JPH09118312A - Automatic sorting/baling method for commodity - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately and quickly perform an automatic sorting/baling of a commodity by a method wherein a commodity number is attached on the commodity, and the commodity is stored while the commodity number is being stored in a memory, and the commodity is taken out from the storage place based on the content of a commodity order of each patron, which is stored in a computer. SOLUTION: At a commodity number imparting section 1, a commodity number is imparted to a commodity which is received by a distribution center, in response to the kind of commodity. Then, the commodity is transferred by a conveyor 2, and after the commodity is housed in a tray of an automatic tray feeding device 3, the commodity number is read by an automatic reading device 4, and at the same time, the content is memorized by a computer. Then, the tray containing the commodity is stored in a storage space 8 on a shelf 7. Then, the tray containing the commodity is automatically taken out from the applicable storage space 8 in order, conforming to the content of an order of the commodity for each patron, and is automatically carried to a baling place 11. Then, the commodity being discharged from the tray on an automatic baling line, is placed in a carton which is built up by a carton forming machine 16, and is packaged.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for automatically storing, picking (picking), sorting, packing, and transporting a product received at a distribution center or the like to a shipping place in each area, and equipment therefor. Regarding For details,
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, products received at a distribution center or the like can be swiftly and accurately shipped in a single box or the like in response to an order from a client without manpower. The present invention relates to an automatic sorting / packaging method of products that can be processed and equipment therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At a distribution base such as a distribution center, a large number of products of different types, shapes, sizes, etc. are prepared in a predetermined number in a predetermined type according to the order of the client, and are put in a box or the like. It has been widely practiced to stuff, pack, and ship. In that case, conventionally, a worker holds an order slip or a shipping instruction sheet in which an order product name and the number of orders are written, and stores a plurality of products for each product. Walk one after another to the installation location of the mobile box (roll box), collect the required number of each product (picking) according to the contents described in the order slip and shipping instruction, and put it in the packing place. Generally, a method of carrying and packing in one box or the like, or packing and packing in a plurality of boxes when the boxes cannot be accommodated in one box and then shipping is widely adopted.

However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional method, since most of the work is done manually, a very large number of workers are required and the labor cost is high. Moreover, since it is necessary for each worker to walk to the place where there is a roll box where each product is stored and pick the product, it takes time to pick the product, and the product sorting, picking, and packing are efficiently performed. Cannot be done. In addition, it is easy for workers to misidentify slips and shipping instructions, pick the wrong type of product or number of products, misplace the product in a box, or make a mistake in the shipping area. It has a big problem that it can not be accurately and promptly packed and shipped to the client, and if the product as ordered does not reach the client, the credibility of the distributor is greatly damaged.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, instead of storing the goods received at a distribution center in a roll box, they are piled on a pallet and automatically conveyed by a conveyor or the like. A method of storing on a shelf using an automatic lifting device or a hawk lift can be considered. However, in that case, at the time of picking, use a lifting device such as a stacker gren or hawk lift to remove the pallet containing many items from the shelf, and then use the pallet according to the instructions on the order slip or shipping instructions. After picking the required number of different types of products, it is necessary to put the pallets back on the shelves using a stacker gren or hawk lift. Therefore, picking the products from the pallet is still troublesome and time-consuming, and it is extremely complicated and poor in workability in that the pallet after picking the desired product is returned to the shelf again. Also in this case, since the worker picks the product from the pallet, a trouble such as a mistake in picking the type of product or the number of products is likely to occur, and the product exactly as ordered by the client can be accurately and promptly. The problem of not being able to package and ship the product is the same as the conventional method described above.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a logistics center such as a distribution center with manpower in accordance with an order slip, a shipping instruction sheet, and the like, in accordance with the order number and the number of products ordered by the client. No, definitely,
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic sorting / packing method (system) for goods that can be picked and packed promptly and shipped to a destination without fail, and equipment therefor.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] As a result of repeated studies by the present inventors in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, as a result, a large number of products are stored in one roll box according to the types of products, and an order slip or The conventional method of picking the ordered products one by one by going to the location of the roll box with shipping instructions, or placing a large number of products on a pallet and storing them on a shelf, then removing the pallet from the shelf As an alternative to the above-mentioned method of picking, the merchandise number that can be automatically read by the machine is attached to the merchandise, and the merchandise number is automatically read and stored in the computer, and it becomes one of the storage spaces on the shelf. , The product number (type of product) and the address of the storage space are linked to store one product, and the product order for each client stored in the computer from the storage location. By automatically picking up and transporting the products one by one based on the contents, and packing the products, it is possible to store, sort, pick, and package the products accurately and promptly without manpower. did.

