Patents Assigned to Knapp AG
  • Patent number: 11869290
    Abstract: A key storage device for storing a key provided with an identification code, including a locking unit which has an unlocked state in which the key can be removed from the key storage device, and a locked state in which the key is locked in or on the key storage device. The key storage device includes a control unit connected to the locking unit and having a data interface, the control unit operable to read out the identification code of the key and to provide the identification code of the key at the data interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Marc Pendl, Alexander Resch, Johannes Hutter, Wolfgang Puntigam, Franz Mathi
  • Patent number: 11780680
    Abstract: A vertical transfer device for a conveying device, including a main rotor operable to rotate about a node point for a conveyed goods support about a main axis of rotation (HA) extending horizontally, the node point being at a first distance from the main axis of rotation (HA) and the vertical transfer device is operable to keep the conveyed goods support horizontal during the rotation about the main axis of rotation (HA). The conveyed goods support is coupled at the node point of the main rotor by a compensation rotor that is operable to rotate the conveyed goods support about a compensation axis of rotation (AA) extending in parallel to the main axis of rotation (HA) through the node point, and the conveyed goods support being at a second distance from the compensation axis of rotation (AA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Franz Mathi, Wolfgang Puntigam
  • Patent number: 11772131
    Abstract: A sorting device and a method for sorting articles at delivery points are shown, the sorting device having a conveying device comprising transport platforms that are movable along a transport direction for transporting the articles and for delivering the articles to the delivery points, with the transport platforms having a bearing surface for the articles and with at least one transport platform having a first delivery device for vertically delivering the articles from the bearing surface to at least one first delivery point. To provide a sorting device for reliable and careful joint sorting of articles with different transport and delivery requirements, at least one transport platform has a second delivery device for laterally delivering the articles from the bearing surface to at least one second delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Heiko Süss, Bernhard Pürschl, Marc Pendl, Paul Mess, Franz Mathi
  • Patent number: 11370611
    Abstract: An automated storage system with at least two racks with storage places for storing hanging goods, the hanging goods are storable being suspended using storage rails. A rack aisle is formed by the racks, in which a level rack operating device is longitudinal movable. The level rack operating device has a transfer means and a drive unit, firmly connected to the level rack operating device, in order to store at least one hanging item transported by the level rack operating device from the level rack operating device onto the storage rail/place of one of the storage places during a transfer process and/or to retrieve at least one hanging item from the storage rail/place onto the level rack operating device. Each storage place has a guide for the transfer means, at least in sections, the transfer means contacting the guide, at least in sections, during storing and retrieval of hanging goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventor: Michael Wend
  • Patent number: 11254503
    Abstract: A racking for storing articles having guiding tracks and a rail vehicle, which may be moved on the guiding tracks for storing and retrieving the articles, wherein the guiding tracks merge in an intersection area. Within the guiding tracks there are formed current bars and at the rail vehicle there are formed current receivers engaging with the current bars and supplying the rail vehicle in the guiding tracks with energy. The intersection area is free of current bars. The rail vehicle has an intersection sensor, which is configured to detect whether the rail vehicle is within the intersection area. The vehicle control is configured to switch the rail vehicle, on the basis of the signals of the intersection sensor and the voltage in the guiding tracks, into different operation modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Franz Mathi, Robert Lerche, Wolfgang Puntigam, Johannes Alois Hutter, Alfred Gindl, Alexander Resch
  • Patent number: 11186437
    Abstract: A suspension conveyor system for sorting products, having a plurality of conveyor bags for at least one product. The conveyor bags may be moved along a continuous closed conveyor path, wherein the suspension conveyor system comprises conveyor means, configured to move the conveyor bags, at least one loading source, configured to load the conveyor bags with the at least one product, a control unit, configured to control the conveyor means, and at least one first unloading line having a plurality of unloading positions along a first closed conveyor path. At least one further unloading line is arranged having a plurality of unloading positions along at least one further closed conveyor path, wherein the at least two closed conveyor paths are connected to one another via at least two gates, wherein the conveyor bags may be controlled, independently from one another, in regard to the conveyor path using the conveyor means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Franz Mathi, Heiko Süss, Doris Elebracht, Thomas Schnadwinkel, Michael Wend
  • Patent number: 10870536
