JPH08198436A - Matrix type sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a matrix type sorter by which multiple sorting destinations can be obtained by means of simple constitution without requiring any vast installation area and sorting can be effectively carried out in a short time. CONSTITUTION: A matrix type sorter is provided with the first conveyor 51 in which multiple divided article mounting parts 55 are connected together, the second conveyor 53 which consists of multiple divided article mounting parts 57 connected together and moves in a horizontal plane while partially overlapping the first conveyor 51 below the first conveyor 51, introducing means 52 introducing an article W to the first conveyor 51, multiple sorting destination means, and a controlling means performing sorting control. An interval in the direction perpendicular to the article conveying direction in a row formed by the second conveyor 53 multiplies integrally as against a connection pitch for the article mounting part 55 in the first conveyor 51.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a matrix type sorting apparatus capable of sorting articles by setting a large number of sorting destinations without requiring a vast installation area when sorting articles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device for sorting articles into various sorts, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 205355/1990, a structure in which a plurality of conveyors moving in a horizontal plane are partially overlapped vertically There is. The device comprises a plurality of first conveyors moving in a horizontal plane and a plurality of second conveyors below which also rotate in the horizontal plane,
The conveyors and the second conveyors are arranged in a matrix. Then, at the intersection of both conveyors, the articles are first sorted from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, and then the articles are sorted from the second conveyor to a plurality of sorting destinations.
We have many sorting destinations. According to this apparatus, it is possible to set various kinds of goods sorting destinations and sort goods.

[0003]

However, since the above-mentioned conventional apparatus has a structure in which conveyors that move in a horizontal plane are combined, if the number of sorting destinations is increased significantly,
Since the only option is to increase the number of second conveyors that move in the horizontal plane, the installation area also increases. For example, if the number of sorting destinations is doubled, the installation area is also doubled. An object of the present invention is to provide a matrix type sorting apparatus which can obtain a large number of sorting destinations with a simple structure without requiring a vast installation area and can perform sorting efficiently in a short time.

[0004]

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution. [1] A first conveyor (1, 51) that is moved by connecting a large number of sectioned article placement units (5, 55) is connected to a large number of sectioned article placement units (5, 57). And a second conveyor in which at least a part of the article placement sections (5, 55, 57) are superposed and moved below the first conveyor (1, 51).
A conveyor (3,53) and the first conveyor (1,5)
Introduction means (7, 52) for introducing the article (W) into 1),
A large number of sorting means (9) into which articles (W) are loaded from the second conveyor (3, 53) and articles (W) on the first conveyor (1, 51) are sorted based on sorting information. Transferred to the second conveyor (3, 53), and also the article (W)
The articles (W) on the second conveyor (3, 53) to which the items are transferred are sorted by the sorting destination means (9) based on sorting information.
A control means (87) for controlling the article placement state of the article placement part (5, 55) so as to be transferred to
The intervals (S1, S2, S3, S4) in the direction orthogonal to the article transport direction of a plurality of rows formed by the article placement parts (5, 57) of the conveyor (3, 53) are the first conveyor (1, 51) A matrix type sorting apparatus, which is an integral multiple of the connection pitch (S) of the article placement parts (5, 55) of 51).

[2] A first unit having a large number of divided article placement sections (5) and rotating in a vertical plane and having a plurality of sections arranged side by side.
Conveyor (1) and a large number of sectioned article placement sections (5) and some article placement sections above or below the first conveyor (1) overlap the first conveyor (1) Then, the article (W) is introduced into either the first conveyor (1) or the second conveyor (3) and the second conveyor (3) provided in a plurality of upper and lower stages, which are rotated in a horizontal plane. Means (7), a number of sorting means (9) into which articles (W) are loaded from either the first conveyor (1) or the second conveyor (3), and the first conveyor (1) And the article (W) on one of the second conveyors (3) is transferred to the other conveyor (3) based on the sorting information, and the article (W) is also transferred. The articles (W) on the other conveyor (3) are sent to the sorting means (9) based on sorting information. Control means for controlling the article placement state of the article placing section (5) to the mounting (87)
And a matrix type sorting device.