Furthermore, the present inventors, when performing such automatic sorting and packing of products, instead of directly storing one product in one storage space of a shelf as it is, store it in a predetermined shape and size. If you prepare a standardized tray, store one product in one tray, and store the tray containing the product in one storage space on the shelf, the shape and size of the product will be improved. Even if the trays were mixed, it was thought that the standardized size and shape of the trays would allow the racks to be automatically and smoothly stored in and taken out of the storage space. At that time, the shelf for storing the product-containing trays should be a multi-tiered shelf that has a large number of storage spaces in the vertical and horizontal directions. The high-speed shuttle work (high-speed reciprocating type storage / removal device) that can process each row of the shelves, and the automatic lifting and lowering transfer device (auto lifter) installed on the storage side of the shelf and the storage side of the shelf. When the trays containing the products in the storage space and the trays for the products are taken out from the storage space by the high-speed shuttle work, the storage, sorting, and picking of the products can be carried out in cooperation with The present invention has been completed on the basis of these findings, considering that it can be performed more accurately and quickly.

That is, according to the present invention, a step of giving a product number indicating the type of the product to a product received at a distribution center; a tray formed into a predetermined standard shape and standard size so as to accommodate the product to be handled. The products are automatically and sequentially supplied to the product automatic supply line, and in principle, the products to which the product numbers are assigned in the above process are automatically added to each tray one by one; products attached to products Automatically reading the number before or after putting it in the tray; the tray containing the product whose product number is confirmed to be properly assigned in the above-mentioned automatic reading process, and the shape and size of the tray. A single shelf can be stored while the computer automatically stores the type of product and the address of the storage space on a shelf that has a large number of storage spaces As a general rule, one tray is stored in the space so that it is automatically stored; the tray containing the product not properly assigned the product number in the automatic reading process is transferred to the storage space. The process of taking out the product without the system; the request contents of the products for each client are stored in a computer, and the trays containing the products stored in the storage space of the shelves are stored in the storage space according to the stored contents. Automatically picking up each item one at a time and automatically transporting it to the packing place; Automatically and / or manually removing each product from the tray that has been automatically transported to the packing place for each client According to the order contents of the product, after packing it in a packaging container and packing, sticking a shipping slip and /
Or, a step of automatically and / or manually assigning a shipping area number; and automatically reading the contents of the shipping slip and / or the shipping area number given to the package, and shipping provided for each shipping area. It is a method of automatically sorting and packing products, characterized by having a step of sorting and transporting to a place by an automatic sorting device.

According to the present invention, in the above-described method for automatically sorting and packing products, in the above-mentioned step of automatically taking out the product-containing tray from the storage space of the shelf in accordance with the contents of the order slip, the product is stored in the storage space. The shipping area is automatically stored when the tray is taken out, and the package containing the product is automatically transported directly to the shipping location directly without reading the shipping area number. It is an automatic sorting / packing method.

