JP2019206409A - Article sorting system and article sorting method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an article sorting system capable of achieving high efficiency of sorting work.SOLUTION: An article sorting system includes: an article sorting device 1 having a cart part with a conveyance container storing an article and a reading section 12 reading each information; a shelf device 30 having a plurality of partitions on which delivery boxes are placed; and an integrated control apparatus 50 for controlling delivery information of articles with the articles sorting device 1 and the shelf device 30 connected. The article sorting device 1 includes a cart management section 5 executing radio communication, and the integrated control apparatus 50 creates work information on the basis of conveyance container identification information received from the reading section 12 and transmits the work information to the cart management section 5. The cart management section 5, upon detection of arrival at a vicinity of a predetermined shelf device 30, transmits a command for notification of predetermined partition to the shelf device 30. The cart management section 5, upon reception of the delivery box identification information, transmits it to the integrated control apparatus 50, and the integrated control apparatus 50 correlates the delivery box identification information with the conveyance container identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an article sorting system and an article sorting method including an article sorting apparatus that sorts target articles for each delivery destination in accordance with customer orders in a distribution center or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art An article sorting apparatus is known that has a weighing unit that places a plurality of transport containers that contain target articles and measures their weights independently. The article sorting device also includes data transmission / reception means, display means, etc., and receives the work information transmitted from the host general management apparatus, and sorts the articles based on the contents of the screen displayed by the display means. Do.

JP 2008-189459 A

  Patent Document 1 discloses a cart facility that performs sorting by putting a target article stored in a transport container into a shelf having a plurality of sections. When the article sorting device arrives near the designated shelf section based on the work information received from the host general management device, the open / close door provided in the designated section opens, so that the worker is placed there. The target article is put into the shipping box. If there is no shipping box in the designated section, or if the shipping box in the designated section is full, the operator takes out a new empty shipping box from the specified place and ships it with the article sorting device. Conventionally, a work of issuing a label on which information such as information is displayed and pasting it on a shipping box has been performed. In such a method, since an operator performs the operation | work which issues a label with an article | item sorting apparatus and affixes it on a shipping box, there existed a subject that this required time.

  In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an article sorting system and an article sorting method that improve the efficiency of sorting work.

In order to achieve the above object, the article sorting system according to claim 1
An article sorting apparatus having a cart unit for sorting by loading a transport container containing a target article and a reading unit for reading identification information;
A shelf device on which shipping boxes for putting articles into each of the compartments are placed;
A general management device connected to the product sorting device and the shelf device to manage shipping information of the product;
An article sorting system comprising:
The article sorting device is provided with a cart management unit that performs wireless communication with the general management device to manage sorting,
The comprehensive management device generates work information based on the transport container identification information of the transport container received from the reading unit via the cart management unit, and transmits it to the cart management unit
When the cart management unit detects that the article sorting device is located in the vicinity of the predetermined shelf device based on the work information, the cart management unit transmits an instruction to notify the operator of the predetermined section of the shelf device to the shelf device,
When the cart management unit receives the shipping box identification information of the shipping box from the reading unit, the cart management unit transmits the shipping box identification information and the transport container identification information to the general management device,
The comprehensive management apparatus is configured to associate the shipping box identification information with the transport container identification information.

In order to achieve the above object, the article sorting system according to claim 2
The integrated management device generates shipping display information from the shipping box identification information and the transport container identification information that are associated with each other, and transmits the shipping display information to the shipping information display means.
The shipping information display means is configured to display shipping display information.

In order to achieve the above object, the article sorting system according to claim 3 provides:
The shipping information display means is an automatic label issuance and sticking device that reads the shipping box identification information provided on the shipping box being transferred from the shelf device, identifies the shipping box, and issues the shipping label. Paste to the specified shipping box

In order to achieve the above object, an article sorting system according to claim 4 is provided.
The shipping information display means is a rewritable electronic display device provided with wireless communication means attached to the shipping box, and is configured to display shipping box identification information and shipping display information.

