2 can be handed over to the transport system 11 again and delivered using the transport system 11.

[0399] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the processing area 4 in the picking warehouse 1 shown in FIG. 1, comprising the unloading station 8, the optional buffer device 9 and the loading station 10.

[0400] The unloading station 8 comprises an unloading device 12 for pushing the load carriers 6.1 out of the transport rack 5.1 (not represented in more detail), which is provisioned at the unloading device 12. This will be explained in more detail in relation to FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b.

[0401] The loading station 10 comprises multiple loading devices 13 for loading a supplied and previously unloaded transport rack 5.1 (not represented in more detail) with picked load carriers 6.2, which transport rack 5.1 is provisioned at the unloading device 12. This will be explained in more detail in relation to FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b.

[0402] The transport rack 5.1 with load carriers to be returned 6.1 is transported into the unloading station 8 by means of the transport rack conveying system 7c. In the unloading station 8, the transport rack 5.1 is provisioned at the unloading device 12. The load carriers 6.1 can be pushed out of the transport rack 5.1 in a push-out direction and/or in a z-direction by means of the unloading device 12. The pushed-out load carriers 6.1 can be transported to the picking station 3 not shown in FIG. 2 by means of the load carrier conveying system 7b described above. This can be done for all load carriers 6.1 in the transport rack 5.1, so that the transport rack 5.1 is emptied completely.

[0403] In this case, the transport rack 5.1 can be checked in terms of the quality requirement for a new loading with load carriers 6.2.

[0404] If the transport rack does not meet the quality requirement, the defective transport rack referenced as 5.3 in FIG. 2 can be sorted out and transported away to a collecting location 14, for example. Preferably, the defective transport rack 5.3 is transported to the collecting location 14 by means of the transport rack conveying system 7c.

[0405] In accordance with the embodiment shown, the defective transport rack 5.3 is transported to the collecting location 14, by means of the transport rack conveying system 7c, downstream of the unloading station 8 and even upstream of the loading station 10. Just as well, the defective transport rack 5.3 can be transported to the collecting location 14 by means of the transport rack conveying system 7c only downstream of the loading station 10, as indicated by the dash-dotted line.

[0406] The transport rack 5.1 meets the quality requirement if a load carrier 6.2 can be pushed into the transport rack 5.2 without damaging the transport rack 5.2. Analogously, the transport rack 5.1 does not meet the quality requirement if the load carrier 6.2 were to be damaged when being pushed into the transport rack 5.1, or if a complete pushing-in is not possible at all, for example because the transport rack 5.1 is strongly deformed. Below, reference is made to a (properly usable) transport rack 5.1 which meets the quality requirement, unless a “deformed transport rack” is explicitly referenced.

[0407] If a buffer device 9 is provided, the completely emptied (properly usable) transport rack 5.1 can, subsequently to the unloading operation, be transported to the buffer device 9 by means of the transport rack conveying system 7c and stored temporarily at the buffer device 9. From the buffer device 9, the transport rack 5.1 can be transported on to the loading station 10 by means of the transport rack conveying system 7c.

[0408] If a buffer device 9 is not provided, the completely emptied transport rack 5.1 can be transported immediately from the unloading station 8 to the loading station 10 by means of the transport rack conveying system 7c, in particular without a temporary storage of the transport rack 5.1.

[0409] In the loading station 10, the completely emptied transport rack 5.1 is loaded with picked load carriers 6.2. To that end, the multiple loading devices 13 are provided in the loading station 10. Subsequently, the transport rack 5.2 loaded with picked load carriers 6 can be handed over to the transport system 11 for delivery.

[0410] FIG. 3 shows a non-loaded transport rack, in particular a transport rack 5.1 after the unloading operation, in a perspective view, wherein the first access side is represented at the front, in a z-direction, and the second access side is represented at the rear, in a z-direction.

[0411] The transport rack 5.1 has shelf compartments 15 for receiving load carriers 6.1, 6.2 (not represented), which shelf compartments 15 are configured in horizontal rack rows arranged on top of one another and vertical rack columns arranged next to one another. In particular, the transport rack 5.1 comprises shelf compartments 15 for receiving load carriers 6.1, 6.2, which shelf compartments 15 are configured in four horizontal rack rows arranged on top of one another and three vertical rack columns arranged next to one another. To that end, the shelf compartments 15 are accessible from a front access side and/or first access side and from a rear and/or second access side opposite the first access side. During the loading operation, the load carriers 6.2 are pushed into the shelf compartments 15 via the first access side and/or second access side. During the unloading operation, the load carriers 6.1 are pushed out of the shelf compartments 15 via the first access side and/or second access side.

[0412] Moreover, the transport rack 5.1 shown comprises, in a shelf compartment 15, two receiving locations for one load carrier 6.1, 6.2 each, which receiving locations are arranged in succession, wherein a first receiving location extends in a longitudinal direction and/or depth direction of the shelf compartment 15 from the first access side to the center of the shelf compartment 15 and a second receiving location extends from the center of the shelf compartment 15 to the second access side, so that two load carriers 6.1, 6.2 per shelf compartment 15 can be deposited. Therefore, the represented transport rack 5.1 is configured to receive 24 load carriers 6.1, 6.2.

[0413] Evidently, any number of rack columns, in particular one, two, three or four rack columns, and any number of rack rows, in particular one, two, three or four rack rows, can be provided. The number of rack columns and of rack rows can be combined as desired.

[0414] Further, the transport rack 5.1 comprises perpendicular front uprights 16, which are arranged on the first access side, perpendicular rear uprights 17, which are arranged on the second access side, first support profiles 18, each of which extends (in a z-direction) from a front upright 16 to a rear upright 17, second support profiles 19, each of which extends (in an x-direction) between the front uprights 16, and second support profiles 19, each of which extends (x-direction) between the rear uprights 17. On the first access side and/or on the second access side, the transport racks 5.1 can also be closed by means of a door or of a roller blind, as not represented further. Optionally, the transport racks 5.1 can also have side walls, which are affixed to the front uprights 16 and rear uprights 17, as equally not represented.

[0415] The first support profiles 18 are configured as angle sections having a horizontal and a vertical leg. The first support profiles 18 are arranged in pairs with the horizontal legs facing one another. Thus, first support profiles 18 facing one another each form one shelf compartment 15, wherein the horizontal legs provision a contact area for supporting the load carriers 6.1, 6.2.

[0416] As the transport racks 5.1 are generally made from a light metal, they are prone to deformations, which may occur, for example, as a result of the transport with the transport system 11. In this case, damage may occur to the first support profiles 18 and/or second support profiles 19, to the uprights 16, 17, to the door and optionally to the roller blind, to the side walls or suchlike. Also, the deformations can lead to a warping or to a twisting of the transport rack 5.1.

[0417] At a bottom end of the transport rack 5.1, transport rollers 20 are usually provided, which enable a simple transport of the transport rack 5.1.

[0418] As schematically marked in FIG. 3, the transport rack 5.1 can also be fitted with a data carrier D. The data carrier D comprises at least one identification code, by means of which the transport rack 5.1 can be clearly identified. The data carrier is a one-dimensional/two-dimensional barcode, or a QR Code (Quick Response Code), or an RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification Device). The identification code can be acquired by a reading means, for example a handheld scanner, or an RFID reader.

[0419] Further, it is also possible for the transport rack 5.1 to comprise a bottom transport rack and a top transport rack, which are arranged on top of each other and are releasably connected with each other via coupling devices, as not represented in more detail. The bottom transport rack and top transport rack are each configured according to the embodiment of the transport rack described above.

[0420] FIG. 4 shows the unloading station 8, the loading station 10 and the automated transport rack conveying system 7c, which connects, in terms of conveyor technology, the unloading station 8 and the loading station 10. For reasons of better clarity, transport racks 5.1 and load carriers 6.1, 6.2 are not marked in FIG. 4.

[0421] The transport rack conveying system 7c is formed, for example, by a double-strand conveyor. Further, the loading station 10 is arranged downstream of the unloading station 8, so that transport racks 5.1 can be unloaded and loaded sequentially.

[0422] The unloading station 8 comprises one unloading device 12 and the loading station 10 comprises multiple loading devices 13. For example, three loading devices 13 are provided.

