[01] The present disclosure relates to a terminal station for issuing objects in compartments of containers, a system comprising such a terminal station and a method for issuing objects in compartments of containers. The present disclosure is particularly applicable for any kind of warehouse management, in which objects are stored in compartments of containers or magazines. For instance, storage systems like vending machines or dispensing machines or automatic shops could make use of the terminal station disclosed herein. The objects †o be stored can be articles of any kind, such as pharmaceuticals, mail, fools, consumer products, spare parts, production materials, or any kind of objects that are typically stored in compartments of containers or magazines. Herein, the term “issuing of objects in compartments of containers” shall include providing objects for faking out of compartments of a container, and providing compartments of a container for objects †o be placed in. Thus, the terminal station can be selectively used as an output terminal and an input terminal.

[02] For instance, WO 2019/067174 A1 describes a system for automated dispensing of articles. The system described therein includes a robotic arm that is able †o pick objects stored in compartments of a magazine and †o dispense the objects.

[03] A robotic arm for issuing objects stored in compartments of containers has several disadvantages. Firstly, a robotic arm is very expensive and complex †o control and maintain. Secondly, a robotic arm is too slow when there is demand for quick issuing of objects stored in compartments of containers.

[04] If is therefore an object of the present invention †o provide a more cos† efficient and quicker terminal station for issuing objects in compartments of containers.

[05] According †o a firs† aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal station of issuing objects in compartments of containers is provided, wherein each container comprises and access side, wherein each container comprises one or more compartments being accessible through the access side, wherein the terminal station defines an issue station †o which a container is transportable, wherein the terminal station is configured †o control access †o one or more of the compartments of a container of the issue station. Furthermore, the terminal station comprises a mask belt having a specific mask pattern defined by a plurality of access holes distributed over different mask belt sections along the mask belt, wherein the access holes a positionable by driving the mask belt along the access side of a container a† the issue station, wherein the accessibility †o one or more of the compartments of the container a† the issue station is controllable by positioning the access holes of the mask belt.

[06] In other words, the mask belt covers fully or partially the access side of a container †o give access †o specific compartments of the container by positioning the access holes in the mask belt. The controlling of the mask belt is relatively easy compared †o controlling of a robotic arm. The mask belt can be driven in a† leas† one direction, preferably two directions, i.e. forward and backward along the mask belt. The mask belt can also be driven very quickly a† speeds of one or more meters per second. The positioning of the mask belt is also independent of the transport of the container †o the issue station. The mask belt can be positioned before the container is a† the issue station or when the container has already reached the issue station. A user, †o whom the objects are issued, can access compartments of a container a† the issue station through the access holes of the mask belt. When the terminal station is used as an input terminal for an object †o be stored, a user may simply put the object info a compartment of a container through an access hole of the mask belt. The person simply grabs through the access holes info the compartments and fakes the objects manually out of the compartments, or puts the objects manually info the compartments. Depending of the position of the mask belt, certain compartments of the container are no† accessible, because the mask belt convers the access side of the container.

[07] Optionally, each mask belt section may be a† leas† as large as the access side of the containers, wherein the mask belt sections differ from each other by the number, size, shape, orientation, and/or position of access holes in the mask belt section. Preferably, all containers have the same outer dimensions, so †ha† the access side has a well-defined size, shape and position when a container is a† the issue station. However, it should be noted †ha† the containers do no† need †o be identical. The number, shape and position of the compartments within a container may be different among the containers. For instance, containers may comprise inner separation walls †o separate the different compartments of a container from each other. The number and position of such internal separation walls may differ among the containers. Preferably, the number, size, shape, orientation, and/or position of access holes in the mask belt section corresponds †o the number, size, shape, orientation, and/or position of compartments in the containers †o be issued by the terminal station. I† is preferred †ha† a terminal station is configured †o issue containers having only one or two compartment configurations. If more compartment configurations or containers of different sizes and shapes are used, dedicated terminal stations are preferably used for each †o issue one or two specific types of containers.

