Hanging Bag Sorting for Mixed Return Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage and order-picking systems face inefficiencies when handling return articles, which often consist of a low number of items per type, leading to delays between the article receiving area and the article storage, as they are not adequately designed to manage mixed and low-quantity article returns.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves loading mixed articles into hanging bags at a first loading station, sorting them by article type in a hanging bag sorting device, and transferring them to an article storage loading aid without reference to a picking order, using a conveyor system to efficiently store and retrieve articles for order-picking, combining the advantages of hanging bag technology with article storage loading aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mixed articles are stored directly into the article storage without sorting, then the storage process is simplified, but the retrieval efficiency for specific article types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the storage process into two distinct phases: a sorting phase where articles are grouped by type into hanging bags at the first loading station, and a storage phase where sorted groups are transferred to article storage loading aids. This segmentation allows efficient retrieval by maintaining article type organization while simplifying the actual storage operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Articles are sorted and grouped by type in advance at the first loading station before being stored. This preliminary sorting action ensures that when articles need to be retrieved, they are already organized in a manner that facilitates efficient picking operations without requiring complex real-time sorting during retrieval.
2Ease of operation
If return articles are handled individually without grouping, then the processing is simpler, but the storage time and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
Individual return articles are merged into groups based on their article type at the hanging bag sorting device. By combining multiple articles of the same type into single hanging bags or groups, the system reduces the number of individual storage operations required, thereby decreasing total storage time and delays while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the organizational parameter from individual article handling to group-based handling by article type. This parameter change allows multiple articles to be processed together as a unit, significantly reducing the time required for storage operations while keeping the processing method simple and systematic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hanging bags are used for all article types, then the flexibility is improved, but the space utilization in article storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Article storage loading aids serve as an intermediary between hanging bags and the article storage. Hanging bags maintain flexibility for handling various article types, while the loading aids provide space-efficient transfer units that optimize storage space utilization. This intermediary solution allows the system to benefit from both the flexibility of hanging bags and the space efficiency of compact storage units.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a storage and order-picking system as well as a method for operating the same. In this regard, provided articles are loaded into hanging bags in an article-specific manner, and subsequently, groups of hanging bags are formed in a hanging bag sorting device based on an article-grouping rule. In a further step, articles of a group are transferred from the hanging bags into an article storage loading aid. The article storage loading aid configured differently from a hanging bag is then stored in an article storage of the storage and order-picking system. Upon receiving a picking order, the article storage loading aid is transported to a picking station, at which the ordered article(s) is/are loaded into a target loading aid.