Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for delivering large containers of goods, especially warehoused goods, such as pallets, to an out-processing station or to a transfer station. The apparatus includes an inclined delivery segment that leads to the out-processing station or transfer station and that has at least two tracks arranged essentially parallel that leave an intermediate space. At least one cart is arranged in each track. The carts form a first cart pair, whereby the carts run on wheels and have a bearing surface, whereby a large container can be placed on the bearing surfaces of the cart pair. Large containers can be moved using the inventive apparatus while avoiding the disadvantages of conventional roller tracks, such as pressing rollers into the wood on the underside of pallets and thereby causing the pallets to become stuck. A transport means, for instance a forklift in an article handling apparatus, can access the intermediate space left between the tracks so that a large container located in the delivery segment can be retrieved therefrom at any time and can, for instance be returned to storage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for delivering large containers of goods, especially warehoused goods such as pallets, to an out-processing station or transfer station, and includes an inclined delivery segment that leads into the out-processing station and that has at least one conveyor means for moving the large containers. 
     When warehousing goods or similar articles it is generally customary to consolidate those goods that are small in volume in larger containers, these containers then being stored separately, for instance on racks or shelves. Large containers in the context of this invention are especially pallets, wire cages, boxes, and similar containers that are suitable for receiving a plurality of small articles. 
     When a certain number of articles that have been combined in large containers need to be removed from storage, it is necessary to remove the large container from storage, for instance from the rack, to open the large container, and to remove the desired number of articles that are to be taken out of storage. This process is also known as out processing, whereby the articles combined in the large containers are called warehoused goods. 
     Usually the large containers are delivered to an out-processing station for this purpose, at which station the actual out-processing is then performed manually or automatically. 
     Known during transport of large containers on pre-specified conveyor segments is providing transfer stations at which the containers are removed from a conveyor segment and forwarded for further transport for instance, on a different conveyor segment to another transport means, or are even forwarded by conventional transport means such as by truck. 
     Known in prior art is removing the large container from storage using appropriate aids, for instance an article handling apparatus, placing it on a delivery segment that leads into the out-processing station or transfer station, and then transporting it via transport means to the out-processing station or transfer station. 
     The gravity exerted by the large container itself can be used to move the large container along the delivery segment. Provided for this is a delivery segment that is inclined to the horizontal and that has a roller conveyor as transport means. The large container, such as a pallet, is first placed on the roller conveyor at the beginning of the delivery segment and, due to its own gravity, moves along the individual rollers of the roller conveyor in the direction of the out-processing station or transfer station to which the delivery segment leads. Once there, out-processing of the desired quantity of articles can begin, or the large container is transferred, as described above. In the case of out-processing, if the large container is completely emptied, it is removed from the out-processing station and another large container can be delivered along the delivery segment. The same applies when a transfer takes place. 
     Furthermore known is dimensioning the delivery segments such that above the out-processing station one or more large containers, such as pallets, can be set aside and which, once the large container located in the out-processing station or transfer station has been processed and removed or transferred out of the out-processing station, can be transported into the out-processing or transfer station, which is now unoccupied. The advantage of such a solution is that this system can realize the so-called first-in/first-out technique, in which a large container that is the first placed on the delivery segment is also the first to be out-processed or transferred. This is particularly important for articles with limited shelf-life, since, due to their limited shelf-life, care must be taken that the articles that are placed in storage first are the first to be removed from storage in order that a maximum tolerable period of time is not exceeded. 
     It has been determined that in particular in connection with palletized goods, there are particular problems associated with the delivery segments that have roller conveyors integrated therein and that work using gravity. The various commonly-used pallets (such as the Europallet or the GMA pallets conventionally used in the United States) are usually made of wood. When a pallet is in the transfer or out-processing station of the known apparatus that has roller conveyors, and if another pallet has been placed on the roller conveyor in a wait position, the weight produced by the palletized goods places a load on the wood forming the underside of the pallet that is in contact with the rollers of the roller conveyor. This causes the rollers of the roller conveyor to press into the relatively soft wood of the pallet. If the out-processing of the pallet that is in the out-processing station lasts for an extended period, or if the out-processing is interrupted by a break in work for an extended period (for instance, a weekend), or if the pallet remains in the transfer station for an extended period until it is transferred, the rollers of the roller conveyor can press relatively deep into the wood on the underside of the pallet. Then, if the pallet located in the transfer or out-processing station is emptied and/or removed, and if the next pallet set on the roller conveyor in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station is to follow, it is possible that the rollers of the roller conveyor have been pressed so far into the wood on the underside of the pallet that the pallet can no longer automatically move over the rollers of the roller conveyor. On the contrary, it can be retained in its position by the rollers that are pressed into the wood. 
