Storage and retrieval system
AssigneeAlert Innovation Inc.
InventorsJohn G. Lert, Jr., William J. Fosnight
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for storage and retrieval are provided. The system includes a multi-level storage structure, and mobile robots configured to pick, transport and place one or more tote, container, or object. This system and method can be used in order-fulfillment applications in which one or more workstations accommodate a picker that transports one or more eaches from a tote on one of the autonomous mobile robots to a put location, and an input/output interface induct material into the system and discharge fulfilled orders from the system. The mobile robots are further configured to move from level to level in the multi-level storage structure via inclined or vertical tracks without requiring a vertical lift or vertical conveyor.
Claims21
An order fulfillment system, comprising:
- a plurality of inventory storage locations configured to store containers having inventory;
- an inventory interface configured to perform at least one of presenting inventory for removal from the order fulfillment system and receiving inventory for input into the order fulfillment system;
- and
- one or more mobile robots for transferring the containers around the order fulfillment system, the one or more mobile robots configured to transfer a container directly between an inventory storage location and the inventory interface;
- wherein the inventory interface comprises an access panel preventing access to a container at the inventory interface when in a closed position, and allowing selective access to one or more sections of the container at the inventory interface when in an open position.
An order fulfillment system, comprising:
- a plurality of inventory storage locations configured to store containers having inventory;
- an inventory interface having an access panel, the inventory interface configured to present inventory for removal from the order fulfillment system or insertion into the order fulfillment system;
- a human/machine interface for receiving input from a user;
- one or more mobile robots for transferring the containers around the order fulfillment system, including to the plurality of inventory storage locations and to the inventory interface, the access panel configured to shield a user from a mobile robot moving to the inventory interface or away from the inventory interface;
- and
- a control system operatively coupled to inventory interface, the human/machine interface and one or more mobile robots, the control system causing a selected container to be transferred from an inventory storage location of the plurality of inventory storage locations to the inventory interface in response to input received at the human/machine interface;
- wherein the access panel of the inventory interface is operatively coupled to the control system, the control system causing the access panel to at least partially open upon confirmation at the control system that the selected container is positioned at the inventory interface;
- and
- wherein the selected container includes a plurality of compartments, a compartment of the plurality of compartments including inventory to be removed from the inventory interface, and wherein the access panel is partially opened upon confirmation at the control system that the selected container is positioned at the inventory interface to provide access to the compartment while keeping others of the plurality of compartments covered.
An order fulfillment system, comprising:
- a plurality of inventory storage locations configured to store a plurality of containers having inventory, a container of the plurality of containers having a plurality of compartments;
- an inventory interface having an access panel configured to perform at least one of presenting inventory for removal from the order fulfillment system and receiving inventory for input into the order fulfillment system, wherein the access panel is configured to:
- completely block access to the container positioned at the inventory interface,
- allow partial access to the container positioned at the inventory interface by uncovering a compartment of the plurality of compartments while covering others of the plurality of compartments, and
- allow full access to the container positioned at the inventory interface;
- and
- one or more mobile robots for transferring the plurality of containers around the order fulfillment system, including to the plurality of inventory storage locations and to the inventory interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.