JP2000118641A - Goods sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve working efficiency and to reduce erroneous inputting rate of goods by reducing burden of a worker in comparison with a goods sorting device using a conventional input indicator. SOLUTION: A label of deposited goods is read by a bar code scanner, and a goods sorting data is input to a controller. Input quantity of goods is indicated by putting on or flashing an indication lamp of a distribution frontage to input the goods out of a plural number of the distribution frontages of a classification block which a single worker is in charge of. Separately from the indication lamp, one direction indicator is provided for the one classification block, and a direction of the distribution frontage to input the goods to is indicated by an arrow, etc., by a control signal from the controller. The worker finds an input frontage in accordance with an indication direction of the direction indicator and inputs specified quantity of the goods in the distribution frontage on which the indication lamp is put on or flashes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a merchandise sorting apparatus for simplifying the operation of an operator when a merchandise carried in for sorting is put into a predetermined merchandise distribution opening such as a sorting shelf. For example, it can be used for various sorting operations at a product distribution center.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of automated sorting systems in a product distribution center, there is a method of sorting products by using distribution ports such as sorting shelves classified according to a delivery destination and a type of a product.

[0003] As one of the methods, for example, product sorting data relating to the type and number of products, delivery destinations, and the like is added to products delivered by a product supplier, and the product is placed on a tray or the like. The product is transported to the sorting area by a conveyor or other transport device, the product sorting data is read by a scanner connected to the controller installed in each sorting block, and the operation of putting a predetermined quantity of products into the predetermined distribution slot according to instructions from the controller is repeated. In some cases, sorting is performed according to the order of the delivery destination.

As an instruction method by the controller, an input indicator provided with a display lamp for indicating a product input position, a number display for displaying the number of products to be input, and the like are provided above each distribution port. These are controlled by a controller (for example, see JP-A-8-85).
609).

[0005] In addition, a folding container made of resin or the like is usually installed in each distributing port, and when a container is full or when a predetermined amount of commodities are put in, a detailed label or the like for a delivery destination is provided. It is issued, and the entire container is transported again to the delivery area by a transport device such as a belt conveyor, loaded on a truck or the like, and delivered to the destination.

[0006] As for the control of the sorting system,
Sorting control based on a method in which the host computer is connected to each controller as a terminal to perform control, or the controller is separated from the host computer and based on product sorting data given at the time of delivery of a product supplier or before delivery And the like.

[0007]

In the above-described conventional input indicator, an operator in charge of a sorting block consisting of a plurality of distributing ports can easily find a frontage for inputting the conveyed goods. As a result, the working efficiency is improved and the mis-insertion of products is prevented.

However, the distributing ports are located on the left, right, front, rear, right and left with respect to the product receiving position of the worker, and when there are a plurality of distributing ports to which the conveyed products are to be loaded, usually, a plurality of distributing ports are charged. Since the indicators are activated at the same time, the operator needs to look over a wide area, and in some cases, has to judge a plurality of dispensing ports simultaneously.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on the operator in such a system using a conventional input indicator, thereby further improving the work efficiency and greatly reducing the erroneous input rate of commodities. It is what it was.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sorting block having a plurality of distribution ports into which commodities are put in accordance with sorting categories, and a single sorting block which is carried in for sorting. Alternatively, in a product sorting apparatus having a reading unit that reads product sorting data given to a group of products, and a controller that instructs a distribution port to which the product is to be put, based on the product sorting data input from the reading unit. A direction indicator is provided in the sorting block for indicating a direction of a distributing port into which a product is to be put in, and an instruction direction of the direction indicator is controlled by the controller.

Note that the sorting block referred to here indicates a range in which one of a number of distribution ports is in charge of one worker. The controller is not limited to one that functions as a terminal of the host computer that controls the entire sorting system, and may be one that performs control independently for each sorting block.

Although the direction indicator is generally considered to display the direction of the distributing port on the liquid crystal screen with an arrow or the like, it is not particularly limited as long as it indicates the direction of the distributing port in some form. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the product sorting apparatus according to the first aspect, the reading means is a scanner, and the scanner reads the product sorting data displayed on the label attached to the product and inputs the data to the controller. Sorting control is performed by this.

More specifically, for a group of products, data such as the type and number of the products, the delivery destination (destination), and if necessary, the delivery company are printed on a label in the form of a barcode or the like. The object is read by a barcode scanner or the like and input to the controller.

The label for displaying the product sorting data may be attached directly to the product, or may be attached to the tray or container when the product is transported on a tray or container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the product sorting apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the direction indicator is installed near a product receiving position of a worker in charge of a predetermined sorting block.

Since the direction indicator basically simply indicates the direction of the dispensing opening to be put in next, it is most efficient to provide it near the position where the worker receives the goods brought in. It is. However, when the distribution ports are located in front, back, left and right of the operator, two or more direction indicators may be installed in one work area.

If there are a plurality of distribution openings in the height direction in the form of a sorting shelf, a direction indicator for indicating the direction of each distribution opening in a vertical plane may be provided at the center of the work area of the sorting shelf. When the sorting shelves are on both sides of the worker, it is conceivable to provide a direction indicator in the center between the sorting shelves on both sides to indicate the direction of the opening in the vertical plane.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the merchandise sorting apparatus according to the first or second aspect, in addition to the direction indicator, an input indicator is provided for indicating an input position of an article which has been conveyed also to each distribution portion. In this case, the lamp of the input indicator is turned on or off by a control signal from the controller.

As described above, the direction indicator basically indicates the direction of the distributing port to be inserted next.
The working efficiency can be increased by using together with a conventional input indicator provided with a display lamp, a number indicator, and the like.

