Tote-based warehousing system and method

• US 20050043850A1
• Filed: 04/09/2002
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Waterhouse, Paul, Vandenberg, Mike, Stevens, John
• Application Number:
  US10/474,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20050043850A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/213
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1371 with data records
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1378 the orders being assembled on fixed commissioning areas remote from the storage areas
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0258 Trays, totes or bins
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0261 Puck as article support
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2203/046 RFID
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2209/04 Indication location means

Abstract

A warehousing system includes a container (e.g., tote) for storing at least one item of merchandise, a first electronic (e.g,. radio frequency identification (RFID)) module associated with the first container, and a controller which wirelessly communicates with first electronic module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item of merchandise to and/or from said first container. The inventive system may include, for example, a hybrid retail/warehouse system which includes a facility having a shelving area, and a picking area adjacent to the shelving area, and a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area.

Claims

1. A warehousing system comprising:

a first container for storing at least one item of merchandise;

a first electronic module associated with said first container; and

a controller which wirelessly communicates with said first electronic module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item of merchandise to and from said first container.

2. The warehousing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second container for receiving said at least one item of merchandise from said first container,

wherein said controller directs a transfer of said at least one item of merchandise from said first container to said second container.

3. The warehousing system according to claim 2, wherein said second container is associated with a second electronic module which wirelessly communicates with said controller, for facilitating a transfer of said at least one item of merchandise from said first container to said second container.

4. The warehousing system according to claim 1, wherein said first electronic module comprises a light emitting device which is activated to indicate that said at least one item of merchandise should be transferred to and from said first container.

5. The warehousing system according to claim 1, wherein said first electronic module comprises a display device for indicating a content of said first container.

6. The warehousing system according to claim 1, wherein said first container comprises a plastic tote.

18. The warehousing system according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a pallet.

19. The warehousing system according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a plastic package.

20. The warehousing system according to claim 1, wherein said container stores one item of merchandise.

21. The warehousing system according to claim 1, wherein said controller wirelessly communicates with said first electronic module via a low frequency signal.

24. The warehousing system according to claim 1, wherein said first electronic module comprises an antenna for facilitating said communication with said controller.

25. The warehousing system according to claim 1, wherein said first electronic module is integrally formed with said first container.

28. The container according to claim 24, wherein said body comprises a plurality of sides, said antenna being integrally formed with at least one of said plurality of sides.

29. The container according to claim 24, wherein said antenna is integrally formed with said plurality of sides.

7. A hybrid retail/warehouse system comprising:

a retail/warehouse facility comprising a shelving area and a picking area adjacent to said shelving area, and having a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area;

a container associated with said retail/warehouse facility for storing at least one item of merchandise,

an electronic module associated with said container; and

a controller which wirelessly communicates with said module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item of merchandise to and from said container,

8. The hybrid retail/warehouse system according to claim 7, wherein said merchandise is personally selected by in-store customers and remotely selected by out-of-store customers.

9. The warehousing system according to claim 7, wherein said electronic module is affixed to said container.

10. A warehousing method comprising:

storing at least one item of merchandise in a first container; and

remotely directing a transfer of said at least one item of merchandise to and from said first container, using a first electronic module which is associated with said first container.

11. The warehousing method according to claim 10, further comprising:

remotely assigning a second container to receive said at least one item of merchandise from said first container.

12. A hybrid retail/warehouse method comprising:

storing at least one item of merchandise in a container which is associated with a retail/warehouse facility, said facility comprising a shelving area and a picking area adjacent to said shelving area, and having a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area; and

remotely directing a transfer of said at least one item of merchandise to and from said container, using an electronic module which is associated with said container.

13. The hybrid retail/warehouse method according to claim 12, wherein said merchandise is at least one of personally selected by in-store customers and remotely selected by out-of-store customers.

14. The hybrid retail/warehouse method according to claim 12, wherein said electronic module is affixed to said container.

15. The hybrid retail/warehouse method according to claim 12 wherein said container comprises a plastic tote.

16. A signal-bearing media tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processor to perform a warehousing method, said method comprising:

storing at least one item of merchandise in a first container; and

remotely directing a transfer of said at least one item of merchandise to and from said first container, using an electronic module which is associated with said first container.

17. A signal-bearing media tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processor to perform a hybrid retail/warehouse method, said method comprising:

storing at least one item of merchandise in a container which is associated with a retail/warehouse facility, said facility comprising a shelving area and a picking area adjacent to said shelving area, and having a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area; and

remotely directing a transfer of said at least one item of merchandise to and from said container, using an electronic module which is associated with said container.

22. A pallet for storing an item of merchandise, said pallet comprising:

a body which contains said item of merchandise; and

an electronic identification module attached to said body.

23. A package for storing an item of merchandise, said package comprising:

a body which contains said item of merchandise; and

an electronic identification module attached to said body.

27. The container according to claim 23, wherein said body comprises an antenna coupled to said electronic module for facilitating wireless communication with said electronic module.

26. A container for containing an item, comprising:

a body which contains said item; and

an electronic module integrally formed with said body.

30. A package for containing an item, comprising:

a body which contains said item; and

an electronic module integrally formed with said body.

31. A pallet for containing an item, comprising:

a body which contains said item; and

an electronic module integrally formed with said body.