Method and apparatus for filling stock orders
First Claim
1. A method of directing a stock worker to transfer stock items from various storage bins to containers according to a series of orders requesting desired quantities of specific stock items, wherein a light is associated with each bin, the method comprising:
- assigning unique identifiers to each container;
illuminating a light associated with a bin holding a current item requested in a first order;
displaying a desired quantity of the current stock item;
assigning a container to the current stock item;
displaying the unique identifier for the assigned container; and
repeating the light illuminating, quantity displaying, container assigning, and identifier displaying steps for subsequent stock items requested in the first and subsequent orders.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Order Filling apparatus and methods are disclosed. A plurality of racks are provided for storing a plurality of products. Each rack has a plurality of bins for holding specific products. A central conveyor is provided for receiving specific products from the bins according to orders. A plurality of intermediate containers are positioned above and along the central conveyor for temporarily holding products from the bins. Each container includes a dispenser operable to discharge products onto the conveyor. An indicator is associated with each bin and includes a light, a number display, and a container display. A computer is operably connected to the container dispensers and bin indicators. The computer assigns containers to parts of the orders and sequentially operates the light, number, and hopper displays of the indicators, thereby directing a stock worker to transfer order parts from the bins to the containers. The computer further operates the dispensers of the assigned containers holding a complete order to discharge at substantially the same point along the conveyor. In addition, a delicate product packing station may be provided for handling breakable stock items.
53 Citations
36 Claims
-
1. A method of directing a stock worker to transfer stock items from various storage bins to containers according to a series of orders requesting desired quantities of specific stock items, wherein a light is associated with each bin, the method comprising:
-
assigning unique identifiers to each container;
illuminating a light associated with a bin holding a current item requested in a first order;
displaying a desired quantity of the current stock item;
assigning a container to the current stock item;
displaying the unique identifier for the assigned container; and
repeating the light illuminating, quantity displaying, container assigning, and identifier displaying steps for subsequent stock items requested in the first and subsequent orders. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. Apparatus for directing a stock worker to transfer stock items from various storage bins to containers according to a series of orders requesting desired quantities of specific stock items, wherein each storage bin contains an associated stock item, the apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of lights, each light associated with a bin;
at least one number display for showing a desired quantity of each stock item;
at least one container display for showing a unique container identifier associated with a selected container into which each stock item is to be placed, wherein each container is assigned a unique identifier; and
a computer operably connected to the lights, the at least one number display, and at least one container display, wherein the computer receives the orders for the stock items and assigns a selected container to each stock item, directs the at least one number display to show the desired quantity of each stock item, directs the at least one container display to show the unique container identifier associated with the selected container assigned to each stock item, and illuminates the light for the bin associated with the specific stock item, so that the stock worker is directed to transfer each stock item from the associated bin to the assigned container. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
18. Apparatus for assembling orders requesting a series of desired quantities or specific stock items, the apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of bins, wherein each bin holds a specific stock item;
a plurality of lights, each light having an associated bill;
a central conveyor positioned near the bins;
a plurality of containers positioned adjacent the central conveyor for temporarily holding stock items from the bins, each container having a unique identifier assigned thereto and including a dispenser operable to discharge stock items onto the central conveyor;
at least one number display for showing a desired quantity of each stock item;
at least one container display for showing the unique container identifier associated with a selected container into which each stock item is to be placed; and
a computer operably connected to the container dispensers, the at least one number display, the at least one container display, and the lights, wherein the computer receives the orders for the stock items and assigns a selected container to each stock item, directs the at least one number display to show the desired quantity of each stock item, directs the at least one container display to show the unique container identifier associated with the selected container assigned to each stock item, and illuminates the light for the bin associated with the specific stock item, so that the stock worker is directed to transfer each stock item from the associated bin to the assigned container, the computer further controlling the container dispensers holding a complete order to discharge at substantially the same point along the central conveyor.
-
-
21. The apparatus of claim t9, in which each central indicator Further comprises a multi-purpose exception button operably connected to the computer.
-
29. Delicate product handling apparatus for use with stock order filling apparatus having a central conveyor for receiving stock items, the central conveyor having an upper surface and a discharge end, the delicate product handling apparatus comprising:
-
a transfer conveyor having a loading portion positioned adjacent the discharge end of the central conveyor and a discharge portion;
a plurality of trays attached to the transfer conveyor, each tray having an upper surface with a receiving end substantially aligned with the central conveyor upper surface to receive stock items from the central conveyor and a discharge end, wherein each tray is adapted to move to a discharge position at the discharge portion of the transfer conveyor, thereby to discharge the stock items from the discharge end; and
a packing table positioned adjacent the discharge portion of the transfer conveyor, the packing table having a top surface with a rear edge substantially aligned with the discharge ends of the trays thereby to receive the stock items discharged from the trays.
-
-
33. Delicate product handling apparatus for use with stock order filling apparatus having a central conveyor for receiving stock items, the central conveyor having an upper surface and a discharge end, the delicate product handling apparatus comprising:
-
a transfer chute having an upper surface with a first end positioned adjacent the central conveyor discharge end to receive stock items from the central conveyor and a second end, wherein the second end is lower than the first end so that the stock items slide from the first end to the second end under gravity force;
a chute swing arm pivotably mounted above the transfer chute and positioned to engage the stock items, the swing arm adapted to actuate between first and second positions thereby to direct the stock items to first and second sides, respectively, of the upper surface second end; and
a packing table having an upper surface positioned adjacent the second end of the chute upper surface adapted to receive the stock items from the transfer chute. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
-
Specification