Abstract:
A picking store for piece goods is disclosed, which comprises a storage area ( 1 ), with a number of storage racks ( 7 ), for the goods to be picked, arranged parallel to each other, whereby only goods of the same type are found in each rack, a placing area ( 2 ), at one end of the storage racks ( 7 ), with a means for depositing new goods in the appropriate storage rack ( 7 ) and a picking area at the other end of the storage racks ( 7 ) with a withdrawing device ( 4 ) for computer controlled transfer of individual items from the storage racks to the serial conveyor. Each storage rack comprises a roller conveyor ( 8 ), whose rollers or cylinders may be set in rotation by a common drive system ( 16 ) and each storage rack ( 7 ) has its own, independently operable withdrawing device ( 4 ). The drive system ( 16 ) for the roller conveyer is preferably a drive belt.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to an out-processing facility for individual or piece goods, comprising:
         a storage area having a plurality of storage passages, for items to be out-processed, extending parallel to one another therein,   a loading area at one end of the storage passages with means for in-loading new items into the storage passages, and,   an out-processing area at the other end of the storage passages with removal apparatus for computer-controlled transfer of individual items out of the storage passages onto downstream conveyor devices.       

   Warehouse order-processing technology is gaining importance in all fields of commerce and in particular in the wholesale foods industry. However, warehousing in its narrower sense (i.e., static storage of individual goods) is becoming less significant while the dynamic processes and especially turn-around handling of goods is gaining importance. The goal of modern warehousing is therefore to keep the retention time of the individual goods in the warehouse to a minimum and thus to keep to a minimum the amount of capital tied up in warehousing. 
   Known out-processing facilities are multi-story racks that constitute storage passages for the individual goods and that are arranged adjacent to and above one another. The floors of the passages are provided with roller conveyors made of freely rotatable rollers and are slightly inclined so that goods warehoused at one end of the passage, the so-called stocking or loading side, move along the roller conveyors to the other end of the passage, the removal or order-processing side. Placing the individual goods into position on the stocking side is generally done manually in that the individual goods are removed from a pallet and placed into the assigned passage. Order-processing at the removal side of the racks is also frequently performed manually, although out-processing facilities having mechanically operating, separately controllable removable devices are also already known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,915,566 and 4,527,937. 
   Furthermore known are computer-controlled drivable removal devices in the form of conveyor devices that can be driven in a passage arranged on the order-processing side of the rack and that, corresponding to the order, take the individual goods maintained in-stock in the individual passages and assemble the order. The conveyor devices used for this can be driven over corresponding guides in two coordinates so that each conveyor device can access individually each of the passages arranged adjacent to and above one another. 
   The object of the invention is to provide an out-processing facility with which high turn-around rates can be achieved and which is also suitable for simultaneous processing of goods that are very different in terms of weight and size. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   For achieving this object, in an out-processing facility of the type described in the foregoing it is suggested that every passage comprises one roller conveyor, the rollers or cylinders of which can be rotated via a common drive means, in that each passage is provided with a discrete removal apparatus that is actuatable independently of the other removal apparatus and that has as a component a horizontal conveyor, and that the horizontal conveyor of a plurality of the storage passages can be driven via a common drive shaft as soon as an item is to be removed out of one of these storage passages via the pertaining removal apparatus. 
   Such an out-processing facility makes it possible to achieve a high turnaround rate because each individual passage is provided with a discrete removal apparatus that is actuatable independently of the other removal apparatus in the out-processing facility. The items can even also be very different individual goods in terms of their weight and size. The use of a roller conveyor for each passage, the rollers or cylinders of which can be set in motion via a common drive means, ensures that light and heavy, large and small individual goods and containers are transported and stocked in the passages with the same degree of assurance. Even individual goods that are critical in conventional warehouse engineering, such as, for instance, full plastic crates of beverages, can be processed with no problem using the driven roller conveyor. Since the horizontal conveyors of a plurality of the removable apparatus can be driven via a drive shaft that is common for these removal apparatus, as soon as an item is to be removed out of one of the pertaining storage passages, the total number of drives required in the form of, for example, electric motors can be reduced, and the out-processing facility can be more economically produced. 
   In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the out-processing facility, the common drive means is a continuous drive belt. For achieving limited drive slip while maintaining a cost-effective design of the roller conveyor, the drive belt can be guided between the rollers or cylinders and a pressure support. Counter-pressure rollers are preferred for the pressure support. 
   For achieving sufficient constructive freedom in the design of the drive and reversing devices for the drive means for the roller conveyor it is furthermore suggested that the drive belt that acts as drive means is reversed via reversing rollers that are disposed in or under the loading area and/or the out-processing area. 
