Method and station for picking items according to GTP principles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for picking articles at a picking station according to the Good to Packet (GTP) principle, where articles are picked from a plurality of product load carriers to a plurality of order load carriers. The plurality of order load carriers are transported through the picking station in a first row, and articles are presented on the product load carriers and picked from there. According to the invention, in order to achieve high throughput, product load carriers are also transported through the picking station in a second row, which is arranged diagonally relative to the first row. Picking occurs from a stream of product and order containers that are simultaneously transported through the picking station.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for picking articles at a picking station according to the goods-to-person (GTP) principle, in which articles are picked onto order carriers and to a corresponding picking station. [Background technology]

[0002] The operation of picking stations for picking according to the GTP principle is known. In that case, several goods or articles of an order are transported to the respective picking stations. For this purpose, these goods or articles are usually transported in containers, trays, etc. At that point, they are removed from so-called storage or product containers and placed in the corresponding containers, trays, etc. of an order, so-called order containers.

[0003] This process is repeated until each order or sub-order is completed, typically using a zone picking process.

[0004] To increase throughput and / or reduce the number of product container movements, workers often pick for multiple orders in parallel, thereby keeping multiple order containers waiting in parallel at picking stations.

[0005] Therefore, if there are multiple order containers, the display can show the picker where to place the items, hence the name "put-to-write." Additionally, if / when multiple product containers are transported to the picking station as well, pick-to-write methods can also be implemented, simplifying the removal of items.

[0006] Thus, a drop-off location is a location for an order container where goods / items from a storage container are placed by a picker.

[0007] Thus, the put-to-light display is a display for the picker that indicates into which order container the picker should place the item, or items, or packing unit, etc. that he has just removed from the product container.

[0008] Conversely, a pick location is a location for a product container from which a picker removes items, etc. Thus, a pick-to-light display is a display that shows a picker the product container, and / or possibly the items and / or their quantities, for a picking step.

[0009] The patent document 1 discloses a method that includes preparing an order container at a loading point to receive various items removed from a storage tank. The storage containers containing the items are automatically transported to a pick-up location so that the items are removed from their respective storage containers and transferred to the order container. After the items are removed, a first confirmation signal is generated so that the storage container is transported to a post-pick-up location while the next storage container is placed in a pre-pick-up location and then transported to a pick-up location.

[0010] Patent Document 2 discloses a method and a picking station for picking items from a source load assist device to a destination load assist device by an order picker. The load assist devices are transported to the picking station via a first conveyor system, prepared at the picking station for picking items, and then removed from the picking station again via a second conveyor system after the picking operation. Prior to the picking operation at the picking station, the source load assist devices and the destination load assist devices required for processing the picking order are gathered on a common picking conveyor of the first conveyor system that passes through a work area or the order picker, and the conveying movements of the source load assist devices and the destination load assist devices can be coordinated by a control device so that they are presented to the order picker adjacent to each other as a single picking group on this picking conveyor.

[0011] Patent Document 3 describes a method for order picking items at an order picking station. In this method, multiple source containers are transported to a pick-up point in an arbitrary order, and multiple destination containers are prepared in a sorting buffer including multiple buffer points preceding a single loading point. When items belonging to a first order line are placed in a first destination container to process multiple different order lines, the container is transported back to the sorting buffer and temporarily buffered at the sorting point until a source container containing items belonging to a second order line is transported to a buffer track section provided upstream of the pick-up point. When items belonging to a second order line are placed in a second destination container to process multiple different order lines, if a source container containing items belonging to the second order line has already been transported to the buffer track section, the container is transported back to the sorting buffer and moved to one of multiple buffer points via the second sorting point, and then moved to the loading point. This invention also relates to an order picking station.

[0012] US Patent No. 6,299,949 discloses a method and picking station for picking items according to the Good to Pack (GTP) principle. In the picking station, the items are placed on a plurality of order load carriers that are transported in a line through the picking station. The placement location of each order load carrier in the line changes over time as the preceding order load carrier is loaded and transported. This disclosure also relates to a corresponding order picking station.

