AU2016313018B2

AU2016313018B2 - Picking device and method for operating a picking device

Info

Publication number: AU2016313018B2
Application number: AU2016313018A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christoph Hellenbrand
Original assignee: Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH
Current assignee: Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2015-08-25
Filing date: 2016-08-09
Publication date: 2021-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-09
Also published as: BR112018002052A2; CN107922118A; BR112018002052B1; MX380257B; KR20180044273A; CA2994774A1; JP6920279B2; EP3135610B1; MX2018001981A; CN107922118B; JP2018525296A; EP3135610A1; AU2016313018A1; WO2017032592A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a picking device for piece goods, wherein quick cleaning of rack shelves is possible. For this purpose, the picking device comprises: at least one rack row (10) having a plurality of rack shelves (100), which are arranged one over the other and which have a plurality of storage shafts (110); and at least one retrieval apparatus (40), by means of which piece goods can be retrieved. According to the invention, a rack shelf comprises a frame structure, a plurality of shaft-separating walls (120), a plurality of shaft bottoms (130), and a plurality of blocking apparatuses (140) coupled to a control apparatus (60). Two shaft-separating walls (140) and a shaft bottom define an elongate storage shaft (150), wherein each shaft bottom is associated with a supporting apparatus (160), on which the shaft bottom lies and which is designed in such a way that a further shaft bottom can be slid between the shaft bottom lying on the supporting apparatus and the supporting apparatus, and wherein each shaft bottom is associated with a retaining means (131, 143), which prevents slipping of the shaft bottom in the longitudinal direction of the storage shaft (150).

