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US 11,753,247 B2Granted
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
A system for use in an automated warehouse, comprising:
- a storage rack structure that includes layers of shelving and being configured to store at a location on a shelf a tray comprising a layer of items removed from a pallet;
- an automated conveyor;
- and
- an item retrieval device situated in an aisle adjacent to the storage rack structure and being configured to move along one or more guide rails to the location of the shelf where the tray and the layer of items are stored, the item retrieval device comprising:
- one or more masts extending upwardly from a bottom portion of the item retrieval device connected to the one or more guide rails;
- and
- a retrieval portion connected to the one or masts and configured to move vertically along the one or more masts, the retrieval portion comprising:
- a lower handling portion configured to grab the tray from the storage rack structure and pull the tray towards the one or more masts of the item retrieval device;
- and
- an upper handling portion configured to remove a subset of the items from the layer included on the tray after the lower handling portion pulls the tray towards the one or more masts of the item retrieval device;
- wherein the item retrieval device is configured to place the subset of items removed from the layer of items included on the tray onto the automated conveyor for use in assembling a mixed pallet.
8 more elements
An item retrieval device for use in an automated warehouse, comprising:
- one or more masts extending upwardly from a bottom portion of the item retrieval device connected to the one or more guide rails;
- and
- a retrieval portion connected to the one or masts and configured to move vertically along the one or more masts, the retrieval portion comprising:
- a lower handling portion configured to grab a tray comprising a layer of items from a storage rack structure that includes layers of shelving, and pull the tray towards the one or more masts of the item retrieval device;
- and
- an upper handling portion configured to remove a subset of the items from the layer included on the tray after the lower handling portion pulls the tray towards the one or more masts of the item retrieval device;
- wherein:
- the item retrieval device situated in an aisle adjacent to the storage rack structure and is configured to move along one or more guide rails to a location of a shelf where the tray and the layer of items are stored;
- and
- the item retrieval device is configured to place the subset of items removed from the layer of items included on the tray onto an automated conveyor for use in assembling a mixed pallet.
7 more elements
A method for operating or utilizing an item retrieval device, comprising:
- controlling an item retrieval device to move along one or more guide rails to a location of a storage rack structure that stores a tray comprising a layer of items, wherein:
- the item retrieval device is situated in an aisle adjacent to the storage rack structure;
- the item retrieval device includes one or more masts extending upwardly from a bottom portion of the item retrieval device that is connected to the one or more guide rails;
- the item retrieval device includes a retrieval portion connected to the one or masts and configured to move vertically along the one or more masts;
- and
- the retrieval portion includes a lower handling portion and an upper handling portion;
- controlling the lower handling portion of the item retrieval device to grab the tray comprising the layer of items from the storage rack structure;
- controlling the lower handling portion of the item retrieval device to pull the tray towards the one or more masts of the item retrieval device;
- controlling the upper handling portion of the item retrieval device to remove a subset of the items from the layer included on the tray after the lower handling portion pulls the tray towards the one or more masts of the item retrieval device;
- and
- placing, using the item retrieval device, the subset of items removed from the tray onto an automated conveyor for use in assembling a mixed pallet.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.