In order to achieve the above object, the article sorting method according to claim 5
An article sorting apparatus having a cart unit for sorting by loading a transport container containing a target article and a reading unit for reading identification information;
A shelf device on which shipping boxes for putting articles into each of the compartments are placed;
A general management device connected to the product sorting device and the shelf device to manage shipping information of the product;
An article sorting method by an article sorting system comprising:
The article sorting device is provided with a cart management unit that performs wireless communication with the general management device to manage sorting,
The cart management department
A step (S203, S204) of transmitting the article sorting apparatus identification information of the article sorting apparatus and the transport container identification information of the transport container to the general management apparatus;
The total management device
Receiving the article sorting apparatus identification information and the transport container identification information, generating work information based on the shipping information, and transmitting it to the cart management unit (S104),
The cart management department
Receiving the work information and displaying the work information on the display unit of the article sorting device (S206);
An arrival determination step (S207) for determining whether or not the article sorting device has arrived at a predetermined area near the designated shelf device;
A step (S208) of transmitting an instruction for specifying a designated section to the shelf device when the article sorting device judges that the arrival has arrived at a predetermined area of the designated shelf device in the arrival judgment step (S207);
A step (S210) of transmitting the shipping box identification information to the general management device when receiving the shipping box identification information of the shipping box from the reading unit;
The total management device
Receiving the shipping box identification information and associating the shipping box identification information with the transport container identification information (S106).

  According to the article sorting system of the present invention, it is not necessary for the worker to attach a label to the shipping box each time during sorting work, and the efficiency of sorting work can be improved.

It is a control block diagram of the article | item classification system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is an external view of an article sorting apparatus of an article sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view of an article sorting device of an article sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view of a shelf device of an article sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view of a shelf device of an article sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view of a shelf device of an article sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view of a shelf device of an article sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the article | item classification method which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an article sorting system and an article sorting method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a control configuration diagram of an article sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The article sorting system mainly includes an article sorting apparatus 1 that moves and sorts articles, a shelf apparatus 30 that stores articles sorted from the article sorting apparatus 1 for each shipping destination, and a general management apparatus 50 that manages them. Have.

  There are at least one article sorting apparatus 1 in the article sorting system, and the article sorting apparatus 1 and the general management apparatus 50 mutually transmit and receive data by wireless communication. The article sorting apparatus 1 includes a cart management unit 5, a display unit 15, and a reading unit 12.

  The cart management unit 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), other storage devices, and an input / output device, and is installed in the article sorting apparatus 1. The cart management unit 5 has a communication function for communicating with the general management device 50 wirelessly, receives the work information transmitted from the general management device 50, and stores the information read by the reading unit 12. Then, the information is appropriately transmitted to the comprehensive management apparatus 50. The cart management unit 5 also has a function of detecting whether the work matches predetermined work information, and generating a command to display an error on the display unit 15 if the work does not match. Further, the cart management unit 5 stores unique item sorting device identification information that is different for each of the plurality of item sorting devices 1 in the storage device.

  The display unit 15 has a display portion such as a liquid crystal and is connected to the cart management unit 5 to display work information, error information, and the like according to a command from the cart management unit 5. In addition, the display unit 15 may be a touch panel that allows operation input, or may be integrated with the cart management unit 5.

  The reading unit 12 is a barcode scanner, for example, and reads a barcode including identification information. The reading unit 12 is connected to the cart management unit 5 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits the read identification information to the cart management unit 5. The reading unit 12 may have a camera that reads an image and reads a two-dimensional code. Further, the reading unit 12, the display unit 15, and the cart management unit 5 may be provided integrally. In addition, a part or all of the cart management unit 5 is integrated as a handy terminal with a scanner. May be provided.

  The shelf device 30 includes a shelf management unit 34 and a partition specifying unit 39. The shelf management unit 34 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and other storage devices and input / output devices, and is installed in the shelf device 30. The shelf management unit 34 is connected to the general management device 50 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits the usage status of the partitioned shelf to the general management device 50. The section specifying unit 39 is provided in each section of the shelf. When the cart management unit 5 instructs the shelf device 30 to specify a section, the shelf device 30 instructs the section specifying unit 39 to notify the operator of the position of the designated shelf.