[08] Optionally, the total area Q of all access holes in a mask belt section satisfies the formula Q = k x A, wherein k is the number of compartments †o give access †o when said mask belt section is used †o a† leas† partially mask the access side of a container a† the issue station, and wherein A is the area of one compartment towards the access side of a container. So, it is preferable †ha† the different compartments of a container have the same size, and †ha† the access holes in the mask belt section define the number k of compartments †o which access is given. Preferably, a mask belt section gives access †o adjacent compartments if more than one compartment is given access to. Thereby, all access holes in a mask belt section may be combined into one access hole of a total area Q. [09] Optionally, each container may have essentially an identical box shape with a length along a longitudinal firs† access, a width long a lateral second access and a heigh† along a vertical third access, wherein the access side is a top side. Thereby, the objects are safely stored in the compartments by gravity. [10] Optionally, each mask belt section may comprise only one access hole and may have a length equal †o or greater than the length of a container along a longitudinal firs† axis, wherein the mask belt is movable along the firs† longitudinal axis in an issue zone above the issue station. Herein, the issue zone shall refer †o the zone above a container a† the issue station, wherein a mask belt section positioned in the issue zone is the currently “active” mask belt section giving access †o the compartments of the container. Currently “inactive” mask belt sections positioned outside of the issue zone may be guided by pulleys temporarily into other directions. All mask belt sections may have the same length along the first longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the mask belt sections may have different lengths along the firs† longitudinal axis. Preferably, the length of a mask belt section may depend on the length of the access hole it comprises. I† should be noted †ha† an access hole for accessing a plurality of two or more compartments may be comprised of a group of sub-holes, wherein each sub-hole may give access †o one of said compartments. In terms of a formula, wherein the distance along a longitudinal firs† axis between two access holes in neighbouring mask belt sections may be denoted as d, wherein the length of a firs† one of said holes may be denoted as Ml , wherein the length of a second one of said holes may be denoted as M2, and wherein the length of a container may be denoted as L, the following formula may be satisfied: d ³ max(L — Ml; L - M2).

[1 1 ] Optionally, the mask belt sections may be arranged along a longitudinal firs† axis in an order according †o the length of the access holes in the different mask belt sections. This is beneficial †o reduce the overall length of the mask belt. For instance, between two connected ends of the mask belt, the length of the access holes may continuously increase or decrease from one access hole †o the next in longitudinal direction.

[12] Optionally, the distance d along a longitudinal firs† axis between two access holes in neighbouring mask belt sections is equal †o or greater than the length L of a container along the longitudinal firs† axis, wherein the mask belt is movable along the firs† longitudinal axis in the issue zone above the issue station, i.e. d ³ L. Thereby, all compartments of a container may be closed by the mask belt between two access holes in neighbouring mask belt sections.

[13] Optionally, the terminal station may be movably positionable relative †o a container a† the issue station along a lateral axis extending transverse to a longitudinal first axis, wherein the mask belt is movable along the firs† longitudinal axis in the issue zone above the issue station. Thereby, the number of required access holes and mask belt sections may be reduced, which allows for a shorter length of the mask belt.

[14] Optionally, the containers may comprise one or more inner separators defining an n x m compartments in an array configuration with m > 1 compartments along a longitudinal firs† axis and m > 1 compartments along a second lateral axis extending transverse †o the longitudinal firs† axis, wherein the mask belt is driveable along the firs† longitudinal axis. The inner separators may be internal separation walls of the container. I† is preferred †ha† n > m, because this requires fewer mask belt sections, because the mask belt is positionable along the firs† longitudinal axis, bu† no† along the second lateral axis if the delivery terminal is no† moveable as a whole along the lateral axis. In order †o minimize the number of required holes in the mask belt, the container may be positionable along the second lateral axis relative †o the terminal station within a certain range a† the issue station †o position specific compartments underneath certain access holes. Alternatively, or in addition, the terminal station may be moveable as a whole along the lateral axis relative †o a container a† the issue station.

[15] Optionally, the mask belt comprises a† leas† m > 1 mask belt sections having a† leas† one access hole per mask belt section, wherein the access holes of two different mask belt sections have a lateral offset †o each other. Thereby, it is achieved †o give a† leas† access †o any one of the compartments of a container with n x m compartments in an array configuration with n > 1 compartments along the longitudinal mask belt axis and m > 1 compartments along the lateral mask belt axis. Alternatively, or in addition, the container and/or the terminal station may be positionable along the second lateral axis relative †o each other within a certain range †o position certain compartments along the lateral mask belt axis underneath certain access holes and/or to position certain access holes along the lateral mask belt axis over certain compartments, respectively.

