Patents by Inventor Harald Johannes SCHROEPF

Harald Johannes SCHROEPF has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11912504
    Abstract: A picking station (19) as well as a storage and order-picking system (1) for automatic picking and automatic packaging of articles (10a . . . 10p) is specified. An automated packaging machine (25) and a goods-out conveyor system (20) as well as different types of picking zones (24a . . . 24f), in which the articles (10a . . . 10p) for an order are picked and prepared for the packaging process, are included thereby. In particular, the articles (10a . . . 10p) are stacked on top of each other to form an article stack (41) and are subsequently discharged onto an automated feed conveyor system (26) leading to the automated packaging machine (25) or directly into the automated packaging machine (25). Moreover, a method for operating the picking station (19) described and/or the storage and order-picking system (1) described is specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy Lindley, Gerald Kettlgruber, Harald Johannes Schroepf
  • Patent number: 11858743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for order picking of items at a picking station, wherein the source containers (5) are transported to a retrieval position (33) in an arbitrary sequence, and the target containers (27) are provided in a sorting buffer (36) with buffer positions (39) ahead of a single loading position (35). A first target container is transported back into the sorting buffer for processing of different order lines after placement of an item for a first order line, and is temporarily buffered at a sorting position (42) until a source container with an item for a second order line is conveyed onward into a buffer track section (23) provided upstream of the retrieval position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Bauman, Timothy Lindley, Harald Johannes Schroepf, Matthias Stoetzner
  • Patent number: 11559899
    Abstract: A method for picking objects is specified, in which at least one object is removed from a source loading aid and placed into a target loading aid using a robot. After the operation of removing the object, a first sensor system of the robot is used to check whether at least one object is held by the robot. A number and/or a type of the at least one removed object is ascertained using the second sensor system. The operation of placing the at least one object into the target loading aid is aborted or modified if no object is held by the robot or the number and/or the type of the at least one removed object does not contribute to completing the picking order, which defines a desired number and/or desired type of objects in the target loading aid. Furthermore, a device and a computer program product for performing the presented method is specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Maximilian Beinhofer, Harald Johannes Schroepf
  • Publication number: 20230002161
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for order picking of items at a picking station, wherein the source containers (5) are transported to a retrieval position (33) in an arbitrary sequence, and the target containers (27) are provided in a sorting buffer (36) with buffer positions (39) ahead of a single loading position (35). A first target container is transported back into the sorting buffer for processing of different order lines after placement of an item for a first order line, and is temporarily buffered at a sorting position (42) until a source container with an item for a second order line is conveyed onward into a buffer track section (23) provided upstream of the retrieval position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander BAUMAN, Timothy LINDLEY, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF, Matthias STOETZNER
  • Patent number: 11453555
    Abstract: A method for picking orders (22a . . . 22e) in a storage and order-picking system (1a, 1b) is provided, which comprises an article storage (2), a loading station (3), a sorting unit (4), a packing station (5), an overhead conveyor system (7a . . . 7f) and a control system (8). At the loading station (3), articles (22a . . . 22e) are transferred from a loading aid (23, 24, 25a . . . 25c) into a transport means (28a, 28b) and at the packing station (5) from a transport means (28a, 28b) into a shipping loading aid (30). In this regard, transporting an article (22a . . . 22e) out of the article storage (2) to the loading station (3) takes place individually and independently of the other picking orders for each picking order. Furthermore, transporting the transport means (28a, 28b) from the loading station (3) into the sorting unit (4) also takes place individually and independently of the other picking order and directly for each picking order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy Lindley, Gerald Kettlgruber, Harald Johannes Schroepf
  • Patent number: 11312573
    Abstract: In a method and arrangement for distributing articles, an order management system acquires an order for delivering articles, the articles to be delivered are transferred from an article store and the articles included in an order are order-picked into at least one mobile shelf unit shelf compartment. The mobile shelf unit is subsequently transported to a dispensing station including a first article storage region separated by a first separating wall and a customer access region and is brought into a handover position, in which the at least one shelf compartment is accessible via a closeable opening in the first separating wall. When an article dispensing system receives a request for picking up the articles by a person or a machine associated therewith, it uncovers the closeable opening if authorization exists for picking up the articles. Alternatively a loadings robot can load the articles to be delivered into the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Johannes Schedlbauer, Harald Johannes Schroepf
  • Publication number: 20220089368
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage and order-picking system (100a, 100b) as well as a method for operating the same. In this regard, provided articles (405a . . . 405i) are loaded into hanging bags (408 . . . 408d) in an article-specific manner, and subsequently, groups of hanging bags (408 . . . 408d) are formed in a hanging bag sorting device (103) based on an article-grouping rule. In a further step, articles (405a . . . 405i) of a group are transferred from the hanging bags (408 . . . 408d) into an article storage loading aid (411a, 411b, 602, 803). The article storage loading aid (411a, 411b, 602, 803) configured differently from a hanging bag is then stored in an article storage (105, 601) of the storage and order-picking system (100a, 100b). Upon receiving a picking order, the article storage loading aid (411a, 411b, 602, 803) is transported to a picking station (106), at which the ordered article(s) (405a . . . 405i) is/are loaded into a target loading aid (417).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald KETTLGRUBER, Timothy LINDLEY, Philipp Johann KOLMHOFER, Marta BARBERÁ MATEO, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF
  • Publication number: 20220048708
    Abstract: A picking station (19) as well as a storage and order-picking system (1) for automatic picking and automatic packaging of articles (10a . . . 10p) is specified. A packaging machine (25) operated in an automated manner and a goods-out point conveyor system (20) as well as different types of picking zones (24a . . . 24f), in which the articles (10a . . . 10p) for an order are assembled and prepared for the packaging process, are comprised thereby. In particular, the articles (10a . . . 10p) are stacked on top of each other to form an article stack (41) and are subsequently discharged onto a feed conveyor system (26) leading to the packaging machine (25) or directly into the packaging machine (25). Moreover, a method for operating the picking station (19) described and/or the storage and order-picking system (1) described is specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy LINDLEY, Gerald KETTLGRUBER, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF
  • Patent number: 11242201
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for picking order goods which are allocated to an order comprising a plurality of shipping containers. In the method, order goods allocated to the order are removed from a store (2), transported into a dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) and stored there temporarily. The dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) comprises an infeed line (6), an outfeed line (7), a plurality of buffer lanes (8) arranged between the infeed line (6) and the outfeed line (7), and at least one return lane (9) arranged therebetween. If a portion of the order goods available in the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) is sufficient to fill a predefinable number of shipping containers and is ready for packing, this portion of the order goods ready for packing is discharged from the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b), transported to a picking workstation (10) and transferred, there, into the predefined number of shipping containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy Lindley, Harald Johannes Schroepf
  • Publication number: 20210300682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for picking order goods which are allocated to an order comprising a plurality of shipping containers. In the method, order goods allocated to the order are removed from a store (2), transported into a dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) and stored there temporarily. The dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) comprises an infeed line (6), an outfeed line (7), a plurality of buffer lanes (8) arranged between the infeed line (6) and the outfeed line (7), and at least one return lane (9) arranged therebetween. If a portion of the order goods available in the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) is sufficient to fill a predefinable number of shipping containers and is ready for packing, this portion of the order goods ready for packing is discharged from the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b), transported to a picking workstation (10) and transferred, there, into the predefined number of shipping containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy LINDLEY, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF
  • Publication number: 20210269243
    Abstract: The invention relates to an order-picking method for picking at least one ordered good (26a) into or onto a target loading aid (30), in which goods (21a . . . 21e) which are stored in a first storage zone (8) with the help of first loading aids (27a . . . 27c) are reloaded, on the basis of a transfer request, from a first loading aid (27a . . . 27c) into or onto at least one second loading aid (29a . . . 29c) and in-fed in a second storage zone (16). When a picking order is obtained, (an) ordered good(s) (26a) is/are out-fed from the second storage zone (16) and loaded into or onto the target loading aid (30). During an execution of the transfer request, the first loading aid (27a . . . 27c) is fully or partially unloaded, depending on whether a parameter which is allocated to a type of good reaches a threshold value. Further, a storage and order-picking system (1) for carrying out said method is specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy LINDLEY, Gerald KETTLGRUBER, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF
  • Publication number: 20210261337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for storing and picking stackable article carriers (3) in an order fulfillment facility, in which transport loading aids (7; 107) are transported between a loading station with an automatically operated loading device (13), a storage zone (5) and a removal station with an automatically operated unloading device (32) by means of autonomously moveable, driverless transport vehicles (9). The transport loading aids (7; 107) are loaded with article carrier stacks (8) in the loading station and the article carrier stacks (8) are discharged from the transport loading aids (7; 107) in the unloading station. Subsequently, the article carriers (3) for a picking order are reloaded onto one or multiple target loading aids (34; 134). The invention further relates to an order fulfillment facility for storing and picking stackable article carriers (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Johannes SCHEDLBAUER, Stefan HOLZNER, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF
  • Publication number: 20210261333
    Abstract: The invention relates to an order-picking method for picking at least one ordered good (26a) into or onto a target loading aid (30), in which goods (21a. . . 21e) which are stored in a first storage zone (8) with the help of first loading aids (27a. . . 27c) are reloaded, on the basis of a transfer request, from a first loading aid (27a. . . 27c) into at least one hanging bag (29a. . . 29c) and in-fed in a second storage zone (16). When a picking order is obtained, (an) ordered good(s) (26a) is/are out-fed from the second storage zone (16) and loaded into or onto the target loading aid (30). The transfer request is generated and executed without reference to a picking order. Further, a storage and order-picking system (1) for carrying out said method is specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy LINDLEY, Gerald KETTLGRUBER, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF
  • Publication number: 20210237977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage and order-picking system (1a . . . 1f) as well as order-picking method for picking ordered goods into or onto a target loading aid (4, 4?), in which at least one of the picking orders comprises multiple order lines (6, 7), which specify (an) ordered good(s) (2, 3) according to its/their type of good (8) and its/their number of pieces to be picked (9). During the execution of a picking order, a first loading aid (11, 11a . . . 11c), which is configured so as to be different from a hanging bag, with ordered good(s) (2) of the first order line (6) is out-fed from a first storage zone (10). Further, a hanging bag (13) with ordered good(s) (3) of the second order line (7) is out-fed from a second storage zone (12). Then, the ordered good(s) (2) of the first order line (6) and the ordered good(s) (3) of the second order line (7) are loaded into or onto a target loading aid (4, 4?) in accordance with the at least one picking order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy LINDLEY, Gerald KETTLGRUBER, Christian AHAMMER, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF
  • Publication number: 20210114813
    Abstract: A method for picking orders (22a . . . 22e) in a storage and order-picking system (1a, 1b) is provided, which comprises an article storage (2), a loading station (3), a sorting unit (4), a packing station (5), an overhead conveyor system (7a . . . 7f) and a control system (8). At the loading station (3), articles (22a . . . 22e) are transferred from a loading aid (23, 24, 25a . . . 25c) into a transport means (28a, 28b) and at the packing station (5) from a transport means (28a, 28b) into a shipping loading aid (30). In this regard, transporting an article (22a . . . 22e) out of the article storage (2) to the loading station (3) takes place individually and independently of the other picking orders for each picking order. Furthermore, transporting the transport means (28a, 28b) from the loading station (3) into the sorting unit (4) also takes place individually and independently of the other picking order and directly for each picking order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy LINDLEY, Gerald KETTLGRUBER, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF
  • Patent number: 10954065
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system intended for delivering items (4) in delivery containers (3) and in which, in a supply depot (1), the items are order picked, in accordance with orders placed, into delivery containers and then the delivery containers are loaded onto a transport rack (12). The transport rack is loaded with the delivery containers in a loading sequence determined by the computer system (2). Thereafter, the transport racks are transported, by means of a transport system, from the supply depot to a buffer depot (collection depot). A consignee (68) can collect the ordered item from the buffer depot at an issuing station (56). The transport rack is positioned, in the buffer depot, against a docking apparatus (54) such that a storage and retrieval unit (17) can access compartments in the transport rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Johannes Schroepf, Markus Winkler
  • Patent number: 10941005
    Abstract: In a first step of a method for bundling conveying streams on a material handling element including a number of incoming conveyor segments, at least one coupling to an outgoing conveyor segment, on which the incoming conveyor segments converge, and a number of holding devices for holding a conveying stream on the incoming conveyor segments, target arrival times, at which the objects arrive as planned at a destination, are calculated for the conveyed objects. A conveyed object is released at a release time which substantially corresponds to the target arrival time minus the target pass-through time required for the conveyed object to be transported as planned from a current position to the destination. A material handling element carries out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: TGW LOGISTICS GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Ahammer, Harald Johannes Schroepf
  • Publication number: 20210047115
    Abstract: A robot system (2a . . . 2d) is specified, which comprises a robot (1a, 1b) having a movable robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) with at least two suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) spaced apart from one another and a sensor system (8a . . . 8c) for detecting a gripping surface pose and a gripping surface size of a gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of a good (23a . . . 23n). With the aid of a controller (11), a gripping pose for the movable robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c), in which a maximum number of suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) is in contact with the gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of the good (23a . . . 23n), is calculated based on the determined gripping surface pose and gripping surface size. Then, the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) is moved into the calculated gripping pose where the suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) are activated so as to collect the good (23a . . . 23n). Moreover, a method for operating the robot system (2a . . . 2d) is specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan AIGLSTORFER, Christian PRECHTL, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF
  • Patent number: 10865054
    Abstract: In a first step of a method for bundling conveyed streams on a material handling element including a number of incoming conveyor segments, at least one coupling to an outgoing conveyor segment, on which the incoming conveyor segments converge, and a number of holding devices for holding a conveyed stream on the incoming conveyor segments, the conveyed objects are vectorially combined in in ascending/descending order according to a desired sorting sequence. When a conveyed object passes the material handling element a vector corresponding to the actual sequence is entered in the vector combination. Conveyed objects are released if a ring with a constant direction is avoided in the vector combination. A material handling element carries out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: TGW LOGISTICS GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Ahammer, Harald Johannes Schroepf
  • Publication number: 20200269432
    Abstract: A method for picking objects is specified, in which at least one object is removed from a source loading aid and placed into a target loading aid using a robot. After the operation of removing the object, a first sensor system of the robot is used to check whether at least one object is held by the robot. A number and/or a type of the at least one removed object is ascertained using the second sensor system. The operation of placing the at least one object into the target loading aid is aborted or modified if no object is held by the robot or the number and/or the type of the at least one removed object does not contribute to completing the picking order, which defines a desired number and/or desired type of objects in the target loading aid. Furthermore, a device and a computer program product for performing the presented method is specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: TGW Logistics Group GmbH
    Inventors: Maximilian BEINHOFER, Harald Johannes SCHROEPF