JPH11165855A - Sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve sorting work efficiency so as to be able to sort loads, coping with even a long load. SOLUTION: A camera device 13 for detecting the form of load 1 conveyed on a main conveying path is provided upstream of a branch conveying path U, and a changing device 12 is provided to move the load 1 parallel with the main conveying path or obliquely while conveying the load 1 along the main conveying path. It is so constituted as to select whether to move the load 1 parallel by the changing device 12 to sort it to the branch conveying path U or to move load 1 obliquely by the changing device 12 to sort it to the branch conveying path U according to the form of the load 1 detected by an image pickup signal of the camera device 13. With this constitution, the space of the load 1 can be shortened by moving the load parallel to the branch conveying path U, and the load 1 of even a long form can be sorted to the branch conveying path U of narrow width by moving the load 1 obliquely.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus for sorting loads conveyed on a main transport route to a branch transport route provided outside a side of the main transport route.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus of this type, a sorting apparatus (conversion apparatus) disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-284516 has been provided. This conventional sorting device includes a chain disposed along a main transport path, a guide bar attached to the chain, a movable body (shoe) guided by the guide bar, A guide roller (guided portion) provided on the back side and a guide body group for guiding the guided body are provided, and the guide roller is attached to the guide body group while the load carried on the guide bar is conveyed by the guide bar. The load is laterally pushed by the movable body group guided through the main transport path, and the load is moved in a direction orthogonal to the main transport path, so that the load is sorted to the branch transport path provided outside the side of the main transport path. Is configured. In this conventional sorting apparatus, as shown in FIG. 14A, a load 1 is moved obliquely with respect to a main transport path L and sorted into a branch transport path U (hereinafter, skew sorting). ). In FIG. 14, reference numeral 2 denotes a sorting device that forms the main transport path L, and reference numeral 3 denotes a branch conveyor that forms a branch transport path U provided outside the side of the main transport path L.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), the load 1 is moved in parallel with the main transport path L while maintaining its attitude, and sorted into the branch transport path U (hereinafter, referred to as parallel sorting). Sorting devices are also known (see, for example,
-193735).

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional sorting apparatus, in the method of performing sorting by "skew sorting", the load 1 is inclined and moved, so that the intervals between the loads 1 that are continuously sorted are determined. If the width is narrow, the rear part is
Therefore, it is necessary to widen the interval between the loads 1, thereby reducing the sorting work efficiency.

In order to sort all the loads 1 by "parallel sorting", it is necessary to widen the opening of the entrance of the branch conveyor 3 in accordance with the longest load among the loads 1 to be sorted. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a special branching conveyor 3, which has increased the cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting apparatus which can improve the efficiency of sorting and can sort even long loads.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, a sorting device according to claim 1 is provided for separating a load conveyed on a main conveyance path from a side portion of the main conveyance path. A sorting device for sorting to a branch transport path provided outside, wherein a detection unit is provided upstream of the branch transport path, for detecting a package style of a load being transported on the main transport path,
While transporting the load along the main transport path, providing a conversion means capable of moving the load in parallel with the main transport path, or diagonally, by the load appearance of the load detected by the detection means,
The present invention is characterized in that it is configured to select whether the load is moved in parallel by the conversion means and sorted into the branch conveyance path, or whether the load is moved obliquely by the conversion means and sorted into the branch conveyance path.

According to the above configuration, depending on the form (load length and load width) of the load detected by the detection means, the load is moved in parallel by the conversion means and sorted into the branch conveyance path, or the load is inclined by the conversion means. It is selected whether to move and sort on the branch conveyance path. By moving the load in parallel with the branch transport path, the work efficiency is improved, and by moving the load diagonally, even a load having a long length can be sorted into a narrow branch transport path.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sorting apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the detecting means has a function of detecting an interval between continuously transported loads. When the interval between the loads detected by the detecting means is longer than a predetermined distance, the converting means moves the load obliquely and sorts the load to the branch conveyance path.