[0013] Therefore, there continues to be a need for a simplified picking solution that follows GTP principles, which simplifies the structure of the picking station and makes picking easier for the picker without reducing throughput. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 2 769 936 A1 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0104286 A1 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2018 / 006112 A1 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0355340 A1 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] This object is achieved by a picking method according to claim 1 and a picking station according to claim 11.

[0016] In accordance with the present invention, it is recognized that when product load carriers are transported through the picking station in a second row positioned diagonally relative to the first row and picking is performed from a stream of multiple products and order containers transported simultaneously through the picking station, improved picking performance is possible without expensive and complex designs, with better usability, or the above-mentioned operational flexibility.

[0017] In other words, a worker (either a human or an automated robot, or an automated robot guided by a human) performs the order fulfillment process of picking products "on the fly" from moving product load carriers and placing them in order load carriers.

[0018] Unless a worker is late, for example, the worker has not yet completed his or her task and / or the worker has not confirmed that the pick-up and / or putting-down was completed in time, the movement of the product and order load carriers on the respective transport systems will not stop, pause, or pause. The next product load carrier will move simultaneously behind the current product load carrier. Once the putting-down task is complete, as soon as the product load carrier is transported (e.g., along a takeaway conveyor), the order load carrier will begin moving simultaneously behind the product load carrier, moving away from the worker. Any empty order load carriers located upstream of the completed order load carrier(s) being carried away will simultaneously follow the completed order load carrier(s).

[0019] Furthermore, both load carriers can be moved simultaneously (in parallel) and continuously (always). They can also be transported at the same or different speeds.

[0020] Thus, the order load carriers and product load carriers may be transported through the picking station at different and / or varying speeds, i.e., for example, the product load carriers may be moved through the picking station at a faster speed than the load carriers.

[0021] Speeds can also be varied. For example, a product container can start moving quickly with higher acceleration and speed to quickly bring the container within reach of the worker, and then gradually decelerate once within reach, perhaps allowing the worker to pick the product on the fly, depending on the type of order being picked. Orders with one or two items can be picked using a single or two product load carriers. In this case, these product load carriers can be moved quickly because they require a shorter picking time or duration at the station. These product load carriers would be controlled to be available simultaneously or shortly after each other. In this case, the order load carriers can also be moved quickly.

[0022] If order load carriers and product load carriers share a common takeaway after picking, the exchange and discharge of these load carriers can be optimized.

[0023] In this case, the common takeaway must be in line with the first row of order carriers or the second row of product carriers, in other words, it forms a linear extension of the respective transport system along its longitudinal axis.

[0024] To optimize the presentation of the items in the load carriers to the workers, the orientation of these load carriers can be varied on the transport system, i.e., order load carriers and / or product load carriers are transported through the picking stations with their narrow sides facing forward and / or their wide sides facing forward.

[0025] For example, a worker may face a load carrier with its wide side facing forward in the donor (picking) location and a load carrier with its narrow side facing forward in the drop-off or order location. Or, a worker may face a load carrier with its narrow side facing forward in the donor (picking) location and a load carrier with its wide side facing forward in the drop-off or order location. Or, a worker may face a load carrier with its wide side facing forward in the donor (picking) location and a load carrier with its wide side facing forward in the drop-off or order location. Or, a worker may face a load carrier with its narrow side facing forward in the donor (picking) location and a load carrier with its narrow side facing forward in the drop-off or order location.

[0026] During order fulfillment, it is often necessary to consolidate multiple partial orders that have been picked at different times and / or locations and temporarily buffered in multiple order load carriers. Similarly, it is often necessary to consolidate multiple product load carriers by combining two or more empty product load carriers. Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, for the consolidation of multiple load carriers, partial picks can be consolidated by loading from and depositing onto multiple product load carriers and / or by loading from and depositing onto multiple order load carriers.

[0027] If the order load carriers and product load carriers are transported through the picking station at different and / or varying speeds, it may be possible to reroute the order load carriers to reach the deposit location via the product load carrier transport system, which may be necessary for a "top-up" operation where multiple order containers picked elsewhere are filled with products to be picked within the current pick station.