     Instead of the pallet moving in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station due to its own gravity, as provided, additional measures must now be undertaken. In the worst case scenario, when even additional force exerted on the pallet does not release the pressed-in rollers of the roller conveyor from the underside of the pallet, the pallet must be at least partially out-processed then and there, i.e., on the delivery segment, so that it is possible to move the pallet in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station by removing weight from it. 
     Not only do such occurrences interrupt transfer or out-processing operations, they also tie up resources that have to be used to release the pallet that is stuck on the roller conveyor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,270 provides one alternative to the roller conveyors described in the foregoing. This patent suggests using a cart that runs on an inclined track in order to move palletized goods along a delivery segment. The cart is formed by a frame and extends largely across the entire width of the delivery segment, which is approximately equal to the width of the pallet to be delivered. The cart has two axles with wheels, of which two run on a right-hand track and two run on a left-hand track. The problems associated with roller tracks that occur as described in the foregoing can be avoided with this known apparatus. However, since the cart extends across the entire width of the delivery segment and also across the entire width of the pallet, it is not possible with this solution to retrieve, using a transport device such as, for instance, a forklift on an article handling device, a pallet that is currently situated in the delivery segment and that was removed from the wagon and placed there. This is because such a forklift on an article handling device would be blocked by the cross-struts of the cart frame. 
     However, it is frequently necessary to remove, for instance, large containers that have been partially out-processed from an out-processing station and to return them to storage. It is desirable to perform this process in a manner that is as automated as possible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus the object of the invention is to further develop a known apparatus such that large containers located in the delivery segment can be simply and advantageously returned with an article handling device. 
     To achieve this object, the invention suggests an apparatus for delivery of large containers of goods, in particular warehoused goods, to an out-processing station or transfer station, and comprises: 
     an inclined delivery station that leads to the out-processing station or transfer station, which delivery station has at least two tracks arranged essentially parallel leaving an intermediate space, and 
     at least two carts forming a cart pair, whereby each of said carts, which run on wheels, is arranged in one of the tracks for movement along the track; whereby said carts each have support or bearing surfaces, and whereby a large container can be placed upon the bearing surfaces of the cart pair. 
     Since, instead of a wide cart embodied across the entire width of the delivery segment, a cart pair is used that is arranged to leave a free intermediate space, the intermediate space or area thus available can be used to move in a transport means for retrieving a large container from the out-processing or transfer station or from the delivery segment. If a large container that has been introduced into the delivery segment for some reason must be removed therefrom, an article handling device with a forklift, for instance, can reach into the intermediate space between the tracks, take the large container, and convey it out of the delivery segment and back into a storage system, for instance. Such a design also minimizes the manual labor that has to be performed and enhances the flexibility of the facility. 
     In accordance with one advantageous further development of the invention, the apparatus has a stop or deposit device in the out-processing station or transfer station onto which a large container can be moved. The large container that has been brought to the out-processing station or transfer station is then moved from the cart onto the deposit device. The carts are thus then free to receive another large container. 
     In accordance with another advantageous further development of the invention, for moving the large container onto the deposit device, the bearing surfaces of the carts are each height-adjustable with respect to the distance to the wheels of the cart. In this manner the large container located on the bearing surfaces of the carts of the cart pair can be removed by lowering the bearing surfaces to the deposit device motion. In order to initiate lowering or raising of the bearing surface of the carts, the tracks can each have a stop at a first end and at a second end, which stops trigger a change in the distance between the bearing surfaces of the carts and their wheels when the carts strikes the stops. In accordance with an additional advantageous further development of the invention, for raising or lowering the surfaces of the carts, the carts can each have a base element on which the wheels are arranged and a carrier element that is displaceable relative to the base element and on which the bearing surface is arranged, whereby arranged on each of the base elements and carrier elements are slide members that are provided with inclined faces and that engage one another; displacement of the base element and carrier element relative to one another causes the height of the bearing surfaces to be adjusted. Such slide members are designed such that, when the carrier element or bearing surface is raised, the slide members lie against each other such that there is no displacement toward the lowered position. Displacement, and therefore lowering of the carrier element, due to mass inertia does not occur until the stop is struck. 