   In accordance with one preferred embodiment, for the rollers or cylinders of the out-processing facility it is provided that the drive belt drives an element that is preferably embodied as a sleeve and that is rotatably borne on the roller or cylinder. In this manner intentional but also only limited friction is achieved between the freely rotatable sleeve and the roller or cylinder. This leads to the cylinder being driven very “softly” with only limited driving torque, in contrast to which when this driving torque increases the striking surfaces spin between sleeve and pin, so that no significant driving torque is transferred from the sleeve to the cylinder any longer. It is advantageous when the coefficient of friction between roller or cylinder and the element is less than the coefficient of friction between the element and the drive belt. The “soft” drive of the cylinders achieved in this manner leads to a reduction in the conveyor pressure in the roller conveyor so that above all only a small amount of pressure is exerted on the individual goods arranged at the first position on the removal side end of the storage passage. It is furthermore advantageous that the removal apparatus for the out-processing area can also be operated with lower drive power due to the limited dynamic pressure of the items. 
   Preferably the reversing roller arranged below the out-processing area is driven by the reversing rollers via which the drive belt is guided. In this manner the roller conveyor can be driven via the same main drive that drives the removal apparatus. The total number of drives required, in the form of electromotors, for instance, can thus be reduced in this manner, and the out-processing facility can be produced more cost-effectively. In addition, it is suggested that the motion for the drive means for the roller conveyor comes from the rotational motion of the common drive shaft. 
   It has proved particularly advantageous during out-processing of containers of groceries that are in part very different in weight and size for the roller conveyors to be inclined in the direction toward the removal apparatus. The individual goods on the roller conveyors are thus transported using two different mechanisms, these being gravity as a result of the inclined roller conveyor and the motor drive of the rollers or cylinders by means of the common drive means. This simultaneous dual mechanism leads to excellent uniformity in the transport speed for the individual goods, regardless of their weight or size. Beverage cases that have a relatively high specific weight are transported along the roller conveyor just as rapidly as particularly light containers such as cartons of potato chips or packages of toilet paper. An angle of incline for the roller conveyor of 2.5 to 6%, preferably 3 to 5.5%, has proved particularly suitable for achieving this averaging effect. 
   One preferred embodiment of the out-processing facility is characterized in that a transport conveyor that is preferably continuously driven extends along the removal apparatus and transverse to the passages for the items removed using the removal apparatus, and in that a component of each removal apparatus in addition to the horizontal conveyor is an actuatable retaining element projecting into the conveyor path of the roller conveyor, whereby the conveying speed of the horizontal conveyor is greater than the conveying speed of the roller conveyor. Preferably the conveyor speed of the horizontal conveyor is at least 25% greater than the conveyor speed of the roller conveyor. This achieves assured and problem free separation of the first items to be removed from the items arranged thereafter being conveyed via the roller conveyor. 
   Furthermore suggested is a controlled switchable coupling for periodically using the rotational motion of the common drive shaft to actuate an unblocking motion by the retaining element that releases the conveyor path, whereby the coupling of each removal apparatus can be controlled separately from the other couplings. In contrast to the unblocking motion, it is not necessary to use the present motor drives for the subsequent re-blocking motion of the retaining element. On the contrary, it is sufficient when the retaining element is provided with restoring means that act upon the retaining element with a restoring force in the direction of its blocking motion, whereby the restoring force is less than the weight of the items/goods containers stored in the passage. This restoring force can be produced for instance by the weight or the force of a suitable restoring spring. 
   The coupling preferably annularly encloses the common drive shaft, and the output member of the coupling is a cam that pivots against the retaining element when the coupling is actuated. 
   With the goal of a compact design for the out-processing area, it is suggested that the horizontal conveyor constitutes a driven first belt pulley, at least one additional belt pulley that runs therewith, and a continuous belt guided via the belt pulleys, whereby the driven belt pulley defines the forward end and the belt pulley that runs therewith defines the rear end of the horizontal conveyor. 
   In order to keep the number of electrical drives as low as possible, in another embodiment it is suggested that the first belt pulley is seated on a drive shaft, and that the drive shaft is in a continuous rotational connection via an interposed gear with the main drive shaft that drives a plurality of roller conveyors. In this way, the drive of the horizontal conveyor can be derived from the movement of the main drive shaft, thereby eliminating separate drive sources. 
   One embodiment of the loading area of the inventive out-processing facility is characterized by a transport conveyor in the loading area that extends transverse to the passages for new items to be in-loaded, as well as by a transverse conveyor in the loading area. 
   In a first embodiment, separately actuatable transverse conveyors, the conveyor direction of which is toward each passage, can be arranged between the transport cylinders of every passage. Th us, in this embodiment each passage is provided with a discrete transverse conveyor in the area of the transport conveyor. 
   In contrast, a second embodiment is characterized by a transverse conveyor that is common for a plurality of passages and that can be adjusted along the transport conveyor in a position in front of each of the passages. This solution involves lower costs, but requires that the transverse conveyor be able to move in the longitudinal direction along the transport conveyor. 
