JPH01122825A - Method and device of assorting article - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the speed of assortment, by a method wherein articles are assorted by the one of first branch lines disposed in juxtaposition, and the article are conveyed to a second branch line situated on the downstream of the other first branch line which does not execute assortment. CONSTITUTION:Articles assorted by a kind are contained in a picking line 1001 and are conveyed by means of a switching conveyor 1002, and are conveyed to upper and lower confluent conveyance lines 1004 and 1004a through upper and lower storage lines 1003 and 1003a. The articles are then conveyed to upper and lower first sorters 1006u and 1006d through switching conveyors 1005 and 1005a. The articles at the one of the sorters 1006 are properly arranged at 1008 and are delivered at 1009, and the article loaded at 1011 through a loading conveyor 1010 for distribution at 1012. Articles at the other sorter are conveyed to second sorters 1006au and 1006ad through a switching conveyor 1007 and are properly arranged at 1008a, the articles are delivered at 1009a and loaded at 1011 through the loading conveyor 1010 for distribution at 1012. This method increases the speed of assortment and improve efficiency without a bypass conveyor.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sorting a large number of articles into destinations, etc., and particularly relates to a method and apparatus for sorting a large number of articles into destinations, etc. The present invention relates to a method for sorting articles and an apparatus therefor.

〔overview〕

The present invention provides an article sorting method and apparatus for sorting a large number of articles into a plurality of categories, including a plurality of first branch lines arranged in parallel, and a second branch line separately provided downstream of the first branch line. It is equipped with a two-branch line and a switching conveyor that moves in correspondence with the first branch line and connects the first branch line and the second branch line, and the article is sorted in the first branch line. By transporting the articles to the second branch line and sorting them using the branch line that is not in use, the articles can be sorted efficiently and quickly.

[Conventional technology]

Conventional techniques relating to methods and apparatus for sorting articles include those described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-49805.

To explain the conventional technology described in the above-mentioned gazette, Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-49805 states that in the primary sorting, the cargo from the device is received at the starting end and in the middle, and then the cargo is transferred to the secondary sorting. The secondary sorting is equipped with a conveyor, and this secondary sorting is equipped with a storage chute, etc., which has multiple rows and multiple stages to store the cargo sorted by the conveyor. The structure is such that the cargo received at the starting end of the conveyor is subjected to secondary sorting on the upstream side of the conveyor, and the cargo received at the intermediate portion is sorted on the downstream side of the conveyor. Storage and transportation equipment is described for automatic cargo sorting.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, the above-mentioned conventional technology had the following problems.

In other words, for the automatic cargo sorting described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-49805, the storage and conveyance equipment requires a bypass conveyor to be attached to the conveyor for secondary sorting, which requires installation space and Equipment costs are required.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to convey articles to be sorted by a downstream branch line using a branch line in which sorting is not performed among the upstream branch lines, so that a special bypass conveyor can be used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for sorting articles that can efficiently and quickly sort articles without the need for.

[Means for solving problems]

The article sorting method of the present invention includes sorting a large number of articles into a plurality of categories, in which the articles are sorted on a plurality of first branch lines arranged in parallel; Among the first branch lines, the above-mentioned articles are sorted using the branch line that is not in operation, and the above-mentioned articles are transported and sorted to at least one second branch line separately provided downstream of the first branch line. It is characterized by doing the following.

The article sorting apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of first branch lines arranged in parallel, at least one second branch line separately provided downstream of the first branch line, and a plurality of second branch lines arranged in parallel. The present invention is characterized by comprising a switching conveyor that moves in correspondence with the first branch line and connects the first branch line and the second branch line.

Further, in the article sorting apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that two first branch lines are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction.

[Effect]

A plurality of first branch lines are provided, and the branch lines that are not in use are used to sort the articles, and the articles are transported to the second branch line for sorting.

Therefore, by including the sorting of articles in the first and second branch lines in the conventional computer control, articles can be efficiently and quickly sorted without the need for a special bypass conveyor as in the past. becomes possible.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a distribution system to which the article sorting method of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing its control system, and FIG. The schematic plan view shown in FIG. 5 is a side view taken along line CC to line FF in FIG. 4. Note that this embodiment shows a case where two first branch lines are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction.