Further, according to the present invention, (i) a unit for assigning a product number to an incoming product; (ii) an automatic tray supply facility; (iii)
In principle, a product automatic tray storage device that stores one product in one tray; (iv) Automatic reading / storing device for the product number; (v) Taking out the product with an error in the product number out of the system Equipment; (vi) Transfer device for trays containing products; (vii) Shelf with multiple tray storage spaces in vertical and horizontal directions; (viii) One tray is automatically stored in one storage space of a shelf For automatically storing and automatically removing each tray from the storage space of the shelf; (i
x) A device that automatically conveys the product tray taken from the storage space on the shelf to the packing place; (x) A device that takes the product out of the tray, packs it in a container, and packs it; And / or a device for giving a shipping region number; and (xii) a device for automatically reading the shipping region number given to the package and automatically carrying it to the shipping place for each shipping region. It is an automatic sorting / packing facility for products.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below. "Distribution center" in the present invention means that products are received from factories, wholesalers, production areas, and other product providing points, and among the received products, orders are placed by consumers, companies, shops, and other clients. Depending on the size of the product and the type of product to be handled, it can be any distribution base that carries out a distribution system in which a specified number of products are picked in a specified number, packed together, and shipped to the client. There are no restrictions. Also, the "delivery center" referred to in the present invention.
May be the one that independently implements the above-described physical distribution system, that is, it may be in the production factory of the product, or that it is installed side by side with the production place. Further, the “commodity” referred to in the present invention may be any product that can be handled by the above-mentioned physical distribution system, and its kind, shape, form, size, etc. are not particularly limited.

The method of receiving goods at the distribution center is not particularly limited, and may be carried out by, for example, a truck or another method. Then, in the present invention, first, a product number indicating the type of product is given to the product received at the distribution center (the above process). In this case, the product number given to the product may be any as long as the product number can be automatically read, and examples thereof include numbers, barcodes, and symbols other than numbers.
Alternatively, it is preferable to use a bar code because the product number can be automatically read smoothly and even if there are many types of products to be handled, distinction can be clearly made for each type of product. When assigning a product number to a product, it may be handwritten if the automatic device for reading the product number is a handwritten device or one that can accurately read it, but it can be printed on the product with a hand printer that can print numbers etc. on the product. If you do so, or if you attach a label or the like on which numbers or barcodes are printed in advance to the product, the product number will be surely assigned to the product and the automatic reading of the product number will be accurate. It is preferable because it is performed.

Next, the product with the product number is transferred by a conveyor or other automatic transfer means so that, in principle, one product can be stored in one tray separately and automatically. Automatically put the product in the tray (the above process). In that case, as described above, in order to carry out the method of the present invention without fail, one tray is basically filled with one product, but depending on the type of product, it is ordered in units of one. In the case where two or more items are ordered together without being ordered, two or more items may be put in one tray depending on the minimum unit ordered.

In addition, the tray is standardized by unifying its shape and dimensions into predetermined ones so that the tray containing the product can be smoothly transported to the storage space, stored in the storage space, and taken out from the storage space. To be able to do it. The shape and size of the tray may be determined according to the type, shape, size, etc. of the products handled at each distribution center. Among them, if the shape of the tray is square,
It is desirable because it makes it easier to store the product in the tray, transport the tray, store the tray in the storage space, and remove the tray from the storage space. Although not limited, in a distribution center that handles food etc. consumed in each household, for example, a tray has a length x width x thickness = (60 ~
100cm) x (50-100cm) x (10-30c
It is convenient to have a rectangular shape with a size of about m) and to have a structure in which goods can be put in and taken out from the upper surface or the side surface. In addition, the material of the tray is not particularly limited, and may be any as long as it is excellent in lightness, strength, handleability, and the like. For example, it can be formed from plastic, metal, wood, etc. It is preferable that the standardized tray having a predetermined shape and size can be mass-produced at low cost, and that it is lightweight.

Then, the product number attached to the product is automatically read after or before being stored in the tray [the above process]. The automatic product number reading device is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that can accurately read the commercial product number, and is not particularly limited. Generally, an optical automatic reading device such as a camera is used. In this case, when you want to automatically read the product number attached to the product in the tray, check the position where the product number is attached to the product and how to store the product in the tray when the product is in the tray. However, it is of course necessary that the product number can be read smoothly from the outside. Also, at that time, if the product number is not properly assigned and automatic reading cannot be performed smoothly (for example, if the product number is not assigned, the content becomes unclear even if the product number is assigned. If the product is still in the tray, or if it is already in the tray, take it out of the system together with the tray (step above), and then attach the correct product number again before or after putting it in the tray. The product number is read by the automatic reading device and the product is conveyed to the next step. By providing such a step of detecting an error, the method of the present invention can be smoothly carried out while further reducing troubles in the entire system.

