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NZ773565B2 - Parcel and article sorting system and method with destination container removal - Google Patents
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NZ773565B2 - Parcel and article sorting system and method with destination container removal - Google Patents

Parcel and article sorting system and method with destination container removal

Info

Publication number
NZ773565B2
NZ773565B2 NZ773565A NZ77356519A NZ773565B2 NZ 773565 B2 NZ773565 B2 NZ 773565B2 NZ 773565 A NZ773565 A NZ 773565A NZ 77356519 A NZ77356519 A NZ 77356519A NZ 773565 B2 NZ773565 B2 NZ 773565B2
Authority
NZ
New Zealand
Prior art keywords
article
destination
computer
destination container
articles
Prior art date
Application number
NZ773565A
Other versions
NZ773565A (en
Inventor
Michael C Futch
James M Serstad
Original Assignee
Tompkins Robotics Inc
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tompkins Robotics Inc filed Critical Tompkins Robotics Inc
Priority claimed from PCT/US2019/048286 external-priority patent/WO2020051020A1/en
Publication of NZ773565A publication Critical patent/NZ773565A/en
Publication of NZ773565B2 publication Critical patent/NZ773565B2/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C2501/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material to be sorted
    • B07C2501/0063—Using robots
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/008—Means for collecting objects, e.g. containers for sorted mail items
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/10—Apparatus characterised by the means used for detection ofthe destination
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/18—Devices or arrangements for indicating destination, e.g. by code marks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/36—Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
    • B65G1/06—Storage devices mechanical with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level
    • B65G1/065—Storage devices mechanical with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level with self propelled cars
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
    • B65G1/137—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
    • B65G1/137—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
    • B65G1/1373—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed for fulfilling orders in warehouses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
    • B65G1/137—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
    • B65G1/1373—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed for fulfilling orders in warehouses
    • B65G1/1378—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed for fulfilling orders in warehouses the orders being assembled on fixed commissioning areas remote from the storage areas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles
    • B65G2201/0285—Postal items, e.g. letters, parcels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
    • B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
    • B66F9/063—Automatically guided
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B19/00—Program-control systems
    • G05B19/02—Program-control systems electric
    • G05B19/418—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
    • G05B19/4189—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM] characterised by the transport system
    • G05B19/41895—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM] characterised by the transport system using automatic guided vehicles [AGV]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

Parcel sorting includes dispensing packages going to different destinations through a delivery management system to realize unified transport of packages. This is especially advantageous in an order fulfillment center or shipping facility. Generally, a parcel or article for shipment will have a UPC, barcode, SKU, or similar identifier that allows for identification of the parcel and destination. Similarly, article sorting includes dispensing articles that come from a plurality of warehouse locations to different exits through a delivery management system. Unified consolidation at a single exit or destination point of all articles in a single order in a single article, package or parcel can thus be realized, such as in a parcel fulfilment center. The sorting process is labour intensive and often involves processing errors and erroneous package arrival times. Additionally, packages may be damaged or packaged incorrectly, which reduces efficiency for all involved parties. Automated sorting equipment can be used to address some of these issues. However, sorting equipment is costly, takes up large portions of warehouse space, is limited in the volume of packages that can be sorted, is significantly underutilized at less than peak periods, and can have a long payback time frame. In accordance with the present disclosure, a system includes first and second article supply locations that includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second computer-controlled transport vehicles, each having a first position in which a selected article is stowed about the computer-controlled transport vehicle and a second position in which the selected article is deposited into a proximal container, and one or more removal devices that transport the container to a location of further processing. System further includes a control system configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the computer-controlled transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first computer-controlled transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container, deposit the article in the destination container, and transport the destination container to a location for further processing by manipulation of the removal device, determine when to cease delivery of articles to the destination container, the ceasing of delivery based on a determination that all of the articles required to complete at least one of the orders have been deposited in the destination container, direct in response to the determination to cease delivery to the destination container, the removal device to remove the destination container from the position proximal to the platform and transport it to the location designated for further processing, wherein the articles that complete the at least one of the orders are manufactured or constructed into a final form at the location of further processing.

