The invention relates to a combined method of order fulfilling and of storage units in a storage facility in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 .

When picking or compiling orders from transporting units, such as e.g. articles or containers, it is necessary to provide the transporting units, which are associated with a common order, in a directed or sorted fashion. In addition, it is conventional to intermediately store (buffer) the transporting units of an order, until all of the transporting units required for the order are present. They are then passed together onto a collecting line which leads them e.g. to the palletisation area, picking station, goods issue, shipment etc. In the picking station the goods for fulfilling an order are taken from the transporting or storage units and placed according to the order into an order container etc. The storage container (often called donor) is then routed back into the (high bay) racking storage and stored until needed for the next order. A (high bay) racking storage facility includes a storage-entry area, via which the goods are supplied to and from which the Automatic Storage and Retrieval Machine

(hereafter called AS/RS) collect the goods for placement in storage, the so-called front-zone. In a similar manner, a retrieval area is required, at which after retrieval from storage the AS/RS deposit the goods which are likewise assigned to the front- zone. In the case of automatic goods to the person picking storage facilities, picking locations are typically situated in the front-zone. In the front-zone, the goods are also identified for the inventory management system or the material flow computer.

EP 1 964 792 B1 by the present applicant discloses a method of making transporting units available from a storage facility on at least one collecting conveyor, wherein

AS/RS in each storage racking aisle, retrieval-from-storage and outbound lines are so controlled, in such a way as to be matched to one another, and are loaded with goods that ultimately they end up on, or are discharged from, the collecting line in a sorted fashion. The control and matching are thus relatively complex and require evident technical work in the so-called front-zone, i.e. the area outside the actual racking.

Additionally it is necessary to replenish those storage containers etc. from which a picker in the picking station has taken goods to fulfill orders. Usually this is done by means of inducting fully loaded storage units (also often called donor units as they function as a donor from which is picked) from inbound conveyor line and empty donor is removed from the system. This is necessary for obvious reasons, i.e. storage containers need to be filled with goods to perform picking.

However, these operations cause poor cubic utilization of donor as those are half empty in average if it is operated as per above. To prevent this from happening, a separate operation called "consolidation" needs to be taken place. This consists of operations retrieving several partial donor units, consolidating contents of those into one donor and remove empty donor from the system. This is done in the dedicated station or same pick station but during off peak hours, e.g. during the night, week end etc.

In contrast thereto, the object of the invention is to provide a combined method of order fulfilling and replenishment which permits a more efficient way of replenishment of storage units. Additionally the method should provide sorted retrieval from storage in a simpler manner or without sortation outside of the isles. This reduces technical complexity, space, lower cost and better reliability.

This object is achieved by the method stated in claim 1 .

In accordance with the invention, it has been also recognized that if storage units are fed for picking for fulfilling orders and deplenished storage units are replenished (and/or consolidated) on the fly directly at the picking station by the picker, it is possible to increase storage density as well as the multiplicity of stored goods.

Therefore required storage locations to store required stock is minimized and the availability of goods in a given aisle also is increased. It is also not necessary for the storage units (e.g. containers, trays, totes etc.; see below) to leave the conveyors or transport system, which are installed at best working height so that the method is ergonomic. Also the throughput of the whole system is improved as the AS/RS, lifts, conveyors etc. are only used for fulfilling orders and no additional operation to deal with dedicated replenishment or consolidation is required.

It is favorable if the goods for replenishment are buffered at the picking station directly, e.g. on a separate conveyor for this means within range, so that the picker may quickly and economically grasp the good for replenishment. The buffer should ideally carry/hold several replenished totes so that the operator directed by IT can choose the most ideal article for each donor to be replenished. The buffer may be allocated only at selected or all picking stations depending on frequency of replenishment. If only selected picking stations are equipped with a buffer, only storage units stored in the aisle connected to those picking stations will be

replenished initially. However, over the time replenished storage units will eventually be transferred to other aisles via cross conveyance locations within the rack and fully or partially depleted storage units to be replenished will eventually be transferred to the aisles connected to those picking stations via cross conveyance locations as a part of overall picking operation.