[0028] If a product load carrier contains items that will be needed in the near future for a further order, the corresponding load carrier can be buffered at the picking station and immediately removed. In other words, after removal of the items desired for picking an order, the used product load carrier can be transported from the pick location to a temporary buffer location for use in subsequent further picking operations.

[0029] Similarly, an order may not be fulfilled or completed immediately, but the control system may know that the order will be completed in the near future. In this case, after loading the desired items for partial order picking, the order load carrier may be transported from the pick location to a reuse buffer location. From there, the order load carrier may be returned to the order carrier queue for subsequent completion of order picking.

[0030] The present invention further relates to a picking station for picking items according to the Good to Pack (GTP) principle, where a plurality of items are picked into order load carriers, the items in the product load carriers being transported through the picking station on a first linear transport system, and the order load carriers being transported through the picking station on a second linear transport system, the first and second transport systems being positioned at an intersecting angle to each other and controlled by a controller to provide a continuous transport stream of products and order containers through the picking station.

[0031] Multiple load carriers may share a third transport system for discharge and collection. The third transport system is in series with either the first or second transport system. The third transport system may optionally include a downstream branch. This branch may be used to route discharged order load carriers differently than product load carriers.

[0032] Each transport system may be formed as an individually controllable and steerable conveyor, which allows for, for example, individual speed control.

[0033] If the loading / unloading location is formed at the corner between the linear first and second transport systems or at the intersection with the third transport system, the loading / unloading location is easily accessible, so that the worker can simultaneously and ergonomically access both the historically oldest product load carrier and the historically oldest order load carrier without having to move his / her body, thus increasing the success rate.

[0034] Buffer locations may be located alongside the first and / or second linear transport systems to allow for temporary storage of product load carriers for reuse or completion of order load carriers, allowing for intermediate parking or shuffling of load carriers.

[0035] To allow for better visibility into the load carrier and for removing and placing loads from and onto the load carrier, i.e., to improve user comfort, the first and / or second linear transport systems may have a tilting mechanism for tilting the load carrier toward the operator, which may be an active or passive mechanism of the corresponding transport system, or may be a static tilting mechanism.

[0036] The tilting of the donor (product) positions can be achieved by tilting the respective conveyors themselves, so that product load carriers can be tilted as they are transferred from one conveyor to another. The tilting of the order positions can be achieved by active tilting mechanisms, such as tilted right-angle transfers (RATs). Only the corresponding deposit positions can be tilted (adaptive tilting), so that the operator can be clearly instructed where to place the retrieved items.

[0037] According to the present invention, it is recognized that picking performance and user comfort, which also strongly influence picking speed, are key success factors for a GTP picking station. In particular, donor (or product) and order carrier exchange time, along with ergonomics (including worker travel distance and angle), influence the achievable picking speed.

[0038] The most effective way to minimize changeover and pick-up times is to provide workers with the following features: 1. View donors on the fly and in advance (allowing workers to know in advance what to pick up). 2. On-the-fly and pre-loading (loading while the donor is in transit). 3. On-the-fly and pre-loading (loading while the order is in transit). 4. Minimize worker movement.

[0039] To accomplish this, the present invention provides a conveyor-based pick-up and drop-off location that moves successive donors and orders horizontally toward the worker and away from the worker once the pick-up / drop-off operation is complete, and positions the pick-up and drop-off locations as close as possible to the worker.

[0040] To provide an ergonomic working environment, each conveyor requires a certain spacing to achieve such features and / or to avoid slowing down picking speed due to extra travel distance for the worker. A common takeaway allows for fast exchange of both donors and orders in this manner without reducing worker comfort and picking performance.

[0041] Additionally, batch pick-up / put-down functionality can be combined.

[0042] If the characteristics of the items allow, the items can either be transported directly or can reside in and be removed from product load carriers. The load carriers can be containers, trays, boxes, etc., as known in the art. The load carriers are preferably transported through the picking station in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue.

[0043] The present invention may also be characterized by the following features. the order carriers and product carriers are transported through the picking stations at different and / or varying speeds; each transport system being formed as an individually controllable and operable conveyor; The formation of a loading / unloading location at the corner between the linear first and second transport systems or at the intersection with the third transport system; a buffer location is located beside the first and / or second linear transport system; and Picking and placing of goods is done by robotic pickers.