[0423] In the embodiment shown, no buffer device 9 is provided between the unloading station 8 and the loading station 10, even though an optional buffer device 9, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, can readily be provided between the unloading station 8 and the loading station 10.

[0424] Preferably, the unloading station 8, the loading station 10 and the transport rack conveying system 7c are arranged in the processing area 4.

[0425] According to one possible embodiment, the unloading station 8 comprises [0426] an unloading device 12 for unloading, and optionally checking a quality of, a transport rack 5.1 that has a plurality of shelf compartments 15 for receiving load carriers 6.1, which shelf compartments 15 are located on top of one another and/or next to one another, and [0427] a transport rack provisioning device 25 (as marked in FIG. 5a) for provisioning the transport rack 5.1, in which multiple load carriers 6.1 are received in the shelf compartments 15 and one load carrier 6.1, or multiple load carriers 6.1, are to be pushed out of at least one of the shelf compartments 15.

[0428] The automated transport rack conveying system 7c serves to (in particular sequentially) transport racks 5.1 to the transport rack provisioning device 25 and/or to (in particular sequentially) transport racks 5.1 away from the transport rack provisioning device 25.

[0429] It also proves an advantage if the transport rack provisioning device 25 comprises [0430] a provisioning location 26, at which the transport rack 5.1 can be deposited from which the load carrier 6.1, or the multiple load carriers 6.1, are to be pushed out of the at least one of the shelf compartments 15, and [0431] centering and/or clamping devices 27 for positioning and/or fixing the transport rack 5.1.

[0432] The unloading device 12 comprises an operating unit 28 (represented in more detail in FIGS. 9 and 10), which is arranged on a first support frame 29. The support frame 29 is mounted on a first vertical support structure 31 so as to be vertically displaceable by means of a first drive device 30. The first vertical support structure 31 is configured as a vertical mast. In this case, the operating unit 28 is arranged on a first side of the transport rack provisioning device 25 and/or of the transport rack conveying system 7c. The operating unit 28 comprises at least one thrust element 60 for pushing a load carrier 6.1, or multiple load carriers 6.1, out of a shelf compartment 15, or multiple shelf compartments 15, which thrust element 60 is horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device 32.

[0433] Moreover, the unloading device 12 comprises a takeover unit 35 for receiving one or multiple load carriers 6.1, which are pushed out of one or multiple shelf compartments 15. The takeover unit 35 may comprise a receiving platform 36, which is arranged on a second support frame 37. The support frame 37 of the takeover unit 35 is mounted on a second vertical support structure 39 so as to be vertically displaceable by means of a third drive device 38. The vertical support structure 39 of the takeover unit 35 is configured as a vertical mast. In this case, the takeover unit 35 is arranged on a second side of the transport rack provisioning device 25 and/or of the transport rack conveying system 7c opposite the first side.

[0434] According to this embodiment, the receiving platform 36 has a horizontal section and an inclined section. This results in a gap forming between the pushed-out load carriers 6.1, as can be seen in FIG. 5b.

[0435] Further, the takeover unit 35 may comprise a pusher 41 that is horizontally movable relative to the receiving platform 36 by means of a fourth drive device 40. In accordance with the embodiment shown, the pusher 41 is movable exclusively in an x-direction but not in a y-direction. The receiving platform 36, in contrast, can be moved vertically in a y-direction. After the load carriers 6.1 have been pushed out onto the takeover unit 35, the receiving platform 36a is moved vertically relative to the pusher 41 to a conveying system level of the conveying system 7b (as schematically indicated in FIG. 4). By moving the pusher 41 in an x-direction, some of the load carriers 6.1 are pushed off the receiving platform 36 onto the conveying system 7b and some of the load carriers 6.1 are pushed off the receiving platform 36 onto a holding platform 42. Subsequently, the load carriers 6.1 which were pushed off onto the conveying system 7b are transported away and the load carriers 6.1 which were pushed off onto the holding platform 42 are pushed off the holding platform 42 onto the conveying system 7b via a pusher 43 and then transported away.

[0436] In an embodiment not shown, also a conveying device, instead of the pushers 41, 43, may be provided on the receiving platform 36 of the takeover unit 35, so that the transport of the load carriers 6.1 from the takeover unit 35 onto the conveying system 7b is done by means of the conveying device.

[0437] As is apparent from this, the automated load carrier conveying system 7b, which connects, in terms of conveyor technology, the unloading station 8 and the picking station 3, adjoins the takeover unit 35 in order to take over the load carriers 6.1 from the takeover unit 35 and subsequently transport the load carriers 6.1 to the picking station 3.

[0438] Details of the unloading device 12 as well as of the unloading operation will be explained in more detail in relation to FIGS. 5a, 5b to 10.

[0439] According to one possible embodiment, the loading station 10 comprises [0440] a transport rack provisioning device 85 for provisioning a transport rack 5.1 to be loaded, [0441] one or multiple loading devices 13 for automatically loading the shelf compartments of the transport rack 5.1, [0442] an automated transport rack conveying system 7c for (in particular sequentially) transporting the transport rack 5.1 to be loaded to the transport rack provisioning device 85 and/or for (in particular sequentially) transporting the loaded transport rack 5.2 away from the transport rack provisioning device 85.

[0443] In a preferred embodiment, the transport rack conveying system 7c comprises [0444] a first conveying section for transporting the transport rack 5.1 to the transport rack provisioning device 85 to be loaded, [0445] a second conveying section for transporting the loaded transport rack 5.2 away from the transport rack provisioning device 85, [0446] and a third conveying section for provisioning the transport rack 5.1 to be loaded, which forms the provisioning location 86 and which is adjoined by the first conveying section for transporting the transport rack 5.1 to the transport rack provisioning device 85 and by the second conveying section for transporting the transport rack 5.2 away from the transport rack provisioning device.

[0447] The loading station 10 is connected, via the automated transport rack conveying system 7c, with the unloading station arranged upstream of the transport rack conveying system 7c.

[0448] It also proves an advantage if the transport rack provisioning device 85 comprises [0449] a provisioning location 86, at which the transport rack 5.1 can be deposited in which the pre-picked load carriers 6.2 are to be pushed into the shelf compartments 15, and [0450] centering and/or clamping devices 27 for positioning and/or fixing the transport rack 5.1.

[0451] In the example represented, the loading station 10 has three loading devices 13, which are arranged alternating at both sides of the transport rack conveying system 7c. In this case, a first loading device 13 and a third loading device 13 are positioned on the second side of the transport rack conveying system 7c and a second loading device 13 is positioned on the first side of the transport rack conveying system 7c. A transport rack 5.1 (see FIGS. 11a, 11b), which is provisioned at the transport rack provisioning device 85, can thus be loaded with the pre-picked load carriers 6.2 at different shelf compartments 15, on the one hand, by the second loading device 13 from the first loading side and/or first access side and by the first loading device 13 and by the third loading device 13 from the second loading side and/or second access side. In this case, it may prove an advantage if the loading station 10 comprises a number of loading devices 13 which corresponds to a number of shelf compartments 15 of the transport rack 5.1 located next to one another. The loading devices 13 are configured essentially identical, wherefore reference is made merely to one loading device 13 below.

[0452] The loading device 13 comprises a support frame 88 that is vertically displaceable by means of a first drive device 87 and an operating unit 89 arranged on the support frame 88, which operating unit 89 has a thrust element for pushing a pre-picked load carrier 6.2 into one of the shelf compartments 15, which thrust element is horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device 90 (indicated in FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b by an arrow).

[0453] As is apparent from this, the automated load carrier conveying system 7b, which connects, in terms of conveyor technology, the unloading station 8 and the picking station 3, adjoins the loading devices 13 in order to transport the load carriers 6.2 from the picking station 3 to the loading devices 13.

[0454] The loading devices 13 are each assigned a load carrier provisioning device, which comprises, on the load carrier conveying system 7b, a provisioning location 91 and a pusher 92 that is movable relative to the provisioning location 91. The load carrier conveying system 7b can be used to transport load carriers 6.2 to the loading device 13 and push them off the load carrier conveying system 7b and insert them into the loading device 13 with the pusher 92. In the example shown, the load carrier conveying system 7b is configured as a roller conveyor. Details of the loading device 13 as well as of the loading operation will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b. FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b show the unloading of the transport rack 5.1 by means of the unloading device 12 in a side view. For reasons of better clarity, the pushers 41, 43, the holding platform 42 and the load carrier conveying system 7b are not represented in FIGS. 5a, 5b. The transport rack 5.1 is provisioned for unloading at the unloading device 12 such that the first access side faces the first side of the transport rack conveying system 7c and/or the operating unit 28 and the second access side faces the second side of the transport rack conveying system 7c and/or the takeover unit 35.