[3] In the above [2], the intervals (S1, S2) in the direction orthogonal to the article conveying direction of the plurality of rows formed by the article placing parts (5) of the transfer destination conveyor (3) are
A matrix type sorting apparatus, characterized in that it is an integral multiple of the connection pitch (S) of the article placement section (5) of the transfer source conveyor (1).

[4] A first conveyor (5) which is connected to a large number of divided article placement parts (55) and moves horizontally.
1) and a large number of divided article placement sections (57) are connected, and at least a part of the article placement sections (55, 57) overlap and move horizontally under the first conveyor (51). The second conveyor (53) and the first conveyor (51)
Introducing means (52) for introducing the article (W) into the second part;
A large number of sorting means (9) into which articles (W) are loaded from the conveyor (53) and the articles (W) on the first conveyor (51) based on sorting information, the second conveyor (5).
3), and the article (W) on the second conveyor (53) to which the article (W) has been transferred is transferred to the sorting means (9) based on sorting information. Control means (87) for controlling the article placement state of the article placement section (55)
And an article placement section (5) of the second conveyor (53).
The intervals (S3, S4) in the direction orthogonal to the article conveying direction of the plurality of rows formed by 7) are the first conveyor (51).
The matrix-type sorting apparatus, which is an integral multiple of the connection pitch (S) of the article placement section (55).

[5] Each driving means of the first conveyor (1, 51) and the second conveyor (3, 53) is a servomotor (81, 81a), and the driving means of the first conveyor (1, 51) is The output part of the servomotor (81a) is provided with an encoder (91), and the control means (87) supplies an output signal to the servomotor (81a) provided with the encoder (91) to output from the encoder (91). The matrix type sorting apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the output signal is output as a drive signal to another servo motor (81).

[6] The moving speeds of the first conveyor and the second conveyor repeat high speed and low speed, and in a low speed state, the article mounting portions of both conveyors overlap each other, and the article loading of the other conveyor is performed. The matrix type sorting apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the placing section and the sorting destination section are configured to overlap each other.

[7] The matrix type sorting apparatus according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the overlapping portions of the first conveyor and the second conveyor are parallel to each other.

[8] The transfer configuration of the article placing section is a configuration in which an article is slid down by inclining a placing plate, according to any one of the above [1] to [7]. Matrix type sorting device.

[9] The matrix type as set forth in any one of [1] to [8], wherein the sorting means is a box, and the box is discharged on a discharge conveyor after the sorting is completed. apparatus.

[10] The matrix type sorting apparatus according to the above [1] to [9], wherein the connection pitch of the article mounting portions of the second conveyor is equal to the arrangement pitch of the sorting means.

[0014]

According to the above-mentioned constitution [1], among the conveyors arranged above and below, the connecting pitch of the article placing portion of the lower conveyor is an integral multiple of the connecting pitch of the article placing portion of the upper conveyor. Therefore, when a part of the upper and lower article placement portions is in the overlapping state, the article placement portions are also overlapped in the other portions. Therefore, a large number of sorts can be made at the same time without increasing the installation area, and sorts can be made efficiently in a short time.

According to the above configurations [2] and [3], since the plurality of first conveyors that are provided side by side and the second conveyors that partially overlap each other are provided in the upper and lower stages, the installation area is significantly increased. Without increasing the number, the number of destinations from the first conveyor to the second conveyor is significantly increased. Since a large number of sorting destinations are set for each second conveyor, a large number of sorting destinations can be obtained.

