JP2020059008A - Sorting device and sorting method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sorting device which can improve work efficiency by increasing a sorting speed for sorting mixed articles to two kinds, and a sorting method.SOLUTION: Sorting means 5 having two pieces of transport paths 7a, 7b for transporting articles by gripping them is made to reciprocate on the basis of a discrimination result of the articles by discrimination means 3, and by sending out the articles to one of three pieces of carry-out paths 23a, 23b and 23c arranged at a downstream side of the sorting means 5, and sorting the articles into two kinds, the articles are sorted into two kinds.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting device and a sorting method for sorting two types of mixed articles and sorting them into different discharge paths, and more particularly, to a sorting device capable of improving a sorting speed to improve work efficiency. Regarding the sorting method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sorting apparatus has been used that sorts articles to be carried in according to a predetermined standard, for example, a filling amount of a product filled with a liquid such as a beverage into a non-defective product and a defective product.

  As such a conventional sorting device, each product carried into the sorting device is imaged and identified by an image, or the weight of each product is individually measured to distinguish a good product from a defective product. , The products that are determined to be defective among the products transported on the main transport path of the sorting device are transferred by the sorting means to the sub-transport paths that are arranged in parallel on both sides of the main transport path. Then, the good product and the bad product were sorted.

  Then, in the above-described conventional sorting device, when sorting some products (for example, defective products) determined by a predetermined reference from among the products transported on the main transport path to each sub transport path, It is configured to be sandwiched and transferred by a distribution plate that reciprocates across the main transport path in the width direction and auxiliary plates that are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the distribution plate and that move forward and backward.

Utility model registration No. 2552778

  In the configuration of the conventional sorting device, after transferring the product on the main transport path to one of the sub-transport paths, the product is brought into contact with the next product to be sorted on the main transport path and is then pinched to a fixed position. Since it takes time to return the distribution plate, it is necessary to provide a certain space between the products conveyed on the main conveyance path, which lowers the work efficiency.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting device and a sorting method capable of improving a sorting speed for sorting two types of articles and improving work efficiency.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the distribution device according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized by a distribution device that distinguishes two types of articles that are mixed and carried in and distributes them to different discharge paths, A carry-in path in which the articles to be sorted are arranged in a row and carried in; a judging means for judging into two kinds of articles carried in through the carry-in path; and a main conveyance arranged on an extension of the carry-in path. A carrying-out means having two sub-carrying paths respectively arranged on both sides of the main carrying path, and arranged between the carrying-in path and the carrying-out means, and holding articles carried in from the carrying-in path. Has two parallel-arranged transport paths for sending out to the unloading means, and is capable of reciprocating in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the article. One of the transport paths is the loading path and the unloading path. When placed in communication with the main unloading path of the means, The carrying path is arranged at a position where the article can be sent out to one of the sub-carrying paths of the carrying-out means, and the other carrying path is positioned so as to communicate with the carrying-in path and the main carrying-out path of the carrying-out means. , One of the transport paths is arranged at a position where the articles can be sent to the other sub-transport path of the transport means, and the main transport path and two Control means for controlling the reciprocating movement of the sorting means so that the article held by the sorting means can be carried out to any of the sub-carrying paths.

  By adopting such a configuration, the article is carried in from the carry-in path to any one of the conveying paths of the sorting means, and the sorting means is horizontally moved based on the discrimination of the discriminating means, and the sub-carrying-out of any of the carrying-out means is carried out. Even if it is sent out to the road and sorted, the other conveying path of the sorting means is arranged at a position communicating with the main carry-out path of the carry-in path and the carry-out means. Since it is possible to immediately receive the next article carried in from the carry-in path without returning to the holding position, it is possible to improve the sorting speed of the article and improve the work efficiency.

  Further, the distribution device according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the distribution device according to claim 1, the distribution means comprises a pair of rotations arranged upright at predetermined intervals. Three belt conveyors each having an endless conveyor belt wound around an axis are arranged in parallel, the conveyor paths are formed between the respective belt conveyors, and the conveyor belt of the central conveyor belt is controlled by the control. The driving direction is switched by the means.

  By adopting such a configuration, the articles carried in from the carry-in path to one of the conveying paths of the sorting means are arranged in the center at the timing when the sorting means is horizontally moved and sent out to any of the sub-carrying paths. By switching the traveling direction of the conveyor belt of the belt conveyor, the other conveyor path functioning as the conveyor path is located at a position communicating with the main conveyor path of the carry-in and carry-out means due to the horizontal movement of the sorting means. Since the next article carried in from the carry-in path can be immediately received and sorted, the sorting speed can be improved and the work efficiency can be improved.

