JP2012131590A - Sorting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting system which surely sorts articles even when the articles are individually sorted manually.SOLUTION: The sorting system 1 used for manually sorting a plurality of articles 100 according to a plurality of delivery destinations is configured to include: a sorting rack 6 provided with a plurality of storing chambers 11, slide bases 12 arranged movably back and forth with respect to the storing chambers 11 and housing boxes 13 housing the articles 100 placed on the slide base 12; a reading means 47 reading the information of the articles 100; a memory means 45 storing the information of the articles 100 and of sorting, and allocating the delivery destinations of the articles 100 to the housing boxes 13, respectively, based on the stored information of sorting of the articles 100; and a moving means moving the slide bases 12 on which the housing boxes 13 with the allocated delivery destinations of the articles 100 read by the reading means 47 are placed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus used for sorting work for manually sorting articles.

  In the sorting work of articles, as a method of sorting a large number of articles according to a plurality of delivery destinations, a method of sorting articles for each of a plurality of delivery destinations mainly using a sorting device, or a plurality of manual operations by an operator. There is known a method of sorting articles for each delivery destination.

  For example, as the former sorting apparatus, a sorting apparatus that sorts articles by a conveyor and a chute is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Such a sorting device is configured to flow and sort articles from the conveyor to the chute while conveying the articles on the conveyor. However, since such a sorting apparatus sorts articles by means of a conveyor or a chute, an impact is applied to the articles.

  For this reason, it cannot be used for sorting articles that are vulnerable to impact, for example, articles such as glass products and cosmetics. Therefore, articles that are vulnerable to impact are dealt with by sorting manually. However, when sorting is performed completely manually, there is a problem that time for sorting increases and work efficiency is poor. Thus, as a sorting device for assisting sorting work, a method is known in which articles to be sorted are sequentially supplied and the supplied articles are sorted manually.

JP 2002-347926 A

  The sorting apparatus described above has the following problems. In other words, even if articles sorted by the sorting device are supplied, the work of sorting these articles by a plurality of delivery destinations is a manual operation, and there is a risk of sorting wrongly with the number of deliveries and delivery destinations.

  In order to prevent such an artificial mistake, it is also conceivable to divide the articles into predetermined numbers and sort them together. However, when the number of small items is sorted, there may be cases where it is not possible to sort the items together so that the average number of items delivered to one delivery destination is 1.5. In such a case, it is necessary to sort the articles individually.

  In addition, when there are a large number of delivery destinations, it may be possible to sort the sorted articles into a storage box of a delivery destination different from the delivery destination.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting apparatus that can reliably sort articles even when the articles are individually sorted manually.

  In order to solve the problems and achieve the object, the sorting apparatus of the present invention is configured as follows.

  As one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sorting device used for sorting work in which a plurality of articles are manually sorted into a plurality of delivery destinations, a plurality of storage chambers, and a slide provided so as to be capable of reciprocating with respect to the storage chamber. A base and a sorting shelf including a storage box for storing the article placed on the slide base, reading means for reading the article information, the article information and the article sorting information are stored. Storage means, allocation means for allocating the delivery destination of the article to the storage box based on the information of the goods stored in the storage means, and delivery of the article read by the reading means Moving means for moving the slide base on which the storage box to which the storage box is allocated is placed, and the storage placed on the slide base moved by the moving means To, sorting device is provided, characterized in that for accommodating the article read by the reading means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the sorting apparatus which can sort goods reliably and can improve the workability | operativity of goods sorting.

Explanatory drawing which shows typically the structure of the sorting apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the sorting apparatus typically. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure and arrangement | positioning of the sorting apparatus typically. The perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the sorting shelf used for the sorting apparatus. The perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the sorting shelf. The top view which shows the principal part structure of the sorting shelf in a partial cross section. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the control apparatus used for the sorting apparatus typically. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display of the display part of the same control apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display of the display part. The flowchart which shows an example of the sorting operation | work using the same sorting apparatus. The flowchart which shows an example of the sorting operation | work using the same sorting apparatus. The flowchart which shows an example of the sorting operation | work using the same sorting apparatus.

Hereinafter, a sorting apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of a sorting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the sorting device 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part configuration of a sorting shelf 6 used in the sorting apparatus 1, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part configuration of the sorting shelf 6, and FIG. 6 is a sorting shelf. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the control device 4 used in the sorting device 1, and FIG. 8 is an example of the display on the display unit 45 of the control device 4. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display on the display unit 45, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of sorting work using the sorting apparatus 1, and FIG. 11 is an example of sorting work using the sorting apparatus 1. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of sorting work using the sorting apparatus 1.