[0455] In order to push the load carriers 6.1 out of the transport rack 5.1, the operating unit 28 has a thrust element 60 that is horizontally extendable, in particular in a z-direction, by means of the second drive device 32 (as can be seen in FIG. 10). The thrust element 60 is shown in FIG. 5a in a retracted position.

[0456] During the unloading of the transport rack 5.1, the operating unit 28 is first moved vertically and/or in a y-direction along the vertical support structure 31 to a level of the shelf compartment 15 in which the load carriers 6.1 to be pushed out are located. In the same manner, the takeover unit 35, in particular the receiving platform 36 of the takeover unit 35, is moved to the level of the shelf compartment 15 in which the load carriers 6.1 to be pushed out are located.

[0457] According to this embodiment, the unloading device has a monitoring unit for acquiring a retaining force in order to check a quality of the transport rack 5.1. In order to check the transport rack 5.1 in terms of the quality requirement, the operating unit 28 comprises a test body 61, which is mounted on the thrust element 60. The test body 61 has external dimensions that are essentially identical to those of a load carrier 6.1. Therefore, the test body 61 can be pushed into the shelf compartment 15. If the shelf compartment 15 is deformed, a friction between the test body 61 and the transport rack 5.1 will be increased, wherefore also an increased retaining force, which acts on the operating unit 28, can be established. The checking of the quality requirement will be explained in more detail in relation to FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b.

[0458] FIG. 5b shows a representation of the thrust element 60 in an extended position. As apparent from a combination of FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, the thrust element 60 rests against one of the load carriers 6.1 to be pushed out and pushes the load carrier 6.1, or, jointly, the load carriers 6.1 arranged in succession, out of a shelf compartment 15 onto the receiving platform 36.

[0459] FIG. 6 shows a thrust element 60 with the test body 61 mounted on the thrust element 60 in a perspective view. The thrust element 60 has a front end 62a in an extension direction AR and/or in a z-direction and a rear end 62b in an extension direction AR as well as a support body 63 extending between the front end 62a and the rear end 62b. In this case, the front end 62a is configured to push out the load carrier 6.1. To that end, the front end 62a comprises a docking element for docking on the load carrier 6.1 (as can be seen in FIG. 5b).

[0460] The docking element forms essentially a docking surface in order to distribute a push-out force and push the load carrier 6.1 out evenly (as schematically marked in FIG. 8a). In the example shown, the docking surface comprises a rectangular first docking surface 64a and two L-shaped second docking surfaces 64b.

[0461] The test body 61 comprises a test body housing 65 and a test body base frame 66, wherein the test body base frame 66 is mounted on the support body 63 so as to be pushable in an extension direction AR and/or in a z-direction via a guide assembly. The guide assembly comprises guide carriages (not represented in more detail), which are affixed to the test body base frame 66, and at least one guide track, which is provided on the support body 63.

[0462] Further, the test body housing 65 is preferably mounted on the test body base frame 66 so as to be floating. The test body housing 65 and the test body base frame 66 are connected via multiple conical seats 67, so that the test body housing 65 can be moved relative to the test body base frame 66 orthogonally, in particular in an x-direction and in a y-direction. In particular, the test body housing 65 is immobile relative to the test body base frame 66 in a horizontal direction (z-direction) extending parallel to the extension direction. To that end, the test body base frame 66 comprises multiple conical depressions, with which cone-shaped projections arranged on the test body housing 65 can engage. The test body base frame 66 is preferably configured plate-like.

[0463] Moreover, the test body housing 65 comprises a positioning unit having a first and second horizontal positioning slope 68a and at least one vertical positioning slope 68b. As can be seen in FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b, the vertical positioning slope 68b can interact with the schematically marked second support profile 19 upon insertion of the test body 61 into the shelf compartment 15, so that the test body housing 65 is raised and the cone-shaped projections are at least partially lifted out of the conical depressions. The vertical positioning slope 68b is aligned so as to incline upwards from the horizontal, in particular by an angle between 10° and 90°. If the test body housing 65 is raised, like in FIG. 7b, it is fixed relative to the test body base body 66 in an extension direction AR and/or in a z-direction and can be moved relative to the test body base frame 66 orthogonally to the extension direction AR and/or in an x-direction.

[0464] The horizontal positioning slopes 68a can analogously interact with the schematically marked front uprights 16 upon insertion of the test body 61 into the shelf compartment 15, so that the test body housing 65 is aligned with the shelf compartment 15. The horizontal positioning slopes 68a are inclined so as to taper towards each other from the vertical, in particular by an angle between 10° and 90°.

[0465] FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b show simplified representations of the thrust element 60, with the test body 61 mounted on the thrust element 60, in a side view.

[0466] The test body 61 is mounted on the support body 63 so as to be pushable via the guide assembly and releasably coupled with the test body 61 via a coupling unit 69.

[0467] The coupling unit 69 comprises a first snap-in element 70 and a second snap-in element 71 that interacts with the first snap-in element 70. In the example shown, the first snap-in element 70 is arranged on the support body 63 and the second snap-in element 71 is arranged on the test body 63, in particular on the test body base frame 66 of the test body 61.

[0468] As can be seen from FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b, the first snap-in element 70 comprises a snap-in tongue and the second snap-in element 71 comprises a snap-in recess, wherein the snap-in tongue and the snap-in recess are configured complementary. In FIG. 8a, the snap-in tongue is snapped into the snap-in recess and thus the support body 63 is fixed to and/or arrested on the thrust element 60.

[0469] The first snap-in element 70 comprises a first snap-in element base body, on which the snap-in tongue is arranged. The snap-in tongue has flanks which start at the first snap-in element base body and taper towards each other, inclined in a direction towards the snap-in groove.

[0470] Further, the second snap-in element 71 comprises a second snap-in element base body, wherein the snap-in groove is formed by a snap-in recess in the second snap-in element base body. The snap-in recess has flanks which diverge in a direction towards the snap-in tongue, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 8b. Thus, the first snap-in element 70 is shaped as a triangular snap-in tongue and the second snap-in element 71 is shaped as a triangular snap-in recess.

[0471] The first snap-in element 70 is spring-mounted, so that it is pushed into the second snap-in element 71 by a spring force when the test body 61 is coupled with the support body 63. To that end, a spring element 72 is arranged between the first snap-in element base body and the support body 63. The snap-in tongue is held in the snap-in recess by means of the spring force when the test body 61 and the support body 63 are coupled. The snap-in tongue is in a coupled-in and/or snapped-in operating position, as this is shown in FIG. 8a.

[0472] In the embodiment shown, the first snap-in element base body is mounted on the support body 63 so as to be pivotable about a bearing axis. The spring element 72 comprises an extension spring, which is connected with the support body 63 at a first spring end. As can be seen from FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b, the snap-in tongue is arranged on a first free end of the first snap-in element base body and the extension spring is connected with a second free end of the first snap-in element base body at a second spring end, wherein the bearing axis is arranged essentially between the first free end and the second free end. Thus, the extension spring can, on the one hand, be tensioned by a rotation of the first snap-in element base body about the bearing axis in a first direction of rotation. On the other hand, a relaxation of the extension spring can cause a rotation of the first snap-in element base body about the bearing axis in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation.

[0473] When decoupling the test body 61 from the support body 63, the first snap-in element 70 is moved relative to the second snap-in element 71, counteracting the spring force, and the test body 61 is released from the support body 63. Here, the snap-in tongue is moved out of the snap-in recess. This takes place in particular whenever a relative movement between the test body 61 and support body 63 occurs. The snap-in tongue is moved to an uncoupled and/or snapped-out operating position, as this is shown in FIG. 8b.