[0044] According to the present invention, a worker may command the ejection of a product load carrier from a load location immediately after picking, before placing the load on an order load carrier, or during the load, in parallel with his or her load-placing operation. To do so, the worker may press a done button after picking (i.e., after removing the items from the product container) and before completing the load process (placing the removed items in the order container). The worker may also press the done button during his or her load-placing process or before his or her load-placing process after picking is complete. Ideally, such a button would be positioned so that the worker can efficiently operate it without requiring additional steps / movements.

[0045] Therefore, to smooth the pick and place process and to make the most of on-the-fly / pre-pick and place features to improve picking performance, the worker button, which is typically pressed by a worker at the completion of each pick and place operation, would ideally be located so that the worker, regardless of their picking style, can efficiently press it during the place process or, if reasonable, even before the place process. Because the worker can press the button in parallel with their place operation, the dedicated step and time required to press such a button can potentially be eliminated.

[0046] The picking station may include a temporary storage shelf at a raised location above the work area, where workers can place the retrieved item(s) for upcoming order fulfillment operations and buffer them for future use, eliminating the need for rerouting from and back to the picking station. In this way, workers may be guided by, but not limited to, pick-by-light, voice, or screen (or a combination thereof) as to which shelf location to use and the amount of product items to place there.

[0047] Such temporary storage shelves can be used primarily as temporary product buffers, so that only a single type of item is buffered per location, and workers are then directed to pick up from those locations to fulfill related orders that require the buffered items.

[0048] Alternatively, it may operate as a temporary order location where several different items may be placed according to an order list, which will then all be placed / deposited simultaneously onto a specific order carrier to achieve one fully consolidated or nearly consolidated order.

[0049] In other words, the present invention can be briefly characterized as the realization of high speed exchange of both donors and orders by the simultaneous movement of multiple donors and orders in succession to a common takeaway, combined / not combined with an optimized order continuous batch picking function.

[0050] The invention is particularly useful for stores with double-deep or multi-deep storage spaces for load carriers and, possibly, lateral transfer locations for exchange. For this purpose, the load pick-up means of the storage system (ASRS), e.g., telescoping rail arms, may have an extended reach.

[0051] The storage device is particularly preferably a racking serving unit or a single-level racking serving unit. Shuttles or satellite vehicles are particularly suitable. It is also possible to use shuttles with one lifting platform or multiple load pickup means platforms arranged one above the other to serve multiple levels from one running rail.

[0052] Thus, the present invention allows a particularly high level of retrieval efficiency from storage to be achieved while perfectly maintaining the desired sequence of the transport units in each aisle.

[0053] Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0054] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a picking area with two picking stations according to the invention; [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a picking station according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 5] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 6] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 7] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 8] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 9] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 10] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 11] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 12] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 13] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 14] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 15] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 16] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 17] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a further picking station according to the invention; [Figure 18] 1 shows a schematic plan view of a further picking station according to the invention, having a plurality of done buttons and temporary storage shelves arranged according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a picking area 1 having two picking stations 2 connected to racking 3 by a conveyor 4. Each picking station 2 corresponds to an aisle 5 of racking 3, and each rack 6 of racking 3 is adjacent to the aisle 5 between them. Each picking station 2 is connected at its front end via conveyor 4 to a collection machine 7 (e.g., a lift or elevator) located within the footprint of each rack 6. Each rack is serviced by an ASRS machine, e.g., a shuttle (not shown), which unloads onto a vertical conveyor similar to 7 above.

[0056] Conveyor 4 bridges the racking 3 and picking station 2 and is connected to inbound product load carrier conveyors 8a,b and inbound order load carrier conveyors 9a,b and a common takeaway discharge conveyor 10. The load carriers themselves may be, for example, standard containers or trays.

[0057] The inbound product load carrier conveyor 8 has a first conveying section 8a leading to the station on an extension of the aisle direction, and a second conveying section 8b oriented at 90 degrees to the first conveying section 8a, forming an actual conveying system within the station for presenting the load carrier from which the product should be removed to the worker 11.