According to the above configuration [4], of the two conveyors that move in different horizontal planes above and below, the connecting pitch of the article placing portion of the second conveyor located below is the first conveyor located above. Since it is an integral multiple of the connection pitch of the article loading section of the conveyor, when a part of the upper and lower article loading sections are in a superposed state, the article loading sections also overlap in other parts, and A large number of sorts can be performed simultaneously on the lower conveyor, and sorts can be performed efficiently in a short time without increasing the installation area.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view and a side view of a matrix type sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the matrix type sorting apparatus of this embodiment has three first conveyors 1 that rotate in a vertical plane.
And six second conveyors 3 that rotate in a horizontal plane. The second conveyor 3 has three rows arranged in a horizontal plane and two rows arranged in a vertical plane. Each of the first conveyor 1 and the second conveyor 3 is provided with a tray 5 as an article placing portion, and each tray 5 is operable in an article placing state and an article loading state and is placed. The article W can be transferred to another.
In the case of this example, the bottom plate 5a of the tray 5 swings open, and the article W is dropped and thrown in to another. However, the tray 5 is slanted so that the article W is slid down. Good.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, an article W is introduced into the first conveyor 1 by an induction conveyor 7 as an introduction means, as shown in FIG. The induction conveyor 7 has all the articles W on the first conveyor 1.
Can be introduced. 1st conveyor 1 is for article W
The next sorting destination. A large number of sorting shelves 9 as sorting destination means are arranged below the second conveyor 3. The tray 5 provided on the first conveyor 1 is supported by the configuration shown in FIG. The tray 5 provided on the first conveyor 1 is always in a state in which the articles W can be placed even if the tray 5 is rotated in the vertical plane, and therefore the article placement surface is always kept horizontal. The tray 5 is provided on a two-strand chain 11 via a rotating shaft 13, and the rotating shaft 13 is fixed to different chains 11 on the front side and the rear side of the tray 5, so that the tray 5 is in a horizontal state. It is well balanced.

The tray 5 provided on the second conveyor 3 is supported by the structure shown in FIG. The tray 5 provided on the second conveyor 3 is configured such that the wheels 17 roll on the rails 15 while being driven in the horizontal plane by the chain 11. The bottom plate of each of these trays 5 is controlled to be opened and closed by control means (not shown) based on the sorting destination information of the articles W. The opening and closing of the bottom plate of the tray 5 is performed by, for example, driving a claw for releasing the engagement of the bottom plate of the tray 5 at each sorting position.

When the articles W are introduced into any of the first conveyors 1 by the induction conveyor 7, the articles W on the first conveyor 1 can be sorted into any of the second conveyors 3. In the illustrated example, since each first conveyor 1 is arranged so as to overlap each of the six second conveyors 3, six sort destinations are obtained from each first conveyor 1 to the second conveyor 3. .

As shown in FIG. 1B, the second conveyor 3
, A sorting shelf 9 is disposed below each of the upper and lower trays 5 in a region not overlapping with the first conveyor 1.
Has a large number of sorting destinations at the top and bottom. When the tray 5 of the first conveyor 1 and the tray 5 of the second conveyor 3 overlap each other, the articles W can be transferred from the first conveyor 1 to the second conveyor 3, and at this time, the articles W of the second conveyor 3 can be transferred. The tray 5 is located right above the sorting shelves 9, and articles W can be loaded therein. The first conveyor 1 partially overlaps with the second conveyors 3 arranged above and below,
Since the articles W can be transferred to the upper and lower second conveyors 3, the sorting area is doubled without increasing the installation area of the second conveyor 3. Therefore, even if the installation area is the same as the conventional one, it is possible to obtain a doubled sorting destination. When a predetermined article W is put into the sorting shelf 9 from the second conveyor 3 and the sorting is completed, the worker transfers the article W in the sorting shelf 9 to another case and carries it out.

When the articles W are transferred from the first conveyor 1 to the second conveyor 3, it is necessary that the trays 5 of the conveyors 1 and 3 are vertically stacked. In the case of this example, since the first conveyor 1 and the second conveyor 3 are orthogonal to each other in a plan view,
When the conveyors 1 and 3 are moving at high speed, the time when the upper and lower trays 5 are overlapped becomes short. If the time when the upper and lower trays 5 are overlapped is short, the transfer of the article W is hindered. Therefore, when the upper and lower trays 5 are overlapped,
The movement of each of the conveyors 1 and 3 is controlled at a low speed so as to obtain a sufficient time for dropping the article W. Further, when the upper and lower trays 5 are not overlapped with each other, the articles W are not transferred, so that the movements of the conveyors 1 and 3 are controlled at high speed. That is, the conveyors 1 and 3 are in the low speed state when almost all the upper and lower trays 5 overlap, and the conveyors 1 and 3 are in the high speed state when there is not much overlapping area of the upper and lower trays 5. If the moving speed of each of the conveyors 1 and 3 is always low, the transfer of the article W is reliable, but the processing efficiency is reduced. Therefore, when the articles W cannot be transferred as in the case where the upper and lower trays 5 are not overlapped, the processing efficiency is not lowered by the high speed conveyance. In this way, the conveyors 1 and 3 are controlled alternately at low speed and high speed.

