JP2515235B2 - How to stow goods - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article loading method for loading articles loaded in article loading sections arranged in a plurality of rows, and particularly to articles loaded in one row. The present invention relates to an article stacking method for stacking articles that have been sorted by branching to the article sorting section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique relating to a method for stacking articles, one described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-77123 is known.

The conventional technique described in the above publication will be described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-77123.
There is described a surface unit gripping device that includes two pairs of box body pressing devices that face each other in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and that presses and grips the four surfaces of a box body group such as a cardboard box almost at the same time.

[0004]

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

That is, since the surface-unit gripping device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-77123 handles box bodies (articles) on a surface-by-surface basis, it has a plurality of different heights. It is not possible to stack any kind of product at any position, such as that the above item cannot be stacked.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to branch articles merged in one row into article loading sections arranged in a plurality of rows so that articles of arbitrary types such as different heights can be arbitrarily selected. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for loading articles that can be loaded in a position.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a method of loading articles loaded in article loading sections arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein the articles are loaded in a plurality of article storage sections. An article, characterized in that the articles are taken out and merged into one row, the merged articles are branched to the article load-aligning section to load-align the articles, and then the loaded articles are taken out and stacked in a column shape. The above object has been achieved by providing a stowage method.

Further, in the article stacking method for stacking the articles sorted in the article sorting section arranged in a plurality of rows, the articles stored in the article storage sections arranged in a plurality of rows in a plurality of rows are stored. After taking out and merging in one line, the merged articles are branched to the article arranging section to perform the lining up, and then the laid-out articles are taken out at an interval according to the height of the preceding article and preceded. The above object is achieved by providing a method for stacking articles, which is characterized in that the articles are supplied by an article supply conveyor and stacked in a column shape on the articles thus supplied.

It is preferable that the columns are formed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on the pallet.

[0010]

According to the method of stacking articles of the present invention, the articles combined in one row are branched to the article arranging section arranged in a plurality of rows, so that articles of any kind such as different heights can be loaded. It can be stacked at any position.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method of loading articles according to the present invention will be described below together with an example of article loading equipment suitable for carrying out the method.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partly showing an embodiment of an article arranging facility, FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an essential part partly showing an embodiment of an article arranging facility, and FIG. 1 is an enlarged side view showing a downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (tributary line) shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an article arranging section, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a side view partially showing an example of the article arranging section, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of an article stacking apparatus. In these drawings, (1) shows articles by type (product type) ( In the gravity roller conveyor as the article storage unit of the present invention for storing G), a plurality of rows (5 rows) are provided in the direction along the transport conveyor (2) as the main line with a tip end side inclined downward, and a plurality of rows in the vertical direction. Step (2
These gravity roller conveyors (1) constitute a fluidized shelf (F) having a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages of frontage. The transport conveyor (2) is a drive roller conveyor arranged for each stage along the frontage, and is provided in two vertical stages. At the downstream end of each gravity roller conveyor (1), an article take-out device (3) is provided. Further, (4) is an up-and-down conveying device which is arranged at a downstream portion of the two-stage conveying conveyor (2) and conveys the article (G) in a vertical direction at a constant pitch. An article conveyor (41) having a part (411) and an endless rotating body (42) are provided, and the article conveyor (41) is constituted by the endless rotating body (42).
Is designed to rotate continuously. Also, (100
1) is a gravity roller conveyor in which the front end side for accommodating the articles (G) that have been sorted is slanted low is the article sorting section of the present invention, and is a plurality of rows (5 rows) in the direction along the conveyor (1002). ) Is provided. In addition, at the downstream end of each gravity roller conveyor (1001),
An article take-out device (1003) is provided. Further, (2000) is an article stacking device for loading the articles (G) loaded in the article loading section (1001) on the pallet (P), and is a pallet transport conveyor (200).
1) and articles (G) are supplied onto the pallet (P) or the article (G) previously supplied, and a plurality of rows of article supply conveyors (2002), and an elevating device (2003) for elevating and lowering the pallet (P). ) And. Thus, the articles (G) stored in the article storage section (1) arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages.
Are taken out to the conveyors (2) of the respective stages and merged, and the articles (G) joined to the respective conveyors (2) are further merged into one row by the vertical transport device (4), and the merged articles are joined. (G) Transport conveyor (1002)
After branching to the article arranging section (1001) arranged in a plurality of rows through the lanes and arranging the articles, the laid-out articles (G) are taken out at intervals according to the height of the preceding article (G). An article supply conveyor (20) is provided on the article (G) supplied in advance.
02), and a plurality of types of articles (G) are stacked in a column shape (longitudinal direction) on a pallet (P) which is moving downward by an elevating device (2003), and a plurality of rows are placed on the pallet (P). A plurality of columns are formed.

To explain each part in the above embodiment, the gravity roller conveyor (1) is a gravity roller conveyor (1) in which a pair of rail frames (12) having a plurality of rollers (11) are arranged in an inclined manner. 1) The article (G) supplied on the roller (11) is stored on the roller (11) by self-running by its own weight, and is then taken out to the transport conveyor (2) by the article take-out device (3).
Note that (1a), (1b), (1c), (1d), (1
e) is a gravity roller conveyor arranged on the lower side,
(1f), (1g), (1h), (1i), and (1j) are gravity roller conveyors arranged on the upper side.

