JP2910014B2 - Picking method of 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 picking method suitable for use in a distribution center or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for picking up articles, a required number of articles of a required kind matching the order contents of each store (delivery destination) are picked by a necessary number from a picking unit storing a plurality of kinds of articles, and the picked articles are stored in a container. Some items are loaded into a container of the store on the transport line and collected.

[0003]

However, the prior art has the following problems. Articles picked from the picking unit are directly supplied to the containers on the container transport line. For this reason, the scheduled loading container which is temporarily stopped in front of the scheduled loading frontage of the picking unit and waits for the article loading is to stand by before the loading scheduled frontage for a long time until the complicated picking ends.
Poor productivity.

[0004] All containers on the transport line pass through each front of the picking unit.
For this reason, the operator suspends the picking from the picking unit until a container that is not to be charged from the picking unit passes by the front of each frontage, and the next container to be charged next comes to the front of the next frontage and stops. And productivity is poor.

[0005] In the method of picking goods, it is desired to perform quality assurance that the goods collected in the container of each store conform to the order contents of the store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to improve the productivity by continuously picking articles from a picking unit, shortening a stop time of a container at an article input section with respect to a container transport line, and improving productivity. The aim is to improve the collection quality.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a required number of articles of a required type are picked in each store in a predetermined store order from a picking unit storing a plurality of types of articles. At this time, the required number of temporary boxes with codes are used for the same store, and the picking process of putting articles picked for each store into the temporary store and the code of the temporary store for the same store are collectively recognized. A code entry step, and a storage step of forwarding the picked-up boxes with the goods picked up to the temporary box storage line in store order;
At the stage before storing the storage boxes of the same store for the same store in the container, the codes of the storage boxes of the same store are re-recognized, and the store alignment of the store for the same store is confirmed. And a container input step of collating the container in the same store with the temporary storage box and removing the articles in the temporary storage box together with the temporary storage box or from the temporary storage box and inputting the articles into the container. In the picking method for articles comprising
Independent temporary collection for each picking unit and each picking unit
Box storage line, and each temporary storage box storage line
To the container of the temporary store box for the same store
At the pre-launch stage, the codes of the temporary boxes for those same stores were re-recognized.
And confirm the matching of temporary boxes for the same store
Then, merge the temporary storage boxes for those same stores all together,
Based on the results of the store matching check, (a) the next scheduled store
If the temporary storage box of the next store is recognized,
Joined together with the temporary box of the previous order
Guides you to the possibility of a mistake and made a mistake
Store the temporary storage box of the next-ranked store in the original storage box
(B) If a temporary box that is not in the
In this case, in the code entry process,
Guide that the code may not have been recognized
And remove the wrong temporary box.
is there.

[0008]

[0009]

According to the present invention, the following effects are obtained. Between the picking unit and the container transport line,
A temporary storage box storage line was set up. As a result, prefetching without waiting for the arrival of the container to be thrown in can be performed, and the prepicked articles can be stored, so that the picking operation can be performed continuously without interruption. Further, when the container to be charged arrives at the input portion of the container transport line, the articles in the temporary storage box of the store can be immediately input to the container from the storage line side, and the container stop time can be shortened.

Regarding the above prefetching picking, 2
By dividing the product type into two or more picking units (one storage line is provided for each picking unit) and performing prefetching in parallel with each other, the load on each picking unit can be reduced and the picking ability can be increased. .

[0012] Then, prefetching and storage in a plurality of picking units are matched in the same store unit at a stage before the storage into the container, and the storage is put into the container at one place. Thus, the number of operators can be reduced because the input parts to the container can be put together. In other words, the troublesome picking is shared by each picking unit, and the loading into the container which does not require much time is performed at a time, so that the work can be performed with high capacity and a small number of people.