  Further, a distribution device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the distribution device according to the second aspect, the respective belt conveyors are arranged so that their respective intervals can be adjusted.

  By adopting such a configuration, since articles of various sizes can be received and transported, various articles can be sorted.

  Further, a feature of the sorting method according to claim 4 of the present invention is a sorting method that sorts articles to be sorted into two types and sorts them into different carry-out paths, respectively. While carrying and carrying the article carried in from the carry-in path in one of the two carrying paths arranged in parallel, the carrying path holding the article is The main carry-out path arranged in a straight line of the carry-in path arranged on the downstream side of the carrying path, and the main carrying path facing the other carrying path when the one carrying path faces the main carrying path. The point is to position the article so that it can be introduced into one of the two auxiliary carry-out paths arranged on both sides of the carrying path.

  By adopting such a configuration, even if the discriminated article is held in one of the conveyance paths and horizontally moved, and sent out to one of the sub-carrying paths and sorted, the next article is immediately transferred to the other conveyance path. Since the articles can be received, the article distribution speed can be improved and the work efficiency can be improved.

  Further, the distribution method according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the distribution method according to claim 4, the winding conveyor belts are formed by three belt conveyors facing each other and arranged in parallel. The article carried in from the carry-in path can be held in any of the two carrying paths, and the traveling direction of the centrally located belt conveyor among the three belt conveyors is determined by the two carrying paths. The point is to switch between forward and reverse.

  By adopting such a configuration, by switching the traveling direction of the belt conveyor arranged in the center at the timing of sending out the article carried into any one of the transport paths from the carry-in path to any of the sub-transport paths, The other conveying path arranged at a position communicating with the carry-in path and the main carrying path can function as a carrying path, and can immediately receive and sort the next article carried in from the carrying-in path. Can be improved and work efficiency can be improved.

  According to the sorting apparatus and the sorting method of the present invention, since an article is delivered from a transport path that sorts an article into each of three carry-out paths, the next article can be immediately carried into the transport path. The speed can be improved and the work efficiency can be improved.

Schematic plan view showing the configuration of the distribution apparatus of the present embodiment AA sectional view of FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the sorting means in FIG. 1 viewed from the downstream side in the article transport direction. (A)-(d) Explanatory drawing of the distribution method by the distribution means in this embodiment. (A)-(d) Explanatory drawing of the distribution method by the distribution means in this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a distribution device according to the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

  The distribution device of the present embodiment is used for distributing products manufactured in other devices into two types, that is, a good product and a defective product.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the distribution device 1 of the present embodiment has a carry-in belt conveyor 2 for carrying in products manufactured by another device (not shown) as a carry-in path for carrying in products to be distributed. Are connected to each other, and products in which good products and defective products mixed in other devices are mixed are arranged in one row and carried in.

  Then, the distribution device 1 of the present embodiment has a discrimination means 3 for discriminating two kinds of products carried in from the carry-in belt conveyor 2, and a distribution means 5 for distributing each product discriminated by the discrimination means 3. And a carry-out means 21 for carrying out the two kinds of products sorted by the sorting means 5, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the determination unit 3 includes a non-defective product having an appropriate liquid filling amount of a product in which a liquid such as a beverage is filled in a transparent container and an excess or deficiency of the liquid filling amount. As a means for discriminating the non-defective product, an image pickup means (not shown) for picking up each product to be carried in is provided, and an image picked up by this image pickup means is processed by a processing device (not shown) so that the liquid in the transparent container is A good product and a bad product are discriminated by identifying the filling amount. The discriminating means 3 is variously changed according to two kinds of products distributed according to a predetermined condition, and may be a measuring device for discriminating products by weight or a measuring device for discriminating products by dimensions. Good.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distribution unit 5 of the present embodiment is provided with a rotating shaft 9a that is rotationally driven by a motor 8 and a rotating shaft 9a that is erected at a predetermined interval in the product conveying direction from the rotating shaft 9a. Three belt conveyors 6a, 6b, 6c in which an endless conveyor belt 10 is wound around the rotating shaft 9b are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the product conveying direction.

