Mckesson Automation, Inc.

Payal Lal

Manoj Wangu

Richard Lunak

Gregory Hart

A method of filling a restocking package is provided in which a queue of requests of items to be picked from a carousel is evaluated based on a set of user configurable priorities, a carousel is operated based on said evaluating, items are picked from the carousel in response to said operating, and a restocking package is filled with items held in said carousel in response to said operating. The method may additionally comprise filling the restocking package at a configurable time.

Method of filling a restocking package

A carousel used in a restocking system is comprised of a drive track. A plurality of bins are arranged into rows, with the rows being driven by said drive track. A drive mechanism, e.g. an electric motor, drives the drive track. A sensor is provided to sense the position of the rows of bins. A processor is responsive to the sensor and data representative of a plurality of picks for more than one order for controlling the drive mechanism. By combining picks from different orders into a batch, the time spent driving the rows and time between picks is minimized. The carousel may be divided into a plurality of columns, each with its own drive track, drive mechanism, and sensor, to enable several rows to be brought into a pick position simultaneously. Various methods and forms of restocking packages are also disclosed.

Method of monitoring inventory on an open shelving system

Restocking of open shelving with a hand held device

Filling a restocking package using a carousel

Restocking system using a carousel

A carousel used in a restocking system is comprised of a drive track. A plurality of bins are arranged into rows, with the rows being driven by said drive track. A drive mechanism, e.g. an electric motor, drives the drive track. A sensor is provided to sense the position of the rows of bins. A processor is responsive to the sensor and data representative of a plurality of picks for more than one order for controlling the drive mechanism. By combining picks from different orders into a batch, the time spent driving the rows and time between picks is minimized. The carousel may be divided into a plurality of columns, each with its own drive track, drive mechanism, and sensor, to enable several rows to be brought into a pick position simultaneously.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Payal Lal