JP2000085921A - Assortment method for article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry-in articles at a high speed and to carry out desired articles in a desired order and in an extremely short time. SOLUTION: In this assortment method for articles for assorting a plurality of articles, articles to be assorted are supplied by type, and the supplied articles are supplied into the article storage part 12 of a rotating rack 1 rotatably- supported in the identical order to, or in the almost same order as a delivering order. When the next type of a plurality of articles G are stored, upon the completion of storing the former type of article, a leading article is stored in the article storage part 12 near an article receiving position of both ends of the article storage part 12 which stored the next type of article, and a subsequent article is stored in the distant article storage part 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article packing method for packing articles in a predetermined order by using a rotating shelf, particularly a horizontal rotating shelf stacked in a plurality of stages.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional techniques relating to a method of packing articles are disclosed in JP-A-61-7107 and JP-A-63-1.
No. 60906 is known.

The prior art described in the above publication is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 61-7107, in which articles arriving in an arbitrary order can be unloaded in a predetermined order before arrival. A control method is described. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-160906 discloses that a rotating shelf is provided in the middle of a transport path for transporting articles ejected from an automatic warehouse to a workplace, and that a multi-item article ejected from the automatic warehouse in any order is once rotated. A delivery system for storing on a shelf is described.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems.

That is, in the warehouse control method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-7107, since articles to be unpacked are not supplied for each type, a great deal of time is required to unpack the articles. Required. Further, in the retrieval system described in JP-A-63-160906, the supplied articles are randomly stored in the article storage section of the rotating shelf.
A desired article cannot be delivered in a desired order in a short time.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to store articles supplied for each type in the order in which the articles are delivered to the article storage section of the rotating shelf or in an order substantially equal to the order in which the articles are delivered, so that articles can be stored at high speed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article packing method that can be stored (packed) and can leave desired articles in a desired order in a very short time.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an article packing method for packing a plurality of types of articles, wherein the articles to be packed are supplied for each type, and the supplied articles are rotated. The order in which the articles are delivered to the article storage section of the rotating shelf that is supported as possible or the order in which the articles are delivered is substantially the same, and when a plurality of the following types of articles are stored, When the storage of the previous type of article is completed, the first article is stored in the article storage section near the article receiving position among the article storage sections at both ends where the next type of article is stored, and moved away. The above object has been attained by providing an article packing method in which a rear article is stored in a certain article storage section.

It is preferable that the articles stored in the article storage section be taken out in a predetermined order by rotating the rotating shelf also in the reverse direction.

Further, it is preferable that the rotating shelf is formed by laminating a plurality of rotating shelves that rotatably support the article storage section.

[0010] Further, it is preferable that the articles are stored in the article storage section via transport means disposed on the side of the rotating shelf.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below together with examples of an article packing apparatus suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing a first embodiment of an article packing apparatus suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the article packing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view of a transporting unit (an embodiment in which a part is changed) of the article packing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an elevation view showing a second embodiment of the article packing apparatus suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the article packing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a carrying-out means (an embodiment in which a part of the carrying-out means is changed) of the article packing equipment shown in FIG. 5, and FIG.

In these drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a rotating shelf formed by stacking a plurality of rotating shelves 11 each of which rotatably supports an article storage unit 12 along a horizontal elliptical circulation path at appropriate intervals. The conveying means (vertical circulating conveyor) 3 disposed on the side of the reversing path R of the rotating shelf 1 is a reversing path R on the opposite side of the rotating shelf 1 in the first embodiment of the article packing equipment.
Unloading means (vertical circulating conveyor), 4
Reference numeral denotes an unloading means arranged along the linear movement path section S of the rotating shelf 1 in the second embodiment of the article packing equipment.
Thus, the articles G to be packed are supplied for each type,
(One or more) articles G supplied (for each type)
In the order in which they are delivered to (each) the article storage section 12 of the rotating shelf 1 rotatably supported via the conveying means (vertical circulating conveyor) 2 or in an order substantially the same as the order in which they are delivered. When a plurality of items G of the next type are stored and a plurality of items G of the next type are stored, when the storage of the item G of the previous type is completed, the article storage units 12 at both ends where the next type of item G is stored. Among them, the first article G is stored in the article storage section 12 near the article receiving position (the reversing path section R on the side where the conveying means 2 is disposed), and the tail article is stored in the article storage section 12 far away. To store the goods G of
The articles G stored in the (each) article storage unit 12 are taken out in a predetermined order by rotating the rotating shelf 1 (each of the rotating racks 11 alone) also in the reverse direction and extracting a plurality of types of articles G.
In a desired order.

