JP2000191119A - Sorting device, and sorting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting device and method capable of saving the labor in checking an article. SOLUTION: This sorting device 1 is provided with a host computer 33, a delivery facility 13 having a reception checking means 16 to check a received article 10 and a sorting area having a plurality of sorting places 12, and an easily-checking label 14 having the information on the articles checked by the received article checking means 16. The information on the articles checked by the received article checking means 16 is specified by the easily-checking label 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus and a sorting method for articles, and more particularly to a sorting apparatus and a sorting method suitable for sorting a large number of articles to a large number of destinations at a distribution center or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a distribution center or the like, sorting work for article delivery is performed as is well known. This delivery center, for example,
Sorting is performed at a large number of destinations (for example, local stores) by a predetermined quantity. The facilities of this distribution center include:
A receiving area for receiving the received articles, a transport line for transporting the articles received in the receiving area, and a sorting area for sorting the articles transported on the transport line are provided.

[0003] Then, specific articles that have been conveyed are distributed to the above-mentioned sorting area by a sorter or the like. In this kind of distribution center for sorting goods, for example, various kinds of goods are automatically stored. After being stored in the case, the worker inspects the delivery schedule list by comparing the product in the storage case with the worker.

[0004]

However, according to the conventional sorting method, the worker must compare and compare the delivery schedule list with the product in the storage case each time. However, there is a problem that a lot of confirmation mistakes (inspection errors) of the comparison and collation of the products occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting apparatus and a sorting apparatus which can reduce the time and effort of inspection and do not cause an inspection error. It is to provide a method.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sorting apparatus comprising: a host computer; a delivery facility having a receipt confirming means for confirming received articles and a sorting area having a plurality of sorting places; And an easy-inspection label having specific information necessary for specifying a storage case for accommodating the sorted articles in the sorting area, based on the article information confirmed by the arrival confirmation means. The storage case storing the distributed articles and the easy-to-inspect label having different information are associated with each other by an associating means, so that the sorted articles are inspected. According to claim 1), the above object can be achieved.

In the sorting apparatus according to the present invention, there is provided: a hand scanner for reading the easily inspected label as the associating means, and reading the easily inspected label with the hand scanner to obtain the received goods; And the easy-inspection label (claim 2). As the associating means, a label output means for recording the article information on the easy-inspection label and a lamp corresponding to each of the storage cases are provided (claim). 3), characterized in that:

[0008] In addition, the sorting method according to the present invention sorts received articles while checking the received articles by means of arrival confirmation means.
While storing the sorted articles in a storage case,
An easy inspection label having information capable of associating confirmed sorting data is attached to the storage case, and the information is input to a host computer, and then the storage case is delivered (claim 4). The above object can be achieved.

The sorting method according to the present invention is characterized in that the easy inspection label is read by a hand scanner, and the received article is associated with the easy inspection label (claim 5).

Further, according to the sorting method of the present invention, the sorted articles are sorted while being checked by the arrival check means, the sorted articles are stored in a storage case, and the sorted data confirmed by the host computer is stored. The storage case can be delivered after issuing an easy inspection label on which is recorded and attaching the storage case to the storage case (claim 6), thereby achieving the above object.

(Operation) According to the sorting apparatus of the present invention, since the article information confirmed by the arrival confirmation means is specified by the easy inspection label, the worker compares the delivery schedule list with the article as in the conventional case. There is no need for collation, and labor can be greatly reduced (claim 1).

Further, in the sorting apparatus according to the present invention,
The associating means includes a hand scanner for reading the easy inspection label, and reading the easy inspection label with the hand scanner to associate the received article with the easy inspection label. By simply recording different pieces of simple information in advance for each label, the easily inspected label has an identification function for inspection, and there is no need to print complicated information each time.
In addition, by reading the easy inspection label affixed to the storage case with the hand scanner, it is possible to automatically determine the association between the storage case and the article information (claim 2).

[0013] In the sorting apparatus according to the present invention,
As the associating means, by having a label output means for recording the article information on the easy inspection label and a lamp corresponding to each storage case, the easy inspection label on which predetermined information is recorded and the easy inspection label are attached. The label can be securely attached to a predetermined storage case according to the instruction of the lamp for specifying the storage case to be provided (claim 3).

According to the sorting method of the present invention,
The storage case is made deliverable after inputting the information that can link the confirmed sorting data to the host computer, so simply reading the information attached to the storage case received at the delivery destination, this read information and the host computer Can be collated with the information recorded in the storage case, and it can be immediately determined whether or not the articles in the storage case are as ordered (claim 4).