[0058] The inbound order carrier conveyor 9 has a first inbound transport section 9a that leads to a station on an extension of the aisle direction, and a second transport section 9b that is arranged parallel to it and connected by a right-angle diverter (RAT) 9c.

[0059] Product load carrier conveyor section 8b and load carrier conveyor section 9b intersect at a work position 13 for a worker, forming an intersection 14. This intersection can be formed at a wide range of angles, but is typically in the range between 60 and 120 degrees, and preferably 90 degrees.

[0060] A common takeaway discharge conveyor 10 is arranged in direct extension of the order load carrier conveyor section 9b, beginning at an intersection 14 with the product load carrier conveyor section 8b.

[0061] Each picking station 2 may include a display and controls 12 for the information and control of the worker 11. The worker may also be guided by other means such as pick by light, pick by voice, virtual reality, etc. A picking station may not have any such means and picking may be "paper" based.

[0062] The product load carrier conveyor section 8b can be inclined as a whole towards the work position 13.

[0063] Another optimization of presentation can be to tilt the pick-up and / or deposit locations. The tilting of the donor locations is achieved by tilting the conveyor 8b itself, tilting the product load carriers as they are transferred from 8a to 8b.

[0064] The tilting of the order positions can be achieved by an active tilting mechanism, for example a tilted right angle diverter (RAT), which can tilt only the corresponding deposit position (adaptive tilt), clearly indicating to the operator where to deposit the retrieved item (see Figure 16). The RAT positions of conveyor 9 can be adaptively tilted. In Figure 16, position 9* is, for example, not tilted, while the other positions are tilted.

[0065] To prevent the load carriers from "falling" when they are pushed from conveyor section 8a over the edge into inclined conveyor section 8b, a bumper 81 made of rubber or other soft material is positioned at the first edge of conveyor section 8b opposite conveyor section 8a to cushion the impact when the load carriers are pushed against the inclined conveyor section 8b.

[0066] Thus, as shown, the product P is moved within the load carrier to the lower edge of the inclined load carrier.

[0067] The load carriers D are then transported on the inclined conveyor section 8b along a bumper 81 having a gradually narrowing end 82 until the bumper 81 completely terminates.

[0068] Thus, as the load carrier moves, it is tilted further in two dimensions with the controlled deceleration of conveyor section 8b, so that product P is forced towards the bottom right corner as shown.

[0069] This reduces product settling time and makes picking easier as the most obvious location is known in advance and the product is positioned closest to the worker / robot.

[0070] Conveyor positions on conveyor section 9a behind the deposit positions on conveyor 9b can be used as additional deposit positions (see, for example, FIG. 16), especially for robot station 20R (with a longer arm reach).

[0071] The conveyors are controlled by a controller 15 to provide a simultaneous and continuous transport flow of products and order carriers through picking station 2 onto respective conveyors 8, 9 and 10 as required for order fulfillment. The controller 15 is managed by a comprehensive warehouse management system (WMS) which cooperates and interfaces with the order tracking system. Obviously, the controller is also used to control the overall material flow within and from racking 3 and 5 to picking stations 2 and 3.

[0072] The following schematic diagrams 2-18 illustrate variations in the design and operation of similar picking stations 2. Order carriers are designated by O and product carriers (donors) by D. Otherwise, the reference numerals introduced above are used to refer to similar parts.

[0073] The variants shown in Figures 2 to 6 relate to switching the arrangement of the product load carrier conveyor 8 and the order load carrier conveyor 9 and changing the orientation of the load carrier transport in the direction of movement on the respective conveyor sections 8b, 9b, i.e., between an orientation with the narrow side of the load carrier forward and an orientation with the wide side of the load carrier forward.

[0074] In Figure 2, product load carriers D are conveyed on section 8b with their narrow side facing forward, and order load carriers O are conveyed on section 9b with their wide side facing forward. Product load carrier conveyor 8 and order load carrier conveyor 9 are arranged as described in relation to Figure 1.

[0075] In Figure 3, the arrangement of the product load carrier conveyor 8 and the order load carrier conveyor 9 has essentially been swapped and their positions have been switched so that the order load carrier O is transported on section 9b with its narrow side facing forward, and the product load carrier D is transported on section 8b with its wide side facing forward.

