JPH0234844B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a sorting device that is optimal for use in, for example, a photo processing laboratory, for sorting envelopes containing developed and printed products (photos) by delivery store or delivery route. It is related to.

In general, a photo lab not only develops and prints the photographed and undeveloped film collected from each store, but also calculates fees based on enlargement size, number of prints, etc., and issues slips (hereinafter referred to as these processes). The scope of work also includes the processing of sorting finished products by delivery store or delivery route (hereinafter referred to as delivery sorting processing). Among these, the delivery sorting process is extremely complicated as there are often a huge number of delivery destinations, and automation of such sorting process is progressing.

Conventionally, as this type of sorting apparatus, there has been an apparatus in which envelopes and the like are conveyed by a conveyor belt, and the envelopes are sorted by being shifted from the conveying path by a flipper gate or by blowing air.

However, when sorting with a flipper gate, thin items tend to get caught between the conveyor belt and the flipper gate, and when sorting with air blowing, thin and light items fly far away, while thick and heavy items only fly a specified distance. It had the disadvantage that it could not be shifted and sorting was impossible.

In addition, in order to increase the number of delivery destinations in this type of device, it is necessary to increase the number of sorting shelves that receive sorted envelopes and to lengthen the conveyance path correspondingly. However, since it is difficult to configure the envelopes in multiple vertical stages, a large installation area is required, and there are also problems in that the distance traveled by the operator becomes long when collecting the sorted envelopes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that can easily and reliably perform sorting even when the sorting shelves are configured in multiple stages above and below, and thereby does not require a large installation area. The purpose is to

Next, means for achieving the above object will be explained with reference to drawings corresponding to embodiments.

That is, in the present invention, a large number of sorting shelves each having an input port at the top are arranged in two rows along the conveyance direction, and the two rows of sorting shelves are arranged in a plurality of stages above and below. A sorting shelf group, an endless cable 19 installed above the sorting shelf group, and an endless cable 1 at predetermined intervals of the endless cable 19.
9, and an upper clamp frame 101 is provided on each support shaft 90 so as to be slidable along the axial direction of the support shaft 90. Below the frame 101, a pair of clamp arms 104, 104 that can be expanded and contracted to clamp objects to be sorted are provided.
A switching lever 1 for expanding and contracting the clamp arms 104 is provided in a part of the clamp frame 101.
12, a conveyor 8 that sequentially inserts and supplies the objects to be sorted between the pair of clamp arms 104, 104 in the open state of each clamp 100 at the conveyance starting end position; After each article to be sorted supplied by the conveyor 8 is clamped by the clamp arms 104, 104 of the clamp 100, this is done by a command from the control device 10 before reaching the most advanced sorting shelf. Sorting operation plate 21 that pushes the clamp 100 along the support shaft 90 in the direction of one or the other sorting shelf row where a desired sorting shelf is located;
When the clamp 100 is located on a desired sorting shelf, the switching lever 112 is rotated according to a command from the control device 10, and the clamp arm 10
4, 104 and a clamp opening operating device 29 for opening the clamp and dropping the objects to be sorted into the desired sorting shelf.

Next, an embodiment of the sorting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

This embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a charge calculation and sorting system in a photo lab. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the charge calculation and sorting system. It is composed of a sorting device according to the invention.

In the figure, 1 is an introduction conveyor for supplying envelopes (details will be described later) containing developed and printed products (photos) as objects to be sorted 2;
3 is a code reading unit that reads a code such as a bar coat attached to the envelope conveyed by the introduction conveyor 1 and sends the read content to the arithmetic control unit 4;
Reference numeral 5 includes a unit price table in which data for charge calculation is written in advance, a store master table in which data for searching a store from an envelope code is written in advance, and the table 5 is calculated by the calculation control unit 4. A setting/result data storage unit (hereinafter referred to as data storage unit) in which actual values such as charges and other fees are recorded for each envelope processed; 7 is a label issuing/applying device that issues a label (details will be described later) on which the charges calculated by the calculation control unit 4 are printed and pastes the label on the corresponding envelope. It is.

