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US 11,753,246 B1Granted
Automated warehouse systems, assemblies, apparatuses, and methods for assembling mixed pallets and facilitating order picking
AssigneeNewteq Holding B.V.
InventorHans Eil
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure is directed to automated warehouse facilities that are configured to assemble mixed pallets. The warehouse facilities can include one or more layer handling devices that are configured to remove layers from pallets in a delayering operational mode, and to add layers to pallets in a palletizing operation mode. The warehouse facilities also may include one or more item retrieval devices that are configured to retrieve individual items from storage racks. The warehouse facilities can include other automated devices as well.
Claims20
An automated warehouse system for assembling mixed pallets in a warehouse, the system comprising:
- an inbound processing section configured to receive a homogenous pallet;
- a first layer handling device configured in a delayering operational mode, the delayering operational mode configuring the first layer handling device to receive the homogenous pallet, remove a layer of items from the homogenous pallet, and place the layer of items on a tray for transport to a storage section;
- at least one automated retrieval and storage system configured to place the layer of items with the tray on a storage rack situated in the storage section, and retrieve the layer of items with the tray from the storage rack in the storage section;
- a second layer handling device configured in a palletizing operational mode, the palletizing operational mode configuring the second layer handling device to receive the layer of items on the tray from the storage section, and remove the layer of items from the tray to assemble a mixed pallet;
- an outbound processing section configured to receive the mixed pallet during fulfillment of an order;
- and
- an automated conveyor system configured to:
- transport the homogenous pallet to the first layer handling device configured in the delayering operational mode;
- transport the layer of items on the tray from the first layer handling device to the storage section;
- transport the layer of items on the tray from the storage section to the second layer handling device configured in the palletizing operational mode;
- and
- transport the mixed pallet to the outbound processing section.
9 more elements
A method for assembling mixed pallets in an automated warehouse, the method comprising:
- receiving a homogenous pallet at an inbound processing section;
- transporting, using an automated conveyor system, the homogenous pallet to a first layer handling device configured in a delayering operational mode, the first layer handling device being configured to remove a layer of items from the homogenous pallet and place the layer of items on a tray;
- transporting, using the automated conveyor system, the layer of items on the tray to a storage section;
- placing, using at least one automated retrieval and storage system, the layer of items with the tray on the storage rack situated in the storage section;
- retrieving, using the at least one automated retrieval and storage system, the layer of items with the tray from the storage rack in the storage section;
- receiving, at a second layer handling device configured in a palletizing operational mode, the layer of items on the tray;
- assembling, using the second layer handling device, a mixed pallet, at least in part, using the layer of items;
- and
- transporting the mixed pallet to an outbound processing section.
6 more elements
A computerized method executed by a warehouse control system for assembling mixed pallets in an automated warehouse, the method comprising:
- controlling an automated conveyor system to transport a homogenous pallet from an inbound processing section to a first layer handling device configured in a delayering operational mode;
- controlling the first layer handling device to remove a layer of items from the homogenous pallet and place the layer of items on a tray;
- controlling the automated conveyor system to transport the layer of items on the tray to a storage section;
- controlling at least one automated retrieval and storage system to place the layer of items with the tray on a storage rack situated in the storage section;
- controlling the at least one automated retrieval and storage system to retrieve the layer of items with the tray from the storage rack in the storage section;
- controlling the automated conveyor system to transport the layer of items on the tray to a second layer handling device configured in a palletizing operational mode;
- controlling the second layer handling device to assemble a mixed pallet, at least in part, using the layer of items;
- and
- controlling the automated conveyor system to transport the mixed pallet to an outbound processing section.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.