JP2631442B2 - Article conveying method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for conveying articles in which desired articles can be joined at a predetermined pitch in a desired order.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art relating to a method and an apparatus for conveying an article, the one described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-32035 is known.

[0003] The prior art described in the above publication will be described.
Loads are stored in a plurality of storage racks divided into vertically divided blocks at regular intervals, and one load is stored for each block in each storage rack so that the loads do not overlap each other in the blocks when the loads are transported. Place them sequentially on the conveyor provided on the front side,
Next, a conveyor system for transferring from the conveyor to a merging conveyor having a speed in which the speed component of the conveying conveyor in the conveying direction is equal to the conveying speed of the conveyor, and continuously discharging the load by the merging conveyor. Is described.

[0004]

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

[0005] That is, the method of transporting cargo in the conveyor system described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-32035 is a method in which a load (article) is transferred from a gravity conveyor (branch line or shelf) to a respective unloading conveyor (main stream line or transport conveyor). Because the phase difference is not taken into account in the timing of merging the conveyers, it is not possible to freely select a device for further consolidating the loads conveyed to the plurality of conveyers, and one end of the conveyer of each stage is inclined downward. It must be aligned with the side of the book conveyer, and a large space is required for the merging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for conveying articles in which articles merged into a plurality of mainstream lines or conveyors can be further merged in a narrow space.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a plurality of branch lines and a plurality of main lines, and articles are joined to the respective main lines from the plurality of branch lines at a fixed pitch, and a plurality of main lines are provided. merging been said article is further merged into Yes forms to be conveyed in the vertical direction, the high articles are conveyed each mainstream lines are further merged
A phase difference is set for the timing of merging the articles from the branch line for each main stream line according to the main stream line, and the phase difference is added to the timing of merging the articles from the tributary lines to the respective main stream lines. The above object has been attained by providing a method of transporting articles.

[0008] Further, a shelf having a frontage having a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages,
Comprising a plurality of conveyor disposed in each stage along the frontage, and a vertical transfer device for transferring articles disposed on the downstream portion of the conveyor of the plurality of vertically at a predetermined pitch, upper and lower Articles in which the transport device has a skewered article placement section
It has a carrier and an endless rotating body, and the endless rotating body
If the article carrier is to be rotated continuously
In both cases, the article is placed at the downstream end of the conveyor.
The above object has been achieved by providing an article conveying apparatus characterized in that a moving skewer conveyor is provided for delivery to a placing section .

[0009]

[0010]

According to the article conveying method and apparatus of the present invention, desired articles joined to a plurality of main lines or conveyors can be joined in a narrow space in a desired order.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, an embodiment of an article conveying apparatus of the present invention suitable for carrying out the article conveying method of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially showing an embodiment of an article conveying apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a main part partially showing an embodiment of an article conveying apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view showing the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (branch line) shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. In the gravity roller conveyor, a plurality of rows (five rows) are arranged in a direction along a conveyor (2) as a main flow line, and a plurality of stages (two steps) are arranged in a vertical direction. ) Constitute a (flow) shelf (F) having a frontage in a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages. 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 a vertical transport device that is disposed downstream of the two-stage transport conveyor (2) and transports the articles (G) in a vertical direction at a constant pitch, and is a skewered (fork) -shaped article placing apparatus. An article carrier (41) having a section (411) and an endless rotating body (42) are provided, and the article carrier (41) is continuously rotated by the endless rotating body (42).

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 disposed 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).
The rotation of the line shaft (22) is configured to be transmitted to the roller (21) by a rubber band (not shown) stretched between the roller (21) and the line shaft (22) (not shown) in a figure eight shape. 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) 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. Note that a stopper (611) is provided at the tip of the fixed skewer type conveyor (61).

(7) is a take-out conveyor for taking out the article (G) from the vertical transport device (4), and a fixed skewer type conveyor (71) composed of six endless chains in a fork shape, and And a drive roller conveyor (72) disposed downstream.
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, an embodiment of the article conveying method of the present invention using the above-described article conveying apparatus of the present invention will be described.