[0076] In Figure 4, the product load carrier conveyor 8 and order load carrier conveyor 9 are arranged in the same way as in Figures 1 and 2, but the direction of load carrier transport in the movement direction on each conveyor section 8b, 9b is reversed between an orientation where the narrow side is forward and an orientation where the wide side is forward, so that order load carrier O is transported on section 9b with the narrow side facing forward, and product load carrier D is transported on section 8b with the wide side facing forward.

[0077] In Figure 5, the product load carrier conveyors 8 and order load carrier conveyors 9 are again arranged in the same manner as in Figures 1 and 2, but the order load carriers O are transported on section 9b with their narrow side facing forward.

[0078] In FIG. 6, the arrangement is the same as in FIG. 4, but the order carriers O are transported on section 8b with their broad sides facing forward.

[0079] FIG. 7 shows in detail the use of temporary parking or buffer locations 16 for product load carriers D and parking / shuffling 17 of order load carriers by use of inbound conveyor section 9a parallel to section 9b.

[0080] A temporary parking or buffer location 16 is located behind conveyor section 8b prior to intersection 14 so that the items in the product load carriers can be reused for further picking at a later time by temporarily placing each product load carrier at buffer location 16 and retrieving it at the appropriate time, as indicated by the controls and display. Conveyor section 8b will then be controlled to slow and / or pause the following product containers and to leave a clear window to make room for the load carrier retrieved from location 16.

[0081] The parallel arrangement of inbound order carrier conveyor sections 9a and 9b allows order carriers O to be pushed aside as shown before they reach the common takeaway 10. This allows for reordering and even allows the corresponding order carriers to depart from picking station 200 but be reused at a later point in time, for example by essentially routing them in a virtual loop to allow the time required for each product carrier P to reach the station.

[0082] The corresponding picking station 200 may have both buffer locations 16 and shuffling functions 17, or only one of these.

[0083] 8 shows the same station 200 to demonstrate the possibility of picking from and to product load carriers D and / or order load carriers O. This allows for product consolidation (e.g., consolidation of multiple load carriers) by taking from and depositing onto product load carriers D, as indicated by arrow 18, and by taking from and depositing onto order load carriers O, as indicated by arrow 19. This allows for consolidation of orders from partially picked order load carriers and for merging / consolidating empty product load carriers.

[0084] Figure 9 shows the picking station of Figure 2 in a situation where multiple order load carriers and multiple product load carriers are being transported through the picking station at different variable speeds V1, V2. It is therefore possible to reroute the order load carrier O via the product load carrier transport system 8 to the intersection 14 at the deposit location 20, or even move it backwards (against the normal flow direction) on the conveyor section 9b (see arrow 25) if the speed V2 is negative for that movement. This may be necessary to perform a "top-up" operation in which an order container picked elsewhere is filled with products to be picked at the current picking station.

[0085] Thereafter, the speed V2 of the conveyor system 9 is drastically reduced and the speed V1 of the conveyor system 8 is increased so as to allow the above-mentioned path change in extreme circumstances without having to come to a complete stop.

[0086] Figure 10 shows the picking station 20 of Figure 3 during an on-the-fly replenishment process. In this process, a worker (not shown) replenishes 21 product load carriers D, for example, from pallets 22 or other supply located within the area of ​​work location 13, during normal picking operations. Simultaneously, or instead, the worker can also use items from pallets 22 to directly pick and place, in this case, onto order load carriers O. This can be advantageous when such items are large, delicate, etc., and therefore cannot be handled automatically in the racking system.

[0087] The picking station 2000 shown in Figure 11 differs from that described above in that the common takeaway discharge conveyor 10 includes a branch 23 downstream of the intersection 14. Accordingly, the order load carriers O and product load carriers P may have different routing paths. For example, this may allow the product load carriers P to be returned to racking 3 while the completed order load carriers O are sent for shipping.

[0088] Picking stations 200* and 200** in Figures 12 and 13 show different possible arrangements of inbound conveying section 9a, either parallel to conveying section 9b (Figure 12) or in line / extension with conveying section 9b (Figure 13). Conveying sections 9a and 9b are on the same working plane.