The transport conveyor (2) has a transport speed of 25 m / min. Which is connected to an article take-out device (3) provided at a downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1). (416.7 mm / sec) drive roller conveyor, and a plurality of (two) stages are provided in the vertical direction so as to be substantially orthogonal to the gravity roller conveyor (1).
A rubber band (not shown) stretched in a figure 8 between the roller (21) and the line shaft (22) (not shown) is configured to transmit the rotation of the line shaft (22) to the roller (21). ing. Also, the line shafts (22) of the respective conveyors (2) are connected to each other by a chain and are driven by the same motor. A pulse encoder (not shown) is attached to one of the line shafts (22).

The article take-out device (3) is provided with a shaft (3).
3) A pair of rail frames (32) including a plurality of rollers (31) swinging up and down by an air cylinder (35) and a lever (36) with the (34) as a fulcrum.
And a stopper (37) for locking an article (G) that is self-propelled in the inclined direction, and an air cylinder (35).
When is at the lower end, the inclination of the rail frame (32) substantially matches the inclination of the rail frame (12), and the upper end of the stopper (37) projects from the upper surface of the roller (31). ing. When an article removal command is issued, the upper end of the stopper (37) is moved to the roller (31) by operating the air cylinder (35).
, The inclination of the rail frame (32) is made greater than the inclination of the rail frame (12), and the tip article (G) locked by the stopper (37) is taken out. At this time, since the rear end of the rail frame (32) is higher than the roller (11) surface of the rail frame (12), the following article (G) is locked at the rear end of the rail frame (32), Only one article (G) stored on the gravity roller conveyor (1) can be taken out to the conveyor (2), and the taken out article (G) is transferred to the conveyor (2) by the wheel rail (38). Will be joined.

The vertical transport device (4) disposed downstream of the two-stage transport conveyor (2) has a skewered (fork) -shaped article mounting portion (411) and a guide roller (412). An article transporter (41), an endless chain (rotating body) (42) stretched in a substantially rectangular shape by four sprocket wheels (43), and arranged along a rotation locus of the endless chain (42). A first guide frame (44);
A second guide frame (4) having substantially the same shape as the rotation trajectory of the endless chain (42) and shifted in the vertical and horizontal directions.
5) and an auxiliary guide frame (46) for keeping the article carrier (41) in a fixed posture, etc., and four (only two are shown in FIG. 2) article carriers (41).
Is fixed to the endless chain (42) at a speed of 30 m / min (1
830 mm) at an interval of 830 mm), and an article carrier (41) maintained in a fixed posture (substantially horizontal) by the first guide frame (44), the second guide frame (45), and the auxiliary guide frame (46). ) Is continuously rotated in the vertical direction.

A transfer conveyor (5) is provided at the downstream end of the upper conveyor (2) for transferring the article (G) to the upper and lower conveyors (4). And a fork-shaped fixed skewer conveyor (51), and a fork-shaped movable skewer conveyor (52) composed of six endless chains and a slide air cylinder (not shown). The six endless chains of the type conveyor (52) are fixed by a sliding air cylinder to the gaps between the seven endless chains of the fixed skewer type conveyor (51) or the seven skewers (forks) of the article mounting part (411). It is adapted to move along the transport direction of the article (G), and includes a moving skewer type conveyor (52) and an article mounting section (4).
11) and can be crossed. Note that a stopper (521) is provided at the tip of the moving skewer conveyor (52).

A transfer conveyor (6) is provided at the downstream end of the lower conveyor (2) for transferring the articles (G) to the upper and lower conveyors (4). And a fixed skewer conveyor (61) formed in a fork shape, and the six endless chains of the fixed skewer conveyor (61) are provided in the gaps between the seven skewers (forks) of the article mounting portion (411). The fixed skewered conveyor (6
1) and the article placement section (411) are configured to be able to cross. A stopper (611) is provided at the tip of the fixed skewered conveyor (61).

Further, (7) is a take-out conveyer for taking out the article (G) from the vertical conveying device (4), which is a fixed skewer-like conveyer (71) constituted by six endless chains in a fork shape and It consists of a drive roller conveyor (72) arranged downstream, and 6 of fixed skewer conveyor (71).
An endless chain of books is disposed in the gap between the seven skewers (forks) of the article placement section (411), and the fixed skewer conveyor (71) and the article placement section (411) can cross each other. ing.

A merging control device (not shown) is provided, and a virtual space (β) having a fixed length (pitch) is set on the transport conveyor (2), and the set virtual space (β) is used as the virtual space (β). When the article (G) to be merged into the space (β) reaches a position facing the gravity roller conveyor (1) containing the articles (G) to be merged, the article (G) to be merged is taken out by the article take-out device (3). Is controlled as follows.

Next, the articles (G) stored in the gravity roller conveyor (1) of the above-mentioned article arranging facility are taken out to the conveyors (2) of the respective stages and merged, and the respective conveyors (2) The article (G) merged with (1) will be further merged into one row by the vertical transport device (4), and the merged article (G) will be taken out to the take-out conveyor (7).

