Automated container storage and delivery system

Abstract

A container storage and delivery system includes an individual container storage and delivery system. A palletizer is provided for forming a group of containers from the individual container storage and delivery system into a layer or a partial layer, and placing this layer or partial layer onto a pallet. A high speed pick station provides access for manual retrieval of high throughput case types from each storage location. An individual container placement station is also provided for placing individual containers onto a pallet. A conveyor system conveys containers and pallets from the individual container storage and delivery system, the palletizer, the high speed pick station, and the individual container placement station.

1 . A container storage and delivery system, comprising: 
 an individual container storage and delivery system;    a palletizer for forming a group of containers from said individual container storage and delivery system into a layer or a partial layer, and placing this layer or partial layer onto a pallet;    a high speed pick station comprising a plurality of storage locations, each location storing a single SKU, and providing access for rapid retrieval of high throughput container types from each storage location;    an individual container placement station for placing individual containers onto a pallet;    a conveyor system for conveying containers and pallets bearing containers from at least said individual container storage and delivery system, said palletizer, said high speed pick station, and said individual container placement station.    
     
     
         2 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said individual container storage and delivery system is a vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus.  
     
     
         3 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein said vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus is semiautomated.  
     
     
         4 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising high through-put container types wherein high speed pick stations comprise full layers of said high through-put container types.  
     
     
         5 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said individual container placement station comprises a robotic container placement system.  
     
     
         6 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said containers are delivered from said high speed pick station in full layers.  
     
     
         7 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising a depalletizing system for delivering containers to said individual container storage and delivery system.  
     
     
         8 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control system for delivering containers from said individual container storage and delivery system to said palletizer, and for sending pallets from said palletizer to said individual container placement station.  
     
     
         9 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein said control system receives inventory data and order data, said inventory data comprising container position data for containers in said individual container storage and delivery system, said high speed pick station, and said individual container placement station.  
     
     
         10 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 9 , wherein said control system determines at least one pallet configuration from said order data, said pallet configuration comprising the number of homogeneous SKU layers of containers to be placed on said pallet.  
     
     
         11 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein said control system, if said number of homogeneous SKU layers to be placed on said pallet exceeds a predetermined threshold and if said number of homogeneous SKU layers can be obtained from said high speed pick station, directs the delivery of said containers from said high speed pick station.  
     
     
         12 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein said control system directs pallets from said palletizer to said individual container placement station.  
     
     
         13 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein said control system, if said number of homogeneous SKU layers of containers does not exceed a predetermined threshold, and if there is at least one homogeneous package type layer that is necessary, causes said individual container storage and delivery system to deliver an equivalent number of said containers to said palletizer to form a layer and directs said palletizer to place said homogeneous package type containers onto a pallet.  
     
     
         14 . The container storage and delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein said control system determines if heterogeneous package type containers are to be placed onto said pallet and, if so, directs said containers to be sent to said individual container placement station.