Description

Picking Device and Method for Operating a Picking Device

The present invention relates to a picking device for piece goods, in particular medicine packages, comprising a plurality of storage chutes, and to a method for operating such a picking device. Automated or at least partially automated picking devices are often used in pharmacies for storing medicine packages in a space-saving manner. In the known picking devices that are suitable for pharmacies, the medicine packages are stored chaotically or according to type. In chaotic storage, the medicine packages are not always stored in the same storage locations in the device, but rather in the storage locations where there happens to be sufficient space. This makes it possible to avoid having an excessive amount of empty volume and to substantially increase the number of medicine packages stored per m 2 of base surface area. Medicine packages that are dispensed at a very high frequency (so-called "fast movers"), are often stored in storage chutes according to type. Each storage chute comprises, at the lower end thereof, a blocking device, which can be activated by a control device and by means of which one or more medicine packages can be retrieved from the storage chute. The number of different medicines that can be stored by means of a picking device having type-specific storage chutes corresponds at most to the number of type-specific storage chutes. The exact design of a picking device depends on the particular requirements of the site, i.e., there are picking devices having exclusively chaotic storage, picking devices having exclusively type-specific storage in storage chutes, and picking devices in which both types of storage are combined. Independently of the manner in which the medicine packages are stored, soiling of the picking device with medicine residue, packaging material residue, or dust is a big problem, since it is extremely time-consuming to clean the storage locations for chaotic storage and/or type-specific storage. In order to clean, e.g., storage chutes used to store medicine packages according to type, an entire shelf base comprising a plurality of storage chutes is typically removed from the picking device and is replaced with a clean shelf base, or the entire shelf base is cleaned in the state thereof installed in the picking device. With respect to both methods, it is absolutely necessary that all medicine packages be removed from the storage chutes before cleaning. Independently of which of the known methods is used to clean the storage chutes, the downtime of the storage chutes or, possibly, the entire picking device, is considerable. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Some embodiments of the present disclosure aim providing a picking device, in the case of which the downtimes for cleaning the picking device are reduced. Another problem addressed by the present invention is that of providing a method for operating a picking device, which also reduces the aforementioned downtimes. According to the present disclosure, there is provided a picking device for piece goods, comprising at least one shelf row having at least one shelf having a plurality of inclined shelf bases, which are arranged one above the other, each extended in a plane, and each comprise a plurality of storage chutes, and at least one retrieving device, via which piece goods can be retrieved, wherein at least one shelf base has a frame structure, a plurality of parallel chute partitions, a plurality of parallel chute bases, and a plurality of blocking devices, which are coupled to a control device, wherein, in each case, two chute partitions and one chute base define one elongate storage chute having a stocking end and a retrieving end, wherein a blocking device is arranged at the end of each of the retrieving ends, and assigned to each chute base is a support device, on which the chute base rests, and wherein assigned to each chute base is a holding means, which prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute when the chute base is placed on the support device, wherein the chute partitions are T-shaped comprising two legs, wherein the two legs represent support sections, wherein two support sections of two adjoining chute partitions form one support device of a chute base in each case, wherein the support devices are designed such that the chute bases are supported so as to be movable along a vertical axis of the storage chutes, which runs orthogonally relative to the plane of the fixed chute bases, so that another chute base can be slid between the resting chute base and the support device, wherein at the stocking end a retaining plate is arranged, wherein a portion of this retaining plate, which is designed parallel to the plane of the fixed chute bases, slightly overlaps the same and comprises a plurality of holders which are cantilevered toward the chute bases, wherein a holder is assigned to each chute base, and wherein the holding means are designed as openings, which interact with the holders to prevent the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chutes. According to the present disclosure, there is further provided a method for operating a picking device comprising at least one shelf row having at least one shelf having a plurality of shelf bases, which are arranged one above the other, each extend in a plane, and each comprise a plurality of storage chutes, wherein at least one shelf base has a frame structure, a plurality of chute partitions, a plurality of chute bases, and a plurality of blocking devices, wherein, in each case, two chute partitions and one chute base define one elongate storage chute having a stocking end and a retrieving end, wherein a blocking device is arranged at each of the retrieving ends, and assigned to each chute base is a support device, on which the chute base rests and which is designed such that a further chute base can be slid underneath the resting chute base, and wherein assigned to each chute base is a holding means, which prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute when the chute base rests on the support device, wherein an old chute base resting on a support device is lifted at the retrieving end or the stocking end of the corresponding storage chute, a new chute base is slid underneath the old chute base on the support device, and the old chute base is removed and the new chute base is fixed against sliding. The picking device according to the invention comprises at least one shelf row having at least one shelf having a plurality of shelf bases, which are arranged one above the other, each extend in a plane, and each comprise a plurality of storage chutes. The picking device can comprise a further shelf row having at least one shelf having a plurality of shelf bases, which are arranged one above the other and each extend in a plane, wherein these shelf bases can comprise storage chutes or compartments for chaotic storage. The picking device further comprises at least one retrieving device, by means of which piece goods can be retrieved from the picking device. The retrieving device can be a conveyor belt, for example. At least one of the shelf bases comprises a frame structure, a plurality of chute partitions, a plurality of chute bases, and a plurality of blocking devices, which are coupled to a control device, wherein, in each case, two chute partitions and one chute base define one elongate storage chute having a stocking end and a retrieving end, wherein one of the blocking devices is arranged at each of the retrieving ends. Each shelf base typically comprises a plurality of elongate storage chutes, which are loaded with piece goods by an operating device or by hand via the stocking end and, at the retrieving ends of which, piece goods are dispensed via the blocking devices. Assigned to each chute base is a support device, on which the chute base rests and which is designed such that another chute base can be slid between the resting chute base and the support device. The chute bases are therefore not fixedly connected to the support device, but rather merely rest thereon such that another chute base can be slid underneath the resting chute base, wherein the exact design of the support device and the chute bases must be modified such that another chute base can be slid underneath. Assigned to each chute base is a holding means, which prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute when the chute base is placed on the support device. The holding means can be formed on the chute base itself or on another component; the essential point is that the chute base is prevented from sliding in the longitudinal direction of a storage chute. According to the invention, a support device is provided, wherein this support device is designed so as to be coordinated with the chute bases such that another (clean) chute base can be slid underneath the chute bases that are present (and are soiled). After the new chute base is slid underneath, the original, soiled chute base is removed. According to the invention, it is therefore possible to easily and quickly replace those chute bases that are the most soiled, naturally, with clean chute bases by the piece goods resting thereon. There is no need to remove a shelf base having a plurality of storage chutes nor is there a need to clean all the storage chutes in the very tight spaces in the interior of the picking device. With respect to cleaning the chute bases "on site", the ease of replacing soiled chute bases with clean chute bases has the further advantage that the contaminants located on the chute bases are not stirred up during cleaning and do not settle in other parts of the picking device.

