METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING PALLETS FOR STOCK ORDERS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of assembling pallets containing a plurality of stock units for use in the fulfillment of a batch of stock orders, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a selected subset of the pallets required to fulfil orders in the batch of stock orders; and
b. providing a control system wherein said control system issues instructions to at least partially assemble the selected pallets by a negative pick/put transfer comprising;
(i) providing one or more of the selected pallets as donor pallets containing a quantity of one stock unit;
(ii) providing one or more of the selected pallets as recipient pallets which are able to receive stock units from the one or more donor pallets; and
(iii) moving a portion of the one stock unit from the one or more donor pallets onto the one or more recipient pallets.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of assembling pallets containing stock units is disclosed using a negative pick/put transfer having donor pallets 14 containing quantities of stock units and recipient pallets 20 receiving stock units. A distribution system 10 and control system 32 is provided to implement negative pick/put transfers of pallets. Also disclosed are methods and systems for sequencing the assembly of pallets by matching stock orders to create negative pick/put transfer opportunities.
22 Citations
53 Claims
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1. A method of assembling pallets containing a plurality of stock units for use in the fulfillment of a batch of stock orders, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a selected subset of the pallets required to fulfil orders in the batch of stock orders; and b. providing a control system wherein said control system issues instructions to at least partially assemble the selected pallets by a negative pick/put transfer comprising; (i) providing one or more of the selected pallets as donor pallets containing a quantity of one stock unit; (ii) providing one or more of the selected pallets as recipient pallets which are able to receive stock units from the one or more donor pallets; and (iii) moving a portion of the one stock unit from the one or more donor pallets onto the one or more recipient pallets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22)
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13. (canceled)
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19. (canceled)
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20. (canceled)
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21. (canceled)
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23. (canceled)
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24. (canceled)
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25. A method of sequencing the assembly of pallets having a plurality of stock units for use in the fulfillment of a batch of stock orders, the orders containing order lines that represent the quantities of individual stock units required in specified pallets to fulfil the batch of orders, the method comprising:
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providing a computer that is programmed with a computer program to generate instructions to identify one or more matches of the order lines for a first stock unit where the combined quantity of the first stock unit in each match is equal to a predetermined value or is within a predetermined range; and sequencing the assembly of pallets utilizing those matches. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40)
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38. (canceled)
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39. (canceled)
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41. (canceled)
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42. (canceled)
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43. A distribution system comprising:
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a work area for receiving at any one time; one or more donor pallets each containing a quantity of a stock unit and one or more recipient pallets arranged to receive stock units; and a control system operative to control the transfer of stock units from the donor pallets to the recipient pallets in the work area so as to establish desired quantities of the stock units in the donor and recipient pallets for use in the fulfillment of stock orders. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. (canceled)
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52. (canceled)
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53. (canceled)
Specification