[0474] The decoupling of the test body 61 from the support body 63 takes place in particular whenever the test body 61 gets wedged and/or gets stuck when being pushed into the shelf compartment 15 because of deformations on the transport rack 5.1, whereby a retaining force acting on the operating unit 28 increases above a threshold value for the retaining force. FIG. 8b schematically shows in dash-dotted lines a deformation on a first support profile 18 of the shelf compartment 15. Here, the thrust element 60 moves relative to the test body 61, as apparent from FIG. 8b. This means that, while a load carrier 6.1 (that is not represented) can be pushed out of the shelf compartment, the test body 61 gets jammed in the shelf compartment Such a relative movement between test body 61 and thrust element/support body 60, 63 can be monitored, for example visually.

[0475] The threshold value for the retaining force can be adjusted via the spring force and/or via a flank inclination of the snap-in tongue and a flank inclination of the snap-in recess. During a pull-back and/or coupling-in operation for producing a coupling of the test body 61 with the support body 63, the first snap-in element 70 can snap into the second snap-in element 71 again in order to optionally pull back the test body 61.

[0476] In order to acquire the retaining force, the unloading device 12 has a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit comprises essentially the support body 63, the test body 61 and a sensor system and/or a sensor technology 73a, 73b for acquiring the relative movement between the test body 61 and the support body 63. The sensor technology 73a, 73b comprises, for example, a first sensor element 73a and a second sensor element 73b. The first sensor element 73a is arranged on the support body 63 and the second sensor element 73b is arranged on the test body 61. In the example represented, the sensor technology 73a, 73b is configured essentially as a proximity sensor.

[0477] As marked in FIG. 8b, the operating unit 28 comprises a pusher dog device, which is configured to pull back the test body 61 from a shelf compartment 15 of the transport rack 5.1. In particular, the pusher dog device comprises a first pusher dog element 74a, which is arranged on the thrust element 60 and is engageable with the test body 61, in particular with the test body housing 65, when the thrust element 60 is retracted in a retraction direction opposite the extension direction AR. In particular, the pusher dog device comprises a second pusher dog element 74b, which is arranged on the test body 61 and is engageable with the first pusher dog element 74a when the thrust element 60 is retraced.

[0478] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show representations of the operating unit 28 from a first perspective (FIG. 9) and from a second perspective (FIG. 10). In this case, the operating unit 28 is arranged on the support frame 29. The vertical support structure 31 is not shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. In the embodiment shown, the operating unit 28 has multiple, in particular three, thrust elements 60.

[0479] The second drive device 32 is configured to simultaneously push out multiple thrust elements 60 and comprises a traction drive mounted on the support frame 29, which traction drive has an electrically controlled drive motor 75 (electric motor), a drive wheel affixed to a first shaft 76a, a deflection wheel affixed to a second shaft 76b and a traction means 77 guided around the drive wheel and the deflection wheel. The thrust elements 60 are each mounted on the support frame 29 and coupled with the traction means 77 of the second drive device 32 via a guide assembly 78.

[0480] According to one possible embodiment, the monitoring unit is configured to acquire a motor current and to evaluate the retaining force from the motor current of the electric motor 75. Further, it is provided that the second drive device 32 has a safety coupling, which interacts with the thrust element 60 and is configured such that the second drive device 32 can be switched to an idle run if a safety threshold value is reached. The safety threshold value is higher than the threshold value for the retaining force.

[0481] In order to check whether the second drive device 32 is switched to the idle run, the second drive device 32 has a distance sensor. The distance sensor comprises a first sensor component 79a and a second sensor component 79b and is adapted to determine a distance between the first sensor component 79a and the second sensor component 79b. Here, the first sensor component 79a is arranged on the support frame 29 in a stationary manner. The second sensor component 79b is installed on the traction means 77. When the second drive device 32 extends the thrust elements 60, there is a relative movement between the first and the second sensor components 79a, 79b of the distance sensor, which results in a change of the distance between the two sensor components 79a, 79b. When the second drive device 32 is switched to the idle run, however, the traction means 77 does not move, wherefore there is also no change in distance. For example, the first sensor component 79a can be configured as a light transmitter and the second sensor component 79b as a light receiver. Alternatively, the first sensor component 79a can be configured as a light transmitter/receiver and the second sensor component 79b as a light reflector.

[0482] It should be noted in this context that the operating unit 28 may also comprise only a single thrust element 60 that is horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device 32. Yet the operating unit 28 may also comprise multiple thrust elements 60 that are horizontally extendable by means of a second drive device 32, or by means of a second drive device 32 each.

[0483] FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b show the loading of a transport rack 5.1 by means of the loading device 13 in a side view. For reasons of better clarity, the provisioning locations 91, the pushers 92 and the load carrier conveying system 7b are not represented in FIGS. 11a, 11b. Here, two load carriers 6.2 are pushed into a first shelf compartment 15 with a first loading device 13 and one load carrier 6.2 is pushed into a second shelf compartment 15 with a second loading device 13. The transport rack 5.1 is provisioned for loading in the loading station 10 such that the first access side faces the first side of the transport rack conveying system 7c and the second access side faces the second side of the transport rack conveying system 7c. Thus, the first and third loading devices 13 can load the transport rack 5.1 from the second access side and the second loading device 13 can load the transport rack 5.1 from the first access side. Therefore, an orientation and/or a provisioning position of the transport rack 5.1 need not be changed between the unloading and the loading operations.

[0484] The loading device 13 comprises the operating unit 89, which is mounted on a vertical support structure 93 so as to be vertically displaceable via the support frame 88. In order to push the load carriers 6.2 into the shelf compartment 15, the operating unit 89 of the loading device 13 has a thrust element that is horizontally extendable, in particular in a z-direction. The thrust element is shown in FIG. 11a in a retracted position.

[0485] The operating unit 89 preferably comprises vertical positioning slopes, which can be brought into flush contact with the uprights 16 of the transport rack 5.1, which uprights 16 are arranged next to one another, and horizontal positioning slopes, which can be brought into flush contact with second support profiles 19 of the transport rack 5.1, which second support profiles 19 are arranged on top of one another. As a result, a centering funnel is formed and an optimized guidance of the load carrier 6.2, or the load carriers 6.2, is achieved during the loading when the load carrier 6.2, or the load carriers 6.2, are pushed off the operating unit 89 into a shelf compartment 15. The vertical positioning slopes and the horizontal positioning slopes are preferably each configured plate-like, in particular as springy-elastic positioning sheets.

[0486] According to this embodiment, the thrust element has a first thrust element 95a and a second thrust element 95b. The first thrust element 95a can be used to push off load carriers 6.2 arranged in succession simultaneously into a shelf compartment 15 onto receiving locations arranged in succession with an extension movement in an extension direction AR and/or z-direction, as this is shown in relation to the second loading device 13 (on the left in FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b). The second thrust element 95b can be used to push off an individual load carrier 6.1 into a shelf compartment 15 to the (in an extension direction AR front) second receiving location with an extension movement in an extension direction AR, as this is shown in relation to the first loading device 13 (on the right in FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b).

[0487] The second thrust element 95b is mounted on the first thrust element 95a and is pivotable in relation to the first thrust element 95a about a pivot axis extending orthogonally to the extension direction AR. A length of the second thrust element 95b corresponds essentially to a length of a load carrier 6.2. The second thrust element 95b is mounted on the first thrust element 95a such that the first thrust element 95a can be folded out in order to take the position of the first load carrier 6.1. The second thrust element 95b thus serves essentially as an extension of the first thrust element 95a.

[0488] Yet generally, only the first thrust element 95a may be provided.

[0489] During the loading of the transport rack 5.1, the operating unit 89 of the loading device 13 is first moved along the vertical support structure 93, vertically and/or in a y-direction, to a level of the shelf compartment 15 which is to be loaded with a load carrier 6.2, or with multiple load carriers 6.2, as this is shown in FIG. 11a. By extending the thrust element 95a, 95b, the load carrier 6.2, or load carriers 6.2, are pushed into the respective shelf compartment 15.

[0490] FIG. 12 shows the operating unit 28 of the unloading device 12 arranged on the support frame 29 (not marked) without the test body 61 described above. The operating unit 28 comprises, once again, a thrust element 60 for pushing a load carrier 6.1, or multiple load carriers 6.1, out of one of the shelf compartments 15, which thrust element 60 is horizontally extendable by means of the second drive device 32. The operating unit 28 may, once again, comprise multiple thrust elements 60 for pushing multiple load carriers 6.1 out of different shelf compartments 15, which thrust elements 60 are horizontally extendable by means of the second drive device 32.