With the above arrangement, when the interval between the loads detected by the detection means is longer than a predetermined distance, the load is obliquely moved by the conversion means and sorted into the branch conveyance path. Therefore, the load is conveyed in a posture parallel to the branch conveyance path, and there is no need to change the posture of the load downstream.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sorting device includes: a conversion device 12 capable of moving the load 1 sequentially loaded from the upstream conveyor 11 to the branch conveyor 3 while conveying the load 1 on the main conveyance path L; A camera device (CCD) 13 for picking up an image of the load 1, a bar code reader 14 attached to the load 1 for reading a bar code specifying the load 1, and a bar code read by the bar code reader 14 And a first control device 15 (which will be described in detail later), which is a microcomputer that receives an image signal of the camera device 13 and controls the conversion device 12 in accordance with the image signal of the camera device 13 and the barcode. I have.

Further, a cutting device 16 is provided further upstream of the upstream conveyor 11. The cut-out device 16 includes a cut-out conveyor 17 that carries out the load 1 to the transport conveyor 11, a camera device (CCD) 18 that is installed above the cut-out conveyor 17, and that picks up the load 1, and an image pick-up device of the camera device 18. A second control device 19 comprising a microcomputer for controlling the cut-out conveyor 17 based on the signal.
(Details will be described later).

Downstream of the conversion device 12, a transport conveyor 20 for transporting unsorted loads 1 is provided. The structure of the conversion device 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

An upper frame member 22 and a lower frame member 23 are arranged on both sides in a pair at the top and bottom, respectively.
And a vertical connecting member 24 connecting the upper and lower frame members 22 and 23 to each other, an upper horizontal connecting member 25 connecting the left and right upper frame members 22 to each other, and connecting the left and right lower frame members 23 to each other. It is composed of a lower horizontal connecting member 26 and a leg 27 continuously provided from both lower frame members 23 downward.

The frame body 21 constructed as described above
A driven shaft 29 in the left-right direction is rotatably arranged at the start end, and a drive shaft 30 in the same direction is rotatably arranged at the end. A drive motor 31 is linked to the drive shaft 30.

A chain 34 is disposed between the opposing portions at both ends of the driven shaft 29 and the drive shaft 30 via sprockets 32 and 33. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a number of guide bars 35 are attached between the left and right chains 34. Here, the guide bar 35 is disposed so that a direction orthogonal to the main transport path L, which is a moving direction of both chains 34, is a length direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, each guide bar 35 has a movable body 40 guided by the guide bar 35 and capable of reciprocating in the direction perpendicular to the main transport path L. The outer fitting is provided. A roller shaft is provided at the bottom of the movable body 40.
A guide roller 42 is provided on the roller shaft 41 so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis. Also, movable body
A magnetic body (for example, iron) 43 is attached to an end of the bottom surface of the 40 orthogonal to the main transport path L. The guide roller 42 has a belt 42 made of urethane rubber on its outer peripheral portion.
A is attached.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper horizontal connecting member 25 is provided with a group of outward guide rails 44 which engage with the guide rollers 42 and guide the guide rollers 42. .

The outward guide rail group 44 is provided with a straight guide rail 48 provided on the outside, and is continuously arranged branching from the straight guide rail 48, and is inclined inward toward the lower side. It is composed of a plurality of inner moving guide rails 49 and a lower straight guide rail 50 continuously arranged at the end of the inner moving guide rails 49. Each of these guide rails 48, 49, 50 is a bracket 55 (see FIG. 5).
And is fixed to the upper horizontal connecting member 25 via.

The straight guide rail 48 guides the movable body 40 so as to move straight along the main transport path L. The inner moving guide rail 49 is a movable body.
This is a guide member for guiding 40 from the outside to the inside in the direction of the branch conveyor 3 (branch conveying path U). The movable body 40 is guided by the guide rollers 42 contacting the side surfaces of the guide rails 48, 49, 50.