Articles can be stored in temporary storage boxes of various sizes (eg, cardboard boxes). In addition, in order to make sure that merchandise matching and merging merchandise are stored correctly, use a code such as an individual No. barcode of the temporary storage box,
The company checks the results of store matching to improve the quality of container collection. Normally, when cutting out temporary boxes from the end of each storage line, the number of boxes is counted and they are joined,
In this case, depending on the size of the box, two temporary boxes may stick together and flow. In that case, it will be put into the container with a shift of one box all the time, and the quality of the collected goods in the container cannot be guaranteed.

In the present invention , the re-recognition of the code of the temporary store box for the same store before the container is taken in can be performed before or after the merging of the temporary store boxes for the same store. May be performed.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a layout of picking equipment, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a store matching / inputting station, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a rotating shelf picking procedure,
4 is a flow chart showing a flow shelf picking procedure, FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a store matching / input procedure, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing temporary store box entry data such as store matching schedule data, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a temporary store box. FIG. 8 and FIG. 8 are schematic diagrams showing a barcode label of the container.

The picking equipment 10 has, for example, picking units 10A and 10B, and the order processing CPU determines from the picking units 10A and 10B a store order (delivery destination order) based on order data from each store.
Then, the necessary kinds of articles for each shop are picked into the temporary storage box 11 by the required number. And each picking unit 10A,
Temporary box 11 containing articles picked in 10B
Is forwarded to the temporary storage box storage lines 20A and 20B provided for each of the picking units 10A and 10B, and sent to the store matching / inputting station 40. On the other hand, the containers 12 allocated to each store are transferred to a plurality of store matching / input stations 4 by the container transport line 30.
0 can be sequentially passed. Then, the articles in the temporary storage boxes 11 sent to the store matching / loading station 40 are matched in the store matching unit 41, and then the standby unit 42 and the loading unit 4.
3 and (with the temporary box 11 or the temporary box 1
(Taken from 1) and put into the expected container 12 of the same store. In this way, the container 12 into which the articles are put is carried out toward the shipping site in the lower process.
As a result, the collection of the items ordered from each store is completed.

Hereinafter, picking units 10A, 10A
B, the temporary storage box storage lines 20A and 20B, the container transport line 30, and the store matching / input station 40 will be described. Note that the order processing CPU of the picking equipment 10 includes picking units 10A and 10B.
Prior to picking from the store, picking (multi-picking) by the picking unit 10A is performed for each store number (store code) (delivery car-store number corresponding to each store) based on order data from each store, or As shown in FIG. 6, the unit 10B issues picking (digital picking) and issues store matching schedule data.

As the temporary box 11, an empty cardboard box (FIG. 7A) or a shopping basket (FIG. 7B) which is no longer needed after the picking unit 10B has taken out articles is used. A unique barcode 11A for each of those boxes
Is attached.

The container 12 is a folding container or the like.
It is used and has a bar code label as shown in FIG. The bar code of the bar code label is composed of, for example, 10 digits, and the first to third digits are used for the store matching / loading station 40 (where the first digit is 1 if the first digit is 1) at which the container 12 stops and stops and the articles are loaded. 1st station 4
Stop at 0, pass through the first station 40 if it is 0, stop at the second station 40 if the second digit is 1, pass through the second station 40 if it is 0, store N by the 4th and 5th digits
o. The 6th to 9th digits indicate the delivery car No., and the 10th digit indicate the stowed pallet type (parent pallet or small pallet (1/2 size of parent pallet)).

(Picking Unit 10A) (FIGS. 1 and 3) The pinning unit 10A (multi-unit) is a horizontal rotating shelf, which stores two or three cases of one type on one shelf and picks up a small number of various types of articles. Suitable to do. The picking unit 10A has a multi-unit CPU 13A that receives a picking instruction from the order processing CPU and guides the contents of the picking (picking frontage and picking quantity) performed by the picking unit 10A.
Picking by the picking unit 10A is performed as follows.

(1) At the entrance of the temporary storage box storage line 20A, a free number of temporary storage boxes 11 are prepared for each store.