  The comprehensive management device 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage device such as a large-scale hard disk, and a wireless transmission / reception device such as an access point. The general management device 50 manages a plurality of article sorting apparatuses 1 and is installed at a location separated from the article sorting apparatus 1. Then, mutual data communication is performed wirelessly with the cart management unit 5 of the article sorting apparatus 1. It should be noted that the shelf management unit 34 of the shelf device 30 may have a form such as a configuration incorporated in the total management device 50. The overall management device 50 manages the shipping destination information, the parts master including the name of the target article and the article identification information, the identification information of the transport container in which the articles before sorting are stored, and the shelf for sorting and loading the target articles. Based on these pieces of information, work information necessary for shipping is generated and transmitted to the article sorting apparatus 1.

  The shipping information display means 51 is connected to the general management device 50 by wire or wireless, and displays the shipping information generated by the general management device 50 on the outer surface of the shipping box by a predetermined method. Details of the shipping information display means 51 will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the article sorting apparatus 1 constituting the article sorting system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The article sorting apparatus 1 includes a cart unit 2 composed of a frame that supports a table 4 provided at the upper and lower stages, and the cart unit 2 includes a handle 17 for an operator to grasp and steer when moving, It has the wheel 18 which makes the goods sorting apparatus 1 movable, and can sort while moving.

  The cart unit 2 has a table 4 for placing a plurality of transport containers for transporting a target article on two stages, an upper stage and a lower stage. In the present embodiment, four cradles 4 are provided on each of the upper and lower stages, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  The cradle 4 is provided with weighing units 3a to 3h that respectively weigh the weight applied to the cradle 4 independently. The weighing units 3a to 3h always have weighing data obtained by combining the table identification information indicating the position of the table and the measurement value obtained by independently weighing the weight applied to the table. To the cart management unit 5. In the present embodiment, the weighing unit 3 uses a load cell having a robust structure using a strain gauge, but is not limited thereto.

    FIG. 3 is a plan view of the article sorting apparatus 1 constituting the article sorting system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the articles 60 a to 60 c before being sorted are accommodated in the transport containers 9 a to 9 c and placed on the weighing units 3 a to 3 c of the table 4. The transport containers 9a to 9c are placed at a predetermined collection place or the like before being placed on the placing table 4. Transport container identification information barcodes 10a to 10c indicating transport container identification information are respectively attached to the transport containers 9a to 9c. Then, the part identification information for specifying the type and model number of the article, the quantity of the article, and the transport container identification information are managed by the general management device 50 before the sorting operation.

  The transport containers 9a to 9c are containers for storing articles to be sorted and transported, and resin trays, containers, cardboard boxes and the like are used. In the present embodiment, the transport containers 9a to 9c are sized so that they can be placed independently on each cradle 4 and do not interfere with adjacent cradles.

  The transport container identification information barcode 10 (10a to 10c) is not limited to a one-dimensional barcode, and may be a two-dimensional code. Similarly, barcodes including identification information described later are not limited to one-dimensional barcodes, and may be two-dimensional codes.

  The cradle unit 13 is a stand that allows the reading unit 12 that is a scanner to stand on its own, and also has a function of supplying power for charging the internal battery of the reading unit 12.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, a power source is mounted in the vicinity of the bottom of the article sorting apparatus 1, and supplies power to the cart management unit 5, the display unit 15, the weighing units 3a to 3h, and the like. This power source is, for example, a rechargeable secondary battery. The power source may include a non-contact power transmission device having a coil so that charging can be performed even during work.

  4 to 7 are external views of the shelf device 30 of the article sorting system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The shelf device 30 has shelves divided by a plurality of sections, and the target article is put into each section by an operator. The shelf device 30 according to the present embodiment is configured by a total of three stages, ie, a lower stage 31, a middle stage 32, and an upper stage 33 in the vertical direction, and the openings a to f are configured in six rows in the horizontal direction. In each compartment, a shelf plate 38 is provided so as to be inclined downward, and a shipping box 36 is placed thereon. A stopper 35 is provided at the front end of the shelf board 38, and the shipping box 36 is locked by the stopper 35 so as not to slide off the shelf board 38.