To explain each part in the above embodiment, each of the rotating shelves 11 in the rotating shelf 1 supports a large number of article storage sections 12 on a horizontal elliptical traveling rail so as to be able to travel, and also has a traveling rail. A drive chain is stretched between the drive tooth wheel and the idler tooth wheel along, the article storage portions 12 are fixed to the drive chain at equal intervals, and the drive tooth wheel is driven by a motor. Can be rotated irrespective of the rotating shelf unit 11 of this stage.
It has been done. It should be noted that each of the rotating racks 11 is not configured to be able to rotate independently of the other rotating racks 11, and the article storage unit 12 is appropriately mounted on one or a plurality of drive chains that are operated synchronously. Multiple stages at intervals (for example, two stages)
And a plurality of sets (a plurality of stages) of the plurality of rotating shelves 11 are stacked (for example, provided with a 20-stage article storage section 12). 1 may be configured. Further, the rotating shelf 1 may be configured by stacking a plurality of sets (a plurality of stages) of the rotating shelf unit 11 having one stage and the rotating shelf unit 11 having a plurality of stages. Although the article packing equipment of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is constituted by two sets of rotating shelves 1, it is constituted by only one set or three or more sets of rotating shelves 1. It may be. In addition, the second shown in FIGS.
Although the article packing equipment of the embodiment is also constituted by two sets of rotating shelves 1, only one set or three or more sets of rotating shelves 1 are provided.
May be configured.

Further, a conveying means (vertical circulation conveyor) 2
Is disposed on the side of the reversing path portion R for each rotating shelf 1,
One or a plurality of articles G supplied for each type by the supply conveyor 5 are transported from the supply position B to the storage position A, and stored in the respective article storage sections 12 of the rotating shelf 1 via the storage conveyor 29. The vertical circulation surface of the rotating body (chain) 21 stretched endlessly of the vertical circulation conveyor 2 is disposed in a direction substantially parallel to the linear movement path S of the rotating shelf 1. Reference numeral 22 denotes a first guide frame disposed along the rotation locus of the rotating body 21, and reference numeral 23 denotes a first guide frame which has substantially the same shape as the rotation locus of the rotating body 21 and is displaced vertically and horizontally. 2 guide frame, 24 is the rotating body 2
1 through a transmission chain 25 with a toothed ring
6. 27 is an article carrier having a skewered (fork) -shaped article placement portion 27a; 28 is a guide roller attached to the article carrier 27;
9a is a storage pusher for pushing the articles G on the storage conveyor 29 into the article storage section 12, and 29b is an article receiving stand for receiving the articles G placed on the article placement section 27a at the storage position A. It should be noted that the plurality of article transporters 27 are
Are mounted at a constant pitch (twice the stacking interval of the rotating shelf unit 11). Further, a total of 20 storage positions A (only 9 positions are illustrated in FIG. 3 with a part thereof omitted) are set so as to face the respective storage conveyors 29 for the respective rotating racks 11 alone. The position is on the path along which the article carrier 27 moves downward. In addition, the supply position B is one place,
7 is on the path to move upward.

In addition, carrying-out means (vertical circulation conveyor) 3
Is a side view of the reversing path portion R on the opposite side of the rotating shelf 1 (the position where the conveying means 2 is disposed) in the first embodiment of the article packing equipment shown in FIGS. And has substantially the same configuration as the conveying means (vertical circulation conveyor) 2. In addition, a take-out device (not shown) provided with a delivery pusher for taking out the articles G stored in the article storage section 12 in the reverse path section R on the opposite side of the rotary shelf 1 is located at a take-out position inside the rotary shelf unit 11. , And one set is provided corresponding to each rotating shelf unit 11. A total of 20 take-out positions are determined so as to face the respective rotating racks 11, and each of the positions is a path along which an article carrier corresponding to the article carrier 27 of the vertical circulation conveyor 2 moves upward. It is in. In addition, the carry-out position is one place, and is on a path where the article carrier moves downward.