Further, 8 is a transport conveyor that holds and transports envelopes in a state in which the code reading unit 3 and the label issuing/applying device 7 can operate normally, and 9 is disposed at the rear stage of this transport conveyor, A sorting device 10 according to the present invention for sorting products into each delivery category (delivery store or delivery route) controls the operation of the introduction conveyor 1, transport conveyor 8, and sorting device 9 based on instructions from the arithmetic control section 4. It is a control device.

The sorting device 9 has a large number of sorting shelves 11 ₁ , 11 ₂ . . . corresponding to the delivery categories, and the sorting shelves 11 ₁ , 11 ₂ . . . are assigned numbers corresponding to the delivery categories. In addition to being installed in stages, each sorting shelf 11 ₁ , 11 ₃ ... (11 ₂ , 11 ₄
) are partitioned into front and rear, with odd numbers 11 ₁ , 11 ₃ ... in the front row and even numbers 11 ₂ , 1 in the back row.
1 ₄ ... is attached. This sorting shelf 11 ₁ , 11
₂ ... is specifically the partition plate 12 as shown in FIG.
It consists of two chute 13, 14 which are branched by this partition plate 12, and storage boxes 15, 16 installed at the respective ends of these chute 13, 14. Micro switches 17 and 18 are attached as detectors.

The above sorting shelves 11 ₁ , 11 ₃ ... (11 ₂ , 11 ₄
), an endless cable 19 is installed above it, and a large number of clamps 100 are attached to the endless cable 19 at predetermined intervals, and the objects to be sorted sent by the conveyor 8 are attached to the endless cable 19. 2 are held by the conveyor 100 and conveyed by the endless cable 19, and during the conveyance, they are sorted into the respective sorting shelves 11 ₁ , 11 ₂ . It is becoming more and more common. Each of the clamps 100 is attached to the endless cable 19 via a support shaft 90 provided perpendicular to the running direction of the endless cable, and is movable on the support shaft 90.

In addition, 20 in FIG. 1 is the above-mentioned clamp 10.
0 is a movable pin that performs the clamping operation, and 21 is a movable pin that performs the clamping operation of the clamp 100, that is, it sends it to the even-numbered sorting shelves 11 ₂ , 11 ₄ . . . and the odd-numbered sorting shelves 11 ₁ , 11 ₃ . This is a sorting operation board for sorting out. Further, 23 is an opening operation pin for opening the clamp 100 in order to drop defective items that were not sorted during transportation.
The sorting shelf 11n at the final position corresponding to the opening operation pin 23 is used as a sorting failure receiving shelf.

24 is a fixed guide plate for returning the clamp 100 moved by the sorting operation plate 21 to its original position.

FIG. 2 shows a sorting control device 25 that controls the sorting operation of the sorting device 9, and this sorting control device 25 includes a sorting control circuit 26 and a distance signal of the endless cable 19 sent to the sorting control circuit 26. a rotary encoder 27 as a conveyance distance detector that adds a detection signal to the sorting control circuit 26; and a sorted object detector 28 that sends an object detection signal to the sorting control circuit 26
and clamp opening operation claw devices 29 ₁ , 29 ₂ . The sorting control circuit 26 is connected to each of the clamp opening claw devices _{29 1} , 29 ₂ . . . for controlling them.
In FIG. ₂ , only the sorting control circuits 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ , 26 ₅ are specifically illustrated, and the others are omitted. Further, the rotary encoder 27 is connected to a rotating shaft of a sprocket 30 of the endless cable 19. The sorting control circuit 26 includes an AND circuit 31 that receives the sorted object detection signal from the sorted object detector 28 and the sorting signal from the control device 10 inputted to the sorting signal terminal 32, and this AND circuit. A group of shift registers 33 receives the signal of 31 and is shifted by the output pulse signal of the mileage signal from the rotary encoder 27, and the number of sets is the same as the number of shoots.