Further, the space S1 between the second conveyor 3 and its neighbor is
S2 is an integral multiple of the length of the tray 5 provided in the first conveyor 1 in the transport direction (connection pitch S). In the case of this example, the spacing S1 between the same second conveyors 3 is one time the length of the tray 5 in the transport direction, and the spacing S1 between adjacent second conveyors 3 is the same.
2 is twice the length of the tray 5 in the carrying direction. This is because the upper and lower trays 5 are simultaneously overlapped at a plurality of places. Thus, the intervals S1, S2 between the second conveyors 3 are
Is an integral multiple of the length of the tray 5 of the first conveyor 1 in the transport direction, the articles W can be transferred from the first conveyor 1 to the second conveyor 3 at a plurality of locations at the same time. At this time, the tray 5 of the second conveyor 3 is right above the sorting shelf 9, and the articles W placed on the tray 5 of the second conveyor 3 can be put into the sorting shelf 9.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the second embodiment. In the matrix type sorting apparatus of the second embodiment, the overlapping portion P of the first conveyor 1 rotating in the vertical plane and the second conveyor 3 rotating in the horizontal plane is parallel so that they pass the same locus in plan view. Is located in. In the above-described first embodiment, the drive control in which the moving speed of each conveyor 1, 3 repeats low speed and high speed is repeated, but in the second embodiment, the overlapping area of the upper and lower trays 5 extends over a predetermined length. Therefore, the article W can be transferred in this overlapping region. Therefore, by making the moving speeds of the first conveyor 1 and the second conveyor 3 equal, it is easy to transfer the articles in the overlapping region. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is not necessary to control the moving speeds of the conveyors 1 and 3 to be low and high as in the first embodiment, and the conveyors 1 and 3 are moved at a constant speed for sorting. It can be performed.

In each of the above embodiments, the articles W are transferred from the first conveyor 1 moving in the vertical plane to the second conveyor 3 moving in the horizontal plane, and the second conveyor 3 transfers the articles W to the sorting shelves 9. Although the configuration is such that the articles W are sorted, conversely, the articles W are transferred from the second conveyor 3 moving in the horizontal plane to the first conveyor moving in the vertical plane, and the articles W are transferred from the first conveyor. May be sorted. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is provided with the sorting shelf into which the articles W are loaded, but the articles W may be loaded into the case to sort. In this case, the case after the sorting is completed is automatically or manually pushed out to the adjacent case transport conveyor and is carried out to the shipping section or the like.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 6
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment has a configuration in which the first conveyor 51 circulates in a horizontal plane like the second conveyor 53. The first conveyor 51 is configured by connecting a number of trays 55, and circulates on the second conveyor 53 in a horizontal plane. One second conveyor 53
The space S3 between the rows of the trays 57 and the space S4 between the rows of the trays 57 between the adjacent second conveyors 53 are
It is an integral multiple of the arrangement pitch S of the trays 55 of the conveyor 51. In the case of the third embodiment, the space S3 between the rows of the trays 57 in one second conveyor 53 is one time the arrangement pitch S of the trays 55 of the first conveyor 51, and the adjacent second conveyors 53 are adjacent to each other. The interval S4 is twice the arrangement pitch S of the trays 55 of the first conveyor 51.

When the tray 55 of the first conveyor 51 is superposed on the predetermined tray 57 of the predetermined second conveyor 53, the first conveyor is also directly above the other tray 57 of the second conveyor 53. The other tray 55 of 51 is overlapped. When one pitch S is moved from this state, the succeeding tray 55 of the first conveyor 51 also overlaps the succeeding tray 57 of the second conveyor 53. Therefore, each tray 55,
The articles W can be transferred from the first conveyor 51 to the second conveyor 53 at any time while 57 is overlapped.