Next, the tray containing the product for which the product number is confirmed to be properly assigned in the above automatic reading step is placed on a shelf having a large number of storage spaces according to the shape and size of the tray. While automatically storing the type of product and the address of its storage space in the computer, in principle, one tray is stored in one storage space on the shelf so that it is automatically stored and stored (above). Process). At that time, the structure and scale of the shelf or storage space for storing product-containing trays can be determined in consideration of the shape and dimensions of the tray, the location conditions of the distribution center, etc. If you have a large number of storage spaces in the storage space and store multiple shelves side by side with a space for smooth storage and removal of trays, you can store and store the product trays in the storage space. It can be taken out from the space quickly and smoothly. The number of storage spaces for the trays provided on the shelves is not particularly limited as long as it can be appropriately determined in accordance with the number of products handled by each distribution center in a predetermined period (for example, the number of products handled per day). For example, when 14 rows of shelves each having a storage space for 500 trays vertically and horizontally are provided, a maximum of 7,000 product trays can be stored at one time. Further, the shape and size of the storage space on the shelf can be appropriately determined according to the shape and size of the tray.

An address is provided for each storage space on the shelf. As a result, it is possible to accurately store in the computer which storage space (address) the particular product put in the tray is stored in in a 1: 1 relationship. As a result, the products for a predetermined period (for example, one day) of the products received at the distribution center are automatically stored in the storage space of the shelves at the same time, and at the same time, the product content and storage location (storage space address) are stored. Can be accurately stored in the computer.

In addition, high-speed reciprocating search in which the trays containing the products are stored in the storage space of the shelves are arranged one row at a time for each shelf.
Through a collaborative work between a carrier transfer device (hereinafter referred to as "shuttle work") and an automatic lifting device for goods (hereinafter referred to as "auto lifter"), which is provided on the storage side of the shelf in a number corresponding to the number of shuttle works. You should do it. By providing such a shuttle work and an auto lifter, the trays containing the conveyed products are transported to an appropriate shelf position, and stored in the storage space at which level of the shelf height. The computer automatically decides whether or not to do so, the tray with the product is moved up and down by the auto lifter to the height of the shelf, and the shuttle work at that position moves the shelf horizontally (horizontally) at high speed. The data is automatically stored and stored in one storage space at a predetermined address, and the computer stores the storage address and the types of products stored therein. In this case, one product tray is stored and stored in one storage space by one reciprocation of the high-speed shuttle system, but since the high-speed shuttle work operates at an extremely high speed, storage of the product tray in the storage space is possible. It does not take much time. By providing a plurality of shelves in parallel and correspondingly providing a plurality of shuttle works and auto lifters described above, storage of product trays in the storage space of the shelves is continued sequentially and in a short time after another. It can be done efficiently. At that time, the structure, shape, scale, etc. of the auto lifter and shuttle work are not particularly limited, and should be appropriately determined according to the scale of the distribution center, the shape and scale of the racks storing the trays, the shape and size of the trays, etc. You can

When all the products to be shipped in a predetermined period are stored in the storage space of the shelves in a tray, next, the products for each client stored in the computer are stored. According to the order contents, the trays containing the products stored in the storage space of the shelf are automatically taken out one by one from the storage space and automatically transported to the packing place (the above process), and then to the packing place. Automatically and / or manually pack the products in trays that have been automatically conveyed and pack them in containers such as boxes according to the order contents of each client, and then attach the shipping slips to the packages. And / or assigning a shipping region number automatically and / or manually (steps above).

