Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Patent
1998-02-05
2000-05-09
Ellis, Christopher P.
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
414273, 414280, G06F 1700
Patent
active
060616075
ABSTRACT:
An automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) wherein individual identical articles are disposed in vertical stacks stored in cells of movable totes. The totes are movable into and out of storage racks by an automated storage/retrieval vehicle. The ASRS includes an order picking system having at least two zones disposed along an order-collecting conveyor system. One zone picks low-demand articles, and the other zone employs high-speed dispensers which support plural upright stacks each containing identical high-demand articles for dispensing of such articles onto the conveyor system. A controller assigns order-collecting areas along the conveyor system so that picked or dispensed articles within the zones are deposited into a preassigned area for assembly of an order. The pick zone for low-demand articles preferably includes several subzones arranged serially of the conveyor system, and each subzone includes a picker mechanism which includes a picking head which moves longitudinally and transversely of the conveyor. A plurality of totes are supported adjacent and longitudinally along at least one side of the conveyor system, with the cells in each tote typically defining plural stacks of different articles all having a preassigned position relative to the movement of the picking head. The controller causes the picking head to remove a desired article from a specific cell for transfer to the preassigned area of the conveyor system. This process can be repeated within one subzone, and sequentially within several subzones, for filling a single order with low-demand articles which are deposited into the preassigned area.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2920916 (1960-01-01), Pagdin
patent: 3526327 (1970-09-01), Atwater
patent: 3661280 (1972-05-01), Atwater
patent: 3782564 (1974-01-01), Burt
patent: 4000821 (1977-01-01), Naito et al.
patent: 4176995 (1979-12-01), Wise
patent: 4516762 (1985-05-01), Moltrasio et al.
patent: 4542808 (1985-09-01), Lloyd, Jr. et al.
patent: 4678390 (1987-07-01), Bonneton et al.
patent: 4792273 (1988-12-01), Specht
patent: 4850783 (1989-07-01), Maekawa
patent: 4883401 (1989-11-01), Kavieff
patent: 4932828 (1990-06-01), Katae et al.
patent: 4974166 (1990-11-01), Maney et al.
patent: 5271703 (1993-12-01), Lindqvist et al.
patent: 5340263 (1994-08-01), Neri et al.
patent: 5346351 (1994-09-01), Priolo et al.
patent: 5358375 (1994-10-01), Kawada et al.
patent: 5363310 (1994-11-01), Haj-Ali-Ahmadi
patent: 5372473 (1994-12-01), Moyden et al.
patent: 5380139 (1995-01-01), Pohjonen et al.
patent: 5385243 (1995-01-01), Jackson et al.
patent: 5395206 (1995-03-01), Cerny, Jr.
patent: 5439345 (1995-08-01), Ivo
patent: 5468110 (1995-11-01), McDonald et al.
patent: 5476191 (1995-12-01), Dunford et al.
patent: 5478183 (1995-12-01), Savigny
patent: 5482139 (1996-01-01), Rivalto
patent: 5509572 (1996-04-01), Curtis
patent: 5564879 (1996-10-01), Noguchi
patent: 5564893 (1996-10-01), Tacchi et al.
patent: 5582497 (1996-12-01), Noguchi
patent: 5636966 (1997-06-01), Lyon et al.
patent: 5733098 (1998-03-01), Lyon et al.
patent: 5903457 (1999-05-01), Chang
Macron Dynamics, Inc., High Speed Linear Actuators That Go The Distance, one page, Jul. 17, 1996.
Sensoflex Vacuum Gripper System VG102-1, one page, Jul. 17, 1996.
Barry Wright Corporation, Sensoflex.TM. Vacuum Gripper System* Part No. VG101-1, one page, Jul. 17, 1996.
Senoflex Vacuum Grippers, VGC100, one page, Jul. 17, 1996.
SI Handling Systems, Inc., The Next Generation Order Selection Machine, one page, Jul. 17, 1996.
Bradley Robert E.
Loy David H.
Ellis Christopher P.
St. Onge Company
Tran Khoi H.
LandOfFree
Order pick system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Order pick system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Order pick system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1074217