  The shipping box 36 is, for example, a foldable resin container, and a shipping box identification information barcode 41 indicating the unique shipping box identification information is attached to the shipping box 36. The shipping box 36 that is folded and waiting for use is placed at a predetermined location such as a top plate 37 of the shelf device 30.

  Each section is provided with an independent shutter 39a as a section specifying unit 39 for specifying the section. The shutter 39a opens and closes the compartments according to a command from the shelf management unit 34. The shutter 39a is provided so as to cover the upper opening of the shipping box 36 placed on the shelf plate 38, and works so that it can be opened only when necessary and an article can be put into the shipping box 36. The shutter 39a is operated by an electric motor, but is not limited thereto, and may be operated by an air cylinder. The shutter 39a is a slide type or a flip type. Furthermore, the section specifying unit 39 is not limited to the shutter, and may be displayed by illumination such as an LED, and may be provided so that the operator can specify the section in the shelf.

  The shelf management unit 34 sends a command for specifying a zone to the zone specifying unit 39, and is connected to the general management device 50 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits information on a used zone and an empty zone to the general management device 50. The shelf management unit 34 transmits a signal including partition identification information, and the cart management unit 5 receives the signal. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the shutter 39a is normally in a closed state that covers the front of the compartment. When the article sorting apparatus 1 that transports the target article arrives in the vicinity of the shelf apparatus 30, as shown in FIG. 5, the cart management section 5 sends a signal including identification information of a predetermined section from the shelf management section 34. Receive. Then, the cart management unit 5 transmits a command for specifying a partition to the shelf management unit 34, the shelf management unit 34 issues a command for specifying the partition to the partition specification unit 39, and the shutter 39a of the specified partition is in an opened state. Transition. Therefore, the shelf management unit 34 notifies the worker that the section is a target part of the current sorting work by a command from the cart management unit 5.

  The section identified in FIG. 5 is the middle stage 32 of the c column. At this time, since the shipping box 36 is not placed in the section of the middle row 32 of row c, the operator places a new shipping box 36 on this section (FIG. 6). Next, the operator reads the shipping box identification information barcode 41 attached to the shipping box 36 by the reading unit 12. The reading unit 12 transmits the shipping box identification information of the shipping box 36 to the cart management unit 5, and the cart management unit 5 sends the shipping box identification information to the integrated management device 50 and the currently-sorted transport container identification information. Send it in association. The integrated management device 50 receives this and registers and stores that the shipping box 36 is in use.

  Thereafter, the operator takes out the designated quantity of articles 60 in the designated transport container and puts them in the shipping box 36. Since the weighing unit 3 of the table 4 on which the article 60 is placed transmits the weight value to the cart management unit 5 at predetermined time intervals, the cart management unit 5 detects the change in the weight value, and It is determined whether or not a predetermined amount of 60 has been input, and if it falls within a predetermined range, a specific partition release command is issued to the shelf management unit 34. The shelf management unit 34 receives the specific release command for the section, and the section specifying unit 39, that is, the shutter 39a, cancels the specification and closes it (FIG. 7).

  FIG. 6 shows the case where the identified section is the middle row 32 of the c row, the shutter 39a is opened, and the shipping box 36 is already placed in the middle row 32 of the c row. Therefore, at this time, the operator does not read the shipping box identification information bar code 41 pasted on the shipping box 36 by the reading unit 12 and designates the article 60 in the designated transport container. The quantity is taken out and put into the shipping box 36 in the middle row 32 of row c shown in FIG. Even if the operator reads the shipping box identification information bar code 41 affixed to the shipping box 36 with the reading unit 12, the integrated management device 50 has already used the shipping box 36 through the cart management unit 5. Therefore, there is no inconvenience.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control of the article sorting system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 8A on the left side of FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control of the integrated management device 50, and FIG. 8B on the right side of FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control of the cart management unit 5 of the article sorting device 1. is there.