Soiled chute bases can therefore be rapidly and easily replaced with cleaned chute bases, thereby considerably reducing the cleaning-induced downtimes of the picking device according to the invention. Given that the new shelf base is slid underneath, there is also no need to remove all the medicine packages that are present on a storage chute before cleaning this storage chute. The medicine packages can remain in the storage chute and this storage chute can be cleaned anyway by replacing an old chute base with a new chute base. This is another great advantage provided by the picking device according to the invention - in known devices, the storage chutes to be cleaned always had to be emptied, whereas this is no longer necessary according to the invention. The storage chutes can be filled manually by a user. Given that the piece goods are stored according to type, filling can be carried out relatively easily by a user. In the case of picking devices having mixed storage, in particular, i.e., having storage chutes for type-specific storage and compartments for chaotic storage, it is preferable, however, for the picking device to comprise an operating device, which can be displaced horizontally and vertically in front of the shelf row and which is coupled to the control device, and at least one stocking device, by means of which piece goods can be moved into the picking device and from which the operating device can remove piece goods. The storage chutes and the compartments can be filled by means of the operating device. As an alternative, the storage chutes can be filled manually, but the chaotic storage on the compartments can be carried out by means of the operating device. According to a corresponding embodiment, piece goods to be stored according to type and chaotically can be stocked quickly and reliably by means of the operating device. According to the invention, it is essential, as illustrated above, that the support device and the chute bases are designed such that a further chute base can be slid underneath the resting chute base. This is achieved in a manner having a particularly simple design in that the chute bases are supported so as to be movable along the vertical axis (z) of the storage chutes. A resting end is lifted, i.e., is moved along the vertical axis, in order to insert a new chute base, and a new chute base is slid underneath. The elongate storage chutes are each defined by two chute partitions and one chute base, wherein a support device is assigned to each chute base. The support device can be fastened, e.g., on the frame structure of a shelf base, and can be routed, in sections, underneath the chute bases such that it is possible, according to the invention, to slide a chute base underneath a resting chute base. In a preferred embodiment having a very simple design, the chute partitions have support sections, wherein, in each case, two support sections of two chute partitions form one support device, on which a chute base rests. A holding means is assigned to each chute base in order to prevent a chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute when the chute base is placed on the support device. The exact design thereof and where such a holding means is arranged, e.g., in a chute base, depends specifically on the exact design of the storage chutes. With respect to the design and arrangement of the holding means, it is furthermore significant whether the new chute base is slid underneath from the stocking end or the retrieving end of the storage chute. As indicated above, an operating device can be displaced horizontally and vertically in the interior of the picking device, and therefore the space in the interior of the picking device (i.e., at the stocking end of the storage chutes) is very tight, and working with chute bases in the interior of the picking device is not advantageous. In a preferred embodiment of the picking device according to the invention, it is therefore provided that the holding means is formed at the section corresponding to the stocking end of a storage chute. It is therefore not necessary to fix the chute base via a holding means at the retrieving end of the chute base, and therefore a new chute base can be slid underneath at the retrieving end. The retrieving ends of the storage chutes are usually very easy to reach by removing a side panel of the picking device, which is usually merely hung in place. Depending on the length of the chute bases, it can be difficult to work with these, in particular shortly before sliding underneath an old chute base. In order to enable a new chute base to be slid underneath or to simplify insertion even in spatially constricted conditions, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment that the chute bases have at least one articulated section. Even though replacing soiled chute bases results in substantially reduced downtimes of the picking device in the case of the picking device according to the invention, it is preferable for cleaning to be carried out only when necessary. According to a preferred embodiment, the chute bases therefore comprise a sensor, which is coupled to the control device and can determine a degree of soiling of a chute base and forward this to the control device. When the degree of soiling of a chute base is known, it is possible to initiate a replacement only when this is necessary due to the degree of soiling. As an alternative, the chute bases can comprise a combination detection and display device, which can determine and display a degree of soiling of a chute base. Furthermore, a sensor for monitoring the fill level can be assigned to a storage chute. This sensor can be used to also detect packages that are stuck or that are not sliding (e.g., due to a material defect on the packaging). A further sensor can be assigned to a blocking device, which detects whether the requested piece good is actually dispensed when the blocking device is released. The problem is further solved by a method for operating a picking device according to claim 8. The picking device comprises a shelf row having at least one shelf having a plurality of shelf bases, which are arranged one above the other, each extend in a plane, and each comprise a plurality of storage chutes, wherein at least one shelf base has a frame structure, a plurality of chute partitions, a plurality of chute bases, and a plurality of blocking devices, wherein, in each case, two chute partitions and one chute base define one elongate storage chute having a stocking end and a retrieving end. Assigned to each of the retrieving ends is a blocking device and assigned to each chute base is a support device, on which the chute base rests, and which is designed such that another chute base can be slid underneath the resting chute base, wherein assigned to each chute base is a holding means, which prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction X of the storage chute when the chute base is placed on the support device. In the method according to the invention, an old or soiled chute base resting on a support device is lifted at the retrieving end or the stocking end of the corresponding storage chute, and a cleaned or clean chute base is slid underneath the old chute base on the support device. Finally, the old chute base is removed and the new chute base is fixed against sliding. In the method according to the invention, it is therefore no longer necessary to remove an entire shelf base, comprising a plurality of storage chutes, from the picking device in order to clean the storage chutes, or to clean the storage chutes in the machine itself, which usually causes a considerable portion of the contaminants to become stirred up and settle at another location within the picking device. Given that only the most contaminated parts, i.e., the chute bases, are removed, and this is carried out, according to the invention, quickly and without complex measures, the cleaning-induced downtimes of the picking device can be greatly reduced. The new chute bases can be slid underneath the resting chute bases with the stocking end of a storage chute resting on the support device. In order to do this, the chute base simply lifted at the retrieving end and the new chute base is slid in. A corresponding procedure is indicated when the retrieving ends of the chute bases can be easily accessed, e.g., when an outer wall of the picking device is easy to access and remove. As an alternative, the new chute bases can be inserted at the stocking ends of the storage chutes. According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the chute bases are wedge-shaped, at least in sections, at the stocking end, and an old chute base resting on a support device is lifted at the stocking end of the corresponding storage chute by inserting a new chute base, wherein the new chute base is preferably designed, at the retrieving end, to be complementary to the stocking end of the old chute base. According to the invention, the new and the old chute bases are designed, in sections, such that, upon insertion, the eventual retrieving end of the new chute base automatically lifts the stocking end of the resting chute base, thereby simplifying the procedure of sliding the new chute base underneath. The picking device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are described in greater detail in the following with reference to preferred embodiments, wherein Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the picking device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows another perspective view of the embodiment; Figure 4 shows a rear view of the first embodiment; Figures 5a and 5b show a shelf base of the first embodiment; Figures 6a and 6b show detailed views of a shelf base of the first embodiment; Figures 7a and 7b show further detailed views, without the chute base; Figure 8 shows another view of a shelf base, without chute bases; Figure 9 shows a detailed view of the retrieving end of a shelf base; Figures 10a and 10b show further detailed views of the retrieving end, without the chute base; and Figures 11a to 11f schematically show the sequence of a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a picking device 1 according to the invention, wherein a portion of the elements of the picking device that are unessential to the invention, such as a large portion of the frame structure 2 and a large portion of the external covering 3, for example, is not shown. The picking device 1 comprises a first shelf row 10 having a plurality of shelves, each of which has a plurality of shelf bases 100, which slant downward toward the outside and are arranged one above the other (wherein only one shelf base 100 is shown in Figure 1; additional shelf bases can be arranged above and next to the shelf base that is shown). The individual shelves of the first shelf row 10 are formed by (non illustrated) shelf walls and a plurality of the aforementioned shelf bases 100. The slanted shelf bases 100 comprise a plurality of storage chutes, which are described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. Medicine packages are usually stored in these storage chutes according to type, i.e., only one type of medicine package is stored in each storage chute. A second shelf row 80 is arranged opposite the first shelf row 10 and comprises a plurality of shelves, which have shelf bases 800 extending in a horizontal plane, wherein, in the embodiment shown, only one shelf base 800 is shown for the second shelf row 80 as well. In contrast to the first shelf row 10, the shelf bases 800 of the second shelf row 80 are designed as simple compartments without storage chutes, i.e., medicine packages can be stored chaotically on the shelf bases 800. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, two stocking devices 30, 31 are integrated into the second shelf row 80, said stocking devices being designed as conveyor belts in the embodiment shown. The stocking devices are typically arranged and dimensioned such that said stocking devices terminate at stocking edges of the shelf bases 800. Such an arrangement of the stocking devices and the shelf bases makes it particularly easy for medicine packages to be removed from the stocking devices and placed onto the shelf bases. A retrieving device 40 is arranged underneath and in front of the slanted shelf bases 100, wherein medicine packages arranged in the slanted storage chutes fall onto said retrieving device when the blocking devices of the slanted storage chutes are released, and via which said retrieving device the requested medicine packages are moved out of the picking device. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the retrieving device 40 is also designed as a conveyor belt. An aisle is formed between the first and the second shelf rows 10, 80, the width of which is defined by the distance between the stocking edges of the respective shelf bases 100, 800, wherein the stocking edges of the various shelf bases of the first and the second shelf rows are preferably arranged in a vertical plane. In the aisle, the operating device 20 can be moved horizontally and vertically on a corresponding guide, wherein the horizontal guide 21 of the operating device 20, in particular, is evident in Figure 1. The embodiment shown combines type-specific and chaotic storage and therefore comprises one operating device and two stocking devices in the form of a conveyor belt. In alternative embodiments comprising storage chutes only, the operating device and/or the stocking devices can be omitted. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in which the upper half of the picking device has been omitted. This sectional view shows, in particular, the arrangement of the slanted shelf bases 100 and the horizontal shelf bases 800. Furthermore, it is evident that the front faces of the horizontal shelf bases 800 and the sides of the stocking devices 30, 31 all lie in a plane. This view furthermore clearly shows that an identification device 50 is assigned to each stocking device 30, 31, by means of which data related to medicine packages lying on a stocking device can be detected. Furthermore, it is evident that the stocking devices have an external section 32, which extends beyond the front area of the picking device and on which the medicine packages to be stored can be placed for storage. A few medicine packages 6 are shown on the upper stocking device 31 in this figure, as an example. Figure 3 shows an alternative perspective view of the embodiment, which has already been shown in Figure 1, wherein this view shows the picking device from another side.