When taking out the tray containing the products from the storage space of the shelves, in the same manner as in the above case where the trays containing the products are stored in the storage space of the shelves, corresponding to the shuttle work arranged in each shelf and one row, By providing the auto lifter also on the delivery side of the shelf, the tray containing the product can be taken out very smoothly and quickly from the storage space of the shelf by the cooperation work of the shuttle work and the auto lifter. Then, by such a cooperative work of shuttle work and auto lifter, in response to the order contents of the products for each client stored in the computer, the products placed in the tray can be moved from the storage space of the shelves one after another at high speed. It can be automatically taken out and transferred to the packing place. Then, by providing a plurality of shelves in parallel and correspondingly providing a plurality of shuttle works and auto lifters described above, taking out the trays of the product trays from the storage space is successively continued in a short time after another. It can be done efficiently. Also,
A device that automatically detects whether or not the products in the trays are properly taken out from the storage space on the shelf is installed at the stage before reaching the packing place, and the items are properly taken out. If the product does not exist, it is possible to carry out the method of the present invention accurately while further reducing troubles by preventing the product from being directly conveyed to the packing place. In that case, it is advisable to return the merchandise that has not been transported to the packing place due to an error to the first step of the method of the present invention or the like for smooth processing again.

The product in the tray taken out from the storage space on the shelf is taken out from the tray and packed in a packaging container such as a box formed in advance at the packing place. In that case, the shape and size of the product to be packed If there is not much difference in the above, the automatic packing device can be used for packing without any waste while suppressing the generation of voids and the like in a packaging container such as a box. On the other hand, when the products to be packed have irregular shapes and sizes, it is often difficult to pack the products smoothly in a box or the like with an automatic packing device, and therefore the packing may be carried out manually. Since it is possible to automatically determine whether to perform packing by an automatic packing device or manually according to the type of the client's product stored in the computer in advance, the product in the tray The decision to transfer the goods to the automatic packing line or to the manual packing line can be made automatically before the goods arrive on the packing line. In the packing line, packing containers such as boxes having different sizes may be automatically or manually supplied depending on the number and size of products to be packed. Further, it is preferable that the empty tray after taking out the goods at the packing place is automatically circulated in the above-mentioned step and reused in the method of the present invention.

Then, the shipping slip and / or the shipping area number may be attached to the packaged product after the product has been packaged automatically or manually. The shipping area number given to the package may be any as long as it can be automatically read, as in the case of the product number, and examples thereof include numbers, bar codes, and symbols other than numbers. , Numbers and / or bar codes are preferable because the shipping area number can be automatically and smoothly read and the number of shipping areas can be increased. In addition, when attaching the shipping area number to the package, it may be handwritten if the automatic reading device is a handwriting device that can accurately read it, but it is printed using a hand printer that can print numbers etc. on the product Doing so, or by attaching a label or the like with numbers or barcodes pre-printed on it ensures that the shipping area number is assigned to the package and the automatic reading of the shipping area number is accurate. This is preferable because it can be surely shipped to a predetermined area.

Further, it is detected whether or not the shipping area number is properly given to the packaged article, and if it is not properly provided, the packaged article is prevented from being conveyed to the wrong shipping place. If an automatic error detection device is provided at the stage before reaching the shipment location of the package, it is possible to prevent the package from being accidentally delivered to another area, further improving the reliability of the method of the present invention. Can be made. And in the present invention,
By automatically controlling and managing the above-mentioned series of processes using a computer, the products received at the distribution center can be packed with various products in the correct number according to the order of the client. Can be shipped. Also,
The packages collected at the shipping locations in each region are shipped to each region using trucks or other transportation means.

[0024]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a typical example of an automatic sorting / packing method for products and an automatic sorting / packing facility according to the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a tray suitable for use in the present invention, and the tray is manufactured using plastic. Further, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a case where a product numbered product is placed in a tray so that the product number can be detected from the outside.

In FIG. 1, a product number C is added to a product A received at a distribution center by the product number assigning unit 1 according to the type of product. Here, the product number C is given to the product A as described above, preferably by using a hand printer or the like with numbers and / or barcodes, or a label on which numbers or barcodes are printed in advance. Is attached to the product A.