  The cart management unit 5 stands by in a state waiting for activation of the article sorting apparatus 1 (step S201). If the cart management unit 5 determines in step S201 that it has been activated (Yes), the cart management unit 5 proceeds to step S202.

  If the cart management unit 5 determines that the loading has been completed in step S202 of the loading confirmation determination (Yes), the cart management unit 5 proceeds to step S203. The loading confirmation is performed according to the following procedure. The operator selects the transport container in a predetermined place by associating in advance the type, model number, quantity and transport container identification information of the article with the integrated management device 50, and reads the transport container identification information barcode 10 from the reading unit 12. Read with. Then, the reading part 12 transmits conveyance container identification information to the cart management part 5, and the cart management part 5 memorize | stores this. The operator places this transfer container on the table 4. Then, since the weighing unit 3 corresponding to the cradle 4 changes, the weighing unit 3 transmits the detected weight value to the cart management unit 5 together with the cradle identification information. The cart management unit 5 receives the cradle identification information and the weight value and associates them with the stored transport container identification information. The operator repeats this until the placing table 4 of the cart unit 2 is full or the carrying container in the predetermined placing place is exhausted. The association between the transport container identification information and the cradle identification information is not limited to this, and the cradle identification information barcode may be attached to the cradle 4 and read by the reading unit 12.

  In step S203, the cart management unit 5 transmits the article sorting apparatus identification information of the article sorting apparatus 1 to the general management apparatus 50, and proceeds to step S204.

  When the general management device 50 determines in step S101 that the article sorting device identification information has been received from the cart management unit 5 (Yes), the article management device identification information is stored in the storage device in step S102. Proceed to step S103.

  In step S204, the cart management unit 5 transmits the transport container identification information that has been loaded to the integrated management device 50, and proceeds to step S205. Note that step S203 and step S204 may be performed simultaneously.

  When the general management device 50 determines in step S103 that the transport container identification information has been received from the cart management unit 5 (Yes), the transport container identification information, and the article sorting device identification information stored in the storage device, Based on the shipping information and the like, work information to be performed by the article sorting apparatus 1 is generated, and is transmitted to the cart management unit 5 in step S104, and the process proceeds to step S105. The work information generated here includes information on how many quantities of articles 60 in the transport container 9 placed on the article sorting apparatus 1 are put in which sections of which shelf apparatus 30.

  If the cart management unit 5 determines in step S205 that the work information generated by the integrated management device 50 has been received (Yes), the cart management unit 5 proceeds to step S206. In step S206, the cart management unit 5 displays a screen for sorting work on the display unit 15 based on the received work information, and proceeds to arrival determination step S207.

  In the arrival determination step S207, the cart management unit 5 uses a predetermined signal in the vicinity of the shelf device 30 specified by the work information by the article sorting device 1 based on the wireless signal including the identification information of the section issued by the shelf device 30. Determine if you have arrived in the area. If the cart management unit 5 determines that the article sorting device 1 has arrived in the vicinity area of the shelf device 30 specified by the work information (Yes), the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S208, the cart management unit 5 instructs the shelf management unit 34 of the designated shelf device 30 so that the operator can specify the designated section, and proceeds to step S209. The shelf management unit 34 receives this command and opens the shutter 39a of the designated section.

  In step S209, the cart management unit 5 determines whether or not the shipping box identification information has been transmitted from the reading unit 12, and determines that the weight of the transport container has decreased without waiting for the reception of the shipping box identification information. If it judges in step S211, it will progress to step S212.

  If the cart management unit 5 determines in step S209 that the cart management unit 5 has received the shipping box identification information before the weight value from the weighing unit 3 of the transport container decreases (Yes), the process proceeds to step S210. move on. In step S210, the cart management unit 5 transmits the shipping box identification information to the general management apparatus 50, and the process proceeds to step S211.

  If the comprehensive management device 50 determines in step S105 that this shipping box identification information has been received from the cart management unit 5 (Yes), it proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the comprehensive management apparatus 50 stores the shipping box identification information and the transport container identification information in association with each other, and proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the integrated management apparatus 50 transmits the shipping display information to the shipping information display means 51, and proceeds to step S108.