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automated storage system comprising at least two shelves having storage locations for storing load carriers comprising articles, wherein the load carriers are storable in a storage direction in the storage locations, and a shelve aisle formed by the two shelves, in which a load reception means comprising a transfer means is movable in a travel direction in order to store at least one load carrier transported with the load reception means from the load reception means in the storage location or to pick up at least one load carrier from the storage location onto the load reception means during a transfer procedure with the transfer means, and the transfer means comprises rotation means in order to rotate the load carrier during the transfer procedure between the travel direction on the load reception means and the storage direction in the storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Johannes Holas, Bernhard Gütl, Franz Hornhofer, Marc Pendl, Michael Wend, Dirk Sieksmeier, Franz Mathi
  • Patent number: 10759598
    Abstract: A self-contained guide track is formed by first guide tracks and second guide tracks of a rack level and each track section of the closed guide track is determined from an intersection point of one of the first guide tracks with one of the second guide tracks to the next intersection point of one of the first guide tracks with one of the second guide tracks and the at least one rail vehicle is configured to be controlled on the track sections of the closed guide track during storing and removing the items in a main direction in the form of a roundabout such that the track section of the closed guide track, on which more than one rail vehicle is located, is used by the rail vehicles only in the main direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Franz Mathi, Heiko Süss, Christoph Lafer, Wolfgang Puntigam
  • Patent number: 10252862
    Abstract: A system and method for a picking station operation, provides switched flexibly between single-step- and dual-step-picking into various types of order containers. The task is solved by the provision of a second order container conveyor technique for transporting second order containers, in particular boxes, for receiving articles into order container bays, arranged also in the arrangement row, of the picking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: KNAPP, AG
    Inventors: Franz Mathi, Thomas Johaim, Peter Stock
  • Patent number: 10252861
    Abstract: A system for picking articles from storage containers into containers by using a computer for handling and processing picking orders and a picking station according to the good-to-person-principle. Selected articles by the computer are picked from the storage containers into conveyor bags, and a suspension conveyor transports the conveyor bags to a packing location for packing the articles assigned to a picking order, and retrieves the conveyor bags into the order container assigned to the picking order. An order container conveyor transports order containers (boxes), and the computer processes a first picking order to determine the number of article to be picked at the picking station such that the number of articles required for picking the first picking order is picked into the order container assigned to the first picking order with later articles matched/picked to a conveyor bag for later picking of further picking orders at the packing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Franz Mathi, Roland Koholka, Rick Bingle, Peter Stock
  • Publication number: 20180251303
    Abstract: A system and method for a picking station operation, provides switched flexibly between single-step- and dual-step-picking into various types of order containers. The task is solved by the provision of a second order container conveyor technique for transporting second order containers, in particular boxes, for receiving articles into order container bays, arranged also in the arrangement row, of the picking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Franz Mathi, Thomas Johaim, Peter Stock
  • Patent number: 10035652
    Abstract: In a storage system with racks for storing products and with a first transfer device for transferring products to be stored in and removed from the racks from a transport system to a rack conveying system and with a second transfer device for transferring products removed from storage which have been transported with the transport system and, respectively, for receiving products to be stored and to be transported with the transport system, it is envisaged that the transport system includes rail-mounted shuttles which are individually controllable with regard to the transport direction and the transport speed and are configured for transporting the products removed from storage and the products to be put into storage between the first transfer device and the second transfer device across rails of at least one main loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Roman Schnabl, Roland Koholka
  • Patent number: 9776793
    Abstract: A method and a device for moving objects (44) on shelves (14;16) of a storing systems by operating a shuttle (42) between a plurality of ends of said shelves comprising the steps of engaging a first strip (30) at a first side of a support head (46) of said shuttle, engaging a second strip (30?) at a second side of said support head of said shuttle (42) opposing said first side, and displacing said shuttle (42) along said shelves (14; 16) by pushing and retracting said strips (30, 30?). Propelling means (38) are arranged to displace said shuttle (42) along said shelves (14; 16) by pushing and retracting said strips (30; 30?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventor: Bo Lindblom
  • Patent number: 9617080
    Abstract: In the case of a central belt system (1) with article shafts (2), ejectors (5), moving central belt (4) and central control unit (6), an automatic control system (7?) which is connected to the control unit (6) for articles to be controlled on the moving central belt (4), with a connected image processing unit (8), and a camera system (9, 10) possibly in addition with an illumination system (11). The camera and illumination systems (9, 10) are set in such a way, and the articles to be controlled which are arranged chaotically on the central belt (4) are ejected by the ejectors (5) in such a way, that optical shadow formation at the article to be controlled on the central belt (4) is preferably just prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Knapp AG
    Inventors: Peter Stelzer, Franz Mathi
  • Patent number: 9452894