Ideally the goods are replenished randomly into storage units, meaning that the storage units carry several different articles/ goods for picking. The operation system tracks contents and location of the products within the storage unit, so that this chaotic but well controlled and tracked storage is actually beneficial as it creates a uniform distribution of products throughout the storage.

Additionally, the transporting or storage units themselves can be placed in storage randomly ("chaotically"), distributed over the entire system without knowledge of the subsequent sequence when they are retrieved. In contrast to DE 299 12 230 U 1 no restriction as to possible modules or storage areas is required.

It is also possible to exchange fully depleted storage units with fully replenished storage units at the picking station in a single exchange or switch of units as a whole, which saves times and effort, especially if the storage unit is almost empty.

Independent rejection of empty storage units and induction of fully loaded storage units is also possible. "Consolidation by opportunity" can be performed under certain conditions as a kind of replenishment. Under such an operation mode, a donor storage unit will not go back to storage immediately even after picking is done but the operator is instructed to perform a consolidation operation with the use of following load storage units being retrieved for fulfilling the order or next order(s). This operation requires the donor storage units to be retrieved one after another so retrieval sequence is defined based on consolidation activity, as well as order fulfilling sequence so it is performed only when order fulfilling sequence has some flexibility e.g. fulfilling single line orders or orders consisting of large number of order lines. This operation can be performed irrespective of the provision of incoming buffer.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, it has been also recognized that the storage units may be segmented. In other words the units may be subdivided inside so allow for several compartments into which separate goods/articles may be placed for easier reference or picking.

The storage can be a fully automated storage.

It is understood that where the term "storage units" or likewise "transporting units" is used, it is not to be interpreted as limiting; in fact other types of transport (e.g. trays, pallets etc.) can also be used equally effectively within the scope of the invention. In particular, the term "transporting units" or "storage units" also includes totes, trays, containers, paperboard containers, carton boxes. These units can either be donor units, from which a picker takes articles for an order, so that these function as a donor (often also called product units), or these units can be order units for collecting articles of an order.

A storage module is to be understood as at least a single aisle of a storage racking. It can however also refer to a storage area that includes several aisles of a storage racking, which are grouped. Such grouping can be either mechanical and/or organizational, meaning that is a kind of substorage of the whole storage and only used for a subspectrum of the storage units.

It has been found, that this so-called "replenishment and consolidation by opportunity" works especially well, when transporting or storage units are exchanged directly between two adjoining storage racking units from one storage racking aisle to an adjacent storage racking aisle via cross conveyance locations in the storage racking units, distribution and/or complex sorting in the front-zone can be omitted, since the transporting units are already stored in single storage rack aisle even if initially they were stored elsewhere. When retrieved from storage, they are simply retrieved in sequence out of a single aisle. Therefore a direct transfer of the transporting units without distribution or sorting outside of the aisles can be achieved without "crossing" conveyors and this with a simpler and smaller technical installation with smaller space and higher reliability. The transporting or storage units can therefore just be retrieved from the respective aisle in the required sequence.

In other words, storage racking locations of abutting racking units are used for passing transporting or storage units from one side of the racking through to the next, so that the transporting units can be transferred from one racking to the next. Therefore, cross conveyance or sorting is possible inside the racking units themselves and accordingly it is possible to dispense with "cross conveyance" in the front-zone.

In an expedient manner, the cross conveyance locations are provided in each level or any selected level of the storage racking units.