  The shipping information display means 51 is, for example, an automatic label issuing / pasting device. Since the shipping box identification information is displayed by a barcode, the operator cannot immediately know information such as the shipping destination name of the shipping box 36. Accordingly, the articles 60 are loaded into the shipping box 36 and unloaded by the shelf device 30, and the automatic label printing and pasting apparatus is used for shipping the shipping box 36 while the shipping box 36 is being transferred by a conveyor, a sorter, or the like. The box identification information barcode 41 is read by a scanner, and a shipping label on which shipping display information is printed is attached to the shipping box 36.

  Another example of the shipping information display means 51 is an electronic display device such as electronic paper that includes wireless communication means and has a rewritable display. At this time, the shipping box identification information barcode 41 is always displayed on the electronic display device. When the operator reads the shipping box identification information barcode 41 with the reading unit 12, the cart management unit 5 transmits the shipping box identification information to the total management device 50, and the total management device 50 generates the shipping display information. In response to the command in step S107, the electronic display device additionally displays shipment display information. This electronic display device is attached to the shipping box 36 by a method that does not easily come off. When the electronic display device is used, it is possible to add and display the shipping display information on the electronic display device of the corresponding shipping box 36 immediately after the instruction of step S107 of the integrated management device 50. The visibility of the operator can be improved. In addition, since no labeling is performed, there is an advantage that an automatic label issuing and pasting device is unnecessary, and the labor of peeling off the label is unnecessary.

  If the cart management unit 5 determines in step S212 that the weight value from the weighing unit 3 of the transport container has reached a predetermined value (Yes), the cart management unit 5 proceeds to step S213. On the other hand, if the cart management unit 5 determines in step S212 that the weight value from the weighing unit 3 of the transport container has not reached the predetermined value (No), the cart management unit 5 returns to step S211 and sets the weight value to the predetermined value. Repeat until it reaches.

  In step S213, the cart management unit 5 instructs the shelf management unit 34 of the designated shelf device 30 to cancel the specification of the designated section, and proceeds to step S214. The shelf management unit 34 receives this command and closes the shutter 39a of the designated section.

  In step S214, the cart management unit 5 determines whether the sorting of the articles 60 currently placed on the article sorting apparatus 1 is completed. If not completed (No), the cart management unit 5 proceeds to step S215. In step S215, the cart management unit 5 displays the next sorting operation and returns to step S209. On the other hand, when the cart management unit 5 determines in step S214 that the sorting operation of the article 60 currently placed on the article sorting apparatus 1 has been completed, the cart management unit 5 proceeds to step S216.

  In step S216, the cart management unit 5 transmits to the general management apparatus 50 that all sorting operations have been completed, and proceeds to step S217.

  If it is determined in step S108 that the notification of completion of all sorting operations has been received (Yes), the general management apparatus 50 proceeds to step S101 in which it waits for transmission from the next article sorting apparatus. If the general management device 50 determines in step S105 that it has received a notification of completion of all sorting operations (Yes) even if it has not received shipping box identification information in step S105 (Yes), a new collection box Is recognized as not occurring, and the process proceeds to step S101. Note that the general management device 50 sequentially receives communications from a plurality of article sorting apparatuses and processes information, and without waiting for the completion of processing for a specific article sorting apparatus, The information processing is also performed in parallel.

  In step S217, the cart management unit 5 determines whether or not the article sorting apparatus 1 is to be used continuously, and if it is not continuously used (No), the cart management unit 5 ends. It returns to S202 and starts from loading confirmation.

  Note that the above sorting method is an example, and is not limited to the above flow, and various modifications are possible.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary for an operator to perform a work of issuing a label with an article sorting device and sticking the label to a shipping box, thereby improving work efficiency. In addition, it is not essential to install a label printing machine in the article sorting apparatus, power consumption can be reduced, and the duration of the battery provided in the article sorting apparatus can be increased. In addition, since the power consumption of the article sorting apparatus is reduced, the battery to be mounted can be made small, and thus the steering during the movement of the article sorting apparatus is facilitated.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on preferable embodiment, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary. The reference signs in the claims are for facilitating the understanding of the claims with respect to the description and the drawings, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claimed invention.