The unloading means (shipping device) 4 is shown in FIGS.
In the second embodiment of the article packing apparatus shown in FIG.
A book mast 43, an upper frame laid laterally above the mast 43,
Lower frame 4 laterally provided below two masts 43
4, a lifting platform 41 that moves up and down along two masts 43, a twin fork (a pair of fork devices) 42 mounted on the lifting platform 41, and the like.
2 independently of the direction of the article storage unit 12 (rotary shelf 1
The article G is taken out of the article storage section 12 and placed on the delivery station 71 of the carry-out conveyor 7. The fork device 4 is moved up and down by the elevating table 41.
Numeral 2 is configured so as to be able to confront the rotating shelves 11 of all stages. In addition, a starting end 72 including a delivery station 71 of the unloading conveyor 7 is also mounted on the lift 41.

The supply conveyor 5 is a conveyor for transporting articles G taken out by type from an automatic warehouse or the like (not shown) to transport means (vertical circulation conveyor) 2.

The unloading conveyer 6 transfers the articles G unloaded from the unloading position of the unloading means (vertical circulating conveyor) 3 in the first embodiment of the article packing apparatus shown in FIGS. (Not shown).

The unloading conveyor 7 transfers the articles G taken out by the unloading means (unloading device) 4 in the second embodiment of the article packing apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 (not shown). Conveyor for transporting
A starting portion 72 composed of a driving roller conveyor having two unloading stations 71 and a transporting portion 7 composed of a horizontal driving roller conveyor, which is disposed along the linear movement path section S of the rotating shelf 1.
3. It is constituted by a swinging part 74 or the like which is a swinging belt conveyor connecting the starting end 72 and the transporting part 73, and the swinging part 74 keeps the end on the transporting part 73 side at a constant height and It is configured such that the end on the starting end 72 side can be moved up and down following the elevating of the starting end 72 mounted on the elevating table 41 of the unloading means (exiting device) 4. The unloading station 71 includes a pair of article support members (not shown), a lifting device (not shown) for lifting and lowering the article support members, and the like. The article support members are located between adjacent rollers (not shown). The articles G, which are composed of plate-like bodies arranged along the respective rollers and are placed on a pair of article support members, are transferred onto the drive roller conveyor at the start end 72 by lowering the article support members. It is designed to be posted.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an appropriate article storage unit 1 of the rotating shelf 1.
2 is a re-storing conveyor for re-storing the articles G temporarily stored in the correct article storing section 12, and is arranged so as to connect the unloading conveyor 6 and the supply conveyor 5.

Next, an embodiment of the article packing method of the present invention using the above-described article packing apparatus will be described.

The method of packing articles according to the present invention is such that a plurality of kinds (types) of articles are packed in batches, for example, in units of one day, one hour, thirty minutes or one truck. When a shipping request for each batch (for example, information on a shipping order for each shipping destination and its shipping type, quantity data, etc.) is determined, each article G to be unpacked for each batch is automatically determined. A total required quantity of each type is taken out from a warehouse or the like (not shown), and the taken out articles G to be packed are conveyed (supplied) by type by the supply conveyor 5 and conveyed (supplied) by type. The order in which one or a plurality of articles G are delivered to the respective article storage units 12 of the rotatable shelf 1 rotatably supported via the conveying means (vertical circulation conveyor) 2 or the order in which the articles G are delivered are substantially the same. To line up When a plurality of items G of the next type are stored and a plurality of items G of the next type are stored, when the storage of the item G of the previous type is completed, the article storage units 12 at both ends where the next type of item G is stored. Of the goods receiving position (conveying means 2
Is the reversing path portion R on the position side where is disposed, and the position facing the storage conveyor 29).
2 stores the first article G, and the article storage section 12 located far away
Then, the articles G stored in the respective article storage sections 12 are rotated in the reverse direction by rotating the individual rotating shelves 11 of the rotating shelf 1 in a predetermined order. After taking out, a plurality of types of articles G are packed in a desired order. Therefore, before the truck for shipping arrives at the shipping berth or the like (not shown), the order in which the desired articles G are delivered to the respective article storage units 12 of the rotating shelf 1 at a high speed or the order in which the desired articles G are delivered are determined. The goods G can be packed in substantially the same order, and when the trucks for shipping arrive at the shipping berth or the like (not shown), the order in which the articles G are already delivered to the respective article storage units 12 or almost the same as the order in which they are delivered. , It is possible to unload desired articles G in a desired order in a very short time.