[0491] Preferably, it is provided that the second drive device 32 has an electric motor 75 (electric drive motor) and the monitoring unit is configured to acquire a motor current and to evaluate the retaining force from the motor current.

[0492] The second drive device 32 comprises, for example, a linear drive, which has a traction drive (not represented) and a carriage assembly coupled with this traction drive. The traction drive is driven by the electric motor 75. The one, or the multiple, horizontally extendable thrust elements 60 are affixed to the carriage assembly.

[0493] The evaluation of the retaining force can be done by the monitoring unit acquiring a progression of the motor current when the thrust element 60 is extended in an extension direction AR, wherein the progression of the motor current correlates with a progression of the retaining force. If the motor current reaches and/or exceeds a defined motor current threshold value, this equally corresponds to an exceeding of the threshold value for the retaining force. Thus, the retaining force can be evaluated and/or acquired immediately from an analysis of the motor current. If the motor current reaches and/or exceeds a motor current threshold value and/or a threshold value for the retaining force, this may indicate an inadmissible deformation of the transport rack 5.1 and/or of a shelf compartment 15. Such a transport rack 5.1 no longer meets a necessary quality requirement and will be classified as “unfit for reuse.”

[0494] In accordance with a first embodiment, it can be provided that the operating unit 28 does not comprise a test body 61, as this is shown in FIG. 12. In this case, a load carrier 6.1 is pushed out of the shelf compartment 15 by means of the thrust element 60. If the shelf compartment 15 is deformed and the load carrier 6.1 gets wedged, the retaining force, and accordingly also the motor current which is required for a movement of the thrust element 60 in an extension direction AR, will increase. In this case, it may be provided, for example, that a threshold value for the motor current is defined, which correlates with the threshold value for the retaining force.

[0495] In a second embodiment, it can be provided that the operating unit 28 has a test body 61, which is permanently and/or non-releasably connected with the support body 63. If the shelf compartment 15 is strongly deformed, the test body 61 will get wedged in the shelf compartment 15. This is established via an increase in the motor current. As the test body 61 is permanently connected with the support body 63 and/or with the thrust element 60, it is provided, in this case, that the movement of the thrust element 60 in an extension direction AR is stopped if the motor current reaches a defined threshold value for the motor current, which correlates with the threshold value for the retaining force.

[0496] In accordance with a third embodiment, it can be provided that the test body 61 is releasably coupled with the support body 63 via a coupling unit 69, as described above. Also in this case, a rubbing and/or wedging of the test body 61 on/in a deformed transport rack and/or shelf compartment 15 results in an increased motor current. If the threshold value for the retaining force is reached, the test body 61 is released from the support body 63, as described above. This results in an abrupt drop of the motor current, which indicates the reaching and/or exceeding of the threshold value. It is advantageous, in this case, that a push-out movement of the thrust element 60 can be continued and load carriers 6.1 can optionally be pushed out of the shelf compartment 15.

[0497] If the unloading device 12 is provided with a monitoring unit for acquiring a retaining force, this monitoring unit can be used to carry out a method for unloading and checking a quality and/or a quality characteristic on a transport rack 5.1, in particular on a shelf compartment 15, having the steps [0498] i) positioning the operating unit 28 with the thrust element 60 in front of one of the shelf compartments 15, in which one or multiple load carrier(s) to be pushed out 6.1 are located, [0499] ii) pushing out the load carrier(s) 6.1 to be pushed out of the shelf compartment 15 by horizontally extending the thrust element 60, [0500] iii) acquiring a retaining force by means of a monitoring unit, which retaining force acts on the operating unit 28 when the thrust element 60 is extended 60 in an extension direction AR, and [0501] iv) generating an error message if the retaining force reaches a threshold value for the retaining force.

[0502] If the transport rack 5.1 comprises a plurality of shelf compartments 15 located on top of one another and/or next to one another, in each of which a load carrier 6.1 to be pushed out, or in each of which multiple load carriers 6.1 to be pushed out, are deposited, steps i) to iv) will be repeated. In other words, a pushing-out of load carriers 6.1 is monitored and the retaining force acquired by the monitoring unit for each shelf compartment 15.

[0503] The method for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack 5.1 may also comprise the steps [0504] classifying the transport rack 5.1 as “fit for reuse” if no error message has been generated and the quality characteristic meets a specified quality requirement, and [0505] provisioning the transport rack 5.1 in the loading station 10 for a new loading operation.

[0506] No error message is generated whenever each pushing-out of load carriers 6.1 can be carried out from all shelf compartments 15 without the retaining force reaching the threshold value and thus the retaining force remains below the threshold value during each push-out operation. This means that there is no inadmissible deformation and the transport rack 5.1 can be used properly.

[0507] The provisioning of the transport rack 5.1 in the loading station 10 for a new loading operation may comprise the step [0508] transport of the transport rack 5.1 from the unloading station 8 to the loading station 10 by means of the automated transport rack conveying system 7c and immediately after the unloading operation.

[0509] The method for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack 5.1 may also comprise the steps [0510] classifying the transport rack 5.1 as “unfit for reuse” if an error message has been generated and the quality characteristic does not meet a specified quality requirement, and [0511] eliminating the transport rack 5.1 by transporting the at least one transport rack 5.1 to the collecting location 14 by means of the transport rack conveying system 7c.

[0512] An error message is generated whenever the retaining force reaches the threshold value during a pushing of load carriers 6.1 out of the shelf compartments 15. This means that there is an inadmissible deformation, for example on one of the shelf compartments 15, and the transport rack 5.1 cannot be used properly.

[0513] The method for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack 5.1 may also comprise the step [0514] stopping the extension movement of the thrust element 60 if the retaining force reaches or exceeds the threshold value.

[0515] The method for unloading and checking a quality of a transport rack 5.1 may also comprise the steps [0516] provisioning the transport rack 5.1 at a transport rack provisioning device 25 in the operating range of the operating unit 28 and [0517] positioning and fixing the transport rack 5.1 on the transport rack provisioning device by means of one or multiple centering and/or clamping devices 27.

[0518] FIG. 14 shows a schematic representation of a method for delivering goods to recipients of goods. In this context, reference is made also to FIG. 1.

[0519] In this case, goods (in particular foods) are provisioned in a storage area 2 in a first step S1. The goods can be transported from the storage area 2 to the picking station 3 by means of the goods conveying system 7a. The storage area 2 may comprise a goods store operated in an automated manner, as it is described, for example, in WO 2013/090970 A2.

[0520] In a second step S2, picking orders for orders from the recipients of goods are electronically acquired, for example on an order-processing computer (not shown). The goods are compiled in load carriers in accordance with the picking orders. These load carriers can be referred to as pre-picked load carriers 6.2. The orders are prompted by one or multiple recipients of goods, for example in an online shop by means of an online order. The compiling of the goods in load carriers can be done in different manners, as described in detail above. The goods can be transported in a load carrier 6.2 with or without delivery packaging.

[0521] In a third step S3, at least one transport rack 5.1 to be loaded and preferably empty, for example a transport rack 5.1 according to FIG. 3, is provisioned in a loading station 10. Here, the at least one transport rack 5.1 is transported to the loading station 10, preferably by means of a transport rack conveying system 7c. In the loading station 10, the at least one transport rack 5.1 that has a plurality of pre-picked load carriers 6.2 is loaded for at least one order. The loading of the at least one transport rack 5.1 can be done by means of one loading device 13, or simultaneously by means of multiple loading devices 13, as these were described above as one possible embodiment. During a loading of the at least one transport rack 5.1, the pre-picked load carriers 6.2 are pushed into the shelf compartments 15. The loading is done preferably automatically, even though also a manual loading is possible. As described above, the loading of the at least one transport rack can be done in a defined sequence. The sequence, and therefore the arrangement of the load carriers 6.2 in the transport rack 5.2, is determined by a delivery sequence of the goods. It is also possible for the delivery packagings in a load carrier 6.2 to be placed/deposited in a defined sequence, provided that delivery packagings are used. The sequence is computed by a route planning module, in particular a computer program, before the loading of the load carriers and/or of a transport rack. The data carriers D on the load carriers 6.2 and the data carrier D on the transport rack 5.2 enable a link, in terms of data technology, between the load carriers 6.2 and the transport rack 5.2. The pre-picked load carriers 6.2 are transported from the picking station 3 to the loading station 10 by means of a load carrier conveying system 7b. Steps S1 to S3, in this case, are done in a picking warehouse 1 and/or supply warehouse.

