Tote-Based Warehousing System and Method

• US 20110106296A1
• Filed: 11/01/2010
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vandenberg, Michael J., Waterhouse, Paul, Stevens, John K.
• Application Number:
  US12/917,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20110106296A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/217
• 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 for storing at least one item, 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 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

1-6. -6. (canceled)

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,

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 to and from said container.

8. The hybrid retail/warehouse system according to claim 7, wherein said item 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.

10-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A hybrid retail/warehouse method comprising:

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

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

18-21. -21. (canceled)

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.

24-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A container for containing an item, comprising:

a body which contains said item; and

an electronic module integrally formed with said body.

27. The container according to claim 26, wherein said body comprises an antenna coupled to said electronic module for facilitating wireless communication with said electronic module.

30-32. -32. (canceled)

33. A system for warehousing an item, comprising:

an electronic module associated with said item; and

a controller which wirelessly communicates with said electronic module, for controlling a warehousing of said item.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said controller controls a warehousing of said item by controlling at least one of a location of said item and a movement of said item.

35. An item to be warehoused, comprising:

an electronic module associated with said item for wirelessly communicating with a controller which controls a warehousing of said item.

36. The item of claim 35, wherein said electronic module is one of affixed to said item and integrally formed with said item.