  The sorting apparatus 1 is an apparatus for assisting sorting work in which a large number of articles 100 delivered from each vendor are sorted manually for each of a plurality of delivery destinations (stores that deliver the goods) requested by the shipper. is there. One such sorting apparatus 1 is arranged as one station in a work place where sorting work is performed. The sorting apparatus 1 is provided from a single number to a plurality according to the sorting work.

  The article 100 is a relatively small article such as various products such as confectionery, cosmetics, and miscellaneous goods. Note that other products than those described above may be used. These articles 100 are classified into a plurality of types. The article 100 includes a barcode 101 that identifies the article 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sorting apparatus 1 includes a sorting unit 3 and a control device 4. In addition, the sorting apparatus 1 is connected to the server apparatus 202 via the local network 201, for example. The server device 202 is connected to the server device 205 of the shipper and each vendor via the network 204, and transmits / receives shipment instruction data and shipment result data to / from the shipper, and information and items of the item 100 from each vendor. 100 delivery information and the like can be transmitted and received.

  The sorting unit 3 includes a sorting shelf 6 and a temporary storage box 7 for the article 100.

  The sorting shelf 6 includes a frame 10, a plurality of storage chambers 11 provided in the frame 10, a plurality of slide bases 12 provided in the storage chamber 11, and an article 100 that is appropriately placed on each slide base 12. Storage box 13. One or a plurality of sorting shelves 6 are provided. In the present embodiment, the description will be given below with a configuration using four sorting shelves 6.

  The frame 10 is formed in a box shape with one surface opened. The frame 10 includes an outer frame 10a forming the box shape and a partition plate 10b provided in the outer frame 10a.

  The frame 10 is partitioned into a plurality of storage chambers 11 in the present embodiment, for example, by the partition plate 10b. That is, the storage chamber 11 is a space formed by the frame 10, and the front surface thereof opens. Further, the frame 10 includes, for example, a caster 10c on the bottom surface.

  The storage chamber 11 is formed such that a gap between the storage box 13 placed on the slide base 12 disposed therein and the frame 10 is smaller than the minimum outer width of the article 100 stored in the storage box 13. It is desirable that That is, the storage chamber 11 is formed in an inner shape that can prevent the article 100 from being stored in the storage box 13 stored therein.

  Only one surface of the storage chamber 11 is open, and the other surface is closed. However, the surface to be closed may be appropriately opened by closing with a plate material or the like, for example.

  The slide base 12 is formed to reciprocate with respect to the storage chamber 11, in other words, to be slidable. The slide base 12 is formed so as to be fixed in the storage chamber 11 when pushed into the storage chamber 11.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the slide base 12 includes a base portion 21, a handle portion 22, a rail 23, a biasing member 24, a fixing device 25, and a position detection sensor 26. It is equipped with.

  The base portion 21 is formed on the upper surface thereof so that the storage box 13 can be placed thereon. The base portion 21 is formed so that it can be stored in the storage chamber 11 by sliding movement and can protrude from the storage chamber 11.

  The base portion 21 includes a roller 28 on the top surface thereof and on the tip side. The roller 28 is formed so that a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof protrudes from the upper surface of the base portion 21 and is rotatable in the sliding direction of the base portion 21. The roller 28 assists movement by placing the storage box 13 on the base portion 21 and taking it out from the base portion 21 by its rotation.

  The handle portion 22 is a so-called handle that is gripped when the slide base 12 is pushed in and pulled out. The rail 23 is formed so as to be able to guide the reciprocation of the base portion 21.

  The biasing member 24 is formed so as to be biased with a predetermined force in a direction in which the base portion 21 protrudes from the storage chamber 11 (a direction in which the base portion 21 is pulled out). Specifically, the urging member 24 includes a rod body 29 that guides the urging direction, and an elastic member 30 such as a spring provided on the rod body 29. As shown in FIG. 6, the biasing member 24 biases the elastic force of the elastic member 30 to the base portion 21 when the elastic member 30 is compressed in a state where the base portion 21 is stored in the storage chamber 11. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the fixing device 25 includes a motor 31, a locking portion 32 provided on the rotation shaft 31 a of the motor 31, and a hook 33 provided on the base portion 21. The motor 31 is electrically connected to the control device 4 via a signal line S or the like, is driven based on an instruction from the control device 4, and is configured to be able to rotate the rotation shaft 31a.

  The locking portion 32 is formed so that the hook 33 can be locked and the locking of the hook 33 can be released by the rotation of the rotating shaft 31 a driven by the motor 31. That is, the fixing device 25 is formed so that the base portion 21 can be fixed by locking the hook 33 to the locking portion 32.