Figure 4 shows a rear view of the first embodiment of the picking device according to the invention, wherein the external covering has been omitted in order to show a portion of the interior of the picking device. The two shelf rows 10, 80, which are arranged opposite one another, are evident, wherein only one or two shelf bases, respectively, of the shelf rows are shown, for clarity. The aisle is formed between the first and the second shelf rows, in which said aisle the operating device 20 can be moved horizontally and vertically, wherein the vertical guide 22, in particular, is evident in Figure 4. The operating device 20 comprises a gripping device 23, which spans the entire aisle and can therefore bridge the distance between the first and the second shelf rows without the need to be displaced for this purpose. As is clearly evident in this representation, the slanted shelf bases 100 are slanted outwardly away from the aisle, toward the retrieving device 40. Furthermore, the control device 60 is indicated in Figure 4, said control device being coupled to the operating device 20. Figures 5a and 5b show detailed views of a shelf base 100 having a substantially square frame structure 110, which has a bulge 119 in the "upper left" corner. A plurality of parallel chute partitions 120 is arranged on the frame structure 110, and one chute base 130 is arranged between every two chute partitions 120. In each case, two chute partitions and one chute base define one elongate storage chute 150, wherein each storage chute 150 has a stocking end 151 and a retrieving end 152. A blocking device 140 is arranged at the retrieving end 152 of each storage chute 150 and is coupled to the (non-illustrated) control device. Figure 5a shows the shelf base from the stocking side, and Figure 5b shows the shelf base from the retrieving side. In the picking device according to the invention, the shelf bases are usually arranged at a slant, specifically such that the retrieving end of the shelf base is slanted toward the retrieving device, which is not shown here. The shelf bases themselves are fastened to vertical braces of the shelves or shelf rows by means of (non-illustrated) fastening means.

