초록 ▼

In the disclosed method and apparatus, item-identifying codes of packages loaded onto a conveyor are scanned and, based on comparisons with the items in a group of orders stored in a computer, the packages are distributed to corresponding order-assembly lanes while account is kept of the distributed

In the disclosed method and apparatus, item-identifying codes of packages loaded onto a conveyor are scanned and, based on comparisons with the items in a group of orders stored in a computer, the packages are distributed to corresponding order-assembly lanes while account is kept of the distributed packages. In a preferred embodiment, one code-reader is located at the supply end of the conveyor system and packages are tracked in the computer for delivery to respective order-assembly lanes, deducting from order requirements at the time of scanning and correcting for the deductions if timely deliveries are not effected. Where belt conveyors are used and “slip”of a package behind its theoretical maximum travel speed may occur, package travel is monitored and operation of the system is halted in case of excessive delay of a package along any travel segment. The actual “slip”of each tracked package occurring along each segment of the conveyor system, unless excessive, is erased in monitoring travel of the packages along each succeeding conveyor segment, thereby avoiding tracking complications due to pyramiding of tolerable sequential “slips”along successive segments of the conveyor system.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for concurrently processing a group of orders, wherein each order specifies items of one or more varieties and specifies a quantity of items of each variety, by selectively distributing items in the orders to separate order-assembly locations related to the orders of the group, items of th

Apparatus for concurrently processing a group of orders, wherein each order specifies items of one or more varieties and specifies a quantity of items of each variety, by selectively distributing items in the orders to separate order-assembly locations related to the orders of the group, items of the same variety having a common characterization without regard to whether they appear in one or more of the orders and items of different varieties having different characterizations, said apparatus including i. conveyor means for carrying a series of items to be distributed to the separate order-assembly locations, said conveyor means including plural selective delivery means for directing items carried by the conveyor means selectively to the separate order-assembly locations; ii. item registering means for registering the characterizations of the items carried by the conveyor means; iii. order registering means comprising (a) order identifying means for storing identifications of the orders of the group to be processed concurrently, and (b) means for storing characterizations of the varieties of items required in the respective orders, the stored identifications of the orders and the stored characterizations of the items in the orders being related to each other, and (c) means for storing the quantity of each variety of item required in each order; iv. order selecting means jointly responsive to both said item registering means and said order registering means (a) for selecting respective orders, if any, in said order registering means that require the items carried by the conveyor means, said order selecting means including means for comparing each registered item characterization with a succession of stored item characterizations, thereby allocating such items to the selected orders, respectively; v. means responsive to said order selection means for controlling said plural selective delivery means to direct each allocated item to a selected one of said order-assembly locations that is related to the selected order; and vi. means for continuously accounting for the allocation of items to said selected orders, said accounting means controlling said selecting means for preventing selection of any order and allocation of any item to any order exceeding the quantity of that item in the quantity storing means for that item related to that order.