[0522] In a fourth step S4, the previously loaded transport racks 5.2 are discharged from the loading station 10 and handed over to a transport system 11. This can be done in an automated manner or manually by an operator. Preferably, the transport racks 5.2 are arranged on the transport system 11 in a defined sequence. The sequence of the transport racks is determined by a delivery sequence of the goods. The sequence is computed by a route planning module, in particular a computer program, before the handover of multiple loaded transport racks 5.2 to the transport system 11.

[0523] According to a first embodiment, the transport system 11 is used to transport the goods in the load carriers 6.2 in the transport racks 5.2, in a fifth step S5, from the picking warehouse 1 and/or supply warehouse directly to the recipient of goods or, in particular sequentially, to multiple recipients of goods, as indicated in FIG. 1 by the dash-dotted arrow 100. The goods are handed over to the recipient of goods, or to the recipients of goods, in accordance with the order, or the orders. The handover of the goods to the recipient of goods can be done by a deliverer, for example. In particular, the handover of the goods to the recipient of goods may comprise a removal of a load carrier 6.2 with the goods for the at least one order from the at least one transport rack 5.2 and/or a removal of the goods for the at least one order from the load carrier 6.2 in the at least one transport rack 5.2.

[0524] According to a second embodiment, the transport system 11 is used to transport the goods in the load carriers 6.2 in the transport racks 5.2, in a fifth step S5, from the picking warehouse 1 and/or supply warehouse to a pick-up station 104, as indicated in FIG. 1 by the dash-dotted arrow 101. As not represented in more detail, the pick-up station 104 comprises an automated goods storage and/or goods dispensing system. It may optionally be provided that the goods with the load carriers 6.2, or the goods without load carriers 6.2, are rearranged from the transport rack 5.2 into the automated goods storage and/or goods dispensing system. It may then optionally be provided that the transport racks 5.2 are handed over to the automated goods storage and/or goods dispensing system. The dispensing of the goods with the load carriers 6.2, or the dispensing of the goods without load carriers 6.2, is done by means of the automated goods storage and/or goods dispensing system at a goods dispensing station. The goods are provisioned at the goods dispensing station with the load carriers 6.2, or without load carriers 6.2, at at least one provisioning location, at which the recipient of goods can pick up his order if this order is requested at the pick-up station 104 by entering a request command According to this embodiment, the handover of the goods to the recipient of goods can be done by means of a dispensing at the pick-up station 104.

[0525] According to a third embodiment, the transport system 11 is used to transport the goods in the load carriers 6.2 in the transport racks 5.2, in a fifth step S5, from the picking warehouse 1 and/or supply warehouse to a buffer warehouse 103, as indicated in FIG. 1 by the dash-dotted arrow 102. The buffer warehouse 103 is constructed physically separate from the supply warehouse and close to the recipients of goods. The buffer warehouse 103 may comprise an automated goods storage system (not represented). The transport racks 5.2 are handed over to the buffer warehouse 103 by the transport system 11 and transported and/or stored by the automated goods storage system. The buffer warehouse 103 serves as a temporary store. Finally, the transport racks 5.2 are, once again, handed over from the buffer warehouse 103 to the transport system 11. Subsequently, the transport racks 5.2 are transported from the buffer warehouse 103 to a recipient of goods, or to multiple recipients of goods, by the transport system 11, as indicated in FIG. 1 with the dash-dotted arrow 105. It would also be conceivable that the transport racks 5.2 are transported from the buffer warehouse 103 to the pick-up station 104 by the transport system 11 if, for example, the goods with the load carriers 6.2, or the goods without load carriers 6.2, are rearranged from the transport rack 5.2 into the automated goods storage and/or goods dispensing system. Preferably, the transport racks 5.2 are arranged on the transport system 11 in a defined sequence. The sequence of the transport racks is determined by a delivery sequence of the goods. The sequence is computed by a route planning module, in particular a computer program, before the handover of multiple loaded transport racks 5.2 to the transport system 11. The goods are handed over to the recipient of goods, or to the recipients of goods, in accordance with the order, or the orders. The handover of the goods to the recipient of goods, or recipients of goods, can be done by a deliverer, for example. In particular, the handover of the goods to the recipient of goods, or recipients of goods, may (respectively) comprise a removal of a load carrier 6.2 with the goods for the at least one order from the at least one transport rack 5.2 and/or a removal of the goods for the at least one order from the load carrier 6.2 in the at least one transport rack 5.2.

[0526] Here, it may prove an advantage if the transport system 11 comprises a first transport system with a first transport capacity and a second transport system with a second transport capacity that is different from the first transport capacity. In this case, the transport of the at least one transport rack 5.2 from the supply warehouse to the buffer warehouse 103 can be carried out by the first transport system and the transport of the at least one transport rack 5.2 from the buffer warehouse 103 to a recipient of goods, or multiple recipients of goods, can be carried out by the second transport system 11. Here, in the buffer warehouse 103, the at least one transport rack 5.2 is discharged from the first transport system and the at least one transport rack 5.2 is received by the second transport system 11.

[0527] It should also be mentioned that the handover of the goods to the recipient of goods, for example by a deliverer, can optionally also comprise the receiving of empties, in particular deposit bottles or suchlike, from the recipient of goods, which empties are stored in empty load carriers 6.1.

[0528] In a sixth step S6, the transport racks 5.1 with the load carriers 6.1 to be returned are transported back into the supply warehouse by means of the transport system 11. The transport of the transport racks 5.1 is done, here, directly from the recipient of goods to the supply warehouse, or from the recipient of goods initially to the buffer warehouse 103 and subsequently from the buffer warehouse 103 to the supply warehouse.

[0529] The transport racks 5.1 with load carriers 6.1 to be returned are transported, in a seventh step S7, to an unloading station 8 in the supply warehouse. The unloading station 8 may comprise at least one unloading device 12 for automatic unloading and automatic checking of a quality (of a quality characteristic) of a transport rack 5.1. The at least one unloading device 12 may be designed according to the embodiment described above. At the unloading device 12, the returned load carriers 6.1 are pushed out of the shelf compartments 15 of the at least one transport rack 5.1.

[0530] If an unloading device 12 with the monitoring unit described above is used for checking a quality of a transport rack 5.1, in particular for acquiring a retaining force, the automatic checking of at least one quality characteristic on the at least one transport rack 5.1 can be carried out in the unloading station 8 during the provisioning of the at least one transport rack 5.1 with load carriers 6.1 to be returned, in particular at an unloading device 12, (in accordance with step ix) in the claim) and during the pushing of the load carriers 5.1 out of the shelf compartments 15 (in accordance with step x) in the claim).

[0531] According to an alternative embodiment, it is also possible for the unloading device 12 to comprise a monitoring unit for checking a quality of a transport rack 5.1, which monitoring unit has a camera and/or laser system. In this case, there is no acquiring of the retaining force but an automatic visual checking of at least one quality characteristic, for example geometrical data such as a dimensional stability, a shape and suchlike of the transport rack 5.1. The automatic checking of at least one quality characteristic can be carried out in the unloading station 8 at the unloading device 12 during the provisioning of the at least one transport rack 5.1 with load carriers 6.1 to be returned.

[0532] Yet the automatic checking of at least one quality characteristic may also be carried out during the automatic unloading and the pushing of the load carriers 6.1 to be returned out of the shelf compartments 15 of the at least one transport rack 5.1.

[0533] Yet the automatic checking of at least one quality characteristic may also be carried out during the provisioning of the at least one transport rack 5.1 (in accordance with step ix) in the claim) and the pushing of the load carriers 6.1 to be returned out of the shelf compartments 15 of the at least one transport rack 5.1 (in accordance with step x) in the claim).