   In one preferred embodiment of the transverse conveyor, it is proposed that it be provided with belt pulleys via which a continuous drive belt or a drive chain is guided, and that two pick-up elements for the items are arranged on the drive belt or drive chain. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following explains inventive out-processing facilities using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings.  FIGS. 1 through 8  illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of an out-processing facility,  FIGS. 9 through 17  illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of an out-processing facility. Specifically, in the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a section of an out-processing facility constituting a loading area, a storage area, and an order-processing area; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged top view of a part of the out-processing facility, whereby for reasons of simplification the storage area is shown much abbreviated; 
       FIG. 3  is a detailed drawing of a passage corresponding to approximately to  FIG. 2  with associated loading area and an associated removal apparatus; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section along line IV—IV in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlargement of detail V in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-section along line VI—VI in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates details of the removal of items on the out-processing side of the out-processing facility in six steps; and, 
       FIG. 8  illustrates details of loading the passage in the loading area of the out-processing facility in six steps. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective illustration of a section of an out-processing facility constituting a loading area, a storage area, and an order-processing area; 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged top view of a part of the out-processing facility, whereby for reasons of simplification the storage area is shown much abbreviated; 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of one storage passage of the out-processing facility; 
       FIG. 12  is an enlargement and partial side view of the storage passage in accordance with  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of a side area of the storage passage in accordance with  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-section along line XIV—XIV in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  illustrates details of the removal of items on the out-processing side of the out-processing facility in six steps; 
       FIG. 16   a  is an enlargement of a section of the first partial illustration in  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 16   b  is an enlargement of a section of the second partial illustration in  FIG. 15 ; and, 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of details of a transverse conveyor arranged in the loading area of the out-processing facility. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The out-processing facility for individual goods, including full cases of beverages and boxes of grocery items that have a very high turn-around rate in commercial trade, essentially comprises a storage area  1 , a loading area  2  upstream of the storage area  1 , and an out-processing area  3  downstream of the storage area  1 . New individual goods that are to be in-loaded are in-loaded in the loading area  2  into the correct storage site within the storage area  1 . In the out-processing area  3 , the individual goods corresponding to the order are removed, computer-controlled, from the storage area  1  and conveyed to a location at which the orders are then assembled and if needed packed in larger packages. Provided for removing the individual items from the storage area  1  are removal apparatus  4  that place the items removed individually from the storage area  1  onto a downstream transport conveyor  5  along which the items are then further transported. 
   The items are also supplied to the loading area  2  by means of a continuously-driven transport conveyor  6 , which, like the transport conveyor  5  of the out-processing area  3 , can constitute a plurality of driven transport cylinders  6   a  upon which the transported individual goods roll. 
   The storage area  1  constitutes a plurality of storage passages  7  that are arranged parallel to one another. The passages  7  are slightly inclined in the direction of the removal apparatus  4  and comprise roller conveyors  8  made of rollers or cylinders that are borne in profiles on either side. Limits  9  separate the individual passages  7  from one another so that goods cannot inadvertently travel into adjacent passages. In the framework of the embodiments explained in more detail in the following, the function of the limits  9 , that is, lateral guidance of the goods, can also be realized by flanges on the rollers or cylinders. 
   Only items or goods of the same type are located in each passage  7  in the out-processing facility. It is therefore possible to store four different types of items in the storage area  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , which comprises a total of four passages. Items of the same type are arranged one behind the other in each passage  7 , whereby they move up to the end of the passage  7  facing the out-processing area  3  as a result of the drive of the roller conveyor, described in greater detail in the following, and the forward-most item is held there at a retaining element. Conveying the items along the roller conveyors  8  is furthermore enhanced by gravity due to the incline of the roller conveyors at the angle labeled α in FIG.  1 . 
   The total of four passages  7  illustrated in  FIG. 1  together form one module  10 . A plurality of such modules can be arranged adjacent to one another so that, depending on physical parameters, up to 100 passages can be arranged adjacent to one another and with common devices of the loading area  2  and the out-processing area  3 . In addition, the illustrated out-processing area can be arranged in several layers in order to increase space utilizaton. 
   The transport conveyor  6  is common to all passages  7 , which is why even items of different types can be conveyed using the transport conveyor  6 . In order to categorize each of these items into the correct passage  7 , a discrete transverse conveyor  11  with a direction of conveyance  12  in the direction of the passage is arranged in front of each passage. Each transverse conveyor  11  is controlled fully automatically depending on the group of items supplied via the transport conveyor  6 . These can be identified, for instance, using a barcode located on the individual goods. 