The first stage of the shift register group 33 is a shift register M that outputs its input with M shift pulses, and the second and subsequent stages are shift registers N that output its input with N shift pulses. The number of shift registers N is the number of clamp opening operation claw devices 2.
The sorting shelf 11 has 0 pieces for 9 ₁ , 1 piece for the same clamp opening operation claw device 29 ₂ , and so on.
The farther the position of the endless cables 19 along the conveyance direction, the more the number increases in proportion to the distance. The detector 28 detects the tip of the object 2 to be sorted, and the output signal pulse of the distance detector reaches M until the object is transported to the position of the first sorting shelf 11 ₁ , (11 ₂ ). It is prepared in a certain position.

The above-mentioned clamp opening operation claw devices 29 ₁ , 29 ₂ ...
is each sorting shelf 11 ₁ (1
1 ₂ ) It is attached at a position corresponding to...
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is a rotary solenoid 41 that operates in response to a signal from the sorting control circuit 26, and a clamp engaging claw 4 that is operated to advance and retreat below the running plate 40 by this solenoid 41.
It is composed of 2.

Further, in this embodiment, two endless chains 19a and 19b are used as the endless cable body 19, and the chains 19a and 19b are arranged parallel to each other and run at the same speed. has been passed.

Next, the clamp 100 will be explained in detail. 3 is a front view of the clamp 100, FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view, FIG. 5 is a plan view, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are sectional views.

In the figure, 101 is a clamp frame, and this clamp frame 101 is connected to the left and right side plates 10.
1a, 101a, front and rear side plates 101b, 101b, and top plate 101c form a substantially rectangular box shape with an open bottom, and left and right side plates 101a, 101a.
The support shaft 90 passes through the center of the clamp frame 101.
As shown in FIG. 6, two grooves 90a formed in the support shaft 90,
90b and the positioning ball 102 provided on the clamp frame 101 side, the support shaft 90 is locked at one of two positions.
Also, within the clamp frame 101, two arm shafts 10 are connected to each other by gears 103a, 103a and rotated together in opposite directions.
3 and 103 are installed in a direction perpendicular to the support shaft 90, and the arm shafts 103 and 103 are rotatably supported by the front and rear side plates 101b and 101b. Clamp arms 104, 104 are fixed. These two clamp arms 104, 104 are suspended below from the lower open part of the clamp frame 101, and the opposite inner side of the lower end 104a is used as a clamping part 105, and the clamping part 105 has rubber pieces 106, 106. is pasted. Furthermore, an arm release spring 107 is attached to the inside of the lower end of each clamp arm 104, 104, and both ends of this arm release spring 107 are connected to a weight 108, which is fixed to the inside of the lower end of each clamp arm 104, 104. 108, and the arm opening spring 107 urges the clamping portion 105 of the clamp arms 104, 104 in the direction of opening.

On the other hand, one end of a clip spring 109, 109 bent into an inverted U-shaped cross section is fixed to each of the upper ends of the clamp arms 104, 104, and the other ends of each clip spring 109, 109 are opposed to each other. The mutually opposing surfaces of the clip springs 109, 109 are the rotating lever engaging portion 109.
a, 109a, and the clip spring 10
9 and 109 are formed with an opening 109b through which the support shaft 90 passes and a positioning opening 109c for positioning the rotary lever.

The rotary lever 110 which abuts and engages with the rotary lever engaging portions 109a, 109a has a substantially inverted U-shape, and both ends thereof serve as clip spring pushing portions 110a to which bearings are attached.

The center part of the upper end of the rotating lever 110 is the rotating shaft 1
The rotating shaft 111 is rotatably supported through the top plate 101c of the clamp frame 101, and its upper end is fixed to the center of the switching lever 112. The switching lever 112 has a cross-shaped plate shape in which a long lever 112a and a short lever 112b are orthogonal to each other, and small protrusions 113 are formed protruding from both sides of each end of the short lever 112b. Further, the front and rear side plates 101b and 10 of the clamp frame 101 are
1b includes wheels 114, 1 located above the top plate 101c, although they are omitted in FIGS. 3 and 6.
14 is attached.