Next, the product A given the product number C is
After being automatically transferred using the conveyor 2, and automatically stored in the tray B at the portion of the automatic tray supply device 3 such that one product A is stored in one tray B in principle, The automatic reading device 4 for the product number C automatically reads the product number C and stores the contents in the computer. If the product number C is not correctly assigned to the product A, the error reject unit 5 takes it out of the system. . Although not shown in FIG. 1, the product A taken out of the system by the error ejecting unit 5 is given the product number C again and is processed again by the method of the present invention.

Next, the tray B containing the product A in which the product number C is confirmed to be properly assigned by the automatic reading device 4 and the product type is stored in the computer is transferred by the conveyor 6. Then, the storage spaces 8 are stored and stored in the storage spaces 8 of the shelves 7 which are provided in multiple stages in the vertical and horizontal directions. When storing the product A in the storage space 8, the tray B containing the product A conveyed by the conveyor 6 is placed on the auto lifter 9 provided on the storage side of the shelf 7 and provided for each row of the shelf 7. The high-speed shuttle work 10 after being carried to the height position of the high-speed shuttle work 10 of an appropriate height among the high-speed shuttle work 10
Then, the tray B containing the product A is transferred to and the high speed shuttle work 10 is reciprocated at a high speed along a predetermined one step (one row) in the lateral direction of the shelf 7, so that one tray in the row of the shelf 7 is moved. Store in storage space 8. In the equipment shown in FIG. 1, shelves 7
Are arranged in parallel in 14 rows, and the storage spaces 8 are provided in the upper and lower sides of the single row of shelves 7 in, for example, 10 stages. For each of the 10 stages of high-speed shuttle work 10, one auto lifter 9 is provided on the receiving side of the shelf 7, and a storage space 8 is provided over 10 stages of one shelf 7. The tray B containing the product A is stored and stored in each of the. Each storage space 8 on the shelf 7 is provided with an address one by one, and the computer stores the address of the storage space 8 of which kind of product A is stored.

Which storage space 8 in which the shelves 7 are provided to which the trays B containing the products A are to be stored in sequence can be appropriately determined according to each situation. The trays B containing the products A can be efficiently and quickly stored in the storage spaces 8 of the shelves 7 in a short time while working without waste, and a large number of high-speed shuttle works 10 can be used when the trays B containing the products A are taken out from the storage space 8. It is preferable that the trays B containing the products A are stored in the storage space 8 one after another by creating a program that allows the trays B to be efficiently and quickly taken out.

Request that all the commodities A for a predetermined period (for example, one day) are stored in the storage space 8 of the shelf 7 in the tray B, and then stored in the computer. According to the order contents of the products for each main, the trays B containing the products A stored in the storage space 8 of the shelf 7 are automatically taken out one by one from the storage space 8 and automatically transferred to the packing place 11. Do it. Even when the tray B containing the product A is taken out from the storage space 8 of the shelf 7, an auto lifter 9'is provided on the exit side of the shelf with respect to the shuttle work 10 arranged on a shelf-by-row basis. , Auto Lifter 9'Product A
A shuttle that automatically raises and lowers the containing tray B to the height position of the shuttle work 10 which is taking out, and raises and lowers the product containing tray B taken out by the shuttle work 10 by the auto lifter 9 ′ to the height of the transfer device. By the cooperation of the work 10 and the auto lifter 9 ′, the tray B containing the product A is sequentially taken out from the storage space 8 of the shelf 7 at high speed and placed on the transfer device. When taking out the tray B containing the product A from the storage space 8, as described above, the number of the high-speed shuttle works 10 that are not operating is reduced as much as possible, and a large number of high-speed shuttle works 10 are simultaneously operated to make the tray B It is preferable to create a program that can efficiently and quickly take out the data.

Further, the auto lifter 9 provided on the storage side of the shelf 7 and the auto lifter 9'provided on the delivery side are provided with a predetermined high-speed shuttle work 10 for one tray B containing the product A by one elevation of the auto lifter. The structure may be such that it can be moved up and down to the position, or a structure in which a plurality of trays B containing the products A can be moved up and down to the positions of a plurality of high-speed shuttle works 10 provided in the height direction.

