IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,637,305
Granted Patent B2
US 12,637,305 · App. 18/119,002 · Granted May 26, 2026

Device, method and system for commissioning goods

Inventor: Markus Bretz (Herrliberg, CH)
Assignee: FERAG AG
B65G47/61B65G47/40B65G47/44
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,637,305
App. No.
18/119,002
Granted
May 26, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for commissioning goods ( 2 ) with a goods feed ( 3 ), the device including an unloading device ( 10 ) with at least one unloading point ( 11 ) for unloading goods ( 2 ), and an unloading handling module ( 20 ), to which the goods ( 2 ) are transferred from the unloading device ( 10 ), the unloading handling module ( 20 ) including at least one goods receiving element ( 21, 31, 81 ) and a moving element ( 22, 32 ) for transferring the goods ( 2 ) to a downstream conveying unit ( 30 ).

Claims (45)

1 . A device for commissioning goods, with a goods supply, comprising:

a) an unloading device with at least one unloading point for unloading goods, and

b) an unloading handling module to which the goods are transferred from the unloading device, the unloading handling module comprising at least one goods receiving element and at least one moving element for transferring the goods to a downstream conveying unit;

wherein the unloading handling module is formed as a vertically and horizontally circulating dynamic sorter buffer system configured to sort and buffer the goods after unloading the goods from the unloading device and prior to conveying them further.

2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the unloading point includes a feeding unit for delivering the goods from the goods supply to the unloading device.

3 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the unloading device comprises a feeding unit for transferring the goods to the unloading handling module.

4 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the goods supply comprises a conveyor installation, in particular a conveyor system and a conveyor belt, which is connected by means of conveying technology to the unloading device that is connected by means of conveying technology to the unloading handling module, wherein the unloading device comprises at least one fill unit.

5 . The device according to claim 4 , wherein the fill unit has at least one goods receiving element and is formed as a transport conveyor.

6 . The device according to claim 4 , wherein a buffer unit is integrated into the fill unit or is allocated to it as a separate module.

7 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one moving element is formed as a passive moving element.

8 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one moving element is formed as an active moving element.

9 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the unloading handling module includes adjusting means with which the unloading of the goods from the unloading device and the transfer of the goods to the conveying unit are adjustable.

10 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the unloading handling module comprises a control unit with communication means and at least one control means for the goods.

11 . The device according to claim 10 , wherein the conveying unit comprises one or more autonomous vehicles; and

wherein at least one autonomous vehicle contains an information processing unit which, depending on information generated by the control unit, controls one or more unloading handling modules and there takes over the goods from these and transports them to a shipping room and/or a shipping point.

12 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the unloading handling module is formed as a buffer system comprising a buffer carousel.

13 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying unit comprises a mobile support unit and at least one manipulation device for transferring the goods to a shipping room and/or a shipping point.

14 . The device according to claim 13 , wherein at least one manipulation device is formed as a passive moving element.

15 . The device according to claim 13 , wherein at least one manipulation device is formed as an active moving element.

16 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying unit comprises one or more autonomous vehicles.

17 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein at least one autonomous vehicle contains an information processing unit which, depending on information generated by software, controls one or more unloading handling modules and there takes over the goods from these and transports them to a shipping room.

18 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying unit comprises, in a holding area for the commissioned goods, elongated, fixed, or movable holding elements, or ribbed lines, in order to hold the goods in position throughout the conveying path.

19 . A system for commissioning goods comprising:

a goods input unit with a goods control unit for providing the goods;

a first conveying device for removing the goods from the goods supply unit;

a second conveying device for transferring the goods to a shipping room and/or a shipping point; and

at least one interface for dynamic commissioning of the goods arranged between the first and second conveying device;

a device for commissioning goods according to claim 1 ;

wherein the goods input unit with the goods control unit, the first conveying device, the second conveying device, and the at least one interface are connected by means of conveying technology;

wherein the goods input unit with the goods control unit is formed as the goods supply of the device for commissioning goods;

wherein the first conveying device is formed as the unloading device of the device for commissioning goods;

wherein the second conveying device is formed as the conveying unit of the device for commissioning goods; and

wherein the interface is formed as the unloading handling module of the device for commissioning goods.

20 . The system according to claim 19 , wherein the first conveying device comprises a conveyor installation having a conveying system, a conveyor belt and a fill unit.

21 . The system according to claim 20 , wherein the system comprises a goods output unit for the return transport of faulty, damaged and/or marked goods.

22 . The system according to claim 19 , wherein the system comprises at least one storage system and/or an additional buffer unit.

23 . A method for commissioning goods comprising the steps of:

providing a goods supply with a sorting and conveying installation;

unloading goods through an unloading point of an unloading device;

transferring the goods from the unloading device to an unloading handling module, wherein the unloading handling module comprises at least one goods receiving element, and at least one moving element for transferring the goods to a downstream conveying unit, and wherein the unloading handling module is formed as a vertically and horizontally circulating dynamic sorter buffer system configured to sort and buffer the goods after unloading the goods from the unloading device and prior to conveying them further; and

passing the goods from the unloading handling module to a downstream conveying unit by at least one moving element of the unloading handling module.

24 . The method according to claim 23 , wherein the unloading of the goods by the unloading point is carried out by a feeding unit.

25 . The method according to claim 23 , wherein the transferring of the goods to the unloading handling module is carried out by a feeding unit.

26 . The method according to claim 23 , wherein the unloading device, the unloading handling module and at least one conveying unit of the goods supply are connected by conveying technology, and that the method can be controlled by a control unit of the unloading handling module.

27 . The method according to claim 23 , wherein the goods are passed on to a downstream conveying unit by passive moving elements, due to gravity, or active moving elements.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2023
From: BRETZ, MARKUS
To: FERAG AG
Reel/Frame 064439/0278 →
Priority Claims (2)
CH 00109/17 · Jan 31, 2017 · national
CH 00821/22 · Jul 8, 2022 · national
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 17689548 · Mar 8, 2022
Continuation In Part 16481212
Related Publication 20230219770A1 · Jul 13, 2023
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