For example, 20 articles G are arranged in the following order: articles Ga, Gd, Gh, Gg, Gf, Gf, Ga, G
f, Gd, Gi, Gi, Gi, Gd, Gh, Gf, G
When the shipment request of (one batch) is determined so as to be delivered in the order of h, Ga, Gd, Gi, and Gi (one batch is formed of 20 articles G for simplicity of explanation). Although an example is described, for example, one batch can be formed of 100 to 1000 articles G), articles G to be unloaded (articles Ga, Gd, Gf, Gg,
Gh, Gi) from an automatic warehouse (not shown) or the like (not shown) for each type in a total required quantity (three articles Ga, articles G
d, 4 articles Gf, 1 article Gg, 1 article Gh
Are taken out and three articles Gi are taken out), and the taken out articles G are supplied by the supply conveyor 5 for each type,
Through the conveying means (vertical circulating conveyor) 2, the packages are sequentially arranged in any one of the preset rotating shelf units 11, for example, the fifth rotating shelf unit 11 from the bottom, By rotating the rotating shelf unit 11 at the fifth tier from the bottom, the 20 articles storage units 1 in which articles G supplied for each type are successively arranged.
2 (ie, articles Ga, Gd, Gh, G
g, Gf, Gf, Ga, Gf, Gd, Gi, Gi, G
i, Gd, Gh, Gf, Gh, Ga, Gd, Gi, Gi
) Are stored one by one so that a plurality of types of articles G are packed in a desired order.
That is, the predetermined article storage section 12 of the rotary shelf unit 11 at the fifth stage from the bottom is rotated to the article receiving position (the position facing the storage conveyor 29), and first, the three articles supplied by type are rotated. The first article storage section 12 in which the first article Ga of Ga is stored is rotated to the article receiving position, and the first article Ga is stored in the first article storage section 12. Next, the seventh article storage section 12 in which the second article Ga is stored is rotated to the article receiving position (the rotating shelf unit 11 at the fifth level from the bottom), and the second article Ga is moved to the seventh article. It is stored in the storage unit 12. Similarly, the third article Ga is stored in the seventeenth article storage section 12. Then, since four articles Gd are stored next, when the article Ga of the previous type is completely stored, the articles at the both ends (second and eighteenth) in which the next article Gd is stored. In the storage section 12, the first article Gd is stored in the 18th article storage section 12 near the article receiving position, and the rear article Gd is stored in the second article storage section 12 far away. It is. Therefore, the first article G among the four articles Gd supplied for each type is next.
Move the 18th article storage section 12 in which d is stored to the article receiving position (the rotating shelf unit 11 in the fifth row from the bottom is in the same direction)
It turns and stores the leading article Gd in the eighteenth article storage unit 12. Further, the thirteenth article storage unit 12 in which the second article Gd is stored is rotated to the article receiving position (the fifth rotating shelf unit 11 from the bottom in the reverse direction), and the second article Gd is rotated.
d is stored in the thirteenth article storage section 12, and
The third article Gd is stored in the ninth article storage section 12,
The fourth article Gd is stored in the second article storage section 12. Similarly, the leading article Gf of the four articles Gf
Is stored in the fifth article storage section 12, and the second article Gf
Is stored in the sixth article storage section 12, and the third article Gf
Is stored in the eighth article storage section 12, and the fourth article Gf
Is stored in the fifteenth article storage unit 12. Similarly,
One article Gg is stored in the fourth article storage unit 12.
Similarly, the leading article Gh among the three articles Gh is set to 3
The second article Gh is stored in the
The fourth article storage section 12 stores the third article Gh in the 16th article storage section 12. Similarly, 5
Of the individual articles Gi, the first article Gi is stored in the twentieth article storage section 12, the second article Gi is stored in the 19th article storage section 12, and the third article Gi is stored in the twelfth article storage section. The fourth article Gi is stored in the eleventh article storage section 12, the fifth article Gi is stored in the tenth article storage section 12, and the articles G supplied for each type are stored.
In the order from the bottom to the 20 successive article storage units 12 of the rotating shelf unit 11 at the fifth tier from the bottom (that is, the articles Ga, G
d, Gh, Gg, Gf, Gf, Ga, Gf, Gd, G
i, Gi, Gi, Gd, Gh, Gf, Gh, Ga, G
(d, Gi, Gi order) are stored one by one so that a plurality of types of articles G are packed in a desired order.