Further, in the sorting method according to the present invention,
By reading the easy inspection label with a hand scanner and associating the received goods with the easy inspection label, automatically associating the storage case with the article information continuously after attaching the easy inspection label. (Claim 5).

Further, according to the sorting method of the present invention, the sorted articles are stored in a storage case, and an easy-inspection label on which sorting data confirmed by a host computer is recorded is issued. After pasting on the case, the storage case can be delivered, so simply reading the information attached to the storage case received at the delivery destination, the read information and the information recorded in the host computer are compared. The collation can be performed, and it can be immediately determined whether or not the articles in the storage case are as ordered (claim 6).

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a sorting apparatus and a sorting method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a sorting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control system of the sorting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a sorting operation of the sorting device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a sorting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a control system of the sorting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

(First Embodiment) As shown in FIG.
The sorting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a delivery facility 13 having a receiving area 11 for confirming received articles 10 and a plurality of sorting places 12, and a receiving area 11.
A host computer 33 (see FIG. 2) having article information confirmed by the arrival confirmation means 16 provided in
And an easy inspection label 14 provided in advance at each sorting place.

The articles 10 received in the receiving area 11
The article is conveyed to the sorting place 12 by the conveyance line 15 while the article information is confirmed by the arrival confirmation means 16. This arrival confirmation means 16 is connected to each branch line 1 of the transport line 15.
Each of the scanners 5a, 15b, 15c,... (In the present embodiment, the arrival confirmation means is also referred to as a “scanner”), and is conveyed to the sorter 20 by these scanners 16. Article 10 is reliably detected.

The article 1 transported by the transport line 15
0 is sorted by the sorter 20 of the distribution facility 13 and supplied to each sorting place 12 via the chute 21. In each sorting place 12, a storage case 23 composed of, for example, a folding container is placed on a work table 22,
The article 10 is stored in the storage case 23 from the chute 21.

Each sorting place 12 has a shoot number specifying display plate 24 for specifying each sorting place 12.
And a label box 25 capable of storing a large number of easily inspected labels 14.
Is provided. On the shoot number identification display board 24,
The number of the chute 21 (sorting place 12) is recorded so as to be readable by the hand scanner 28.

In the label box 25, the easily inspected label 14
Are inserted by a predetermined number. In the present embodiment, SCM (shipping ca) is used as the easily inspected product label 14.
A label referred to as a “rtoner marking” label is used. The SCM label 14 includes
At least a shoot number and a serial number different for each label are recorded so as to be readable by the hand scanner 28. That is, the hand scanner 28 functions as associating means for associating the easy inspection label 14 with the storage case 23. Furthermore, between the shoots 21,
One patrol light 26 is provided for each of the plurality of chutes 21, and one lamp 27 is provided for each sorting place 12.

FIG. 2 shows a control system of the sorting apparatus 1. The control system includes a control device 30 at a sorting facility site such as a personal computer, for example, and the scanner 16, a sorting device control unit 31, a receiving unit 32, a patrol light 26, and a lamp 27 are connected to the control device 30. In the scanner 16, the tributary lines 15a, 15b,.
The number of articles 10 flowing through the apparatus is detected, and the article information is supplied to the sorting apparatus control section 31 via the control apparatus 30.

The sorting device control section 31 controls the sorter 20 and the chute 21 to sort the articles 10.
Further, specific information such as a shot number read by the hand scanner 28 is wirelessly supplied to the receiving unit 32. The control device 30 is managed by the host computer 33. Since the hand scanner 28 is wireless,
The read information can be easily supplied to the control device 30 without being affected by the arrangement of the sorting lines of the sorting equipment.

Next, the sorting operation by the sorting apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this sorting operation, first, a storage case 23 which is a shipping box (described as a shipping box in FIG. 3) is set (step 1 (S1 in FIG. 3)), and then the storage case 23 is placed at a predetermined position in the storage case 23. The easy inspection label 14 is attached (Step 2 (S2 in the figure)).

Next, the chute number identification display plate 24 and the easy inspection label 14 attached to the storage case 23 are
It is read by the hand scanner 28 (step 3
(S3 in the figure)). As a result, the storage case 23 and the easy inspection label 14 are recorded as associated information.