First, the logistics system shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. 1
Reference numeral 001 denotes a picking line, which transports articles that have been picked by type using a picking device or the like based on predetermined batch picking data.

A switching conveyor 1002 distributes the articles flowing from the picking line 1001 to a first sorter storage line and a second sorter storage line and sends them out based on the above batch picking data.

1003 and 1003. is the switching conveyor 1 in the storage line for the first sorter and the second sorter.
The articles flowing from 002 are temporarily stored and then transported in a predetermined amount.

1004 and 1004. is a converging conveyance line for the first sorter and the second sorter, and is connected to a plurality of storage lines 1003 and 1 based on the batch picking data.
003. The lines merge one by one starting from the line with the predetermined items.

1005 and 1005. is a switching conveyor, and the switching conveyor 1005 is a merging conveyance line 10.
The articles flowing from 04 are switched to the upper side (or lower side) of the first sorter and conveyed to the switching conveyor 1005. is the combined conveyance line 1004. The articles flowing from the first soak are transferred to the lower (or upper) side of the first soak.

1006u and 1006. is the first sorter as the first branch line of the present invention, 1006u is the upper line,
1006 is the lower line. (Here, the subscript U indicates the upper line, and the subscript d indicates the lower line. The same applies to other elements below.) First sorter 1006u or 1
006. sorts the articles flowing from the switching conveyor 1005 in a predetermined manner (branch sorting).
Sorting (branching) according to the data based on the data
do. Also, the first sorter 1006d or 1006u
conveys the articles flowing from the switching conveyor 1005°.

1007 is a switching conveyor as a switching conveyor of the present invention, and a first sorter 1006. Or 100
The articles flowing from 6u are switched to the second sorter 1006, which will be described later. u or 1006. Transport to d.

1006, u and 1006. d is a second sorter as a second branch line of the present invention, and a switching conveyor 1
The articles flowing from 007 are sorted (branched) based on the sorting (branch assortment) data.

1008u and 1008. and 1008. u and 10
08. , and are the first sorter 1 on the sorting line, respectively.
006u and 1006. and second sorter 1006. u and 1006. d and store the branched items respectively.

1009u, 1009. ．． 1009. u and 100
9. d is a delivery line, and when a loading container number (car number) is set, goods are delivered for each container and each sorting line.

1010 is a loading conveyor line that transports the above-mentioned discharged articles to the loading port of the container.

1011 is loading, and 1012 is delivery.

Here, everything from the picking line 1001 to the loading conveyor line 1010 is automatically controlled by a computer.

A feature of the present invention is that the above-mentioned first branch line, second branch line, and switching conveyor are provided, and the goods are transferred to the second branch line using the branch line that is not used for sorting among the first branch lines. The goal is to transport and sort the materials.

Figure 2 shows this computer control system,
General management CPU (central processing unit) 201, logistics CPU
2 (f2, control CPU U2O5 and sorting are system 2
Contains 04.

The overall management CP U2O1 performs overall management of the entire logistics system. For example, it creates a schedule for the delivery order of goods based on order data, etc.
Send to O2. The logistics CPU U2O2 determines the group for sorting the corresponding article according to the delivery order schedule of the article, creates branch sorting data and batch picking data, and outputs the data to the control CPU U2O5. Control CPU
205 creates necessary control instructions based on this branch assortment data and batch picking data, and outputs the sorting to the system 204. The sorting system 204 uses a sequencer to perform necessary controls such as merging control, branching control, and dispensing control.

Next, an embodiment of an article sorting apparatus to which the article sorting method of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

Note that the explanation will be made in accordance with the distribution system shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an installation plan view of one embodiment of the article sorting apparatus of the present invention, and FIG.
e) are a side view taken from C-C in FIG. 4, a side view taken from D-D, a side view taken from E-E, a side view taken from F-F, and G, respectively.
- It is a side view of G view.

In addition, FIGS. 3(a), (b), and (C) show an old picking line 10, a switching conveyor 1002, and storage lines 1003 and 100 for picking or transporting articles to be sorted by the above-mentioned sorting apparatus.
3. , merge withdrawal lines 1004 and 1004. etc., where (a) is the installation plan, and (a) is the installation plan.
), and (C) is a side view taken from B-A in the same figure (a).
It is a side view of B view.

