PICKING STATION AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PICKING AND AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING PRODUCTS

Abstract

A picking station (19) as well as a storage and order-picking system (1) for automatic picking and automatic packaging of articles (10a . . . 10p) is specified. A packaging machine (25) operated in an automated manner and a goods-out point conveyor system (20) as well as different types of picking zones (24a . . . 24f), in which the articles (10a . . . 10p) for an order are assembled and prepared for the packaging process, are comprised thereby. In particular, the articles (10a . . . 10p) are stacked on top of each other to form an article stack (41) and are subsequently discharged onto a feed conveyor system (26) leading to the packaging machine (25) or directly into the packaging machine (25). Moreover, a method for operating the picking station (19) described and/or the storage and order-picking system (1) described is specified.

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A picking station (19) for automatic picking and automatic packaging of articles (10a . . . 10p), comprising a packaging machine (25) operated in an automated manner; a retrieval conveyor system (17) for supplying articles (10a . . . 10p), which comprises an overhead conveyor system with transport loading aids (13 . . . 13c) for transporting articles (10a . . . 10p) or is formed by one; at least one unloading device (36) for automatically unloading a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c); a goods-out point conveyor system (20), which is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the packaging machine (25) on the output side, for transporting packaged articles (10a . . . 10p) away; and a) a feed conveyor system (26) operated in an automated manner for feeding the packaging machine (25), which feed conveyor system (26) is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the packaging machine (25) on the input side, a first article discharging device (27a), which is assigned to the feed conveyor system (26) and operated in an automated manner, having a first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device with a first closable bottom opening (34a) of the article discharging device and a second bottom shelf (28b) of the article discharging device with a second closable bottom opening (34b) of the article discharging device, wherein the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device is arranged above the second bottom shelf (28b) of the article discharging device, and the second bottom shelf (28b) of the article discharging device is arranged above the feed conveyor system (26), and wherein the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the unloading device (36), and is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the retrieval conveyor system (17) via the unloading device (36), and/or b) a reloading device (29) operated in an automated manner, a feed conveyor system (26) operated in an automated manner for feeding the packaging machine (25), which feed conveyor system (26) is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the packaging machine (25) on the input side, and which extends in the operating range of the reloading device (29), as well as a bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device in the operating range of the reloading device (29), which bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the unloading device (36), and is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the retrieval conveyor system (17) via the unloading device (36), and/or c) a second article discharging device (27b), which is assigned to the packaging machine (25) and operated in an automated manner, which has a third bottom shelf (28c) of the article discharging device arranged above a loading position (47) of the packaging machine (25) and having a closable third bottom opening (34c) of the article discharging device, wherein a dispatch package (23) prepared for closing can be provided at the loading position (47), which third bottom shelf (28c) of the article discharging device is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the unloading device (36), and is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the retrieval conveyor system (17) via the unloading device (36), and/or d) an unloading device (36), which is assigned to the packaging machine (25) and operated in an automated manner, for automatically providing a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) above a loading position (47) of the packaging machine (25) and for discharging an article (10a . . . 10p) from the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) into a dispatch package (23) provided at the loading position (47) and prepared for closing.

29. The picking station (19) according to claim 28, comprising a working area (32) for a picker (46), a feed conveyor system (26) operated in an automated manner for feeding the packaging machine (25), which feed conveyor system (26) is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the packaging machine (25) on the input side and which extends in the operating range of the picker (46), as well as a bottom shelf (33) of the picking working area in the operating range of the picker (46), which bottom shelf (33) of the picking working area is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the unloading device (36), and is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the retrieval conveyor system (17) via the unloading device (36).

30. The picking station (19) according to claim 29, wherein the unloading device (36) in case a), is arranged above the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device and is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) from the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device; in case b), is arranged above the bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device and is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) from the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto the bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device; in case c), is arranged above the third bottom shelf (28c) of the article discharging device and is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) from the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto the third bottom shelf (28c) of the article discharging device; and is arranged above the bottom shelf (33) of the picking working area and is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) from the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto the bottom shelf (33) of the picking working area.

31. The picking station (19) according to claim 29, wherein the unloading device (36) in case a), is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) from the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto a conveying device (37), and the conveying device (37) is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) onto the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device; in case b), is configured to automatically discharge an article (10a . . . 10p) from the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto a conveying device (37), and the conveying device (37) is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) onto the bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device; and in case c), is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) from the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto a conveying device (37), and the conveying device (37) is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) onto the third bottom shelf (28c) of the article discharging device; and is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) from the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto a conveying device (37), and the conveying device (37) is configured to automatically discharge the article (10a . . . 10p) onto the bottom shelf (33) of the picking working area.

32. The picking station (19) according to claim 28, wherein the first article discharging device (27a), in case a), has shaft walls (35), which surround the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device and second bottom shelf (28b) of the article discharging device.

33. The picking station (19) according to claim 28, wherein in case b), the picking station comprises a plurality of reloading devices (29) operated in an automated manner, and the feed conveyor system (26) comprises multiple first feed conveying sections (31a) in the operating range of the plurality of reloading devices (29) and a second feed conveying section (31b) connecting them in respect of a conveying stream, which is connected to a third feed conveying section (31c) coupling with the packaging machine (25).

34. The picking station (19) according to claim 28, wherein the reloading device (29) in case b) is configured as a gantry robot or an articulated-arm robot and/or comprises a suction gripper (43).

35. The picking station (19) according to claim 29, wherein comprising a printer (38), which in case a), is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the second bottom shelf (28b) of the article discharging device, in case b), is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the feed conveyor system (26), in case c), is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the packaging machine (25), and is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the feed conveyor system (26).

36. The picking station (19) according to claim 28, wherein in case d), the picking station has a fourth bottom shelf (28d) of the article discharging device operated in an automated manner, which bottom shelf (28d) is pivotable about a pivot point (A) into a substantially horizontal position and an inclined position.

37. The picking station (19) according to claim 36, wherein the packaging machine (25) has an inclined base, on which the dispatch package (23) having an opening pointing in the direction of the fourth bottom shelf (28d) of the article discharging device can be arranged.

38. The picking station (19) according to claim 36, comprising a third article discharging device (27c), which is arranged above the fourth bottom shelf (28d) of the article discharging device and is operated in an automated manner and which has a fifth bottom shelf (28e) of the article discharging device having a closable fifth bottom opening (34e) of the article discharging device.

39. The picking station (19) according to claim 37, wherein a slide is arranged between the inclined base of the packaging machine (25) and the fourth bottom shelf (28d) of the article discharging device.

40. A storage and order-picking system (1), comprising a goods-in point (4a, 4b); an article storage (7) operated in an automated manner; a storage conveyor system (14) operated in an automated manner, which connects the goods-in point (4a, 4b) to the article storage in respect of a conveying stream; and a retrieval conveyor system (17) operated in an automated manner, which connects the article storage (7) to the picking station (19) in respect of a conveying stream; wherein the picking station (19) is configured according to claim 28.