The lower horizontal connecting member 26 also has a moving guide rail that guides the straight guide rail 48 and the guide roller 22 moved to the lower straight guide rail 50 and returns the guide roller 22 to the straight guide rail 48 (see FIG. (See FIG. 5).

Distributing devices 46 are provided outside the start ends of the inner moving guide rails 49, respectively. Each of these sorting devices 46 sorts the guide roller 42 to the straight guide rail 48 side and the inner moving guide rail 49 side, and as shown in FIG. (The inner guide rail section 49)
As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of electromagnets 63 each including a core 61 having a notched side and a coil 62 wound around the core 61,
It is provided along the inner movement guide rail 49.

With the above configuration, when power is supplied to the coil 62 of the sorting device 46 disposed outside the start end of the inner moving guide rail 49, the movable body 40 moves to the inner moving guide rail 49 side and the branch conveyor 3 is moved. The load 1 is guided on the branch conveyor 3 in the direction from the outside to the inside. At this time, when power is simultaneously supplied to the plurality of coils 62, the plurality of movable bodies 40 are simultaneously guided to the inner moving guide rail 49, that is, guided in a state parallel to the main transport path L, and the load 1 is Is moved onto the branching conveyor 3 in a state of being parallel to.

The structure of the first control device 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, the first control device 15
The bar code read by the bar code reader 14 and the imaging signal of the camera device 13 are input, and the camera device
In accordance with the imaging signal and the bar code of 13, power is supplied to the coils 62 of the five sorting devices 46 of the conversion device 12, and the movement of the movable body 40 is controlled by exciting the electromagnet 63. From the signal, a load length m and a load width j of the load 1 reaching the predetermined position (camera position) of the conversion device 12 and an interval i between the subsequent load 1 are detected, and a detection pulse (load detection signal) for reaching the predetermined position is detected. ), The load detection signal output by the image processing unit 71 is input, the bar code is used to determine whether the load 1 is to be sorted, and if it is determined to be sorted, the branch execution signal is determined. And a load detection signal and data of the load length m, the load width j, and the load interval i of the load 1, and the branch execution output from the sort determination unit 72. 5 based on the signal
The drive unit 73 is configured to selectively drive one of the sorting devices 46.

The drive section 73 is provided with blocks for selectively driving the five sorting devices 46 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 based on the setting conditions of the sorting system shown in FIG. FIG.
As shown in the figure, a timer 81 is provided for detecting the timing at which the load 1 reaches the position of the most downstream sorting device 46 after the load detection signal is turned on. The timer 81 is turned on and the branch execution signal is turned on. In this case, a pulse generator 82 for generating a drive pulse serving as a parallel sorting timing signal and a pulse generator for generating a drive pulse corresponding to the time for moving the load 1 having a load length m serving as a skew parallel sorting timing signal. A vessel 83 is provided.

A comparator for detecting whether the load length m is medium.
84 (m> P) and a comparator 85 (m ≧ Q> P) are provided. The length P is a length in which three movable bodies 40 are arranged. When the comparator 84 is off {FIG. 10 (a)}, a signal for performing parallel sorting (parallel sorting signal) is output, and when the comparator 84 is on and the comparator 85 is off {FIG. A) A signal for driving all the movable bodies 40 in parallel sorting (parallel sorting all movable body drive signal) is output. In parallel sorting,
In consideration of the rotation of the load 1, at least three movable bodies 40 are set to be driven.

Further, when the load interval i is large, it is checked whether or not the load 1 does not come into contact with the following load 1 even if the load 1 is skew-sorted (the moving angle with respect to the main transport path L during the skew is θ). Yes {Fig. 10 (d)}. That is, the distance that the load 1 jumps out in the direction of the subsequent load 1 when skewed is given by (j * sin θ), and the load interval i is this distance (j * sin θ).
A comparator 86 is provided for detecting whether the value is greater than the threshold value. When the comparator 86 is turned on or the comparator 85 is turned on, a signal for driving by skew sorting (skew sorting signal) is output.

