JP5565035B2 - Picking equipment and picking method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a picking facility and a picking method for picking up goods according to an order from a sorting destination while transporting a picked-up container to which the sorting destination is assigned, and particularly relates to picking of an article including frozen items.

An example of a conventional frozen picking facility is described in Patent Document 1. The picking facility disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a refrigerated room that is refrigerated and stored at a temperature of approximately 0 ° C., and a freezing room that is refrigerated and stored at a temperature of approximately −25 ° C. A replenishment room that is temperature-controlled at 0 to 5 ° C. and is disposed adjacent to the refrigerating room and the freezer room, a plurality of collection shelf rooms that are disposed adjacent to the replenishment room, and the outside of the collection shelf room group A collection room is provided.
Each of the collection shelf rooms is provided with a cooling means and a shelf device, and the shelf device is located at the upper side of the sliding-type article receiving portion on the replenishment chamber side, and the refrigeration taken out from the refrigerating chamber from the replenishment chamber side. The frozen food taken out from the food and the freezer compartment is formed so as to be replenished, and the article can be taken out from the lower side of the article receiving portion to the collection shelf room. Moreover, the articles in the storage are cooled in the shelf device by the cool air from the cooling means.
A conveyor is disposed in the collection chamber so as to face the collection shelf room group at an interval, and this conveyor is a tact operation type and transports a collection container for picking. Configured to do.

  With the above configuration, the refrigerated food or the frozen food stored in the shelf device of the collection shelf room is ordered from the lower side based on the shipment data and shipped to the purchaser, for example. That is, an operator corresponding to each collection shelf room orders the articles from the lower side based on the shipment data, and then puts them in the collection containers on the conveyor. At that time, the collection container is tact-conveyed by a conveyor, and refrigerated food or frozen food appropriately picked is placed at the stopping point. Then, a collection container in which predetermined refrigerated food or frozen food is put is shipped to the purchaser, for example.

JP 2000-238903 A

  However, the conventional picking equipment is dedicated equipment for picking refrigerated food or frozen food that orders refrigerated food or frozen food, and other picking equipment is used for picking food other than refrigerated food and frozen food. There is a problem that it is necessary to install it, and therefore, the equipment cost becomes high, and the equipment must be excessive. In addition, since it is necessary to collect the collection containers collected by the two facilities for each shipping destination, for example, each purchaser, there is a problem in that it takes time and effort to collect the collected containers at the shipping destination.

  In addition, as a collection container for collecting refrigerated foods or frozen foods, an expensive dedicated cold bag that can be kept cold so that frozen foods do not thaw is necessary, but preparing many such cold bags for collecting is not possible. This is difficult, and the size of the exclusive cold bag itself is larger than that of a normal collection container, for example, a cardboard box, which may hinder transportation.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a picking facility and a picking method capable of picking a specific article such as a frozen product and other articles with a single transport path and shelf equipment. Is.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a plurality of article storage units each storing articles, and each collection container to which an order is assigned, A picking facility having a picking area for performing picking work for collecting articles from the article storage unit according to an order, wherein articles stored in the article storage unit are collected according to a plurality of orders. after being goods, and one asked article be aggregated to the aggregation vessel is scheduled, after being condensed products in accordance with a plurality of the order, the normal article be aggregated to the aggregated container not scheduled is divided into the current product container, and asked for collecting goods container for collecting the article article is divided into the pulling article, the article is divided into the normal article and typically converging article container for collecting products, the By The picking area includes a first transport line for transporting the collecting collection container and the regular collection container, and articles classified into the collecting article are collected in the collecting collection container. The picking operation is configured so that the articles classified into the normal articles are collected in a normal collection container, and are branched and conveyed by the branching device from the first conveyance line. from submitted for collecting goods container, wherein the plurality of the submitted for collecting products each container to be identified in order an article is divided into submitted articles collected goods, and transfer area to transferring to a particular said aggregate container, wherein via unloading it has been the aggregated container from the transfer area, and a second conveying line for conveying along the first conveyance line, and usually for current product container has been unloaded from the picking area, the second conveying line And said transfer the aggregated container has been carried out from the area Te, and stowage area to allow stowage on a table or cart by using the same automatic stowage apparatus, in the transfer area, which is condensed product An empty container unloading line for unloading the collecting container that has become empty as a result of the transfer of the collected articles to the collecting container, and the automatic stacking device branches off by the branching device. The normal collection container that has been transported by the first transport line and the aggregate container that has been transported from the transfer area via the second transport line are stacked on the table or the cart. It is a feature.

According to the above configuration, the picking work of the articles classified into the gathering articles into the collecting container for collecting and the picking work of the articles classified into the regular articles into the normal collection container are executed in the same picking area. When the collection of the articles classified into the collection articles is completed, the collected articles are identified for each collection container specified by a plurality of orders in the transfer area. It is transferred to the aggregation container. As described above, the picking operation of the article classified as the gathered article and the article classified as the normal article is performed in the same picking area, so that one of the collections used for the article picking work according to the classification of the article is performed. The product line (picking equipment) becomes unnecessary. Further, by transferring the articles classified into the gathered articles to the aggregation container, the aggregation container is effectively used and the conveyance becomes easy.
In the loading area, the normal collection container in which the collection of the articles classified into the normal articles is completed and the aggregation container in which the transfer of the articles classified into the gathered articles is completed are the same automatic stacking device. To be stacked on a pedestal or trolley. Therefore, the burden on the operator is reduced, and automatic loading can be performed at a low equipment cost and in a space-saving manner.
Further, the collecting collection container and the normal collection container carried out from the picking area are conveyed by the first conveying line, and the collecting collecting container is branched from the first conveying line to the transfer area by the branching device, and is transferred. The collective container carried out from the loading area is transported along the first transport line by the second transport line. Then, the normal collection container that has been transported by the first transport line without being branched by the branching device and the aggregate container that has been transported by the second transport line are stacked on a table or a cart by the automatic stacking device. It is done.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the first transport line is provided in the picking area along the article storage section, and the collecting container for gathering is provided. And the two collection lines for transporting the normal collection containers, and the sorting collection containers and the regular collection containers are distinguished from each other without being distributed to the two collection lines. The picking operation can be performed while the product container and the normal collection container are conveyed by the two collection lines .

  According to the above configuration, in the picking area, the collecting collection container and the normal collection container are not distinguished from each other, and both are conveyed by the two collection lines and collected. Therefore, it is expected that the efficiency of the picking work is improved.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the collecting containers specified by the plurality of orders are distributed to the two collecting lines, and the picking area is set. The picking operation is performed while the collecting containers for gathering are separately conveyed by the collecting lines.

  According to the above configuration, in the picking area, the collecting containers specified by a plurality of orders are sorted by the two collecting lines, moved separately, and collected, so that the time difference is high. As soon as the collection is completed, the transfer of the articles classified as the collected articles in the transfer area proceeds promptly.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the first transport line is provided in the picking area along the article storage unit, and the collecting container for gathering is provided. and comprising a single current product lines carrying the normal current collector for goods containers, executable configure the picking operation while conveying the pulling converging article containers and usually for current products container by the single current product line It is characterized by that.