Figures 6a and 6b show detailed views of the stocking front face of a shelf base. A retaining plate 111 is arranged at the stocking front face, wherein a section of this retaining plate that is parallel to the plane of the chute bases slightly overlaps these chute bases. This section of the retaining plate 111 comprises a plurality of holders 112, which are cantilevered toward the chute bases, wherein one such holder 112 is assigned to each chute base. A sensor 134, which is coupled to the control device, is indicated in a chute base in Figure 6b, wherein said sensor determines the degree of soiling of the chute base and forwards this information to the control device. On the basis of the information from a plurality of such sensors, a decision can be made to clean a few or all of the storage chutes of a shelf base, i.e., to replace the old chute bases with new chute bases. As an alternative, a detection and display device 135 can be used, which is also indicated in only one chute base. This can be coupled to the control device, although this is not necessary. A need for cleaning can be displayed on the shelf base itself. Furthermore, two articulated regions 136 are indicated in the chute base having the sensor 134, wherein said articulated regions permit bending orthogonally relative to the longitudinal direction in order to make it easier to work with the chute base when sliding underneath a chute base that is present. The retaining plate 111 that is indicated in Figure 6a has been left out of Figure 6b, and it is evident that each chute base 130 comprises a holding means 131 designed as an opening, wherein one such holding means interacts with a holder 112 of the retaining plate 111 and thereby prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chutes. Figure 6b furthermore shows that the chute bases rest on support sections 161, which are designed as parts of the chute partitions, wherein two support sections 161 form one support device 160. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6b, the chute partitions are therefore T-shaped, wherein the two legs are the support sections. As shown, the chute bases are temporarily fixed with respect to the vertical axis z (orthogonally relative to the plane of the chute bases) via the retaining plate 111 only at the stocking end of the shelf bases. However, even when the retaining plate 111 is present, the chute bases are supported at the retrieving end of the chute bases so as to be movable relative to the vertical axis, since, in this region, said chute bases merely rest on the support device 160, which is formed by the support sections 161. Figure 7a shows the design of the support sections 161, which are designed as sections of the chute partitions 120. In Figure 7a, a chute base 130 having holding means 131 has been moved upwardly, and it is evident that the support device extends along nearly the entire length of the storage chute. Furthermore, it is evident that the retrieving end of each storage chute rests against an assigned blocking device 140 such that, as an alternative to the holding means 131 shown, a section of the blocking device also provides a holding means 143, which prevents a chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction. In Figure 7b, a shelf base is shown with three chute bases left out, for clarity. The alternative holding means 143 is also evident in this illustration. In Figure 8, a complete shelf base is shown once more with three chute bases left out, for clarity. Figure 9 shows a detailed view of the retrieving end of the shelf base, wherein it is evident that the retrieving ends 152 of the chute bases or storage chutes rest against a holding means 143 of the blocking device. Furthermore, it is clearly evident that a blocking device 140 is assigned to every single storage chute 150, thereby making it possible to operate all of the available storage chutes 150 of a shelf base separately from one another. Figures 10a, 10b show detailed views of the retrieving end of a shelf base, wherein two adjacently arranged shelf bases and the corresponding chute partition are left out of Figures 10a and 10b. In both figures, it is evident that the support section 161 of a chute partition extends along nearly the entire length.

