Apparatus for storing and fully automatically dispensing a multiplicity of products

An apparatus (1) for stocking and fully automatic output of a multiplicity of different products (19, 31, 32, 71, 72) having substantially cuboid geometry, such as, for example, packaged CDs, DVDs, printer cartridges, books, etc., comprising:

• at least one permanently installed storage rack (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) for stocking the multiplicity of products (19, 31, 32, 71, 72),
• at least one selection station (16, 17) for selecting, from the multiplicity of stocked products (19, 31, 32, 71, 72), one product (19, 31, 32, 71, 72) to be output by the apparatus (1) at a product output point (15),
• at least one handling device (8, 9, 10) that is movable relative to the at least one storage rack (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) for retrieval of a selected product (19, 31, 32, 71, 72) from the at least one storage rack (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and for transport of the product (19, 31, 32, 71, 72) in question to a product output point (15) of the apparatus (1) and
• at least one computer-assisted control unit (21) for controlling the apparatus (1) and its components,
• wherein a separate compartment (27) open on a front side (F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7) of the storage rack (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is provided in the at least one storage rack (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) for each product (19, 31, 32, 71, 72) and in that the handling device (8) has at least one shelf (A, B, C, D, E, F) for a product (19, 31, 32, 71, 72) to be transported with the handling device (8, 9, 10) and a movable manipulator (25, 26;
• 57-62) for interacting with the products (19, 31, 32, 71, 72),
• wherein the handling device (8, 9, 10) and the manipulator (25, 26;
• 57-62) are configured and movable in such a way that the manipulator (25, 26;
• 57-62), with a free end (70) of flat shape, can be inserted into a compartment (27) above a product (19, 31, 32, 71, 72) contained in the said compartment (27), lowered therein and while simultaneously exerting pressure from above on the product (19, 31, 32, 71, 72) can be retracted together therewith from the compartment (27), so that the product (19, 31, 32, 71, 72) can be pulled from the compartment (27) by means of the manipulator (25, 26;
• 57-62) onto a shelf (A, B, C, D, E, F) of the handling device (8, 9, 10) positioned directly in front of the compartment (27).