  The belt conveyors 6a, 6b, 6c are driven so that the belt conveyor 6a arranged on the left side of the product conveying direction causes the conveyor belt 10 to travel counterclockwise, and the belt conveyors 6a, 6b, 6c move in the product conveying direction. In contrast, a belt conveyor 6c arranged on the right side is driven to drive the conveyor belt 10 clockwise, and a belt conveyor 6b arranged in the center is driven to sequentially switch the traveling direction by a controller (not shown). Between the belt conveyors 6a, 6b, 6c which are controlled, the respective conveyed conveyors 7a, 7b sandwich the conveyed product and convey it to the unloading means 21.

  Further, each of the belt conveyors 6a, 6b, 6c is provided with a slide mechanism 11 which is controlled by a controller (not shown) and reciprocates in a direction orthogonal to the product conveying direction based on the product discrimination by the discriminating means 3. In each slide mechanism 11, a slide shaft 13 extending in a direction orthogonal to the product conveying direction is provided in a frame 12 provided upright, and the slide shaft 13 is reciprocally movable by a motor 14. The moving member 15 is arranged in the above-mentioned structure, and the belt conveyors 6a, 6b, 6c are connected to the lower ends of the arms 16 that are hung from the moving members 15, respectively.

  Further, the respective belt conveyors 6a, 6b, 6c are adjusted in their respective intervals by the respective slide mechanisms 11 with respect to the central belt conveyor 6b, and are formed between the respective belt conveyors 6a, 6b, 6c. The width of each of the transport paths 7a and 7b is adjusted according to the size of the product to be sorted, and the carrier paths 7a and 7b are horizontally moved while maintaining the interval.

  The carry-out means 21 of the present embodiment includes a belt conveyor 22 that carries and carries the product carried in from the carry-in belt conveyor 2, and the belt conveyor 22 carries the product carried in from the carry-in belt conveyor 2. Is conveyed into one of the conveying paths 7 (7a, 7b) of the distributing means 5 arranged on the extension line of the conveying direction, and is delivered by the conveying path 7 (7a, 7b) of the distributing means 5. Products are shipped to the downstream side.

  Further, on the downstream side of the distribution unit 5 on the belt conveyor 22, three carry-out paths 23 for carrying out the two kinds of products discriminated by the discrimination unit 3 and distributed by the distribution unit 5, respectively. They are formed in parallel with each other in the direction orthogonal to the product conveying direction.

  Each of the carry-out paths 23 is formed by a pair of guide plates 24, 24 standing upright along the carrying direction so as to support the products. The main unloading path 23b is located in the center of the straight line, and the sub unloading paths 23a and 23c are arranged on both sides in parallel with the main unloading path 23b.

  Each of the guide plates 24 is provided with a slide mechanism 26 that is movable in a width direction orthogonal to the product conveyance direction. The guide plate 24 has a pair of guide plates 24, 24 facing each other depending on the width of the product conveyed. The interval is adjustable.

  Further, at the end portions of the respective guide plates 24, 24 facing the sorting means 5, there are respectively provided inclined portions 25 which are inclined toward the center of the respective unloading paths 23a, 23b, 23c along the unloading direction of the product. It is formed so as to guide the products delivered from one of the transport paths 7a, 7b of the sorting means 5 into the respective transport paths 23a, 23b, 23c.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 1, the sub unloading path 23a is distributed when the transport path 7b of the allocating means 5 is arranged so as to communicate with the carry-in belt conveyor 2 and the main unloading path 23b. Although it is arranged slightly outside of the conveying path 7a of the means 5, when the product is sent out from the conveying path 7a of the distributing means 5, the product is sent out from the conveying path 7a of the distributing means 5 by the force. The inner guide plate 24 is spread out against the urging force, the inclined portion 25 formed at the end of the guide plate 24 guides the product into the sub-delivery path 23a, and the product enters the sub-delivery path 23a. It is becoming accepted. When the products to be distributed are larger than those in the present embodiment, the guide plate 24 inside the auxiliary carry-out path 23a is moved further below the position shown in the figure, and the product is sent out from the carrying path 7a of the distributing means 5. Will be adjusted to be wider.