Thus, the articles G sorted in the order of being delivered to the article storage section 12 of the rotating shelf 11 at the fifth stage from the bottom.
When a shipping truck or the like (not shown) on which the packed articles G are to be loaded arrives at a shipping berth or the like (not shown), the article is packed in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. In the equipment, the rotating shelf unit 11 at the fifth tier from the bottom is rotated by the mounting interval of the article storage unit 12 to be continuous 20 units.
The articles G stored in the individual article storage sections 12 are taken out one by one into the respective article carrying tools of the unloading means (vertical circulation conveyor) 3 and shipped via the unloading means (vertical circulation conveyor) 3 and the unloading conveyor 6. The sheet is transported to a berth or the like (not shown). Further, in the article packing equipment according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the rotating shelf unit 11 at the fifth tier from the bottom is continuously rotated by twice the mounting interval of the article storage unit 12. The two articles G stored in the twenty article storage sections 12 are taken out two by two by a pair of fork devices 42 of the unloading means (unloading device) 4 and transported to a shipping berth or the like (not shown) via the unloading conveyor 7. It is made to do.

Incidentally, 20 articles G (articles Ga, Gd, G
h, Gg, Gf, Gf, Ga, Gf, Gd, Gi, G
i, Gi, Gd, Gh, Gf, Gh, Ga, Gd, G
When (i, Gi) is packed in the continuous 20 article storage units 12 of the fifth rotating shelf unit 11 from the bottom, the next article G is set in advance based on the shipment request of the next batch. Of the rotating shelves 11 in any one of the stages (the rotating shelves 11 in the fifth stage from the bottom may be used, but the rotating shelves 11 in other stages may be used).

Further, 20 articles G (articles Ga, Gd,
Gh, Gg, Gf, Gf, Ga, Gf, Gd, Gi, G
i, Gi, Gd, Gh, Gf, Gh, Ga, Gd, G
When i, Gi) are packed in 20 consecutive article storage units 12 of the rotary shelf unit 11 at the fifth tier from the bottom, the articles G to be delivered next (or shipping destinations to be delivered simultaneously are different) The articles G) may be packed in another rotating shelf 11, for example, the article storage section 12 that is continuous with the rotating shelf 11 at the sixth tier from the bottom. For example, the first 20
When the (one batch) shipment request is determined for the individual articles G and the next 10 articles G, the next article 1 is dispatched.
0 articles G are in the following order: articles Gb, Gg, Ga,
When the goods are delivered in the order of Gi, Gg, Gi, Ga, Gi, Gb, and Gd, the articles G to be unpacked (the articles G
a, Gb, Gd, Gf, Gg, Gh, Gi), etc., from a warehouse (not shown) or the like (not shown), the total required quantity for each type (5 articles Ga, 2 articles Gb, 2 articles Gd 5
Individuals, 4 articles Gf, 3 articles Gg, 3 articles Gh
And the articles Gi are picked up by eight pieces), and the picked-up articles G are supplied for each type by the supply conveyor 5, and are sequentially passed through the transport means (vertical circulating conveyor) 2 to any of predetermined stages. Rotating shelf 11, for example, 5 from the bottom
The single-stage rotating shelf 11 and the sixth-stage rotating shelf 11 from below
And 5 each from the bottom.
The order in which the articles G supplied for each type are output to the successive 20 article storage units 12 by rotating the single-stage rotating shelf unit 11 (that is, articles Ga, Gd, Gh, Gg, Gf, G
f, Ga, Gf, Gd, Gi, Gi, Gi, Gd, G
h, Gf, Gh, Ga, Gd, Gi, and Gi) in this order, and the rotating shelf unit 11 at the sixth level from the bottom is rotated to supply the articles supplied for each type. The order in which G is next delivered to ten consecutive article storage units 12 (that is, Gb, Gg, Ga, Gi, Gg, Gi, Ga,
(Gi, Gb, Gd order) one by one, and a plurality of types of articles G can be divided into two shelves and packed in a desired order for each shelves. .