(1a), (1b), (1c), (1
d) and (1e) are gravity roller conveyors arranged on the lower side, (1f), (1g), (1h), (1i),
(1j) is a gravity roller conveyor arranged on the upper stage, and is a line of five rows of gravity roller conveyors (1) arranged in each stage along the lower and upper conveyors (2). If the spacing is 700 mm,
Distance to the fifth most upstream gravity roller conveyor (1e), (1j) from the downstream end, ie, offset value (α)
Is a gravity roller conveyor (1e), (1j) adjacent to the gravity roller conveyor (1d), (1i) 700mm, gravity roller conveyor (1d), (1
a gravity roller conveyor (1c) adjacent to i),
(1h) is 1400 mm, gravity roller conveyor (1c), gravity roller conveyor (1b) adjacent to (1h), (1g) is 2100 mm, gravity roller conveyor (1b), gravity roller conveyor (1a) adjacent to (1g) ) And (1f) are 2800 mm.

In the gravity roller conveyor (1), articles (G) of various sizes up to 600 mm in length, that is, the size in the direction of the conveyor (2) are transferred to the gravity roller conveyor (1a). Is an article (Ga)
However, the gravity roller conveyor (1b) has an article (G
b) is a gravity roller conveyor (1j)
A plurality of articles (Gj) are housed in each of them (the article (G) is shown in the same size in FIG. 8).

Thus, for example, ten articles (G) are placed on the take-out conveyor (7) in the following order:
a), (Gg), (Gj), (Gj), (Gd), (G
i), (Gi), (Gh), (Gj), and (Gd), when there is a load alignment command so that the articles (G) conveyed on the respective conveyors (2) are vertically conveyed. Gravity roller conveyor (1) for each conveyor (2) according to the timing (position) of joining (4)
The phase difference (γ) at the timing of merging the articles (G) from [the lower transfer conveyor (2) as a reference, the phase difference (γ) of the upper transfer conveyor (2) is referred to as “delivery conveyor (5)” And the interval between the transfer conveyor (6) in the step direction (700
mm) ÷ speed of endless chain (42) (30 m / min) =
1.4 seconds], and the goods (G) are transferred from the gravity roller conveyor (1) to the respective conveyors (2).
Add the phase difference (γ) to the timing of merging the products [0 seconds to merge the articles (G) with the lower conveyor (2) and merge the articles (G) with the upper conveyor (2)] Is added to the transport conveyor (2) at a constant pitch [article transport tool (4)].
Attachment interval (183) of 1) to the endless chain (42)
0mm) ÷ Speed of endless chain (42) (30m / min)
= 3.66 seconds], and the calculation and control are performed so that the articles (G) joined to the respective conveyors (2) are joined by the upper and lower conveyors (4). ) Are merged in the desired order.

That is, the article (Ga) first taken out to the take-out conveyor (7) is taken out from the gravity roller conveyor (1a), and the gravity roller conveyor (1a) is located at the most downstream position where the offset value (α) is 2800 mm. Since it is located, the article (Ga) is taken out with a delay of the offset value (α) from the start of packing. That is, 2800 (mm) /416.7 (m) from the start of packing
(m / sec) = 6.72 seconds later, an article take-out command is provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1a) so as to take out the article (Ga) from the gravity roller conveyor (1a) to the lower conveyor (2). Provided to the received article removal device (3). Since the phase difference (γ) of the lower conveyor (2) is 0 second, there is no need to add the phase difference (γ) to the above time.

The article (Gg) to be taken out to the take-out conveyor (7) next to the article (Ga) is a gravity roller conveyor (1g) arranged along the upper conveyor (2) different from the article (Ga). Are added to each other to add a phase difference (γ) of 1.4 seconds so that they are joined together, and a fixed length is set on the conveyor (2) [the conveying pitch of the article conveying tool (41)]. (3.66 seconds) × Transport speed of transport conveyor (2) (25 m / min) = 1525
mm] is continuously set according to the merging order of the articles (G), and when the predetermined virtual space (β) reaches a position facing the article (G) to be merged, the article ( An article removal command is provided to an article removal device (3) provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1) so as to remove the article (G) to the conveyor (2), and the article (G) is removed at a constant pitch (3). .66 seconds, ie 1525 mm
To the conveyor (2), which excludes the offset value (α) and the phase difference (γ) of the article (Ga) previously passed to the upper and lower conveyors (4). Of the phase difference (γ) after the removal time, that is, 0 seconds.
4 seconds and the virtual space (β set on the conveyor (2)
Time required for a) to move, ie, 1525 (mm)
/416.7 (mm / sec) = 3.66 sec.
After 06 seconds, the offset value (α) of the gravity roller conveyor (1 g) is 2100 mm, that is, 2100 (mm).
/416.7 (mm / sec) = 5.04 sec.
After 1 second, the article take-out command is issued so that the article (Gg) is taken out from the gravity roller conveyor (1g) to the virtual space (βg) set in the upper conveyor conveyor (2) and the downstream end portion of the gravity roller conveyor (1g). Is provided to the article take-out device (3) provided in the.