   As an illustration of the principle, it cannot be seen from  FIG. 1  that a second out-processing area can be disposed on the other side of the transport conveyor  6  that faces away from the passages  7  so that out-processing areas on both sides can be loaded via the transport conveyor  6 . Naturally in this case the transverse conveyors  11  should be able to transport in both directions. 
   In the out-processing area  3 , the items are removed individually from the passages  7  by means of the removal apparatus  4  and are transferred to the common transport conveyor  5 , which extends transverse to the passages. Each individual passage  7  is allocated a discrete removal apparatus  4 , which is why items can be removed from several passages  7  at once and transferred to the transport conveyor  5 , which is designed to be wide enough for this purpose. 
   Details and the functioning of the roller conveyors  8  of the storage area are described in the following using  FIGS. 2 through 6 . 
   The cylinders  15  of each roller conveyor can be caused to rotate via a drive means that is common to all of the cylinders in the roller conveyor. This common drive means is a continuous drive belt  16  that is guided via reversing rollers  17 ,  18 . The reversing roller  17  is located below the out-processing area  3 , and the reversing roller  18  is located below the loading area  2  of the out-processing facility. Provided in addition are suitable tension rollers  19  that produce the tensioning pressure on the drive belt that is required for properly transporting the drive belt  16 . This tension can also be produced directly via the reversing rollers  17  and  18 , however. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate how the drive belt  16  effects the drive of the individual cylinders  15  in the roller conveyor. The drive belt  16  comprises a continuous base body  20  that remains the same thickness across its entire length, and drive segments  21  in the form of toothed bands affixed by segment to the base body  20 . However, the drive segments  21  cover only a portion of the length of the drive belt  16  so that there are additional segments between each drive segment  21  that do not have any teeth. Both groups, that is, the segments of the drive belt  16  provided with the drive segments  21  and the segments of the drive belt  16  comprising only the base body  20 , alternate, whereby the intervals between successive drive segments  21  are preferably the same. 
   The cylinders  15  at their ends are provided with opposing teeth  22  that engage with the teeth of the drive segments  21 . In this manner a cylinder  15  is only driven if one of the drive segments  21  is directly beneath it. In contrast, a cylinder  15  is not driven if directly beneath it there is only the base body  20  of the drive belt  16 . 
   To ensure that the drive belt  16  in the region of its drive segments  21  engages securely with the opposing teeth  22  in the cylinders  15 , the resultant reaction force must be absorbed. A pressure support  23  is used for this; it extends across the entire length of the roller conveyor  8  in the form of a continuous surface. The carrying or upper run of the drive belt  16  is thus pulled between the pressure support  23  and the individual cylinders  15 . The interval is designed such that the drive segments  21  of the drive belt  16  are pulled through this gap with no play so that the teeth and opposing teeth  22  truly engage. The pressure support  23  is formed by the flat top side of a profile  24  that is inserted in a roller conveyor profile  25 . An exterior leg  26  of the roller conveyor profile  25  bears the individual rollers or cylinders  15 . The rollers or cylinders  15  are provided with short axes  27  that are attached to the exterior leg  26  of the roller conveyor profile  25  via clips  28  that can be clipped on. The clips  28  make it possible to exchange individual cylinders for other cylinders rapidly and easily. During return transport, the bottom run of the drive belt  16  runs inside the roller conveyor profile  25 , preferably on the smooth upper side  29  of the profile  24 , as seen in FIG.  6 . 
   Details and functioning of the removal apparatus  4  are explained in the following using FIG.  7 . 
   Each removal apparatus  4  constitutes a horizontal conveyor  30  and a retaining element  31 . The horizontal conveyor  30 , the conveying level of which is the same as the conveying level of the roller conveyor  8 , comprises two belt pulleys  32 ,  33  that guide a wide belt  34 . Each horizontal conveyor  30  comprises a total of three of these belts  34 . The belt pulley  32 , which is farther away from the roller conveyor  8 , is driven and is seated therefor directly on a drive shaft  35 . The drive shaft  35  is continuously driven and simultaneously drives the horizontal conveyors  30  of a plurality of passages. All of the horizontal conveyors  30  therefore run continuously. In contrast to the belt pulley  32 , the other belt pulley  33  of the horizontal conveyor  30  is not driven. The belt pulley  33  is located in the closest possible proximity to the roller conveyor  8 . In the exemplary embodiment there is located between the belt pulley  33  and the closest cylinder  15  of the roller conveyor, a smaller, free-running roller  36 . 
   Another component of the retaining element  31  of the removal apparatus  4  is furthermore a lever  37 , at the end of which is located the blocking member of the retaining element. The lever  37  is borne on a horizontal axis  38 . The retaining element  31  can be pivoted back and forth about the axis  38  between two positions. In the first position, illustrated at the top of  FIG. 7 , the blocking member of the retaining element  31  projects into the conveyance path for the items  39 . In its other position, the retaining element  31  drops to the conveying level or below. The second and third stages illustrated in  FIG. 7  show the retaining element  31  in this position. 