     In accordance with another advantageous further development of the invention, the tracks are formed by U-shaped profile tracks with a base and two legs arranged essentially perpendicular to said base, whereby the wheels of the cart run on the base. The cart located on this track is laterally guided by the legs due to the U-shaped embodiment of the tracks. The cart runs to some extent in a “channel” in which it is guided optimally. In tracks thus embodied, a deposit device for a large container can be embodied simply by outwardly angled bevels in the legs. These bevels impart to the U-shaped profile additional stability against torsional moment, while they also form a simple and stable deposit device. For tracks embodied in this manner, the bearing surfaces of the carts, the height of which bearing surfaces can be adjusted between a lowered position and a raised position, should be embodied such that they lie below the bevels of the legs when in the lower position and above the bevels of the legs when in the raised position. In this manner the large container located on the bearing surfaces can be moved onto the bevels by simply lowering the bearing surfaces of the carts. 
     A single cart pair suffices if the inventive apparatus is to be embodied in a length appropriate for simultaneously receiving two large containers. A second cart pair is required for an apparatus embodied for simultaneously receiving three large containers. This cart pair also includes two carts, each of which has wheels and a bearing surface. The carts can each run on the tracks for the first carts; the tracks should be embodied larger as appropriate. In addition, second tracks for the second cart pair can be provided adjacent to the first tracks. The only critical factor is that the space left between each of the tracks for the first and/or second cart pair is sufficient so that a transport means, for instance a forklift on an article handling device, can penetrate into this intermediate space and retrieve a large container placed in the apparatus. 
     For an apparatus designed for three pallets with two cart pairs, in accordance with one advantageous further development of the invention it is provided that the height-adjustable bearing surfaces of the first cart pair are higher in their raised position than the bearing surfaces of the second cart pair in their raised position. In this manner, if both cart pairs are located in a starting position at the beginning of the delivery segment or at the beginning of the tracks, a large container can be moved onto the higher bearing surface of the first cart pair; the second cart pair remains undisturbed in the wait position at the beginning of the delivery segment. It is not until the first cart pair is not located in the wait position at the beginning of the delivery segment that a large container can be moved onto the raised bearing surfaces of the second cart pair and conveyed together therewith in the direction of the out-processing or transfer station. 
     In order to return the carts to a starting position after moving the large container out of the out-processing or transfer station, these are connected to a retrieval means that exerts a force on the carts in the direction away from the out-processing or transfer station, which retrieval means returns the carts without large containers placed thereupon to the starting position at the beginning of the track. This retrieval means can be, for instance, a spring, preferably a helical spring, that is connected to the beginning of the track at one end and to the cart at the other. Potential retrieval means include general energy-accumulating apparatus, such as, for instance, a rubber band, or retrieval means operated by means of accumulation of electrical energy. However, the retrieval means can also be weights connected to the carts via cable means, said weights being suspended from the tracks via a reverse at the upper end of the tracks. In this case the weight of the weights is used as the retrieving force. 
     The incline of the delivery segment, and thus of the tracks, should be selected depending on the carts used such that the weight of the large container on the components arranged parallel to the delivery segment is sufficient to overcome the friction between the carts and the tracks as well as the friction of the bearings of the wheels on the carts and to produce a weight-actuated drive in the direction of the out-processing station or transfer station. Care must be taken that the component of the weight in the direction of the delivery segment or tracks does not become so great that the large container being transported reaches an excessive speed. Otherwise this could lead to damage to the goods in the large container if there is abrupt braking. In order to be able to transport large containers of different weights in the inventive apparatus, as the invention suggests, it is advantageous for the incline in the tracks to be adjustable by incline adjustment means. Such incline adjustment means can be, for instance, spring-elastic compressable supports on the higher starting end of the tracks. These give more when large containers that are heavy are placed on the carts at the beginning of the tracks than when those large containers that are not as heavy are placed thereupon, so that less of an incline is set for large containers that are heavy than for large containers that are lighter in weight. In this manner largely uniform, moderate transport speed can be achieved when the spring-elastic compressable supports are designed appropriately. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Additional advantages and features of the invention result from the exemplary embodiments described using the attached drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 a  is a perspective illustration of an inventive apparatus for delivering large containers of goods to an out-processing or transfer station with carts located in the out-processing or transfer station; 
     FIG. 1 b  is an enlargement of a section of FIG. 1 a  with the out-processing or transfer station; 
     FIG. 1 c  is an enlarged section of FIG. 1 b  with the part of the cart shown on the left in FIG. 1 b;    
     FIG. 2 a  is a section of the apparatus in accordance with FIG. 1, but with the cart located at the beginning of the tracks; 
     FIG. 2 b  is an enlarged section of the apparatus similar to that in FIG. 2 a , but with compressed support; 
     FIG. 2 c  in an embodiment that is an alternative to FIG. 2 a , is a section of the apparatus in accordance with FIG. 1 with an additional spring between base element and carrier element of the cart; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of an inventive apparatus for delivering large containers of goods, especially warehoused goods, to an out-processing station or transfer station in four different positions; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates two different exemplary embodiments for a lowering mechanism for adjusting the height of the bearing surface of a conveyor cart in the invention; 
     FIGS. 5 and 5 b  are schematic representations of an embodiment of an inventive apparatus with two parallel-running carts for a two-pallet system; 
     FIGS. 6 a  through  6   b  are schematic representations of an embodiment of an inventive apparatus with two parallel-running cart pairs in a three-pallet system; 
     FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  illustrate the sequence of events for delivering large containers by means of an inventive apparatus using a two-pallet system; and 
     FIGS. 8 a  through  8   c  illustrate the sequence of events for delivering large containers by means of an inventive apparatus in a three-pallet system. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 a  is a perspective drawing of an inventive apparatus  100 . Two inclined tracks  114  arranged essentially parallel to one another form a delivery segment. The tracks  114  lead at their lower ends into an out-processing or transfer station  101 . Left between the tracks  114  is an intermediate space  103  into which, for instance, an article handling device (not shown) reaches with a forklift and thus can receive and return large containers located in the apparatus. The front track  114  is shown partially cut away in the illustration. A cart or carriage  105  can be seen in this track  114  in the out-processing or transfer station  101 . The cart  105  runs on wheels  106  in the track  114 . 
