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Order pick system

  • US 6,061,607 A
  • Filed: 02/05/1998
  • Issued: 05/09/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An automated storage and retrieval system for an inventory of numerous items, the inventory having a first plurality of different high selection frequency items and a second plurality of different low selection frequency items, comprising:

  • a plurality of portable totes each having a plurality of cells, each said cell being adapted to removably store a vertical stack of identical items therein;

    a storage arrangement including storage racks receiving said totes, a vehicle for moving said totes into and out of said storage racks, and means for replenishing empty cells in said totes with said inventory;

    an order filling system having a low frequency pick zone for filling orders requiring at least one of said low selection frequency items, a high frequency pick zone for filling orders requiring at least one of said high selection frequency items, an elongate conveyor system moving horizontally adjacent said low and high frequency pick zones, and an order receiving area being defined on said conveyor system;

    said low frequency pick zone including a first support receiving thereon a plurality of said totes containing stacks of low selection frequency items therein, and an item picking means for retrieving an ordered low selection frequency item from an item containing cell in one of said totes on said first support;

    said high frequency pick zone including a second support receiving thereon a plurality of said totes containing stacks of said high selection frequency items therein, an item dispensing means for dispensing an ordered high selection frequency item to said order receiving area, said item dispensing means having a compartment receiving said items therein, and a means for replenishing said item dispensing means with stacks of items from the totes on said second support; and

    means for coordinating and controlling the automated operation of said vehicle, said means for replenishing empty cells in said totes with items, said conveyor system, said item picking means, said item dispensing means, and said means for replenishing said item dispensing means.

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