The information read by the hand scanner 28 is sent to the host computer 33 (FIG. 2).
The host computer 33 stores a delivery schedule list of the article 10. The information read by the hand scanner 28 is supplied to the host computer 33 so that the delivery schedule list and the easily inspected label 14 attached to the storage case 23 are provided. Will be associated with. Since the articles 10 are stored in the storage case 23 in accordance with the delivery schedule list, the articles 10 in the storage case 23 and the easy inspection labels 14 are associated with each other.

After the easy inspection label 14 is read in step 3 (S3 in the figure), all the patrol lights 26 and lamps 27 are turned off (step 4 (S4 in the figure)).
Subsequently, the articles are conveyed, and the sorting operation of the articles 10 by the sorter 20 is started (Step 5 (S 5 in the figure).
Five)).

Next, it is determined whether or not the storage case 23 is full and whether or not the article chute operation of the corresponding chute 21 has been completed (step 6 (S in the figure).
6)). Then, if it is determined in step 6 that it is not full, or if it is determined that the article shooting operation has not been completed, the sorter sorting operation of step 5 is performed continuously.

When it is determined in step 6 that the storage case 23 is full, and when it is determined that the article chute operation has been completed, the patrol light 26 is turned on. 27 flashes, and when the shooting operation is completed, the lamp 27 is turned on (step 7 (S7 in the figure)).

Next, the inside of the storage case 23 is arranged and the upper cover is closed (step 8 (S8 in the figure)). Next, after confirming that the easy inspection label 14 is attached to the storage case 23 (Step 9 (S9 in the figure)), the storage case 23 is automatically unloaded (Step 10 (S10 in the figure)). . Thus, the sorting operation is completed.

As described above, according to the sorting apparatus 1 of the present invention, the article information confirmed by the arrival confirmation means 16, that is, the article 10 which has been confirmed to be received and stored in the storage case 23 according to the delivery schedule list can be easily read. Since it is easily specified by the inspection label 14, there is no need for the operator to compare and collate the delivery schedule list with the article 10 as in the related art, and the labor can be greatly reduced.

Further, by reading the easy inspection label 14 with the hand scanner 28, the received article 10 and the easy inspection label 14 are associated with each other and the host computer 3
3, the inspection work can be saved at the delivery destination as follows. That is, after sorting, the storage case 23 is shipped to the delivery destination, and
(Advanced Shipping Notic
e: Advance shipping details) information is transmitted to the destination by EDI (Electric Data Interchange). Then, when the storage case 23 is sent to the delivery destination,
The information on the easy inspection label 14 attached to the storage case 23 is read and matched with the ASN information. Thus, the inspection can be performed by a very simple operation without checking the articles in the storage case 23 one by one. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of the inspection work, and it is possible to significantly improve the accuracy of the inspection.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a sorting device 5 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The sorting apparatus 5 includes a delivery confirmation unit 56 for confirming the articles 50 received in the receipt area 51, a delivery facility 53 having a plurality of sorting locations 52, and article information confirmed via the receipt confirmation unit (scanner) 56. And an easily inspected product label 54 having information created as appropriate.

Further, the delivery line 53 includes a transport line 5.
5, tributary lines 55a, 55b, 55c..., A scanner 56, a sorter 60, a chute 61, a work bench 62, a storage case 63, a patrol light 66, and a lamp 67 are provided. These components are the same as those of the sorting device 1 according to the above-described first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in this sorting device 5, each sorting place 52
, A reset switch 70 is provided. A label output device 71 is provided near the sorting place 52. The label output device 71 records article information on the easily inspected label 54 as described later.

FIG. 5 shows a control system of the sorting device 5. This control system includes a control device 80 and a sorting device control unit 8 similar to the sorting device 1 in the first embodiment described above.
1, a scanner 56, a patrol light 66, a lamp 67, and a label output device 71 are connected to the control device 80. The control device 80 is a host computer 83
Managed by

Next, the sorting operation performed by the sorting device 5 will be described. In this case, first, the storage case 63 is set. Then, the articles 50 confirmed to be received by the scanner 56 in the receiving area 51 are sorted according to the delivery schedule list, and these articles 50 are stored in the storage case 6.
3

The tributary lines 55a, 55b, 55c...
Is inspected (confirmed) by the scanner 56, and the article information is sent to the control device 80. When the information recorded in the delivery schedule list matches the article information, the sorting operation is stopped. Then, the article information is sent to the label output means 71, where the easily inspected label 5
4 is recorded and output (ticketing).