When the switching lever 112 is rotated, the rotating lever 110 rotates together, and when the rotating lever 110 becomes parallel to the support shaft 90, the clipper spring pushing portion 110a is pushed through the clip spring 109. clamp arm 104,
In order to spread the upper end of the clamp arm 104, the clamping portion 105 of the clamp arm 104 is brought into close contact with the clamp arm 104, as shown in FIG. 6B. Also, when the switching lever 112 is rotated 90 degrees from this state, the rotating lever 110
is in a positional relationship perpendicular to the support shaft 90, the push of the clip spring pushing part 110a against the clip spring 109 is released, and the holding part 105 is opened by the arm opening spring 107.

Next, the distribution operation plate 21 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS.
One end is pivotally attached to the guide side 2.
1a can freely advance and retreat inside the endless cable body 19, and this advance and retreat operation is performed by a rotary solenoid 51, an operating rod 52 of this rotary solenoid 51, and an operating plate 2.
1 and is formed by an engagement groove 53 that is engaged with the tip of the operating rod 52.

The movable pin 20 is shown in FIG. 8, and is vertically operated by a solenoid 60 attached to the clamp travel plate 40.
A bearing 20a is attached to the location where it contacts 12. The solenoid 60 is used to pull up the movable pin 20 and prevent the clamp 100 from performing a clamping operation only when the clamping position of the clamp 100 with respect to the object 2 to be sorted becomes inappropriate. The waste items 2 are dropped from the end of the conveyor 8 and removed.

FIG. 12 shows an envelope as the object to be sorted 2 used in this embodiment, and a unique number (hereinafter referred to as envelope number) is attached to the envelope in advance as a bar code _C1 . For example, envelope numbers 1 to 100 are at store A, 101
-200 are predetermined as B stores. Envelopes containing undeveloped film from each store are collected at the processing laboratory, and once they have been developed and printed according to the customer's wishes, a bar is displayed indicating the number of films to be taken, such as 36 shots, 24 shots, etc. Code C ₂ and bar code C ₃ related to the type of developing/printing work, such as enlargement size, type of photographic paper, or number of sheets to be printed, are attached.

Next, the operation of the device configured as described above will be explained.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, envelopes as objects to be sorted 2 supplied to the introduction conveyor 1 are transferred to the transport conveyor 8 and pass in front of the code reading section 3. The code reading unit 3 reads the barcode C ₁ (number unique to the envelope), barcode C ₂ (type of film, number of sheets, etc.), and barcode C ₃ (development/printing (work classification, number of sheets, etc.) and outputs the read contents to the arithmetic control section 4. The arithmetic control section 4 searches the store master table stored in advance in the data storage section 5 based on the reading signal corresponding to the barcode _C1 from the code reading section 3, and retrieves the bar code attached to the envelope. Extract store data corresponding to code C ₁ . An example of this store master table is shown in FIG. According to this Figure 13, the envelope number is tentatively "12345".
In this case, the store number would be "0288" and the sorting shelf number would be "55." The above sorting shelf number is for each sorting shelf 1 of the sorting device 9 shown in FIG.
It shows the numbers assigned to 1 ₁ , 11 ₂ .

Further, the arithmetic control section 4 searches the unit price table pre-stored in the storage section 5 for data based on the reading signals corresponding to the barcodes C ₂ and C ₃ from the code reading section 3, Pull out the unit price corresponding to codes C ₂ and C ₃ . An example of this unit price table is shown in FIG. According to this Figure 14, if the type of work and its quantity are "31" and "1" and "60" and "24", the unit price of work "31" is
150 yen, and the unit price for work ``60'' is 45 yen. Here, the work "31" means the film developing work, and the work "60" means the printing work. ``24'' represents the quantity,
Here, there is only one film, and the number of sheets printed is 24.
It means that it is one piece. As a result, the fee calculated by the arithmetic control unit 4 is (150 yen x 1 bottle) + (45 yen
yen x 24 pieces) = 1230 yen.