Furthermore, it is evident that the chute partitions are fastened via a clamping section 121 on a support brace 162, which extends orthogonally relative to the longitudinal direction of the storage chutes in the embodiment shown. Figures 11a to 11f each show cross-sections of a storage chute, specifically in various stages of a replacement of a chute base. Figure 11a shows a sectional view of a storage chute filled with medicine packages 6, wherein it is evident that a chute base 130 rests on a support section 161 of a chute partition 120. A blocking device 140 is arranged at the retrieving end of the storage chute, said blocking device comprising a main body 141 and a stopping means 142, which can be retracted and extended. In Figure 11a, this stopping means 142 is extended such that the medicine packages 6 stored in the storage chute are held in the chute. An empty storage chute is shown in Figure lb for simplicity, wherein the stopping means 142 of the blocking device 140 has been retracted into the main body 141. In order to then permit the old, soiled chute base 130 to be removed, this chute base is first lifted slightly at the retrieving end of the chute base. This is possible, since it is provided according to the invention that the chute base merely rests on the support device and can be moved substantially in the vertical direction of the storage chute. In Figure lid, it is evident that the new chute base 130' has already been slid by approximately 1/3 of the length thereof underneath the old chute base 130, wherein the new chute base 130' rests on the support section 161 during insertion. In Figure lie, it is evident that the new chute base 130' has been slid, in entirety, underneath the old chute base and the two chute bases are arranged one above the other. Next, the old chute base 130 is removed, and the new chute base 130' takes the place of the original chute base 130, as is evident in Figure 11f. After the new chute base 130' is in the final position thereof, this chute base is secured against sliding in the longitudinal direction of a chute by means of a (non illustrated) holding means; for example, this can be implemented by means of a stop at the blocking device 140 or by means of a (non-illustrated) holding means at the insertion end of the storage chute. The insertion of a new chute base having an empty storage chute was shown in Figures 11a - 11f. The method according to the invention also makes it possible, however, to replace a chute base without removing all the medicine packages. If the new chute base is inserted or slid underneath via the retrieving end, then it must be ensured, however, that no medicine packages fall out when the old chute base is lifted. This problem does not occur if the new chute base is inserted via the stocking end, since the stopping means 142 do not need to be retracted during insertion.