(2) The multi-unit CPU 13A opens the picking frontage for the shop,
Display the picking quantity on the frontage. The operator removes the picked quantity of articles for the shop from the opened picking frontage for the shop (closes the door),
The articles to be taken out are put into the temporary storage box 11 of the store, and the temporary storage box 11 is flown to the temporary storage box storage line 20A.

(3) The bar code 11A attached to the temporary box 11 flowing into the temporary box storage line 20A is read by the store entry bar code reader 14A, and the read data is sent to the store matching control board.

(4) The multi-unit CPU 13A is
When it is recognized that the picking for one store has been completed by recognizing that all the front doors that have been opened in (2) have been closed, this completion of picking is indicated by the lighting of the completion display lamp attached to the store input completion button 15A. Known to the operator. Thereby, the operator confirms that the last temporary storage box 11 of the store has flowed to the storage line 20A, and turns on the store input completion button 15A.

(5) When the store entry completion button 15A is turned on, the multi-unit CPU 13A sends the store code of the store to the store matching control panel. Thereby, the store matching control board is
The temporary storage box 11 that has flowed from the completion of the picking of the previous store to the completion of the picking of the store is described in (3) above.
And stores the barcodes 11A of the temporary storage boxes 11 transferred to the store matching control panel in a lump corresponding to the store code of the store. Thus, entry data (FIG. 6) for the same store of the store is created.

(Picking Unit 10B) (FIGS. 1 and 4) The picking unit 10B (digital unit) is a fluidized shelf, and is composed of five zones in total.
It has a frontage for 20 varieties. Each frontage can be replenished with one layer of pallet load cases by a supply device. Picking unit 10B is made by order processing C
A digital unit CPU 13 that receives a picking command from the PU and guides the contents of picking (picking frontage and picking quantity) performed by the picking unit 10B.
B. Picking by the picking unit 10B is performed as follows.

(1) The digital unit CPU 13B tentatively divides the order data of one store into data within one temporary storage box 11.

(2) The operator selects a temporary box 11 of a size that can be adapted for each of the temporary divided data with reference to the box size guide display corresponding to the temporary divided data in (1) above, and Prepare at the entrance of 20B. That is, in the picking unit 10B, if a new temporary storage box 11 is added in order to insert an article in the intermediate zone, the partition of the temporary storage box 11 between the same store and another store cannot be recognized.
The digital unit CPU determines what to put in each temporary storage box 11 in advance.
At 13B, a decision is made based on the temporary division data.

Here, the bar code 11A attached to the temporary storage box 11 prepared in the temporary storage box storage line 20B.
Is read by the store entry barcode reader 14B, and the read data is transferred to the store matching control board.

(3) The digital unit CPU 13B moves the temporary storage box 11 by the storage line 20B and stops the picking unit 10B in the zone where the order is placed. The picking unit 10B displays the number of picks at the picking frontage of each zone. In accordance with the picking display, the operator takes out the article from each frontage, puts it into the temporary storage box 11, and turns on the picking removal completion button of the picking frontage. When the take-out completion button is turned on at all the picking display frontages in the zone, the digital unit CPU 13B sends the temporary box 11 to the next zone,
Perform the necessary picking.

(4) For all temporary storage boxes 11 for the store, which were temporarily divided by the digital unit CPU 13B, the above (2),
(3), the digital unit CPU13B recognizes that the last temporary box 11 for the store has passed the last zone of the picking unit 10B, and
B sends the store code for that store to the store matching control board. As a result, the store matching control board is transferred to the store matching control board in (2) above for the temporary storage box 11 that has flowed from the completion of the picking of the previous store to the completion of the picking of that store. The barcodes 11A of the temporary storage boxes 11 are collectively stored corresponding to the store codes of the store. Thus, entry data (FIG. 6) for the same store of the store is created.