[16] Optionally, each access hole may be a convex region, preferably having a rectangular shape. The term “convex region” is here a geometric term in the sense of a convex set of points of which a straight line between any two points of the region fully lies within the region. “Convex” shall no† be misconstrued as necessarily curved. The access holes in form of convex regions, preferably having a rectangular shape, are advantageous for the structural integrity of the mask belt and easier †o guide along pulleys.

[17] Optionally, the mask belt may be a closed-loop belt guided via a† leas† four pulleys, wherein the issue station is located, along a longitudinal mask belt access, between two of the pulleys. This allows a quite compact design of the terminal station and a sufficiently long mask belt †o accommodate several mask belt sections.

[18] Optionally, the mask belt may be guided, in a plane spanned by a vertical axis and a longitudinal belt axis, around the issue station. In other words, the mask belt is a closed-loop belt inclosing the container position a† the issue station. This further reduces the space consumption of the terminal station.

[19] Optionally, the mask belt may be guided, in a plane spanned by a vertical axis and a longitudinal belt axis, around two issue stations of the terminal station, wherein the issue stations are arranged next †o each other along a longitudinal mask belt axis. So, the terminal station preferably defines a second issue station arranged next †o the firs† issue station along the longitudinal mask belt axis. This is beneficial †o increase the speed of issuing objects stored in compartments of containers. This is, because a firs† container can be issued a† the firs† issue station while a second container can be transported to the second issue station. Once issuing of the first container is finished, the second container may already be in place at the second issue station to start issuing the second container at the second issue station. Therefore, alternating issuing at the first issue station and second issue station is possible to reduce the lost time for transporting containers to the issue station between containers being issued. The containers may enter one or more issue stations of the terminal station from one side and may leave the respective issue station by the same side. This means, a two-way transportation track may lead from the storage of the containers to the issue station. Alternatively, a one-way transportation track may lead through the issue station, so that containers enter the issue station at one side and leave the issue station at the opposite side of the issue station. A one-way transportation through the issue station may be advantageous to increase the speed of issuing containers. A two-way transportation into the issue station and backward out of the issue station may be advantageous for applications for which space is very limited.

[20] Optionally, the mask belt may be guided to meander between three or more pulleys. This is particularly useful to accommodate a longer mask belt within a compact design of the terminal station. A longer mask belt allows for more mask belt sections and therefore more variety of access holes.

[21 ] Optionally, the terminal station may further comprise a shutter being selectively moveable into a closed state and into an open state, wherein the mask belt extends between the access side of a container at the issue station and the shutter in the closed state. Preferably, the mask belt is configured to be driven only when the shutter is in the closed state. This is beneficial for the safety of a user, because it is excluded that the belt starts moving while a user grabs through an access hole into a compartment. Preferably, the access holes are correctly positioned before the shutter opens. The shutter may be a roller shutter comprising a plurality of slats hinged together. In the closed state, a† leas† par† of the shutter may extend horizontally †o cover the mask belt section positioned underneath the closed shutter.

[22] Optionally, the terminal station may further comprise a second issue station, wherein one or more shutters are configured †o give access †o only one of the containers a† the issue stations a† a time. This reflects a preferred embodiment for alternating issuing of containers a† the firs† issue station and the second issue station. Preferably, each issue station has its own shutter, so †ha† all shutters can be closed a† the same time for safely moving the belt underneath. However, a single shutter for two issue stations can be used for alternating issuing. The one or more shutters may be implemented in form of a second mask belt overlaying the firs† mask belt. Preferably, the one or more shutters open and close transversely †o the direction of motion of the mask belt a† the issue station.

[23] According †o a second aspect of the present disclosure, a system for issuing objects stored in compartments of containers is provided. The system comprises - a storage comprising a plurality of storage points fora plurality of containers, wherein each container comprises an access side, wherein each container comprises one or more compartments being accessible through the access side,

- a transport system for transporting containers from one of the storage points †o an issue station and

- a† leas† one terminal station as described above.

[24] Thus, one or more terminal stations may be implemented into a system †ha† comprises a storage and transport system for the containers †o be issued. Optionally, such a system may be transportable as an integrated system. The system may be a dispensing machine, automated warehouse system or automatic shop.