  According to the above configuration, in the picking area, the collecting container for normal use and the normal collecting container are conveyed by one collecting line without distinction, and the picking operation is executed. This eliminates the need for a collection line (picking facility) that is used for collecting goods that are normally classified as articles.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the plurality of orders are received from the normal collection container carried out from the picking area. For each specified normal collection container, the collected normal article is transferred to one normal collection container, and the collected articles collected in the transfer area are collected in the aggregation container. As a result of the transfer, the first collection line for carrying out the collected collection container empty and transporting it to the picking area, and the collected normal articles in the collection area are collected into the one normal collection. As a result of the transfer to the container, the normal collection container that has been emptied is unloaded, and a second return line that merges with the first return line is provided, and the loading area has been unloaded from the aggregation area and usually for the collection of goods container, said transfer And it said aggregate container has been carried out from the area, in which using the same automatic stowage apparatus, characterized in that to enable stowage on the stand or cart.

  According to the above configuration, in the aggregation area, for each normal collection container specified by a plurality of orders, the articles classified into the collected normal articles are transferred to one normal collection container. One regular collection container is loaded onto a pedestal or trolley using an automatic stacking device. Moreover, the normal collection container which has become empty is carried out by the second return line and joined to the first return line. In addition, the collection container empty in the transfer area is carried out by the first return line, merged with the normal collection container carried out by the second return line, returned to the picking area, and reused. The

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the first transport line is provided in the picking area along the article storage unit, and the collecting container for gathering is provided. And two collection lines for conveying the normal collection containers, the transfer area is provided for each of the two collection lines, and the empty container carry-out line is the transfer area. And the empty container carry-out lines merge together to carry the empty collection container out to the picking area .

  According to the above configuration, the collection container for collection after collection of the articles classified into the collection articles is branched from the two collection lines and conveyed to each transfer area. For each collection container specified by a plurality of orders, the collected articles are transferred to a specific aggregation container. In each transfer area, empty collection containers are carried out by an empty container carry-out line, and these empty container carry-out lines are merged, and empty collection containers are returned to the picking area. Will be reused.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a picking area for collecting articles from the article storage section in accordance with the orders in a plurality of article storage sections each storing articles, and in each collection container to which orders are assigned. A first transfer line that conveys the collection container, a transfer area that transfers articles from the collection container that is branched and conveyed from the first transfer line by a branching device to an aggregation container, and the transfer area A second transport line that transports the aggregated container transported out along the first transport line, a collection container transported from the first transport line, and the collective container transported from the second transport line; A loading area for loading a container or a cart using a loading device, and an empty container unloader for unloading the collection container emptied in the transfer area to the picking area A picking method in picking facility comprising a down, and the article accommodated in the article storage portion, after being condensed products in accordance with a plurality of the order, is scheduled to be aggregated into a single aggregated container The collected goods and the normal goods that are not scheduled to be collected in the collection container after being collected according to the plurality of orders, and the collection container is divided into the collection goods A collection container for collecting articles and a normal collection container for collecting articles classified into the normal articles, and the articles classified into the collection articles are the collection containers for the collection The collection is executed in the picking area so that the articles that are collected into the normal article and collected into the normal collection container are collected in the picking area, and the collection for the collecting collection container is completed. Then, said For each collection container specified by a number of orders, the articles classified into the collected collection articles are transferred to the specific aggregation container in the transfer area and classified into the normal articles. The normal collection container transported by the first transport line in which the collection of the articles to be collected is completed, and the aggregation transported by the second transport line in which the transfer of the articles classified as the gathered articles has been completed The container is loaded on a table or a cart using the same loading device in the loading area .

According to the above method, the picking work of the articles classified into the gathering articles into the gathering collection container and the picking work of the articles classified into the regular articles into the regular collection container are executed, and the gathering collection is performed. When the collection of the articles classified into the collection articles is completed, the collected articles are transferred to a specific aggregation container for each collection collection container specified by a plurality of orders.
Then, the normal collection container in which the collection of the articles classified into the normal articles is finished and the aggregation container in which the transfer of the articles classified into the gathered articles is completed are placed on a table or Stacked on a trolley.

  The picking equipment and picking method of the present invention can perform the picking operation of an article classified into a gathered article and an article classified into a regular article together in the same picking area, that is, classify into a gathered article with one picking equipment. That can be picked together with goods that are classified into regular articles and goods that are classified into regular articles, it is possible to eliminate the need for one picking facility for picking goods according to the classification of the articles, and to collect collections that are specified in multiple orders. By transferring the collected articles to the collection container for each collection container, the collection container can be used effectively, can be easily transported, and the collection of the articles classified into the regular articles is completed. The collection container and the aggregate container for which the transfer of the goods classified into the gathered goods has been completed can be placed on the table using the same automatic stacking device. By being stowed on the truck, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator, the with automatic product at a low equipment cost, and can be executed in a space-saving, and has the effect that.

It is a lineblock diagram of the picking equipment in an embodiment of the invention. It is a schematic plan view of the picking area of the picking equipment. It is a side view of the picking area of the picking equipment. It is a figure which shows the label used with the picking installation, (a) is a figure of the 1st label attached to a normal container, (b) is a figure of the 2nd label attached to the container for freezing, (c) is freezing. It is a figure of the 3rd label attached to the container for thing conveyance. It is a figure regarding the loading area of the picking equipment, (a) is a perspective view of the robot, (b) is a state diagram in which normal containers are stacked on a shipping cart, (c) is a container for transporting frozen food It is the state figure stacked on the shipping cart. It is a figure which shows the whole picking data of the picking equipment. It is a figure showing the flow of work in the picking equipment. It is a block diagram of the transfer area of the picking installation in other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the picking installation in other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the picking installation in other embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The picking equipment of the present invention is a product (an example of an article) classified into a plurality of types (categories; three categories of frozen products, refrigerated products, and agricultural products in the embodiment) of a store (an example of a sorting destination). A picking facility for collecting and shipping according to order data (an example of article request information). As shown in FIG. 1, a collection container loading area 11, a frozen material transport container loading area 12, and a picking area 13. And a transfer area 14, a packing area 15, a loading area 16, and a conveyance line connecting these areas.

The order data from the store is composed of a plurality of data consisting of information (for example, an article name, an article code, etc.) and a quantity ordered for each sales floor in the store, and the order data from each store. When they are aligned, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire picking data is formed and the picking operation is started. In addition, orders for each “sales floor” in each store are allocated to collection containers 21 described later as orders. In the entire picking data shown in FIG. 6, the ordered quantity is set in the front 34 (described later) of the flow rack 32 in which the ordered article is stored for each store in the store. A specific article is allocated and stored in advance in each frontage 34 of the flow rack 32.
Further, three categories of products (examples of articles) 22 collected according to orders may be collected according to a plurality of orders and then aggregated into one freezing transport container (an example of an aggregation container). They are divided into scheduled frozen items (an example of gathered articles), refrigerated items other than frozen items, and agricultural products (an example of ordinary articles that are not gathered articles). In addition, the collection container 21 is classified into a refrigeration container (an example of a collection container for collection) 21B for collecting articles (hereinafter simply referred to as “frozen products”) that are classified into frozen products, and a refrigerated product or an agricultural product. A normal container (an example of a normal collection container) 21A that collects articles (hereinafter simply referred to as refrigerated or agricultural products).