The easily inspected product label 54 output from the label output means 71 is attached to the corresponding storage case 63. At the time of this attachment, a lamp 67 provided at the storage case 63 to which the ticketed easy inspection label 54 is to be attached is associated with a display such as blinking. When the attachment of the easy inspection label 54 is completed, the operator presses the reset switch 70. Thereby, the article 50 in the storage case 63 and the easy inspection label 5
4 corresponds to the article information.

As described above, also in the sorting apparatus 5 of the present invention, the article information confirmed by the arrival confirmation means, that is,
Article 5 in storage case 53 detected by scanner 56
0 is specified by the easily inspected product label 54, so that information can be transferred or confirmed with the host computer 83 via a telephone line or the like as in the first embodiment.
It is not necessary for the worker to compare and collate the delivery schedule list with the article 50 as in the related art, and the labor for inspection can be greatly reduced.

[0041]

As described above, according to the sorting apparatus of the present invention, the article information confirmed by the arrival confirmation means is
Since it is specified by the easy-inspection label and the means for associating the label with the storage case storing the article, there is no need for the operator to compare and collate the delivery schedule list with the article as in the conventional case, thus greatly reducing labor. (Claim 1). Further, according to the sorting method of the present invention, the storage case is delivered after inputting the information capable of associating the confirmed sorting data to the host computer, so that the information attached to the storage case received at the delivery destination is read. By comparing the read information with the information recorded in the host computer, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the article in the storage case is as ordered, so that the time and effort for inspection can be greatly reduced ( Claim 4). Furthermore, according to the sorting method of the present invention, the sorted articles are stored in a storage case, and an easy-inspection label on which sorting data confirmed by a host computer is recorded is output and affixed to the storage case. After attaching the storage case, the storage case is made deliverable, so that simply reading the information attached to the storage case received at the destination, the read information is compared with the information recorded in the host computer. It is possible to immediately determine whether or not the articles in the storage case are as ordered (claim 6).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a sorting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control system of the sorting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a sorting operation of the sorting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sorting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control system of a sorting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,5 Sorting device 10,50 Article 11,51 Receiving area 12,52 Sorting area 13,53 Delivery facility 14,54 Easy inspection label 16,56 Receiving confirmation means (scanner) 23,63 Storage case 28 Hand scanner 33,83 Host computer 71 Label output means

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Norio Ohara 8-19-20 Higashisuna, Koto-ku, Tokyo Toyo Kanetsu Corporation F-term (reference) 3F015 AA06 HA02 JC02 JC06 JC23 3F022 AA15 LL31 MM07 MM11 MM59 QQ00

Claims (6)

[Claims] A host computer (33, 83);
Delivery equipment (13, 53) having arrival confirmation means (16, 56) for confirming received articles (10, 50) and a sorting area (12, 52) having a plurality of sorting places.
A sorting device (14, 54) that has specific information necessary for specifying storage cases (23, 63) for storing articles sorted in the sorting areas (12, 52). 1, 5), wherein the storage cases storing the articles distributed to the sorting area based on the article information confirmed by the receipt confirmation means (11, 51), and the storage cases each having different information. The inspection label (14, 54) is associated with the association means (2).
A sorting device (1, 5), characterized in that it is configured to inspect the sorted and related articles in (8, 67, 71). 2. As the associating means, a hand scanner (28) for reading the easy inspection label (14) is provided, and when the easy inspection label (14) is read by the hand scanner (28), the goods are received. The sorting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sorted product (10) is associated with the easily inspected product label (14). 3. A label output means (71) for recording the article information on the easy inspection label (54) and a lamp (67) corresponding to each of the storage cases (63) as the associating means. Sorting device (5) according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The received goods (10) can be sorted while being checked by the arrival check means (16), and the sorted goods can be stored in the storage case (23), and the checked sorting data can be associated. An easy inspection label (14) having information is attached to the storage case (23),
A sorting method, wherein the storage case (23) can be delivered after the information is input to the host computer (33). 5. An article (10) received by reading the easy inspection label (14) with a hand scanner (28).
The sorting method according to claim 4, wherein the easy inspection label is associated with the easy inspection label. 6. Sorting the received articles (50) while checking the received articles with the arrival confirmation means (51), storing the sorted articles in the storage case (63), and checking them with the host computer (83). A sorting method comprising: issuing an easy-inspection label (54) recorded with sorted sorting data, attaching the ticket to the storage case (63), and then delivering the storage case (63).