[0089] Figures 14 and 15 show that the intersection 14 can be used as a pick-up or drop-off location, and that the load carriers on the intersection 14 can also move backwards (against the normal direction of flow) on the conveyor section 9b, and that the workers can be robotic units 24, which can be autonomous with the use of a vision system, or human-guided but automated, etc.

[0090] FIG. 18 shows a detailed view of a picking station 2 according to the present invention. This figure shows details of the operator interface 30 for order fulfillment. The operator interface 30 includes a raised desk-like surface 30A with colored (blue, yellow, red) illuminated buttons 31 facing the operator, indicating the corresponding deposit positions on the order carrier O. The display 31 is illuminated and may indicate the amount of items to be removed from the nearest product carrier D1. Additionally, the items and their amounts located in the vicinity D1 are displayed on the screen 35 and illuminated buttons 31, providing the operator with more information. For example, a detailed display of the items / products may be provided. This may be particularly helpful when the product carrier contains a mixed load of items. There may also be multiple deposit LEDs 34. These LEDs 34 are located behind each deposit position just above the deposit level and indicate the corresponding deposit position on the order carrier O and the amount of items to be deposited at each location.

[0091] In addition to illuminated button 31, there are three illuminated buttons 32, 33 (corresponding to the number of drop locations). Each button 32, 33 represents a drop location in a different location for easy access and notification regardless of the worker's picking style (e.g., left-handed or right-handed pick, right-handed drop). These buttons may also indicate the amount of product to be placed on the corresponding order carrier O (drop process).

[0092] Alternatively, or in addition, there may be an illuminated button 37 that is pressed by the worker to complete a task, or to complete all tasks, independent of the loading location.

[0093] Additionally, a light barrier 36 may be mounted under the raised table 30A to monitor the presence of a worker's arm(s) and / or overhanging (incorrect positioning) of the order carriers. The light barrier 36 may be used to trigger ejection of product carriers D1 from the pick position by blocking the barrier, and / or to trigger ejection of order carriers O1 from the deposit position by not blocking the barrier.

[0094] A plurality of buttons 32 are arranged in a group parallel to product load carrier conveyor section 8b at work position 13. A plurality of buttons 33 are arranged parallel to conveyor section 9b in front of each order load carrier position. Button 37 is generally located at the intersection of 8b and 9b.

[0095] The worker may command the ejection of the product load carrier D1 from the load position immediately after the load, or before or during the placement of the items on the order load carrier O, in parallel with his own load operation.

[0096] If the corresponding item(s) are to be placed in the first deposit location, button 31A (illuminated blue) and deposit LED 34 are activated.

[0097] If it is a single pick order (one item per order), the donor product load carrier D1 may be swapped once the light barrier is broken.

[0098] If the order includes several different items, ie, multiple shipments, the donor product shipment carrier D1 will not be changed unless blue buttons 31 or 32A or 33A or 37 are pressed.

[0099] Order load carrier O1 then receives its last load (item in the order) and is carried away (via common takeaway 10), after which the other following order load carriers are indexed forward, but only if the light barrier is interrupted.

[0100] Similarly, if the item(s) are to be placed in the second drop location, the yellow illuminated button and drop LED 34, 31, 32B, 33B, or 37 is activated. Or, if the item(s) are to be placed in the third drop location, the red illuminated button and drop LED 34, 31, 32C, 33C, or 37 is activated. If the item(s) are to be placed in multiple locations, the associated illuminated buttons and drop LEDs are activated simultaneously.

[0101] The amount per deposit location may be displayed at 31, 32, 33, 34 and / or may be displayed simultaneously on the screen and on the deposit LED 34. The donor product deposit carrier D1 is indexed when all corresponding buttons are pressed.

[0102] These buttons can be pressed during the loading process or even before the loading process, i.e. after picking but before the loading operation.

[0103] Picking station 2 may include a raised shelf 40 near screen 35 where workers may place the item(s) picked for an upcoming order fulfillment operation for buffering for future use, eliminating the need for rerouting from and back to the picking station.