Further, 20 articles G (articles Ga, Gd,
Gh, Gg, Gf, Gf, Ga, Gf, Gd, Gi, G
i, Gi, Gd, Gh, Gf, Gh, Ga, Gd, G
When i and Gi) are packed in 20 successive article storage units 12 of the fifth rotating shelf unit 11 from the bottom, the goods are already unpacked from the article storage units 12 of the other rotating shelf units 11 in the other stages. You may be made to take out the article G which has been taken out and leave it.

Further, a total of 20 articles G supplied for each type are connected to the successive 20+
The order of delivery to α article storage units 12 (that is, article G
a, Gd, Gh, Gg, Gf, Gf, Ga, Gf, G
d, Gi, Gi, Gi, Gd, Gh, Gf, Gh, G
a, Gd, Gi, Gi order)
Articles Ga, Gd, do not store article G, do not store article G, Gf, Gf, Ga, Gf, Gd, Gi, Gi, G
i, Gd, Gh, Gh, Gf, Gg, Gh, Ga, G
d, Gi, Gi) may be stored one by one (the articles G are not stored in the α article storage units 12). When the total quantity is 20, the value of α is preferably 0 or about 1 to 3. That is, the predetermined article storage section 12 of the rotary shelf unit 11 at the fifth stage from the bottom is rotated to the article receiving position (the position facing the storage conveyor 29), and first, the three articles supplied by type are rotated. Ga
The first article storage section 12 in which the first article Ga is stored is rotated to the article receiving position, and the first article Ga is stored in the first article storage section 12. Next, the second article Ga
Is rotated to the article receiving position (the fifth rotary shelf unit 11 from the bottom), and the second article Ga is stored in the seventh article storage section 12. Similarly, the third article Ga is stored in the nineteenth article storage unit 12.
(The order of delivery is seventeenth, but is stored in the nineteenth article storage unit 12 for the reason described below.) Then, since four articles Gd are stored next, articles Ga of the previous type are stored.
Is completed, the twentieth article storage section 12 near the article receiving position among the article storage sections 12 at both ends (second and twentieth) in which the next type of article Gd is stored.
(The order of delivery is the eighteenth, but the first article Gd is stored in the twentieth article storage section 12 for the reason described later, and the rear article G is stored in the second article storage section 12 far away.
d is accommodated. Therefore, the twentieth article storage section 12 in which the leading article Gd of the four articles Gd supplied for each type is stored next is moved to the article receiving position (the fifth rotating shelf unit 11 from the bottom is the same). (In the direction), the first article Gd is stored in the twentieth article storage unit 12. Further, the thirteenth article storage section 12 in which the second article Gd is stored is turned to the article receiving position (the rotating shelf unit 11 at the fifth tier from the bottom is in the opposite direction), and the second article Gd is moved to 13th. The third article Gd is stored in the ninth article storage section 12 and the fourth article Gd is stored in the second article storage section 12 in the same manner. Similarly, of the four articles Gf, the first article Gf is stored in the fifth article storage section 12, the second article Gf is stored in the sixth article storage section 12, and the third article Gf is stored in the sixth article storage section 12. The fourth article Gf is stored in the eighth article
The articles are stored in the sixth article storage section 12 (the order of delivery is the 15th, but the 16th article storage section 12 for the reason described later). Next, the fourth article storage unit 12 in which one article Gg supplied for each type is stored (in the case where the articles Gg are stored in the order in which the articles are stored) is set as an empty space (does not store the articles Gg), and is discharged. When the 17th article storage section 12 is stored in the 17th article storage section 12 in which the third article Ga is stored, the 17th article storage section 12 is moved to the article receiving position (5 from the bottom). The rotary shelf unit 11 at the first stage rotates (in the same