When the load interval i is shorter than the distance (minimum interval) between the movable bodies 40, the load interval i is set to the minimum interval in order to avoid a problem that two loads 1 are sorted by one movable body 40. A comparator 87 for detecting whether the load is shorter is provided. When the comparator 87 is on, a reject signal for prohibiting the sorting of the load 1 is output.

Further, as shown in FIG.
In correspondence with the (electromagnet 63), an RS flip-flop 88 that is reset every time a load detection signal is input is provided. Since the most downstream sorting device 46 is used for both parallel sorting and skew sorting, the parallel sorting signal or the parallel sorting all movable body drive signal or the skew sorting signal is ON, and the reject signal is not ON. At this time, the RS flip-flop 88 is set, and in this set state and when the parallel sorting timing signal or the skew sorting timing signal is ON, the coil is driven (the power is supplied to the coil 62 and the electromagnet 63 is excited). ).

Since the two sorting devices 46 upstream of the most downstream sorting device 46 are always used in parallel sorting together with the most downstream sorting device 46, the parallel sorting signal or the parallel sorting all movable body drive is used. Signal is on,
When the reject signal is not turned on, the RS flip-flop 88 is set. In this set state, the RS flip-flop 88 is driven when the parallel sorting timing signal is turned on.

Since the two upstream sorting devices 46 are used only when parallel sorting is performed using all the movable bodies 40, the parallel sorting all movable body drive signal is ON and the reject signal Is not on, the RS flip-flop 88 is set, and in this set state,
It is driven when the parallel sorting timing signal is on.

The structure of the second control device 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 11, the second control device 19
An image pickup signal of the camera device 18 is input, and a drive motor 89 of the cutout conveyor 17 is controlled via an inverter 90 in accordance with the image pickup signal of the camera device 18 to control the cutout of the load 1. , The load length m and the load width j of the load 1 reaching the predetermined position (end position) of the conveyor 17 are detected, and the arrival pulse (load arrival signal) at the predetermined position is reached.
And an on / off signal of the motor 91 to the inverter 90 based on the arrival signal output by the image processing unit 91 and the data of the load length m and the load width j of the load 1. The driving unit 92 is formed.

The drive section 92 is provided with the blocks shown in FIG. 12 based on the setting conditions of the interval r of the load 1 to be cut shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, a comparator 93 (m <m <) that detects whether the length m of the previously cut out load 1 is small.
P) and a comparator 94 for detecting whether the load length m is large (m ≧ Q>
P) is provided. The length P is a length in which three movable bodies 40 are arranged.

When the comparator 93 is ON, it is necessary to drive at least three movable bodies 40 in consideration of the rotation of the load 1, and therefore, the value obtained by subtracting the load length m from the length P by the subtractor 94. Is set as the interval r (FIG. 10 (a)). When both the comparators 93 and 94 are off, that is, when the load 1 is neither small nor large, and is a medium load 1, the minimum value at which parallel sorting is possible. The interval S is set to the interval r {FIG. 10 (b)}.

When the comparator 94 is ON, that is, when the load 1
Is large, and when it is necessary to perform skew sorting, the distance that the load 1 does not come into contact with the following load 1 even if the skew sorting (movement angle θ during skew) is performed, that is, the load 1 is Load 1
Is given by (j * sin θ), the multiplier (96) calculates this distance (j * sin θ), and sets the value obtained by adding the minimum interval S by the adder 97 to the interval r. (Fig. 10 (c)).

These set intervals r are compared with the comparators 93 and 94.
Is turned on / off by switches 98 and 99 and set in comparator 100. The interval r is updated for each arrival signal of the load 1.