Note that the above sorting is performed using the first sorter 1006° and 1006. , second sorter 1006. u and 10
06. ,.

Sorting line 1008. , 100g, , 1008. , and 1008. .

etc., picking line 100L switching conveyor 1002, storage line 1003 and 1003 .
It is located downstairs.

In this embodiment, the picking line 1001 is composed of three sets of conveyors IA, IB and IC, and the switching conveyors 1002 include switching conveyors 2A and 2B.
and send goods to 2C. switching conveyor 2A,
2B and 2C are the storage conveyors 3A, 3B and 3C of the storage line 1003 for the first sorter and the storage line 1003.2C for the second sorter based on the batch picking data. storage conveyor 3A,
The articles are transported while being distributed to 3B and 3C.

In this case, switching conveyors 2A, 2B and 2C
The CPU U2O controls the flow to the first sorter and the flow to the second sorter for each type of product so that the number of switching times is reduced.
5, feed a certain variety to the first sorter first,
Next, after the same product type is supplied to the second sorter, the next product type is first supplied to the second sorter, thereby reducing the number of times of switching.

and storage lines 1003 and 1003. , the articles sorted by the switching conveyors 2A, 2B and 2C based on the batch picking data are transferred to the storage conveyor 3A for the first sorter,
3B and 3C, and storage conveyors 3A, 3B, and 3C for the second sorter.

Storage lines 1003 and 1003. for first and second sorters. Merging conveyance lines 1004 and 1004., respectively, collect a predetermined amount of articles from the lines that have been stored and send them out to the next line. is for the first sorter (1004
) and a line for the second sorter (1004,),
Three sets of combined delivery conveyors 4A, 4B, 4C and 5A for a first sorter are installed at the exit end of each of the storage conveyors and deliver the items one by one.

5B, 5C, and 4A, 4B for the second sorter as well.
, , 4C, and 5A, , 5B, , 5C, and merging conveyance conveyors 6.7.8 and 9 for the first sorter, which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the merging and discharging conveyor.
Merging conveyor 6 for the second sorter, . 7. ．． 8. and 9a. As shown in FIG. 3, these merging conveyors pass through a floor pit (FP) provided on the floor, and then pass through the switching conveyors 10 and 10. send goods to

Specifically, FIG. 4 shows switching conveyors 1005 and 1005. and the first sorter 1006. and 100
6° and the second sorter 1006. u and 1006. d, switching conveyor 1007, and assortment line 10
08u, 1008. .

1008, u and 1008. d and payout line 10
09i1009. ．． 1009- and 1009. ,and,
An explanatory diagram of the arrangement of each line downstairs including the loading conveyor line 1010 is shown.

The switching conveyor 10 includes first sorters 1006u and 1006. Transport the goods to the destination. The switching conveyor 10a includes a second sorter 1006. u and 100
6. .

Transport the goods to the destination. Switching conveyors 10 and 10. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and (b),
The left end of this figure moves up and down, and the conveyor 11u or 11. ．． 11. , or 11. , and transfer the goods.

First, a first sorter 1006u and a second sorter 1006. A case will be explained in which the items are sorted and sorted.

The switching conveyor 10 that conveys the articles destined for the first sorter 1006u switches to the upper conveyor 11u side and conveys the articles. The articles sent by the conveyor 11u are transferred to the conveyor 12. , and then conveyance is controlled by the induction conveyor 13u so that they are spaced at a constant interval, and sent to the first sorter 1OO6u.

The first sorter 1006u includes a branching conveyor 14u equipped with a branching device, and the branching conveyor 14. The articles are sorted into a large number of retracting conveyors 101u arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to , based on the group data. The articles sent by the pull-in conveyor 101u are transferred to an inclined roller conveyor 102 that constitutes a sorting line 1008u.
The articles are self-propelled on U due to the gravitational force caused by the inclination, and are sorted and stored.

On the other hand, the second sorter 1006. u and 1006. The switching conveyor 106, which conveys the articles bound for d, switches to the lower conveyor 11ad, and conveys the articles. The articles sent by the conveyor 116d are transferred to the conveyor 12. + and transported to induction conveyor 13. The conveyance is controlled to be at constant intervals at the first sorter 1006. sent to.

