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US 11,648,589 B2Granted
Systems and methods to enhance the utilization of order sortation systems
AssigneeTarget Brands, Inc.
InventorsGervasio Mutarelli, Justin Feider, Taylor Marsh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods can enhance efficiencies of order fulfillment processes. For example, this document describes systems and methods for optimizing the efficiency of automated order sortation processing lines to expedite order processing in a cost-effective manner. In some embodiments, this innovation includes a fast, efficient method for supplying items to order sortation process lines so that they operate at peak efficiently, and the workers are utilized at a high level of efficiency.
Claims20
An order sortation system comprising:
- an incoming conveyor configured to transport a container holding items to an input of a container handling system;
- an automated item sorter configured to separate the items into groups in accordance with orders for the items;
- an item conveyor system arranged to transport the items to an input of the automated item sorter;
- a barcode scanner positioned along the item conveyor system and configured to obtain scans of barcodes of the items being transported on the item conveyor system;
- and
- the container handling system comprising:
- a mechanism to invert the container holding the items to transfer the items onto the item conveyor system so that the item conveyor system can transport the items past the barcode scanner and to the input of the automated item sorter;
- and
- a pusher mechanism to slide the container holding the items across the incoming conveyor to an outgoing conveyor and into engagement with the mechanism to invert the container holding the items, wherein the outgoing container conveyor is configured to transport the container away from the container handling system after the container has been inverted by the container handling system.
6 more elements
A method of sorting items, the method comprising:
- transporting, on an incoming container conveyor, a container holding items to a container handling system;
- sliding, by the container handling system, the container holding the items across the incoming container conveyor and onto an outgoing container conveyor;
- inverting, by the container handling system, the container holding the items to transfer the items onto an item conveyor system;
- transporting, on the outgoing container conveyor, the container away from the container handling system after the container has been inverted by the container handling system;
- transporting, by the item conveyor system, the items to an input of an automated item sorter;
- and
- sorting, by the automated item sorter, the items into groups in accordance with orders for the items.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.