Further, corresponding to the inverter 90, the RS flip-flop 101 which is reset by the arrival signal of the above-mentioned load 1
The drive signal of the motor 89 is output to the inverter 90 when the output of the RS flip-flop 101 is on. Further, the output of the RS flip-flop 101 is turned off, that is, the motor 89 is stopped, and the cut-out conveyor 17 is turned off.
There is provided a counter 102 for counting the time during which is stopped. The count value of this counter 102 (conveyor stop time) corresponds to the interval with the load 1 cut out earlier. The comparator 100 compares the stop time of the conveyor with the set interval r, and outputs a drive pulse for setting the RS flip-flop 101 when the stop time reaches the set interval r.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below.
The load 1 supplied to the cutting device 16 is cut out by a cutting conveyor 17.
Transported by When the load 1 arrives at the end of the cut-out conveyor 17, the second control device 19 stops the conveyor 18 once, and sets the interval r set based on the form of the cut-out load 1 (load length m and load width j). The conveyor 16 is stopped for a time corresponding to the following, and then the conveyor 17 is driven until the next load 1 arrives. By this cutting control, according to the form of the load 1,
At least the interval r shown in FIG. 13 is maintained, and the load 1 is cut out to the conveyor 11.

The load 1 conveyed by the conveyor 11
It is carried into the conversion device 12. In the conversion device 12, when the electric motor 31 is driven and the drive shaft 30 is rotationally driven, the two chains 34 are moved via the sprockets 32 and 33, and the guide bar 35 group is circulating along with this, The load 1 supplied from the upstream conveyor 11 is placed on the guide bar 35 at the start end.
Is transported on the main transport path L first.

The first control device 15 determines whether to sort to the branch conveyor 3 by a bar code, and when performing sorting, performs parallel sorting according to the data of the package 1 and the interval between the loads 1. Or skew sorting, the sorting device 46 to be driven among the five sorting devices 46 of the conversion device 12 is set when performing the parallel sorting, and when the reject signal is not established, the load 1 becomes the highest. The sorting device set above at the timing of reaching the downstream sorting device 46
46 is driven (power is supplied to the coil 62 and the electromagnet 63 is excited). When the sorting is not performed, or when the reject condition is satisfied, that is, when it is confirmed that the interval i of the load 1 is narrow, the driving of the sorting device 46 is stopped.

When the electromagnet 63 of the sorting device 46 is not excited (when there is no power supply to the coil 62), the guide roller 42 guided by the upper guide rail 48 is guided straight.
As a result, the movable body 40 moves straight on the side and does not act on the load 1, and the load 1 is conveyed in a straight line on the main conveyance path L and is carried out to the conveyance conveyor 20.

When the electromagnet 63 of the sorting device 46 is excited (when power is supplied to the coil 62), the magnetic material 43 is attracted to the electromagnet 63 by the guide roller 42 guided by the upper guide rail 48. As a result, it moves to the inner movement guide rail 49, is guided by the inner movement guide rail 49, and then is guided to the lower guide rail 50. At this time,
When only the lowermost sorting device 46 is continuously driven,
Since the movable bodies 40A continuously move on the same inner movement guide rail 49, they move across the main transport path L while moving obliquely in the transport direction as shown in FIG. The load 1 acts laterally on the load 1 and moves the load 1 obliquely onto the branch conveyor 3 (branch transport path U). When a plurality of sorting devices 46 are simultaneously driven,
Since the movable bodies 40A move on the different inner moving guide rails 49 at the same time, they move across the main transport path L while moving in parallel in the transport direction as shown in FIG. Laterally, the load 1 is translated on the branch conveyor 3. By this sorting control,
The loads 1 sequentially loaded from the upstream conveyor 11 are subjected to parallel sorting or skew sorting based on the sorting system shown in FIG.

As described above, based on the sorting method shown in FIG. 10, when the load 1 is at a medium level or less, the parallel sorting is executed. By being moved in parallel on the path U and being carried out to the branch conveyor 3, the interval between the loads 1 can be maintained, and the inclination of the loads 1 and the shortening of the interval with the following loads 1 can be avoided. It is possible to reduce the interval between loads to be supplied to the conversion device 12, and to improve the efficiency of the transfer operation. When the load 1 is large, the skew sorting is performed, so that the width of the branch conveyor 3 does not need to be increased, and a special conveyor is not required.
Cost can be reduced. In addition, when the interval between the loads 1 is large, the oblique sorting is performed, so that it is not necessary to change the attitude of the loads 1 when reading a barcode downstream.

Further, the interval r of the load 1 is determined by the cutout device 15.
Are set based on FIG. 13, it is possible to realize an interval suitable for the structure (the arrangement of the movable body 40, etc.) of the conversion device 12 and the sorting method according to the load type of the load 1, and the conversion device 12
Can be avoided.

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, although the electromagnet 63 is used for the sorting device 46 of the conversion device 12,
The guide roller 42 may be guided using a mechanical branching mechanism.

The appearance and interval of the load 1 are determined by the camera devices 13 and 18.
Is detected by inputting the imaging signal of the camera device 13,
Not limited to 18, it is also possible to detect the form and interval of the load 1 using a photoelectric switch or the like.

Further, the branch conveyor 3, the cut-out conveyor
17, a belt conveyor is used as the transport conveyors 11 and 20, but a roller conveyor can also be used.
Further, the bar code is input, the load 1 is specified, and it is determined whether or not the sorting is to be performed. However, the bar code is not limited to the bar code, and a code or signal for specifying the load 1 may be input.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, the load is moved in parallel by the conversion means in accordance with the form (load length and load width) of the load detected by the detection means, and the load is transferred to the branch conveyance path. It is possible to select whether to sort or sort the load to the branch transport path by moving the load diagonally by the conversion means, and by being parallel to the branch transport path, it is possible to avoid shortening the interval with the subsequent load, It is possible to shorten the interval between loads to be sorted into the sorting device, improve work efficiency, and sort the load into a branch transport path with a narrow frontage even if the load is long by moving the load diagonally. This eliminates the need for a special branch conveyor and reduces costs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a conversion device of the sorting device.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a conversion device of the sorting device.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a guide rail group of the conversion device of the sorting device.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a frame body of a conversion device of the sorting device.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a movable body and a sorting device of a conversion device of the sorting device.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a control device of a conversion device of the sorting device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control device of a conversion device of the sorting device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control device of the conversion device of the sorting device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a sorting method of a conversion device of the sorting device.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a control device of a cutout device of the sorting device.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control device of a cutout device of the sorting device.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the interval setting of the load to be cut out by the cut-out device of the sorting device.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a sorting method of the sorting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Load 3 Branch conveyor 11 Conveyor 12 Conversion device (conversion means) 13 Camera device (detection means) 14 Barcode reader 15 First control device 16 Cutout device 17 Cutout conveyor 18 Camera device 19 Second control device 20 Transport conveyor 21 Frame Body 34 Chain 35 Guide bar 40 Movable body 41 Roller shaft 42 Guide roller 46 Sorting device 48 Upper side straight guide rail (guide member) 49 Inner movement guide rail (guide member) 50 Lower side straight guide rail (guide member) 61 Core 62 Coil 63 Electromagnet L Main transfer path U Branch transfer path

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI B65G 47/30 B65G 47/30 D 47/46 47/46 B

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A sorting device for sorting loads conveyed on a main transport route to a branch transport route provided outside a side portion of the main transport route, wherein the sorting device sorts the load upstream of the branch transport path. A conversion unit that detects a form of the load being conveyed on the transfer path, and that can move the load parallel to or diagonally to the main transfer path while transferring the load along the main transfer path; Means are provided, and according to the form of the load detected by the detection means, the load is moved in parallel by the conversion means and sorted into the branch conveyance path, or the load is moved obliquely by the conversion means to the branch conveyance path. Configuration to select whether to sort,
Sorting device characterized by the following. 2. A detecting means is provided with a function of detecting an interval between loads being continuously conveyed, and when the interval between loads detected by the detecting means is longer than a predetermined distance, the load is converted by the conversion means. 2. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the sorting device is configured to be moved obliquely and to be sorted into a branch conveyance path.