  The rail 23, the urging member 24, and the fixing device 25 are moving means for moving the base portion 21 along the rail 23 by urging by the elastic member 30 after the fixing of the base portion 21 by the fixing device 25 is released.

  The position detection sensor 26 is detection means formed so as to be able to detect a state in which the base portion 21 is stored and fixed in the storage chamber 11. For example, the position detection sensor 26 is provided so as to be able to detect the position of the end face of the base portion 21, the hook 33 or the locking portion 32, and is formed so as to be able to detect the fixing of the base portion 21. In addition, the position detection sensor 26 is electrically connected to the control device 4 via the signal line S, and is configured to be able to transmit information indicating that the base portion 21 is fixed to the control device 4.

  The storage box 13 is placed on the base portion 21. The storage box 13 is a box that can be delivered to a delivery destination. Specifically, the storage box 13 is foldable, and a foldable packaging (or foldable container) formed of a resin called an oricon that is repeatedly used and a cardboard box are appropriately selected depending on a delivery destination. Used.

  The temporary storage box 7 is formed so that the articles 100 before sorting can be temporarily placed. For example, the temporary storage box 7 is a pallet or the like having an upper surface opened and storing the article 100.

  The control device 4 is a personal computer or the like. The control device 4 includes a control unit 41 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control device 4 is an internal storage device, which is a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42 for storing a control program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43 for storing data, and an HDD (an HDD in which a large number of databases and masters are stored). Hard disk drive), a display unit 45 formed by a display for outputting each information, an input unit 46 formed by a keyboard, a numeric keypad, a mouse, etc. for inputting external information and instructions, and articles A scanner 47 capable of reading 100 barcodes 101, a printer 48 capable of printing information on paper sheets, and an informing means 49 such as a speaker for informing sound and the like are provided. The control device 4 includes a communication interface (I / F) 50 that is connected to the control unit 41 and can be connected to the local network 201, the network 204, and the sorting shelf 6. These components 42 to 50 are respectively connected to the control unit 41 by a bus line B such as an address bus or a PCI bus.

  The storage unit 44 is a storage unit that stores information on the article 100 and information on the sorting of the article 100. Specifically, the storage unit 44 includes a sorting database (DB) 51 relating to the sorting of the article 100, an allocation master 52 for assigning each storage chamber 11 to each delivery destination that sorts (delivery) the article 100, and an article. A store master 53, which is information on a delivery destination for delivering 100, is provided.

  The sorting DB 51 includes information on a plurality of delivery destinations, a sorting amount of the articles 100, information on the articles 100 delivered to each delivery destination, information on a transportation company that transports the sorted articles 100 to each delivery destination, and an arrangement of the sorting shelves 6. Information, information on the arrangement of the storage chamber 11 and the like are stored. The various information stored in the sorting DB 51 includes shipping instruction data regarding sorting work received from the shipper and the vendor, and information on the article 100.

  The allocation master 52 is information in which a plurality of delivery destinations are assigned to a plurality of groups, and the order of delivery destinations of each group is assigned based on the number of delivered articles 100 for each delivery destination.

  Specifically, for example, according to the sorting apparatus 1 having 72 delivery destinations and four sorting shelves 6 having six storage rooms 11, the group “I”, 25-48 of 1-24 stores. It is divided into a group “RO” of stores and a group “HA” of 49 to 72 stores. Further, each store of the groups “I” to “Ha” is ranked in descending order of the number of articles 100 to be delivered.

  The store master 53 is information on the shipping company when delivering to the delivery destination, and information on the storage box 13 and packaging used for each delivery destination.

  In addition, the storage unit 44 includes a priority order master that sets the priority order of the storage chambers 11 based on the heights and positions of the sorting shelves 6 and the storage chambers 11 for each worker, the sorting shelf 6, the storage chamber 11, and the delivery destination. And a data classification master for performing classification for performing batch processing.

  The display unit 45 is formed to be able to display various information. The various information includes, for example, information on the article 100 read by the scanner 47, information on the sorting shelf 6 that stores the article 100, the direction in which the storage chamber 11 in which the storage box 13 that stores the article 100 is stored, the work The total number of articles 100 to be instructed and sorted.

  The input unit 46 includes a keyboard 46a, a numeric keypad 46b, and a mouse 46c. The keyboard 46a and the numeric keypad 46b are formed so that the bar code 101 and slip code of the article 100 can be manually input. The mouse 46c moves the pointer 45b displayed on the display unit 45 and selects the selection unit 45a displayed on the display unit 45 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 to select external information (external information). Instruction) is configured to be inputable.

  The scanner 47 is a so-called fixed scanner, and is a reading unit having an optical mark recognition (OMR) function for optically scanning and reading the barcode 101 attached to the article 100. The scanner 47 generates laser light for optically scanning the barcode 101 and reads the information written in the barcode 101 by causing the barcode 101 to scan the generated laser light. It is made possible.

  Based on the input of external information from the input unit 46, the printer 48 is formed so that information can be printed on a paper sheet (so-called sticker) 48a having an adhesive layer, for example, as shown in FIG. For example, the printer 48 is configured to be able to issue a shipping label 48 b in which information on a delivery destination to be adhered to the corresponding storage box 13 is written based on the store master 53 stored in the storage unit 44.

  The notification means 49 is a so-called speaker, and is configured to be able to notify the completion of storage of the article 100 read by the scanner 47 in the storage box 13 by voice. Specifically, when the article 100 read by the scanner 47 is stored in the storage box 13 and then the slide sensor 12 is pushed in, the position detection sensor 26 detects the sound, for example, “OK. "That the storage work has been completed.

The control unit 41 has at least the following functions (1) to (5) as main functions.
(1) A function of allocating the delivery destination of the article 100 to the storage box 13 based on the information of the article 100 stored in the storage unit 44.

  (2) A function of reading information on the article 100 from the storage unit 44 from the barcode 101 read by the scanner 47 and displaying the information on the display unit 45.

  (3) A function of moving the slide base 12 by driving the motor 31 of the storage chamber 11 in which the read article 100 is stored.

  (4) A function of displaying the position of the slide base 12 moved to the display unit 45.

  (5) A function of pressing the slide base 12 into the storage chamber 11 after storing the article 100 in the storage box 13, detecting a state in which the slide base 12 is fixed by the fixing device 25, and notifying the state.

  Such a control device 4 is an allocating unit that distributes the delivery destination of the article 100 to the storage box 13 by the control unit 41 and the storage unit 44. Further, the control device 4 displays each information on the display unit 45 and controls the moving means, that is, drives an arbitrary motor 31 to move the slide base 12 and determines the position of the moved slide base 12. It is formed so as to be able to notify the worker. Moreover, the control part 4 is formed so that the fixation of the slide base 12, that is, the end of the sorting operation can be notified.

  In such a sorting apparatus 1, a sorting shelf 6 is appropriately arranged depending on the workability of the worker, the number of delivery destinations, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the sorting apparatus 1 has two sorting shelves arranged on the left and right with the control device 4 and the temporary storage box 7 as the center, and in front of the control device 4 and the temporary storage box 7. Is set so that the opening of the storage chamber 11 of each sorting shelf 6 faces the standing position.

  The sorting device 1 determines the priority order of the storage chambers 11 of the sorting shelf 6 by the so-called allocation master 52, the priority order master, and the data classification master, based on the physique such as the height of the worker, workability, etc. Along with the priority order, the order of delivery destinations is assigned.

  That is, in the sorting apparatus 1, the priority of the storage chamber 11 in which the worker is most likely to work is set as the first priority, and a delivery destination having the largest number of articles 100 to be delivered is assigned to the set storage chamber 11. . As described above, the sorting apparatus 1 assigns the priority order of the storage chambers 11 in terms of workability to all of the plurality of storage chambers 11 and assigns the order of delivery destinations to the order. Thereby, the sorting apparatus 1 is arrange | positioned so that an operator may store the articles | goods 100 in the storage box 13 of the storage chamber 11 with better workability | operativity.

Next, a sorting operation using the sorting apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
First, the server device 202 receives data such as shipping instruction data and information on the article 100 from the shipper and vendor server devices 205 via the network 204 (step ST1). Next, the received data, the information on the article 100 and the information on the sorting apparatus 1 to be used, for example, the number of the sorting apparatuses 1 and the configuration of the sorting shelf 6 are stored in the sorting DB 51 to create sorting data on the article 100 ( Step ST2).

  Here, the sorting data of the article 100 refers to the number of sorting devices 1, the number of storage chambers 11 of each sorting device 1, and the grouping for allocation to each storage chamber 11 according to the number of stores of delivery destinations. It is data of. For example, when using a plurality of sorting apparatuses 1, the number of delivery destination stores is sorted from the total number of storage rooms 11.

  As an example, when using three sorting devices 1 having 24 storage rooms 11 when sorting into 72 stores, 1 to 72 are appropriately added, and 1 to 24 stores and 25 to 48 are respectively provided. Each group of stores 49 to 72 is set to “I”, “RO”, and “HA”.