     The higher ends of the tracks  114  are borne such that their height can be adjusted via spring-elastic compressable supports  104 . The tracks  114  are embodied in a U-shape with a base and two opposing legs that essentially run perpendicular to the base, whereby the legs have in their end regions bevels ( 123  in FIG. 1 c ) that form a deposit device for a large container. 
     FIGS. 1 b  and  1   c  are enlarged sections from FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b,  respectively. FIG. 1 b  illustrates a cut-away view of the cart  105  running in the front track  114  in the out-processing or transfer station  101 . The cart  105  comprises a base element  107  and a carrier element  108 . The height of the base elements  107  and carrier element  108  can be adjusted relative to one another. Formed on the upper side of the carrier element  108  is a support or bearing surface  109  on which a large container can be placed when the carrier element  108  is in the raised condition. Base element  107  and carrier element  108  are each embodied as U-shaped metal profiles, whereby the carrier element  108  is disposed in an inverted position over the base element  107 . The base element  107  carries the wheels  106  on axles joined to the base element  107 . Base element  107  and carrier element  108  each have two slide members  110  and  111 . The slide members of the elements each face the other element and the glide or slide members  110  and  111  are situated such that they cooperate in opposing pairs. The precise design of the slide members can be seen in the enlargement in FIG. 1 c . The slide member  110  is joined to the base element  107 . For this purpose the base element  107  has on its top side transverse slots in which the extensions on the slide member  110  engage, the projections being embodied with locking projections for locking the slide member to the base element  107 . The slide member  110  has an inclined face  112  that leads to a level surface  133  that is parallel to the upper surface of the base element  107 . The slide member  111  is joined to the carrier element  108  by means of a bolt  116 . The slide member  111  is also held by material bevels  115  embodied in the carrier element  108 , which bevels fix the slide member  111  in the longitudinal direction of the cart  105 . The slide member  111  also has an inclined face  113 . In the position illustrated here, the carrier element  108  of the cart, and therefore the bearing surface  109 , is shown in a lowered position. The slide members  110  and  111  are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the cart  105 , spaced apart from one another, whereby the slide member  111  lies on the base element  107  of the cart  105 . Carrier element  108  and base element  107  of the cart  105  are displaceable relative to one another inside a pre-set limit in the longitudinal direction of the cart  105 . This pre-set limit is determined by a slot  120  embodied in a slide guide  119  arranged in the base element  107 . A bolt  117  that is joined to the carrier element  108  and that is guided through a sleeve  118  engages the slot. The sleeve  118  and the bolt  117  can be moved back and forth in the slot  120  in the longitudinal direction of the cart  105 , wherein they determine the maximum relative displacement in the longitudinal direction between base element  107  and carrier element  108 . In this figure, the sleeve  118  is located at the left-hand end of the slot  120 . For limiting the movement of the cart in the downward direction of the track  114 , a stop  121  is arranged on the track and a counterstop  122  is arranged on the cart  105 . The stop  121  in this exemplary embodiment is formed simply by a bolt with a sleeve placed thereover, for instance a sleeve made of plastic or rubber; the counterstop comprises a pin fixed on the cart  105 . 
     In the situation illustrated in FIGS. 1 a  through  1   c , the carts  105  running in the tracks  114  have arrived in the out-processing station  101  and the bearing surfaces  109  are lowered. A large container originally placed on the cart is now placed on the bevels  123  of the tracks  114 ; the carts can return to their starting position using spring energy. 
