Method for preparing orders listing unit loads
A method is provided for preparing instructions that each list unit loads. The method includes: obtaining unit loads; inputting the unit 11 loads into a sorting system under the supervision of a control system; sorting the unit loads using a sorting system in accordance with the instructions from and under the supervision of the control system; and, for each instruction, providing, via the sorting system, unit loads listed in the instruction. The step of obtaining unit loads is followed by forming logistical units, each including one or more unit loads, on the basis of the instructions from and under the supervision of the control system. The inputting, sorting, and providing steps are carried out by handling the logistical units obtained.
1. A method comprising:
preparing a plurality of orders which list unit loads, each order comprising order lines, each order line indicating a unit load reference and a quantity of unit load(s) desired for said unit load reference, wherein the orders are prepared according to the following acts using a sorting system:
obtaining the unit loads for the plurality of orders;
forming logistical units for the plurality of orders by grouping the unit loads as a function of the order lines of each order and under control of a management system, the unit loads listed in a given order being grouped into several logistical units each comprising the quantity of unit load(s) indicated in a respective order line of said given order or in a portion of said respective order line, at least one of said logistical units comprising a plurality of the unit loads, wherein each logistical unit is an entity that has dimensions and a weight and that can be handled by said sorting system; and
using the sorting system to handle the logistical units as follows:
the sorting system receives the logistical units for the plurality of orders under the control of the management system;
the sorting system sorts the logistical units as a function of the plurality of orders and under the control of the management system; and
for each order of the plurality of orders, the sorting system provides the sorted logistical units comprising the unit loads listed in said order.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each logistical unit is handled by the sorting system using an intermediate support or a temporary fixed joining.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each logistical unit is handled directly by the sorting system without any additional means.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said logistical units comprises at least two unit loads organized in at least one stack of at least two unit loads and/or at least one layer of at least two unit loads.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each logistical unit possesses a composition determined as a function of at least one parameter belonging to the group consisting of:
the dimensions and/or the weight of the unit loads forming said logistical unit;
a parameter of vertical and/or horizontal holding of the unit loads forming said logistical unit;
the dimensions of an intermediate support or a temporary fixed joining used by the sorting system to handle said logistical unit;
the maximum dimensions and/or the maximum weight of the elements being capable of being handled by the sorting systems.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein forming logistical units is performed at least partly by a human operator, on the basis of information sent by the management system.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein forming logistical units is performed at least partly by a mechanical device, on the basis of instructions sent by the management system.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sorting system belongs to the group consisting of:
a cross-docking platform without storage;
an automated sorting and storage system.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein obtaining the unit loads comprises depacking at least one transportation unit.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises repacking the logistical units provided by the sorting system for each order.