[25] Optionally, the system is transportable as an integrated system. Thereby, the complete system may be preassembled and shipped as a fully preassembled system †o a venue where the system is supposed †o be used.

[26] Optionally, the system may comprise a housing enclosing the storage, wherein the housing defines a box-shaped outer contour, wherein the a† leas† one terminal station is inset into the outer contour a† one or more side walls of the housing. Thereby, the terminal station is accessible from outside of the outer contour, bu† located within the outer contour.

[27] Optionally, the system has outer dimensions of a standardized general-purpose intermodal shipping container of 40 fee† (12.2 m) standard length. This allows shipping the complete preassembled system by ship, railway or truck †o the venue where it is supposed †o be used. This is also beneficial for exchanging the complete system for refilling the storage with objects. The storage may be shipped with a full load of containers filled with objects. When the storage is empty or closed †o be empty, the complete system may be exchanged by a new fully loaded system.

[28] According †o a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method of issuing objects stored in compartments of a plurality of containers is provided, wherein each container comprises a† leas† one compartment being accessible through an access side of the container. The method comprises:

- transporting a firs† container of the containers from a storage point in a storage †o a firs† issue station of a terminal station, - controlling access to one or more of the compartments of the firs† container by positioning access holes in a mask belt of the terminal station by driving the mask belt along the access side of the firs† container a† the firs† issue station. [29] Such a method of issuing object is less complex and quicker than using a robot arm for dispensing objects stored in compartments of a plurality of containers.

[30] Optionally, the method may further comprise:

- transporting a second container from a storage point in the storage †o a second issue station of the terminal station,

- controlling access †o one or more of the compartments of the second container by positioning the access holes in the mask belt by driving the mask belt along the access side of the second container,

- keeping a shutter of the second issue station of the terminal station in a closed state as long as the firs† issue station is accessible, and

- keeping a shutter of the firs† issue station of the terminal station in a closed state as long as the second issue station is accessible. [31] Such an alternating issuing between the issue stations is particularly quick and safe for a user.

[32] Optionally, controlling access †o one of the compartments of the firs† container is performed while the shutter of the firs† issue station of the terminal station is kept in a closed state and/or controlling access †o one or more of the compartments of the second container is performed while the shutter of the second issue station of the terminal station is kept in a closed state. [33] Optionally, transporting a container from the storage point in the storage to the first or second issue station of the terminal station comprises loading the container on a self-driven carriage in at the storage point and driving the self-driven carriage on a track arrangement of the storage to the first or second issue station. A locking system may be used to temporarily lock a container at the respective issue station during issuing of objects. Using a self-driven carriage and a passive track arrangement reduces the number of moving parts and therefore reduces complexity of the system. Using self-driven carriage on a passive track arrangement is also more reliable, less prone to failures and easier to maintain than conveyor belt solutions.

[34] Optionally, transporting a container from the storage point in the storage to the first or second issue station of the terminal station comprises conveying the container in a conveyor system. A locking system may be used to temporarily lock a container at the respective issue station during issuing of objects.

[35] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the following figures of which:

Fig. 1 shows an example of a system for issuing objects stored in compartments of containers according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a system for issuing objects stored in compartments of containers according to the present disclosure; Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of a system for issuing objects stored in compartments of containers according the present disclosure;

Figs. 4a, b show two different perspective views on a terminal station for issuing objects stored in compartments of containers according †o the present disclosure;

Figs. 5a, b show two perspective views of the terminal station shown in Figs. 4a, b without some cover elements;

Figs. 6a-f show schematic representations of different pulley configurations for guiding a mask belt of a terminal station according †o the present disclosure;

Figs. 7 a-c show schematically a rolled-ouf mask belt and two different types of containers of a terminal station according †o the present invention; and Figs. 8a-c show schematically three different embodiments of a rolled- ouf mask belt of a terminal station according †o the present invention.