The article (Gj) to be taken out to the take-out conveyor (7) next to the article (Gg) is accommodated in the gravity roller conveyor (1) at the same level as the article (Gg). When the articles (G) stored in the roller conveyor (1) are continuously taken out and merged with the conveyor (2), the articles (Gg) first transferred to the vertical conveyor (4) are transferred. 2. Removal time to the conveyor (2) excluding the offset value (α), ie, the time required for the virtual space (βg) set on the conveyor (2) to move after 5.06 seconds, ie, 3. 8.72 seconds after adding 66 seconds, the article take-out command is issued to take out the article (Gj) from the gravity roller conveyor (1j) to the virtual space (βj) set in the upper conveyor (2). I roller conveyor (1
j) provided to an article take-out device (3) provided at the downstream end. Since the offset value (α) of the gravity roller conveyor (1j) is 0 mm, it is not necessary to add the offset value (α) to the above time.

Since the article (Gj) is continuously taken out after the article (Gj), the above-mentioned take-out time, ie, 8.7.
Two seconds later, the virtual space (β
12.38 seconds after adding the time required for j) to move, i.e., 3.66 seconds, the gravity roller conveyor (1)
j), an article takeout command provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1j) so as to take out the article (Gj) to the virtual space (βj) set in the upper conveyor (2). Given to (3).

Since the article (Gd) to be taken out to the take-out conveyor (7) next to the article (Gj) is stored in the lower gravity roller conveyor (1) different from the article (Gj), a phase difference of 0 sec. (Γ) is added so as to be merged, and the transport of the article (Gj) previously passed to the vertical transport device (4), excluding the offset value (α) and the phase difference (γ). The take-out time to the conveyor (2), that is, the time required for the virtual space (βj) set on the conveyor (2) to move after 10.98 seconds, that is, 14.64 seconds after adding 3.66 seconds , The offset value (α) of the gravity roller conveyor (1d), that is, 70
16.32 seconds after adding 0 (mm) /416.7 (mm / sec) = 1.68 seconds, the gravity roller conveyor (1
An article take-out device provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1d) so as to take out the article (Gd) from d) to the virtual space (βd) set in the lower conveyor (2). Given to (3).

The article (Gi) to be taken out to the take-out conveyor (7) after the article (Gd) is stored in the upper gravity roller conveyor (1) different from the article (Gd), so that it takes 1.4 seconds. The phase difference (γ) is added so as to be merged, and the offset value (α) and the phase difference (γ) of the article (Gd) previously taken out to the vertical transport device (4) are removed. After the take-out time to the conveyor (2), that is, 14.64 seconds, the phase difference (γ)
Gravity roller conveyor (1i) after 1.4 seconds and 19.7 seconds after adding the time required for moving the virtual space (βd) set on the conveyor (2), that is, 3.66 seconds. Offset value (α) of 700 mm, that is, 70
0 (mm) /416.7 (mm / sec) = 21.38 seconds after adding 1.68 seconds, the gravity roller conveyor (1
An article take-out device provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1i) so as to take out the article (Gi) from i) into the virtual space (βi) set in the upper conveyor (2). Given to (3).

Since the article (Gi) is continuously taken out after the article (Gi), the above-mentioned take-out time, ie, 21.
After 38 seconds, the time required for the virtual space (βi) set in the conveyor (2) to move 3.66 seconds is added, and 25.04 seconds later, the article (Gi) is transferred from the gravity roller conveyor (1i) to the upper side. Is given to the article take-out device (3) provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1i) so as to take out to the virtual space (βi) set in the conveyor (2).

The article (Gh) to be taken out to the take-out conveyor (7) after the article (Gi) is stored in the gravity roller conveyor (1) at the same stage as the article (Gi), so that the vertical transport device ( Virtual space (βi) set in the conveyor (2) after 23.36 seconds, the take-out time to the conveyor (2) excluding the offset value (α) of the article (Gi) delivered to 4). 27.02 seconds after adding the time required for the movement of the roller, ie, 3.66 seconds, the offset value (α) of the gravity roller conveyor (1h) is 1400 mm, that is, 1400 (mm) / 41.
30.38 seconds after adding 6.7 (mm / sec) = 3.36 seconds, the goods (G) were transferred from the gravity roller conveyor (1h).
h) is given to the article take-out device (3) provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1h) so as to take out the object into the virtual space (βh) set in the upper conveyor (2). Can be

The article (Gj) to be taken out to the take-out conveyor (7) next to the article (Gh) is stored in the gravity roller conveyor (1) at the same stage as the article (Gh), so that the vertical transport device ( Virtual space (βh) set on the conveyor (2) after 27.02 seconds, the take-out time to the conveyor (2) after removing the offset value (α) of the article (Gh) transferred to 4). 30.68 seconds after adding 3.66 seconds, the time required for the object to move, from the gravity roller conveyor (1j) to the goods (G
An article take-out command is given to the article take-out device (3) provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1j) so as to take out j) into the virtual space (βj) set in the upper conveyer (2). To be Since the offset value (α) of the gravity roller conveyor (1j) is 0 mm, it is not necessary to add the offset value (α) to the above time.

