Target Brands, Inc.

Ernesto Saldana Pena

Gervasio Mutarelli

Carlos A Loza

Gregory Lisso

Justin Feider

David Sellner

Jamison Harrell-Latham

Dillon Shirley

Joseph Goodwin

Trevor Stratmann

Shefali Pai

This document describes systems and methods for enhancing the efficiencies of order fulfillment and inventory management processes. For example, this document describes automated robotic systems that can autonomously pick and place a particular quantity of desired items from a container that is storing the items. The autonomous robotic systems can thereby facilitate order fulfillment and inventory management processes in an efficient manner. In particular, the systems and methods described herein can greatly reduce the amount of time required for a human worker to pick orders. Accordingly, the efficiency of item picking processes, as measured by the number of line items picked per human labor hour for example, is greatly enhanced.

Automated item picking systems and methods

Warehouse automation and methods of handling materials can be used to make depalletization processes more safe and efficient. In some examples, the depalletization systems can include a U-shaped platform lift that supports one or more workers and that defines a location for a pallet of boxes to be unloaded or 'depalletized.' The U-shaped platform lift can be raised and/or lowered to position the workers at the optimal elevations for transferring, with minimal lifting, the boxes from the pallet to a system of conveyors. Such systems are also reconfigurable in multiple ways to further minimize the manual lifting required for the depalletization process as well as the throughput of the depalletization process.

Depalletization systems and methods

Warehouse automation and methods of automatically sorting and sequencing items can be implemented to streamline and expedite order fulfillment and store replenishment processes in a cost-effective manner. Some embodiments described herein include: (i) picking or retrieving items from an inventory storage area, (ii) decanting individual items and placing them on carriers of a high-speed sorting and conveyance system, and (iii) final sortation as per customer orders. In some embodiments, the high-speed sorting and conveyance system includes multiple shuttles that each carry an individual item to a designated final order sortation system.

Systems and methods for high-speed warehouse order sortation

Warehouse automation and methods of handling materials can be used to enhance the safety and efficiencies of warehouse operations. For example, automation systems and methods that make depalletization processes safer and more efficient are described. In some examples, the depalletization systems described herein include multiple work cells/stations and a depalletization robot that traverses the work cells/stations on a rail so the robot can autonomously move between the stations.

Door and light curtain control system for depalletization systems and methods

Warehouse automation and methods of handling materials can be used to enhance the safety and efficiencies of warehouse operations. For example, automation systems and methods that make depalletization processes safer and more efficient are described. In some examples, a rotary lift table is used to automatically position a pallet load of boxes in an ergonomic position where a worker can readily transfer the boxes from the pallet to another location, such as a conveyor or another pallet. In some examples, a work cell for a worker includes two of the rotary lift tables that function in that manner.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Ernesto Saldana Pena