41. A method for automatically picking and automatically packaging articles (10a . . . 10p), in which the articles (10a . . . 10p) are supplied by means of a retrieval conveyor system (17), which comprises an overhead conveyor system with transport loading aids (13 . . . 13c) for transporting the articles (10a . . . 10p) or is formed by one, the articles are automatically unloaded from the transport loading aids (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) by means of an unloading device (36), the articles (10a . . . 10p) are fed to a packaging machine (25) and are automatically repacked into dispatch packages (23) by it, and then, the dispatch packages (23) are transported away from the packaging machine (25) by means of a goods-out point conveyor system (20), wherein a) the articles (10a . . . 10p) are placed on a first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device before packaging, wherein the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the unloading device (36), and is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the retrieval conveyor system (17) via the unloading device (36), a first bottom opening (34a) of the article discharging device arranged in the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device is opened for one article (10a . . . 10p) at a time, the article (10a . . . 10p) falls through the first bottom opening (34a) of the article discharging device and becomes part of an article stack (41) on a second bottom shelf (28b) of the article discharging device below the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device, a second bottom opening (34b) of the article discharging device in the second bottom shelf (28b) of the article discharging device is opened after a stack has been formed, and the article stack (41) falls through the second bottom opening (34b) of the article discharging device, and the article stack (41) is conveyed, by the feed conveyor system (26), to the packaging machine (25) and automatically repacked there into the dispatch package (23), and/or b) the articles (10a . . . 10p) are placed on a bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device before packing, wherein the bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the unloading device (36), and is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the retrieval conveyor system (17) via the unloading device (36), taken over from the bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device by a reloading device (29) and placed on a feed conveyor system (26) as part of an article stack (41), and the article stack (41) is conveyed, after a stack has been formed, by the feed conveyor system (26) to the packaging machine (25) and is automatically repacked there into the dispatch package (23), and/or c) the articles (10a . . . 10p) are placed on a third bottom shelf (28c) of the article discharging device before packing, wherein the third bottom shelf (28c) of the article discharging device is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the unloading device (36), and is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the retrieval conveyor system (17) via the unloading device (36), a third bottom opening (34c) of the article discharging device arranged in the third bottom shelf (28c) of the article discharging device is opened for one article (10a . . . 10p) at a time, the article (10a . . . 10p) falls through the third bottom opening (34c) of the article discharging device and into a dispatch package (23) provided at the packaging machine (25) at a loading position (47) and prepared for closing, and/or d) the articles (10a . . . 10p) are successively provided at an unloading device (36) with transport loading aids (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c), and the transport loading aids (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) are automatically unloaded in succession, wherein the automatic unloading comprises step i) positioning the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) above a loading position (47) of the packaging machine (25), and step ii) transferring the article (10a . . . 10p) from the transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) immediately into the dispatch package (23) provided at the loading position (47) and prepared for closing.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein, before being packaged, the articles (10a . . . 10p) are supplied on a bottom shelf (33) of the picking working area in the operating range of a picker (46), wherein the bottom shelf (33) of the picking working area is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the unloading device (36), and is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the retrieval conveyor system (17) via the unloading device (36), collected from the bottom shelf (33) of the picking working area by a picker (46) and placed on a feed conveyor system (26) as part of an article stack (41), and the article stack (41) is conveyed, after a stack has been formed, by the feed conveyor system (26) into the packaging machine (25) and is automatically put into the dispatch package (23) there.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the articles (10a . . . 10p) in case a), are discharged automatically, by means of an unloading device (36) arranged above the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device, from a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device, in case b), are discharged automatically, by means of an unloading device (36) arranged above the bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device, from a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto the bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device, in case c), are discharged automatically, by means of an unloading device (36) arranged above the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device, from a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto the third bottom shelf (28c) of the article discharging device, and are discharged automatically, by means of an unloading device (36) arranged above the bottom shelf (33) of the picking working area, from a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto the bottom shelf (33) of the picking working area.

44. The method according to claim 42, wherein the articles (10a . . . 10p) in case a), are automatically discharged, by means of an unloading device (36), from a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto a conveying device (37) and are automatically discharged from the conveying device (37) onto the first bottom shelf (28a) of the article discharging device, in case b), are automatically discharged, by means of an unloading device (36), from a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto a conveying device (37) and are automatically discharged from the conveying device (37) onto the bottom shelf (30) of the reloading device, in case c), are automatically discharged, by means of an unloading device (36), from a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto a conveying device (37) and are automatically discharged from the conveying device (37) onto the third bottom shelf (28c) of the article discharging device, and are automatically discharged, by means of an unloading device (36), from a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto a conveying device (37) and are automatically discharged from the conveying device (37) onto the bottom shelf (33) of the picking working zone.

45. The method according to claim 41, wherein, in case d), the articles (10a . . . 10p) are automatically discharged, by means of an unloading device (36), from a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto the fourth bottom shelf (28d) of the article discharging device operated in an automated manner, which is oriented in a substantially horizontal position for stacking the articles (10a . . . 10p) and is pivoted about a pivot point (A) into an inclined position for transferring the articles (10a . . . 10p).

46. The method according to claim 41, wherein, in case d), the articles (10a . . . 10p) are automatically discharged, by means of an unloading device (36), from a transport loading aid (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) onto a fifth bottom shelf (28e) of the article discharging device having the closable fifth bottom opening (34e) of the article discharging device, from where they are discharged onto the fourth bottom shelf (28d) of the article discharging device arranged below the fifth bottom shelf (28e) of the article discharging device, which fourth bottom shelf (28d) of the article discharging device is oriented in a substantially horizontal position for stacking the articles (10a . . . 10p) and is pivoted about a pivot point (A) into an inclined position for transferring the articles (10a . . . 10p).

47. The method according to claim 45, wherein the articles (10a . . . 10p) slide from the fourth bottom shelf (28d) of the article discharging device pivoted in the inclined position into a dispatch loading aid (23), which is provided on the inclined base of the packaging machine (25) and points, with an opening, in the direction of the fourth bottom shelf (28d) of the article discharging device.

48. The method according to claim 41, wherein at least a plurality of the transport loading aids (11a . . . 11c, 13 . . . 13c) collects/transports exactly one article (10a . . . 10p) each.

49. The method according to claim 41, wherein the transport loading aids (13 . . . 13c), which are fed to the unloading device (36), are configured as hanging bags.

50. The method according to claim 41, wherein multiple dispatch packages (23), after packaging the articles (10a . . . 10p) in the dispatch package (23), are loaded into an outer package.

Description

[0115] For the purpose of better understanding of the invention, it will be elucidated in more detail by means of the figures below.

[0116] These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

[0117] FIG. 1 a schematically shown storage and order-picking system in a top view;

[0118] FIG. 2 an embodiment of a schematically shown picking station in a top view;

[0119] FIG. 3 a first schematically shown picking zone with two bottom shelves of an article discharging device arranged on top of each other, in a side view;

[0120] FIG. 4 a second schematically shown picking zone with a reloading device (here a gantry robot) operated in an automated manner, in a side view;

[0121] FIG. 5 a third schematically shown picking zone with a working area for a picking zone, in a side view;

[0122] FIG. 6 a fourth schematically shown picking zone with a bottom shelf of an article discharging device, which is arranged above a packaging machine, in a side view;

[0123] FIG. 7 a fifth schematically shown picking zone with an unloading device, which is arranged directly above a packaging machine, in a side view;

[0124] FIG. 8 a sixth schematically shown picking zone with a fourth bottom shelf of the article discharging device, which bottom shelf is pivotable in its entirety, in a substantially horizontal position, in a side view;

[0125] FIG. 9 the sixth picking zone from FIG. 8 with the fourth bottom shelf of the article discharging device in an inclined position;

[0126] FIG. 10 an exemplary flowchart for the operation of a picking zone according to FIG. 3;

[0127] FIG. 11 an exemplary flowchart for the operation of a picking zone according to FIG. 4 and

[0128] FIG. 12 an example of an autonomous mobile robot.

[0129] 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 contained 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.

[0130] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary storage and order-picking system 1, which comprises a building 2, which has goods-in points 3a and 3b as well as goods-out points 4a and 4b. The storage and order-picking system 1 further comprises a first storage zone 5 and a second storage zone 6, which together are part of the article storage 7.

[0131] The first storage zone 5 comprises storage racks 8 and storage and retrieval devices 9a and 9b which are movable between the storage racks 8. In the storage racks 8, articles 10a . . . 10e can be stored directly or by means of first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c. In this regard, the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c can be configured in particular as trays, cardboard boxes or containers having a firm base and side walls.

[0132] The second storage zone 6 comprises storage overhead tracks 12, on which articles 10f . . . 10h can be stored directly or by means of second transport loading aids 13a . . . 13c, in this case by means of hanging bags 13a . . . 13c. If the articles 10f are stored directly on the storage overhead tracks 12, the articles 10f is present in the form of hanging articles, meaning, for example, in the form of articles of clothing suspended on clothes hooks. If the articles 10g . . . 10h are stored in the hanging bags 13a . . . 13c, they be present in virtually any form.

[0133] The storage and order-picking system 1 further comprises a storage conveyor system 14, which, in this example, has a first storage section 15a, a second storage section 15b and a third storage section 15c. The first storage section 15a connects the goods-in point 3a to a rearrangement robot 16. The second storage section 15b and the third storage section 15c connect the rearrangement robot 16 to the storage and retrieval devices 9a and 9b. On the first storage section 15a, two articles 10a, 10b are transported without first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c, two further articles 10c, 10d are transported with a first transport loading aid 11a.

[0134] On that end of the rack aisles which is opposite the storage conveyor system 14, a retrieval conveyor system 17 is provided, which, in this example, has a first retrieval section 18a, which connects the storage and retrieval devices 9a and 9b to a picking station 19 in respect of a conveying stream.

