Optimizing order fulfillment processes

A multi-cartridge system with a computerized method for optimizing item retrieval routes addresses inefficiencies in fulfillment centers by reducing travel distance and increasing productivity, particularly during peak demand.

TW202632559APending Publication Date: 2026-08-01COUPANG CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
TW114105862
Authority / Receiving Office
TW · TW
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2025-01-23
Filing Date
2025-02-18
Publication Date
2026-08-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Current fulfillment center operations are inefficient due to the practice of picking one shipping box at a time, leading to increased travel distance and physical load on pickers, limiting the number of items that can be picked within a given time frame, especially during peak periods.

Method used

Implementing a multi-cartridge system that allows pickers to collect items from multiple orders in a single pass through the aisle, optimizing routes and reducing redundant travel by using a computerized method to identify efficient item retrieval routes based on distance traveled per pickup unit (DPU) and collection device capabilities.

Benefits of technology

This approach significantly reduces travel distance, enhances productivity, and increases the hourly throughput rate of fulfillment centers by allowing simultaneous handling of multiple shipping boxes, thereby improving operational efficiency and adapting to real-time operational changes.

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Abstract

A method of order fulfillment at a fulfillment center includes: identifying, from a list of unfulfilled orders at a fulfillment center (FC), a plurality of item retrieval routes associated with order-items in the FC, where each item retrieval route represents a route for the collection device configured to collect corresponding one or more order-items and is determined based on information associated with the collection device; and identifying, based on location information of the collection device and the information, a subset of item retrieval routes, among the plurality of item retrieval routes, to be assigned to the collection device for a fulfillment process such that an efficiency metric associated with the subset of item retrieval routes satisfies a threshold condition, the fulfillment process including (i) collecting order-items within the subset of item retrieval routes and (ii) delivering collected order-items to a corresponding destination of each item retrieval route.
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