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage and order-picking system (1) for the fully-automated picking of articles that are stored in storage loading aids (2) and are picked according to an order, which includes an article store, a first conveyor system that conveys storage loading aids leaving the article store to a picking station that is operated unmanned, a fully-automated robotic gripping unit on said picking station, which removes articles to be picked from said storage loading aids and deposits them in accordance with the order, the articles deposited according to an order, particularly in an order loading aid, subsequently being conveyed away by means of a second conveyor system, an image identification device for determining possible gripping points for the gripping unit in order to grip articles from the storage loading aids, wherein the image identification device comprises at least one and preferably at least two cameras in the region of the robotic gripping unit (9) and, if at least two cameras are prov
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: KNAPP AG
    Inventors: Peter Puchwein, Claus Blödorn, Peter Stelzer, Franz Mathi
  • Publication number: 20160052716
    Abstract: In a storage system with racks for storing products and with a first transfer device for transferring products to be stored in and removed from the racks from a transport system to a rack conveying system and with a second transfer device for transferring products removed from storage which have been transported with the transport system and, respectively, for receiving products to be stored and to be transported with the transport system, it is envisaged that the transport system includes rail-mounted shuttles which are individually controllable with regard to the transport direction and the transport speed and are configured for transporting the products removed from storage and the products to be put into storage between the first transfer device and the second transfer device across rails of at least one main loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Knapp AG
    Inventors: Roman Schnabl, Roland Koholka
  • Patent number: 9156627
    Abstract: A clutch/brake unit for an accumulating conveyor for driving and for braking at least one roller which is provided for transporting a unit load on a roller path of the accumulating conveyor. The clutch/brake unit is driven continuously during operation via an endless drive traction mechanism on a driving roller and is configured, in an engaged operating state, for transmitting the rotational movement of the driving roller about an axis to a driven roller and, in a braking operating state, for slowing down the driven roller on a housing of the clutch/brake unit. The driven roller is connected to the roller via the endless traction mechanism. A compression spring displaces the driven roller along the axis in the direction of the housing in order to shift the clutch/brake unit into its braking operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Knapp AG
    Inventors: Franz Mathi, Jörg Bergmann, Wilfried Waukmann
  • Patent number: 8965560
    Abstract: A method for order picking products in an order picking facility having at least one rack for storing products and an assigned warehouse transport system for collecting and storing the products and for transferring the collected products to a transport system, by means of which the collected products are transported to a good-to-picker order picking station, at which the quantity of the collected products that is determined in a picking order is order-picked manually or automatically by a robot, into one order transport unit for each picking order. Product types corresponding to the picking order are collected, order-picked at the good-to-picker order picking station, one after the other, and the remaining products of the product type are stored via the transport system again in the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Knapp AG
    Inventors: Franz Mathi, Klaus Uller
  • Patent number: 8876454
    Abstract: In a storage system (1; 18) with at least one shelving level (3, 4, 5, 6, 7), comprising at least one transport aisle (10), shelves (8, 9; 19, 20) situated alongside the transport aisle (10) with storage spaces (L) for products (P) and a level transport device (EBG) movable in the transport aisle (10) for approaching the storage spaces (L), with a conveyor system (2; 24) for supplying products (P) to the shelving level (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and removing therefrom, with at least one intermediate buffer (Z), in which the products (P) supplied by means of the conveyor system (2; 24) are temporarily stored until their storage in a storage space (L) and in which products (P) that are removed from the storage places (L) are temporarily stored until their transfer to the conveyor system (2; 24), there is provided that substantially each storage space (L) has a movable compartment floor (F) and that the level transport device (EBG) has compartment floor-moving means, by means of which a compartment floor (F) may be transfe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Knapp AG
    Inventor: Roland Koholka
  • Patent number: 8868232
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method are provided for detecting and controlling piece goods (2) having a code, preferably of piece goods commissioned in a commissioning system for a complete commissioning order. The piece goods of a quantity, preferably a commissioning order, are singulated and centered on a transport route (3) and fed through a scanning device (15), and are identified as actual data in the scanning device (15) by reading the code of the piece goods (2). This is compared or captured to target data of the piece goods quantity. The piece goods are separated out if the target data do not match the actual data. A first transport route (3) has a V-shaped cross-section, the one V-arm thereof being a driven piece goods transport element (5) preferably a drive recirculating conveyor belt, and the other V-arm thereof being a stationary piece goods sliding element (6), preferably a sheet metal slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Knapp AG
    Inventor: Karl Freudelsperger