  The sub-carrying path 23c is also the same, and although not shown, when the carrying path 7a of the sorting means 5 is arranged so as to communicate with the carry-in belt conveyor 2 and the main carrying-out path 23b, the sorting is carried out. Although it is arranged slightly outside the conveying path 7b of the means 5, when the product is sent out from the conveying path 7b of the distributing means 5, the product is sent out from the conveying path 7b of the distributing means 5 by the force. Guide plate 24 is pushed out against the urging force of the guide plate 24, the inclined portion 25 formed at the end of the guide plate 24 guides the product into the sub-delivery path 23c, and the product is received in the sub-delivery path 23c. It is supposed to be done. When the product to be distributed is larger than that of the present embodiment, the guide plate 24 inside the auxiliary carry-out path 23c is moved further upward than the position shown in the figure, and the product is sent out from the carrying path 7b of the distributing means 5. Will be adjusted to be wider.

  The belt conveyor 6b arranged at the center of the sorting means 5 is a reference for communicating the transport path 7b between the belt conveyors 6b and 6c with the carry-in belt conveyor 2 and the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21. In the case of being arranged in the position, the conveyor belt 10 travels counterclockwise, and the product carried into the conveyor path 7b from the carry-in belt conveyor 2 is one product (for example, a good product) by the discrimination means 3. If determined, the product is sent to the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21 as it is. On the other hand, when the product carried into the carrying path 7b from the carry-in belt conveyor 2 is judged to be the other product (for example, a defective product) by the judging means 3, the conveying path 7b is provided between the belt conveyors 6b and 6c. While the product is being sandwiched and conveyed to, the sorting means 5 horizontally moves so that the other conveying path 7a is located at a reference position communicating with the carrying-in belt conveyor 2 and the main carrying-out path 23b of the carrying-out means 21. Then, the product is sent out from the moved carrying path 7b to the sub-carrying path 23c of the carrying-out means 21. Then, the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 10 of the belt conveyor 6b is switched at the timing when the product is sent out from the conveyor path 7b to the sub-carrying path 23c of the carry-out means 21, and the conveyor belt 10b travels clockwise.

  Similarly, when the transport path 7a between the belt conveyors 6a and 6b is arranged at a reference position where it communicates with the carry-in belt conveyor 2 and the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21, the center of the sorting means 5 is arranged. The conveyor belt 10 travels in the clockwise direction on the belt conveyor 6b disposed at the position, and the product carried into the conveyor path 7a from the carry-in belt conveyor 2 is determined by the determination means 3 to be one product (for example, a good product). Then, the product is directly sent to the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21. On the other hand, when the product carried into the carrying path 7a from the carry-in belt conveyor 2 is judged by the judging means 3 to be the other product (for example, a defective product), between the belt conveyors 6a and 6b in the carrying path 7a. While the product is being nipped and conveyed, the sorting means 5 horizontally moves so that the other conveying path 7b is arranged at a reference position communicating with the carry-in belt conveyor 2 and the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21. Then, the product is delivered from the moved transport path 7a to the sub-transport path 23a of the unloading means 21. Then, the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 10 of the belt conveyor 6b is switched at the timing when the product is delivered from the conveyor passage 7a to the sub-delivery passage 23a of the unloading means 21, and the conveyor belt 10 travels clockwise.

  When the next product is continuously distributed, the next product is carried into one of the transport paths 7a and 7b of the sorting means 3 at the timing when the product previously loaded into the transport paths 7a and 7b is unloaded. Each of the products on the carry-in belt conveyor 2 is sent to one of the carry-out paths 23a, 23b, 23c of the means 21 and carried in at an interval such that the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 10 of the belt conveyor 6b is switched. It is adjusted by adjusting the interval or by providing an interval between the products due to the difference in the transfer speed between the carry-in belt conveyor 2 and the belt conveyor 22 of the carry-out means 21.

  Next, the operation (embodiment of the distribution method) of the distribution device 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4A, as the reference position of the sorting means 5, one of the transport paths 7 (the transport path 7b in this embodiment) is the main transport path of the carry-in belt conveyor 2 and the carry-out means 21. It is arranged at a position communicating with 23b. At that time, the conveyor belt 10 of the belt conveyor 6b travels counterclockwise.

  Then, when the product in which the liquid is filled in the transparent container in another device is arranged in one row by the carry-in belt conveyor 2 in a state where the good product P (g) and the defective product P (d) are mixed, the product is transported. The discriminating means 3 discriminates between the non-defective product P (g) and the defective product P (d).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the products for which the determining unit 3 has determined the good product P (g) and the defective product P (d) are transferred from the carry-in belt conveyor 2 to the belt conveyor 22 of the carry-out unit 21. It is transferred and carried into the transport path 7b of the sorting means 5.