(Temporary box storage lines 20A, 20A)
B) (FIGS. 1 and 2) The temporary storage box storage line 20A is prepared in the store in the picking unit 10A, and the temporary boxes 11 in which the articles are picked are forwarded to the store matching / input station 40 in the store order. , Storage. The temporary storage box 11 reaching the end of the storage line 20A can be paid out to the store matching unit 41 of the store matching / inputting station 40 by pushing the pusher 21A.

The temporary storage box storage line 20B is prepared in the order of stores in the picking unit 10B, and forwards the temporary boxes 11 in which the articles are picked up to the store matching / input station 40 in the order of the stores and stores them. The temporary storage box 11 that has reached the end of the storage line 20B is released from the stopper 21B, so that the store matching section 4 of the store matching / loading station 40 is opened.
1 can be paid out.

The temporary storage boxes 11 reaching the ends of the storage lines 20A and 20B are put on standby in parallel with each other.

(Container Transport Line 30) (FIGS. 1 and 2) The container transport line 30 stores the containers 12 of each store in a store order (order of delivery destination) determined by the order processing CPU based on order data from each store. To sequentially pass through a plurality of store matching / input stations 40 (first to third stations 40).

(Store matching / loading station 40) (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) The store matching / loading station 40 stores the temporary store boxes 11 of the same store stored in the temporary store storage lines 20A and 20B. While merging and merging at the merging section 41,
Store matching that has been transported along the container transport line 30 /
The containers 12 to be charged at the charging station 40 are grouped by the store matching unit 41 into the same store unit. Then, the articles stored in the temporary storage box 11 of the same store are input into the input section 43,
It is put into the container 12 of the store. The standby unit 42 is provided between the store matching unit 41 and the charging unit 43, and while the charging unit 43 is performing the charging operation from the temporary storage box 11 to the container 12, the store matching unit 41 merges with the next store. In order to improve the operating efficiency of store matching / insertion work. Store matching /
Store matching / loading by the loading station 40 is performed as follows.

(1) The in-store control plate is made by order processing C in advance.
The above-mentioned store matching schedule data (FIG. 6) is received from the PU, and when matching the temporary storage box 11 at the store matching unit 41, referring to this, from which storage line 20A, 20B for the order at the same store. It is determined whether or not the articles in the incoming temporary storage box 11 should be merged, and each storage line 20A, 20B
From the above entry data of each storage line 2
It is determined how many boxes (up to what number box) stored on the terminal side of 0A and 20B should be merged. According to the judgment of the store matching control board, the temporary storage box 11 to be merged by the store matching unit 41 is stored in the storage line 20B by the pusher 21A for the storage line 20A.
Is paid out to the store matching unit 41 by the stopper 21B and merged together to make the unit wait in series.

At this time, since only three boxes can be put into the input section 43, if there are four or more boxes in the same store,
Divide into small groups of no more than three boxes. The temporary storage box 11 of each group is transferred from the store matching unit 41 to the input unit 43 via the standby unit 42.
Sent to When the temporary storage box 11 of the preceding group in the same store is sent to the input unit 43, the success / absence indicator lamp 44 is turned on to indicate that success is present. When the temporary box 11 of the preceding group is removed from the input unit 43, the temporary box 1 of the subsequent group is removed.
1 is advanced from the standby section 42 to the input section 43

(2) A bar code reader 45 for reading the bar code 11A of each temporary storage box 11 is provided in the store matching section 41 on the storage line 20A, 20B side. The store matching control board re-recognizes the barcode 11A of the temporary storage box 11 of the same store joined to the store matching unit 41 from each of the storage lines 20A and 20B, and recognizes the re-recognition result as the picking units 10A and 10B. Is checked against the entry data created at the time of picking to the temporary storage box 11, and it is confirmed that the store matching is surely performed.

If there is an error in the check result of this store registration, an error is displayed and the following (a) and (b) are performed. (a) When the temporary storage box 11 of the next scheduled order is mistakenly joined, the temporary storage box 11 of the next planned order is joined together with the temporary storage box 11 of the previous scheduled order. Guide display that there is a possibility that the container has been deleted, inspect the container contents of the store of the previous scheduled order, and
1 is returned to the beginning of the original temporary storage box storage lines 20A and 20B.