direction), and stores the article Gg in the seventeenth article storage unit 12. That is, the articles Gg are arranged not in the fourth article storage section 12 but in the 17th article storage section 12 so as to be arranged in an order that is almost the same as the order in which they are delivered (although different but as one batch). By storing, the amount of rotation of the rotary shelf unit 11 at the fifth tier from the bottom can be reduced, and the time required for storing articles can be further reduced. Since the articles Gg are stored in the seventeenth article storage section 12, when the articles are stored in the order in which the articles Gg are ejected (they are already moved down one by one for reasons to be described later).
The articles G stored in the second and subsequent article storage sections 12 are moved down by two and stored in the 18th and subsequent article storage sections 12. Then, since three articles Gh are stored next, when storage of the previous type of article Gg is completed, both ends (14th and 18th) of the next type of article Gh are stored.
The first article Gh is stored in the eighteenth article storage part 12 near the article receiving position in the (th) article storage part 12, and the tail article Gh is stored in the fourteenth article storage part 12 far away. It is made to do. Therefore, of the three articles Gh supplied next for each type, the first article Gh
Is rotated to the article receiving position (the fifth rotating shelf unit 11 from the bottom in the same direction), and the first article Gh is stored in the 18th article storage section 12. I do. In addition, the fifteenth article storage unit 12 in which the second article Gh is stored is rotated to the article receiving position (the fifth rotating shelf unit 11 from the bottom is in the opposite direction), and the second article Gh is rotated.
Is stored in the fifteenth article storage unit 12. Further, the third article storage section 12 in which the third article Gh is stored (in the case where the articles are stored in the order in which they are delivered) is an empty space (does not store the articles Gh) and is stored in the order in which they are delivered. In this case, the second article Gh is stored 14.
The fourteenth article storage section 12 is rotated to the article receiving position so that the third article Gh is stored in the third article storage section 12, and the article Gh is stored in the fourteenth article storage section 12. That is, the third article Gh is stored in the third article storage unit 12.
Instead, to store in the 14th article storage unit 12,
The order in which they are dispatched (different but as one batch)
By storing the rotary racks 11 in substantially the same order, the amount of rotation of the rotary shelf unit 11 at the fifth stage from the bottom is reduced. Since the third article Gh is stored in the fourteenth article storage part 12, the fourteenth and fifteenth article storage parts 12 are stored when stored in the order of retrieval.
Are stored in the fifteenth and sixteenth article storage units 12 by moving down one by one. Similarly, the leading article Gi among the five articles Gi
Is stored in the tenth article storage section 12, and the second article G
i is stored in the 11th article storage section 12, the third article Gi is stored in the 12th article storage section 12, the fourth article Gi is stored in the 21st article storage section 12, and the fifth article Gi is stored in the 21st article storage section 12. The order in which the articles Gi are stored in the 22nd article storage section 12 and the articles G supplied for each type are delivered to the consecutive 22 article storage sections 12 of the rotating shelf unit 11 at the fifth stage from the bottom (that is, , Articles Ga, Gd, Gh, Gg, Gf, Gf, Ga,
Gf, Gd, Gi, Gi, Gi, Gd, Gh, Gf, G
h, Ga, Gd, Gi, Gi) (an order that is substantially equal to the order of the items G, Gd and G).
Gf, Gf, Ga, Gf, Gd, Gi,
Gi, Gi, Gd, Gh, Gh, Gf, Gg, Gh, G
a, Gd, Gi, and Gi) are stored one by one (there is also an article storage section 12 that does not store the article G) so that a plurality of types of articles G are packed in a substantially desired order. It has been done.