Since the article (Gd) taken out to the take-out conveyor (7) next to the article (Gj) is stored in the lower gravity roller conveyor (1) different from the article (Gj), the phase difference of 0 second. (Γ) is added to merge the articles, and the article (Gj) transferred to the up-and-down conveyor (4) is conveyed without the offset value (α) and the phase difference (γ). After taking out to the conveyor (2), that is, 29.28 seconds, the time required for the virtual space (βj) set in the conveyor (2) to move, that is, 32.94 seconds after adding 3.66 seconds , The offset value (α) of the gravity roller conveyor (1d), that is, 70
0 (mm) /416.7 (mm / sec) = 1.68 seconds plus 34.62 seconds later, the gravity roller conveyor (1
An article take-out device provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1d) so as to take out the article (Gd) from d) to the virtual space (βd) set in the lower conveyor (2). Given to (3).

As described above, during the time until each article (G) is taken out from the gravity roller conveyor (1), which is calculated by a computer (not shown), the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor (2) is 416.7 mm /. The value multiplied by the second is
It is the transport distance of each virtual space (β) from the start of load alignment until each article (G) is taken out. Therefore, at the transport distance in the virtual space (β) during one pulse of the pulse encoder attached to the line shaft (22) of the transport conveyor (2), from the start of packing to the removal of each article (G). The value obtained by dividing the transport distance in the virtual space (β) is a pulse value from the start of the packing of the articles (G) to be taken out. Thus, the computer transmits the pulse value from the start of the packing and the number of the gravity roller conveyor (1) from which each article (G) is to be taken out to a sequencer (not shown).
The sequencer that has received the data stores the pulse value from the start of the packing and the number of the gravity roller conveyor (1) from which the article (G) is to be taken out, and transmits the pulse of the pulse encoder simultaneously with the start of the packing. The air cylinder (35) of the article take-out device (3) provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1), which starts counting and matches the commanded pulse value, is operated,
Control is performed such that a predetermined article (G) is taken out to the transport conveyor (2).

As described above, the articles (G) merged at a fixed pitch from the plurality of gravity roller conveyors (1) are transferred to the transfer conveyor (5) disposed at the downstream end of each transport conveyor (2). ), Transported to (6),
When the article placing part (411) of the vertical transport device (4) and the fixed skew conveyor (61) or the moving skew conveyor (52) reach a position where the article (G) passes from the bottom to the top. While being scooped up by the placing section (411), they are continuously transferred to the article transporting tool (41) and merged. When the article (G) reaches the loading section of the fixed skewer conveyor (51) of the delivery conveyor (5), the moving skewer conveyor (52) is moved to a position where it intersects with the article placement section (411). After the article (G) is delivered to the article carrier (41), the article (G) returns to the original state (however, the subsequent article (G) is moved from the movable skewer conveyor (52) to the article carrier (4).
In the case of being delivered to 1), the subsequent article (G) is returned to the original state after being delivered to the article carrier (41)). Further, according to the timing (position) at which the article (G) transported on each of the transport conveyors (2) is delivered to the article transport tool (41), the plurality of gravity roller conveyors ( 1) to goods (G)
Since the phase difference (γ) is set at the timing of merging the articles (G) and the phase difference (γ) is added to the timing of merging the articles (G) from the gravity roller conveyor (1) to the respective conveyors (2), The timing at which the article (G) reaches the fixed skewer conveyor (61) or the movable skewer conveyor (52) substantially coincides with the timing at which the article (G) is scooped up by the article placement section (411).

The articles (G) joined by the vertical transport device (4) are placed on an article mounting portion (41) on which the articles (G) are mounted.
1) Take-out conveyor (7) fixed skewered conveyor (7)
1) is taken out from above by passing from above to below, and articles (Ga),
(Gg), (Gj), (Gj), (Gd), (Gi),
(Gi), (Gh), (Gj), and (Gd) are taken out in this order.

Thus, the articles (G) taken out by the drive roller conveyor (72) pass through the conveyor (1002) and are arranged in a plurality of rows as a gravity roller conveyor (1001) as an article loader of the present invention. ) It is designed to branch to and be sorted.

The structure around the gravity roller conveyer (1001) will be described. The gravity roller conveyer (1001) has a pair of rail frames (1012) provided with a plurality of rollers (1011) arranged in an inclined manner. The article (G) supplied onto the gravity roller conveyor (1001) is self-propelled and stored on the roller (1011) by its own weight, and then the article take-out device (1).
003), and it is taken out to the article supply conveyor (2002).

The transfer conveyor (1002) is a drive roller conveyor arranged so as to connect the upstream ends of the gravity roller conveyors (1001) arranged in parallel,
It is located downstream of the drive roller conveyor (72),
A branch point from the conveyor (1002) to the gravity roller conveyor (1001) is composed of a pair of endless chains (1041) etc. which are rocked by an air cylinder (not shown) so as to project and retract with respect to the upper surface of the roller (1021). A branching device (1004) is provided. Further, a direction changing device (not shown) for changing the conveying direction of the article (G) to the horizontal direction by 90 ° is provided on the upstream side of the conveyer conveyor (1002).