[0135] The storage conveyor system 14 further comprises a fourth storage section 15d and a fifth storage section 15e, which connect the goods-in point 3b to the second storage zone 6.

[0136] On that end of the second storage zone 6 which is opposite the storage conveyor system 14, the retrieval conveyor system 17 comprises a second retrieval section 18b, which connects the storage overhead tracks 12 to the picking station 19 in respect of a conveying stream.

[0137] The storage and order-picking system 1 also comprises a goods-out point conveyor system 20, which connects the picking station 19 to the goods-out points 4a and 4b. In the example shown, the goods-out point conveyor system 20 comprises a goods-out point section 22 on which the dispatch package 23 is conveyed.

[0138] Lastly, the storage and order-picking system 1 has some autonomous mobile robots 21a . . . 21e, which [0139] can convey articles 10i . . . 10k from the goods-in point 3a to the storage and retrieval devices 9a and 9b or convey articles 10i . . . 10k from the goods-in point 3b to the fourth storage section 15d or fifth storage section 15e and thus form a part of the storage conveyor system 14, and/or [0140] can convey articles 10i . . . 10k from the storage and retrieval devices 9a and 9b to the picking station 19 or convey articles 10i . . . 10k from the second retrieval section 18b to the picking station 19 and thus form a part of the retrieval conveyor system 17, and/or [0141] can convey articles 10i . . . 10k from the goods-in point 3a or 3b to the picking station 19 and thus form a part of both the storage conveyor system 14 and the retrieval conveyor system 17 (conveying cross-docking articles), and/or [0142] can convey dispatch packages 23 from the picking station 19 to the goods-out point 4a, 4b and thus form a part of the goods-out point conveyor system 20.

[0143] It is also conceivable that the storage and order-picking system 1 comprises a rearrangement conveyor system, not shown in FIG. 1, between the first storage zone 5 and the second storage zone 6, with which articles 10a . . . 10k can be transferred between the two storage zones 5 and 6. In particular, articles 10a . . . 10k can be retrieved from a first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, for example a container, and transferred into a second transport loading aid 13a . . . 13c, preferably a hanging bag, or vice versa. The rearrangement conveyor system may comprise a stationary conveying system and/or autonomous mobile robots 21a . . . 21e.

[0144] The functioning of the storage and order-picking system 1 depicted in FIG. 1 is as follows:

[0145] Articles 10a . . . 10b are delivered at the goods-in points 3a and/or 3b and are stored in the first storage zone 5 and/or the second storage zone 6. For storing the articles 10a and 10b in the first article zone 5, they are placed directly on the first storage section 15a of the storage conveyor system 14, and/or articles 10c and 10d are placed on said first storage section 15a by means of a first transport loading aid 11a. The articles 10a . . . 10d are subsequently transported to the rearrangement robot 16, which places them on the second storage section 15b or the third storage section 15c. In a further step, the articles 10a . . . 10d are transported to the storage and retrieval devices 9a and 9b by means of the storage conveyor system 14 and are placed into storage in the storage racks 8 by storage and retrieval devices 9a and 9b.

[0146] When executing an order for picking articles, the assigned articles 10e is retrieved from the storage rack 8 by means of the storage and retrieval device 9a or 9b, transferred to the retrieval section 18a of the retrieval conveyor system 17 and transported on the retrieval section 18a to the picking station 19.

[0147] In the picking station 19, the article 10e is transferred/packed into a dispatch package 23, and subsequently, the dispatch package 23 is transported via the goods-out point section 22 of the goods-out point conveyor system 20 to the goods-out point 4a. The processes in the picking station 19 are not shown in detail in FIG. 1, but are explained in detail in the figures below.

[0148] The process when placing in storage, storing, retrieving and picking articles 10f . . . 10h, is similar to placing in storage, storing, retrieving and picking articles 10a . . . 10e.

[0149] An article 10f can be transported via the fourth storage section 15d or the fifth storage section 15e onto a storage overhead track 12 of the second storage zone 6 and be stored there. In this regard, the article 10f can be transported directly on the overhead tracks of the fourth storage section 15d or of the fifth storage section 15e and/or be stored on the storage overhead track 12 or by means of a second transport loading aid 13a . . . 13c, as it is shown in FIG. 1 for the articles 10g and 10h. In this example, the second transport loading aid 13a . . . 13c is configured as a hanging bag.

[0150] At this point, it should be noted that in FIG. 1, the hanging bags 13b and 13c were rotated into the drawing plane for ease of representation. In reality the hanging bags 13b and 13c of course hang downwards.

[0151] When executing an order for picking articles, the assigned article 10h and/or the hanging bag 13c is transported via the second retrieval section 18b of the retrieval conveyor system 17 to the picking station 19. In the picking station 19, the article 10h is transferred/packed into a dispatch package 23. Subsequently, the dispatch package 23 is in turn transported via the goods-out point section 22 of the goods-out point conveyor system 20 to the goods-out point 4a.

[0152] The articles 10a . . . 10h may be transported, as described above, using a stationary conveying system or also by means of autonomous mobile robots 21a . . . 21e as it is shown in FIG. 1. For example, an article 10f . . . 10h can be transported, by means of a mobile robot 21a, from the goods-in point 3b to the fourth storage section 15d or the fifth storage section 15e. An article 10k can also be transported, by means of an autonomous mobile robot 21e, from the first storage zone 5 or from the second storage zone 6 to the picking station 19. It would also be conceivable that an article 10i is transported, using an autonomous mobile robot 21b, directly from the goods-in point 3a or 3b to the picking station 19 (cross-docking articles). Lastly, it is also conceivable that a dispatch package 23 is transported, by a mobile robot 21d, from the picking station 19 to the goods-out point 4a or 4b. The articles 10i . . . 10k can be conveyed by the mobile robots 21a . . . 21e, as described above, without first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c or without second transport loading aids 13a . . . 13c or also with first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c or with second transport loading aids 13a . . . 13c.

[0153] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the picking station 19 in a detailed view. As shown in FIG. 1, the picking station 19 is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the article storage 7 via the retrieval conveyor system 17, in order to allow the automatic transport of the articles 10a . . . 10k from the article storage 7 to the picking station 19. The picking station 19 is also connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the goods-out point 4a, 4b via the goods-out point conveyor system 20, in order to allow the automatic transport of the packaged articles 10a . . . 10k/dispatch packages 23 from the picking station 19 to the goods-out point 4a, 4b. The goods-out point conveyor system 20 is preferably a goods-out point conveyor system operated in an automated manner This comprises for example a “stationary conveying system” and “conveying vehicles operated in an automated manner”. Alternatively, the goods-out point conveyor system 20 may also (partly or completely) be a manually operated goods-out point conveyor system.

[0154] The picking station 19 preferably comprises multiple possibilities for picking articles 10a . . . 10h, namely a first symbolically shown picking zone 24a, a second symbolically shown picking zone 24b and a third symbolically shown picking zone 24c. FIG. 2 further shows a packaging machine 25, a feed conveyor system 26 leading to the packaging machine 25, and the goods-out point conveyor system 20 leading away from the packaging machine 25. The feed conveyor system 26 and/or goods-out point conveyor system 20 comprises a stationary conveying system (for example roller conveyors, belt conveyors, chain conveyors and the like) and/or one or multiple mobile robots 21a . . . 21e (also see FIG. 12).

[0155] By way of example, the first picking zone 24a comprises two of the first article discharging devices 27a shown in FIG. 2, each of which have a bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device visible in FIG. 2. However, the first picking zone 24a may also comprise a different number of article discharging devices 27a operated in an automated manner, in particular only one article discharging device 27a operated in an automated manner The first picking zone 24a and its function are explained in detail in FIG. 3.

[0156] For example, the second picking zone 24b comprises multiple reloading devices 29 operated in an automated manner and multiple bottom shelves 30 of the reloading device arranged in the operating range of the reloading devices 29. In this case, the feed conveyor system 26 comprises multiple first feed conveying sections 31a in the operating range of the reloading devices 29, a second feed conveying section 31 connecting them in respect of a conveying stream, which is connected to a third feed conveying section 31c, which in turn is coupled with the packaging machine 25. In this example, the second feed conveying section 31b comprises a trolley traveling on a rail, but it could also be configured differently.