[0534] According to the different embodiments, the unloading station 8 accordingly comprises at least one unloading device 12 with the monitoring unit for checking a quality of a transport rack 5.1. Additional checking devices for checking a quality of a transport rack 5.1, as described in FIG. 13, are not provided, however.

[0535] As schematically represented in FIG. 13, the unloading station 8 may comprise, in addition to the at least one unloading device 12, a checking device 121a arranged upstream of the at least one unloading device 12, or a checking device 121b arranged downstream of the at least one unloading device 12. The unloading station 8 may comprise the at least one unloading device 12 and the one checking device 121a arranged upstream. Yet the unloading station 8 may also comprise the at least one unloading device 12 and the one checking device 121a arranged downstream. The checking device 121a, or the checking device 121b, comprises a monitoring unit for checking a quality of a transport rack 5.1. This monitoring unit comprises, for example, a camera and/or laser system for the optical acquiring and checking of the transport rack 5.1. There is an automatic visual checking of at least one quality characteristic, for example geometrical data such as a dimensional stability, a shape and suchlike, of the transport rack 5.1.

[0536] The automatic checking of at least one quality characteristic can accordingly be carried out, independent of an unloading of the transport rack 5.1, in the unloading station 8 at the checking device 121a, or checking device 121b, and during the provisioning of the at least one transport rack 5.1 with load carriers 6.1 to be returned.

[0537] According to this embodiment, there is no acquiring of the retaining force during a pushing-out operation by means of the unloading device 12. The unloading device 12 accordingly comprises no monitoring unit for acquiring a retaining force, as described above.

[0538] The load carriers 6.1 to be returned are subsequently provisioned in the picking station 3 again. To that end, be the load carriers 6.1 are transported from the unloading station 8 to the picking station 3 by means of the load carrier conveying system 7b. Optionally, an emptying station (not represented) can be provided between the unloading station 8 and the picking station 3, in which emptying station partially emptied load carriers 6.1 can be emptied completely, for example.

[0539] The non-loaded (in particular completely unloaded) transport racks 5.1 are transported from the unloading station 8 to the loading station 10 by means of the transport rack conveying system 7c if the monitoring unit for acquiring a retaining force, or the monitoring unit for acquiring geometrical data of the transport rack 5.1, led to the result that the transport racks 5.1 meet the quality criteria. In this case, the transport racks 5.1 are classified as “fit for reuse” and can be newly loaded with load carriers 6.2.

[0540] In contrast, if the monitoring unit for acquiring a retaining force, or the monitoring unit for acquiring geometrical data of the transport rack 5.1, comes to the result that the transport racks 5.1 do not meet the quality criteria, the transport racks 5.1 are classified as “unfit for reuse” and transported to the collecting location 14. Thus, a highly automated, optionally fully automated, system and method for delivering goods to recipients of goods can be realized.

[0541] FIGS. 15a to 16b show another embodiment of the test body 61. Here, the test body is represented in a top view in FIG. 15a and FIG. 15b and in a perspective view in FIG. 16a and FIG. 16b. In accordance with the other embodiment, the test body is configured essentially identical to the test body described above, in particular in relation to FIGS. 6 to 8b, and can have any and all features described above.

[0542] In addition, the test body 61 has a movable side part 80, which can be moved, orthogonally to the push-out direction AR, between a retracted position as shown in FIG. 15a and FIG. 16a and an extended position as shown in FIG. 15b and FIG. 16b. In the retracted position, the side part 80 is arranged inside the test body housing 65. By moving the side part 80 from the retracted position to the extended position, the test body 61 can be widened and thus adapted to a width of the load carrier 6.1, 6.2.

[0543] As described above, the test body 61 has a test body housing 65, wherein the side part 80 is mounted so as to be movable relative to the test body housing 65. In the extended position, the side part 80 protrudes from the test body housing 65.

[0544] FIGS. 17 to 19 show a representation of another embodiment of the transport rack 500 that has a plurality of shelf compartments arranged on top of one another 15. The embodiment of the transport rack 500 shown is configured essentially analogously to the embodiment of the transport rack 5.1 described above and can have the features described above.

[0545] FIG. 17 shows the transport rack 500 in a schematic top view and represented such that the depth direction of the transport rack 500 extends in a z-direction and a width direction of the transport rack 500 extends in an x-direction. A height direction of the transport rack 500 extends in a y-direction, as shown below in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19.

[0546] Further, the transport rack 500 comprises a first transport frame 501 and a second transport frame 502. The first and second transport frames 501, 502 each have an access side 503 and a support side 504, which are arranged opposite each other (in a depth direction).

[0547] The shelf compartments 15 of the transport rack 500 extend between the access side 503 and the support side 504. A push-in opening 508 is assigned to each of the shelf compartments 15, via which push-in opening 508 load carriers 6.1, 6.2 can be pushed into and/or out of the respective shelf compartment 15. The pushing of load carriers 6.1, 6.2 through the push-in opening 508 is indicated in FIG. 17 by an arrow.

[0548] The transport frames 501, 502 are arranged antiparallel to each other, so that the support side 504 of the first transport frame 501 is arranged next to the access side 503 of the second transport frame 502, in a width direction.

[0549] On the support side 504, the transport frames 501, 502 each comprise two vertical uprights 505. As is marked in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, a distance AV in a width direction between the vertical uprights 505 of the first and/or second transport frame 501, 502 is smaller than a frame width RB of the respective first and/or second transport frame 501, 502.

[0550] Moreover, the first and second transport frames 501, 502 each comprise one vertical front upright 16 for affixing first support profiles 18 and/or second support profiles 19, not represented in FIG. 17.

[0551] Between the access side 503 and the support side 504 of the first and second transport frames 501, 502, a respective removal side 509 (facing outward) with removal openings 510 assigned to the shelf compartments 15 extends (in a depth direction). Through the removal openings 510, load carriers 6.1, 6.2 located in the respective shelf compartment 15 can be removed, for example pulled out or pushed out, from the respective shelf compartment 15. A removal of the load carriers 6.1, 6.2 through the removal openings 510 is indicated in FIG. 17 by arrows.

[0552] Furthermore, the first and second transport frames 501, 502 each comprise an interior side opposite the removal side 509, which interior side extends (in a depth direction) between the access side 503 and the support side 504, wherein the interior side of the first transport frame 501 and the interior side of the second transport frame 502 face each other and abut on each other.

[0553] FIG. 18 shows the transport rack 500 in a front view, wherein the support side 504 of the first transport frame 501 and the access side 503 of the second transport frame 502 are represented in the foreground. Here, it can be seen that the shelf compartments 15 of the first transport frame 501 and the shelf compartments 15 of the second transport frame 502 are each arranged on top of one another in a height direction. The shelf compartments 15 of the first and second transport frames 501, 502 are further arranged next to one another in pairs.

[0554] The first and second transport frames 501, 502 and/or the transport rack 500 have, on a first width side, multiple second support profiles 19 arranged on top of one another, which extend across the access side 503 of the first transport frame 501 and the support side 504 of the second transport frame 504, in particular across an overall width of the transport rack 500. Here, the second support profiles 19 are affixed to the front upright 16 of the first transport frame 501 and to the vertical uprights 505 of the second transport frame 505.

[0555] Analogously, the first and second transport frames 501, 502 and/or the transport rack 500, have, on a second width side (opposite the first width side), multiple second support profiles 19 arranged on top of one another, which extend across the access side 503 of the second transport frame 501 and the support side 504 of the first transport frame 504, in particular across the overall width of the transport rack 500. The other second support profiles 19 are affixed to the front upright 16 of the second transport frame 501 and to the vertical uprights 505 of the first transport frame 505.

[0556] The overall width of the transport rack 500 results from the total of the frame width RB of the first transport frame 501 and of the frame width RB of the second transport frame 502.

[0557] Shelf compartments 15 arranged next to one another are each assigned a second support profile 19, as can be seen in FIG. 18. The shelf compartments 15 are bounded downwards by the respective second support profile 19.

[0558] As described above in relation to FIG. 3, also the transport rack 500 comprises a plurality of transport rollers 20. Further, also the other embodiment of the transport rack 500 can have a data carrier D (not represented), as this was described above.

[0559] FIG. 19 shows a representation of the transport rack 500 in a perspective view. The first and second transport frames 501, 502 each comprise multiple first support profiles 18 arranged on top of one another on a longitudinal side of the transport rack 500, which first support profiles 18 extend along the respective removal side 509 between the access side 503 and the support side 504.