   Provided in order to move the retaining element  31  out of its blocking position into its unblocking position is a cam  40  that is borne on an axis that is coaxial with the drive shaft  35 . The cam  40  has a surface  41  that runs along a roller  42 , whereby the roller  42  is located on the lever  37 . In the exemplary embodiment, the lever  37  is a two-armed lever, whereby the blocking member is located at the end of one arm of the blocking member, while the roller  42  is borne on the length of the other arm. 
   If the cam  40  is rotated approximately 90°, as can be seen in the second stage of  FIG. 7  compared to the first stage in the figure, the interaction of the surface  41  with the roller  42  causes the lever  37  to move, the retaining element  31  dropping below the conveying level of the roller conveyor. At this point in time, the first item  39  is no longer retained by the retaining element  31  and therefore rolls, driven by the roller conveyor, and if necessary by gravity, onto the horizontal conveyor  30 . As soon as the bottom side of the first item  39  comes into contact with the belt  34  of the horizontal conveyor  30 , the item  39  immediately assumes the speed of the horizontal conveyor  30 . Depending on the weight of the item, this speed is at least 25% greater than the speed of the roller conveyor  8 . Due to this greater speed on the horizontal conveyor  30 , the first item  39  is separated from the subsequent item  39   a .  FIG. 7  illustrates this with the different speeds V 2  and V 1 , V 2  being greater than V 1 . 
   In the third stage in accordance with  FIG. 7 , the item  39 , conveyed with its weight virtually exclusively by the horizontal conveyor  30  at its speed, rolls over the retaining element  31 . At this point in time, the cam  40  has dropped again due to a time control. In addition, the retaining element  31  remains in its lowered position, since its restoring force is less than the weight of the item  39 . The aforesaid restoring force is produced by a counterweight  43  that is suspended on the second arm of the lever  37 . The lever  37  of the retaining element cannot pivot upward again due to the counterweight  43  until the bottom side of the item  39  has passed over the retaining element  31 , as illustrated in the fourth stage of FIG.  7 . The conveyor is immediately blocked again so that the subsequent item  39   a  is stopped at the retaining element  31 . Then the next removal procedure can be initiated, whereby the method repeats. The item  39  conveyed off by the horizontal conveyor  30  travels onto the transport cylinders  6   a  of the continuously driven transport conveyor  5 . 
   The cam  40  is driven by the continuous rotation of the drive shaft  35 . Seated on the drive shaft  35  is an electrical magnetic coupling  44 , the drive member of which is the cam  40 . Thus it is only during the time-delimited excitation of the magnetic coupling  44  that the cam  40  is actuated and the retaining element  31  thus unblocks. The drive force to be applied for this is relatively low, which is why a small magnetic coupling on the drive shaft  35  is sufficient for driving the cam  40 . A tension spring  45  draws the cam  40  back to its rest position. 
   The details and functioning of the transverse conveyor  11  in the loading facility  2  of the out-processing facility are explained in the following using FIG.  8 . Located in front of each passage is a discrete transverse conveyor  11 . The transverse conveyor  11  works, as was explained in the foregoing for the out-processing area, using a continuous belt  46  that is guided over belt pulleys  47 ,  48 . Belt  46  and belt pulleys  47 ,  48  are provided with mutually engaging teeth for preventing slip. A chain can also be employed instead of the belt  46 , and pinions instead of the belt pulleys  47 ,  48 . 
   The carrying or upper run  49  of the belt  46  is located somewhat lower than the top side of the transport cylinders  6   a . Belt  46  and belt pulleys  47 ,  48  are relatively narrow so that they fit between two successive transport cylinders  6   a  in the transport conveyor  6 . Arranged on the exterior side of each continuous belt  46  are catch elements  50  that can circulate together with the belt  46 . When they are on the carrying run of the drive belt  46 , the catch or pick-up elements  50  project higher than the conveying surface  51  of the transport conveyor  6 . 
   As can be seen in the uppermost illustration in  FIG. 8 , the interval between pick-up elements  50  is somewhat greater than the length of the carrying run  49 . In this manner, neither of the two pick-up elements  50  projects over the conveying surface  51 , and thus into the conveying path of the transport conveyor, in the uppermost stage illustrated in FIG.  8 . It is not until the transverse conveyor  11  has been turned on that the exterior of the two pick-up elements  50  moves up and grips the item  52  so that it is pushed along the transport rollers  6   a  into the passage  7 . A total of two pick-up elements  50  are provided in the exemplary embodiment, but their number can also be lower or higher, depending on the width of the transport conveyor  6 . 
   The transport belts  46  of the transverse conveyor  11  are also driven using magnetic couplings  53 . The magnetic couplings  53  are seated on a main drive shaft  54  that is common to all of the transverse conveyors  11  and that can be controlled separately for each passage. When current is flowing, the magnetic couplings  53  produce a momentary connection between the belt pulley  48  and the main drive shaft  54 , the drive belt  46  thus being caused to operate for as long as current flows in the magnetic coupling  53 . 
   As can be seen in particular from  FIG. 2 , the main drive shaft  54  causes not only all of the transverse conveyors  11  to move, but it also drives the roller conveyor  8 . An additional shaft  55  extends parallel to the main drive shaft  54 , whereby the additional shaft  55  is driven by means of a reversing gear  56  by the main drive shaft  54 . The reversing gear  56  comprises two opposing toothed wheels that are seated on the main drive shaft  54  or shaft  55  secure against torque. The reversing roller  18  is seated on the shaft  55  via an additional magnetic coupling  57  and is the drive roller for the drive belt  16 . Thus, while the shaft  55  runs continuously driven by the main drive shaft  54 , torque is only transferred to the reversing roller  18  when the magnetic coupling  57  is actuated. In this manner it is possible, controlled by the magnetic coupling  57 , to drive the roller conveyor  8  only as needed. This is the case when new items are to be in-loaded into the passages in the loading area  2 , or when an item is to be removed from this passage in the out-processing area. Otherwise the roller conveyor for this passage can rest due to the non-actuation of the magnetic coupling  57 , so that the item there is not subjected to unnecessary friction. 
   Finally, as can be seen from  FIG. 2 , each transverse conveyor  11  constitutes a plurality of transport belts  46 , four transport belts each in the exemplary embodiment. This achieves better and quieter transverse transport of the items  52  into the passages. The transport cylinders  6   a  of the transport conveyor  6  stand still during this transverse transport. 
     FIG. 9  illustrates an overview of a second embodiment of the out-processing facility. Deviating from the embodiment in accordance with  FIGS. 1 through 8 , provided in the loading area  2  is a transverse conveyor  11  that is common for a plurality of storage passages  7  and that can be positioned along the transport conveyor  6  in a position in front of each of the storage passages  7 . 
   From the top view in  FIG. 10  it can be seen that extending along both longitudinal sides of the transport conveyor  6  are rails  60  on which the transverse conveyor  11  can be moved, for which purpose the transverse conveyor has a suitable drive. 
   In addition, as can be seen in  FIG. 17 , the transverse conveyor comprises a continuous belt  46  or a corresponding continuous chain. Belt  46  or chain are guided via belt pulleys  47 ,  48 , so that a carrying or upper run  61  and a bottom run  62  result. Affixed to the belt or chain are the two pick-up elements  50 , which, as soon as they are at the height of the bottom run  62  of the drive belt  46 , project directly over the conveying surface  51  of the transport conveyor  6 . If the transverse conveyor  11  is turned on, this leads to the belt  46  or chain being driven, whereby, as soon as it reaches the height of the bottom run  62 , whichever pick-up element  50  is next acquires the item  52  located there, whereby it is pushed along the transport cylinders  6   a  into the storage passage  7 . Provided in the exemplary embodiment are a total of two pick-up elements  50 ; however, their number can also be lower or higher, depending on the width of the transport conveyor  6 . If only two pick-up elements  50  are used, during idle periods they are located in the positions indicated in  FIG. 17 , that is, the pick-up element  50  that will acquire the next item  52  is already situated on the bottom run  62  and thus is in a waiting position at the same height as the item. 
   As can also be seen from  FIG. 10 , the pick-up elements  50  are longitudinally-extended, horizontal cylinders with the axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of motion. 
   In the out-processing facility in accordance with  FIGS. 9 through 17 , the roller conveyors  8  are driven by means of a main drive shaft  63  that is situated in the out-processing area  3 . This main drive shaft  63  is uniform for one entire module  10  of the out-processing facility. In accordance with  FIG. 9 , the module  10  comprises a total of four storage passages. However, one module can also be formed from six or eight storage passages, which then have a discrete drive source for the main drive shaft  63 . This drive source is turned on as soon as items need to be conveyed in one of the storage passages of the affected module  10 , regardless of whether this conveying is along one of the roller conveyors  8  or is removal conveying by means of one of the removal apparatus  4  in the module. 
   For every storage passage  7  the main drive shaft  63  is provided with a reversing roller  17  that is fixedly joined to the main drive shaft  63 . The drive belt  16  for the rollers or cylinders of the roller conveyor  8  is guided via the reversing roller  17 . Furthermore, sitting on the main drive shaft  63  for each storage passage is a discrete coupling  64  that also annularly encloses the main drive shaft  63  just as the magnetic couplings described in the fore going. The couplings  64  can be actuated electrically and when current is flowing drive a cam  65 ,  40 , the details of which will be described in greater detail in the following. 
   The main drive shaft  63  is joined via a greatly stepped up spur gear  66  to a parallel shaft  67  that is separate for each storage passage and that drives the horizontal conveyor  30  of the removal apparatus. 
   In the exemplary embodiment described herein, therefore, both the roller conveyor and the removal apparatus are driven directly or indirectly by the main drive shaft  63 . 
   Again, the drive for the roller conveyor is not the only transport mechanism for the items conveyed along the roller conveyor. In accordance with  FIG. 11 , the roller conveyor  8  is also inclined at an angle α with respect to the horizontal so that the items situated on the roller conveyor are also conveyed along the roller conveyor by gravity. The angle of inclination α is relatively small and is preferably only 4%. 
   In accordance with  FIG. 11 , the individual rollers or cylinders  15  for the roller conveyor  8  are driven via the continuous belt  16  that is guided at one end via the reversing roller  17  and at the other via the reversing roller  18 . Only the reversing roller  17  is driven, since it is fixedly seated on the main drive shaft  63 , whereas the reversing roller  18  runs free and its only function is to reverse. The roller  19  in front of the roller  18  permits the drive belt tension to be adjusted. 
   Details of how the individual cylinders  15  are driven will be explained in the following using  FIGS. 12 through 14 . The drive belt  16  comprises a flat, preferably rubberized belt that is guided between the cylinders  15  and counterpressure rollers  68 . The counterpressure rollers  68  constitute the pressure support. One counterpressure roller  68  is on two to four cylinders  15 . 