[0157] The second picking zone 24b may, however, also comprise a different number of reloading devices 29 operated in an automated manner The second picking zone 24b may in particular comprise only one reloading device 29 operated in an automated manner In this case, there is only a single first feed conveying section 31a, which is coupled with the third feed conveying section 31c, or only the third feed conveying section 31c, which connects the reloading device 29 and the packaging machine 25 in respect of a conveying stream. The one first feed conveying section 31a or the multiple first feed conveying sections 31a and/or the second feed conveying section 31b and/or the third feed conveying section 31c may comprise a stationary conveying system (for example roller conveyors, belt conveyors, chain conveyors and the like) and/or one or multiple mobile robots 21a . . . 21e (also see FIG. 12). The second picking zone 24a and its function are explained in detail in FIG. 4.

[0158] For example, the third picking zone 24c comprise multiple working areas 32 for pickers as well as multiple bottom shelves 33 of the picking working area. The third picking zone 24c may, however, also comprise a different number of working areas 32 for pickers and a different number of bottom shelves 33 of the picking working area. In particular, the third picking zone 24c may comprise only one working area 32 for a picker and one bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area. The third picking zone 24c and its function are explained in detail in FIG. 5.

[0159] The picking station 19 shown in FIG. 2 may alternatively comprise only the picking zone 24a described above or only the picking zone 24b or only the picking zone 24c or any desired combination of the picking stations 24a . . . 24c described above, for example the picking zone 24a and 24b.

[0160] FIG. 3 shows the first picking zone 24a in detail. The first picking zone 24a comprises a first article discharging device 27a with a first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device and a second bottom shelf 28b of the article discharging device arranged below it. The second bottom shelf 28b of the article discharging device is arranged above the feed conveyor system 26. The two bottom shelves 28a and 28b of the article discharging device are formed by movable flaps, whereby a first bottom opening 34a of the article discharging device can be opened in the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device and a second bottom opening 34b of the article discharging device is releasable in the second bottom shelf 28b of the article discharging device. The two bottom shelves 28a and 28b of the article discharging device are connected by shaft walls 35 and/or surrounded by them. The first article discharging device 27a furthermore comprises an unloading device 36, not shown in detail, and a conveying device 37, for example in the form of a slide. Lastly, the first picking zone 24a also comprises an optional printer 38, which is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the second bottom shelf 28b of the article discharging device via a slide 39.

[0161] The functioning of the first picking zone 24a depicted in FIG. 3 is as follows:

[0162] First transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c and/or second transport loading aids 13a . . . 13c, as described for FIG. 1, are transported to the picking station 19 via the retrieval conveyor system 17 (not explicitly shown in FIG. 3). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, second transport loading aids 13 are supplied, which are specifically configured as hanging bags.

[0163] The hanging bag 13 is automatically unloaded by means of the unloading device 36 (unloading station). According to a first embodiment described in AT 50320/2018 (WO 2019/195871 A1), in a first step i), the hanging bag 13 is adjusted at the unloading device 36 (unloading station) from a closed position to an opened position, and in a second step ii), the hanging bag 13 is tilted from a provisioning position into an unloading position about a tilting axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of an overhead conveyor system, whereby the article 10l . . . 10p is discharged from the hanging bag 13 through an unloading opening. According to a second embodiment described in WO 2018/130712 A2, in a first step i), the hanging bag 13 is adjusted at the unloading device 36 (unloading station) from a closed position to an opened position, and in a second step ii), a bottom of the hanging bag 13 is inclined out of a transport position, in which the article 10l . . . 10p is transported in the hanging bag 13, into an ejection position, in which the article 10l . . . 10p can be ejected from the hanging bag 13. In the ejection position a rear region of the bottom positioned opposite the unloading opening is positioned higher than a front region of the bottom, and the article 10l . . . 10p slides out of the hanging bag 13. According to a third embodiment, in a first step i), the hanging bag 13 is adjusted at the unloading device 36 (unloading station) from a closed position into an opened position, and in a second step ii), the article 10l . . . 10p is retrieved from the hanging bag 13 by a robot having a suction gripper.

[0164] With respect to the different embodiments of the unloading device 36, the detailed disclosure of AT 50320/2018 (WO 2019/195871 A1) and/or WO 2018/130712 A2 and/or WO 2014/044601 A1 is made the subject of this disclosure. According to each of these embodiments, the article 10l is automatically discharged from the hanging bag 13 and fed to the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device. In this process, the article 10l is discharged onto the optional conveying device 37, for example a slide, and conveyed, via the conveying device 37, onto the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device. However, it is also conceivable that the article 10l is discharged directly (meaning without the aid of a conveying device 37) onto the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device.

[0165] The described procedure generally works equally for first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c, which are configured as rigid containers, wherein in that case, only the unloading device 36 (unloading station) for automatic unloading of the container is designed according to a different embodiment. For example, the unloading device 36 comprises a tilting device, by means of which the container is tilted from a provisioning position into an unloading position about a tilting axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal edge, whereby the article 10l . . . 10p is discharged from the container. Likewise, container having a bottom that can be opened and closed may be used, wherein the unloading device 36 (unloading station) then comprises an actuation device for opening and closing the bottom. Otherwise, the article 10l . . . 10p may be removed from the container by means of a robot having suction grippers, as described for example in AT 519 452 B1.

[0166] According to each of these embodiments, the article 10l is automatically discharged from the container and fed to the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device. Here, the article 10l is discharged onto the optional conveying device 37, for example a slide, and conveyed, via the conveying device 37, onto the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device. However, it is also conceivable that the article 10l is discharged directly (meaning without the aid of a conveying device 37) onto the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device.

[0167] If the article 10l on the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device is positioned correctly, the assigned flaps are pivoted downwards and release the first bottom opening 34a of the article discharging device, so that the article 10l falls onto the article stack 41. In this case, a dispatch document 42 generated by the printer 38 in an optional first step was placed under the article stack 41, which dispatch document 42 slid, after being printed, via the slide 39 onto the second bottom shelf 28b of the article discharging device. The article stack 41 itself comprises an article 10m, an article 10n, an article 10o and an article 10p, which have been stacked on top of each other on the second bottom shelf 28b of the article discharging device and/or on the dispatch document 42 in multiple successive steps by opening the first bottom opening 34a of the article discharging device. In this process, one article 10m . . . 10p at a time was placed on the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device by unloading a hanging bag 13 and dropped onto the article stack 41 by opening the first bottom opening 34a of the article discharging device.

[0168] Once the article stack 41 is complete, it is discharged onto the feed conveyor system 26 by pivoting the flaps of the second bottom shelf 28b of the article discharging device and thus by opening the second bottom opening 34b of the article discharging device. Subsequently, the feed conveyor system 26 transports the article stack 41 together with the dispatch document 42 to the packaging machine 25, where the article stack 41 and the dispatch document 42 are packaged in a dispatch package 23. The dispatch package 23 is then transported in the manner described above via the goods-out point conveyor system 20 to the goods-out point 4a, 4b.

[0169] FIG. 4 shows the second picking zone 24b in a detailed view. The unloading device 36 (unloading station) for automatically unloading the first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c and/or second transport loading aid 13a . . . 13c may be designed according to the embodiments described for FIG. 3. The second picking zone 24b comprises a reloading device 29, which, in this specific example, is configured as a gantry robot. In this example, the gantry robot 29 has a suction gripper 43, which is mounted so as to be movable on a robot arm 44. The robot arm 44 is in turn mounted on a portal 45 so as to be displaceable. Furthermore, the second picking zone 24b comprises the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device, a conveying device 37 connected to the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device, which conveying device 37 is again configured as a slide in this specific example, an optional printer 38 with a slide 39, and the first feed conveying section 31a and the second feed conveying section 31b of the feed conveyor system 26.

[0170] The functioning of the picking zone 24b shown FIG. 4 is as follows:

[0171] In an optional first step, the printer 38 again generates a dispatch document 42, which slides via the slide 39 into a predefined position on the first feed conveying section 31a. In individual, successive steps, the article stack 41 is formed. For this purpose, one article 10l at a time is automatically unloaded from the hanging bag 13 or the container at the unloading device 36 and fed to the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device. In this process, the article 10l is discharged onto the optional conveying device 37, for example a slide, and conveyed, via the conveying device 37, onto the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device. However, it is also conceivable that the article 10l is discharged directly (meaning without the aid of a conveying device 37) onto the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device.