     This situation is illustrated in FIGS. 2 a  through  2   c . In these drawings, the carts  105  are shown in the starting position at the higher end of the tracks  104 . The carrier elements  108  of the carts  105  are located in the raised positions. For this to happen the slide member  111  joined to the carrier element  108  has run up the inclined face  112  of the slide member  110  and rests on its level surface  133 . In this position the bearing surfaces  109  of the cart  105  project out over the legs of the track  114  and a large container can be placed on the cart. 
     In the position illustrated in FIGS. 2 a  through  2   c , the cart  105 , at a counterstop  132  arranged at the end on the right in the drawing, which counterstop is embodied as a pin like the counterstop  122  at the other end of the cart  105 , strikes a stop  131  joined to the track  114 . The stop  131  can be formed like the stop  121  by a bolt with a sleeve thereover, for instance a plastic or rubber sleeve. 
     A spring  129  for the cart  105  shown in the drawing can also be seen in this drawing; it runs on a roller  130 . The roller  130  unwinds this spring  129  when the cart  105  travels along the tracks  114  in the direction of the out-processing or transfer station  101 . If the large container is removed from the cart, the spring energy drawing the cart back to the starting position exceeds the weight of the cart so that the spring rewinds on the roller  130  and returns the cart  105  to its starting position. 
     If a large container is placed on the raised bearing surfaces  109  of the cart  105 , the friction between the slide members  110  and  111  is so great that the slide element  108  and therefore the bearing surface  109  remain in the raised position. The carts roll with the large container placed thereupon to the ends of the tracks  114  in the direction of the out-processing or transfer station  101 . Once there, the carts, at their counterstops  122 , strike the stops  121 . Due to the mass inertia of the carrier elements  108  and the large container placed thereupon, these cannot follow the abrupt stop of the cart  105  so that the carrier elements of the cart  105  move further in the direction of the downward incline of the tracks  114 . This overcomes the friction between the slide members  110  and  111 ; the carrier elements  108  displace relative to the base elements  107 . The slide members  111  slide down the inclined face  112  of the slide members  110  and the carrier elements  108  are lowered. The bearing surfaces  109  now travel to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 a  through  1   c , below the level of the bevels  123 , and the large container is deposited on the bevels. Released from the load of the large container, the spring energy of the spring  129  pulls the carts back in the direction of the starting position at the upper end of the tracks  114 . Once there, their counterstops  132  again strike the stops  131 , whereby a relative movement relative to the base element  107  in the direction of the upper end of the tracks  114  is carried out due to the mass inertia of the carrier elements  108 . The slide members  111  again slide up the inclined faces  112  of the slide members  110  and the carrier elements  108  and therefore the bearing surfaces  109  are raised again. 
     FIG. 2 c  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a helical spring  124  arranged between the base element  107  and the bolt  117  joined to the carrier element  108 . The force exerted on the carrier element due to the mass inertia when the cart strikes the upper stop in the track  114  can be augmented by means of this helical spring  124 . This helical spring  124  is arranged such that it exerts a force acting in the direction of the upper end of the tracks  114  on the carrier element  108  relative to the base element  107 . This supports the raising of the carrier element  108  so that this process occurs more reliably. 
     In FIGS. 2 a  through  2   c , the spring-elastic support  104  is shown in two different positions. In FIGS. 2 a  and  2   c  the spring-elastic support  104  is shown in its highest raised position. The spring-elastic support comprises a square conduit  126  and a helical spring  125  arranged therein. The square conduit  126  has longitudinal holes or slots  128  arranged in the axial direction into which project mandrels  127  that are joined securely to a frame. These mandrels  127  act as a guide for the square conduit  126 , which can be displaced relative to the mandrels; in addition, the upper mandrel  127  acts as a support for the helical spring  125 . The helical spring  125  is inserted between the upper mandrel  127  and the end of the square conduit  126  connected to the tracks  114 . It exerts on the higher end of the track  114  a pressure force that urges this end of the tracks  114  to raise and therefore to maximize the angle of inclination of the tracks  114 . In the situation illustrated in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   c , the spring-elastic support  104  is shown in a position at maximum height. This position is assumed when the cart is not loaded or when it is loaded with large containers that are very light in weight. If the cart  105  is loaded with a large container that is heavier, the weight exerted thereby causes the helical spring  125  to be compressed, the spring-elastic supports  104  are compressed, and the incline of the tracks  114  is reduced. In very heavy loads, the situation shown in FIG. 2 b  occurs, in which the spring  125  is maximally compressed and the mandrels  127  strike the upper end of the slots  128 . In this situation, the incline of the tracks  114  is minimized. Depending on the weight of the loads placed on the cart  105 , a weight-dependent incline in the tracks  114  is set between the illustrated extremes by the elastically compressable supports  104 . Thus, the optimal incline in terms of conveyor speed is always set for loads of various weight; there are no excessive conveyor speeds that could jeopardize goods located in the large containers. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates one option for the embodiment with a pair of carts  5 . It is shown in four different operational positions. A cart  5  runs on tracks  14  of the inclined delivery segment, at the end of which is a deposit device  7 . The cart has rollers  10  by means of which it can be moved with low friction on the tracks. The cart has a bearing surface  6 , the height of which can be adjusted between two positions. If the cart is at the beginning of the tracks, a pallet  3  can be placed upon the bearing surface  6 , and gravity causes the cart to move, as shown in the second diagram, in the direction of the deposit device  7 . A stop  8  is provided at the end of the tracks. If the cart  5  with the pallet  3  rolling down the inclined tracks strikes the stop  8 , the bearing surface  6  lowers, and the pallet  3  with the warehoused goods located thereupon is moved onto the deposit device  7 . The third diagram in this figure illustrates the situation in which the cart  5  with the lowered bearing surface  6  returns to the starting position. Another stop  9  is located in the starting position; it causes the bearing surface  6  to be raised when the cart strikes this stop  9 . The cart is now ready to receive another pallet. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates two different ways to make it possible for the height of the bearing surface  6  of the cart  5  to be adjusted. The first option illustrated here is to connect the bearing surface  6  formed on a carrier element  6   a  to a base element  13  via two rigid coupling members  11  that are attached in an articulated manner to both the base element  13  and the carrier element  6   a . This embodiment is illustrated in both the raised position and in the lowered position. The second option illustrated here for the lowering mechanism is to connect the base element  13  to the bearing surface  6  via slide members  12 . The slide members  12  have slide surfaces inclined to the carrier element  6 ; when the slide members are displaced relative to each other, the carrier element  6   a , and therefore the bearing surface  6 , moves to a raised or lowered position relative to the base element  13 . This embodiment is also illustrated in both the raised position and in the lowered position. 
     FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  illustrate one possible embodiment of the delivery segments provided with carts for a two-pallet system. The delivery segment has two parallel and adjacent tracks  14  for carts or carriages  50  running mutually independent and parallel. Together the carts constitute a cart pair. The tracks  14  in this example are U-shaped and at each of the vertical legs have outward-guided bevels  7  for the deposit device. FIG. 5 a  illustrates the situation in which the carts  50  are located in the starting position. In terms of height, the bearing surfaces  60  of the carts  50  project over the bevels in the tracks  14  that act as a deposit device. Thus a pallet can be placed on the two deposit or bearing surfaces  60  of the carts  50 , and the carts can be moved with the pallet placed thereupon or with another large container in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station. FIG. 5 b  illustrates the situation in which the bearing surfaces  60  of the carts  50  are lowered. A pallet (not shown) is moved to the bevels  7  of the tracks  14  acting as the deposit device  7 , and the carts  50  return without the pallets to the starting position, where their bearing surfaces  60  are raised again. 
     Analogous to FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b , FIGS. 6 a  through  6   c  illustrate a solution for the three-pallet system. Again, two parallel tracks  14  are arranged along the delivery segment, whereby in this case two carts  510  and  511  with corresponding bearing surfaces  610  and  611  are provided in each track. Together the carts  510  and  511  constitute a first or second cart pair. 
     The tracks are also U-shaped in this case, and at the end of their vertical legs have outwardly projecting bevels  7  acting as a deposit device for pallets or other large containers. FIG. 6 a  illustrates the starting position in which all bearing surfaces  610  and  611  for carts  510  and  511  are in the raised position. It should be noted that the bearing surfaces  611  of the interior cart pair of carts  511  are higher than the bearing surfaces  610  of the exterior cart pair of carts  510 . Thus a pallet or other large container introduced into the apparatus would be placed onto the bearing surfaces  611  of the carts  511  and the carts  511  would move with the pallet placed thereupon or with another large container in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station. If the interior cart pair  511  is not located in the starting position, but rather is in a wait position with the large container placed on the bearing surfaces  611 , a large container then introduced can be placed onto the bearing surfaces  610  of the cart pair  510 . 
     FIG. 5 b  illustrates how the bearing surfaces  611  of the interior cart pair  511  in the lowered condition are located below the level of the bevels  7  of the legs of the U-shaped guide tracks  14  acting as a deposit device. A pallet transported on the bearing surfaces  611  into the out-processing station is now moved onto the bevels  7 , and the carts  511  are returned to their starting position. It should be noted that the bearing surfaces  611  of the carts  511  are clearly lowered below the level of the bearing surfaces  610  of the exterior carts  510  so that the carts  511  can be moved with no problem under any pallet that has been moved to the bearing surfaces  610  located with the carts  510  in a wait position. 