For the product A in the tray B taken out from the storage space 8 of the shelf 7, the error automatic detection device 1
2 automatically detects whether or not the product is properly taken out, and if the product is not properly taken out, the product is taken out of the system so that it is not directly transported to the packing place. If it is done correctly, it is transported to the packing place 11.

At this time, whether the product A in the tray B is sent to the automatic packing line 13 or the manual packing line 14 depends on the kind of the client's product stored in advance in the computer. It will be decided automatically in advance. The tray B containing the product A that has been conveyed to the automatic packing line has the opening 1 shown in FIG.
The product A is automatically discharged from the tray B by automatically tilting the product 5 so as to be downward, and is automatically packed in the carton D preassembled by the carton forming machine 16. Then, when the kind and number of products according to the order of the client are automatically packed in the carton D, the carton D is automatically closed, and then the shipping slip automatic sticking device 17 is used to stick the shipping slip. To wear. The tray B emptied by taking out the product A is circulated to the automatic tray feeder 3 by the conveyor 18 and used again.

Further, the product A in the tray B sent to the packing line 14 by hand is taken out from the tray B by hand and packed in the carton D, and the kind and the type according to the order of the client are obtained. When several products are packed in the carton D, the carton D is manually closed, and then a shipping slip is attached and a shipping area number is given. Also in this case, the tray B emptied by taking out the product A is automatically conveyed by the conveyor 18 to the automatic tray feeder 3
Cycle to use again.

Then, the error detecting device 19 detects whether or not the shipping slip and / or the shipping area number is properly given to the package E, and if the shipping slip and / or the shipping area number are not properly given, the package is erroneous. Stop being transported to the shipping site, while the correct one is
The products are automatically distributed to the shipping conveyor lanes 21 for each shipping area, temporarily stored for each shipping area there, and loaded on a truck or the like for shipping.

[0035]

According to the present invention, the goods received at the distribution center or the like can be accommodated in the carton or the like exactly in the number as ordered by the client without manpower. It can be packed and shipped quickly and accurately. And according to the invention,
As a general rule, one product is put in one tray whose shape and size are standardized and fixed, and the type of product and the address of the storage space are automatically stored in one storage space on the shelf. Since it has a simple structure that it is stored and stored while being stored in, and it is sequentially taken out of the storage space and packed,
As a result of simple and standardized automatic operations such as storing goods in the storage space and taking them out of the storage space, mistakes are extremely unlikely to occur and it is possible to perform with high accuracy, as requested by the client. It is possible to pack and ship the products in the same number as you ordered. Further, in the present invention, when the storage of the shelves in the storage space and the removal from the storage space are performed using a high-speed shuttle work and an auto lifter,
It can automatically and quickly carry out the storage and retrieval work, sorting and packing a large number of products in a short time,
Can be shipped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a representative example of the method and equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a tray used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which products are put in the tray of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A product B Tray C Product number 1 Product number assigning part 2 Conveyor 3 Automatic tray feeder 4 Automatic product number C reading device 5 Error ejecting part 6 Conveyor 7 Shelf 8 Storage space 9 Auto lifter 9'Auto lifter 10 High speed shuttle work 11 Packing place 12 Automatic error detection device 13 Automatic packing line 14 Manual packing line 15 Tray opening 16 Carton molding machine 17 Automatic shipping slip application device 18 Conveyor 19 Error detection device 20 Automatic distribution device for packages 21 Shipping conveyor lane