A sorting shelf (not shown) as a sorting destination is provided at a predetermined place in the circulation path of the second conveyor 53. The arrangement pitch of the sorting shelves is also equal to the arrangement pitch S of the trays 57 of the second conveyor 53.
When moved by one piece (1 pitch S), the succeeding tray 57 comes to be positioned directly above this sorting shelf.

In FIG. 6, the article W is placed on the first conveyor 51.
To introduce, in the circulation path of the first conveyor 51,
For example, an induction conveyor 52 is connected to one side indicated by reference numeral R1 and the other side indicated by reference numeral R2 in the figure to set an article introduction section. In addition, this article introduction section R
The articles W may be manually introduced into the trays 55 of 1 and R2.

The article W introduced in the first article introduction section R1 on one side of the first conveyor 51 is transferred to the second conveyor 53 before reaching the second article introduction section R2 on the other side.
Then, in the second article introduction unit R2, the next article W is introduced again and is transferred to the second conveyor 53 until it reaches the first article introduction unit R1. In this way, the article introduction parts R1 and R2 are set at both ends of the first conveyor 51, and the article W
By introducing the above, a large number of articles W can be sorted into a large number of sorting destinations.

In the illustrated example, the conveyor has a two-tier structure, but the number of conveyor stages may be further increased. That is, by further arranging the third conveyor below the second conveyor 53 and transferring the articles W from the second conveyor 53 to the third conveyor, the sorting destination can be further increased.

Next, the structure of the tray 55 of the first conveyor 51 will be described. Similar to the tray 5 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tray 55 has a configuration in which the bottom plate is opened and the article W is dropped. The structure of the tray 57 of the second conveyor 53 is also the same. FIG. 7 shows the structure of the tray 55.
(A) is a plan view of the tray 55, (b) is a front view, (c)
Is a side view from the outside, and (d) is a side view from the inside. In the tray 55, rollers 63 provided on the frame 61 travel on rails 65. The tray 55 has a structure in which two bottom plates 67 and 69 rotate about one end as a fulcrum. Free ends of the bottom plates 67 and 69 overlap each other, and a pin 71 is provided on the bottom plate 69 located below. A lever 73 for locking the pin 71 is rotatably provided on the frame 61. The pin engaging portion of the lever 73 is opened in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the tray 55. And
By locking the pin 71 with the lever 73 while the two bottom plates 67 and 69 are closed, the two bottom plates 67 and 69 are held in the closed state. A solenoid 75 that restricts the movement of the lever 73 is provided on the rail 65 where the transfer of the article W is required.

When the solenoid 75 operates, the lever 73
The tip of the is contacted with the rod at the tip of the solenoid 75 and its movement is restricted. When the tray 55 travels as it is, the lever 73 rotates in the direction in which the pin 71 comes off (the direction opposite to the traveling direction) with respect to the tray 55, whereby the locking of the pin 71 is released, and as shown in FIG. 67 and 69 rotate by gravity. Then, the articles W placed on the bottom plates 67 and 69 are transferred to the tray 57 and the sorting shelf below.

Next, the driving of the conveyors 51 and 53 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition,
This drive configuration is also applied to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a configuration for driving the conveyors 51 and 53. The first conveyor 51 and the second conveyor 53 are driven by servomotors 81 and 81a.
Each servo motor 81, 81a includes a servo driver 85,
It is driven by 85a. The CPU 87 actuates the electronic cam positioner 89 so that one of the first conveyors 5
The speed signal is supplied to the first servo driver 85a. The electronic cam positioner 89 supplies a speed signal close to a sine curve to the servo driver 85a. Since the speed signal is close to the sine curve, the high speed signal and the low speed signal are continuously supplied, and the high speed driving and the low speed driving are smooth.

An encoder 91 is connected to the output portion of the servo motor 81a of the one first conveyor 51 to detect the rotation speed of the servo motor 81a. The detected rotation speed is returned to the servo driver 85a, and this servo driver 85a, based on the rotation speed signal of the servo motor 81a of the first conveyor 51, each servo motor 81 of the other first conveyor 51 and the second conveyor 53. The operation of the servo driver 85 is controlled.