     FIG. 5 c  illustrates the reverse situation in which the bearing surfaces  610  of the exterior carts  510  are lowered below the level of the bevel  7  and below the level of the raised bearing surfaces  611  of the carts  511  so that the carts  510 , after the pallet or another large container has been deposited in the transfer or out-processing station, can be returned with no problem to the starting position. In the starting position, the lowered bearing surfaces  610  and  611  of the exterior cart pair of the carts  510  or of the interior cart pair of the carts  511  are returned to the raised position. 
     In FIGS. 5 a  through  6   c  it should be noted that there is an intermediate space between the tracks  14  into which a functional element, for instance a forklift, of an article handling device (RBG) can be introduced in order to lift a pallet or other large container in the system and, for instance, return it to a storage rack. 
     FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  illustrate the sequence of events for delivering large containers by means of an inventive apparatus in a two-pallet system. A two-pallet system is a system in which, while one pallet is located in the transfer or out-processing station, another pallet can be delivered to the apparatus and remains in a wait position in the delivery segment. FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  illustrate the delivery process using 13 different steps. The inclined delivery segment  1  is schematically shown for each of the steps. 
     In step  1 , at the beginning of the method, a cart pair  2  is located in a starting position at the upper end of the inclined delivery segment  1 . In step  2 , a first pallet  30  is placed on the cart pair. This can be done, for instance, using an article handling device, as indicated by the dashed-line arrow. The RBG with the pallet  30  moves in the direction of the cart pair  2  located in the starting position, lowers the pallet and places it onto the conveyor means  2 , and is then withdrawn, without the pallet, from the area of the delivery segment. 
     The gravity exerted by the pallet  30  now causes the cart pair  2  to move along the inclined delivery segment  1  in the direction of a transfer or out-processing station  4 . 
     As illustrated, in method step  3  the cart pair  2  with the pallet  30  thereupon arrives at the transfer or out-processing station. Now the pallet  30  is moved to a deposit device and a restoring force drives the cart pair  2  back to the starting position. This is illustrated in method step  4 . 
     In step  5 , the pallet  30  is on a deposit device in the transfer or out-processing station  4 , and the cart pair  2  has arrived at its starting position. As indicated by the alternate arrow, step  13  can immediately follow step  5  as illustrated. Step  13  will be described later. 
     Step  6  occurs if step  13  does not follow step  5 . An RBG places another pallet  31  onto the cart pair  2  located at the starting position. The cart pair  2  with the pallet  31  thereupon does not move at all or moves only slightly in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station because the latter is still occupied by the pallet  30 . 
     Step  8  shows that the pallet  30  that is still located on the deposit device has been completely out-processed and removed from the system. Alternatively, the pallet can have been transferred to a transfer station. Now step  9  begins; as shown, the gravity of the pallet  31  causes the cart pair  2  with the pallet  31  thereupon to move in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station. Once there, the pallet  31  is moved to the deposit device (step  10 ), which is now unoccupied, and the cart pair  2  returns to its starting position in a manner analogous to step  4 . 
     Once it arrives there the cart pair  2  is ready to receive another pallet. This is illustrated in step  12 . Then, as indicated by the alternate arrow, step  6  can follow, whereby another pallet, other than the pallet  31  illustrated in step  6 , can be placed on the cart pair  2 . Alternatively, step  13  can occur, in which step the pallet  31  (or the pallet  30 , if step  13  immediately follows step  5 ) is completely out-processed and removed from the system or transferred. Now the method has returned to its starting situation. 
     Of course the pallet next placed at the starting position of the cart pair  2  can be removed from the delivery segment in reverse during any method step. This can be done, for instance, with an RBG. For instance, the RBG can use a forklift to reach into the intermediate space left between the tracks for the carts of the cart pair  2  and take the pallet. Thus, for instance, a pallet that has not been completely emptied can be returned to storage from the out-processing station if this is necessary. 
     FIGS. 8 a  through  8   c  illustrate individual steps in the delivery process for a three-pallet system. A three-pallet system should be understood to mean a system in which, in addition to a pallet located in the transfer or out-processing station, two additional pallets can be placed in successive wait positions along the delivery segment. In contrast to the method of delivery described above, illustrated in FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b , two cart pairs  210  and  211  are provided in the delivery segment  1  in the method of delivery for a three-pallet system illustrated here. 