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A step of assigning a product number indicating a type of product to a product received at a distribution center; a tray formed into a predetermined standard shape and standard size so as to accommodate a product to be handled is automatically supplied to the product. As a general rule, the process of automatically supplying the products to the supply line one by one with the product number assigned in the above process to one tray; the product number attached to the product is placed on the tray. A step of automatically reading before putting it in or after putting it in the tray; a large number of trays containing the goods whose product numbers are confirmed to be properly assigned in the above-mentioned automatic reading step, according to the shape and size of the tray. As a general rule, the storage type of the product and the address of the storage space are automatically stored in the computer with the storage space of one storage space on the shelf. A process of automatically storing one tray so that it is stored; a system in which trays containing products whose product numbers are not properly assigned in the automatic reading process are not transported to the storage space Step of taking out the product; The request contents of the product for each client are stored in the computer, and one tray containing the products stored in the storage space of the shelf is stored in the storage space of the shelf according to the storage contents. Automatically picking up each product one by one and automatically transporting it to the packing place; taking out the products in the tray that has been automatically transported to the packing place from the tray and automatically and / or manually ordering the products for each client Corresponding to the above, it is packed in a packaging container and packed, and then a shipping slip is attached to the package and /
Or, a step of automatically and / or manually assigning a shipping area number; and automatically reading the contents of the shipping slip and / or the shipping area number given to the package, and shipping provided for each shipping area. An automatic sorting / packing method for products, which comprises a step of sorting and transporting to a place by an automatic sorting device. 2. The shipping area is automatically stored when the product tray is taken out of the storage space in the step of automatically taking out the product tray from the storage space of the shelf according to the contents of the order slip. The automatic assortment / packaging method according to claim 1, wherein the packaged product including the product is automatically conveyed directly to the shipping place directly without reading the shipping area number. 3. The automatic number according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a numeral and / or a bar code that can be automatically read by a machine are used as a product number given to a product and a shipping area number given to a package. Sorting / packing method. 4. A shelf for storing trays containing products is a multi-tiered shelf having a large number of vertical and horizontal storage spaces,
A high-speed reciprocating search / transport transfer device that arranges storage of trays in the shelf storage space and removal of product trays from the storage space on a shelf-by-row basis. The automatic sorting / packaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is carried out in cooperation with an automatic elevating and lowering transfer device provided on the side. 5. A plurality of rows of shelves are provided, and a plurality of high-speed shuttle systems corresponding to the shelves are provided.
The automatic sorting / packing method of any one of 4 above. 6. The automatic sorting / packing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tray containing the product is taken out from the shelf and the product is packed after the storage of the tray containing the product in the storage space of the shelf is completed. Method. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein an empty tray after taking out the goods at the packing place is circulated to the above step.
The automatic sorting / packing method according to any one of 6 to 6. 8. A method for automatically detecting whether or not a product in a tray is properly taken out from a shelf and preventing the product from being transported to a packing place when the product is not properly taken out. The automatic sorting / packaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A means for detecting whether or not a shipping area number is properly attached to a packaged article, and preventing the packaged article from being conveyed to an incorrect shipping place when the packaged area number is not properly assigned. The automatic sorting / packaging method according to claim 1, further comprising: 10. The automatic sorting / packaging method according to claim 1, wherein a series of steps is automatically controlled by using a computer. 11. A commodity automatic tray accommodating unit configured to accommodate one commodity in one tray, (i) a section for assigning a commodity number to an in-coming commodity, (ii) an automatic tray supply facility, and (iii) Device; (iv) Automatic reading / storing device of product number; (v) Equipment for taking out product with error in product number out of the system; (vi) Transfer device to tray position of product-containing tray;
(Vii) A shelf having a large number of tray storage spaces in the vertical and horizontal directions; (viii) In principle, one tray is automatically stored in one storage space of the shelf and each tray is individually stored from the storage space of the shelf. Equipment for automatically taking out; (ix) Equipment for automatically transporting trays containing products taken out from the storage space of the shelf to the packing place; (x) Equipment for taking goods out of the trays and packing them in containers; (xi) Packaging A device that attaches shipping slips and / or assigns shipping area numbers to items; and (xii) automatically reads the shipping area number attached to the package and automatically conveys the shipping area to each shipping area. Automatic sorting of products characterized by having a device;
Packing equipment. 12. A high-speed reciprocating search / conveyance transfer device and a device for automatically storing and removing trays in and from a storage space of a shelf, which are arranged in each stage of the shelf 12. The automatic assortment according to claim 11, wherein the automatic ascending / descending / transferring device is provided on the receiving side and the discharging side from the shelf.
Packing equipment.