[36] Figure 1 shows a system 1 for issuing objects stored in compartments of containers. The containers are no† visible in figure 1. The system 1 comprises a housing 3 with a box-shaped outer contour. The outer dimensions of the housing 3 are essentially identical of the outer dimensions of a standardized general-purpose intermodal shipping container of 40 fee† (12.2m) standard length. The housing 3 encloses a storage (no† visible in figure 1 ) comprising a plurality of storage points for a plurality of containers. Furthermore, the system 1 comprises a transport system (not visible in figure 1 ) for transporting the containers from one of the storage points in the storage †o one of issue stations 5a, b. The issue stations 5a, b are defined by a terminal station 7 being inset info the outer contour of the housing 3 a† a front side 9 of the housing 3. Figure 1 shows a global right-handed Cartesian coordinate system XYZ having an X-axis extending along a lateral axis of the housing 3, a Y-axis extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing 3, and a Z-axis along a vertical axis of the housing 3. Furthermore, figure 1 shows a local right-handed Cartesian coordinate system with reference †o the terminal station 7 having an x- axis extending along a longitudinal axis of the terminal station 7, a y-axis extending along a lateral axis of the terminal station 7, and a z-axis extending along a vertical axis of the terminal station 7. The housing 3 comprises an opening (no† visible) †o the terminal station 7, so †ha† containers can be transported through the opening †o the issue stations 5a, b of the terminal station 7. The system 1 may further comprise a display 1 1 for displaying information †o a user about the storage, issuing of objects, requests, prices, estimated time amounts for issuing objects, availability of objects, system status or any other useful information for a user. The display 1 1 may be interactive and/or coupled, wirelessly or wired, †o an interface device for a user †o input commands, requests, queries or other information. A user may therefore control and/or monitor the issuing of objects.

[37] As shown in figure 2, another embodiment of the system 1 may comprise two terminal stations 7a, b. The two terminal stations 7a, b are here arranged a† the front side 9 and a back side 13 of the housing 3, respectively, in an essentially symmetrical manner. Thereby, the system 1 can be used by two users simultaneously for issuing objects stored within the housing 3.

[38] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the system 1 comprising five different terminal stations 7a-e arranged a† a lateral side of the housing 3, wherein the terminal stations 7a-e are arranged next to each other along the longitudinal axis X of the housing 3. In this embodiment, the local coordinate systems xyz of the terminal stations 7a-e are identical †o the global coordinate system XYZ of the housing 3. [39] Figures 4a, b show a terminal station 7 in more detail. The terminal station 7 defines two issue stations 5a, b that are arranged adjacent †o each other along the longitudinal x-axis of the terminal station 7. In this embodiment, the issue stations 5a, b are end points of two-way tracks 15 that are part of a transportation system connecting the storage with the terminal station 7. The terminal station 7 comprises a rack 17 info which containers 19 can be transported along the two-way track 15 info the issue stations 5a, b or away from them. The rack 17 may be static or movably posifionable along the lateral y-axis relative †o the two-way track 15. The containers 19 comprise compartments 21 for storing objects therein. The compartments 21 are accessible through an access side 23 of the container 19, wherein the access side 23 is a fop side of the container 19 in the embodiment shown in the figures. In other words, the compartments 21 are open a† their fop. Thereby, the objects are safely stored in the compartments by gravity. The compartments 21 of the container 19 are separated by separators 25 in form of infernal separation walls. Preferably, as shown in figures 4a, b, the compartments 21 of container 19 have all the same size and shape. Preferably, the separators 25 define n x m compartments (here n=3 and m=2) in an array configuration with n > 1 , n e N compartments along the longitudinal x- axis and m > 1 , m e N compartments along the lateral y-axis.

[40] The terminal station 7 further comprises a mask belt 27 in form of a closed-loop belt guided via pulleys 29 that are mounted †o the rack 17. The pulleys 29 guide the mask belt 27 around the issue stations 5a, b. In an issue zone 30 (see Figs. 6a-f) above a container 19 a† the issue station 5a, b, the mask belt 27 is guided along the longitudinal x-axis and thereby along the access side 23 of the container 19 a† one of the issue stations 5a, b. Thus, the section of the mask belt 27 in the issue zone 30 between the topmost pulleys 29 covers the access side 23 of the container 19 when if is positioned a† one of the issue stations 5a, b. A† a front side 31 of the rack 17 and a† a rear side 33 of the rack 17, the mask belt 27 is guided essentially vertically downward towards lower pulleys 29. Underneath the issue stations 5a, b, the mask belt 27 is guided essentially horizontally between the lower pulleys 29 towards a central mask belt drive 35. Thereby, the mask belt 27 is guided, in a xz-plane spend by the vertical z-axis and the longitudinal x-axis around the issue stations 5a, b.

