Target Brands, Inc.

Thomas Gardner

Gregory Lisso

David Sellner

Gervasio Mutarelli

Tyler Park

Poojesh Wagle

Pablo Lewin

Daniel Seidel

Warehouse automation and methods of sorting and sequencing garment items can be used to enhance efficiencies of order fulfillment processes. For example, this document describes warehouse automation of systems and methods for efficiently compiling store replenishment orders for garment items. The systems and methods make store replenishment of garment items highly efficient. In some examples, the systems and methods are focused on automation (e.g., using autonomous mobile robots that transport pods containing garment items) and arranging the garment items in store-ready containers that can be wheeled out directly into the retail area for efficient store replenishment.

Systems and methods for handling and sorting garment items for store replenishment

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 sorting items to a truck-level and inducting those items for a first truck into a buffering and sequencing system. Items can temporarily accumulate in the buffering and sequencing system and thereafter be discharged in a desired sequence as the items become available within the buffering and sequencing system. In some embodiments, the buffering and sequencing system is used to sequence items for loading one or more store aisle-ready carts in a sequence that corresponds to a store aisle layout.

Systems and methods for warehouse order sortation

Robotic automation and methods described herein can be used to enhance the efficiencies of order fulfillment and inventory stowage processes. For example, this document describes the integration of elevated pathways that are dedicated for mobile robots to use in conjunction with a human-operated order picker lift to transport items for order fulfillment processes in an efficient manner. In some embodiments, the elevated pathways for the mobile robots can be at least partially integrated into storage systems such as pallet racking. The described systems and methods allow the elimination of human labor particularly related to transporting saleable goods and similar items. Mobile robots take over many of the tasks related to transporting the picked items. Accordingly, the efficiency of the human order picker, as measured by the number of line items picked per hour for example, is greatly enhanced.

Order picking using mobile robots on elevated pathways

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Thomas Gardner