[0172] The article 10l is collected from the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device by the suction gripper 43 of the gantry robot 29 and placed on the article stack 41. According to this embodiment, the article stack 41 is formed on the feed conveyor system 26. Once the article stack 41 is completed, it is transported, by means of the feed conveyor system 26, together with the dispatch document 42 to the packaging machine 25. If the feed conveyor system 26 comprises the feed conveying sections 31a . . . 31c, the article stack 41 with the dispatch document 42 is transported through the first feed conveying section 31a to the second feed conveying section 31b and is transported from there to the packaging machine 25 by means of the third feed conveying section 31c. The article stack 41 and the dispatch document 42 are packaged in a dispatch package 23 in the packaging machine 25. The dispatch package 23 is subsequently transported via the goods-out point conveyor system 20 to the goods-out point 4a, 4b.

[0173] At this point, it should be noted that the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device may be omitted when using first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c, if the articles 10a . . . 10k are not discharged from the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c onto the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device but the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c are instead supplied in the operating range of the reloading device 29. From this supply position, the articles 10a . . . 10k can be retrieved by the reloading device 29 directly from the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c and fed to the feed conveyor system 26. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous if the first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, in particular a container, is loaded with a plurality of articles 10a . . . 10k.

[0174] FIG. 5 shows the third picking zone 24c in detail. The unloading device 36 (unloading station) for automatically unloading the first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c and/or second transport loading aid 13a . . . 13c may again be designed according to the embodiments described for FIG. 3. The third picking zone 24c comprises a working area 32 for a picker 46 as well as a bottom shelf 33 of a picking working area in the operating range of the picker 46. The third picking zone 24c further comprises a conveying device 37 connected to the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area, which conveying device 37 is again configured as a slide, as well as a feed conveyor system 26.

[0175] The process in the third picking zone 24c is the same as the process in the second picking zone 24b. One article 10l at a time is automatically unloaded from the hanging bag 13 or the container by means of the unloading device 36 and fed to the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area. In this process, the article 10l is discharged onto the optional conveying device 37, for example a slide, and conveyed, via the conveying device 37, onto the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area. However, it is also conceivable that the article 10l is discharged directly (meaning without the aid of a conveying device 37) onto the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area.

[0176] The article 10l is collected from the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area by the picker 46 and placed on the article stack 41. According to this embodiment, the article stack 41 is formed on the feed conveyor system 26. In this example, as well, there is an optional dispatch document 42 under the article stack 41. Once the article stack 41 is completed, it is transported together with the dispatch document 42 via the feed conveyor system 26 to the packaging machine 25. The article stack 41 and the dispatch document 42 are packaged in a dispatch package 23 in the packaging machine 25, which dispatch package 23 is transported via the goods-out point conveyor system 20 to the goods-out point 4a, 4b.

[0177] The bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area may also be omitted when using first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c, if the articles 10a . . . 10k are not discharged from the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c onto the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area but the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c are instead supplied in the operating range of the picker 46. From this supply position, the articles 10a . . . 10k can be retrieved by the picker 46 directly from the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c and fed to the feed conveyor system 26. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous if, for an order, the first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, in particular a container, contains either one single article or multiple articles in an order-specific manner

[0178] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a fourth picking zone 24d, which is not explicitly shown in FIG. 2. The unloading device 36 (unloading station) for automatically unloading the first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c and/or second transport loading aid 13a . . . 13c may be designed according to the embodiments described for FIG. 3. The fourth picking zone 24d comprises a second article discharging device 27b with a third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device, which comprises pivotable flaps, whereby a third bottom opening 34c of the article discharging device can be released. The third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device is again connected with a conveying device 37, which in this example is also configured as a slide. Moreover, the fourth picking zone 24d comprises an optional printer 38, which is coupled with the packaging machine 25 via a slide 39.

[0179] The functioning of the fourth picking zone 24d is as follows:

[0180] Via an unloading device 36 not explicitly shown in FIG. 6, an article 10l is automatically discharged from the hanging bag 13 or the container and fed to the bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device. In this process, the article 10l is discharged onto the optional conveying device 37, for example a slide, and conveyed, via the conveying device 37, onto the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device. However, it is also conceivable that the article 10l is discharged directly (meaning without the aid of a conveying device 37) onto the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device.

[0181] With the aid of the flaps of the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device, the article 10l can be dropped individually onto the article stack 41 formed on the packaging machine 25. In this example, as well, there is an optional dispatch document 42 under the article stack 41, which dispatch document 42 was printed by the printer 38 in a first step and slid via a slide 39 into the position above the packaging machine 25 shown in FIG. 6.

[0182] Once the article stack 41 is complete, it is conveyed into the packaging machine 25 together with the dispatch document 42, by a mechanism of the packaging machine 25 not explicitly shown in FIG. 6, and dropped there into a dispatch package 23, which is provided at a loading position 47.

[0183] As opposed to this, it is also possible that the article 10l falls directly into the dispatch package 23 provided at a loading position 47 and the article stack 41 is formed in the dispatch package 23. The optional dispatch document 42 is also packed directly into the dispatch package 23.

[0184] It is also possible for only a single article 10l to be discharged into the dispatch package 23 provided at a loading position 47, if an order requires only one article 10l.

[0185] Subsequently, the dispatch package 23 is transported in the manner described above via the goods-out point conveyor system 20 to the goods-out point 4a, 4b.

[0186] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the article 10l contained in the hanging bag 13 or the container slides via the conveying device 37 onto the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device. However, it would also be conceivable that the article 10l is dropped directly onto the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device. The conveying device 37 is then obsolete. Moreover, the article stack 41 in the example shown in FIG. 6 is dropped directly into the packaging machine 25. However, it is also conceivable that the article stack 41 is transferred into the packaging machine 25 indirectly, for example via a conveying device (slide) similar to the conveying device 37.

[0187] The fifth picking zone 24e shown by way of example in FIG. 7 has a similar structure as the fourth picking zone 24d shown in FIG. 6. In contrast to this, the fifth picking zone 24e, however, does not have a second article discharging device 27b. Upon the automatic unloading of the hanging bag 13 or the container by means of the unloading device 36, the article 10l is dropped directly onto the article stack 41 formed at the packaging machine 25. Alternatively, it may also be provided that the article 10l is discharged onto a conveying device 37 (not shown in FIG. 7) and is fed to the packaging machine 25 via a conveying device 37. In this example, as well, there is an optional dispatch document 42 under the article stack 41, which dispatch document 42 was printed by the printer 38 in a first step and slid via a slide 39 into the position above the packaging machine 25 shown in FIG. 7.

[0188] Once the article stack 41 is complete, it is conveyed into the packaging machine 25 together with the dispatch document 42, by a mechanism of the packaging machine 25 not explicitly shown in FIG. 7, and dropped there into a dispatch package 23, which is provided at a loading position 47.

[0189] In this embodiment, as well, it is again possible that the article 10l is discharged directly into the dispatch package 23 provided at a loading position 47 and prepared for closing, and the article stack 41 is formed in the dispatch package 23. The optional dispatch document 42 is also packed directly into the dispatch package 23. In this case, it would also be conceivable to use a conveying device 37, which discharges the article 10l into the dispatch package 23 provided at a loading position 47 and prepared for closing.

[0190] It is also possible for only a single article 10l to be discharged into the dispatch package 23 provided at a loading position 47, if an order requires only one article 10l.

[0191] Subsequently, the dispatch package 23 is transported in the manner described above via the goods-out point conveyor system 20 to the goods-out point 4a, 4b.

[0192] The unloading device 36 (unloading station) for automatically unloading the first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c and/or second transport loading aid 13a . . . 13c may again be designed according to the embodiments described for FIG. 3.

[0193] FIG. 8 shows a sixth picking zone 24f, depicted by way of example, which may combine some of the features of the previously introduced picking zones 24a . . . 24e. Specifically, the sixth picking zone 24f again comprises a unloading device 36 (unloading station) for automatically unloading the first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c and/or second transport loading aid 13a . . . 13c, which may be designed according to the embodiments described for FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0194] The sixth picking zone 24f comprises a fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device operated in an automated manner, which is pivotable about a pivot point A into an essentially horizontal position and an inclined position (particularly such that a trajectory on the bottom shelf 28d points in the conveying direction). Moreover, the sixth picking zone 24f has an optional third article discharging device 27c which is arranged above the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device and is operated in an automated manner, which third article discharging device 27c has a fifth bottom shelf 28e of the article discharging device having a closable fifth bottom opening 34e of the article discharging device. The fifth bottom shelf 28e of the article discharging device is again connected with a conveying device 37, which in this example is also configured as a slide. Moreover, the sixth picking zone 24f comprises an optional printer 38, which is coupled with the fifth bottom shelf 28e of the article discharging device via a slide 39.