“Collection container input area 11”; the collection container input area 11 is a collection container 21 for storing products 22 (examples of articles) 22 to which the orders are allocated and collected according to the orders. This is an area to be input to the book collection lines 31A and 31B. The collection container 21 is formed of a heat-insulated container (for example, a box made of polystyrene foam), and is covered with a plastic bag 23 for storing the product 22, and is put into the collection lines 31A and 31B. The collection container 21 is transported to the picking area 13 by these two collection lines 31A and 31B.
A first label 24 or a second label 25 is attached to each plastic bag 23.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the first label 24 is a delivery area (for example, the above-mentioned “store” name) and a delivery area (for example, the above-mentioned) where the collected products 22 are arranged. “Sales number”), the name of the container for identifying that the product 22 to be collected is a product (refrigerated or agricultural product) 22 other than the frozen product (“container for normal use” above), and for the delivery area The total number p of collection containers 21 necessary for collecting refrigerated or agricultural products (one order; for “sales”), serial numbers (1 to p) sequentially attached to the containers, and the shipment A first barcode specifying the destination and the delivery area is printed.
The first labels 24 are issued in accordance with the total number p, and p collection containers 21 are prepared according to the first labels 24. The first labels 24 having different serial numbers are collected. By being attached to the plastic bag 23 of the container 21 and attaching the first label 24, the collection container 21 is handled as the normal container 21A for collecting refrigerated products or agricultural products.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second label 25 has a delivery area (for example, a destination where the collected products 22 are shipped (sorting destination; for example, the “store” name)) and the products 22 are arranged (for example, The “sales number”), the name of the container (the “freezing container”) that specifies that the product 22 to be collected is frozen, and the delivery area (1 order; “sales”) A total number m of collection containers 21 necessary for collecting frozen items, a serial number (1 to m) sequentially attached to the containers, and a first barcode specifying the shipping destination and delivery area; A second barcode specifying the container for freezing is printed.
The second labels 25 are issued in accordance with the total number m, and m collection containers 21 are prepared according to the second labels 25. The second labels 25 having different serial numbers are collected. By being attached to the plastic bag 23 of the container 21 and the second label 25 being attached, the collection container 21 is handled as the above-mentioned freezing container 21B for collecting frozen products.

  Then, two normal containers 21A and m freezing containers 21B for each sales floor (for each order) are arranged in a predetermined order of shipment (for example, “shop” and “sales floor”). The product lines 31A and 31B are distributed so as to be substantially equal and are loaded. Thereby, the freezing container 21B for each store (an example of a plurality of orders) is sorted and transported separately by the two collection lines 31A and 31B, and a picking operation described later is executed. In particular, the normal container 21A and the freezing container 21B are not concentrated on the single collection line 31A or 31B.

“Frozen product transfer container input area 12”; The frozen product transfer container input area 12 has a larger volume than the collection container 21 (an example in which the volume is different), and transfers a frozen product transfer container 26 dedicated to frozen products. This is an area to be loaded into the transfer line 30. The frozen material transfer container 26 is formed of a box with a lid (for example, a Z pack) having a heat insulation specification and an excellent cooling effect, and is covered with a plastic bag 27 for storing the product 22 and put into the transfer line 30. The By the transfer line 30, the frozen material transfer container 26 is transferred to the transfer area 14.
A third label 28 is attached to each plastic bag 27.

As shown in FIG. 4 (c), the third label 28 is a shipping destination (sorting destination; for example, the above-mentioned “store” name) of the collected goods 22 and a frozen product collected in the freezing container 21 </ b> B. The number Q (to be described later) of the freezing containers 21B for transferring the product to the frozen material transporting container 26 and a third barcode for specifying the shipping destination are printed.
And it is thrown into the transfer line 30 in the shipping order (for example, shop order) set beforehand.

“Issuance of labels 24, 25, 28”; the print data of the first label 24, the second label 25, and the third label 28 is formed by the following procedure using the order data, and is printed and issued by a label printer or the like. The
(1). First, for each order (order of “sales floor” in each store), the ordered products 22 are classified into frozen products and non-frozen products.
(2). For each order (by "sale"), the volume (total volume) required for the collection of all the frozen products ordered, based on the categorized frozen products and quantity and the preset volume of each frozen product. ), And the total volume is divided by the volume of the product 22 that can be stored in the preset collection container 21, and the collection container 21 (freezing container) necessary for collecting the ordered frozen material. 21B) is determined. As a result, the total number m of collection containers 21 required for issuing the second label 25 is obtained for each order, and the store name of the order and the sales floor number shown in FIG. The character string “container”, the total number m of the collection containers 21, the first barcode, and the print data of the second label 25 consisting of the second barcode are formed and output to, for example, a label printer. M second labels 25 having different numbers are issued. In addition, the ordered items (frozen products) 22 are distributed to the m freezing containers 21B, and the frozen products collected in the respective freezing containers 21B and their quantities are set.
(3). For each order (for each “sales office”), all the frozen products ordered based on the classified products (refrigerated or agricultural products) 22 and quantity, and the volume of the non-frozen products 22. The volume (total volume) required for the collection of the other products 22 is obtained, and this total volume is divided by the volume of the products 22 that can be stored in the collection container 21 to collect the products 22 other than the custom frozen products. The number p of the collection containers 21 (normal containers 21A) necessary for selling is determined. As a result, the total number p of collection containers 21 required for issuing the first label 24 is obtained for each order, and the order store name and sales floor number shown in FIG. The character string “container”, the total number p of the collection containers 21 and the print data of the first label 24 composed of the first bar code are formed and output to, for example, a label printer, p sheets having different serial numbers. A first label 24 is issued. Further, the products 22 other than the frozen products of the order are distributed to the p normal containers 21A, and the products 22 other than the frozen products collected in the normal containers 21A and their quantities are set.
(4) The number m of collection containers 21 for collecting frozen products of orders obtained for each order (for each “sales floor”) is added together for each store (an example of a plurality of orders). Then, the total number Q of the freezing containers 21B for collecting the frozen products is obtained. As a result, the total number Q of cooling containers 21B necessary for issuing the third label 28 is obtained for each store, and the store name of the order and the total number of cooling containers 21B shown in FIG. 4C. The print data of the third label 28 composed of Q and the third barcode is formed and output to, for example, a label printer, and the third label 28 is issued.

“ Picking area 13 ”; as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the picking area 13 is a storage line A for storing the products 22 to be collected, and each collection container put in from the collection container loading area 11. And a collection line B (an example of a first conveyance line) composed of the collection lines 31A and 31B that continuously convey 21. The storage line A and the collection line B include a plurality of zones for performing a picking operation. Z is set, and in each zone Z, picking work (collection work) for picking the product 22 stored in the storage line A to each collection container 21 continuously conveyed by the collection line B The workers H who perform the picking work are arranged one by one. Hereinafter, the zone Z in which the worker H is arranged and picks the product 22 will be referred to as the own zone Z.