Particularly effective path-time optimization is achieved if the cross conveyance locations are disposed closer to inbound and outbound conveyor line. It is also possible to locate cross conveyance locations at different positions within a level. The exchange can be effected actively or passively with regard to the AS/RS i.e., on the one hand the cross conveyance location can be simply a passive storage surface, on which the AS/RS of one aisle deposits transporting or storage units (quasi places them into storage) and from which the AS/RS of the adjacent aisle receives transporting units (quasi removes them from storage). For each racking storage location or cross conveyance location this procedure can always be performed in one direction only or in both directions.

On the other hand, it is likewise possible to equip the cross conveyance location with corresponding conveyance technology, such as driven rollers, gravity flow track, idler roller, conveyor belts with or without a drive etc. The AS/RS can then deposit the transporting or storage units and the conveyance technology of the cross conveyance location performs transportation. The cross conveyance locations can also be equipped with a push mechanism for the transporting units. By reason of the simplicity of the cross conveyance locations it is also possible to subsequently retrofit or refit cross conveyance locations and to adapt flexibly to the level of efficiency required in the storage system.

The cross conveyance locations can thus optionally be configured for bidirectional or unidirectional exchange and/or for active or passive exchange.

For exchange purposes, the AS/RS can likewise place the transporting units in double-depth storage or multiple-depth storage in the cross conveyance location. The AS/RS of one aisle can thus place the transporting or storage units in storage in the cross conveyance locations to such a depth that they are already to be assigned to the adjacent racking and can be reached "normally" by the AS/RS.

In addition, the load receiving means, e.g. telescopic arms, can have an extended range.

It is also possible to use a stacked storage of transporting or storage units.

Since the cross conveyance locations are subjected to be utilized extensively and reduce a damage of transport or storage unit, it is expedient if the floors of the cross conveyance locations can be coated to reduce friction and/or structural reinforcement can be effected.

It is particularly preferable if the AS/RS are "miniloads" or single-level racking serving units. In particular shuttles or satellite vehicles are preferred. Also shuttles with a stacked arrangement of two load handling platforms or an elevating platform are to be used in connection with the invention for handling several levels from a single rail.

It is thus possible in accordance with the invention to achieve a particularly high level of retrieval efficiency whilst fully maintaining the desired sequence of transporting or storage units in any aisle. This is also achieved with considerably less technical work than in accordance with the Prior Art.

In particular, so-called Multishuttles® are used as the single-level AS/RS. They are described e.g. in EP 1 254 852 A1. The Multishuttle® is a system which can be used universally, is constructed in a modular fashion and combines storage and

transportation in an integrated concept. The Multishuttle® supplements the domain of automatic small parts storage facilities as a high-performance, inexpensive and innovative solution. It is a rail-borne vehicle which operates in the racking and serves the entire storage system. The system concept is based upon autonomous rail- guided vehicles for container transportation which operate inside and outside the storage system. A specific load receiving means permits short load-change times and simultaneous loading and unloading. The system has travel rails which are installed in each level of the storage facility or elevated or suspended in the pre-zone. In addition to guiding the vehicles, they also supply voltage thereto.

The shuttle can be used in two arrangements, a so called "captive" or "roaming" arrangement. In the captive arrangement the shuttle stay in their respective level. In the roaming alternative the shuttle change levels as required. Possible outbound lifts include in particular vertical conveying means. It is favorable if each outbound lift has one or more, in particular two, locations/positions for the transporting or storage units.

It is also expedient if each level of the storage racking has at least one buffer location for decoupling the single-level AS/RS and the outbound lift. This renders it possible to fully utilize the quicker single-level AS/RS and to prevent empty-running of the lift.

Each outbound lift is connected to one or more outbound lines. This improves the sorting options and increases the number of orders which can be processed in parallel, or the number of stations which can be supplied. In the simplest case, the outbound lines are formed as accumulations conveyors. These may include a mechanical device for accumulation, e.g. a movable stop element.