[0195] Below the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device, offset in the conveying direction, a packaging machine 25 having an inclined base is arranged, on which a dispatch loading aid 23 having an opening pointing in the direction of the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device is arranged. In this regard, the dispatch loading aid 23 is held in position by holders of the packaging machine 25 and extends obliquely downwards. The inclined base, however, is not obligatorily required and may also be omitted. In this case, the dispatch loading aid 23 is also held in position by holders of the packaging machine 25 and hangs down substantially vertically.

[0196] The functioning of the sixth picking zone 24f is as follows:

[0197] Via an unloading device 36 not explicitly shown in FIG. 8, an article 10l is automatically discharged from the hanging bag 13 or the container and fed to the fifth bottom shelf 28e of the article discharging device. In this process, the article 10l is discharged onto the optional conveying device 37, for example a slide, and conveyed, via the conveying device 37, onto the fifth bottom shelf 28e of the article discharging device. However, it is also conceivable that the article 10l is discharged directly (meaning without the aid of a conveying device 37) onto the fifth bottom shelf 28e of the article discharging device.

[0198] With the aid of the flaps of the fifth bottom shelf 28e of the article discharging device, the article 10l can be dropped individually onto the article stack 41 formed on the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device. In this example, as well, there is an optional dispatch document 42 under the article stack 41, which dispatch document 42 was printed by the printer 38 in a first step and slid via a slide 39 into the position shown in FIG. 8.

[0199] Once the article stack 41 is complete, it is forwarded by pivoting the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device about the pivot point A from the substantially horizontal position shown in FIG. 8 into an inclined position. This state is depicted in FIG. 9. In this process, the article stack 41 does not fall downwards vertically but slides across the inclined fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device. Thereby the article stack 42 remains more stable during transfer.

[0200] The article stack 41 slides from the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device into the dispatch loading aid 23, which is provided on the inclined base of the packaging machine 25 and points with an opening in the direction of the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device. The dispatch loading aid 23 can thus be loaded more easily. In particular, the article stack 41 can remain more stable. Particularly plastic bags (“polybags”) are suitable as dispatch loading aids 23. This embodiment variant may, however, also generally be applied to other dispatch loading aids 23, such as cone-shaped or box-shaped cardboard box packagings.

[0201] Subsequently, the dispatch package 23 can be transported in the manner described above via the goods-out point conveyor system 20 to the goods-out point 4a, 4b.

[0202] An optional banding machine (not shown) may also be situated upstream of the provision location for the dispatch loading aid 23, which banding machine wraps a band around the article stack 41 and thus secures the same.

[0203] An optional slide (not shown) may also be arranged between the inclined base of the packaging machine 25 and the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device, whereby the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device can be easily connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the packaging machine 25.

[0204] In the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the article 10l contained in the hanging bag 13 or the container slides via the conveying device 37 onto the fifth bottom shelf 28e of the article discharging device. However, it would also be conceivable that the article 10l is dropped directly onto the fifth bottom shelf 28e of the article discharging device. The conveying device 37 is then obsolete. It would further be conceivable that the fifth bottom shelf 28e of the article discharging device (by means of which the article 10l coming from the hanging bag 13 is prepositioned, so that the article stack 41 may be formed more exactly) is omitted, and the article 10l slides via the conveying device 37 onto the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device and/or the article stack 41 formed there. However, it would also be conceivable that the article 10l is dropped directly onto the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device and/or the article stack 41 formed there.

[0205] At this point, it should be noted that the fourth bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device operated in an automated manner, which is pivotable about a pivot point A in a substantially horizontal and an inclined position, is not limited to the embodiment according to the sixth picking zone 24f but for example may also be provided in the first picking zone 24a shown in FIG. 3 instead of the second bottom shelf 28d of the article discharging device.

[0206] In all examples, the picking station 19 has a packaging machine 25 operated in an automated manner, as well as a goods-out point conveyor system 20 operated in an automated manner, which is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the packaging machine 25 on the output side.

[0207] In a case a), which is shown in FIG. 3, the picking station 19 further comprises a feed conveyor system 26 operated in an automated manner for feeding the packaging machine 25, which is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the packaging machine 25 on the input side, a first article discharging device 27a, which is assigned to the feed conveyor system 26 and operated in an automated manner, having a first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device with a first closable bottom opening 34a of the article discharging device, and a second bottom shelf 28b of the article discharging device with a second closable bottom opening of the article discharging device, wherein the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device is arranged above the second bottom shelf 28b of the article discharging device and the second bottom shelf 28b of the article discharging device is arranged above the feed conveyor system 26.

[0208] In a case b), which is shown in FIG. 4, the picking station 19 comprises a reloading device 29 operated in an automated manner, a feed conveyor system 26 operated in an automated manner for feeding the feed conveyor system 25, which is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the packaging machine 25 on the input side and which extends in the operating range of the reloading device 29, as well as a bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device in the operating range of the reloading device 29.

[0209] In a case c), which is shown in FIG. 6, the picking station 19 has a second article discharging device 27b, which is assigned to the packaging machine 25 and operated in an automated manner, which has a third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device arranged above a loading position of the packaging machine 25, with a closable third bottom opening 34c of the article discharging device, wherein a dispatch package 23 prepared for closing can be provided at the loading position 47.

[0210] In a case d), which is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the picking station 19 comprises an unloading device 36, which is assigned to the packaging machine 25 and operated in an automated manner for automatically providing a hanging bag 13 or a container above a loading position 47 of the packaging machine 25 and for automatically discharging an article 10a . . . 10p from the hanging bag 13 or a container into a dispatch package 23 provided at the loading position 47 and prepared for closing.

[0211] In the examples shown, the retrieval conveyor system 17, [0212] in case a) and/or in the first picking zone 24a shown in FIG. 3, is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device, [0213] in case b) and/or in the second picking zone 24b shown in FIG. 4, is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device, [0214] in the third picking zone 24c shown in FIG. 5, is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area, [0215] in case c) and/or in the fourth picking zone 24d shown in FIG. 6, is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device, and [0216] in case d) and/or in the fifth picking zone 24e and sixth picking zone 24f shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the packaging machine 25.

[0217] There is an unloading device 36 for automatically unloading a transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c in the course of the retrieval conveyor system 17, which transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c in case a) and/or in the first picking zone 24a shown in FIG. 3, is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device, in case b) and/or in the second picking zone 24a shown in FIG. 4, is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device, in the third picking zone 24c shown in FIG. 5, is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area, in case c) and/or in the fourth picking zone 24d shown in FIG. 6, is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device, and in case d) and/or in the fifth picking zone 24e and sixth picking zone 24f shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, is connected, in respect of a conveying stream, to a dispatch package 23 provided at the loading position 47 and prepared for closing.

[0218] In the specific example shown, the unloading device 36, [0219] in case a) and/or in the first picking zone 24a shown in FIG. 3, is configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p from the transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c onto a conveying device 37 (a slide in this case), and the conveying device 37 is configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p onto the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device, [0220] in case b) and/or in the second picking zone 24b shown in FIG. 4, is configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p from the transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c onto a conveying device 37 (a slide in this case), and the conveying device 37 is configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p onto the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device, [0221] in the case of the third picking zone 24c shown in FIG. 5, is configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p from the transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c onto a conveying device 37 (a slide in this case), and the conveying device 37 is configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p onto the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area, and [0222] in case c) and/or in the first picking zone 24d shown in FIG. 6, is configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p from the transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c onto a conveying device 37 (a slide in this case), and the conveying device 37 is configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p onto the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device.

[0223] In the specific examples shown, the article 10a . . . 10p is thus discharged indirectly. However, it would also be conceivable that the conveying device/slide 37 is omitted and the article 10a . . . 10p is discharged directly.