[41] The mask belt 27 has a specific mask belt pattern defined by a plurality of access holes 37 distributed over different mask belt sections along the mask belt 27. The access holes 37 are posifionable by driving the mask belt 27 by means of the mask belt drive 35 along the access side 23 of a container 19 a† one of the issue stations 5a, b. The accessibility †o one or more of the compartments 21 of the container 19 a† an issue station 5a, b is controllable by positioning the access holes 37 of the mask belt 27. Each mask belt section is a† leas† as large as the access side 23 of the containers 19. The mask belt sections differ from each other by the number, size, shape, orientation and/or position of access holes 37 in the mask belt section. The number, size, shape, orientation, and/or position of the access holes 37 is defined by the configuration of compartments 21 in container 19.

[42] In the situation shown in figure 4a, b, access is given †o a container 19 positioned a† issue station 5a, wherein only one corner compartment

21 of the container 19 is accessible through access hole 37 in the mask belt 27. In order †o give access †o other or more compartments 21 of the container 19, the mask belt drive 35 can be driven †o position the desired access hole 37 above the access side 23 of the container 19. [43] As shown in figures 4a, b and 5a, b, the terminal station 7 comprises two shutters 39a, b that are each selectively movable between a close state and an open state. As shown in figures 4a, b and 5a, b, the first shutter 39a for the first issue station 5a is in an open state and the second shutter 39b for the second issue station 5b is in a closed state. In vertical z-direc†ion, the mask belt 27 extends between the access side 23 of the container 19 at the issue stations 5a, b and the corresponding shutter 39a, b in the closed state. Thus, the shutters 39a, b may cover the mask belt sections at the first and the second issue station 5a, b, respectively. In the examples shown, the shutters 39a, b are roller shutters comprising a plurality of slats hinged together. As shown for the second shutter 39b, in the closed state, at least part of the shutter 39a, b extends horizontally to cover the mask belt section positioned underneath the closed shutter 39a, b. In the open state, at least part of the shutter 39a, b extends vertically in parallel to a lateral sidewall of the container 19 positioned at one of the issue stations 5a, b. In other words, the shutters 39a, b are guided along a 90-degree curve between the close state and the open state. The shutters 39a, b are preferably configured to open in an alternating fashion. This means that the first shutter 39a for the first issue station 5a is kept close as long as the second shutter 39b for the second issue station 5b is open. Analogously, the second shutter 39b is kept close as long as the first shutter 39a is open. Thereby, it is prevented that both shutters 39a, b are open at the same time. However, it is possible and desired to have situations in which both shutters 39a, b are closed. This is for security reasons particularly advantageous during the time when the mask belt is moving. If the mask belt is only driven when both shutters are closed, the belt can be safely driven at higher speeds to increase the overall speed of issuing objects. Figures 5a, b show a bit more details about how the shutters 39a, b are driven by means of relatively small electric motors 43a, b. [44] Figures 6a -f show pulley configurations for guiding the mask belt 27 along the access side 23 of a container 19 af one of the issue stations 5a, b. With the exception of figure 6d, the different embodiments show that the mask belt 27 is guided by the pulleys 29, in the xz-plane spanned by the vertical z-axis and the longitudinal belt axis (x-axis), around the issued points 5a, b. In figure 6b, however, this is not the case. In figure 6a, the length of the mask belt 27 is the shortest among the embodiments shown in figures 6a-f. Therefore, the mask belt 27 in figure 6a may comprise the fewest mask belt sections and therefore the least variety of access holes 37. In order to accommodate a longer mask belt 27 with more mask belt sections for more variety of access holes 37 distributed over the mask belt 27, the pulleys 29 may guide the mask belt 27 to meander at least between three or more of the pulleys 29. Examples of this are shown in figures 6c-f.