“Storage line A”; the storage line A is composed of flow racks (article storage shelves) 32, and each flow rack 32 stores one type {one item (or a storage box for storing articles)} of products 22. A plurality of front doors 34 (an example of an article storage unit) are provided, and the zone Z is formed for each of the plurality of front doors 34 (15 in 3 stages × 5 rows in the present embodiment). In addition, a frontage display 35 including a quantity display 35A for displaying the quantity of the product 22 to be taken out and a completion push button switch 35B having a lamp portion is provided on the front surface of each frontage 34, and for each zone Z, A bay indicator 36 provided with a lamp for displaying the level of the frontage 34 in which the goods 22 to be picked in the zone Z are stored is provided for each level.
The worker H specifies the number of steps of the frontage 34 in which the product 22 to be picked is stored by the display of the bay display 36 and picks the product 22 from the frontage 34 according to the display of each frontage display 35 to collect the goods. The container 21 is charged.
The installation area of the storage line A is temperature-controlled at 0 to 5 ° C.

  “Collection line B”: Among the collection lines 31A and 31B, the first collection line 31A is arranged on the flow rack 32 side, and the second collection line 31B is parallel to the first collection line 31A. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the transport surface of the second collection line 31B is configured to be higher than the transport surface of the first collection line 31A. In addition, the installation area of the collection line B is temperature-controlled at approximately 10 ° C.

The first collection line 31 </ b> A includes a first transport conveyor 37 formed of a belt conveyor device, and a first plate transport unit 39 driven in synchronization with the first transport conveyor 37, and similarly the second transport line 37 </ b> A. The collection line 31 </ b> B includes a second transport conveyor 38 that is a belt conveyor device and a second plate transport unit 40 that is driven in synchronization with the second transport conveyor 38.
The first plate transport unit 39 and the second plate transport unit 40 are endless chains 41 and 42 driven in the transport direction of the collection container 21 by the conveyor in synchronization with the transport conveyors 37 and 38, respectively. The plate P (identification means) is attached to the plates 41 and 42 at regular intervals. Each plate P is printed with a number for identifying the collection container 21 (displayed). .
And the collection containers 21 are thrown into the conveyors 37 and 38 in accordance with the plates P that move at regular intervals. At this time, the collection container 21 to which the order is assigned is assigned to the number of each plate P.

  Further, the collection line B has an enlarged display 44 (identification code display means), a tape switch 45 (completion input means), a first tracking display section 46 (display means), and a second for each zone Z. A tracking display unit 47 (display means) is provided.

  “Tape switch 45”; the tape switch 45 is a long switch, and is provided on the outer side (flow rack side) of the first plate transport unit 39 along the first collection line 31A. Yes.

“Tracking display units 46 and 47”; the first tracking display unit 46 is provided between the first plate transport unit 39 and the tape switch 45 and is configured by a plurality of guide lamps. The first tracking display unit 46 carries the collection containers 21 to be picked (objects to be loaded) out of the collection containers 21 that are sequentially carried into the zone Z by the first collection line 31A. And following the movement of the collection container 21 in units of the number corresponding to the collection container length (length in the transport direction) of the collection container 21 among the guide lamps constituting the first tracking display unit 46. It lights up sequentially and notifies the worker H.
The second tracking display unit 47 is provided at a position above the second plate transport unit 40 toward the front, and includes a plurality of guide lamps. The second tracking display unit 47 carries the collection container 21 to be picked (object to be loaded) among the collection containers 21 sequentially carried into the zone Z by the second collection line 31B. And following the movement of the collection container 21 in units of the number corresponding to the collection container length (length in the transport direction) of the collection container 21 among the guide lamps constituting the second tracking display unit 47. It lights up sequentially and notifies the worker H.

“Enlargement display 44”; the enlargement display 44 instructs the worker H in the zone Z to perform the picking operation on the collection container 21 transported through the first collection line 31A and the second collection line 31B. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, on the upstream side of the zone Z, the apparatus is provided above the first collection line 31A and the second collection line 31B and supported by a support member 49.
The enlarged display 44 is provided with a loading display section 51 for displaying the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 21 that is currently the picking work target and the information of the zone Z that is moving. For each of the lines 31A and 31B, a first preceding input display unit 56 that displays the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 21 to be picked next and the information of the moving zone Z, and the next next The second preceding input display unit 57 for displaying the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 21 to be picked and the information of the moving zone Z, and the collection to be picked next. The third preceding input display 58 for displaying the number of the plate P corresponding to the container 21 and the information of the moving zone Z, and the collection container 21 to be picked next The fourth prior-on display unit 59 for displaying information of the zone Z being moved number of the response to the plate P is provided.

Further, the loading display unit 51, the first preceding loading display unit 56, the second preceding loading display unit 57, the third preceding loading display unit 58, and the fourth preceding loading display unit 59 each have a plate corresponding to the collection container 21. A number display section 60A for displaying the P number and a lamp section 60B for displaying the zone Z information in color are provided. When the lamp unit 60B is red, the target collection container 21 is located in the own zone Z, when it is orange, it is located in the adjacent 1 or 2 upstream zone Z, and when it is green, it is adjacent to 3 or more upstream zones Z. Is located.
The worker H can specify the picking container 21 to be picked by each display of the enlarged display 44, the first tracking display unit 46, and the second tracking display unit 47.

  Further, in the picking area 13, for each zone Z, the collection containers 21 (21A, 21B) introduced into the zones Z from the collection container input area 11 in the order of stores and sales floors are based on the entire picking data. Thus, the product 22 to be collected from each frontage 34 and the quantity thereof are obtained, and the picking operation can be performed on one collection container 21 moving to the most downstream side of the zone Z for each zone Z. As described above, each display of the enlarged display 44, the frontage display 35, the bay display 36, the first tracking display unit 46, and the second tracking display unit 47 is controlled. The enlarged display 44 displays information on the collection container 21 to be picked later.

The picking work of the worker H arranged in the zone Z will be described.
The worker H arranged in the zone Z is based on the display of the enlarged display 44, the display of each frontage display 35 and the bay display 36, and the display of the first tracking display unit 46 or the second tracking display unit 47. Thus, the picking operation of the product 22 stored in the frontage 34 is performed between each frontage 34 of the flow rack 32 in the zone Z and the collection container 21.

That is, the display of the enlarged display 44 is confirmed, and the number of the plate P of the number display section 60A of the input display section 51 where the lamp section 60B is blinking and the color of the lamp of the lamp section 60B are confirmed. That is, it is confirmed that the picking operation is performed on the collection container 21 corresponding to the confirmed plate P number, and the current position of the collection container 21 to be picked is confirmed by the color of the lamp unit 60B. When it is red, it is located in its own zone Z, when it is orange, it can be judged that it is located in the adjacent one or two upstream zones Z, and when it is green, it can be judged that it is located in three or more adjacent upstream zones Z.
In addition, the number of the plate P of the collection container 21 to be picked and its position (zone Z) can be confirmed from the display of the preceding input display sections 56 to 59 of the enlarged display 44, and the work time can be distributed. I can judge.

  Subsequently, based on the display on the bay display 36 and the display on each frontage display 35, the product 22 to be put into the collection container 21 is taken out from the frontage 34, and each time the product 22 is taken out, the completion pushbutton switch of the frontage display 35 is displayed. 35B is pushed, it confirms that the display of the frontage indicator 35 is turned off, and puts it into the confirmed collection container 21. When all the products 22 have been charged, the tape switch 45 is pressed, and the picking operation for the target collection container 21 is completed.

Thus, since the worker H performs the picking operation based on the display of the number of the plate P displayed on the enlarged display 44, the product is sent to the collection container 21 regardless of the transport position of the collection container 21. 22 can be input.
When the target collection container 21 is located in its own zone Z, the guide lamp groups of the tracking display units 46 and 47 that are moving the target collection container 21 move according to the movement of the collection container 21. Since it blinks, the collection container 21 to be picked can be reliably confirmed by this guide lamp group.

“Branch of the freezing container 21B”; the normal container 21A and the freezing container 21B that have been picked in the picking area 13 are carried out of the picking area 13 by the two collection lines 31A and 31B. The p normal containers 21A and the m freezing containers 21B for each sales floor put into the book collection lines 31A and 31B are carried out almost together in order. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the container is a freezing container 21B. If it is determined that the container is a freezing container 21B, the product is branched from the collection lines 31A and 31B and transferred to the transfer area 14. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, each collection line 31A, 31B is provided with a branch device 61 for the collection container 21 downstream of the picking area 13, and the refrigeration container 21B is disposed upstream of the branch device 61. A bar code reader 62 that reads the second bar code of the second label 25 is provided, and each branch device 61 is driven when the bar code reader 62 reads the second bar code of the second label 25. ing.
With the above configuration, when the collection of the freezing container 21B is completed, the m freezing containers 21B are almost gathered for each sales floor in order from the respective collecting lines 31A and 31B by the branching devices 61 and branched. The containers 21B are collected on the branch line 63 and conveyed to the transfer area 14.
Further, downstream of the branching device 61, the second collection line 31B is merged with the first collection line 31A to become one transport line, and the normal container 21A that collects the products 22 other than the frozen product is It is conveyed to the packing area 15.

"Transfer area 14"; as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer area 14 is a first conveyor comprising a free conveyor for storing the refrigeration containers 21B that have been sequentially conveyed by the branch line 63 for each sales floor (for each order). The storage zone 65 and the 2nd storage zone 66 which consists of a free conveyor which stores the frozen material conveyance container 26 conveyed by the transfer line 30 are provided.
The worker H in the transfer area 14 performs the following work.

(1) By the second label 25 of the refrigeration container 21B stored in the first storage zone 65, the shipping destination (store) confirms and collects the same refrigeration container 21B and collects it for each delivery area (each "sale area"). The total number M (= m1 + m2 + m3...) Of the shipping destination freezing container 21B is obtained.
(2) Subsequently, the shipping destination and the number Q of the freezing containers 21B are confirmed by the third label 28 of the frozen material transporting container 26 stored in the second storage zone 66, and the shipping destination is the same. When it is confirmed that = Q, the frozen material transport container 26 is recognized as a container into which the frozen material is taken out from the M freezing containers 21B.
(3) Subsequently, the frozen plastic bag 23 taken out from each of the M freezing containers 21B is packed so that the second label 25 can be seen, and stored in the frozen material transporting container 26. The container transport line (an example of the second transport line) 67 is put in, and the m freezing containers 21B that have become empty are put in the return line 68.

With the configuration of the transfer area 14, the collection of the frozen products is finished, and the freezing container 21 </ b> B branched from each collection line 31 </ b> A, 31 </ b> B by each branch device 61 and conveyed by the branch line 63 is shipped to For each frozen container 21B specified in (store), the collected frozen material is transferred (aggregated) to the frozen material conveying container 26 having a cold insulation effect, and the transferred frozen material is transferred. The container 26 is transported to the packing area 15 by the container transport line 67, while the empty freezing container 21B is transported to the collection container input area 11 by the return line 68 and reused as the collection container 21. .
Further, the downstream portion of the container transport line 67 is laid along the collection line 31A.

“Packing area 15”; In the packing area 15, the normal container 21 </ b> A that collects the product 22 other than the frozen product that has been transferred to the first collection line 31 </ b> A is collected by the worker H in the packing area 15. The first label 24 of the plastic bag 23 is attached to the side of the normal container 21A. Subsequently, the plastic bag 23 is packed and covered with a lid, and the lid is firmly fixed to the normal container 21A with a band or the like. When finished, it is transported to the loading area 16.
The frozen material transport container 26 transported by the container transport line 67 is firmly fixed by a band or the like so that the lid is not closed and opened, and is transported to the loading area 16 when finished.

As shown in FIG. 1, the loading area 16 includes a first accumulation conveyor that sequentially stores the normal containers 21 </ b> A conveyed from the packing area 15 through the first collection line 31 </ b> A. It has been transported to the feed conveyor 71, the second feed conveyor 72 consisting of an accumulation conveyor that sequentially stores the frozen material transport containers 26 transported by the container transport line 67 from the packing area 15, and the end of the first feed conveyor 71. As shown in FIG. 5B, the normal containers 21A are stacked on a first shipping cart (an example of a cart) 73 by shipping destination and by truck (or by transport direction) (for example, one step). 5) and the frozen material transport container 26 transported to the end of the second feed conveyor 72 is trapped as shown in FIG. Separately (or differently in the direction of conveyance), one robot (an example of an automatic loading device) that stacks on a second shipping cart (an example of a cart) 74 (for example, two in one stage are stacked in three stages) ) 75 is provided.
Further, a barcode reader 76 for confirming the first barcode of the first label 24 of the normal container 21 </ b> A conveyed to the end of the first feed conveyor 71, and the frozen material conveyed to the end of the second feed conveyor 72. A barcode reader 77 for confirming the third barcode on the third label 28 of the transport container 26 is provided.

In the robot 75, the number of the normal containers 21A and the number of the frozen material transport containers 26 are set in advance for each shipping destination and each track (or each transport direction). 75, based on the shipping destination of the normal container 21A recognized by the barcode reader 76, the normal containers 21A are stacked on the first shipping cart 73 by shipping destination and by truck (or by transport direction). Further, based on the shipping destination of the frozen material transporting container 26 recognized by the barcode reader 77, the frozen material transporting container 26 is stacked on the second shipping cart 74 by track (or by transport direction). When the stacking is completed, the end is notified. It should be noted that the normal container 21A and the frozen material transfer container 26, which are stacked differently on the shipping cart 73 or 74, are temporarily placed at predetermined locations.
When the worker H in the loading area 16 receives an end notification from the robot 75, the worker H transports the shipping cart 73 or 74 and re-installs the empty shipping cart 73 or 74.

  An example of the robot 75 is shown in FIG. The robot 75 is equipped with a special hand 81 at the front end for loading the normal container 21A or the frozen material transporting container 26. The hand 81 is usually the smallest in width at the front end. The container 21A is designed to have a width equal to or less than the lateral width of the container 21A, and has a 6-pad suction part 82 with a damper at the tip. The suction part 82 can be rotated 90 degrees by an actuator 83. Even in a proper posture, the normal container 21A or the frozen material transport container 26 can be stacked. Further, a CCD camera 84 is attached to the hand 81 downward so that the arrangement of the normal containers 21A on the first shipping cart 73 and the arrangement of the frozen material transport containers 26 on the second shipping cart 74 can be recognized. It is configured. Further, a strobe 85 that emits strong light as compared with ordinary illumination is attached obliquely downward.

With the configuration of the loading area 16, the normal container 21 </ b> A that collects the products 22 that are transported by the first collection line 31 </ b> A from the picking area 13 through the packing area 15, and is classified other than the frozen product, A trolley for shipping using the same robot (automatic stacking device) 75 for each of the frozen material transport containers 26 transported by the container transport line 67 from the transfer area 14 through the packing area 15. 73 and 74 can be stacked.
The installation area of the transfer area 14, the packing area 15, and the loading area 16 is temperature-controlled at approximately 10 ° C.

FIG. 7 shows a work procedure according to the configuration of the picking equipment.
As shown in FIG. 7, first, in the picking area 13, the normal container 21A and the freezing container 21B are treated equally as collection containers, and the p normal containers 21A and the m freezing containers 21B of the same order. Are equally distributed to the collection line 31A and the collection line 31B, and while being conveyed in the same collection line 31A, 31B, refrigerated or agricultural products are collected in the normal container 21A, and are collected in the freezing container 21B. Frozen foods are collected.
Subsequently, when the collection in the picking area 13 is completed, the freezing container 21B is branched from the collecting lines 31A and 31B, and for each freezing container 21B specified in the store (a plurality of orders) in the transfer area 14. The collected frozen material is transferred to the frozen material transporting container 26 having a cooling effect, and transported by the container transporting line 67.
The normal containers 21 </ b> A that have not been branched are collected and transported to the collection line 31 </ b> A, packed in the packing area 15, and transported to the loading area 16.
The frozen material transporting container 26 is transported by a container transporting line 67, packed in the packing area 15, and transported to the loading area 16.
Subsequently, in the loading area 16, the normal container 21 </ b> A that collects refrigerated products or agricultural products other than frozen products and the frozen product transport container 26 are shipped using the same robot (stacking device) 75. They are stacked on the carts 73 and 74 and shipped.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the freezing container 21B that collects the products 22 classified into frozen products is the same as the normal container 21A that collects the products 22 classified as other than frozen products. The collection work can be carried out by the same conveyance line (collection line), that is, the frozen product and the product 22 other than the frozen product can be obtained by one transport line (picking equipment). The picking work can be performed together, so that it is not necessary to provide a conveyance line (picking facility) for each product 22 and the installation cost can be reduced. When the collection is completed, the frozen product collected for each freezing container 21B specified by the shipping destination (sorting destination) is transferred to a dedicated frozen material transporting container 26, so that the expensive frozen product is collected. The transport container 26 can be used effectively, can be transported easily, and can be prevented from being thawed after shipping and degrading quality.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, in the loading area 16, the normal container 21 </ b> A transported by the collection line 31 </ b> A and the frozen material transport container 26 transported by the container transport line 67 are identical to each other. By stacking on the shipping carts 73 and 74 using the platform robot (stacking device) 75, it is possible to eliminate the work of assembling the containers 21A and 26 for each shipping destination, and to reduce the burden on the operator. Automatic loading can be performed at low equipment costs and in a space-saving manner.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the normal container 21A and the freezing container 21B are both continuously conveyed by the two collection lines 31A and 31B, and the collection is executed, so that the efficiency of picking work is increased. Can be improved.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the freezing containers 21B of the same order are sorted by the two collection lines 31A and 31B, moved separately, and collected, thereby collecting them quickly and without a time difference. The product can be finished and the transfer of the frozen material in the transfer area 14 can be promptly advanced.
In addition, according to the present embodiment, the freezing container 21B that has become empty in the transfer area 14 is returned to the picking area 13 through the collection container input area 11 by the return line 68 and reused. Can do.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the temperature of the installation area of the storage line A is controlled to 0 to 5 ° C., so that the frozen material can be temporarily stored, and the installation area of the collection line B is almost the same. By controlling the temperature to 10 ° C., the operator does not need to be extremely cold-proof and can improve workability. Even if the frozen product moves in this 10 ° C. area, it can be transferred to a dedicated frozen product transporting container 26 before being thawed, thereby avoiding deterioration in quality.

In the present embodiment, in the transfer area 14, the operator H looks at the shipping destination (store name) of the second label 25 of the freezing container 21B and collects the freezing containers 21B for each shipping destination. The number m displayed on the second label 25 is confirmed and put into the frozen material transport container 26 specified in the store so as not to make a mistake, but in order to reduce the burden on the worker H In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the transfer area 14 can be configured. That is, a barcode reader 91 that reads the first barcode of the second label 25 of the refrigeration container 21 </ b> B conveyed along the branch line 63 along the branch line 63 is arranged, and a branch is provided downstream of the barcode reader 91. The apparatus 92 is disposed, a second branch line 93 for transporting the freezing container 21B branched by the branching device 92 is provided, and the data of the shipping destination (store) of the first barcode read by the barcode reader 91 is determined. Then, the branching device 92 is driven so that the refrigeration container 21B of one store is transported to the end portion of the branch line 63, and the refrigeration container 21B of the next store is transported to the end portion of the second branch line 93. The refrigeration containers 21B are distributed to the branch line 63 and the second branch line 93 alternately in the order of the stores. Further, when the freezing container 21B of the next store is distributed to the same branch line 63 or the second branch line 93, the branch device 92 is used to make an interval. Further, label printers 94 and 95 for issuing a third label 28 attached to the frozen material transporting container 26 are disposed at the ends of the branch line 63 and the second branch line 93, respectively, and the empty frozen material transporting container 26 is stored. doing. The print data of the third label 28 is formed from the store information of the first barcode read by the barcode reader 91 and the preset total number Q of the freezing containers 21B for each determined store. At the timing when the first barcode is read by the barcode reader 91 or when the refrigeration container 21B is distributed by the branching device 92, it is output to the label printers 94 and 95, and the third label 28 is issued.
Workers H are arranged at the end portions of the branch line 63 and the second branch line 93, respectively, and a transfer operation is performed. That is, the third label 28 issued by the label printer 94 or 95 is attached to the empty frozen material transfer container 26, and then the second of the freezing container 21B transferred to the branch line 63 or the second branch line 93. The label 25 confirms the shipping destination (store), packs the frozen plastic bag 23 taken out from each freezing container 21 </ b> B so that the second label 25 can be seen, and stores it in the frozen material transporting container 26. When the storage is completed, the container is put into the container transport line 67, and the empty freezing container 21B is put into the return line 68. With such a configuration, the burden on the worker H can be reduced.

Moreover, in this Embodiment, only the frozen material (an example of a gathering article) collected by the freezing container (an example of the collection container) 21B is collected into the freezing conveyance container (an example of an aggregation container). However, it is also possible to aggregate refrigerated goods and agricultural products (an example of normal articles that are not gathered articles) other than frozen goods collected according to a plurality of orders. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, downstream from the junction of the first collection line 31A and the second collection line 31B and upstream of the packing area 15, the normal use is carried by the first collection line 31A. An aggregation area 17 is provided in which the containers 21A are aggregated, that is, a refrigerated product and agricultural products are transferred to one regular container 21A in the regular containers 21A group. In addition, the second return line that unloads the normal container 21 </ b> A that has been emptied as a result of the transfer of the refrigerated product and the agricultural product to one normal container 21 </ b> A in the normal container 21 </ b> A group and joins the first return line 68. 97 is provided. Thus, the empty normal container 21A is returned to the picking area 13 through the collection container input area 11 and reused together with the empty freezing container 21B.
The worker H in the aggregation area 17 performs the following work. Note that the number p of normal containers 21A allocated to each delivery area (one order; each “sale area”) is a small number, for example, one or two, and the shipping destination (store) (corresponding to a plurality of orders). The refrigerated goods and agricultural products collected every time can be stored in one normal container 21A.
(1) The first label 24 of the normal container 21A conveyed to the aggregation area 17 by the first collection line 31A confirms the normal container 21A having the same shipping destination (store), and for each delivery area ( The total number P (= p1 + p2 + p3...) Of shipping destination normal containers 21A is obtained by adding the number p of “for each sales floor”), and the number of normal containers 21A being conveyed is confirmed.
(2) When it is confirmed that the total number P of normal containers 21A has been conveyed, one normal container 21A is identified and the remaining (P-1) normal containers 21A are identified. The taken out plastic bag 23 containing refrigerated products and agricultural products is packed so that the first label 24 can be seen and stored in the specified normal container 21A. When the storage is completed, the remaining (P- 1) Take out the normal containers 21A from the first collection line 31A and put them into the second return line 97.
With the configuration of the aggregation area 17, the normal containers 21 </ b> A carried out from the picking area 13 are collected for each shipping destination (store), that is, for each normal container 21 </ b> A specified by a plurality of orders. Goods and agricultural products are transferred (aggregated) to one normal container 21A in the group of normal containers 21A constituting a plurality of orders, and this one normal container 21A is conveyed to the packing area 15. . In the loading area 16, the normal container 21 </ b> A carried out from the aggregation area 17 and the frozen material transfer container (aggregation container) 26 are loaded on the shipping carts 73 and 74 using the same robot 75. Attached.
This aggregation area 17 makes it possible to reduce the number of normal containers 21A stacked on the first shipping cart 73, thereby reducing the number of first shipping carts 73 to be shipped, and the transportation cost. Can be expected.
In addition, although refrigerated goods and agricultural products are transferred to one normal container 21A in the normal container 21A group, the number is changed to a smaller number (multiple) of normal containers 21A than the number constituting the group. Also good. It is also possible to prepare an empty container having a larger storage capacity than the normal container 21A in advance and transfer the refrigerated goods and agricultural products collected in the normal container 21A specified by a plurality of orders. .

Further, in the present embodiment, the refrigeration containers 21B respectively conveyed by the two collection lines 31A and 31B are branched, collected in one branch line 63, and conveyed to one transfer area 14, Further, the normal containers 21A respectively conveyed by the two collection lines 31A and 31B are merged into one first collection line 31A and conveyed to the packing area 15, as shown in FIG. For each of the two collection lines 31A and 31B, a frozen material transfer container loading area 12, a transfer area 14, a packing area 15 and a loading area 16 are provided, and the two collection lines 31A and 31B are respectively conveyed. It is also possible to collect the freezing containers 21B independently for each collection container 21 that is being used. At this time, stores (shipping destinations) are allocated to the collection lines 31A and 31B by track (or by transport direction), and the collection containers 21 (21A, 21B) is input to each.
Also, as shown in FIG. 10, return lines (an example of empty container carry-out lines) 68 provided in each transfer area 14 are joined together. That is, in each transfer area 14 , the frozen products 21 B that have been emptied as a result of the transfer of the collected frozen products (collected articles) to the frozen product transport containers (aggregate containers) 26 are respectively carried out. They are merged and returned to the picking area 13 via the collection container input area 11.
With such a configuration, the refrigeration container 21B from which the collection of frozen items (collected articles) has been completed by the two collection lines 31A and 31B is branched and conveyed to each transfer area 14, and each transfer area 14 is transferred. respectively, in the mounting area 14, for each store (each freezing container 21B specified by a plurality of order), frozen food which has been condensed products, it is transferred to a particular frozen food transport container (aggregate container) 26, each In the transfer area 14 , the empty freezing container 21B is carried out by a return line (empty container carry-out line) 68. These return lines 68 are merged, and the empty freezing container 21B is put into a collection container. It is returned to the picking area 13 via the area 11 and reused.
According to the picking equipment having this configuration, the picking area 13 can be shared, space saving and equipment cost can be reduced, and in each zone Z, the worker H has two collection lines 31A, Since the picking work is performed on the collection containers 21 respectively conveyed by 31B, the work waiting time is reduced, and the efficiency of the picking work can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the collection container 21 is conveyed by the two collection lines 31A and 31B. However, the collection container 21 may be conveyed by one collection line. That is, one collection line 31B shown in FIG. 10 is eliminated, the frozen material transport container loading area 12, the transfer area 14, the packing area 15, and the loading area 16 connected to the collection line 31B are eliminated, and one of the collection lines 31B is removed. The book collection line 31 </ b> A and the frozen material transport container loading area 12, the transfer area 14, the packing area 15, and the loading area 16 that are connected to the collection line 31 </ b> A may be left.
According to this configuration, the normal container 21A and the freezing container 21B are conveyed by the single collection line 21A, and the collection is executed, so that the normal container 21A and the freezing container 21B are not distinguished. A collection line (picking facility) used for collecting refrigerated or agricultural products, which are ordinary articles, is collected by the same collection line 21A.

Further, in the present embodiment, the gathered article and the regular article are classified according to the category of the product 22 (frozen product and refrigerated product or agricultural product), and the product 22 classified as the gathered product is classified as a collection container (freezing container). 21), and products 22 classified into normal articles are collected in normal collection containers (corresponding to normal containers 21A), but ordered products 22 for many individuals. In the picking facility for collecting and shipping the items, the collected items and the normal items may be distinguished as follows and collected in the collected item collection container and the normal collected item container.
That is, each individual is divided into personal correspondence (for example, personal correspondence with a large number of orders) and group correspondence (corresponding to handling a relatively small number of individuals as one individual in the group), A product 22 ordered from an individual is classified as a product 22 ordered from an individual corresponding to the individual. The group is performed, for example, for each track (or for each conveyance direction).
Then, the collected goods (the product 22 ordered from the individual corresponding to the group) are collected in the collection containers assigned to the individual corresponding to the group, and the goods collected in the collected container for the collection. 22 is transferred to a collective container corresponding to the group (corresponding to the frozen material transport container 26). In addition, the normal article (the product 22 ordered from the individual) is collected in the normal collection container assigned to each individual.
In this way, a relatively small amount of products 22 ordered from each individual corresponding to a group are collected in a group-compatible collection container, and a large amount of products 22 ordered from each individual corresponding to an individual are allocated to each individual. The collected items are collected in the normal collection container, stacked on shipping carts 73 and 74 by one robot 75, and shipped.

  In the present embodiment, a container (for example, a foamed polystyrene box) having the same heat insulation specification is used for a normal collection container (corresponding to the normal container 21A) and a gathering collection container (corresponding to the freezing container 21B). Used, but the collection container for normal use and the collection container for collection use different specifications and types of containers, for example, containers that can be folded into the collection container for normal use, and insulate the collection container for collection. You may make it use the container of a specification. As another container, a cardboard box can be used. In addition, as an aggregation container (corresponding to the frozen material transporting container 26), a container dedicated to frozen materials is used which has a larger volume than the collection container 21 (an example having a different volume). When it is a product that does not change in the environment of the above, or when it is used in an environment where thawing can be prevented even if it is frozen, it is also possible to use a foldable container or cardboard box.

In the present embodiment, in the loading area 16 , the shipping containers 73 and 74 are stacked with the normal containers 21 </ b> A and the frozen material transport containers 26, respectively, but are limited to the shipping carts 73 and 74. Instead, they may be stacked (stacked) on a pallet (an example of a table). Further, the normal container 21A is stacked on the first shipping cart 73 and the frozen material transporting container 26 is stacked on the second shipping cart 74. It is also possible to load the container 21A and the frozen material transport container 26 together.

  In the present embodiment, the belt conveyor device is used as the collection lines 31A and 31B (conveyance conveyors 37 and 38). However, any type can be used as long as the collection container 21 can be conveyed along a fixed path. It may be a thing. The collection lines 31A and 31B are continuously transported, but instead of continuous transport, a group is formed by a plurality of collection containers 21, and each zone Z is transported intermittently in units of groups. It may be tact transport. Further, the conveyance surface of the first collection line 31A and the conveyance surface of the second collection line 31B are configured to have the same height, or the conveyance surface of the second collection line 31B is directed toward the first collection line 31A. It can also be configured in a downward slope.

In the present embodiment, one worker H is arranged in each zone Z of the picking area 13, but a plurality (for example, two) workers H are arranged in each zone Z. It can also be.
Further, in the present embodiment, the flow rack 32 is used as the article storage shelf, but a general shelf where the product 22 or the storage box does not move can also be used.
Further, in this embodiment, the shipping destination (sorting destination) is a store, but it is not limited to a store, and it may be by region, by transport truck, or the like.
Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the 1st conveyance conveyor 37 and the 1st endless chain 41, the 2nd conveyance conveyor 38, and the 2nd endless chain 42 are each driven with the same motive power, the collection container 21 and plate P However, the first transport conveyor 37 and the first endless chain 41, and the second transport conveyor 38 and the second endless chain 42 may be driven by different powers.

11 Collection container input area 12 Frozen product transfer container input area 13 Picking area 14 Transfer area 15 Packing area 16 Loading area 17 Consolidation area 21 Collection container 21A Normal container 21B Refrigeration container 22 Product 24, 25, 28 Label 26 Frozen material container 30 Transfer line 31A, 31B Collection line 32 Flow rack 61 Branch device 63 Branch line 65, 66 Storage zone 67 Container transport line 68, 97 Return line 71 First feed conveyor 72 Second feed conveyor 75 robot

Claims (7)

A picking area that includes a plurality of article storage units that respectively store articles, and performs a picking operation for collecting articles from the article storage unit according to the order for each collection container to which an order is assigned. Picking equipment with
The article stored in the article storage unit is
A collection article that is scheduled to be collected in one aggregation container after being collected according to a plurality of the orders;
Normal goods that are not scheduled to be collected in the aggregation container after being collected according to a plurality of the orders ;
Divided into
The collection container is
A collecting container for collecting the articles classified into the collecting articles;
A normal collection container for collecting articles classified into the normal articles;
Composed by
The picking area includes a first transport line for transporting the collecting collection container and the normal collecting container, and articles classified into the collecting article are collected in the collecting collection container, and the normal The picking operation is configured to be executable so that articles classified into articles are collected in a regular collection container,
Articles that are classified as collected articles for each of the collecting containers specified by the plurality of orders from the collecting containers that are branched and conveyed from the first conveying line by a branching device. A transfer area for transferring to a specific aggregation container;
A second transport line for transporting the aggregated container unloaded from the transfer area along the first transport line;
A normal converging article container has been unloaded from the picking area, and the aggregate containers have been unloaded from the transfer area via the second conveying line, the platform uses the same automatic stowage device or A loading area that can be loaded onto a dolly; and
As a result of transferring collected articles in the transfer area to the aggregation container, empty container carry-out lines for carrying out the collected collection containers that have become empty to the picking area;
With
The automatic stacking device is
A normal collection container that has been transported by the first transport line without being branched by the branch device;
A collecting container carried out from the transfer area via the second transport line;
Picking equipment, wherein the picking equipment is loaded on the carriage or the carriage . The first transport line is
The picking area is provided along the article storage unit, and includes two collection lines for conveying the collecting collection container and the normal collection container ,
Transporting the collection container and the regular collection container through the two collection lines without distinguishing the collection container from the regular collection container and distributing it to the two collection lines The picking equipment according to claim 1, wherein the picking work is configured to be executable . The picking containers specified in the plurality of orders are distributed to the two picking lines, and the picking area is separately transported by the picking areas through the picking areas. The picking equipment according to claim 2, wherein the picking equipment is configured to perform work. The first transport line is
The picking area is provided along the article storage unit, and includes a single collection line for transporting the collecting collection container and the normal collection container ,
Picking installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to be able to execute the picking work while conveying by the pulling converging article containers and the normal converging article container wherein one of the current product line. For each normal collection container specified in the plurality of orders, the collected normal articles are transferred to one normal collection container from the plurality of normal collection containers carried out from the picking area. An aggregation area to be replaced,
As a result of transferring collected articles in the transfer area to the aggregation container, a first return line for carrying out the collected collection containers that have become empty and transporting them to the picking area;
As a result of transferring the collected normal articles to the one normal collection container in the aggregation area, the normal collection container that has been emptied is unloaded and joined to the first return line. A return line;
With
The loading area is
The one normal collection container carried out from the aggregation area;
The aggregation container that has been carried out from the transfer area,
The picking equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the picking equipment is configured so as to be capable of being loaded on the carriage or the carriage using the same automatic loading apparatus . The first transport line is provided in the picking area along the article storage unit, and includes two collection lines for transporting the collecting collection container and the normal collection container,
The transfer area is provided for each of the two collection lines,
The empty container carry-out line is provided for each of the transfer areas, and the empty container carry-out lines merge together to carry the empty collection container into the picking area. picking installation according to claim 1, characterized in that. A plurality of article storage units for storing articles; a picking area for collecting articles from the article storage unit according to the order in each collection container to which an order is assigned; and a first container for transporting the collection container 1 transfer line, a transfer area where articles are transferred from a collection container that is branched and transferred from the first transfer line by a branching device, and the aggregation container carried out from the transfer area is A second transport line that transports along one transport line, a collection container transported from the first transport line, and the aggregation container transported from the second transport line using a stacking device or A picking installation comprising: a loading area to be loaded onto a cart; and an empty container carry-out line for carrying out the collection container emptied in the transfer area to the picking area. A picking method in,
Articles stored in the article storage unit,
A collection article that is scheduled to be collected in one aggregation container after being collected according to a plurality of the orders;
Normal goods that are not scheduled to be collected in the collection container after being collected according to a plurality of the orders
Divided into
The collection container,
A collecting container for collecting the articles classified into the collecting articles;
A normal collection container for collecting articles classified into the normal articles;
Composed by
The picked area is the picked area so that the goods classified into the gathering goods are collected in the collecting container for gathering, and the articles classified into the normal goods are collected in the normal collecting container. Run in
When the collection for the collecting container is completed, for each collecting collection container specified by the plurality of orders, the articles classified into the collected collecting articles are specified in the specific collecting container, Transfer in the transfer area,
The normal collection container conveyed by the first conveyance line in which collection of the articles classified into the normal articles is completed, and the second conveyance line in which transfer of the articles classified into the gathered articles is completed. The intensive container conveyed by the above is stacked on a pedestal or cart using the same stacking device in the loading area.
Picking method characterized by

Images