Further, the article take-out device (1003) is
A pair of rail frames (103) provided with a plurality of rollers (1031) that are moved up and down by an air cylinder (not shown).
2), a pair of rail frames (1034) provided with a plurality of rollers (1033) and fixedly installed on the downstream side of the rail frame (1032), and the rail frame (103
4) with a stopper (1035) provided at the upstream end so that the upper surface height of the roller (1031) matches the upper surface height of the roller (1011) when the air cylinder is at the lower end. The stopper (103
By (5), the article (G) that is self-propelled in the inclination direction is locked. When an article take-out command is issued, the air cylinder is actuated to lock the roller (1031) with the stopper (1035) so that the height of the upper surface of the roller (1031) matches that of the roller (1033). The article (G) at the tip is removed. At that time, since the rear end of the rail frame (1032) is higher than the upper surface of the roller (1011), the succeeding article (G) is locked at the rear end of the rail frame (1032), and the gravity roller conveyor (1001). ) Articles stored on top (G)
Can be taken out one by one to the article supply conveyor (2002).

26 gravity roller conveyors (1a), (1b), ..., (1) arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages
z) is stored in a fluidized shelf (F) (an embodiment different from the fluidized shelf (F) including the 5 rows × 2 stages (= 10 pieces) of gravity roller conveyors (1) shown in FIG. 1). A method of branching the articles (G) to the gravity roller conveyor (1001) arranged in a plurality of rows through the drive roller conveyor (72) and the transfer conveyor (1002) to perform the load alignment will be described as shown in FIG. , An article of the same type in the first row, first column of the pallet (P), for example, having a length of 300
An article (Ga) with a height of 50 mm and a height of 50 mm has m steps (for example, 4
Articles of the same type in the second row, for example, articles (Gu) having a length of 300 mm and a height of 70 mm are stacked in n steps (for example, 3 steps), and articles of the same type in the third row, for example, Items (Gc) with a length of 300 mm and a height of 50 mm
Stacked in stages (for example, 4 stages), articles of the same type in the 4th row,
For example, an article with a length of 300 mm and a height of 70 mm (G
v) is stacked in p-tiers (for example, 3 tiers), and the same kind of article, for example, an article (Ge) having a length of 300 mm and a height of 50 mm is tiered (for example, 4 tiers) in the fifth row, ,
From the gravity roller conveyor (1a), 4 articles (G
a) is four articles (Gc) from the gravity roller conveyor (1c), four articles (Ge) from the gravity roller conveyor (1e), and three articles (Gu) from the gravity roller conveyor (1u) However, three articles (Gv) are taken out from the gravity roller conveyor (1v), and the drive roller conveyor (72) and the transfer conveyor (10
02) and is branched by each branching device (1004), and is branched onto the first gravity roller conveyor (1001) from the downstream side of the transfer conveyor (1002).
3 articles (Gu) are sorted on the second gravity roller conveyor (1001) from the downstream side, and 3 articles (Gu) are sorted on the third gravity roller conveyor (1001) from the downstream side. 4 articles (Gc) are lined up, three articles (Gv) are lined up on the fourth gravity roller conveyor (1001) from the downstream side, and the fifth gravity roller conveyor (1
Four articles (Ge) are loaded on top of (001). The eighteen articles (G) that have been lined up are stacked in an arrangement of 3 to 4 rows × 5 rows on the pallet (P) moving downward by the article stacking device (2000) as described later. ..

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the pallet (P)
In the second row, first column, articles of different varieties (G), for example, articles with a length of 390 mm and a height of 50 mm from the bottom (G
w), an article with a length of 330 mm and a height of 60 mm (G
x), an article having a length of 380 mm and a height of 50 mm (G
y), an article with a length of 390 mm and a height of 70 mm (G
In the order of z), articles (G) having a length of 300 mm and a height of 50 mm are arranged in the second to fifth rows, for example, the articles (Gb), (Gg), (Gl), ( Gq) in the order from the bottom to the third row, articles (Gc), (Gh), (Gm), (G
r) in the order from the bottom to the fourth row, articles (Gd), (G
i), (Gn), and (Gs) in this order, the fifth row is loaded with articles (Ge), (Gj), (Go), and (Gt) in that order from the gravity roller conveyor (1b). )
From the gravity roller conveyor (1c) to one article (Gc), from the gravity roller conveyor (1d) to one article (Gd) from the gravity roller conveyor (1e) to Individual goods (Ge)
Gravity roller conveyor (1g) from one article (G
g) is one article (Gh) from the gravity roller conveyor (1h), one article (Gi) from the gravity roller conveyor (1i), and one article (Gj) from the gravity roller conveyor (1j) , One article (Gl) from the gravity roller conveyor (1l), one article (Gm) from the gravity roller conveyor (1m),
Gravity roller conveyor (1n) from one article (G
n) is one article (Go) from the gravity roller conveyor (1o), one article (Gq) from the gravity roller conveyor (1q), and one article (Gr) from the gravity roller conveyor (1r) However, one article (Gs) from the gravity roller conveyor (1s), one article (Gt) from the gravity roller conveyor (1t),
Gravity roller conveyor (1w) from one article (G
w) is one article (Gx) from the gravity roller conveyor (1x), one article (Gy) from the gravity roller conveyor (1y), and one article (Gz) from the gravity roller conveyor (1z) Are taken out, passed through the drive roller conveyor (72) and the transfer conveyor (1002), branched by each branching device (1004), and on the first gravity roller conveyor (1001) from the downstream side of the transfer conveyor (1002). The goods (G
w), (Gx), (Gy), and (Gz) in this order on the second gravity roller conveyor (1001) from the downstream side of the articles (Gb), (Gg), (Gl), and (Gq). In order, the articles (Gc), (Gh), (Gh), (Gh), (Gh) are placed on the third gravity roller conveyor (1001) from the downstream side.
m) and (Gr) in this order on the fourth gravity roller conveyor (1001) from the downstream side, the article (Gd),
5 from the downstream side in the order of (Gi), (Gn), and (Gs).
Articles (Ge), (Gj), (Go), and (Gt) are loaded in this order on the th gravity roller conveyor (1001), and the 20 loaded articles (G) are stacked. The pallets (P) moving downward by the device (2000) are stacked in a 4 × 5 arrangement.

The article stacking device (2000) is
The pallet conveyor (2001) for horizontally conveying the pallet (P), and the article (G) taken out from the gravity roller conveyor (1001) by the article take-out device (1003) were supplied as the pallet (P) or in advance. A plurality of rows (two rows) of article supply conveyors (2002) to be supplied onto the article (G), an elevating device (2003) that elevates and lowers the pallet (P), and an elevating apparatus (2003) in the article (G) supply direction. A moving device (200
4) and the like, by moving the pallet (P) horizontally and vertically with respect to the article supply conveyor (2002), a plurality of rows of gravity roller conveyors (10) are provided.
The goods (G) loaded in (01) are stacked on the pallet (P). In addition, the article supply conveyor (2
002) is composed of a telescopic belt conveyor (2002a) configured to be capable of advancing and retracting as shown by the one-dot chain line or two-dot chain line in FIG. 7 along the supply direction of the article (G), and a fixed belt conveyor (2002b). ing. The pallet conveyor (2001) is a drive roller conveyor, and the lifting device (2003) is a table lifter.
A drive roller (2032) is provided on the table (2031). An article regulation plate (2033) is provided upright on the end of the table (2031). Further, the moving device (2004) includes a rack (2041) and a pinion (2042), and moves the lifting device (2003) in the supply direction of the article (G) along the guide (2043). Thus, the articles (G) loaded on the gravity roller conveyors (1001) arranged in a plurality of rows pass through the article supply conveyor (2002) and are stacked in a column shape at a stacking speed substantially equal to the descending speed of the pallets (P). It is designed to be stacked vertically.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the pallet (P) mounted on the elevating device (2003) is moved up to a position directly below the article supply conveyor (2002) and the moving device (2004) supplies the article. Conveyor (200
The tips of the elastic belt conveyor (2002a) and the fixed belt conveyor (2002b) of 2) are moved to a position where articles (G) forming the column of the first row can be stacked. That is, the four articles (G
a), three articles (Gu) stacked in the second row, four articles (Gc) stacked in the third row, three articles (Gv) stacked in the fourth row, fifth Since the lengths of the four articles (Ge) stacked in a row are all 300 mm, the loading positions of the eighteen articles (G) stacked in a column shape are the lengths of these articles (G) ( 300m
m).

When the pallet (P) is moved to the loading start position, the subsequent article (G) is taken out by the article take-out device (1003) at an interval according to the height of the preceding article (G) (for example, , The article (G) taken out after the article (G) having a height of 50 mm is 1.0 seconds, and the article (G) taken out after the article (G) having a height of 70 mm is 1.4. After 2 seconds, the article (G) having a height of 80 mm and subsequently taken out (the article (G) is taken out after 1.6 seconds) is continuously supplied by the article supply conveyor (2002). Article supply conveyor (2002)
When a detector (not shown) attached to the front end of the article detects the leading article (G), the elevating device (2003) starts descending, and articles (continuously supplied by the article supply conveyor (2002) ( G) are stacked so as to be piled up on the pallet (P) moving downward or the articles (G) previously supplied (see the phantom line in FIG. 9), and a plurality of the same are shown in FIG. Articles (G) of the type are stacked in a column shape (longitudinal direction). In addition, the lifting device (200) when the articles (G) are stacked on the pallet (P).
The descending speed of 3) is the stacking speed of the articles (G) to be stacked, and in this embodiment, 50 mm / 1.0 second = 3 m.
/ Min (70mm / 1.4sec = 3m / min, or 80mm
/1.6 seconds = 3 m / min) or a little faster than it, so already loaded goods (G)
When the top surface of the article and the top surface of the article supply conveyor (2002) substantially coincide with each other, the following article (G) can be stacked in a column shape on the article (G) previously supplied and stacked. It is possible to stack various articles (G) having different heights on the pallet (P) without causing disorder of arrangement.