(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)
Means that the gravity roller conveyors (1d) and (1i) adjacent to the gravity roller conveyors (1e) and (1j) are 700 mm, the gravity roller conveyors (1d) and (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)
In FIG. 5, a plurality of articles (Gj) are stored respectively (in FIG. 5, the articles (G) are shown in the same size).

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), (Gd), when there is a command to load the goods, the articles (G) conveyed on the respective conveyors (2) are transferred to the upper and lower conveyors. Gravity roller conveyor (1) for each transport conveyor (2) according to the timing ( height ) at which it joins (4)
The phase difference (γ) at the timing of merging the article (G) from the “conveyor (5) with the phase difference (γ) of the upper conveyor (2) based on the lower conveyor (2)” And the space 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 seconds added10.
One second later, an article removal command is issued from the gravity roller conveyor (1g) to the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor (1g) so that the article (Gg) is taken out to the virtual space (βg) set in the upper conveyor (2). Is provided to the article take-out device (3) provided in the apparatus.

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)
The gravity roller conveyor (1i) 19.7 seconds after adding 1.4 seconds and the time required for the virtual space (βd) set in the conveyor (2) to move, that is, 3.66 seconds. Offset value (α) of 700 mm, ie, 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 conveyor (2). Can 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.

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). (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 transport conveyor (2) to move after 29.28 seconds, that is, 32.94 seconds added to 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
This is the transport distance of each virtual space (β) from the start of packing to the removal of each article (G). 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 reaching the position where the article placement part (411) of the vertical transport device (4) intersects with the fixed skewer type conveyor (61) or the movable skewer type conveyor (52), the articles (G) are passed upward from below. While being scooped up by the placing portion (411), it is continuously delivered to the article transporting tool (41) and further joined.
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)). The plurality of gravity roller conveyors are provided for each conveyor (2) according to the timing ( height ) at which the articles (G) conveyed on each conveyor (2) are delivered to the article conveyor (41). (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 and packed.

Although the embodiment of the article conveying method and the apparatus of the present invention has been described above, the article conveying method and the apparatus of the present invention are not limited to these.
For example, in consideration of a slip or the like that occurs when the article (G) is transported on the transport conveyor (2), the actual speed including a slip or the like for each article (G) instead of the driving speed of the transport conveyor (2) is considered. The transport speed may be registered in advance, and the offset value (α) may be calculated based on the registered transport speed.

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

Further, a plurality of types of articles (G) having different sizes may be stored in each gravity roller conveyor (1).

[0041]

As described above, the article conveying method and apparatus according to the present invention can merge desired articles joined to a plurality of main lines or conveyors in a narrow space and in a desired order.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially showing an embodiment of an article conveying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a main part partially showing an embodiment of the article conveying apparatus of the present invention.

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

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

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of one embodiment of the article conveying method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gravity roller conveyor (branch line) 2 Conveyor (main stream line) 4 Vertical conveyance device 41 Article conveyance tool 42 Endless rotating body (chain) 411 Article placement part F (flow) shelf G Article γ Phase difference

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Agency reference number FI Technical display location B65G 47/88 B65G 47/88 G // B65G 47/78 47/78 B

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An article comprising a plurality of tributary lines and a plurality of main flow lines, wherein the articles are merged into the main flow lines from the plurality of tributary lines at a fixed pitch, and further merged into the plurality of main flow lines. Merged and transported vertically
A phase difference is set at the timing of merging articles from the branch line for each main stream line according to the height at which the articles conveyed in each main stream line are further merged, and Wherein the phase difference is added to the timing at which the articles merge into the main stream line. 2. A shelf having a frontage with a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages, a plurality of transport conveyors arranged for each stage along the frontage,
And a vertical transfer device for transferring articles disposed on the downstream portion of the conveyor of the plurality of vertically at a constant pitch, the
An article carrier having a vertically arranged carrier having a skewered article placement unit
And an endless rotating body, and the endless rotating body
The product carrier is made to rotate continuously,
An article is placed on the article placement section at the downstream end of the conveyor.
Conveying apparatus of the article moving comb conveyor for passing the characterized that you have been provided.