Method and apparatus for filling orders in a warehouse
First Claim
1. A method of consolidating from all different warehoused sku'"'"'s different selected ones of said sku'"'"'s during predetermined short regularly recurring pick periods comprising the steps of:
- classifying warehoused items according to a predetermined sku designation;
dividing pick areas into two sets of pick faces;
determining by sku designation all of the different items needed for all orders to be picked during an individual subsequent pick period;
determining the individual total number of each of the different needed items according to their sku designation, and determining in descending order the sku'"'"'s with the highest total number needed to be picked for all orders during such subsequent pick period;
assigning and stocking the sku'"'"'s with the greatest total number needed to be picked during such subsequent pick period into a first set of primary pick faces having a maximum number of pick faces corresponding in number to less than approximately 50% of all different sku'"'"'s warehoused, with each pick face containing only one type of item;
generating pick slips identifying by individual orders the items needed to complete each such order and designating the individual pick faces containing each of such items;
picking items for an order from the first set of pick faces for items stocked in the first set of pick faces;
stocking a second set of pick faces, in addition to the first set, with items that are not currently stocked in the primary pick faces;
picking from the second set of pick faces all items needed for an order that cannot be picked from the first set of primary pick faces;
re-assigning sku'"'"'s to and re-stocking the first set of pick faces for the next successive pick period with sku'"'"'s having the greatest total number needed to be picked during such next successive pick period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for filling orders in a warehouse utilizes a main conveyor for routing items in the warehouse, including to a primary and secondary picking area. The primary picking area is used for picking high volume items, and is subdivided into multiple subgroups of primary pick faces. The second picking area is used for picking items that are not available for picking in the first picking area. Picking is performed in alternating short pick periods. Picking from a first subgroup of primary pick faces is performed in a first pick period, and picking from the second subgroup of primary pick faces is performed in an alternating pick period. Items are assigned to the first picking area dynamically for each picking period on the basis of which items are the highest moving items during an individual pick period. The system utilizes a pivotally mounted diverting chute to direct items into the pick faces, etc., and a self opening pick face.
210 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of consolidating from all different warehoused sku'"'"'s different selected ones of said sku'"'"'s during predetermined short regularly recurring pick periods comprising the steps of:
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classifying warehoused items according to a predetermined sku designation; dividing pick areas into two sets of pick faces; determining by sku designation all of the different items needed for all orders to be picked during an individual subsequent pick period; determining the individual total number of each of the different needed items according to their sku designation, and determining in descending order the sku'"'"'s with the highest total number needed to be picked for all orders during such subsequent pick period; assigning and stocking the sku'"'"'s with the greatest total number needed to be picked during such subsequent pick period into a first set of primary pick faces having a maximum number of pick faces corresponding in number to less than approximately 50% of all different sku'"'"'s warehoused, with each pick face containing only one type of item; generating pick slips identifying by individual orders the items needed to complete each such order and designating the individual pick faces containing each of such items; picking items for an order from the first set of pick faces for items stocked in the first set of pick faces; stocking a second set of pick faces, in addition to the first set, with items that are not currently stocked in the primary pick faces; picking from the second set of pick faces all items needed for an order that cannot be picked from the first set of primary pick faces; re-assigning sku'"'"'s to and re-stocking the first set of pick faces for the next successive pick period with sku'"'"'s having the greatest total number needed to be picked during such next successive pick period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification