JP4565553B2 - Article distribution device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an article distribution apparatus that puts a predetermined variety and number of articles into a plurality of containers and sorts them for each sorting destination.

  Conventionally, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which articles of a predetermined product type / number are put into a plurality of containers and sorted for each sorting destination. This technique includes a work station for putting articles into a collection box provided for each sorting destination, a conveyor for transporting articles to the work station, and a corresponding collection box by discriminating the articles being transported. A bar code for searching for the product and an automatic warehouse unit for storing the collection box are provided, and the trays transported by the conveyor are sorted into the conveyors for each work station by the sorter. A bar code reader reads the bar code on the tray, takes out the collection box into which the articles are to be put out from the automatic warehouse unit, and re-stocks the collection box into which the articles are put into the automatic warehouse unit until it is full.

By the way, this technique has the following problems.
1) The stacker crane of the automatic warehouse unit cannot take out the collection box after loading the goods and store the next collection box at the same time.
2) When the tray on which the articles are placed flows continuously, the stacker crane mainly takes out the collection box, and there is a possibility that the next single item box will be delayed.
3) By using the automatic warehouse unit, the collection box stays in the rack for a long time and the rotation rate does not increase.
4) The operation of the stacker crane cannot cope with the difference in the amount of articles input on the work station (especially when it is small), resulting in poor work efficiency.
5) It is necessary to increase the number of work stations and workers by providing a plurality of automatic warehouse units.
JP 2002-154621 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the conventional problems, and to provide an article distribution apparatus in which one worker can efficiently sort a plurality of articles to a plurality of sorting destinations at one work place. It is to provide.

The configuration of the present invention that solves this problem is as follows.
1) An article supply device for sequentially supplying a plurality of articles for each product type to the take-out station is provided, and an input work place for taking out a predetermined number of articles supplied to the take-out station for each sorting destination and putting them into containers is provided.
An input station for temporarily placing containers for the input of goods is provided at a position adjacent to the input work place, and the input work place has a type of goods supplied to the take-out station for each sorting destination to be supplied to the containers. An indicator for displaying the number of articles and an input means for inputting the article input state of the container are provided.
A container transport conveyor is provided to transport containers that have already been loaded into the loading station.
Sorting conveyor for transporting containers filled with articles transported by the container transport conveyor, multiple branch lanes arranged on one side of the sort conveyor, and branch lane on the other side of the sort conveyor A plurality of temporary branching conveyors for temporarily placing containers arranged in a row, and articles on the sorting conveyor provided along the sorting conveyor in either the branching lanes or the branching temporary conveyor facing each other on both sides. A structure provided with a sorting device comprising a plurality of branching devices that can be transferred and a return conveyor that returns containers temporarily placed on the branch temporary placement conveyor to a loading station of the container transport conveyor, and a computer for controlling these devices And
The computer uses the input signal of the input means, a database storing the varieties to be put into the containers for each sorting destination and the number of the puts, and the storage of the sorting destination allocation of the branch lanes, and the containers on the sorting conveyor In this case, the full container that has been filled in and the non-full container that has been filled with all the goods of the sorting destination are branched to the branching lane of the sorting destination by a branching device, and all the kinds are directed toward the sorting destination. All non-full containers that have not yet been loaded are branched to the temporary branching conveyor, and when the articles of the type to be loaded into the containers of the branched temporary conveyor are supplied to the take-out station, The product distribution device 2), which is controlled by a program so that the container in the container is returned to the input station by the return conveyor. The type name and the number of articles for each item are displayed, and the input means indicates that it has been completed that a predetermined number of articles have been taken out from the one kind of articles supplied to the take-out station and put into the container. A product completion button, a full button that indicates a full container that can no longer contain articles before a given number of containers are filled, and a container that has been filled with a given number of articles are still loaded. 1) The article distribution device according to 1), which is provided with a non-full button indicating that the container is a non-full container, and the branch lane and the branch temporary conveyor are arranged opposite to each other and perpendicular to the sorting conveyor, The branching device of the sorting conveyor is in the article distribution device according to any one of 1) or 2), in which the container can be sorted into the branch lane and the branch temporary conveyor with a single device.

  In the present invention, an operator inputs a predetermined variety and number of articles into a container based on the display on the display, inputs the input state, conveys the input container to the sorting conveyor, and inputs the input signal of the input state. Based on the sorting conveyor, it sorts into the branch lanes or branch temporary conveyors of each sorting destination, and after the next article is supplied to the take-out station, the containers of the branch temporary conveyor are returned to the input station and the additional portion is added. , And repeat in parallel with the other sorting destinations until the predetermined product type / number is satisfied.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
1) Since the unloading location of the container after the article is loaded and the unloading location of the empty container or the non-full container are independent, the loading and unloading can be performed at the same time, which is efficient.
2) As in 1), since the container can be loaded and unloaded independently, even if the frequency of the work or operation of either loading or unloading is biased to one side, the work flow does not partially stagnate.
3) When the input of the article into the container is completed, the article is sorted by the sorting conveyor and directly delivered to the sorting destination, so that the rotation rate can be maintained without the container staying long.
4) Since the containers after the articles are loaded are continuously conveyed and sorted by a conveyor, the work efficiency does not decrease even if the conveyance frequency is different.
5) Since the articles are put into the container in one place and then sorted in order for each sorting destination, even if the sorting destination is increased or decreased, one worker can put in the work place in one place.

  In the sorting apparatus of the present invention, when the branch lane and the branch temporary placement conveyor are arranged opposite to each other and perpendicular to the sort conveyor, the branching device of the sort conveyor is a single device, and each of the branch lane and the branch temporary placement conveyor The overall equipment can be made compact by using a dual-purpose structure that can sort containers. Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a layout diagram of an article distribution apparatus according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a display according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a computer according to the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a work flow of a worker according to the embodiment. 5 is a processing flow of the computer of the embodiment. In the figure, 1 is an article distribution device, 2 is an article supply device, 2a is a take-out station, 3 is a loading work place, 4 is a container transport conveyor, 4a is a loading station, 5 is a sorting device, 5a is a sorting conveyor, and 5b is a branching device. , 6 is a branch lane, 7 is a branch temporary storage conveyor, 7a is a movable stopper, 8 is a return conveyor, 9 is a display, 9a is a full button, 9b is a non-full button, 9c is a complete button, and 9d is a store name display panel 9e is a product type display panel, 9f is a number display panel, 9g is an empty container preparation lamp, 9h is a non-full container lamp, 10 is a computer, 10a is a CPU, 10b is a ROM, 10c is a RAM, 10d is an interface, 11 is Database, M is an article group, m is an article, T is an empty container, Ta is a full container, Tb is a non-full container, Tc is a completed container, and h is an operator.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the article distribution apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an article supply apparatus 2 that supplies an article group M for each product type to the take-out station 2 a, and a kind of article group M supplied by the article supply apparatus 2. A loading work field 3 is provided for taking out a predetermined number of articles m from the loading station 4a and placing them in a container placed on the loading station 4a, and transports the container of the loading station 4a into which the article m is loaded at a position adjacent to the loading work field 3. A conveyor 4 is provided, and a sorting device 5 is provided for sorting the containers transported by the container transport conveyor 4 on both sides according to the input state. The sorting device 5 is provided on one side of the sorting conveyor 5a provided with a branching device 5b. A plurality of branch lanes 6 for conveying full containers Ta or completed containers Tc to a predetermined sorting destination are arranged at right angles, and non-full containers Tb are transferred from the sorting conveyor 5a to the other side. A plurality of branch temporary conveyors 7 to be temporarily stored are arranged at right angles, and a movable stopper 7a is provided at the downstream end of the branch temporary conveyor 7 so as to be freely opened and closed. A return conveyor 8 for returning the non-full container Tb to the input station 4a at a predetermined timing is provided, and the kind and number of articles m for each sorting destination to be input into the empty container T or the non-full container Tb are displayed in the input work place 3. An indicator 9 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 9 is provided with a full button 9a, a non-full button 9b, and a completion button 9c for selecting and operating the input state which is the input means of the present invention, and displays the store name as the sorting destination. A store name display panel 9d, a product type display panel 9e for displaying the product type of the article m to be delivered to the store, and a number display panel 9f for displaying the number thereof, and instructing the preparation of the empty container T to the loading station 4a A computer for operating the sorting device 5 and the return conveyor 8 on the basis of a signal generated by the operation of each button, and a non-full-container-equipped lamp 9h that informs the placement of the non-full container Tb in the charging station 4a. 10 is built in.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the computer 10 includes a CPU 10a, a ROM 10b, a RAM 10c, an interface 10d, and a database 11. A branch temporary conveyor 7, a return conveyor 8, and a display 9 are connected. The database 11 is configured with columns of the type and number of articles m for each store to be delivered and the current input state (full / non-full / complete). The program in the ROM 10b which is the sorting control means and the return control means of the present invention refers to the database 11 and controls the display of each panel of the display 9 and the lighting control of each lamp and responds to the signal input by each button. The database 11 is updated to control the operation of each device connected to the interface 10d at a predetermined timing.

  The present embodiment will be described based on the flows of FIGS. The computer 10 refers to the database 11 to display the store name and the type / number of articles m to be input on the panels 9d, 9e, 9f of the display 9, and turns on the empty container preparation lamp 9g. The worker h places empty containers T stacked near the starting end of the container transport conveyor 4 on the input station 4a based on the display on the display 9, and takes out the indicated number of articles m from the article group M in the take-out station 2a. Put into an empty container T. The full button 9a is pressed when the loaded container is in a state where it is no longer possible to load the article m, and the completion button 9c is pressed when the specified number of containers has been charged. If the designated number is not completely filled, empty containers T are prepared and charged until the designated number is reached. If it is full before the loading of the article m is completed, the empty button 9a is pushed to prepare the empty container T again, and the remaining article m is put into the empty container T. When the container in which the specified number of articles m has been charged can be loaded, the non-full button 9b and the completion button 9c are pressed. In this way, the operator h determines whether the container is full or not and whether or not the introduction of one kind of article m has been completed, and inputs the determination with a button.

  The computer 10 branches the full container Ta when the full button 9a is pressed and the non-full container Tb (which becomes the complete container Tc) when the non-full button 9b is pressed and the introduction of all varieties is completed for each store. The sorting apparatus 5 is instructed to branch to the lane 6, and the non-full container Tb when the non-full button 9 b is pushed and the introduction of all varieties is not completed for each store is branched to the branch temporary conveyor 7. The sorting device 5 is instructed, and the full container Ta or the non-full container Tb is transported by the container transport conveyor 4. When the completion button 9c is pressed, the name and number of the next store are displayed on the display unit 9. If the completion button 9c is pressed and distribution of one product type is completed (the item group M in the extraction station 2a is distributed) The next article group M is supplied to the station 2a, and the store name and the type and number of the next article m are displayed on the display 9. The transported containers are sorted into branch lanes 6 or branch temporary placement conveyors 7 for each store by the sorting device 5 in accordance with the branch command for the previous button operation.

  The full container Ta or the completed container Tc sorted into the branch lane 6 is delivered to each sorting destination by a delivery conveyor (not shown), and the non-full container Tb sorted into the branch temporary conveyor 7 is sent to the take-out station 2a for the next article group. The movable stopper 7a is closed and temporarily stored until M is supplied. Next, when the article group M of the take-out station 2a is distributed and digested, the next article group M is supplied to the take-out station 2a, the movable stopper 7a is opened, and the non-full container Tb of the branch temporary placement conveyor 7 is transferred to the return conveyor 8. It is cut out and returned to the loading station 4a.

  The display 9 of the input work place 3 displays the store name and the type and number of the next article m supplied to the take-out station 2a, and the returned non-full container Tb is arranged at the input station 4a so that there is a non-full container. The lamp 9h is lit. In accordance with the instruction, the worker h performs the input operation of the next store in the same procedure as the input operation of the first article m, and repeats the above steps until the distribution of all types and stores is completed.

  When letting the robot perform the operation of loading the articles as shown in this embodiment, various kinds of articles such as various shapes, dimensions, and soft bag boxes, etc. with different exteriors are gripped with a required gripping force to appropriately Although it is necessary to quickly enter the position, preparation and operation of the data program necessary for robot control requires a considerable burden, and such complicated judgment and operation are quickly and appropriately applied to the robot. It is difficult to let them do. In addition, since it is possible to determine whether a container is full or not, there are various types of articles and various shapes, so that it is difficult to determine the position of the container.

  In this regard, in the present invention, the operator is required to input the difficult multi-item goods and to determine whether the input container is full or not. As a result, the distribution processing of the various types of articles for each sorting destination can be performed smoothly and efficiently. In addition, the operator's work is to move the number of articles indicated by the display unit from the take-out station to the input station, to determine whether full or non-full and input of all articles of one type is complete, and to operate the buttons. The burden is not large.