Also, the order is different from the order in which the articles are delivered to the continuous 22 article storage sections 12 of the rotary shelf unit 11 at the fifth tier from the bottom, but the order is substantially the same (that is, articles Ga, Gd, and articles G are not stored). , Does not store article G, Gf, Gf, Ga,
Gf, Gd, Gi, Gi, Gi, Gd, Gh, Gh, G
f, Gg, Gh, Ga, Gd, Gi, and Gi (in this order) one by one (the article storage unit 1 that does not store the article G).
2). The stored article G is the first article shown in FIGS.
In the article packing apparatus of the embodiment, the rotating shelf unit 11 at the fifth tier from the bottom is also rotated in the reverse direction (in both the normal direction and the reverse direction) to be taken out in a predetermined order. Thus, a plurality of types of articles G are packed in a desired order, and a series of 22 article storage sections 12 are arranged.
The 20 articles G stored in the container are taken out one by one to each article transporting tool of the unloading means (vertical circulating conveyor) 3, passed through the unloading means (vertical circulating conveyor) 3, the unloading conveyor 6, and the shipping berth ( (Not shown). In the article packing equipment according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the rotating shelf unit 11 at the fifth tier from the bottom is doubled at intervals of the mounting interval of the article storage unit 12 (as needed). The 20 articles G stored in the continuous 22 article storage sections 12 which are rotated and mounted at intervals of the mounting intervals are separated into two pieces (or one piece) by the pair of fork devices 42 of the unloading means (shipping device) 4. ), And transported to a shipping berth or the like (not shown) via the unloading conveyor 7. In the article packing apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the articles G temporarily stored in the article storage unit 12 in an order different from the order in which the articles are delivered are processed by the article packing apparatus. In a time zone where there is room for the capacity, it is possible to use the re-storage conveyor 8 to re-store the items in the order of retrieval.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with the embodiment of the article packing apparatus suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention, the article packing method of the present invention is not limited thereto. It is not something to be done. For example, the order in which the articles G to be unpacked are taken out from an automatic warehouse or the like (not shown) for each type is not set in advance, but the order is determined as appropriate such that the articles G are taken out in an order of large assortment quantity per batch. It may be.

[0032]

The method for packing articles according to the present invention is configured as described above, and the order in which the articles supplied for each type are delivered to the article storage section of the rotating shelf or the order in which the articles are delivered is substantially the same. Since the articles are stored in order, articles can be stored (packed) at a high speed, and desired articles can be unloaded in a desired order in a very short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing a first embodiment of an article packing apparatus suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the article packing equipment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of a transporting means (an embodiment in which a part is changed) of the article packing equipment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing a second embodiment of an article packing apparatus suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the article packing equipment shown in FIG. 4;

6 is an enlarged plan view of an unloading unit (an embodiment in which a part of the unloading unit is changed) of the article packing apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the carrying-out means shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rotary shelf 2 Conveying means (vertical circulation conveyor) 11 Single rotating shelf 12 Article storage part G Article

Claims (4)

[Claims] In an article packing method for packing a plurality of kinds of articles, articles to be packed are supplied for each type, and the supplied articles are provided on a rotating shelf rotatably supported. The order in which the items are delivered to the article storage unit or the order in which they are delivered is stored in an order substantially equal to the order in which they are delivered. Then, the first article is stored in the article storage section near the article receiving position among the article storage sections at both ends where the next type of article is stored, and the tail article is stored in the farther article storage section. A method for assembling articles, characterized in that the articles are stored. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the articles stored in the article storage section are taken out in a predetermined order by rotating the rotating shelf also in the reverse direction. 3. The article packing method according to claim 1, wherein the rotating shelves are formed by stacking a plurality of rotating shelves each of which rotatably supports an article storage portion. 4. An article is stored in an article storage section via a transporting means arranged on a side of the rotating shelf.
The packing method of the article described.