[0224] In this case, the unloading device 36 would be, [0225] in case a) and/or in the first picking zone 24a shown in FIG. 3, arranged above the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device and configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p from the transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c onto the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device, [0226] in case b) and/or in the second picking zone 24b shown in FIG. 4, arranged above the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device and configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p from the transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c onto the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device, [0227] in the case of the third picking zone 24c shown in FIG. 5, arranged above the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area and configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p from the transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c onto the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area, [0228] in case c) and/or in the fourth picking zone 24d shown in FIG. 6, arranged above the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device and configured to automatically discharge the article 10a . . . 10p from the transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c onto the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device.

[0229] In case d) and/or in the fifth picking zone 24e shown in FIG. 7, the unloading device 36 is arranged above the packaging machine 25 (specifically above the loading position 47) and configured to automatically discharge an article 10a . . . 10p from the first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c into the packaging machine 25, in particular directly into a dispatch package 23 provided directly at the loading position 47 and prepared for closing (direct discharge of the article 10a . . . 10p).

[0230] However, it would also be conceivable that the fifth picking zone 24 is configured for indirectly discharging the article 10a . . . 10p into the packaging machine 25 and/or into the dispatch package 23. In this case, the unloading device 36 is configured for automatically discharging the article 10a . . . 10p from the transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c onto a conveying device 37 (for example a slide), and the conveying device 37 is configured for automatically discharging the article 10a . . . 10p into the packaging machine 25.

[0231] In case b) and/or in the second picking zone 24b shown in FIG. 4, the picking station 19 has a plurality of reloading devices 29 operated in an automated manner, and the feed conveyor system 26 comprises multiple first feed conveying sections 31a in the operating range of the plurality of reloading devices 29. The picking station 19 in the case described further comprises a second feed conveying section 3 lb connected to the first feed conveying sections 31a in respect of a conveying stream, which second feed conveying section 31b is connected to the third feed conveying section 31c, which, in turn, is coupled with the packaging machine 35. However, it is also conceivable that the picking zone 24b has a different number of reloading devices 29, in particular only one reloading device 29. It is further conceivable that the feed conveyor system 26 is structured differently and has a different number of feed conveying sections 31a . . . 31c, in particular only one first feed conveying section 31a.

[0232] In case b) and/or in the second picking zone 24b shown in FIG. 4, the reloading device 29 is further configured as a gantry robot and comprises a suction gripper 43. Yet it is also conceivable that the reloading device 29 is configured as an articulated-arm robot. It is further conceivable that the reloading device 29 has a mechanical gripper.

[0233] The printer 38 is optional in all of the examples and may be omitted. This also applies to the slide 39.

[0234] In the examples according to FIGS. 3 to 6, the second transport loading aids 13 are formed by hanging bags. Equivalently, instead of the second transport loading aid 13 in FIGS. 3 to 6, a first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c in the form of a rigid container, which is in particular stored and transported standing upright (not suspended), may also be provided.

[0235] In all of the examples, it is advantageous if each transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c collects and transports exactly one article 10a . . . 10p. Yet it is also conceivable that each transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c, 13a . . . 13c collects and transports multiple articles 10a . . . 10p.

[0236] Lastly, it is also conceivable that the dispatch package 23 is not transported to the goods-out point 4a, 4b and dispatched from there, but that multiple dispatch packages 23 are loaded, after packaging the articles 10a . . . 10p in the dispatch package 23, into an outer package, which is subsequently dispatched.

[0237] In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the conveying device 37 is formed by a (passive) slide. In the mentioned examples, the conveying device 37 may, however, also be configured differently, for example as a passive or active roller conveyor or as a conveyor belt. In particular, it is also conceivable that the spatial position of an articles 10a . . . 10p on the conveying device 37 is changed in a targeted manner (in particular as needed). For example, the actual length of an article 10a . . . 10p could be captured sensorially (for example by a camera) and be approximated to a target length by the conveying device 37. For example, an article 10a . . . 10p can be rotated as needed.

[0238] A change in position of the article 10a . . . 10p may of course take place on the storage conveyor system 14, the retrieval conveyor system 17, the feed conveyor system 26 and/or the goods-out point conveyor system 20, even if this is not shown explicitly in the figures.

[0239] Furthermore, it is noted that any desired constellation of the picking zones 24a . . . 24f is possible. For example, the picking station 19 may have only one type of picking zones 24a . . . 24f, two types, three types or all four types. Furthermore, the picking station 19 may also have other types of picking zones 24a . . . 24f that are not shown in the figures.

[0240] Furthermore, it is noted that articles 10a . . . 10p of different article types can preferably or exclusively be transported to specific picking zones 24a . . . 24f and be picked there. For example, articles 10a . . . 10p, which are impossible or at least hard to pick automatically, can be transported to the third picking zone 24c shown in FIG. 5 and be picked there, whereas articles 10a . . . 10p, which can easily be picked automatically, are transported to the second picking zone 24b shown in FIG. 4 and are picked there. Articles 10a . . . 10p fitting well through the first or second article discharging device 27a, 27b can be transported to the first picking zone 24a shown in FIG. 3, or can be transported to the fourth picking zone 24d shown in FIG. 6, and be picked there, whereas other articles 10a . . . 10p are transported to the third picking zone 24c shown in FIG. 5 or to the second picking zone 24b shown in FIG. 4 and be picked there, and so on.

[0241] Even though it is not explicitly shown, it should be noted at this point that the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c and/or second transport loading aids 13, 13a . . . 13c can be loaded automatically at a loading station. If the second transport loading aid 13, 13a . . . 13c is designed as a hanging bag, a loading station as described in WO 2018/130712 A2 or WO 2014/044601 A1 may be used for the automatic loading of the hanging bag 13, 13a . . . 13c.

[0242] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary flowchart of the process taking place in case a) and/or in the first picking zone 24a shown in FIG. 3.

[0243] In a first step 701, an article 10a . . . 10p is supplied at the picking station 19 via the retrieval conveyor system 17. In a further step 702, the article 10a . . . 10p is transferred from the hanging bag 13 to the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device. In a following step 703, the first bottom opening 34a of the article discharging device is opened, so that the article 10a . . . 10p falls onto the article stack 41. If the article stack 41 is ready to be packaged in step 704, the second bottom opening 34b of the article discharging device is opened in a step 705, so that the article stack 41 falls onto the feed conveyor system 26. The number of articles in the article stack 41 is determined by the corresponding order. In this regard, an order comprises one order line or multiple order lines. Each order line has at least specifications on a number of pieces of an ordered item and on a type of item. A sales order comprises at least one order. The orders are on hand as data sets. The orders are electronically acquired on a computer (not depicted).

[0244] In a further step 706, the article stack 41 is then transported away to the packaging machine 25 where it is packaged in a dispatch package 23. If the article stack 41 is not yet completed in step 704, steps 701 to 704 are repeated until the article stack 41 is completed in step 704.

[0245] It should be noted that other orders may also be included, which require a single article 10a . . . 10p. The article stack 41 then only contains one article. In this case, one of the bottom openings 34a, 34b of the article discharging device may be held in the opened position and one of the bottom openings 34a, 34b of the article discharging device may be held closed, and the article 10a . . . 10p can be discharged from the unloading device 36 onto the closed bottom opening 34a, 34b of the article discharging device.

[0246] The specified process can be applied with only slight changes to case c) and/or to the fourth picking zone 24d shown in FIG. 6. The third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device then takes the place of the first bottom shelf 28a of the article discharging device in step 702, and the third bottom opening 34c of the article discharging device takes the place of the first bottom opening 34a of the article discharging device in step 703. Moreover, the mechanism of the packaging machine 25 takes the place of the second bottom opening 34b of the article discharging device in step 705, with the help of which mechanism the article stack 41 can be conveyed into the packaging machine 25. Step 706 is omitted as, with actuating the mentioned mechanism, the article stack 41 is conveyed directly into the packaging machine 25 and is packaged in the dispatch package 23 there.

[0247] As described above, the article 10a . . . 10p may also be packed directly into the dispatch package 23 from the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device, so that step 705 is omitted as well.

[0248] If even the third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device is omitted and if the article 10a . . . 10p is packed directly into the dispatch package 23 from the unloading device 36, steps 702 and 703 are omitted as well. The article 10a . . . 10p is then not placed on a third bottom shelf 28c of the article discharging device but directly into the dispatch package 23.

[0249] FIG. 11 further shows an exemplary flowchart of the process taking place in case b) and/or in the second picking zone 24b shown in FIG. 4.