  FIG. 6 shows another example of the sorting apparatus of the embodiment provided with a shoe sorter. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of an article distribution apparatus according to another example of the embodiment. In the figure, 5c is a shoe, and 6a and 7b are shoots. The sorting apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with diagonal chutes 6a and 7b along the traveling direction between both sides of the sorting conveyor 5a using a roller conveyor and the branch lane 6 and the branch temporary placement conveyor 7. A plurality of shoes 5c that are movable in the width direction are provided on the conveyor 5a.

  In another example of the embodiment, the shoe 5c that has been moved to the left or right in advance when sorting the container into which the article m is put into the branch lane 6 or branch temporary placement conveyor 7 for each store according to the put state. In parallel with the transfer by the sorting conveyor 5a, the container is pressed from its side surface and transferred to the predetermined branch lane 6 or the chutes 6a, 7b of the branch temporary placement conveyor 7. Therefore, since the sorting conveyor 5a can be continuously sorted without stopping every sorting, the articles m can be distributed more efficiently and in a short time. Other reference numerals and configurations are the same as those in the embodiment.

  The present invention is mainly used for food distribution.

It is a layout figure of the article distribution apparatus of an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the indicator of an Example. It is a block diagram which shows the computer of an Example. It is a work flow of the operator of an Example. It is a processing flow of the computer of an Example. It is a layout figure of the goods distribution apparatus of the other example of an Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Article distribution apparatus 2 Article supply conveyor 2a Take-out station 3 Loading work place 4 Container conveyance conveyor 4a Loading station 5 Sorting apparatus 5a Sorting conveyor 5b Branching device 5c Shoe 6 Branching lane 6a Chute 7 Branch temporary conveyor 7a Movable stopper 7b Chute 8 Return conveyor 9 Display 9a Full button 9b Non-full button 9c Complete button 9d Store name display panel 9e Product display panel 9f Quantity display panel 9g Empty container preparation lamp 9h Non-full container lamp 10 Computer 10a CPU
10b ROM
10c RAM
10d interface 11 database M group of goods m article T empty container Ta full container Tb non-full container Tc completion container h worker

Claims (3)

An article supply device that sequentially supplies a plurality of articles for each product type to the take-out station is provided, and an input work place for taking out a predetermined number of articles supplied to the take-out station for each sorting destination and putting them into containers is provided.
An input station for temporarily placing containers for the input of goods is provided at a position adjacent to the input work place, and the input work place has a type of goods supplied to the take-out station for each sorting destination to be supplied to the containers. An indicator for displaying the number of articles and an input means for inputting the article input state of the container are provided,
A container transport conveyor is provided to transport containers that have already been loaded into the loading station.
Sorting conveyor for transporting containers filled with articles transported by the container transport conveyor, multiple branch lanes arranged on one side of the sort conveyor, and branch lane on the other side of the sort conveyor A plurality of temporary branching conveyors for temporarily placing containers arranged in a row, and articles on the sorting conveyor provided along the sorting conveyor in either the branching lanes or the branching temporary conveyor facing each other on both sides. A structure provided with a sorting device comprising a plurality of branching devices that can be transferred and a return conveyor that returns containers temporarily placed on the branch temporary placement conveyor to a loading station of the container transport conveyor, and a computer for controlling these devices And
The computer uses the input signal of the input means, a database storing the varieties to be put into the containers for each sorting destination and the number of the puts, and the storage of the sorting destination allocation of the branch lanes, and the containers on the sorting conveyor In this case, the full container that has been filled in and the non-full container that has been filled with all the goods of the sorting destination are branched to the branching lane of the sorting destination by a branching device, and all the kinds are directed toward the sorting destination. All non-full containers that have not yet been loaded are branched to the temporary branching conveyor, and when the articles of the type to be loaded into the containers of the branched temporary conveyor are supplied to the take-out station, An article distribution device that is controlled by a program so that the container of the container is returned to the input station by a return conveyor .   The indicator displays the name and number of goods for each sorting destination to be put into the container, and the input means takes out a predetermined number of goods from one kind of goods supplied to the take-out station and puts them into the container. A completion button for one product type indicating that it has been completed, a full button for indicating a full container that can no longer be loaded before a predetermined number of containers into which an article has been charged, and a predetermined number of articles being loaded The article dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a non-full button indicating that the completed container is a non-full container into which an article can be charged.   The branching lane and the branch temporary placement conveyor are arranged opposite to each other and perpendicular to the sorting conveyor, and the branching device of the sorting conveyor has a structure in which the containers can be sorted into the branch lane and the branch temporary placing conveyor by a single device. Any of the article distribution apparatuses.

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