Patent GB-1248260-A (GB)
Title: Method and system of assembling a collection of articles selected from a plurality of stores
Inventor: BOISSEVAIN MATHEW GIDEON
IPC: B65G1/137
Filed: 1968-12-31
Abstract: 1,248,260. Warehouse dispensing and storing systems. FMC CORP. Dec.31, 1968 [Jan.12, 1968], No.61795/68. Heading A4T. In a method and system for selecting articles from a plurality of stores e.g. A, B, C, D on pallets or movable trays 62 arranged in a predetermined sequence, a tape of labels is prepared, each label indicating the number of particular articles in a particular order, the tape being fed at 42 to project each label on a screen 40 so that an attendant on platform 26 removes the articles indicated and places them on conveyors 43, 44 for receiving the labels from device 42 before being conveyed to a point for manual or automatic packing and distribution. The trays comprise angle-section H-frames moving in opposite direction on upper and lower roller storage tracks 53, 171 with an attendant at each end of the upper track, only the apparatus at the left end being shown, and a three push-button switch consul whereby the attendant controls a hydraulic operating circuit, including solenoid valves, via an electric relay circuit including limit switches LS1-6 and photocells PC1-3. Pushing one button allows a piston 176 and hook 188 to pull a loaded tray A off tracks on elevator 109 on to lower tracks 171, raises the elevator via hydraulic motor 164, chain 165 and pulleys in angle guide 163 connected to counterweight 168 to the upper track and releases tray latch 100, so that continually running hydraulic motor 86 driving endless chain 75 with pusher rollers, normally camming under the trays, pushes store B on to elevator 109 and store C in position over catch 100. If, after picking ordered goods, store B still contains goods, the same button is pressed so that B follows A on the lower track. If the order picking is completed and store B is emptied, a second button is pressed whereby the empty pallet in its tray is lowered to a sloping out track 227, catch 125 releases the pallet, the elevator 109 is tilted by a bend 261 in guide 163 and the pallet rolls off elevator and track 227 on to tracks on a lowered lift 240 moved by jack 246 via pantograph 245. A fork-lift operator, provided with a list indicating when new pallet loads are required, places a loaded pallet on spaced supports 239 of lift frame 232 and removes the empty pallet from lift 240 which then moves up, places the tray under the new pallet and tilts to roll it on to sloped in upper tracks 229 up to hydraulic stop 270. The elevator moves up to tracks 229 and releases stop 270 which pushes the tray on to the elevator, tilted inwards by bend 260 in guide 163. The elevator, then lowers the tray and hook 188 pulls it on to lower storage track 171. The elevator moves up to upper track 53 and the next load C is pushed on it. If the pallet is emptied but the order picking is not completed, a third button is pressed whereby the pallet is fed out at 227, a new pallet fed in at 229 and raised to the upper tracks to complete the order. At the right hand end of the storage tracks, a hook device similar to 176 at the left end of the lower track pulls the trays on to the upper track while an endless pusher, similar to 75, pushes the trays off the lower track on to an elevator. A feed in and out device similar to 232 is also provided. Computer compiled cards may be used instead of the label tape.