On the other hand, when the envelope that has passed through the code reading unit 3 is further fed and reaches the labeling and pasting device 7, the labeling and pasting device 7 places the envelope at a predetermined position as shown in FIG. Attach a label like this. That is, when the above-described calculation is performed in the calculation control section 4, the calculation control section 4
Signals for printing the developing fee, baking fee, alloy amount, etc. as well as signals for printing the store number and date are output, and the label issuing and pasting device 7
15 issues a label as shown in FIG. 15 based on these signals, detects an envelope as the object to be sorted 2, and affixes the label to a predetermined position on the corresponding envelope.

On the other hand, the contents read and arithmetic-processed by the arithmetic control section 4, such as date, envelope number, type and quantity of work, total amount, etc., are output to the data storage section 5 as actual values. is,
The data is stored at a predetermined address (address corresponding to the envelope number) in the data storage unit 5. This stored content is then printed out by the printer 6.

The envelopes with the labels attached thereto are further sent and reach the sorting device 9. At this time, a sorting command signal based on a sorting shelf number corresponding to the unique number of the envelope as the object to be sorted 2 has already been output to the sorting device 9 from the arithmetic control unit 4, and this sorting command signal allows Envelopes are sorted into designated shelves. That is, the conveyor 8
At its terminal end, there is an endless cord 19 parallel to its upper part.
is traveling, and when the envelopes as the objects to be sorted 2 come to the end of the conveyor 8, one of the clamps 100 moves while being positioned above it. When the clamp 100 passes under the movable pin 20, as shown in FIG.
and the switching lever 112 of the clamp 100 are engaged, and the switching lever 112 is rotated 90 degrees. At this time, the short lever 11 of the switching lever 112
2b engages with the movable pin 20, and since the short lever 112b is formed with a small protrusion 113, the switching lever 112 can be rotated reliably. When the rotary lever 112 rotates, the rotary lever 110 rotates together, so that the rotary lever 110 becomes parallel to the support shaft 90, and the clip spring pushing portion 110a of the rotary lever 110 rotates as a unit.
Since the upper ends of the clamp arms 104, 104 are spread apart through the clamp arms 104, the clamping portion 105 of the clamp arm 104 clamps the objects 2 to be sorted, as shown in FIG. 6B.

Next, when passing through the sorting operation plate 21, the clamps 100 that clamp the objects 2 to be sorted to be sent to the even-numbered sorting shelves 11 ₂ , 11 ₄ .
As shown in FIG. 10, it slides on the support shaft 90 guided by the guide side 21a of the sorting operation plate 21 and is brought to the rear. Furthermore, when the clamp 100 holding the objects 2 to be sorted to be sent to the odd-numbered sorting shelves 11 ₁ , 11 ₃ . . . passes,
Since the operation plate 21 is retracted as shown in FIG. 11A, it will be sent forward as it is.

Items to be sorted 2 that are sent sequentially in this way
are sequentially conveyed onto the sorting shelf 11 by each clamp 100, where they are sorted under the control of a sorting control device 25 shown in FIG.

That is, a sorting signal is inputted from the control device 10 to a predetermined sorting signal terminal 32 in each sorting control circuit 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ . , each sorting control circuit 26 ₁ , of the sorting control circuit 26 to which the sorting signal is inputted
Only the predetermined AND circuit 31 of 26 ₂ ... outputs,
Distance signals from the rotary encoder 27 corresponding to the transport distance of the objects 2 to be sorted are sequentially applied to the shift register group 33. In this way, the predetermined sorting shelf 1
When the object 2 to be sorted comes onto the clamp 1, the sorting control circuit 26 outputs an operation signal to the corresponding clamp opening operating device 29. When an operation signal is applied to the clamp opening operating device 29 in this manner, the clamp engaging claw 42 projects downward, as shown in FIG.
engages with the engaging claw 42 and the switching lever 112
is rotated 90 degrees. As a result of this rotation, the rotation lever 110 now becomes in a positional relationship perpendicular to the support shaft 90, the push of the clip spring pushing part 110a against the clip spring 109 is released, and the holding part 10
5 is opened by the arm opening spring 107. Therefore, the objects to be sorted 2 fall and are placed on the sorting shelf 1.
1 is slid through a chute 13 or 14 and stored in a predetermined storage box 15 or 16.