[0560] The first support profiles 18 are affixed to the front upright 16 as well as to one of the vertical uprights 505 of the respective transport frame 501, 502, in particular to an outer vertical upright 505 of the vertical uprights 505 and/or a vertical upright 505 of the vertical uprights 505 that is closer to the removal side 509. Each shelf compartment 15 is assigned a first support profile 18.

[0561] Parallel to the first supports 18, multiple longitudinal profiles 506 are arranged, which extend in a depth direction between the access side 503 and the support side 504 of the first and/or second transport frame 501, 502. The longitudinal profiles 506 are each affixed to opposite second supports 19. Here, the longitudinal profiles 506 are each assigned to two shelf compartments arranged next to one another and bound the two shelf compartments arranged next to one another downwards.

[0562] In the example represented, the shelf compartments 15 each comprise a first support profile 18, a longitudinal profile 506 extending parallel to the first support profile 18, a second support profile 19 arranged on the access side 503 and a second support profile 19 arranged on the support side 504. The first support profiles 18 and the longitudinal profiles 506 are each configured such that the load carriers 6.1, 6.2 can be pushed into the respective shelf compartment 15, in a depth direction of the transport rack 500, from the access side 503. The second support profiles 19 are aligned parallel to each other and each orthogonal to a first support profile 18. Here, the first support profile 18 and the longitudinal profile 506 each provision a rest 511 for a load carrier 6.1, 6.2. In addition, it may be provided that also the second support profiles 19 provision a rest 511 for load carriers.

[0563] In order to be able to push out the load carriers 6.1, 6.2, it is provided that the first support profile 18 and/or second support profile 19, in addition to the rest 511, has a push-off ramp 512, which is configured such that, during a removal of a load carrier 6.1, 6.2 from the removal side 509, this load carrier 6.1, 6.2 can be pushed off the shelf compartment 15. To that end, the push-off ramp 512 can have an (orthogonally to the longitudinal extension of the respective support profile 18, 19) inclined surface.

[0564] In the example shown, the vertical uprights 505 are arranged such that they serve as a stop for the load carriers 6.1, 6.2, so that these cannot push out of the shelf compartment on the support side 504.

[0565] In order to provision additional stabilization of the transport rack 500, it is optionally provided that the shelf compartments 15 of the transport frames 501, 502 each have multiple crossbars 507, which extend in a width direction from the first support profile 18 to the longitudinal profile 506 and are affixed to these. The cross profiles 507 are preferably positioned centrally, in a depth direction, in the shelf compartment in order provision to two holding areas of identical size. Moreover, the cross profiles 507 each provision a resting surface for the load carriers 6.1, 6.2.

[0566] In the example represented, holding areas for two load carriers 6.1, 6.2 are provided per shelf compartment 15. The number of load carriers 6.1, 6.2, however, may vary and in particular depend on a dimensioning of the load carriers 6.1, 6.2.

[0567] As can also be seen in FIGS. 17 to 19, the vertical uprights 505 of the first and second transport frames 501, 502 each comprise a pair of vertical uprights that has a first vertical upright 505 and a second vertical upright 505. The first vertical uprights 505 and the second vertical uprights 505 of a pair of vertical uprights each have a side wall 513, wherein the side wall 513 of the first vertical upright and the side wall 513 of the second vertical upright 505 face away from each other. The side walls 513 of the respective vertical uprights 505, which side walls 513 face away from each other, are each arranged opposite an imaginary vertical plane, which bounds the frame width RB, offset in a direction of the other vertical upright 505 of the pair of vertical uprights.

[0568] FIG. 20 shows a representation of a transport unit in a top view, which comprises a first and second transport rack 500. Here, the first and second transport racks 500 are arranged in succession, in a depth direction. The first and second transport racks 500 are arranged such in relation to each other that the access side 503 of the first transport frame 501 of the first transport rack 500 is arranged opposite the support side 504 of the first transport frame 501 of the second transport rack 500. In this case, vertical uprights 505 of the first transport frame 501 of the second transport rack 500 and vertical uprights 505 of the second transport frame 502 of the first transport rack 500 are arranged next to one another, in a width direction. Here, the removal sides 509 of the first transport frame 501 of the first and second transport racks 500, as well as the removal sides 509 of the second transport frame 502 of the first and second transport racks 500, are each arranged next to one another, so that they each form an access side of the transport unit.

[0569] Finally, it should also be noted that the scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings are to be adduced for construing the claims.

[0570] In particular, it should also be noted that, in reality, the depicted system can also comprise more, or also fewer, components than depicted. In some cases, the shown systems and/or their components may not be depicted to scale and/or be enlarged and/or reduced in size.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0571] 1 picking warehouse [0572] 2 storage area [0573] 3 picking station [0574] 4 processing area [0575] 5.1 transport rack [0576] 5.2 transport rack [0577] 5.3 damaged transport rack [0578] 6.1 returned load carrier [0579] 6.2 pre-picked load carrier [0580] 7a goods conveying system [0581] 7b load carrier conveying system [0582] 7c transport rack conveying system [0583] 8 unloading station [0584] 9 buffer device [0585] 10 loading station [0586] 11 transport system [0587] 12 unloading device [0588] 13 loading device [0589] 14 collecting location [0590] 15 shelf compartment [0591] 16 front uprights [0592] 17 rear uprights [0593] 18 first support profile [0594] 19 second support profile [0595] 20 transport rollers [0596] 25 transport rack provisioning device of unloading device [0597] 26 provisioning location of unloading device [0598] 27 centering and/or clamping device [0599] 28 operating unit of unloading device [0600] 29 support frame of operating unit of unloading device [0601] 30 first drive device [0602] 31 vertical support structure of operating unit of unloading device [0603] 32 second drive device [0604] 35 takeover unit [0605] 36 receiving platform [0606] 37 support frame of takeover unit of unloading device [0607] 38 third drive device [0608] 39 vertical support structure of takeover unit of unloading device [0609] 40 fourth drive device [0610] 41 pusher [0611] 42 holding platform [0612] 43 pusher [0613] 60 thrust element of unloading device [0614] 61 test body [0615] 62a front end [0616] 62b rear end [0617] 63 support body [0618] 64a first docking surface [0619] 64b second docking surface [0620] 65 test body housing [0621] 66 test body base frame [0622] 67 conical seat [0623] 68a horizontal positioning slope [0624] 68b vertical positioning slope [0625] 69 coupling unit [0626] 70 first snap-in element [0627] 71 second snap-in element [0628] 72 spring element [0629] 73a first sensor element [0630] 73b second sensor element [0631] 74a first pusher dog element [0632] 74b second pusher dog element [0633] 75 drive motor [0634] 76a first shaft [0635] 76b second shaft [0636] 77 traction means [0637] 78 guide assembly [0638] 79a first sensor component [0639] 79b second sensor component [0640] 80 side part [0641] 85 transport rack provisioning device of loading device [0642] 86 provisioning location [0643] 87 first drive device [0644] 88 support frame of operating unit of loading device [0645] 89 operating unit of loading device [0646] 90 second drive device [0647] 91 provisioning location [0648] 92 pusher [0649] 93 vertical support structure of loading device [0650] 95a first thrust element [0651] 95b second thrust element [0652] 100 transport to recipient of goods [0653] 101 transport to pick-up station [0654] 102 transport to buffer warehouse [0655] 103 buffer warehouse [0656] 104 pick-up station [0657] 105 transport to recipient of goods [0658] 121a upstream checking device [0659] 121b downstream checking device [0660] 500 transport rack [0661] 501 first transport frame [0662] 502 second transport frame [0663] 503 access side [0664] 504 support side [0665] 505 vertical uprights [0666] 506 longitudinal profile [0667] 507 cross profile [0668] 508 push-in opening [0669] 509 removal side [0670] 510 removal opening [0671] 511 rest [0672] 512 push-off ramp [0673] 513 side wall [0674] S1 first step [0675] S2 second step [0676] S3 third step [0677] S4 fourth step [0678] S5 fifth step [0679] S6 sixth step [0680] S7 seventh step [0681] BR processing direction [0682] AR extension direction [0683] D data carrier