When the final articles (G) forming the columns of the first row are stacked on the pallet (P), the pallet (P) is transferred to the article supply conveyor (20) as shown in FIG.
02) to a position directly below, and the tip of the fixed belt conveyor (2002b) of the article supply conveyor (2002) is stacked in the second to fifth rows by the moving device (2004). The article (G) forming the column is moved to a position where it can be stacked. That is, the second
4 articles (Gb), (Gg), which are stacked in a row
(Gl), (Gq), four articles (Gc), (Gh), (Gm), (Gr) stacked in the third row, four articles (Gd) stacked in the fourth row, (Gi), (G
n), (Gs), four articles (Ge), (Gj), (Go), and (Gt) stacked in the fifth row all have a length of 300 mm, and thus are stacked in a columnar shape 16
The stacking position of the individual articles (G) is determined based on the length (300 mm) of these articles (G), and the pallet (P) is moved 300 mm by the moving device (2004). At the same time as the movement of the pallet (P), the elastic belt conveyor (2002) of the article supply conveyor (2002)
As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.
m-300 mm =) 90 mm is set back. That is, with the article (G) having the maximum length (300 mm) to be stacked in the second to fifth rows as a reference, the article (Gw) having a length of 390 mm and a length of 330 mm to be stacked in the first row. The article (Gx), the article (Gy) having a length of 380 mm, and the article (Gz) having the maximum length among the articles (Gz) having a length of 390 mm, that is, the article (G) having a length of 390 mm.
w) and (Gz), the retractable belt conveyor (2002a) has its tip retracted by 90 mm from the tip of the fixed belt conveyor (2002b), and four articles (Gw), ( Gx), (Gy),
(Gz) can be stacked at a predetermined position.

The pallet (P) is moved to the loading start position of the articles (G) forming the second row column, and the telescopic belt conveyor (2002a) of the article supply conveyor (2002) is moved to a predetermined position. When the product is moved back and forth, the preceding article (G) is taken by the article removing device (1003).
The succeeding articles (G) are taken out at intervals according to the height of the sheet and are continuously supplied by the article supply conveyor (2002). When a detector (not shown) attached to the tip of the article supply conveyor (2002) detects the leading article (G), the elevating device (2003) starts descending and
The articles (G) continuously supplied by the article supply conveyor (2002) are stacked so as to be stacked on the pallet (P) moving downward or the articles supplied in advance (the phantom line in FIG. 10). 12), a plurality of types of articles (G) are stacked in a column shape (longitudinal direction).

Similarly, the pallets (P) stacked up to the third row column are transferred to the pallet transfer conveyor (20).
01) is carried out.

Although the method for loading articles according to the present invention has been described above together with the preferred embodiment of the article assembling equipment for carrying out the method, the method for loading articles according to the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, five rows of article supply conveyors (200
2) is provided for each article supply conveyor (2002)
Telescopic belt conveyor (2002)
It may be configured in a).

Fixed belt conveyor (2002b)
The article (G) of an arbitrary length may be randomly supplied according to. In this case, for each column supplied by the fixed belt conveyor (2002b), the stacking position of the plurality of articles (G) forming the column is determined based on the article (G) of the maximum length. Good.

In addition, the width dimension of the article (G) is the type (product type).
It may be different for each.

In consideration of the order of unloading the stacked articles (G) from the pallet (P), the articles (G) may be stacked in the reverse order of the unloading order.

Further, the gravity roller conveyor (1) and the transfer conveyor (2) may be provided in three or more stages.

Further, the article supply conveyor (2002) is configured to be able to move up and down, and the article (G) is supplied while moving the article supply conveyor (2002) upward, so that a pallet placed at a certain height ( Articles (G) may be stacked on P) in a column shape.

[0056]

As described above, the method of stacking articles according to the present invention is such that the articles which are merged in one row are branched into the article arranging sections arranged in a plurality of rows, so that the heights are different. Articles of any type can be stacked at any location.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially showing an example of an article arranging facility.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an essential part, which partially shows an example of the article assembling equipment.

3 is a side view showing an enlarged downstream end portion of the gravity roller conveyor shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of an article load arranging unit.

FIG. 6 is a side view partially showing an example of the article arranging section.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of an article stacking apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a method for arranging goods by means of an equipment for arranging goods.

9 is a side view for explaining the operation of the article stacking device shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the operation of the article stacking apparatus shown in FIG.

11 is a perspective view showing a state of articles stacked on a pallet by the article stacking apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state of articles stacked on a pallet by the article stacking apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is an AA view of the state of the articles stacked on the pallet shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 article storage section (gravity roller conveyor) 1001 article arranging section (gravity roller conveyor) 2002 article supply conveyor G article P pallet

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for stacking articles, in which the articles sorted in a plurality of rows are stacked in the article sorting section,
The articles stored in the plurality of article storage sections are taken out and merged into one row, and the merged articles are branched to the article load arranging section to perform the load alignment, and then the load aligned articles are taken out to the column. A method for stacking articles, which comprises stacking the articles in a line. 2. An article stacking method for stacking articles that have been loaded in article loading sections arranged in a plurality of rows,
After the articles stored in the article storage sections arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages are taken out and merged into one row, the merged articles are branched to the article load arranging section to be aligned, and then the articles are aligned. A method of stacking articles, characterized in that the articles are taken out at intervals according to the height of preceding articles, and are supplied by an article supply conveyor onto the articles supplied in advance to be stacked in a column shape. 3. The method for stacking articles according to claim 1, wherein the columns are formed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on the pallet.