An order fulfillment system includes a plurality of stock locations for storing items, and movable collection containers, each configured to hold one or more of the items. A network of tracks along which each of the collection containers is configured to move in a single direction includes junctions where at least two of the tracks intersect, each collection container being controllable at a junction to continue travelling along one of the tracks. The network of tracks is configured to enable the collection containers to move to the stock locations. A controller is configured to receive a list of ordered items, to determine a selected stock location at which each ordered item is stored, to calculate a route along the network of tracks to bring a collection container to each selected stock location, and to control movement of that collection container along the calculated route to the selected stock locations.
ORDER FULFILLMENT SYSTEM
22.09.2022
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
IPC: | B65G TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS , Transport- oder Lagervorrichtungen, z.B. Förderer zum Laden oder Abladen / B66C Krane , CRANES / G06Q Datenverarbeitungssysteme oder -verfahren, besonders angepasst an verwaltungstechnische, geschäftliche, finanzielle oder betriebswirtschaftliche Zwecke, sowie an geschäftsbezogene Überwachungs- oder Voraussagezwecke , DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS OR METHODS, SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORY OR FORECASTING PURPOSES |