Patent ID: 8708637

Claim:
A consignment system, comprising: a device for automated loading a freight carrier with freight units forming a freight stack, the freight units being of different dimensions, geometries, dimensional stability or surface properties, the device comprising: (i) a computer system for determining first conveying properties for each of the freight units and second loading positions for each of the freight units in the freight stack, each on the basis of at least one of the dimension, geometry, dimensional stability and surface property of the freight unit, (ii) a positioning conveyor unit for placing the freight units on the freight stack at three-dimensional loading positions set by the computer system, the positioning conveyor unit having a first conveyor track equipped with a first conveyor means; a second conveyor track equipped with a second conveyor means, the first and second conveyor tracks being arranged parallel to each other; a first displacement device for adjusting the first and second conveyor tracks relative to one another in a first direction (x-direction) so as to adjust a distance between the first and second conveyor tracks on the basis of at least one of the conveying property of the freight unit to be stacked and a gap width of a stack gap in a stack position of the freight stack, wherein the distance is set automatically by the computer system on the basis of at least one conveying property of the freight unit or the gap width; a second displacement device for adjusting the first and second conveyor tracks synchronously in a second direction (z-direction) between a retracted transfer position and an extracted loading position; at least one conveyor motor for driving the first and second conveyor means for stacking the freight unit; (iii) a feeding conveyor system which can be moved in the first direction (x-direction) by a third displacement device horizontally alongside the freight carrier and relative to the positioning conveyor unit; and (iv) a lifting station for raising and lowering the freight carrier.