  Then, when the determining unit 3 determines that the product carried into the conveying path 7b of the sorting unit 5 is a non-defective product P (g), the product is carried into the conveying path 7b as shown in FIG. 4C. The product is sent to the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21 as it is, and as shown in FIG. 4D, is supported by both guide plates 24, 24 of the main carry-out path 23b and carried out to the downstream side.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the determination means 3 determines that the product carried in the conveyance path 7 b of the sorting means 5 is a defective product P (d), the result shown in FIG. 5 (b). As shown, while the product is sandwiched between the belt conveyors 6b and 6c in the transport path 7b and transported, the sorting means 5 uses the other transport path 7a to transport the product into the carry-in belt conveyor 2 and the carry-out means 21. The product is horizontally moved so as to be arranged at the reference position communicating with 23b, and the product is delivered from the moved transport path 7b to the sub-transport path 23c of the unloading means 21 as shown in FIG. 5C. Then, the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 10 of the belt conveyor 6b is switched at the timing when the product is sent from the conveyor path 7b to the sub-carrying path 23c of the carry-out means 21, and the conveyor belt 10 travels clockwise.

  When the product sorted earlier is determined to be a non-defective product P (g) by the determination means 3 and the product is sent out from the transport path 7b to the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21, the carry-out means 21 moves from the carry path 7b to the carry-out means 21. The product is sent to the main carry-out path 23b, and the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 10 of the belt conveyor 6b is not actually switched, but the traveling belt 10 of the belt conveyor 6b is switched from the carry-in belt conveyor 2 at an interval such that the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 10 can be switched. The next product is loaded into the transport path 7b of the sorting means 5, and the above steps are repeated.

  On the other hand, the product previously distributed is determined by the determination means 3 to be a defective product P (d), the distribution means 5 is horizontally moved, and the product is delivered from the transport path 7b to the sub-transport path 23c of the transport means 21. In this case, the product is sent out from the transport path 7b to the main unloading path 23b of the unloading means 21, the traveling direction of the transport belt 10 of the belt conveyor 6b is switched, and at the timing when this switching is completed, as shown in FIG. As shown, the next product is carried in from the carry-in belt conveyor 2 to the carrying path 7a of the sorting means 5 arranged at the reference position communicating with the carry-in belt conveyor 2 and the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21.

  When the determination unit 3 determines that the next product carried in the transport path 7a of the sorting unit 5 is a non-defective product P (g), the product carried in the transport path 7a is the main product of the unloading unit 21. It is sent to the carry-out path 23b, is supported by both guide plates 24, 24 of the main carry-out path 23b, and is carried out to the downstream side.

  On the other hand, when the next product carried into the transport path 7a of the sorting means 5 is determined by the determining means 3 to be a defective product P (d), the product is conveyed between the belt conveyors 6a and 6b in the transport path 7a. While being sandwiched and conveyed, the sorting means 5 is horizontally moved so as to arrange the other conveying path 7b at the reference position communicating with the carry-in belt conveyor 2 and the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21. The product is sent from the carrying path 7a to the sub-carrying path 23a of the carrying-out means 21. Then, the traveling direction of the conveyor belt 10 of the belt conveyor 6b is switched at the timing when the product is delivered from the conveyor passage 7a to the sub-delivery passage 23a of the conveyor 21, and the conveyor belt 10 travels counterclockwise.

  In this way, by sorting the products sequentially carried in from the carry-in belt conveyor 2, the good product P (g) is fed to the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21, and the defective product P (d) is taken to both the sub-carry-out paths 23a, 23a. 23c.

  As described above, according to the sorting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the two kinds of articles that have been carried in are discriminated by the discriminating means 3 and one of the articles is conveyed to the main carry-out path 23b centrally arranged by the sorting means 5. , The other article can be sorted by sending out the other article to each of the sub carry-out paths 23a and 23c arranged on both sides of the main carry-out path 23b.

  Further, the sorting means 5 provided with the two transport paths 7a and 7b is reciprocally moved to arrange one article on the main transport path 23b of the unloading means 21 and the other article on both sides of the main unloading path 23b. By the configuration in which the articles carried into any one of the conveyance paths 7a (7b) are distributed to the respective sub-delivery paths 23a, 23c, the sorting means 5 is horizontally moved. Even if it is done, since the other conveyance path 7b (7a) is always arranged at the reference position where it communicates with the carry-in belt conveyor 2 as a carry-in path and the main carry-out path 23b of the carry-out means 21, the previous article is sorted. After that, since it is not necessary to return the sorting means 5 to the position for holding the article unlike the conventional sorting apparatus, the next article can be immediately received and sorted, and the sorting speed of the article can be improved, and the work can be performed. Improve efficiency It is possible.