     At the beginning of the method, illustrated in step  1 , both cart pairs  210  and  211  are shown at the beginning of the delivery segment  1  in the starting position. Cart pairs  210  and  211  are distinguished in that only cart pair  210  can receive a pallet when both cart pairs are in the starting situation. Cart pair  211  cannot receive a pallet until cart pair  210  is not located in the starting position. 
     As illustrated in step  2 , an RBG, for instance, places a pallet  310  onto the cart pair  210 . The gravity exerted by the pallet then causes the cart pair  210  to move along the inclined delivery segment  1  in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station  4  until the pallet  310  finally arrives at the transfer or out-processing station, as shown in step  3 . 
     Now the cart pair  210  moves the pallet onto a deposit device, and the cart pair  210  returns to its starting position, as shown in step  4 , driven by a restoring force. The cart pair  211  has remained in its starting position during all of these enumerated method steps. 
     As illustrated in step  5 , only the first pallet  310  is moved onto the deposit device in the transfer or out-processing station  4 , and if the two cart pairs  210  and  211  are back in the starting position, step  20  (described later) can now occur immediately, as indicated by the alternate arrow. However, if step  6  occurs now, another pallet  311  is placed, for instance by means of an RBG, onto the cart pair  210  located at the beginning of the delivery segment  1  in the starting position. 
     The gravity of the pallet  311  now causes the cart pair  210  to again move in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station. However, since the transfer or out-processing station is still occupied by the pallet  310 , the cart pair  210  with the pallet  311  placed thereupon moves only to a wait position in front of the transfer or out-processing station, as illustrated in step  7 . The cart pair  211  is still in its starting position. 
     After the illustrated step  7 , the method can jump ahead directly to step  15 , which is described later. Otherwise step  8  occurs, in which a pallet  312  is again brought to the delivery segment  1 , for instance by means of an RBG. The third pallet  312  is now placed onto the cart pair  211  still located in the starting position. The delivery segment  1 , including the transfer or out-processing station  4 , is now occupied by three pallets and is thus completely full. The cart pair  211  with the pallet  312  placed thereupon does not move, or moves only slightly, in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station because the delivery segment in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station  4  is already occupied by two pallets. 
     As illustrated in step  10 , if the first pallet  310  is now completely out-processed and removed from the system or if it is transferred, both cart pair  210  and cart pair  211  can be driven by the gravity of pallets  311  and  312 , respectively, in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station  4 . The cart pair  210  with the pallet  311  placed thereupon reaches the transfer or out-processing station and moves the pallet onto a deposit device there. 
     The cart pair  211  with the pallet  312  placed thereupon occupies the wait position formerly occupied by the cart pair  210 . This is illustrated in step  12 . If the pallet  311  is moved onto the deposit device, the cart pair or conveyor means  210  returns to its starting position driven by the restoring force, as illustrated in step  13 . Once it arrives there it is ready to receive a pallet, as shown in step  14 . 
     The method can jump to step  8 , as indicated by the alternate arrow; however, the designations for cart pairs  210  and  211  should be switched in this and subsequent steps. 
     If the method now continues with the next step ( 15 ), as illustrated, the next pallet  311  deposited onto the deposit device is completely out-processed and removed or transferred from the system. In this case, the cart pair  211  with the pallet  312  placed thereupon moves in the direction of the transfer or out-processing station  4  driven by the gravity of the pallet  312 . Step  16  illustrates this. As illustrated in step  17 , the cart pair  211  now moves the pallet  312  onto the deposit device. Then a restoring force causes the cart pair  211  to return without the pallet  312  to the starting position. As illustrated in step  19 , both cart pairs  210 ,  211  are now again in the starting position and one pallet  312  is located in the transfer or out-processing station. 
     At this point, the method can continue as illustrated in step  6 , which is again indicated by the alternate arrow, i.e., another pallet can be placed on a cart pair, namely the cart pair  210 , or the method continues in step  20 . Step  20  illustrates that the only pallet  312  located in the transfer or out-processing station  4  (or pallet  310 , if step  20  immediately follows step  5  directly) is completely out-processed and removed from the system or transferred. Now the method has returned to the starting situation illustrated in step  1 . 
     Even in the method illustrated in FIGS. 8 a  through  8   c  it is of course possible to retrieve from the system the rear-most pallet, for instance by means of an RBG. The RBG can for instance use a forklift to reach into the intermediate space between the tracks for the carts and take a pallet. Thus, for instance, a pallet that has only been half emptied can be retrieved from the transfer or out-processing station by means of an RBG. 
     The specification incorporates by reference the disclosure of European priority document 00 110 883.6 of May 23, 2000 and German priority document 101 16 164.6 of Mar. 31, 2001. 
     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.