US 12,312,170 B2
Systems and methods for order processing
Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Hatfield (GB); Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Hatfield (GB); Stuart Richard North, Hatfield (GB); and Robert Rolf Stadie, Hatfield (GB)
Assigned to Ocado Innovation Limited, Hatfield (GB)
Filed by Ocado Innovation Limited, Hatfield (GB)
Filed on Dec. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/393,351.
Application 18/393,351 is a continuation of application No. 18/144,133, filed on May 5, 2023, granted, now 11,851,276.
Application 18/144,133 is a continuation of application No. 17/951,865, filed on Sep. 23, 2022, abandoned.
Application 17/951,865 is a continuation of application No. 16/786,333, filed on Feb. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,453,552, issued on Sep. 27, 2022.
Application 16/786,333 is a continuation of application No. 15/790,704, filed on Oct. 23, 2017, granted, now 10,556,742, issued on Feb. 11, 2020.
Application 15/790,704 is a continuation of application No. 14/899,367, granted, now 9,796,080, issued on Oct. 24, 2017, previously published as PCT/IB2014/062165, filed on Jun. 12, 2014.
Claims priority of application No. 1310784 (GB), filed on Jun. 17, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2024/0199325 A1, Jun. 20, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 1/04 (2006.01); B25J 9/00 (2006.01); B65D 21/02 (2006.01); B65G 1/06 (2006.01); B65G 1/137 (2006.01); G05B 19/418 (2006.01); G06Q 10/083 (2024.01); G06Q 10/087 (2023.01)
CPC B65G 1/0464 (2013.01) [B25J 9/0093 (2013.01); B25J 9/0096 (2013.01); B65D 21/02 (2013.01); B65D 21/0209 (2013.01); B65D 21/0233 (2013.01); B65G 1/065 (2013.01); B65G 1/1378 (2013.01); G05B 19/4189 (2013.01); G06Q 10/083 (2013.01); G06Q 10/087 (2013.01); Y10S 901/01 (2013.01); Y10S 901/02 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A goods storage and retrieval system comprising:
a framework defining a grid of storage locations, the grid storing a plurality of storage containers in rows and columns of stacks of storage containers, the plurality of storage containers being configured for storage of items of inventory in the plurality of storage containers;
a plurality of overhead robotic load handlers for transporting the plurality of storage containers to and from the storage locations within the grid, the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers configured to move on rails along the rows and columns of the grid; and
a plurality of delivery containers, each delivery container being configured for delivery of one or more items to a delivery destination and configured for storage in the grid as a combined container;
wherein the combined container is formed of one or more delivery containers of the plurality of delivery containers stored within a storage container of the plurality of storage containers, the one or more delivery containers being removable from the storage container for delivery of the one or more delivery containers to the delivery destination with the one or more items contained within the one or more delivery containers.
 
9. A method of operating an order processing system comprising a goods storage and retrieval system, the goods storage and retrieval system comprising:
a framework defining a grid of storage locations, the grid storing a plurality of storage containers in rows and columns of stacks of storage containers, the plurality of storage containers being configured for storage of items of inventory in the plurality of storage containers;
a plurality of overhead robotic load handlers for transporting the plurality of storage containers to and from the storage locations within the grid, the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers configured to move on rails along the rows and columns of the grid; and
a plurality of delivery containers, each delivery container being configured for delivery of one or more items to a delivery destination and configured for storage in the grid as a combined container,
wherein the combined container is formed of one or more delivery containers of the plurality of delivery containers stored within a storage container of the plurality of storage containers, the one or more delivery containers being removable from the storage container for delivery of the one or more delivery containers to the delivery destination with the one or more items contained within the one or more delivery containers, and
wherein the method comprises:
storing, using one or more of the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers, the combined container in a storage location of the storage locations within the grid, the combined container being formed of a first delivery container of the plurality of delivery containers stored within a first storage container of the plurality of storage containers.
 
18. A method of using a combined container in a goods storage and retrieval system, wherein the goods storage and retrieval system comprises:
a framework defining a grid of storage locations, the grid storing a plurality of storage containers in rows and columns of stacks of storage containers, the plurality of storage containers being configured for storage of items of inventory in the plurality of storage containers;
a plurality of overhead robotic load handlers for transporting the plurality of storage containers to and from the storage locations within the grid, the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers configured to move on rails along the rows and columns of the grid; and
a plurality of delivery containers, each delivery container being configured for delivery of one or more items to a delivery destination;
wherein the combined container is formed of a storage container of the plurality of storage containers containing one or more delivery containers of the plurality of delivery containers,
wherein the one or more delivery containers are removable from the storage container for delivery of the one or more delivery containers to a delivery destination with one or more items contained within the one or more delivery containers, and
wherein the method comprises:
removing the one or more delivery containers from the storage container.