However, in the present invention, the insertion indicator is not essential. For example, a direction indicator on the direction indicator simultaneously displays an instruction regarding the distributing port, or an opening / closing type door is provided on the distributing port, and the opening of the opening to be inserted by the controller is provided. It can also be used in combination with one that controls opening and closing.

[0022]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an example of a sorting shelf 1 which is installed in a sorting area and constitutes a product sorting apparatus. In this example, twelve foldable containers 3 made of resin are installed at the lower part of the upper and lower two-stage sorting shelves 1 and at the upper part of the two, forming a total of 23 distribution ports 2.

Of these, the twelve distribution ports 2 on the left side of the center constitute a sorting block assigned to the first worker, and the eleven distribution ports 2 on the right side including the lower center part correspond to the second worker. In this system, a sorting block is configured to handle a group of conveyed products by two workers in a relay manner.

A fixed bar code scanner 6 is further mounted on the lower stage, and reads the product sorting data of a group of products 5 conveyed by the belt conveyor 4 from the distribution line as shown in the image diagram of FIG. .

In this example, one or more types of products are placed on a tray or the like, conveyed by the belt conveyor 4, and the bar code scanner 6 reads the product sorting data printed on the label attached to the tray, and reads the product sorting data. And the distribution port according to the delivery destination are input to the controller 7 in the upper central part.

An input indicator 9 as shown in FIG. 5 is provided at the upper or lower part of each distributing port 2, and the input indicator 9 is controlled by a control signal from the controller 7.
Is controlled by controlling the display lamp 10 and the number display 12, and the distribution port 2 to which a product is to be placed and the distribution port 2.
The number of products to be put in is displayed.

FIG. 5 shows the display state, in which the display lamp 10 is illuminated in red and the number display 12 indicates the number (in this example, six). Usually,
A plurality of commodities are conveyed while being placed on one tray. Therefore, when the products conveyed at the same time are put into a plurality of distributing ports 2, the display lamps of the plurality of distributing ports 2 are turned on in red, and the red lights blink sequentially,
The order of loading is notified to the worker.

Further, for each of the left and right sorting blocks, a direction indicator 8 is attached to the middle stage of the sorting shelf 1, and the direction of the distribution port 2 specified by the controller 7 is indicated by an arrow. The control of the direction indicator 8 can be performed in conjunction with the control of the display lamp 10 of the closing indicator 9.

A pair of transmissive infrared sensors 14 are provided on both sides of each distribution port 2 of the sorting shelf 1 so that when a product is put into the container 3, the product and the hand of the worker can pass through. Is detected.

The detection signal is input to the controller 7,
If the product insertion position is correct, the controller 7
As shown in FIG. 6, a control signal for turning on the display lamp 10 in green is issued.

If the merchandise insertion position is incorrect, a control signal is issued from the controller 7, and the display lamp 10 blinks yellow as shown in FIG. (Not shown) emits an alarm sound. In this case, the operator presses the check button 11 beside the display lamp 10 to stop the blinking of the display lamp 10 and the buzzer, and re-enter the product into the correct distribution slot.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a series of the flow. When the worker has finished putting the goods into the sorting block in charge, he / she presses a label issue button 13 provided on the right end of the putting display 9. A detailed label attached to the delivery destination is issued from a label issuing machine 15 located below the controller 7. However, the issuance of the detailed label is performed after all the products to be sorted into the container 3 in the distributing port 2 are put in, and the sorting of the next product to be conveyed is completed until the feeding of all the products is completed. The work is repeated.

[0033]

According to the merchandise sorting apparatus of the present invention, a conventional input indicator is provided for each distributing port, and it is difficult to visually grasp the entirety. Since the direction indicator indicates the direction of the distributing port where the product is to be charged, the product can be put into the distributing port immediately without looking over the entire sorting block, thereby improving the working efficiency.

Also, the burden on the worker is reduced,
The erroneous product introduction rate can also be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a work performed by a product sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a sorting shelf portion of the product sorting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which a product is carried into a product sorting device position.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display format of a direction indicator installed for each sorting block.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which an input indicator installed for each distributing port displays an input frontage position and an input number.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a put-in display showing a display state when a product is put in correctly.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a loading indicator showing a display state when a product is incorrectly loaded.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sorting shelf, 2 ... Distributing mouth, 3 ... Container, 4 ... Belt conveyor, 5 ... Product, 6 ... Barcode scanner, 7 ...
Controller, 8 ... direction indicator, 9 ... closing display, 10
... Display lamp, 11 ... Check button, 12 ... Counter display, 13 ... Detailed label issue button, 14 ... Transmissive infrared sensor, 15 ... Label issuing machine

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sorting block having a plurality of distribution ports into which commodities are input according to a sorting category, and reading for reading merchandise sorting data given to a single or a group of commodities that are carried in for sorting. Means, and a controller for instructing a distributing port to which the commodity is to be put, based on the commodity sorting data inputted from the reading means, wherein the distributing port to put the commodity into the sorting block is provided. A product sorting apparatus, comprising: a direction indicator for displaying the direction of the vehicle; and a controller configured to control a display direction of the direction indicator. 2. The merchandise sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reading means is a scanner for reading merchandise sorting data displayed on a label attached to the merchandise and inputting the data to the controller. 3. The merchandise sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction indicator is installed near a merchandise receiving position at which a worker in charge of a predetermined sorting block receives merchandise carried in. 4. In addition to the direction indicator, a dispensing indicator is provided for indicating a dispensing position of a product which has been conveyed to each dispensing opening, and a dispensing indicator is provided by a control signal from the controller. 4. The product sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lamp is turned on or off.