[0250] In a first step 801, an article 10a . . . 10p is supplied at the picking station 19 via the retrieval conveyor system 17. In a further step 802, the article 10a . . . 10p is transferred from the hanging bag 13 to the first bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device. In a subsequent step 803, the article 10a . . . 10p is collected from the reloading device 29 and placed on the article stack 41. If the article stack 41 is ready to be packaged in step 804, it is transported to the packaging machine 25 in step 805 and is packaged in a dispatch package 23 there. If the article stack 41 is not yet completed in step 804, steps 801 to 804 are repeated until the article stack 41 is completed in step 804.

[0251] It should be noted that other orders may also be included, which require a single article 10a . . . 10p. The article stack 41 then only contains one article 10a . . . 10p.

[0252] The specified process can be applied with only slight changes to the third picking zone 24c shown in FIG. 5. The bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area then takes the place of the first bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device in step 802, and the picker 46 takes the place of the reloading device 29 in step 803.

[0253] Lastly, FIG. 12 shows a possible embodiment of an autonomous mobile robots 21 (“automated guided vehicle”, in short “AGV”). The autonomous mobile robot 21 comprises a chassis 48 having a drive unit and a loading platform 49 arranged on the chassis 48 for collecting, discharging and transporting an article 10a . . . 10p (not shown in this figure) or of a first transport path 11a . . . 11c (not shown in this figure). It would also be conceivable that the autonomous mobile robot 21 additionally or alternatively comprises a suspension rod, with which hanging bags 13, 13a . . . 13c, or hanging articles on article transport carriers having clothes hangers, or clothes hangers with the hanging article can be transported.

[0254] The drive unit comprises wheels 50, 51 rotatably mounted on the chassis 48, of which at least one of the wheels 50 is coupled with a drive (not depicted) and at least one of the wheels 51 can be steered. It is also possible for both wheels 50 to be coupled with the drive and be driven by it. However, the autonomous mobile robot 21 may also comprise four wheels, of which two wheels can be steered. According to the embodiment shown, the loading platform 49 is mounted on the chassis 48 so as to be adjustable between an initial position (represented in continuous lines) and a transport position (represented in dashed lines).

[0255] In the initial position, an article 10a . . . 10p or a first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c can be driven under so as to be collected. If the loading platform 49 is adjusted out of the initial position in the direction of the transport position, the article 10a . . . 10p or the first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c can be lifted and subsequently transported. If the loading platform 49 is adjusted out of the transport position back in the direction of the initial position, the article 10a . . . 10p or the first transport loading aid 11a . . . 11c can be parked again or be discharged.

[0256] The autonomous mobile robot 21 further comprises a travel control 52, represented schematically in dashed lines, for receiving commands from a superordinate main computer and for controlling/regulating the movements of the autonomous mobile robot 21. The travel control 52 may also comprise means for (wirelessly) transfer data to and from the autonomous mobile robot 21. Finally, the autonomous mobile robot 21 comprises sensors, which are not shown, for detecting the environment of the autonomous mobile robot 21 and for spatial orientation. The drive of the drive unit and the sensors are connected to the travel control 52.

[0257] If the autonomous mobile robots 21, 21a . . . 21e are part of the retrieval conveyor system 17, the autonomous mobile robots 21, 21a . . . 21e can discharge articles 10a . . . 10p onto the first bottom shelf 28a of the first article discharging device 27a (case a), the bottom shelf 30 of the reloading device 29 (case b), the third bottom shelf 28c of the second article discharging device 27b (case c), or into the packaging machine 25 (case d) or onto the bottom shelf 33 of the picking working area. For this purpose, a mobile robot 21, 21a . . . 21e may in particular have a device for tilting the loading platform 49.

[0258] If the autonomous mobile robots 21, 21a . . . 21e are part of the feed conveyor system 26, the autonomous mobile robots 21, 21a . . . 21e can collect articles 10a . . . 10p from the second bottom shelf 28b of the first article discharging device 27a (case a), from the reloading device 29 operated in an automated manner (case b), from the third bottom shelf 28c of the second article discharging device 27b (case c), or from the picker 46.

[0259] If the autonomous mobile robots 21, 21a . . . 21e are part of the goods-out point conveying system 20, the autonomous mobile robots 21, 21a . . . 21e can lastly collect dispatch packages 23 from the packaging machine 25. In this case, it is particularly conceivable that the autonomous mobile robots 21, 21a . . . 21e do not transport individual dispatch packages 23, but that the dispatch packages 23 are discharged from the packaging machine 25 into a collection container, which is collected and transported away as needed by an autonomous mobile robot 21, 21a . . . 21e (or also by a manually controlled mobile robot).

[0260] As can be derived from what has been described above, it is particularly advantageous if each of the following steps is carried out (fully) automatically: [0261] loading the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c and/or second transport loading aids 13, 13a . . . 13c at a loading station, and [0262] storing/retrieving/rearranging the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c and/or the second transport loading aids 13, 13a . . . 13c in the article storage 7 by means of the storage conveyor system 14, the retrieval conveyor system 17 and possibly by means of the rearrangement conveyor system, and [0263] unloading the first transport loading aids 11a . . . 11c and/or second transport loading aids 13, 13a . . . 13c at an unloading device 36 (unloading station), and [0264] packaging the articles 10a . . . 10p in a packaging machine 25, and [0265] transporting the articles 10a . . . 10p between the article storage 7 and the unloading device 36 by means of the retrieval conveyor system 17 (or the storage conveyor system 14 and the retrieval conveyor system 17 if a return storing of remaining quantities of articles 10a . . . 10p from the unloading device 36 to the article storage 7 is necessary), and [0266] transporting the articles 10a . . . 10p from the unloading device 36 to the feed conveyor system 25 and subsequently to the packaging machine 25, see FIGS. 3 and 4, or from the unloading device 36 to the packaging machine 25, see FIGS. 6 and 7, and [0267] transporting the packaged articles 10a . . . 10p (with or without a collection container) away from the packaging machine 25 by means of the goods-out point conveyor system 20.

[0268] Finally, it should be noted that the scope of protection is determined by the patent claims. However, the description and the drawings are to be adduced for construing the claims. Individual features or feature combinations from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The object underlying the independent inventive solutions may be gathered from the description.

[0269] In particular, it should also be noted that the devices shown may in reality comprise more or fewer components than those shown. In some cases, the shown devices and/or their components may not be depicted to scale and/or be enlarged and/or reduced in size.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0270] 1 Storage and order-picking system

[0271] 2 Building

[0272] 3a, 3b Goods-in point

[0273] 4a, 4b Goods-out point

[0274] 5 First storage zone

[0275] 6 Second storage zone

[0276] 7 Article storage

[0277] 8 Storage rack

[0278] 9a, 9b Storage and retrieval device

[0279] 10a . . . 10p Article(s)

[0280] 11a . . . 11c First transport loading aid

[0281] 12 Overhead storage track

[0282] 13, 13a . . . 13c Second transport loading aid/hanging bag

[0283] 14 Storage conveyor system

[0284] 15a . . . 15e Storage section

[0285] 16 Rearrangement robot

[0286] 17 Retrieval conveyor system

[0287] 18a Retrieval section

[0288] 19 Picking station

[0289] 20 Goods-out point conveyor system

[0290] 21, 21a . . . 21e Autonomous mobile robot

[0291] 22 Goods-out point section

[0292] 23 Dispatch package (target loading aid)

[0293] 24a . . . 24f Picking zone

[0294] 25 Packaging machine

[0295] 26 Feed conveyor system

[0296] 27a, 27b Article discharging device

[0297] 28a . . . 28e Bottom shelf of the article discharging device

[0298] 29 Reloading device (gantry robot)

[0299] 30 Bottom shelf of the reloading device

[0300] 31a . . . 31c Feed conveying section

[0301] 32 Working area for a picker

[0302] 33 Bottom shelf of the picking working area

[0303] 34a . . . 34e Bottom opening of the article discharging device

[0304] 35 Shaft wall

[0305] 36 Unloading device

[0306] 37 Conveying device (slide)

[0307] 38 Printer

[0308] 39 Slide

[0309] 40

[0310] 41 Article stack

[0311] 42 Dispatch document

[0312] 43 Suction gripper

[0313] 44 Robot arm

[0314] 45 Portal

[0315] 46 Picker

[0316] 47 Loading position

[0317] 48 Chassis

[0318] 49 Loading platform

[0319] 50 Driven wheel

[0320] 51 Steerable wheel

[0321] 52 Drive control

[0322] A Pivot point