Note that the articles are transferred to the induction conveyor 20. at the entrance of the second sorter. or 20. Since it is controlled to maintain a constant interval by 1, it is not necessary to control by the first sorter population, but in the case of this embodiment, in order to correct pitch jams of articles that occur due to the long conveyance route, Induction conveyor of first sorter population 13. Also, transport control is performed as described above.

Branch conveyor 14 of first sorter 1006d. F)
The loaded articles are transferred to a branch conveyor 14. By conveyor 15. transported to.

The right end of the switching conveyor 16 moves up and down, as shown in FIG.
．． The article is then switched to the side and delivered to the conveyor 17. The left end of the switching conveyor 18 moves up and down, as shown in FIG. Switch to the side and send out the goods.

A first sorter 1006u and a second sorter 1006. When sorting and arranging articles to
, the switching conveyor 18 has been switched to the transport conveyor 19u side (upper stage side).

That is, the conveyor 15. The articles that have been conveyed to are sent to the switching conveyor 16,
7, and is sent to the transport conveyor 19u by the switching conveyor 18. Then, the conveyance is controlled by the induction conveyor 20u so that the intervals are constant, and the second sorter 1006. sent to u.

Second sorter 1006. U consists of a branching conveyor 21u equipped with a branching device, and a number of retracting conveyors 110 arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to this branching conveyor 21u.
In sorting, articles are sorted based on group data.

The articles sent by the pull-in conveyor 110u are transferred to the sorting line 1008. The article is self-propelled by the gravitational force of the article due to the inclination on the inclined roller conveyor 111u constituting u,
Sorted and stored.

In this way, the first sorter side sorting line 1008u
(upper stage side) and second sorter side sorting line 1008. u(
When sorting is completed on the upper level side), the sorting line 1
008u and 1008. The articles on u are transported to the loading process.

Payout line 1009 1009. ．． 1009. u and 1009. .

are dispensing devices 103u and 103d on the first sorter side.
and second sorter side dispensing devices 112u and 112d.
It consists of the loading container number (car number)
When set, the stopper means is released for each line in units of containers (delivery vehicles) and delivery is performed.

The articles discharged in this manner are transferred to the transport conveyors 104u, 104° and 113-113 of the loading conveyor line 1010. Accordingly, each transfer 105, 114u, 114. and stopper 1
06u.

106, and 115u and 115. and transport conveyors 107u and 107. and 116
u.

116d and switching conveyors 108 and 11
7 and transport conveyors 109 and 118, and are sent to the loading port of the container (delivery vehicle). When discharging or loading all the goods on the upper stage, as shown in FIG. 5(e), the switching conveyor 108 whose left end in the figure moves up and down switches to the upper transport conveyor 107u to convey the goods. do. This is payout line 1009.
u and 1009. The same applies to case d, and the switching conveyor 117 switches to the conveyor 116u side to convey the article.

When the sorting of the items on the upper stage is completed, the loading operation starts, and in parallel, the first sorter 1006. and second sorter 1006. Sorting starts on the d side.

At this time, each switching conveyor is switched as follows. That is, the switching conveyor 10 is located on the transport conveyor 11d side, and the switching conveyor 106 is located on the transport conveyor 11. On the u side, there is also a switching conveyor 1
6 is the switching conveyor 1 on the transfer conveyor 15u side.
8 is a conveyor 19. Switch to each side.

Next, the sorting or moving operations of articles in each line will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of the switching conveyor.

This is used in the switching conveyor 16 shown in FIG. 4 and other applications.

In FIG. 6, one end of the switching conveyor 16 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 16B on a stand 16A, and the other end is suspended by a hanging bracket 16C in the middle.

The hanging bracket) 16C is driven up and down by an electric chain block 16E installed on the top of the pedestal 16D.
Conveyor 17 and conveyor 15u or 15. The connection will be established by switching to .

FIGS. 7(a) and 7(a) show the branch conveyor 14. , 14
．． and 21. , 21. This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the figure (a).
(a) shows a plan view, and (a) shows a side view taken along the line XX of the same figure (a). In this figure, multiple conveyor bells) 14
A sends an article (not shown) in the direction of arrow a. A skid wheel 14B is disposed at a predetermined position between the conveyor belts 14A, with its rotating shaft 14C at a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling axis of the conveyor belt 14A. This rotating shaft 14C is supported by a bracket 14D so that the skinny wheel 14B can freely rotate, and the bracket 14C is also supported by a bracket 14D.
4D is supported by a lifting device 14E via an arm 14F. This branch conveyor 14u114d and 21u, 2
1. is a large number of drawing conveyors 101u shown in FIG.
101. and 110u and 110°, one set is provided respectively.