  In addition, the total amount of the articles 100 in each store of each group “I”, “RO”, and “HA” may be distributed so that there is no extreme variation, or may be distributed in combination with items similar in type.

  Next, an allocation pattern is added to the allocation master 52 (step ST3). In the allocation pattern, first, for each delivery destination, the order of delivery destinations for each group “I”, “RO”, and “HA” is determined from the total amount of articles 100 and the like. Each sorting apparatus 1 selects which group to perform.

  Next, a transportation and packing pattern is added from the store master 53 (step ST4). That is, the shipping company, the shipping method, the type of the storage box 13 and the packing pattern for the delivery destination stored in the store master 53 are selected, and the delivery destination that is not stored is newly added.

  Next, the quantity for shipping the article 100 is calculated for each delivery destination (step ST5). For example, this calculates | requires the quantity of the articles | goods 100 each sorted for every delivery destination from the total amount of each of several types of articles | goods 100. FIG. This quantity is stored in the storage unit 44, and every time the article 100 is stored, the number of articles 100 is subtracted from the total amount, and the remaining number becomes 0, whereby the sorting of the article 100 is completed.

  Next, the priority order of the sorting shelf 6 and the storage chamber 11 is set (step ST6). The setting of the priority order of the storage chamber 11 is appropriately set according to the arrangement of the sorting shelves 6, the height of the operator, the dominant arm, and the like.

  For example, in the case of a right-handed and tall worker, as shown in FIG. 3, when two sorting shelves 6 are arranged on the left and right sides of the control device 4, in FIGS. 2 and 3, Among the upper, middle and lower tiers of the sorting shelf 6 adjacent to the right side of the control device 4, the storage chamber 11 on the control device 4 side has the best workability. Subsequently, the storage room on the right side of the storage room 11 has the second highest workability. Next, the storage room on the control device 4 side in the middle of the sorting shelf 6 on the left side of the control device 4 is the third. Workability is good. Thus, the priority order of the storage chambers 11 is set as appropriate.

  Such priorities may be stored in advance in the priority order master of the storage unit 44 for each worker, and a plurality of types of priority order patterns are stored, and can be selected as appropriate from the patterns. Alternatively, in the case of a guest worker or the like, it may be set as appropriate.

  Next, the batch classification relating to the sorting data is performed using the data classification master (step ST7). That is, based on the priority order of each delivery destination and the storage chamber 11, the delivery destinations are assigned to the respective storage chambers 11, and the shipment quantity and the transportation / packing pattern for each delivery destination are assigned.

  Next, the control unit 41 displays on the display unit 45 the above information and an instruction for sorting work to the worker (step ST8). Note that the display of the display unit 45 is, for example, instructed by the operator or administrator to end the operations of steps ST1 to ST7 to the control unit 41 via the input unit 46, and the control unit 41 based on this instruction. The information on the display unit 45 is displayed. In addition, the display of the said display part 45 becomes a display as shown, for example in FIG. 8, and this signal serves as a cue of the start of the sorting operation by an operator.

  Next, the worker performs a sorting operation for storing the articles 100 in the temporary storage box 7 into the storage boxes 13 of the storage chambers 11 according to the display on the display unit 45 (step ST9).

  After the sorting operation is finished, the control unit 41 outputs sorting result data after the sorting is finished (step ST10). The sorting result data includes, for example, each delivery destination, the type of the article 100 to the delivery destination, the number of sorted articles 100, and the like.

Finally, the shipping record data to be submitted to the shipper and each delivery destination is obtained from the sorting record data, and the data is transmitted to the shipper via the network 204 (step ST11).
By these steps, sorting work is performed using the sorting apparatus 1.

  Next, the sorting of the article 100 by the worker shown in step ST9 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when the setting of the sorting is performed by one sorting apparatus 1 through the processes from step ST1 to step ST7 described above, the worker starts sorting work according to the display on the display unit 45 shown in step ST8 described above. . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, an instruction “Please read the barcode” is displayed on the display unit 45 in the display range 45 c as a work instruction.

  The operator confirms that the instruction is displayed on the display unit 45, takes one of the plurality of articles 100 temporarily placed in the temporary storage box 7, and scans the barcode 101 of the article 100 with the scanner. 47, the barcode 47 is read by the scanner 47 (step ST31). When the barcode 101 cannot be read due to scratches or the like, the number of the barcode 101 or the slip code of the article 100 may be input by the input unit 46 such as the keyboard 48a or the numeric keypad 48b. That is, it may be a reading unit that artificially reads information on the article 100 and inputs the information by the input unit 46.