It is also advantageous if each outbound lift has a separately driven conveying means for each location. In particular, it is then expedient if each outbound lift has two locations which are each provided with a separately driven conveying means movable in different directions. Therefore, the transfer of two transporting or storage units for each level (e.g. in a previously standing arrangement) can always be effected simultaneously in different directions or onto different outbound buffers, e.g. to the left and right. In addition, the reception of the transporting units onto the lift is preferably controlled so that the two transporting/storage units are to be discharged onto one level. This is possible on account of the high efficiency of the shuttles used, since the transfer locations (buffer location) to the outbound lift are practically always occupied, so that for the control of the outbound lift there is provided a selection option which allows the lift to be occupied accordingly by transporting/storage units for different outbound buffers of one level. The system is further characterized by a high degree of flexibility, since the inbound and outbound feeding lines can be connected to the corresponding lifts at any points.

In parallel with the outbound lifts, it is likewise possible to provide dedicated inbound lifts with correspondingly supplying distribution feeding lines. On the other hand, it is also possible to control the outbound lifts such that in addition to the outbound operation they can also be used as inbound lifts. In the reverse scenario, optionally present dedicated inbound lifts can also be used as outbound lifts according to requirement. In the event of malfunctions of individual lifts, this also permits uninterrupted operation or an increase in system efficiency. To this end, the inbound or outbound lines must be disposed between the lift and racking at different heights. This requires the presence of two similar combined inbound and outbound levels, the collecting lines of which are brought together after passing the last outbound line in sequence. The transverse displacement function offers the advantage that, in the event of a malfunction of e.g. an outbound lift/inbound lift or feeding lines, the function of the relevant aisle can be maintained.

Further features and details of the invention are apparent from the description hereinafter of the drawing, in which the only figure shows a schematic plan view of a storage facility.

The Figure is a storage facility, which is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 1 , having a plurality of storage racking aisles 2 (storage module) and storage racking units R having a plurality of levels 3.

The storage racking units R are disposed in such a manner that the storage racking units R which are not disposed on the outside are each disposed in pairs adjoining one another and have a storage racking aisle 2 on one side. The storage racking units R located on the inside in each case abut one another "back-to-back".

On the end side, at least one storage racking aisle 2 is provided with a lift 8 having one or more locations in each case. In the lowermost or any level, the lift 8 is adjoined in each case by an inbound line 4 and a removal-from-storage feeding line 6. Corresponding inbound and outbound buffer lines 7 and 9 are disposed between the lift 8 and the storage racking R in each level 3, in order to decouple the lift 8 from the single level AS/RS (also referred to as shuttles) which travel in the storage racking aisle 2. It is understood that the inbound feeding lines 4 and an outbound feeding line 6 are connected to suitable conveying lines for receiving, dispatch, picking locations etc.

Each lift 8 is connected to a picking station 10 forming a conveyor loop 1 1 with the storage-entry feeding line 4 and the outbound line 6, to which storage units T are fed for picking for fulfilling orders by the picker P.

The shuttles 5 are provided in each storage racking aisle 2 and in each level 3 therein or provided each few levels if shuttle is equipped with elevating function, double or multiple deck design of load handling device (LHD) typically telescoping arm, all of which enabling to serve several levels. (This belong in the general description see above as this is a specific example) These are thus a so-called "captive" variant, in which the satellite vehicles 5 are fixedly allocated to a level 3 and do not change levels or aisles, which theoretically would be possible. So-called "Roaming" variant that shuttle moves between levels to serve all rack levels with fewer shuttles would also be possible (This also belongs in the general description).

The shuttles 5 include a transport platform for receiving/carrying the respective storage unit T (paperboard container, tray, totes, container, goods without any loading aids, etc.). Disposed in each case to the side on the transport platform are telescopic arms which push the storage unit T off, or pull it onto, the platform. In addition, the telescopic arms are extendible on both sides of the storage racking aisle 2 into the racking units R and have fingers which are movable in a known manner.