Claims (18)

1. A system comprising: a first article supply location, wherein the first article supply location includes a 5 plurality of articles to be sorted that have been pulled from batched orders from a first location in a distribution center, a second article supply location, wherein the second article supply on includes a plurality of articles to be sorted that have been pulled from batched orders from a second location in the distribution center, 10 wherein a product type of each article is determined by interacting with an information ition device at a respective first article supply location and second article supply on; first and second computer-controlled transport vehicles, each having a first position in which a selected article is stowed about the computer-controlled transport vehicle and a 15 second position in which the selected article is deposited into a proximal container by manipulating a support of the er-controlled transport vehicle that carries the selected article and deposits the ed e when in the second position; a first platform ed from a first surface, wherein each of the first and second computer-controlled transport vehicles traverses the first platform and the selected articles are 20 deposited into a destination container positioned about the first surface; a removal device configured to relocate a destination container from a position about the first surface to a on designated for further processing of at least one article contained within the destination container; a control system configured to: 25 receive an order for a plurality of disparate es, wherein the disparate articles are found within the first or second article supply location after the articles have been pulled from the distribution center; determine a first ation container of a plurality of destination containers to direct a first computer-controlled transport vehicle to deposit a ed article from 30 the first or second article supply location based on a determined product type, wherein the first ation container corresponds with an order for a first business; direct the first computer-controlled transport vehicle to transport the selected article to the first destination container and deposit the selected article by manipulation of the first er-controlled transport e from the first position 5 to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the first destination container; determine a second destination container of a plurality of destination ners to direct a second computer-controlled ort vehicle to deposit another article from the first or second article supply location based on a determined product 10 type, wherein the second destination container corresponds with an order for a second business; direct the second er-controlled transport vehicle to transport a disparate article to the second destination container and deposit the disparate article by manipulation of the second computer-controlled transport vehicle from the first 15 position to the second position for deposit of the disparate article in the second destination ner; ine a location that the destination ner is to be delivered to for further processing of at least one article in the destination container; determine when to cease delivery of articles to the destination container, the 20 ceasing of delivery based on a determination that all of the articles required to complete at least one of the orders have been deposited in the destination container; direct, in response to the determination to cease delivery to the destination container, the removal device to remove the destination container from the on proximal to the platform and transport it to the location designated for further 25 processing; wherein the articles that te the at least one of the orders are manufactured or constructed into a final form at the location of further processing.
2. The system of claim 1, n the control system is configured to te when the destination container has been removed whereby the control system directs at least one of the first and second computer-controlled transport vehicles to cease delivery of articles to a removed destination container location; and wherein the control system is 5 further configured to indicate when an empty destination ner is positioned proximal to the platform whereby the control system directs the at least one of the first and second computer-controlled transport vehicles to resume ry of articles to the empty destination container. 10
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the removal device is configured to replace ation containers that are full or that contain complete orders with empty destination containers.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the location designated for further processing comprises one or more of packaging, gift wrapping, labeling, and assembly.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the removal device is fully ted or semi- automated.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the removal device is one of an tic guided 20 vehicle, an automated mobile robot, and a rail robot.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a plurality of locations designated for further processing.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the destination container is one of: hauled, dragged, toted, carried and lifted, by the removal device to the location designated for further processing. 5
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the destination container is positioned proximal an opening in the first platform, wherein the control system is further configured to direct the first computer-controlled ort vehicle to traverse the first rm proximal the opening, then manipulate from the first position to the second on to deposit the selected article or the disparate article into the destination container through the opening 10 in the first platform.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first computer-controlled transport vehicle and the second computer-controlled transport vehicle is configured to carry a respective single selected article at a time.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the destination ner is replaced when full by an empty destination ner by a person.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a second platform, wherein 20 the first platform is elevated above the second platform in a multiple level arrangement.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a detection device configured to detect whether the destination container is full or not full. 25
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the l system is further configured to direct the first computer-controlled ort vehicle to return to a position proximal the first article supply location, wherein the first computer-controlled transport vehicle is configured to be in the first position upon being positioned proximal the first article supply location.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to direct a plurality of 5 additional computer-controlled transport vehicles, n the control system is further configured to direct the plurality of additional computer-controlled transport vehicles such that the plurality of additional computer-controlled transport vehicles does not collide with one another. 10
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to direct a plurality of additional removal devices, wherein the control system is further configured to direct the plurality of onal removal devices such that the plurality of additional removal devices does not collide with one another. 15
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is further ured to determine a characteristic of an e by the information acquisition device interacting with the article, wherein the characteristic includes one of size, color, deformation or other defect of the e. 20
18. The system of claim 1, wherein the determined product type of the ed article is determined by the information ition device interacting with an identifier of the ed article, wherein the identifier is a UPC code or other product code associated with the selected article.
NZ773565A 2019-08-27 Parcel and article sorting system and method with destination container removal NZ773565B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201862727619P 2018-09-06 2018-09-06
PCT/US2019/048286 WO2020051020A1 (en) 2018-09-06 2019-08-27 Parcel and article sorting system and method with destination container removal

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
NZ773565A NZ773565A (en) 2024-04-26
NZ773565B2 true NZ773565B2 (en) 2024-07-30

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