  The scanner 47 transmits information on the article 100 read from the barcode 101 to the control unit 41. The control unit 41 reads the information on the article 100 from each information stored in the storage unit 44, and causes the display unit 45 to display the information on the article 100 on the display unit 45 (step ST32).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 41 displays information on the sorting shelves 6 and storage chambers 11 that store articles 100, information on delivery destinations, and storage boxes 13 in each display range 45 c of the display unit 45. Information, instruction contents to the worker, and the direction in which the storage chamber 11 is located are displayed.

  Note that the storage chamber 11 of the sorting shelf 6 that stores the articles 100 has a number set on the left side of the sorting shelf 6 and a number of the storage chamber 11 on the right side as displayed in the display range 45c-1 in FIG. Is displayed. The delivery destination information is an assigned store number.

  The information of the storage box 13 describes, for example, which of the oricon and cardboard is used so as to be displayed in the display range 45c-2 in FIG. The instruction content to the operator is, for example, an instruction indicating that the article 100 may be stored in the storage box 13 such as a display range 45c-3 “Putable” in FIG.

  In addition, when the information of the article 100 read by the barcode 101 is not stored in the sorting DB 51 stored in the storage unit 44, an error message is displayed in the display range 45c-3.

  Further, as shown in the display range 45c-4 in FIG. 9, the color of either the left or right end of the display unit 45 changes. Note that the change in the color of one of the left and right ends indicates the side on which the storage chamber 11 for storing the article 100 is disposed, with the control device 4 as the center, and the operator can store the article by facing the direction. The box 13 can be visually recognized. For this reason, it is not necessary to search for the storage room 11 from the detailed number of the storage room 11 displayed in 45c-1.

  The control unit 41 moves the slide base 12 of the storage chamber 11 for storing the article 100 in the pull-out direction simultaneously with the display of each information on the display unit 45 (step ST33). Specifically, the control unit 41 drives the motor 31 provided in the storage chamber 11 in which the article 100 is stored.

  The motor 31 rotates the rotating shaft 31a to release the hook 33 from being locked. Since the base portion 21 is urged by the urging member 24, the base portion 21 moves along the rail 23. As a result, the slide base 12 moves in the pull-out direction.

  The operator turns in the direction in which the color is changed in the display range 45c-4 of the display unit 45 in step ST32, visually recognizes the moved slide base 12, and determines whether or not the storage box 13 is placed on the base unit 21. Is confirmed (step ST34).

  When the storage box 13 is not placed on the base unit 21 (YES in step ST34), the worker is based on the information of the storage box 13 displayed in the display range 45c-2 of the display unit 45. Then, the storage box 13 is placed on the slide base 12 (step ST35).

  Next, the worker stores the article 100 in the placed storage box 13 (step ST36). Next, the operator pushes the slide base 12 into the storage chamber 11 (step ST37). As a result, the hook 33 is locked to the locking portion 32, and the position detection sensor 26 detects the storage of the slide base 12. Based on the information detected by the position detection sensor 26, the control unit 41 notifies the notification means 49 that the sorting operation of the article 100 has been completed by voice.

  After confirming that the sorting of the article 100 has been completed, the operator confirms the display unit 45 and the temporary storage box 7 and confirms whether the sorting of the article 100 is completed (step ST38). When all the articles 100 are sorted (YES in step ST38), sorting is completed. In addition, after all the articles 100 are sorted, the display unit 45 displays 0 as the total remaining number of the articles 100 displayed in the display range 45c-5 of the display unit 45.

  If the sorting of the article 100 is not completed (NO in step ST38), the screen of the display unit 45 is switched again from the display in FIG. 9 to the display in FIG.

  In step ST34, when the storage box 13 is placed on the slide base 12 of the storage chamber 11 in which the article 100 is stored (NO in step ST34), the operator visually recognizes the contents of the storage box 13. Then, it is determined whether or not the article 100 can be stored in the storage box 13 (step ST39).

  When the article 100 can be stored in the storage box 13 (YES in step ST39), the worker stores the article 100 in the storage box 13 (step ST40). Next, as step ST <b> 37, the operator pushes the slide base 12 into the storage chamber 11. Hereinafter, the flow is similar.

  When the article 100 cannot be stored in the storage box 13 (NO in step ST39), the operator issues a shipping label 48b through the input unit 46 (step ST41). Specifically, the operator operates the mouse 46c and selects an area described as “issue shipping label” displayed on the selection unit 45a of the display unit 45. Based on the instruction from the outside, the control unit 41 uses the printer 48 to issue a shipping label 48b in which information about the shipping company and the delivery destination corresponding to the delivery destination to which the article 100 is assigned is described.