     FIG. 14  illustrates that the ends of the rollers  15  that are driven by means of the drive belt  16  are provided with a pin  69  that preferably has a smaller diameter than the cylinder body itself. Sitting on the pin  69  that is arranged coaxially with the cylinder body is a sleeve  70  against the outer surface  71  of which the top side of the drive belt  16  is frictionally engaged. Pin  69  and sleeve  70  are preferably cylindrical. What is essential is that there is only a little friction between the exterior side of the pin  69  and the interior surface of the sleeve  70 , which can be achieved for instance by pairing suitable materials. Easy to move on plastics are particularly suitable. Furthermore essential is that the coefficient of friction between pin  69  and sleeve  70  is less than the coefficient of friction between sleeve  70  and the top side of the drive belt  16 . 
   In that the drive belt  16  does not act directly upon the cylinders  15 , but rather only indirectly via elements that are embodied as sleeves  70  in the exemplary embodiment, the cylinder  15  is driven very softly. As soon as the cylinder  15  is braked, for instance due to the weight of the item container thereupon, this leads to a relative motion between pin  69  and sleeve  70 , that is, the pin  69  that is securely joined to the cylinder is at rest, while the sleeve  70 , driven by the drive belt  16 , continues to turn. As a result, the cylinders are driven by means of a slip that self-adjusts automatically whenever the resistance of the cylinders becomes too high. This latter is always the case when the items located on the roller conveyor back up at the retaining element  31  of the removal apparatus  4 . This back-up therefore does not lead to an increased load on the drive of the roller conveyor, but rather the drive forces remain very low due to the slip that self-adjusts automatically at the cylinders  15 . 
   In fact, use of the sleeves  70  has a two-fold effect: not only are the cylinders  15  driven very softly in order for instance to make it possible to transport light-weight item containers with no problem, but another effect is that the cylinders  15  are braked. This effect is achieved with items that are particularly heavy. As a result of the inclination of the roller conveyor  8 , due to their high weight they tend to achieve speeds that are too high on the roller conveyor. In this case the more slowly driven cylinders  15  act as braking bodies, whereby the relative speed itself is compensated by the slip that self-adjusts between the cylinders  15  and the sleeves  70  and that works with metered friction. The combination of the slightly inclined roller conveyor  8  and the sleeves  70  operating under slip therefore brakes items that are of above-average weight and actively transports items that are of below-average weight. Overall there is therefore averaging; both light and heavy items, as well as large and small containers, are transported at essentially the same speed along the storage passages. 
   The structure and functioning of the removal apparatus  4  illustrated in  FIGS. 15 ,  16   a , and  16   b  largely correspond to the function and manner in which the embodiment in  FIG. 7  works. The design of the retaining element  31  is different. It comprises two freely rotatable cylinders  72  arranged one above the other. The advantage of these cylinders instead of a simple plate is the lower frictional resistance when the lever  37  is drawn downward. In addition, as can be seen from the third illustration in  FIG. 15 , the item  39  that has just been released runs over the cylinder  72  with a lower resistance than over a rigid plate, as in the embodiment in accordance with FIG.  7 . 
   The cam  40  is provided for transitioning the retaining element  31  from its blocking position illustrated in  FIG. 16   a  to its unblocking position illustrated in  FIG. 16   b . It has the cam surface  41  that runs on the roller  42  of the two-armed lever  37 . 
   If the cam is rotated approx. 75° in accordance with  FIGS. 16   a  and  16   b , the interaction of the surface  41  with the roller  42  of the two-armed lever  37  thus causes the lever  37  to move, the retaining element  31 , that is, its cylinders  72  acting as blocking element, dropping below the conveying level of the roller conveyor. The first item  39  rolls, driven by the roller conveyor and if necessary by gravity, onto the horizontal conveyor  30 . As soon as the bottom side of the first item  39  comes into contact with the belt  34  of the horizontal conveyor  30 , the item  39  immediately assumes the speed of the horizontal conveyor  30 , which, depending on the weight of the item, is at least 25% higher than the speed of the roller conveyor  8 . 
   Even after the cam  40  re-releases the lever  37 , the retaining element  31  remains in its lowered position since its restoring force is less than the weight of the item  39 . The restoring force is produced by a tension spring  73  that is suspended on the second arm of the lever  37 . 
   When an item is removed by means of the removal apparatus the cam  40  performs one complete revolution, that is one 360° revolution. It is driven by the continuous rotational motion of the main drive shaft  63 . The electrically-actuated coupling  64  mentioned in the foregoing is used for this. The coupling  64  can be a frictional coupling, a claw coupling, or a coupling that operates magnetically. 
   The driven belt pulley  32  of the horizontal conveyor is seated on the shaft  67  extending parallel to the main drive shaft  63 . Guided thereover as well as over the belt pulley  33  is the wide belt  34 , the exterior side of which is also the conveying surface for the removal apparatus. As can be seen from  FIG. 10 , a total of four such belts  34  are used in each removal apparatus in order to form an even surface for the items to be removed. As already described, the non-positive fit between the main drive shaft  63  and the shaft  67  is formed via the greatly stepped up spur gear  66  with the toothed wheels  66   a  on the main drive shaft  63  and  66   b  on the shaft  67 . 
   It is obvious that the out-processing facility described in detail in the foregoing is program-controlled. Despite its complexity, the expense for the controls is relatively low since the great majority of processes can be controlled by turning on and off the couplings, which require practically no maintenance. 
   The specification incorporates by reference the disclosure of German priority document 100 20 608.5 filed 27 Apr. 2000 and International priority documents PCT/EP00/04801 filed 26 May 2000 and PCT/EP99/08823 filed 17 Nov. 1999. 
   The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Legend 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
                1 
               Storage area 
             