As mentioned above, sorting is carried out using the necessary lead-in conveyors 101u, 101 . and 110u.

Branch conveyor 14u for 110, 14. and 21u121, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the skinny wheel 14B is pushed up in the direction of the arrow by the lifting device 14E and takes the position indicated by the broken line, so the article is
It moves in the direction of arrow C in a) and is sent to a pull-in conveyor (not shown).

FIGS. 8(a) and 8(a) show the assortment line 1008u,
1008° and 1008. u, 1008. In d,
Dispensing device 103 for dispensing stored items. ,
．． 103. and 112u, 112, in the operation explanatory diagram,
4A shows a plan view, and FIG. 2B shows a side view taken along line A-A in FIG.

In FIG. 8 et al.), an article (not shown) moves on the free roller 103A as shown by arrow d, but normally the lever 103E is positioned in a substantially vertical direction and the frame 103C is pushed up by the dispensing cylinder 103D. Because there are
Stopper 103B and each lift channel 103F are located above the top surface of free roller 103A, and stop an article not shown.

When a predetermined signal is input, the cylinder 103D moves lever 1.
03E in the direction of arrow e, and frame 103C
Since it rotates around 03G in the direction of arrow f, stopper 10
3B and lift channel 103F are free rollers 10
It goes down from the top of 3A. For this reason, the articles (not shown) are moved, and the conveyor 104 is moved by the drive wheel 103H. ,
104. and 113u, 113. will be transferred to.

FIG. 9 shows transport conveyors 104u, 104. and 113, , 113. An article 300 (indicated by a - dotted line) is placed on the conveyor 107u, 107d (not shown) and placed in the direction of the arrow g (indicated by a dashed line).
.

116u and 116. transfer 105u
1057.114u and 114. and stopper 106u
.

1061.115u and 115. It is an explanatory diagram of the operation. When the article is not transferred, the transfer cylinder 105B and the stopper cylinder 106
Since B does not operate, many wheels 105D and stopper plates provided on the frame 105C) IQ6
The upper end of A is located at a lower position than the upper surface of the drive roller 105A. Therefore, the article passing over this travels in the direction of arrow g. When a signal for performing a transfer operation is input, the transfer cylinder 105B and the stopper cylinder 10
6B operate in the directions of arrows J and k, respectively, and raise each wheel 105D and stopper plate 106A to the position indicated by the dashed lines, so that the articles are transferred in the direction of the arrows.

In FIG. 4, overflow line 22u122,
and 23u and 23d store articles that cannot be branched due to lack of branching data.

In addition, the operation control of each part in the above description is performed via the logistics CPU U2O2 and the control CPU U2O5 shown in FIG.

Although the article sorting method of the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments of the apparatus thereof, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the sorters may be arranged in parallel on a plane, and the first sorter , three or more sorters may be arranged in parallel, and only one second sorter may be used, and the first and second sorters do not sort the items on the same stage, but sort on different stages. (For example, sorting may be performed between the upper stage of the first sorter and the lower stage of the second sorter, or between the lower stage of the first sorter and the upper stage of the second sorter.) Adding further notes,
In order to increase the capacity in the example, two combined conveyance lines were installed.
Although a system was used, one system or three or more systems may be prepared.

