Patent ID: 6505093
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A method of automatically picking items to fill a purchase order, comprising the steps of:providing an automated filling system having a plurality of receptacles for receiving ordered items, a high volume dispenser for rapidly dispensing frequently requested items from a high volume storage area, a low volume pick and place dispenser for dispensing items from a low volume storage area, and a controller for controlling whether the receptacles are conveyed to the high volume dispenser, the low volume dispenser or both, receiving a purchase order, extracting from the purchase order information about the identity and quantity of items ordered in the purchase order, creating from the extracted information a pick list, associating the pick list with a receptacle for receiving picked items, determining whether ordered items are located in the high volume storage area or the low volume storage area, selectably directing the receptacle to at least one of the high volume storage area and the low volume storage area, automatically dispensing ordered items stored at each storage area to which the receptacle is selectably directed and placing them in the receptacle, directing the receptacle to a location for further processing; providing a pickup head at the low storage area which includes a vacuum pickup for picking up individual items to be placed in a receptacle, and a plurality of rotatable fingers for grasping a plurality of items in a single stack; determining when an item in a storage area is at or below a threshold; providing additional inventory of the item that is at or below the threshold; translating a pickup head in the pick and place dispenser to the location of the additional inventory; rotating the fingers for grasping the additional inventory; transferring the additional inventory with the pickup head to a location in the storage area where additional inventory is needed; and releasing the additional inventory from the fingers.