As described above, the servo motors 8 of the other first conveyor 51 and the second conveyor 53 are based on the measured rotation speed of the servo motor 81a of the predetermined first conveyor 51.
Since the operation of the first conveyor 51 is controlled, the other first conveyor 51 and the second conveyor 53 rotate in synchronization with the predetermined first conveyor 51. Therefore, when the predetermined first conveyor 51 moves by one tray, the other first conveyors 51 and all the second conveyors 53 also move by one tray, and the sorting shelves change in sequence for each movement of one tray. The articles W can be sorted into the sorting shelves at the same time.

[0037]

According to the present invention, a matrix type sorting apparatus is constructed by combining a first conveyor and a second conveyor that move in a horizontal plane so that at least a part of them overlaps each other. A large number of sorting destinations can be obtained without increasing the number. Further, according to the present invention, the conveyor moving area in the vertical plane and the conveyor moving in the horizontal plane are combined in such a manner that a part of both of them is combined to form a matrix type sorting apparatus, thereby reducing the installation area of the conveyor. A large number of sorting destinations can be obtained without increasing the number. In addition, the processing capacity becomes high and the entire apparatus becomes compact.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a matrix type sorting apparatus of the present invention, (a) is a plan view and (b) is a side view.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the first embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B show a tray supporting structure in the first conveyor, FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a main part, and FIG.

FIG. 4 is a main part plan view showing a tray supporting structure in the second conveyor.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the matrix type sorting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the matrix type sorting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a tray according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an operation diagram of the tray.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a configuration for driving a conveyor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 First Conveyor 3 Second Conveyor 5 Tray 7,52 Induction Conveyor 9 Sorting Means 11 Chain 13 Rotating Shaft 15 Rail 17 Wheel 51 First Conveyor 53 Second Conveyor 55,57 Tray 67,69 Bottom Plate

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A large number of sectioned article placement sections (5, 5)
5) The first conveyor (1,51) that is connected and moves
And a large number of divided article placement sections (5, 57) are connected so that at least a part of the article placement sections (5, 55, 57) are superposed below the first conveyor (1, 51). A second conveyor (3, 53) that moves by moving, an introduction means (7, 52) that introduces an article (W) into the first conveyor (1, 51), and an article from the second conveyor (3, 53) A large number of sorting destination means (9) into which (W) is input and the articles (W) on the first conveyor (1, 51) are transferred to the second conveyor (3, 53) based on sorting information. In addition, the article placement is performed so that the article (W) on the second conveyor (3, 53) to which the article (W) is transferred is transferred to the sorting destination means (9) based on sorting information. Control means (8) for controlling the article placement state of the section (5, 55)
7), and the article placing part (5, 5) of the second conveyor (3, 53).
The intervals (S1, S2, S3, S4) in the direction orthogonal to the article transport direction of the plurality of rows formed by 7) are the connection of the article placement parts (5, 55) of the first conveyor (1, 51). A matrix type sorting apparatus, which is an integral multiple of the pitch (S). 2. A first conveyor (1) having a large number of divided article placement sections (5) and rotating in a vertical plane, and a plurality of which are arranged side by side, and a large number of divided article placement sections (5). 5) having a part of the article placement part above or below the first conveyor (1)
The second conveyor (3), which is superposed on the conveyor (1) and rotates in a horizontal plane and is provided in a plurality of upper and lower stages, and the article (either on the first conveyor (1) or the second conveyor (3)) W) introducing means (7), a large number of sorting means (9) into which the article (W) is introduced from either the first conveyor (1) or the second conveyor (3), Of the first conveyor (1) and the second conveyor (3), the article (W) on one conveyor (1) is transferred to the other conveyor (3) based on the sorting information, and the article (W) is transferred. ) Is transferred to the article (W) on the other conveyor (3) based on sorting information, the sorting destination means (9).
And a control means (87) for controlling the article placement state of the article placement part (5) so as to be transferred to the matrix type sorting apparatus. 3. The space according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of rows formed by the article placing parts (5) of the transfer destination conveyor (3) are arranged at intervals (S1,
S2) is a matrix type sorting apparatus, characterized in that it is an integral multiple of the connection pitch (S) of the article placement section (5) of the transfer source conveyor (1).