(B) If the temporary storage boxes 11 which are not in the predetermined order are joined by mistake, the picking unit 10
A, 10B store entry barcode reader 14
In the code entry process by A and 14B, a guide box is displayed to indicate that there is a possibility that the temporary box 11 may be recognized as one box by sticking to the previous box 11, and the wrong temporary box 11 is removed, and the previous temporary box 11 is removed. The contents of the container in the same store as the box 11 are inspected.

Note that the inspections (a) and (b) may be performed at the charging station 40, but are performed at another location downstream, and the charging station 40 immediately releases the abnormality and performs charging. By resuming, the decline in ability is prevented.

(3) The containers 12 to be put in the same store are put together in the store matching unit 41 and sent to the waiting unit 42 and the input unit 43 from the store matching unit 41.

At this time, since only three containers are contained in the input section 43, if there are four or more containers for the same store, the store is divided into small groups of three containers or less.
The containers 12 of each group are sent from the store matching unit 41 to the input unit 43 via the standby unit 42. When the container 12 of the preceding group in the same store is sent to the input unit 43, the success / absence indicator lamp attached to the container forward button 46 is turned on to display the presence of the successor. When the trailing presence / absence indicator lamp of the container forward button 46 indicates that trailing is present, and the container 12 of the preceding group is full in the input unit 43,
The container forward button 46 is turned on, and the container 12 of the succeeding group is forwarded to the input unit 43.

(4) A bar code reader 47 for reading the bar code of the bar code label 12A of each container 12 is provided in the store matching section 41 on the container transport line 30 side. The store matching control board compares the barcode of the container 12 of the same store with the barcode 11A of the temporary storage box 11, and places the temporary storage box 11 and the container 12 of the same store in their standby units 42.
At the same time to the loading section 43. At this time, the loading request display lamp 48 is turned on, so that the operator can move the temporary storage box 11 moving from the standby section 42 to the loading section 43.
To the corresponding container 12. After the loading into the container 12 is completed, the operator turns on the loading completion switch 49 and starts the container 12 to the lower process.

Therefore, the picking operation by the picking equipment 10 is performed as follows. (1) Picking process In each of the picking units 10A and 10B, a required number of temporary boxes 11 with the barcode 11A are prepared for the same store, and the temporary boxes 11 prepared in a predetermined store order are prepared. On the other hand, the required number of articles of the required type according to the order data of each store are picked by the required number.

(2) Code Entry Step The bar code 11A of the temporary storage box 11 for the same store is recognized as a set of entry data corresponding to the store code of the store.

The above (1) and (2) may be in any order, and the code entry step may be prior to the picking step.

(3) Storage Step The temporary storage box 11 in which the articles are picked is forwarded to the temporary storage box storage lines 20A and 20B in the order of the stores and stored.

(4) Store Matching Step The store matching unit 41 collects the temporary store boxes 11 of the same store, which have been forwarded through the temporary store storage lines 20A and 20B, before putting them into the container 12. Let's join together. Then, the barcodes 11A of the merged temporary storage boxes 11 of the same store are collated with the entry data of (2) and re-recognized, and the matching of the temporary storage boxes 11 of the same store is confirmed.

If there is a mistake in the check result of the store matching, the display of the abnormality guide and the inspection of the container contents described in the above (a) and (b) are performed.

(5) Container Loading Step The container 12 in the same store is compared with the temporary storage box 11, and the articles in the temporary storage box 11 are input into the container 12 by the input unit 43.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following:
Has the effect of Between the picking units 10A, 10B and the container transport line 30, a temporary storage box storage line 20A,
0B was provided. As a result, prefetching without waiting for the arrival of the expected container 12 can be performed, and the prepicked articles can be stored, so that the picking operation can be performed continuously without interruption. Further, when the container to be charged 12 arrives at the input portion 43 of the container transport line 30, the articles in the temporary storage box 11 of the store can be immediately charged into the container from the storage lines 20A and 20B side, and the stop time of the container 12 can be reduced. Can be shortened.