  Further, each of the transport paths 7a and 7b of the sorting means 5 is configured to sandwich and send the article by a pair of belt conveyors 6a and 6b (6b and 6c), respectively. Since it is not necessary to move the sorting means to contact and hold each time the articles to be sorted are conveyed, the sorting speed can be improved and the articles can be reliably sorted without falling. .

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made if necessary.

  For example, in the present embodiment, each belt conveyor of the sorting means is provided with a slide mechanism, and the interval between the belt conveyors can be adjusted, and the slide mechanism horizontally moves while maintaining a preset interval. Although the configuration is adopted, the belt conveyors may be connected to each other at positions that do not hinder the conveyance of the articles on the respective conveyance paths so that their intervals can be adjusted, and they can be horizontally moved integrally by one slide mechanism.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the carry-in belt conveyor 2 is connected as a carry-in path for aligning and carrying in two types of articles to the present apparatus, but a structure in which the carry-in belt conveyor 2 is provided in the present apparatus is also possible. Good. With such a configuration, this device can be directly connected to another device without providing a carrying-in means between the device and the other device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 distribution device 2 carry-in belt conveyor 3 discrimination means 5 distribution means 6a, 6b, 6c belt conveyors 7a, 7b transport path 8 motors 9a, 9b rotary shaft 10 transport belt 11 slide mechanism 12 frame 13 slide shaft 14 motor 15 mover 16 Arms 21 Unloading Means 22 Belt Conveyors 23a, 23b, 23c Unloading Paths 24, 24 Guide Plates 25 Inclining Parts 26 Slide Mechanism

Claims (5)

A sorting device for distinguishing two kinds of mixedly carried-in articles and distributing them to different discharge paths,
A carrying-in path through which articles to be sorted are carried in in a line.
Discriminating means for discriminating into two types of articles carried in from the carry-in path;
A carry-out means having a main carrier arranged on an extension of the carry-in path and two sub-carrier paths arranged on both sides of the main carrier path;
It has two transport paths that are arranged between the carry-in path and the carry-out means and are arranged in parallel to hold the article carried in from the carry-in path and send it to the carry-out means, and are orthogonal to the carrying direction of the article. When the one transport path is positioned so as to communicate with the carry-in path and the main carry-out path of the carry-out means, the other carry path is placed in the sub-direction of one of the carry-out means. When the article is placed at a position where the article can be sent to the carry-out path, and the other transport path is located in communication with the carry-in path and the main carry-out path of the carry-out means, the one carry-out path is the carry-out means. Of the main unloading path and the two sub unloading paths based on the result of the judgment by the allocating means arranged at a position where the article can be sent to the other sub unloading path and the determining means. The sorting hand that allows the items held by the means to be carried out Control means for controlling the reciprocating movement of the step,
A distribution device comprising:   In the distribution means, three belt conveyors in which endless conveyor belts are wound around a pair of rotating shafts that are vertically arranged at predetermined intervals are arranged in parallel, and between the belt conveyors. 2. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor belts of the centrally arranged belt conveyors are driven to switch the traveling directions by the control means.   The sorting device according to claim 2, wherein the respective belt conveyors are arranged so that their respective intervals can be adjusted. It is a sorting method that sorts articles to be sorted into two types and sorts them into different discharge paths,
Distinguishing the article into two types,
While holding and carrying the article carried in from the carry-in path in any one of the two carrying paths arranged in parallel,
A transport path for holding the article, a main carry-out path linearly arranged on the carry-in path arranged on the downstream side of the transport path, and the one transport path according to the determined type of the article. The article can be introduced into either of the two sub-delivery paths arranged on both sides of the main transport path so as to face the other transport path when facing the other main transport path. The sorting method characterized by. An article carried in from the carrying-in path can be held in any one of two carrying paths formed by three belt conveyors in which the wound carrying belts are opposed to each other and arranged in parallel.
The sorting method according to claim 4, wherein the traveling direction of a belt conveyor arranged at the center among the three belt conveyors is switched between forward and reverse depending on whether the two conveyor paths are used or not.

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