Systems and methods for order processing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016129587-A1
Application number	US-201414899367-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 12, 2014
Priority date	Jun 17, 2013
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems 1000, methods, and machine-executable coded instruction sets for the fully- and/or partly automated handling of goods. In particular, the disclosure provides improvements in the storage and retrieval of storage and delivery containers in order processing systems.

First claim

1 . A system for managing shipment containers, the system comprising:
a storage-and-retrieval system comprising: a structural framework defining a grid of storage locations configured for receiving a plurality of containers; a plurality of robotic load handlers for retrieving containers from any one of the storage locations; and at least one rail arranged about the grid to enable access to each of the storage locations by at least one of the plurality of robotic load handlers; and
at least one processor configured to:
generate signals for instructing or controlling at least one of the plurality of robotic load handlers to store, in the storage and retrieval system, storage containers containing stored items;
generate signals for instructing or controlling at least one of the plurality of robotic load handlers to retrieve from the storage and retrieval system at least one container containing stored items for delivering the retrieved at least one container to an order picking station; and
generate signals for instructing or controlling at least one of the plurality of robotic load handlers to store at least one delivery container containing at least one picked item in the storage and retrieval system.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one delivery container is stored in a storage container for storage in at least one of the storage locations.

3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate signals for instructing or controlling at least one of the plurality of robotic load handlers to store fully or partially-picked delivery containers in the storage and retrieval system.

4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate signals for instructing or controlling at least one of the plurality of robotic load handlers to store empty delivery containers in the storage and retrieval system.

5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate signals for instructing or controlling at least one of the plurality of robotic load handlers to retrieve at least one of the delivery containers for delivering the retrieved at least one delivery container to an order picking station.

6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate signals for instructing or controlling at least one of the plurality of robotic load handlers to retrieve at least one of the delivery containers for dispatch.

7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the grid of storage locations is configured for receiving a plurality of containers in one or more stacks.

8 . The system according to claim 1 , comprising at least one mechanism for removing a delivery container from a storage container.

9 . The system according to claim 8 wherein the at least one mechanism includes: at least one lifter mechanism configured to extend through one or more apertures in the bottom of the storage containers to engage and apply an upward force to the bottom of the delivery container.

10 . The system according to claim 8 wherein the at least one mechanism includes: at least one lifter mechanism configured for engaging and lifting the delivery container from the stackable container using at least one of a lip, a handle, and an aperture of the delivery container.

10 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one mechanism includes a suction device.

12 . A method of operating an order processing system comprising a goods storage and retrieval system, the method comprising:
storing, via at least one robotic load handler, in at least one of a plurality of storage locations in the storage and retrieval system a plurality of storage containers containing stored items; storing, via the at least one robotic load handler, in at least one of the plurality of adjacent stacks a plurality of delivery containers; and retrieving, via the at least one robotic load handler, from at least one of a plurality of storage locations a plurality of containers containing at least one of the delivery containers, and delivering the retrieved containers to an order picking station.

13 . The method according to claim 12 , comprising: storing each of the plurality of delivery containers into a storage container for storage in at least one of the plurality of storage locations.

14 . The method according to claim 12 , comprising:
storing, via the at least one robotic load handler, in at least one of the plurality of adjacent stacks at least one delivery containers containing at least one picked item.

15 . The method according to claim 12 , comprising: storing, via the at least one robotic load handler, in at least one of the plurality of adjacent stacks at least one partially or fully-picked delivery containers.

16 . The method according to claim 15 , comprising: retrieving, via the at least one robotic load handler, from at least one of a plurality of storage locations at least one of the delivery containers for dispatch.

17 . The method according to claim 16 comprising: removing, with at least one lifter mechanism, the at least one delivery container received for dispatch from at least one storage container.

18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one storage container from which the delivery container is removed includes one or more apertures or cutouts, and removing the delivery container comprises:
at least initiating removal, via the apertures or cutouts, the respective at least one delivery container.

19 . The method according to claim 12 , comprising:
placing an empty delivery container in a storage container after a delivery container containing items has been removed from the storage container.

20 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein at least one of the plurality of delivery containers is nestable with at least one other delivery container.

21 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Ocado Innovation Ltd

Inventors

• Lindbo Lars Sverker Ture
• Ingram-Tedd Andrew John
• North Stuart Richard

Classifications

• G06Q10/087 Primary

  Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders · CPC title

• B65D21/0233

  Nestable containers · CPC title

• B65G1/0464 Primary

  with access from above · CPC title

• Y10S901/01

  Mobile robot · CPC title

• B65D21/0209

  stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position (B65D21/0234, B65D21/0235 take precedence) · CPC title