[0104] The worker is guided by, but not limited to, a pick-by-light 41, a pick-by-voice, or a screen 35 (or a combination thereof) as to which shelf 40 to use and how much product item to place thereon.

[0105] When an order requires a corresponding item, the worker is instructed by the device which location on the shelf to pick up from each shelf 40 and how much of the item to take.

[0106] This temporary shelf 40 is primarily used as a temporary product buffer, so only a single type of item will be buffered per location.

[0107] Alternatively, the temporary shelf 40 may operate as a temporary order location where multiple different items may be placed according to an order list, which will then all be placed / deposited simultaneously onto a particular order carrier O to achieve a fully consolidated or nearly consolidated order.

Claims

1. A method for picking items at a picking station in accordance with GTP principles, wherein items are picked from product load carriers onto order load carriers, said order load carriers being transported through said picking station in a first file, and items being presented on product load carriers from which they are picked, wherein said product load carriers are also transported through said picking station in a second file, said second file being disposed diagonally relative to said first file, and wherein picking is performed from a single stream of products and order containers being transported simultaneously through said picking station.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein after picking, the order carriers and product carriers share a common takeaway.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the common takeaway is in series with the first row of order load carriers or the second row of product load carriers.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the order carriers and / or the product carriers are transported through the picking station with their narrow side facing forward and / or with their wide side facing forward.

5. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pick-up and / or deposit locations are presented at the picking station.

6. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a picker is instructed to deposit a second order carrier location for transporting both a plurality of order carriers and / or a plurality of product carriers simultaneously through the picking station.

7. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein for the consolidation of a plurality of load carriers, the consolidation of products and / or orders can be carried out by taking from and depositing onto product load carriers and / or by taking from and depositing onto order load carriers.

8. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein after removal of the desired items for the picking order, the used product load carriers are transported from the picking location to a temporary buffer location for use in further subsequent picking operations.

9. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein after placement of the items desired for partial order picking, the order load carrier is transported from the pick-up location to a reuse buffer and / or shuffle location, from where it can be returned to the first queue of the order carrier for subsequent completion of the order picking.

10. 1. A picking station for picking a plurality of items in accordance with GTP principles, wherein the plurality of items are picked onto order carriers, the plurality of items being transported through the picking station on product carriers on a first linear transport system, and the order carriers being transported through the picking station on a second linear transport system, wherein the first and second transport systems are positioned at an intersecting angle with respect to each other and are controlled by a control device to provide a continuous transport flow of products and order carriers through the picking station.

11. 11. The picking station of claim 10, wherein a plurality of load carriers share a third transport system for discharge and collection, said third transport system being in series with either said first or second transport systems, said third transport system possibly including a downstream branch.

12. 12. The picking station according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the first and / or second linear transport system has a tilting mechanism, in particular a tilted RAT (Right Angle Transfer), for tilting the load carrier towards the worker, and only the corresponding pick / put positions are tilted so that the worker is clearly indicated where the item should be picked and / or where the picked item should be placed.

13. 13. The picking station of claim 12, wherein the inclined position includes a bumper for cushioning the load carrier when it is pressed against the inclined conveyor section.

14. 14. A picking station according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of conveyor positions on the parallel inbound load carrier conveyor section behind the deposit positions on the second linear conveyor can be used as additional deposit positions, in particular for a robot station.

15. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of order load carriers can be routed by the product load carrier conveyor to the intersection of the order and product load carrier conveyors, which is the drop location, and optionally also routed backwards on the order load carrier conveyor.

16. 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein at the picking station, the worker can look on the fly and look in advance at the product load carriers in order to recognize and prepare in advance what should be loaded, and then can load on the fly and also in advance while the product load carriers are in motion, and then can deposit on the fly and also in advance while the order load carriers are in motion, with or without changing the conveying speed of the load carriers.

17. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or 15 to 16, characterized in that the worker commands the discharge of the product load carrier from the loading position immediately after loading or before or during loading onto the order load carrier, in parallel with his own loading operation.

18. 15. A picking station according to any one of claims 10 to 14, comprising a temporary storage shelf at a raised position above / ahead of the operator's picking area.

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