Particular exchange locations Q for cross-conveyance of storage units T from one racking R into the adjacent racking R are provided in each level 3 (specific example) of the storage racking units R, so that the storage units T are exchanged inside the storage racking units R themselves and it is possible to dispense with corresponding work in the pre-zone. Therefore, the shuttle 5 or the telescopic arms thereof can deposit storage units T in the cross conveyance locations Q and push them to the corresponding location in the adjacent racking R. In addition, the respective storage unit T is being acted upon by the finger of the telescopic arms beyond a rear storage location of one cross conveyance location Q of the first racking R into the respective rear storage location of the adjacent cross conveyance location Q of the adjacent racking R.

In other words the shuttle 5 is the active load handling means only. The cross conveyance location Q has no other active means of moving the respective storage unit T. The shuttle 5 (or in general the AS/RS) itself displaces the storage units T within the cross conveyance locations Q.

For the purpose of retrieval, the storage units T are taken from the storage racking R by the shuttle 5 and are discharged onto the retrieval buffer 9 which conveys the storage units T further to the lift 8 and thus to the outbound feeding line 6. In the reverse scenario, placement in storage in the respective storage racking R is effected by the inbound lines 4, the lift 8 and the storage buffer 7 and the shuttle 5.

It is understood that the placement inbound and outbound can also be decentralized and they can take place at different locations in the storage racking R, e.g. integrated at different end sides or even to the side of the storage racking R.

The picker P takes the goods out of the storage unit T (coming from the conveyor out of the storage 1 ) and puts them into provided order carriers, like cartons or totes etc., in a usual picking process for order fulfillment according to a certain order or job he is executing.

After processing, the storage unit T is either transported back into the storage system 1 by conveyor 4 or replenished directly on the fly at the picking station 10 by the picker P.

The goods for replenishment are buffered at the picking station 10 in storage units 12, for which the station has an incoming buffer conveyor B. The picker P can, if there is enough space for putting goods into a storage unit T, put a share of the goods or a single item into this unit T after scanning both units (the replenishment unit 12 or article and the storage unit T) and then acknowledges the amount of goods put into the split storage unit T. The operation is guided by operation software and such guidance may include the storage unit to be replenished, products and there quantity and location of each product within the storage unit.

In other words the storage units T are replenished randomly but in a controlled and tracked manner and therefore contain a conglomeration or different articles, which is tracked by the operation software and warehouse database system.

The buffer conveyor B may be allocated only at selected or all pick station 10 depending on frequency of replenishment. If only selected pick stations 10 are equipped with buffer B, only donor storage units stored in the aisle 2 connected to those picking stations will be replenished initially. However, over the time replenished storage units will eventually be distributed over other aisles via cross conveyance locations Q within the rack and fully or partially depleted donor storage units to be replenished will eventually be transferred to the aisle 2 connected to those picking stations 10 via cross conveyance locations Q as a part of overall picking operation. The replenished storage unit T is then transported back into the storage system 1 by conveyor 4.

The picker P is guided/supported in his choice by the operation system, from which buffered incoming replenishment units 12 which article is put into which split storage unit T.

Fully depleted/ emptied storage units T may also be exchanged with fully loaded replenishment units 12 at the picking station 10 by exchanging a deplenished storage unit T for a fully loaded/replenished storage unit 12 from the buffer B. Independent rejection of empty storage units and induction of fully loaded storage units is also possible.

"Consolidation by opportunity" can be performed under certain conditions. Under such an operation mode, donor storage units will not go back to storage immediately even after picking is done but the operator is instructed to perform a consolidation operation with the use of following donor storage units being retrieved for fulfilling the order or next order(s). This operation requires the donor storage units to be retrieved one after another such that the retrieval sequence is defined based on consolidation activity, as well as order fulfilling sequence so it is performed only when order fulfilling sequence has some flexibility e.g. fulfilling single line orders or orders consisting of large number of order lines. This operation can be performed irrespective of the provision of buffer conveyor B.