The clamp 100 that has been sorted in this way is
The clamp 100, which has been moved by the sorting operation plate 21 by the fixed guide plate 24, returns to its original position before clamping the next object 2 to be sorted. It will be returned.

As explained above, according to the sorting device of the present invention, a large number of sorting shelves are arranged in two rows along the conveyance direction, and multiple stages are arranged vertically, and on the other hand, items to be sorted can be hung. An endless cable body 19 provided with a large number of clamps 100 for clamping is provided along the sorting shelf group, and a clamp 100 for suspending and clamping objects to be sorted is provided on the endless cable body 19 immediately before the sorting shelf group. When the clamp 100 is located on the desired sorting shelf by pushing the sorting operation plate 21 along the supporting shaft 90 in the direction of one or the other sorting shelf row where the desired sorting shelf is located. In addition, since the clamp 100 is opened by the clamp opening operating device 29 and the objects to be sorted are allowed to fall into a predetermined sorting shelf, even if the objects to be sorted are of different thicknesses or weights, It has the effect of being able to hold the items to be sorted and sort them reliably and at high speed on the two-row, multi-level sorting shelf, and it is also structurally reasonable and has the effect of saving space in the installation location. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example in which a sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a charge calculation sorting system in a photo processing laboratory, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting control device, and Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting control device. 4 is a partially cutaway side view of the same part, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the same, FIGS. 6A and B are sectional views showing the enlarged and contracted states, and FIGS. 7A and B are the clamp opening operation claw device. 8A and 8B are plan views and side views showing the relationship between the movable pin and the clamp; FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a specific example of the configuration of the sorting shelf;
Fig. 0 is a plan view showing the sorting operation panel, Figs. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the store master table in the data storage section in FIG. 1, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the same unit price table, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the label affixed to the photo envelope in the same embodiment. It is. 2... Object to be sorted, 11... Sorting shelf, 19... Endless cable, 25... Sorting control device, 100... Clamp.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A large number of sorting shelves having input ports at the top are arranged in two rows along the conveyance direction, and the two rows of sorting shelves are arranged in multiple stages above and below. a group of sorting shelves consisting of a group of sorting shelves; an endless cable 19 installed above the group of sorting shelves;
9, and an upper clamp frame 101 is provided on each support shaft 90 so as to be slidable along the axial direction of the support shaft 90. Below the frame 101, a pair of clamp arms 104, 104 that can be expanded and contracted to clamp objects to be sorted are provided.
A switching lever 1 for expanding and contracting the clamp arms 104 is provided in a part of the clamp frame 101.
12, a conveyor 8 that sequentially inserts and supplies the objects to be sorted between the pair of clamp arms 104, 104 in the open state of each clamp 100 at the conveyance starting end position; After each article to be sorted supplied by the conveyor 8 is clamped by the clamp arms 104, 104 of the clamp 100, this is done by a command from the control device 10 before reaching the most advanced sorting shelf. Sorting operation plate 21 that pushes the clamp 100 along the support shaft 90 in the direction of one or the other sorting shelf row where a desired sorting shelf is located;
When the clamp 100 is located on a desired sorting shelf, the switching lever 112 is rotated according to a command from the control device 10, and the clamp arm 10
4, 104, and a clamp opening operation device 29 that opens the clamp and drops the objects to be sorted into the desired sorting shelf.