In addition, the present invention is a method for sorting articles, in which preset sorting is done according to the number of groups, each sorting has an approximately equal amount of articles in the group, and the articles are sorted according to the order of delivery to form groups. However, by also applying a method for sorting articles that have been conveyed together by type into groups, it is possible to further improve the efficiency of the sorting work.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention provides a first branch line, a second branch line separately provided downstream of the first branch line, a second branch line that moves in correspondence with the first branch line, and a first branch line that moves along the first branch line. and a switching conveyor that connects the second branch line and the first branch line, and the branch line that is not in use is used to transport the articles to the second branch line for sorting. By doing so, it is possible to efficiently and quickly sort articles without providing a special bypass conveyor.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a distribution system to which the article sorting method of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the installation of a picking line, a switching conveyor, and a storage line for picking or transporting articles to be sorted by the article sorting apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an installation plan view of each line of the article sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 5 (a), (b), (C), (6) and (e) are a side view taken from CC, a side view taken from D-D, and a side view taken from E-E in Figure 4, respectively. , a side view taken along FF and a side view taken taken along GG. Figure 6 is a structural diagram of the switching conveyor. FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are explanatory views of the operation of the branching conveyor, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a side view taken along line XX. FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the dispensing device, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a side view taken along line AA in (a). FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the transfer and stopper. IA, IB, IC...conveyor, 2A, 2B, 2C. 10.10. , 16.18.108.117.100
5.1005. ．． 1007...Switching conveyor (switching conveyor), 3A, 3A, , 3B, 3B, ,
3G, 3G, ... storage conveyor, 4A, 4A,
, 4B, 4Ba. 4C14C,,5A,5A,,5B,5B,,5C. 5C, ... Merging and discharging conveyor, 6.66.7.7
as8.86.9.9a...merging withdrawal conveyor, 11
u11L, 11au, 1lad, 12u, 12
a, 15u, 15d, 17.19u, 19.
, 104u, 104. ．． 107u, 107.
. 109.113u, 113. ．． 116u, 11
6d, 118...conveyor, 13. , 13.
．． 20u, 20. ...induction conveyor,
14A... Conveyor belt, 14B... Skewed wheel, 14C... Rotating shaft, 14D... Bracket, 14E... Lifting device, 14 F... Arm, 14
u, 14. . 21u, 21d... Branch conveyor, 16A... Stand, 16B... Rotating shaft, 16C... Hanging bracket, 16D... Frame, 16 E... Chain block, 22. , 22. ．． 23u, 23°...overflow line, 101u, 101. ...Retraction conveyor, 102u, 102. ．． 111u,
111. ...Roller conveyor, 103A...Free roller, 103B. 106u, 106. ．． 115. , 115d...
Stopper, 103C. 105C... Frame, 103D... Payout cylinder, 103E... Lever, 103F... Lift channel, 103G... Shaft, 103H... Drive wheel, 103. , 103. ．． 112. . 112... Dispensing device, 105A... Drive roller, 105B... Transfer cylinder, 105D...
・Wheel, 106A...stopper play), 106
B...stopper cylinder, 105u, 105. ．．
114u, 114. ...Transfer, 110u
, 110. ... Pull-in conveyor, 201 ... General management CPU, 202 ... Logistics CPU, 203 ...
Control CPU. 204... Sorting is a system, 300... Goods, 10
01... Picking line, 1002... Switching conveyor, 1003.1003,... Storage line, 1004.1004. ...merging conveyance line, 1006u, 1006. ...First sorter (first branch line), 1006. 1006. ,...Second sorter (second branch line), 1008-1008.
．． 1008. u, 1008. d... Sorting line,
1009. , 1009. J1009. ,,1009. d
...Discharge line, 1010...Loading conveyor line, 1011...Loading, 1012...Delivery, F
P...floor pit. Example Control system Fig. 2 (a) C-C (ll'l a (b) D-D (li' Jllin (c) E -
54 rule side (d) F-F A rule C mouth) (e) G-G (jf' 1 side helmet 5 mouths example sorting into large size) large side example also Iritinbu conveyor, ¥16 times x XiL example trannu 7 pieces・Enter ・7 pas W 49 times (C1) crotch l + side (b) X-X1 law side? f!17Ea Urahon alternation Branch conveyor (1))
A-A Law surface M 8 Example of hypertrophy [light l

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an article sorting method in which a large number of articles are sorted into a plurality of categories, the articles are sorted in a plurality of first branch lines arranged in parallel, and the articles are sorted in a plurality of first branch lines arranged in parallel. The article is characterized in that the article is transported and sorted to at least one second branch line separately provided downstream of the first branch line using a branch line that is not performing sorting work. Sorting method. (2) A plurality of first branch lines arranged in parallel, at least one second branch line separately provided downstream of the first branch line, and a plurality of first branch lines corresponding to the plurality of first branch lines. An article sorting device comprising: a switching conveyor that moves and connects the first branch line and the second branch line. (3) The article sorting device according to claim (2), wherein two first branch lines are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction.