JPH10297721A - Assortment picking system for racking multiple item of products - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the space efficiency and correspond to an increase in the number of items to be handled easily by constituting an original package supply and recarrying-in line which starts from an original package buffer and returns to the original package buffer through a picking conveyor. SOLUTION: An original package of a product is stored, for example, per pallet unit, and the original package of a desired item is supplied to an original package buffer 1 through a supply line 6 by a conveyor as required. In a picking area 3, a picking conveyor 5 is arranged, and an original package supply and recarrying-in line 7 which starts from the original package buffer 1 and returns to the original package buffer 1 through the picking conveyor 5 is constituted. The picking conveyor 5 and the original package supply and recarrying-in line 7 which uses the conveyor 5 as its element have functions which convey the original package from the original package buffer 1 and stop it at a predetermined picking position and functions which pick a predetermined number of the original packages and carry the remaining original packages into the original package buffer 1 again.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an assortment picking system for multi-item products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional assortment picking systems for performing assortment picking operations for a large number of products generally include:
As shown in FIG. 7, it is composed of a case flow rack a and a picking conveyor b installed in front of the case flow rack a.
The case flow rack a has a configuration in which picking positions are arranged for each item in the frontage side frontage direction, and a case c of a product can be taken out for each item from these picking positions. Then, the operator takes out the necessary number of cases c for each item according to the display of the picking indicator d installed at these picking positions and puts it into the cardboard e for packing on the picking conveyor b to perform packing. ing.

[0003]

The conventional assorted picking system has the following problems. a. The case flow rack occupies at least one picking position in the frontage direction per item, and the item corresponding to each picking position is a so-called fixed location that is not dynamically changed. The frontage must be increased to increase the picking position. b. Also, because of this fixed location, products in small inventory items occupy the same depth as other items, resulting in poor space efficiency. c. The number of workers can be increased or decreased according to the handling amount. For example, when the handling amount is small, the number of workers can be reduced and the operation can be performed. However, since the walking distance per person is long, the picking efficiency is extremely reduced. d. The picking position located in the middle of the case flow rack can be set to a height that facilitates work, but the picking position in the upper and lower tiers is difficult to work, so the picking efficiency is low. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, an original buffer for storing and supplying various products in an original package or a fractional package in a cardboard unit, and a refill for the original buffer. Configure a warehouse to store and supply the original package and a picking area to supply the original or fractional package from the original buffer and perform the assembling picking work. Picking conveyor to stop at the picking position, picking post for setting and filling empty corrugated cardboard for packing, empty corrugated cardboard feeding conveyor for conveying empty cardboard, and assorting for conveying packed packing A packing transport conveyor, and a packing supply / re-entry line that returns from the original buffer to the original buffer via the picking conveyor. Suggest picking system was.

According to the present invention, in the above configuration, it is proposed that the picking conveyor sets a plurality of assigned ranges for each worker in the transport direction.

In the present invention, it is proposed that a workbench is provided along the picking conveyor on the near side of the picking conveyor. This workbench is preferably configured to be able to move its assigned range along the picking conveyor.

According to the present invention, in the above-described configuration, the picking conveyor is provided at each stop position of the original package or a fractional package.
It is proposed to provide a picking instruction indicator for displaying picking information about the stopped original or fractional packages.
The picking instruction display preferably displays the required number of picks and the remaining number after picking in the responsible area for the original or fractional packs.

In the present invention, it is proposed that a waste cardboard line for conveying empty cardboard from which all products have been taken out is arranged adjacent to the original bundling supply / restocking line.

Further, the present invention proposes that in the above configuration, the picking post, the empty cardboard supply conveyor, and the assortment / packing / conveying conveyor are integrally formed and installed at a position facing the picking conveyor via a work space. .
In this configuration, it is preferable that an empty corrugated cardboard supply conveyor be formed above the assorted packing and conveying conveyor, and a picking post be formed before the assorted packing and conveying conveyor.

According to the present invention, in the above configuration,
For each picking post, it is proposed to install a dispersal number indicator that displays the dispersal number on the cardboard set on the post.

According to the present invention described above, the original supply and re-entry line allows the original buffer to be transferred to the picking conveyor.
Supply original or fractional products of each item in the order corresponding to the assorted picking operation. For this reason, the operator can assemble products by picking the original or fractional products of each item from the area in charge of the picking conveyor and putting them into a cardboard for assortment set on the picking post. At this time, the cardboard to be packed is supplied by an empty cardboard supply conveyor, and the packed assortment can be carried out by a packed and packed conveyor.

[0012]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the entire configuration of the system of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a picking area, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4 to 6 are perspective views showing the operation in the picking operation. First, reference numeral 1 denotes an original buffer, 2 denotes a warehouse, and 3 denotes a picking area. Original buffer 1
Is a configuration in which various products are stored in a cardboard unit bundle 4 or fractional bundles (hereinafter referred to as a bundle including fractional bundles), handled, and supplied to the picking area 3.
That is, the original bundle 4 of each item is picked up in the picking area 3 of the picking area 3 in a desired order by scheduling or the like.
It has the function of supplying to In addition, in the original buffer 1, the storage position of the original package 4 is free, which is a so-called free location configuration. The original package 4 stored in the original buffer 1 is replenished from the warehouse 2 as needed. That is, the warehouse 2 is an automatic warehouse, a storage warehouse, or the like. The original package 4 of the product is stored in, for example, a pallet unit, and the original package 4 of a desired item is optionally packaged via a replenishing line 6 by a conveyor or the like. Supply to buffer 1. The picking conveyor 3 is arranged in the picking area 3, and constitutes an original supply / restocking line 7 for returning from the original buffer 1 to the original buffer 1 via the picking conveyor 5. The picking conveyor 5 and the original bundling supply / restocking line 7 having the picking conveyor 5 as an element
It has a function of transporting the original package 4 from the original buffer 1 and stopping it at a predetermined picking position, and a function of re-entering the remaining original package 4 into the original buffer 1 after a predetermined number of pickings are performed. Have. Further, in the picking area 3, a picking post 9 for setting and filling an empty corrugated cardboard 8 for packing, an empty corrugated cardboard supply conveyor 10 for conveying the corrugated cardboard 8, and a packed cardboard, that is, a packed packing 11 Are arranged at a position facing the picking conveyor 5.

Next, the above elements will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the picking conveyor 5 includes workers a, b,
The assigned ranges Za, Zb, Zc,... for each of c,. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in each of the assigned ranges Za, Zb, Zc,..., The worktables 13a, 13b, 1
3c, and these work tables 13a, 13b,
Reference numeral 13c is configured to be movable along the picking conveyor 5 in the respective assigned ranges Za, Zb, Zc,. Further, the picking conveyer 5 is provided with a picking instruction display 14 for displaying picking information on the stopped original package 4 at each stop position of the original package 4. The picking instruction display 14 displays, for example, the required number of pickings in each of the assigned ranges Za, Zb, Zc,. And this picking instruction display 14 has
A picking completion button 15 is provided to notify the control means of the system of the completion of picking. Further, adjacent to the back side of the picking conveyor 5, a waste cardboard line 17 for transporting empty waste cardboard 16 in which all products are picked is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the picking post 9, the empty corrugated cardboard supply conveyor 10, and the assortment / conveyance conveyor 12 are integrally formed and installed at a position facing the picking conveyor 5 via the work space S. doing. That is,
An empty corrugated cardboard supply conveyor 10 is formed above the assorted packing and conveying conveyor 12, and the assorted packing and conveying conveyor 12 is provided.
The picking post 9 is formed on the front side. That is,
The picking posts 9 are configured as a number of corresponding locations on a support base 18 installed on the near side along the assorted and packed conveyor 12. And empty cardboard supply conveyor 1
On the front side of 0, a dispersal number indicator 19 for displaying the dispersal number of products on the corrugated cardboard 8 set on the post is provided corresponding to each picking post 9. The dispersal number display 19 is provided with a completion display section (not shown) for displaying the completion of assortment for each of the picking posts 9, and a completion button (not shown) for lighting the same.

An example of the flow of the assorted picking operation in the above embodiment will be described. (A): The control means of the system is expected to have a shortage in the number of stored original packages 4 in consideration of the information such as the number of stored original packages 4 in the original buffer 1 and the schedule of the assortment picking work in the future. In this case, the original bundle 4 for the corresponding item is supplied from the warehouse 2 to the original buffer 1 via the replenishment line 6 to be replenished. ↓ (b): Each responsible area Za, Z of the picking conveyor 5
b, Zc,..., the supply order of the original package 4 of each item is scheduled, and the original buffer 1 to the original package 4 are ordered in this order.
And transport it to each predetermined position of the picking conveyor 5. ↓ (c): When the original package 4 of each item conveyed in the scheduled order arrives at a predetermined position on the picking conveyor 5, it is stopped and used for picking work. When the original bundles 4 arrive at the predetermined positions in this way, the picking instruction display 14 installed at each stop position of each original bundle 4 indicates
The required number of picks and the remaining number after picking for each original package 4 in the corresponding assigned range Za, Zb, Zc,... Are displayed. However, this display is not performed all at the same time, and only the same item in the picking instruction display 14 in the assigned range Za, Zb, Zc,. The work is efficient if it is transported continuously by scheduling. ↓ (d): Each worker follows the display of the picking instruction display 14 and picks up the required number of products from the corresponding original package 4 to the respective work areas Za, Zb, Zc,.
3a, 13b, 13c,... Next, the number in the original package 4 is checked based on the remaining number display of each picking support display 14, and when it is checked, the picking completion button 15
Press. At this time, when all the products in the original package 4 are picked and become empty, the original cardboard 16 is put into the waste cardboard line 17. If the remaining original bundle 4 is left as it is, it is transported to the responsible area on the downstream side in the next transport. The original bundling 4 remaining after the picking work of the responsible area on the most downstream side is conveyed through the original bundling supply / restocking line 7 and is re-stocked in the original bundling buffer 1. ↓ (e): As described above, a predetermined number of worktables 13a, 13b,
After picking at 13c,..., The worker picks up the picking post 9 installed at a position facing the work space S.
Go to the side, and put the product into the cardboard 8 of each picking post 9 according to the display of the scattering number indicator 19, and press the completion button after the putting. ↓ (f): The above operations (d) and (e) are repeated. That is, in (d), when the picking completion button 15 for one original package 4 is pressed, the system performs the next original package 4 while the operator is performing the operation (e).
Is displayed on the picking instruction display 14 corresponding to the item (4), the operator subsequently puts (d)
And (e). ↓ (g): By repeating the operations (d) and (e) in (f), when a predetermined number of products and a certain number of products are put into the cardboard 8 of each picking post 9, the operator presses the work completion button. Is pressed, and at this timing, the completion indicator is lit on the scattering number display 19. ↓ (h): Next, after confirming the completion display, the operator moves the cardboard 8 on the picking post 9, that is, the assorted package 11 to the assorted package transport conveyor 12, and picks the empty cardboard 8 on the empty cardboard supply conveyor 10. Set it on post 9. Thus, the assorted packages 11 are shipped via the inspection area 20, for example, as shown in FIG. The empty corrugated cardboard 8 is fed from the canning machine 21 to the empty corrugated cardboard supply conveyor 1.
It is refilled to zero. ↓ (i): On the other hand, the picking completion button 15 corresponding to the original package 4 at each stop position on the picking conveyor 5 so far.
If is pressed, the control means of the system operates the picking conveyor 5 and appropriately transports the original package 4 for the next assorted picking operation.

As described above, the picking conveyor 5 from the original buffer 1 via the original supply and re-stocking line 7
Since the original package 4 of each item is supplied in the predetermined order scheduled at the upper predetermined position, the operator picks the original package 4 of the product of each item from the area covered by the picking conveyor 5, and then picks the post. The assortment can be performed by putting the assorted cardboard into the assorted corrugated cardboard 8 set at 9, and when the assortment is completed according to the schedule, a sign indicating the completion is displayed on the dispersal number display 19, and the operator moves to the assorted packing transport conveyor 12. The assorted package 11 is pushed out. At this time, the cardboard 8 to be packed can be supplied by the empty cardboard supply conveyor 10, and the assorted packing 11 can be carried out by the assorted packing transport conveyor 12.

The system described above has the following features in the work flow described above. a: Each assigned range Za, Zb, Z of the picking conveyor 5
In each of c,..., the worktables 13a, 13
b, 13c, the product picked from the original package 4 can be temporarily put on the workbench 13a, 13b, 13c,... The picking completion button can be pressed immediately after the picking is completed without performing any inconvenient operation such as button operation. Therefore, the waiting time from the end of the picking operation for one original package 4 to the start of the picking operation for the next original package 4 can be reduced. Although the working tables 13a, 13b, and 13c do not necessarily have to be movable, if the working tables 13a, 13b, and 13c are configured to be movable as shown in FIG. Can be used for original package 4. b. Since the empty cardboard supply conveyor 10 is formed above the assorted packing and conveying conveyor 12 and the picking post 9 is formed in front of the assorted packing and conveying conveyor 12, the packing operation at the picking post 9 and the packing from the picking post 9 are performed. The transfer of the assorted packages 11 to the transport conveyor 12 is easy and can be performed with light labor. Since the corrugated cardboard 8 to be set on the picking post 9 is empty, the setting of the corrugated cardboard 8 on the picking post 9 from the empty corrugated cardboard supply conveyor 10 above the assortment / conveyance conveyor 12 can be easily performed with light labor.

In the above-described system, the following operation can be applied in the above-described work flow. a. As shown in FIG. 5, when the picking work of a certain original bundle 4 is completed in a certain area of the picking conveyor 5 and the picking work of another area is not completed, the picking conveyor 5 is operated. And original bundle 4
In this case, the original conveyer 4 is not moved by the picking conveyer 5 in this case.
The pre-picking can be performed by operating the picking instruction display 14 for the other original bundling 4. By performing such a driving operation, it is possible to prevent a reduction in picking efficiency even when the picking operations in a plurality of assigned areas are not synchronized. b. As described above, the empty waste cardboard 16 from which all products have been picked is removed from the picking conveyor 5 and put into the waste cardboard line 17, so that the removed portion becomes an empty space. Therefore, when the worker performs the scattering work on the picking posts 9, the picking conveyor 5 is operated to move the upstream packing 4 to eliminate the empty space, thereby improving the space efficiency.

[0019]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. a. The packing buffer for assortment is designed to handle the products of each item in the original packing in cardboard boxes and to make it possible to take out the goods in the desired order.The storage position of the original packing is free,
Because it is a so-called free location, shelves can be allocated according to the required stock quantity of each item, and compared to a system using a case flow rack, space efficiency is high and it is possible to easily respond to an increase in the number of items handled . For example, it is possible to handle up to one item per shelf without any additional facilities. b. The original bundle of each item is transported from the original packing buffer for assortment to a predetermined position on the picking conveyor in the picking area and provided for picking work, so that the worker can always work at a height with good workability. . c. The number of picking workers depends on the quantity handled,
That is, the number of picking zones to be used can be easily changed. Even in this case, the walking distance of one worker does not change, so that the working efficiency does not decrease. d. If a picking instruction indicator is provided for displaying the required number of pickings and the remaining number after picking in accordance with the stop position of each original package, the remaining number can be checked on the spot at the time of picking, thereby reducing picking mistakes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the overall configuration of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a picking area in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one operation in a picking operation.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another operation in the picking operation.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another operation in the picking operation.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional assorted picking system.

[Description of Signs] 1 Original buffer 2 Warehouse 3 Picking area 4 Original package 5 Picking conveyor 6 Replenishment line 7 Original package supply / re-entry line 8 Cardboard 9 Picking post 10 Empty cardboard supply conveyor 11 Assorted packing 12 Assorted packing conveyor 13a , 13b, 13c,... Work table 14 Picking instruction display 15 Picking completion button 16 Waste cardboard 17 Waste cardboard line 18 Support base 19 Spread number display 20 Inspection area 21 Canning machine S Work space Za, Zb, Zc,. range

Claims (10)

[Claims] Claims: 1. An original buffer for storing and supplying various products in original packaging or fractional packaging in cardboard units, a warehouse for storing and supplying original packaging to be supplied to the original buffer, A picking area for supplying packing or fractional packing and performing assorting picking work is provided.In the picking area, a picking conveyor for transporting original or fractional packing and stopping at a predetermined picking position, and an empty cardboard for assortment. A picking post for setting and packing, an empty cardboard supply conveyor for transferring empty cardboard, and a packing packing conveyor for transferring packed packing, from the original buffer via the picking conveyor An assortment picking system for multi-item products, comprising an original bundling supply / restocking line that returns to the packaging buffer 2. The assortment picking system for multi-item products according to claim 1, wherein the picking conveyor sets a plurality of assigned areas for each worker in the conveying direction. 3. A work table is provided along the picking conveyor on the front side thereof.
Assorted picking system for multiple items described 4. The work table is configured to be movable in a range of responsibility along a picking conveyor.
Assorted picking system for multiple items described 5. The picking conveyor according to claim 1, further comprising a picking instruction indicator for displaying picking information on the stopped original or fractional bundle at each stop position of the original or fractional bundle. Assorted picking system for multiple products 6. The picking instruction display includes: a required number of picks in a responsible area for an original package or a fraction package;
6. The assortment picking system for multi-item products according to claim 5, wherein the remaining number after picking is displayed. 7. The assortment of multi-item products according to claim 1, wherein a waste cardboard line for transporting empty cardboard from which all products have been taken out is formed adjacent to the original supply / restocking line. Picking system 8. The multi-item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the picking post, the empty corrugated cardboard supply conveyor, and the assorted packing and conveying conveyor are integrally formed, and installed at a position facing the picking conveyor via a work space. Product assortment picking system 9. The assortment of multi-item products according to claim 8, wherein an empty corrugated cardboard supply conveyor is formed above the assorted packing and conveying conveyor, and a picking post is formed in front of the assorted packing and conveying conveyor. Picking system 10. The assortment picking system for multi-item products according to claim 1, wherein a dispersal number display for displaying the dispersal number on the cardboard set on the post is provided for each picking post.