  The operator attaches the issued shipping label to the storage box 13 (step ST42). Next, the operator replaces the storage box 13 (step ST43). That is, the operator takes out the storage box 13 to which the shipping label 48b is attached from the slide base 12, and places the new storage box 13 displayed on the display unit 45 on the upper surface of the slide base 12.

  The operator stores the article 100 in the storage box 13 (step ST44), and pushes the slide base 12 into the storage chamber 11 again as step ST37. Thereafter, the same sorting operation is repeated until the sorting of all articles 100 is completed (YES in step ST38).

  In this way, after the sorting of the articles 100 is completed using the sorting device 1, packing is performed in order to transport the storage boxes 13 in each storage chamber 11. Next, the packing of the storage box 13 after the completion of sorting will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, for example, the operator operates a selection unit (not shown) such as “End of work” displayed on the display unit 45 by the input unit 46 to instruct the control unit 41 that the sorting work has been completed (step S41). ST41). Based on this instruction, the control unit 41 moves the slide base 12 of one storage chamber 11 from the sorting data stored in the storage unit 44 (step ST42).

  Next, the control unit 41 calls the shipping company and delivery destination information related to the delivery destination of the storage room 11 from the store master 53 of the storage unit 44, and issues a shipping label 48b describing the information by the printer 48. (Step ST43). The operator attaches the issued shipping label 48b to the storage box 13 placed on the slide base 12 of the storage chamber 11 (step ST44).

  Next, the operator takes out the storage box 13 from the slide base 12 (step ST45), and seals the storage box 13. Next, the operator pushes the slide base 12 into the storage chamber 11 and stores it (step ST46). When the position detection sensor 26 detects the storage of the slide base 12, the control unit 41 determines whether or not all the storage boxes 13 have been taken out based on the detected signal (step ST47). When all the storage boxes 13 have not been taken out (step ST47), the process returns to step ST42, and the controller 41 slides the slide base 12 of the storage chamber 11 in which the next storage box 13 is stored. Thereafter, the flow after step ST43 is repeated, and when all the storage boxes 13 are taken out (step ST47), packing of the storage box 13 is completed.

  According to the sorting apparatus 1 configured as described above, the reading of the bar code 101 of the article 100 causes the slide base 12 provided with the storage box 13 of the delivery destination to deliver the article 100 to protrude. The article 100 can be stored in the storage box 13 at the delivery destination.

  Further, after the article 100 is stored in the storage box 13, the sorting of the article 100 is completed by pushing the slide base 12 into the storage chamber 11. That is, since the bar code 101 of the next article 100 can be scanned (read) after the protruding slide base 12 is stored in the storage chamber 11, the next article 100 is forgotten to be stored. It is possible to prevent the next article 100 from being stored in the other storage box 13 by mistake.

  In addition, the slide base 12 of the storage chamber 11 that stores the article 100 slides from the article 100 from which the barcode 101 is read, and the color on the side where the storage chamber 11 is disposed at both ends of the display unit 45. Changes. That is, the direction of the storage chamber 11 to be stored can be notified by changing one color at both ends of the display unit 45.

  For this reason, the worker can view the direction and store the article 100 in the storage box 13 placed on the slide base 12 that is slidingly moved. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the confirmation work and simplify the sorting work without checking the delivery destination and the storage box 13.

  Further, by notifying the end of the sorting of the article 100 by the voice of the notifying means 49, it is not necessary to confirm the completion of sorting on the display unit 45 and the like, so that the workability can be improved and the confirmation work can be reduced. .

  Furthermore, since the slide base 12 other than the slide base 12 is stored in the storage chamber 11, it is possible to prevent erroneous storage (sorting error) in the storage box 13 and improve the reliability of sorting work. It becomes. Moreover, the storage chamber 11 can prevent further sorting errors by making the gap between the frame 10 and the storage box 13 smaller than the outer width of the article 100.

  In addition, the sorting apparatus 1 includes the number of articles 100 to be delivered, the number of delivery destination stores, the number of sorting shelves 6, the number of storage rooms 11, the arrangement of the sorting shelves 6 and the storage rooms 11, and the body shape and dominant arm of the worker. The arrangement, layout, and settings of the sorting device 1, the sorting shelf 6, and the storage chamber 11 can be changed as appropriate, and thus versatility is high. For the same reason, it is possible to improve workability by adopting an arrangement suitable for the article 100, the delivery destination, and the worker. In addition, arrangement | positioning becomes easy by providing the caster 10c in the sorting shelf 6. FIG.

