Abstract: A method and system for fulfilling customer orders having a data base that is adapted to store a plurality of customer orders and identity of warehouse inventory items and return inventory items that make up each of the customer orders. Some of the orders are single item orders with only one inventory item assigned to that order. Some of the orders are multiple item orders with multiple inventory items assigned to that order. Returned items that are processed and determined to be acceptable to be re-distributed are re-introduced into the inventory data base and are available to be assigned to an order. Warehouse inventory and return inventory are maintained independent of each other to reduce redundant operations. The order fulfilment system retrieves items from either or both of the warehouse inventory and return inventory to fulfil customer orders. The order fulfilment system may utilizes human associates or robot associates.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system and method of storing articles to and retrieving articles from at least one stacked storage rack that is configured to store articles double deep in each storage location with one article at a front position and another article at a back position behind the one article includes a robot having an end of arm tool (EOAT). The EOAT has a platform and an extendable article manipulator. The platform is sized to support at least two articles. The robotic arm selectively positions the end of arm tool to retrieve articles from front and back storage positions of said at least one stacked storage rack and storing at least one of the articles from the platform to a front or back storage position after the robot rotates the EOAT about a generally vertical axis.

Abstract: A method and system for fulfilling customer orders having a data base that is adapted to store a plurality of customer orders and identity of warehouse inventory items and return inventory items that make up each of the customer orders. Some of the orders are single item orders with only one inventory item assigned to that order. Some of the orders are multiple item orders with multiple inventory items assigned to that order. Returned items that are processed and determined to be acceptable to be re-distributed are re-introduced into the inventory data base and are available to be assigned to an order. Warehouse inventory and return inventory are maintained independent of each other to reduce redundant operations. The order fulfilment system retrieves items from either or both of the warehouse inventory and return inventory to fulfil customer orders. The order fulfilment system may utilizes human associates or robot associates.

Abstract: A bulk bin forming system configured as a container forming cell includes a multi-axis robot to which is attached a multifunction tool. One or more collapsed card board boxes are located at a first station of the container forming cell adjacent the robot. The robot and multifunction tool are configured to operate to grasp and move an individual box, orient and pre-form the box by folding flaps at a second station of the cell, and then move the box to a third station of the cell to mount the box to a support configured as a pallet to thereby form a bulk bin or bulk box container referred to as a gaylord container. The tool may include vacuum grippers for grasping the boxes and staplers for securing the formed box to the pallet, and may also be used to fold the bottom flaps prior to mounting the box to the pallet.

Abstract: A method and system for picking articles from a collection of articles and arranging articles into placement locations, includes capturing an image with a first vision system from a collection of articles at a first pick location and determining coordinate data for at least some of the articles in the collection of articles. The coordinate data for an article in the collection of articles is provided to a first robotic manipulator. That article is picked from the collection of articles with the first robotic manipulator according to the coordinate data for that article and that article placed at a first place location. The position and orientation data of that article are obtained at a second pick location and provided along with a desired position and orientation of that article at a second place location to a second robotic manipulator.

Abstract: A method and system for picking articles from a collection of articles and arranging articles into placement locations, includes capturing an image with a first vision system from a collection of articles at a first pick location and determining coordinate data for at least some of the articles in the collection of articles. The coordinate data for an article in the collection of articles is provided to a first robotic manipulator. That article is picked from the collection of articles with the first robotic manipulator according to the coordinate data for that article and that article placed at a first place location. The position and orientation data of that article are obtained at a second pick location and provided along with a desired position and orientation of that article at a second place location to a second robotic manipulator.

Abstract: A bulk bin forming system configured as a container forming cell includes a multi-axis robot to which is attached a multifunction tool. One or more collapsed card board boxes are located at a first station of the container forming cell adjacent the robot. The robot and multifunction tool are configured to operate to grasp and move an individual box, orient and pre-form the box by folding flaps at a second station of the cell, and then move the box to a third station of the cell to mount the box to a support configured as a pallet to thereby form a bulk bin or bulk box container referred to as a gaylord container. The tool may include vacuum grippers for grasping the boxes and staplers for securing the formed box to the pallet, and may also be used to fold the bottom flaps prior to mounting the box to the pallet.