Claims

1. A picking device for piece goods, comprising at least one shelf row having at least one shelf having a plurality of inclined shelf bases, which are arranged one above the other, each extended in a plane, and each comprise a plurality of storage chutes, and at least one retrieving device, via which piece goods can be retrieved, wherein at least one shelf base has a frame structure, a plurality of parallel chute partitions, a plurality of parallel chute bases, and a plurality of blocking devices, which are coupled to a control device, wherein, in each case, two chute partitions and one chute base define one elongate storage chute having a stocking end and a retrieving end, wherein a blocking device is arranged at the end of each of the retrieving ends, and assigned to each chute base is a support device, on which the chute base rests, and wherein assigned to each chute base is a holding means, which prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute when the chute base is placed on the support device, wherein the chute partitions are T-shaped comprising two legs, wherein the two legs represent support sections, wherein two support sections of two adjoining chute partitions form one support device of a chute base in each case, wherein the support devices are designed such that the chute bases are supported so as to be movable along a vertical axis of the storage chutes, which runs orthogonally relative to the plane of the fixed chute bases, so that another chute base can be slid between the resting chute base and the support device, wherein at the stocking end a retaining plate is arranged, wherein a portion of this retaining plate, which is designed parallel to the plane of the fixed chute bases, slightly overlaps the same and comprises a plurality of holders which are cantilevered toward the chute bases, wherein a holder is assigned to each chute base, and wherein the holding means are designed as openings, which interact with the holders to prevent the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chutes.

2. The picking device for piece goods according to claim 1, wherein the picking device comprises an operating device, which can be displaced horizontally and vertically in front of the shelf row and which is coupled to the control device, and at least one stocking device, by means of which piece goods can be moved into the picking device and from which the operating device can remove piece goods.

3. The picking device for piece goods according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a holding means is formed at the section of a chute base corresponding to the stocking end of a storage chute.

4. The picking device for piece goods according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the chute bases have at least one articulated section.

5. The picking device for piece goods according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the chute bases comprise a sensor, which is coupled to a control device and can determine a degree of soiling of a chute base and can forward this to the control device.

6. The picking device for piece goods according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the chute bases comprise a combination detection and display device, which can determine and display a degree of soiling of a chute base.

7. A method for operating a picking device comprising at least one shelf row having at least one shelf having a plurality of shelf bases, which are arranged one above the other, each extend in a plane, and each comprise a plurality of storage chutes, wherein at least one shelf base has a frame structure, a plurality of chute partitions, a plurality of chute bases, and a plurality of blocking devices, wherein, in each case, two chute partitions and one chute base define one elongate storage chute having a stocking end and a retrieving end, wherein a blocking device is arranged at each of the retrieving ends, and assigned to each chute base is a support device, on which the chute base rests and which is designed such that a further chute base can be slid underneath the resting chute base, and wherein assigned to each chute base is a holding means, which prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute when the chute base rests on the support device, wherein an old chute base resting on a support device is lifted at the retrieving end or the stocking end of the corresponding storage chute, a new chute base is slid underneath the old chute base on the support device, and the old chute base is removed and the new chute base is fixed against sliding.

8. The method for operating a picking device according to claim 7, wherein the chute bases are wedge-shaped, at least in sections, at the stocking end, and wherein an old chute base resting on a support device is lifted at the stocking end of the corresponding storage chute by inserting a new chute base, wherein the new chute base is complementary, at the retrieving end, to the stocking end of the old chute base.