  As an application example of the present invention, it can be applied to an article sorting system including a movable cart used for sorting work in a distribution center or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Article sorting apparatus 2: Cart part 3, 3a-3h: Weighing part 4: Stand 5: Cart management part 9, 9a-9c: Transport container 10, 10a-10c: Transport container identification information barcode 12: Reading part 13: Cradle part 15: Display part 17: Handle 18: Wheel 30: Shelf device 31: Lower stage 32: Middle stage 33: Upper stage 34: Shelf management part 35: Stopper 36: Shipping box 37: Top board 38: Shelf board 39: Section specifying unit 39a: Shutter 41: Shipping box identification information barcode 50: General management device 51: Shipping information display means 60, 60a to 60c: Article

Claims (5)

An article sorting apparatus having a cart unit for sorting by loading a transport container containing a target article and a reading unit for reading identification information;
A shelf device on which a shipping box configured to have a plurality of sections and into which the articles are placed is placed;
A general management device connected to the product sorting device and the shelf device to manage shipping information of the product;
An article sorting system comprising:
The article sorting device is provided with a cart management unit for managing sorting by performing wireless communication with the general management device,
The comprehensive management device generates work information based on transport container identification information of the transport container received from the reading unit via the cart management unit, and transmits the work information to the cart management unit.
When the cart management unit detects that the article sorting device is located in the vicinity of the predetermined shelf device based on the work information, the cart management unit instructs the shelf to notify the operator of the predetermined section of the shelf device. To the device,
When the cart management unit receives the shipping box identification information of the shipping box from the reading unit, the cart management unit transmits the shipping box identification information and the transport container identification information to the general management device,
The general management apparatus associates the shipping box identification information with the transport container identification information. The comprehensive management device generates shipping display information from the shipping box identification information and the transport container identification information associated with each other, and transmits the shipping display information to the shipping information display means.
2. The article sorting system according to claim 1, wherein the shipping information display means displays the shipping display information.   The shipping information display means is an automatic label issuance and sticking device that reads the shipping box identification information provided on the shipping box being transferred from the shelf device, identifies the shipping box, 3. The article sorting system according to claim 2, wherein a label is issued and pasted to the specified shipping box.   The shipping information display means is a rewritable electronic display device provided with wireless communication means attached to the shipping box, and displays the shipping box identification information and the shipping display information. The article sorting system according to claim 2. An article sorting apparatus having a cart unit for sorting by loading a transport container containing a target article and a reading unit for reading identification information;
A shelf device on which a shipping box configured to have a plurality of sections and into which the articles are placed is placed;
A general management device connected to the product sorting device and the shelf device to manage shipping information of the product;
An article sorting method by an article sorting system comprising:
The article sorting device is provided with a cart management unit for managing sorting by performing wireless communication with the general management device,
The cart management unit
Transmitting (S203, S204) the article sorting apparatus identification information of the article sorting apparatus and the transfer container identification information of the transfer container to the general management apparatus,
The comprehensive management device is:
Receiving the article sorting apparatus identification information and the transport container identification information, generating work information based on shipping information and transmitting the work information to the cart management unit (S104);
The cart management unit
Receiving the work information and displaying the work information on a display unit of the article sorting device (S206);
An arrival determination step (S207) for determining whether the article sorting device has arrived at a predetermined area in the vicinity of the designated shelf device;
When the arrival determination step (S207) determines that the article sorting device has arrived at the predetermined area of the designated shelf device, a step of transmitting a command for specifying the designated section to the shelf device (S208). When,
When the shipping box identification information of the shipping box is received from the reading unit, the shipping box identification information is transmitted to the integrated management device (S210),
The comprehensive management device is:
An article sorting method comprising the step of receiving the shipping box identification information and associating the shipping box identification information with the transport container identification information (S106).

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