[45] Figure 7 a shows a mask belt 27 when rolled out along a straight path. The two ends of the mask belt 27 are connected to each other in operation. The mask belt 27 shown in figure 7 a is suitable to be used with containers 19 having the two configurations shown in figure 7b and 7c. The mask belt 27 comprises six mask belt sections A-F. All mask belt sections A-F have essentially the length L of a container along the x-axis. The first mask belt section A comprises the largest access hole for accessing all compartments 21 of a container 19. The second mask belt section B is suitable to give access to one of the compartments 21 of a container 19 shown in figure 7b. The container shown in figure 7b comprises two compartments 21 separated by a separating wall 25 extending along the zy-plane, so that the container 19 comprises a front compartment 21 and a rear compartment 21. In order to control to which of the two compartments 21 access is given to, the access hole 37 in the second mask belt section B can be positioned accordingly by positioning the mask belt 27 along the x-axis over the desired compartment 21. The following mask belt sections C-E are suitable to give access †o compartments 21 of the container 19 shown in figure 7c. The container 19 shown in figure 7c comprises 6 compartments, wherein they are arranged in a 3x2 array configuration with n=3 compartments along the x-axis and m=2 compartments along the y-axis. The mask belt section C gives access †o a pair of two compartments 21 adjacent †o each other along the y-axis. Positioning of the mask belt 27 determines which of the n=3 pairs of compartments 21 is being given access to. If access †o individual compartments 21 of the container 19 shown in figure 7c is desired, mask belt sections D and E may be used †o position their respective access holes 37 above the desired compartment 21 of the container 19 shown in figure 7c. The mask belt section F is used †o fully cover all compartments 21 of the container 19 for blocking access †o all of the compartments 21. In general, there is a distance d in x-direc†ion between two access holes 37 in neighbouring mask belt sections A-F. The distance d satisfies the formula d ³ max(L — Ml; L - M2), wherein Ml is the length of a firs† one of said two access holes 37 and M2 is the length of a second one of said two access holes 37. In other words, the distance d is equal †o or larger than the maximum of the differences L-Ml and L- M2. This formula applies for all embodiments. In Fig. 7a, the distance d is equal †o the maximum of the differences L-Ml and L-M2. Furthermore, the mask belt sections A-F are ordered according †o the length of the access holes 37 they comprise. This is beneficial †o reduce the overall length of the mask belt 27. In Fig. 7a, between the two ends of the mask belt 27, the length of the access holes 37 continuously decreases from one access hole 37 to the next in positive x-direc†ion. Alternatively, the length of the access holes 37 may continuously increase from one access hole 37 to the next in positive x-direc†ion.

[46] Figures 8a-c show different embodiments of the mask belt 27. In figure 8a, the number, size and shape of the access holes 37 in the mask belt is the same as in figure 7a, bu† their position relative †o each other is different. In figures 8a-c, the distance d between neighbouring access holes 37 corresponds approximately to the length L of a container 19. This makes the overall length of the mask belt 27 shown in figure 8a longer than the mask belt 27 shown in figure 7a. If has, however, the advantage that access †o all of the compartments can be blocked more quickly. The mask belt section F is, however, no† needed in figure 8a, because the mask belt sections A-E each accommodate a section extending over a length L of a container with no access holes 37. The embodiment shown in figure 8d is more specialized †o be used with the container shown in figure 7c and no† suitable for containers shown in figure 7b. The embodiment shown in figure 8b differs from the embodiment shown in 8a only by the second mask belt section B comprising a longer access hole 37 to give access †o four compartments 21 arranged in a 2x2 array of the container 19 shown in figure 7c. Figure 8c shows ye† another example with nine different mask belt sections A-E suitable for the container shown in figure 7c. The mask belt sections B, C and E, F are here added compared †o the mask belt 27 shown in figure 8b. The mask belt sections B,C allow †o give access †o a row of three compartments 21 of the container shown in figure 7c. The mask belt sections E,F are useful †o give access †o a pair of two adjacent compartments along the x-axis. Thereby, the mask belts shown in figure 8c allows †o give access †o any combination of compartments 27 that can be accessed through a single rectangular access hole 37. Each access hole 37 is preferably a convex region, even more preferably a rectangle, because this is beneficial for the structural integrity of the mask belt 27 and for guiding the mask belt 27 along the pulleys 29.

[47] Lis† of reference numerals 1 system

3 housing

5a, b issue stations

7 terminal station

9 front side of housing 1 1 display 13 rear side of housing 15 tracks of transportation system 17 rack 19 containers 21 compartments 23 access side of container 25 separation walls 27 mask belt

29 pulleys

30 issue zone

31 front side of rack 33 rear side of rack 35 mask belt drive 37 access holes 39a first shutter 39b second shutter 43a first electric motor 43b second electric motor A-E mask belt sections L length of container