  Further, the sorting operation of the article 100 using the sorting apparatus 1 can be performed by one worker, and the worker can take out the article 100, store it, issue and paste the shipping label 48b, and pack it. Become. For this reason, it is also possible to set the load of sorting work according to each worker, that is, increase / decrease the number of delivery destination stores and set the total number of items 100 according to the worker. As a result, the sorting device 1 can be set as appropriate according to the ability of the worker, so that the work accuracy can be improved and the sorting work can be easily managed.

  In addition, since the article 100 is manually sorted from the temporary storage box 7, the article 100 can be reliably sorted without being affected by the shape, size, fragility, and the like of the article 100.

  Further, after the sorting of the articles 100 is completed, the control device 4 causes the slide base 12 on which the storage box 13 to which the shipping label 48b is to be attached to protrude, and issues the shipping label 48b of the storage box 13 to issue the shipping label. A label 48b is attached. Moreover, after sticking the shipping label 48b, the storage box 13 is taken out and the slide base 12 is stored, so that the control device 4 issues the protrusion of the slide base 12 corresponding to the next storage box 13 and the shipping label 48b. Thereby, it becomes possible to affix the shipping label 48b corresponding to each storage box 13 reliably, and to prevent the affixing of the shipping label 48b.

  As described above, according to the sorting apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, by reading the barcode 101 with the scanner 47, the storage box 13 corresponding to the delivery destination of the article 100 protrudes from the storage chamber 11, and this storage box 13 It is only necessary to store the articles 100, and even if the sorting is performed manually, it is possible to reliably perform the sorting operation. Moreover, it becomes possible to improve the workability of the sorting of articles.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In the example described above, the control device 4 is a personal computer, but is not limited to this. For example, a terminal having a touch panel as the input unit 46 in the display unit 45 may be used, or another device may be used.

  In the above-described example, the sorting apparatus 1 receives data for sorting the articles 100 from the server apparatuses 202 and 205 via the local network 201 and the network 204, but is not limited thereto. For example, you may receive via storage media, such as FD, CD-ROM, and USB memory. Further, the sorting data may be directly input to the control device 4 of the sorting device 1. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sorting device, 3 ... Sorting unit, 4 ... Control device, 6 ... Sorting shelf, 7 ... Temporary storage box, 10 ... Frame, 10a ... Outer frame, 10b ... Partition plate, 10c ... Caster, 11 ... Storage room, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Slide base, 13 ... Storage box, 21 ... Base part, 22 ... Handle part, 23 ... Rail, 24 ... Biasing member, 25 ... Fixing device, 26 ... Position detection sensor, 28 ... Roller, 29 ... Rod DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Elastic member, 31 ... Motor, 31a ... Rotating shaft, 32 ... Locking part, 33 ... Hook, 41 ... Control part, 42 ... ROM, 43 ... RAM, 44 ... Memory | storage part, 45 ... Display part, 45a ... Selection 45b ... pointer, 45c ... display range, 46 ... input unit, 46a ... keyboard, 46b ... numeric keypad, 46c ... mouse, 47 ... scanner, 48 ... printer, 48a ... paper sheets, 48b ... shipping label, 49 ... notification means DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Communication interface, 51 ... Sorting database, 52 ... Assignment master, 53 ... Store master, 100 ... Goods, 101 ... Bar code, 201 ... Local network, 202 ... Server apparatus, 204 ... Network, 205 ... Server apparatus B ... Bus Line, S ... Signal line.

Claims (4)

A sorting device used for sorting work for manually sorting a plurality of articles into a plurality of delivery destinations,
A plurality of storage chambers, a slide base provided so as to be capable of reciprocating with respect to the storage chamber, and a sorting shelf including a storage box for storing the articles placed on the slide base;
Reading means for reading information of the article;
Storage means for storing the information of the article and the information of the article;
Allocating means for allocating the delivery destination of the article to the storage box based on information on the classification of the article stored in the storage means;
Moving means for moving the slide base on which the storage box to which the delivery destination of the article read by the reading means is allocated;
With
The sorting apparatus, wherein the article read by the reading means is stored in the storage box placed on the slide base moved by the moving means. Detecting means for detecting that the slide base is stored in the storage chamber;
Informing means for informing storage of the slide base detected by the detecting means;
The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The sorting device according to claim 2, wherein the reading unit is capable of reading the information of the other article after the detection unit detects the storage of the slide base.   The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a position of the slide base moved by the moving means.

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