             
                 
                2 
               Loading area 
             
             
                 
                3 
               Out-processing area 
             
             
                 
                4 
               Removal apparatus 
             
             
                 
                5 
               Transport conveyor 
             
             
                 
                6 
               Transport conveyor 
             
             
                 
                6a 
               Transport cylinder 
             
             
                 
                7 
               Storage passage 
             
             
                 
                8 
               Roller conveyor 
             
             
                 
                9 
               Limit, flange 
             
             
                 
               10 
               Module 
             
             
                 
               11 
               Transverse conveyor 
             
             
                 
               12 
               Direction of conveyance 
             
             
                 
               13 
               Transverse conveyor direction of travel 
             
             
                 
               15 
               Cylinder 
             
             
                 
               16 
               Drive belt 
             
             
                 
               17 
               Reversing roller 
             
             
                 
               18 
               Reversing roller 
             
             
                 
               19 
               Tension roller 
             
             
                 
               20 
               Base body 
             
             
                 
               21 
               Drive segment 
             
             
                 
               22 
               Opposing teeth 
             
             
                 
               23 
               Pressure support 
             
             
                 
               24 
               Profile 
             
             
                 
               25 
               Roller conveyor profile 
             
             
                 
               26 
               Leg 
             
             
                 
               27 
               Axis 
             
             
                 
               28 
               Clip 
             
             
                 
               29 
               Upper side 
             
             
                 
               30 
               Horizontal conveyor 
             
             
                 
               31 
               Retaining element 
             
             
                 
               32 
               Belt pulley 
             
             
                 
               33 
               Belt pulley 
             
             
                 
               34 
               Belt 
             
             
                 
               35 
               Drive shaft 
             
             
                 
               36 
               Roller 
             
             
                 
               37 
               Lever 
             
             
                 
               38 
               Axis 
             
             
                 
               39 
               Item to be removed 
             
             
                 
               39a 
               Subsequent item 
             
             
                 
               40 
               Cam 
             
             
                 
               41 
               Cam surface 
             
             
                 
               42 
               Roller 
             
             
                 
               43 
               Counterweight 
             
             
                 
               44 
               Magnetic coupling 
             
             
                 
               45 
               Tension spring 
             
             
                 
               46 
               Transport belt 
             
             
                 
               47 
               Belt pulley 
             
             
                 
               48 
               Belt pulley 
             
             
                 
               49 
               Carrying run 
             
             
                 
               50 
               Pick-up element 
             
             
                 
               51 
               Conveying surface 
             
             
                 
               52 
               Item 
             
             
                 
               53 
               Magnetic coupling 
             
             
                 
               54 
               Main drive shaft 
             
             
                 
               55 
               Shaft 
             
             
                 
               56 
               Reversing gear 
             
             
                 
               57 
               Magnetic coupling 
             
             
                 
               60 
               Rail 
             
             
                 
               61 
               Carrying run 
             
             
                 
               62 
               Bottom run 
             
             
                 
               63 
               Main drive shaft 
             
             
                 
               64 
               Coupling 
             
             
                 
               65 
               Cam 
             
             
                 
               66 
               Spur gear 
             
             
                 
               66a 
               Toothed wheel 
             
             
                 
               66b 
               Toothed wheel 
             
             
                 
               67 
               Shaft 
             
             
                 
               68 
               Counterpressure roller 
             
             
                 
               69 
               Pin 
             
             
                 
               70 
               sleeve 
             
             
                 
               71 
               Outer surface 
             
             
                 
               72 
               Cylinder 
             
             
                 
               73 
               Tension spring