Regarding the prefetching described above, 2
One or more picking units 10A, 10B (one storage line 20 per picking unit 10A, 10B)
A and 20B are provided) and the pre-picking is performed in parallel with each other, so that the load on each of the picking units 10A and 10B can be reduced, and the picking ability can be improved.

The plurality of picking units 10
A and 10B are pre-fetched and stored and matched at the same store unit at the stage before being put into the container, and put into the container 12 at one place. As a result, since the input sections 43 to the container 12 can be put together, the number of operators can be reduced. That is, the time-consuming picking is shared by the picking units 10A and 10B,
In addition, it is possible to work with a high capacity and a small number of people by performing the loading into the container 12 without any hassle.

The articles can be stored in temporary storage boxes 11 (such as cardboard boxes) of various sizes. In addition, in order to make sure that the stored articles are matched to the merchandise store, a code such as an individual No. barcode of the temporary storage box 11 is used to confirm the merchandise matching result, and the quality of collection to the container 12 is checked. Is being improved. Normally, when cutting out the temporary storage boxes 11 from the ends of the storage lines 20A and 20B, the number of boxes is counted and they are merged. In this case, depending on the box size and the like, two temporary storage boxes 11 are attached and flow. Sometimes. Then, it will be thrown into the container 12 after being shifted by one box, and the container 1
2. We cannot guarantee the quality of the collected goods.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the design can be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is also included in the present invention. For example, the method of picking an article of the present invention can be applied to a single merging / loading station having only one picking unit and one storage line.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, the picking of the articles from the picking unit is continuously performed, and the stop time of the container at the article input section with respect to the container transport line is shortened to improve the productivity. In addition, it is possible to improve the collection quality of the container.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a layout of a picking facility.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a store matching / inputting station.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a rotating shelf picking procedure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow shelf picking procedure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a store matching / inserting procedure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing temporary box entry data such as store matching schedule data;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a temporary storage box.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a barcode label of a container.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10A, 10B Picking unit 11 Temporary box 11A Barcode 12 Container 12A Barcode label 14A, 14B Store entry barcode reader 20A, 20B Temporary box storage line 30 Container transport line 40 Store matching / input station 41 Store matching section 42 Standby Unit 43 Input unit 45 Barcode reader 47 Barcode reader

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] From 1. A picking unit housing the articles plurality varieties, in a predetermined store order, upon picking increments required number of articles required varieties each store, for the same store a temporary Tohako the code has been assigned Use the required number,
A picking process of putting the goods picked for each store into a temporary box, a code entry process for recognizing the codes of the temporary boxes for the same store collectively, and a temporary box with the goods picked in the temporary store order. In the storage process of forwarding the storage box to the storage box and before the storage of the storage box for the same store into the container, the codes of the storage boxes for the same store are re-recognized, and A store matching step of confirming store matching of the temporary box, collating containers in the same store with the temporary box, and removing the articles in the temporary box together with or from the temporary box. A method for picking an article, comprising: a container charging step of charging the container with a plurality of picking units;
Has an independent storage box storage line, and each storage box storage line is forwarded to the same store
Before putting them into containers,
Re-recognize the code of the temporary storage box of
And check the temporary storage boxes for those same stores.
Merge them all together and, based on the results of the above-mentioned store matching, (a)
If the temporary storage box of the next store is recognized,
Joined together with the temporary box of the previous order
Guides you to the possibility of a mistake and made a mistake
Store the temporary storage box of the next-ranked store in the original storage box
(B) If a temporary box that is not in the
In this case, in the code entry process,
Guide that the code may not have been recognized
Picking the goods to remove the wrong temporary box
Method.