JPH11171312A - Load preparing method for article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prepare a plurality of types of articles without providing a large allowance for load preparing capability of each of first load preparing facilities and second load preparing a facilities. SOLUTION: In a load preparing method of articles for preparing a plurality of types of articles, there are provided first load preparing facilities P1 for preparing a type of articles whose preparation request quantity is relatively large and second load preparing facilities P2 for preparing a type of articles whose preparation request quantity is relatively small. Loads are prepared according to the size of load preparation request quantity of articles of each type per selection unit for selecting which facilities are to be used for load preparation, the first load preparing facilities P1 of the second load preparing facilities P2. The articles of the type with relatively large load preparation request quantity are prepared by the first load preparing facilities P1, while the articles of the type with relatively small load preparation request quantity are prepared by the second load preparing facilities P2, and the load preparing facilities for preparing articles of each type is chosen per selection unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article packing method, and more particularly to an article packing method for packing a plurality of types of articles by a plurality of packing facilities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique relating to a method of packing articles, there is known a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H6-156619.

[0003] The prior art described in the above publication is described.
Items that have a relatively large number of shipments (items of each type) at the time of goods receipt are collected and pooled on a conveyor line or a flow rack line (first packing equipment) for each single item,
In addition, there is described a packing method in which items having a relatively small number of shipments are sorted and pooled on a rotating shelf line (second packing equipment), and the items are conveyed and collected to a delivery position.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems.

That is, the packing method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-156519 includes a first packing equipment and a second packing equipment. Items (articles for each type) are not configured to be sequentially replaced, so that the composition ratio of the required packing quantity of articles of each type is, for example, seasonal variation (summer products, winter products, etc.). , If it collapses due to a change due to an event (event, bargain sale, etc.), a change due to the release of a new product, etc., only one of the first and second packing facilities becomes insufficient in packing capacity. On the other hand, there is a problem that the capacity is insufficient as a whole even though there is room in the other packing ability. As a method for solving the above-mentioned problem,
It is sufficient if there is a large margin in the packing capacity of both the first packing equipment and the second packing equipment. However, not only the equipment cost becomes enormous, but also the installation space becomes extremely large, so that it is practical. However, the above-mentioned problem has not been solved to date.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to select, for each selection unit, a packing apparatus in which articles of each type are packed, so that each of the first packing apparatus and the second packing apparatus can be selected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article packing method capable of packing a plurality of types of articles without providing a large margin in packing capacity.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an article packing method for packing a plurality of kinds of articles, and a first packing apparatus for packing a kind of article having a relatively large required packing quantity. And a second packing equipment for packing goods of a type having a relatively small requested packing quantity, and determining whether to pack the goods using the first packing equipment or the second packing equipment. In accordance with the magnitude of the required reordering of the articles of each type for each selection unit to be selected, the articles of the type having a relatively large required reordering amount are reloaded by the first reloading equipment, and Items of varieties that require a relatively small
A method for packing articles, characterized in that the packing equipment for each type of articles is selected for each of the above-mentioned selection units so that the articles are sorted by the packing equipment. By doing so, the above object has been achieved.

[0008] Each of the first and second packing facilities has an article storage device, and is selected so as to be packed by the first packing facility in a preceding selection unit. In the case where the article of the kind is selected so as to be packed by the second packing equipment in the subsequent selection unit, when the packing in the preceding selection unit is completed, the goods are transferred to the first packing equipment. It is preferable to control the replenishment of the article of the corresponding type to the first packing equipment so that the article of the applicable type is not stored.

Preferably, the selection unit is a unit of time or a unit of shipping container.

It is preferable that the article storage device is a fluidized shelf or a rotating shelf.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below together with an embodiment of an article handling facility suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an outline of an embodiment of an article handling facility suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the fluidized shelf, the conveyor, and the like shown in FIG. 1, FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG.
FIG. 6 is an elevation view showing a main part of the sorting conveyor shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a method of taking out an article from a fluid shelf (a single storage shelf) to a transport conveyor.

In these drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a type (variety).
Separately, a single storage shelf (gravity roller conveyor) for storing articles G, a plurality of rows (only five rows are shown in FIG. 2) in the direction along the conveyor 2 with the tip side inclined at a low angle, and the vertical direction 6 (only two stages are shown in FIG. 2), and these gravity roller conveyors 1 stacked in a plurality of stages constitute a fluid shelf F as an article storage device of the present invention. ing. Also,
The transport conveyor 2 is a drive roller conveyor arranged so as to connect the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1 for each stage, and is provided with six stages vertically (only two stages are shown in FIG. 2). I have. At the downstream end of each gravity roller conveyor 1, an article take-out device 3 is provided. Thus, the fluidized shelf F, the conveyor 2,
The article unloading device 3 and the like constitute a second unloading facility P2 for unloading articles G of a kind (kind) having a relatively small unloading request amount. Reference numeral 4 denotes a sorting conveyor for merging and sorting the articles G taken out from the gravity roller conveyor 1 to the respective conveying conveyors 2 and sorting the articles G. The sorting conveyor 4 is provided downstream of the conveying conveyor 2.
And a skewered (fork) -shaped article placing section 4 which is constituted by a vertical circulating conveyor for conveying
11 and an endless rotating body 42 to which the article transporting tool 41 is attached. The article transporting tool 41 is continuously rotated by the endless rotating body 42. Vertical circulation conveyors 4 are arranged adjacent to each other.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a delivery conveyor for transferring the articles G to the article transporter 41, which are arranged at different heights at the downstream end of the third to sixth transport conveyors 2 from the bottom. The articles G are merged from the transport conveyor 2 to the vertical circulation conveyor 4. In addition, delivery conveyor 5
Has a fork-shaped moving skewer conveyor 52 so that the moving skewer conveyor 52 can be advanced and retracted in the direction in which articles are delivered. Reference numeral 6 denotes a delivery conveyor for transferring the articles G to the article transporting tool 41. The delivery conveyors 6 are disposed at different heights at the downstream ends of the first and second lower transport conveyors 2, respectively. From the conveyor 2 to the vertical circulation conveyor 4. Since the downstream ends of the first to sixth transfer conveyors 2 from the bottom are arranged at different heights,
The respective article carriers 41 arranged in a horizontal direction by two sets of vertically circulating conveyors 4 arranged adjacent to each other.
Are transferred to the article carrier 41 at different heights. Reference numeral 7 denotes a take-out conveyor for taking out the articles G from the article transporting tool 41, which are arranged at different heights on the upstream ends of the first and second lower transport conveyors 91, respectively.
The articles G are sorted from the vertical circulation conveyor 4 into two sorting destinations. Reference numeral 8 denotes a take-out conveyer for taking out the article G from the article transporting tool 41, from the third stage to the bottom.
The articles G are arranged at different heights on the upstream end of the sixth conveyor from the bottom to transfer the articles G to the vertical circulation conveyor 4.
From four sorters. still,
The take-out conveyor 8 includes a fork-shaped moving skewer conveyor 82, and the moving skewer conveyor 82 is moved forward and backward in the direction in which articles are taken out. In addition, since the upstream ends of the first to sixth transfer conveyors 91 from the bottom are arranged at different heights, two sets of vertically circulating vertical conveyors are arranged adjacent to each other. The two articles G to be taken out from the respective article carriers 41 arranged side by side by the conveyor 4 are taken out from the article carrier 41 at different heights.

R is the same as the fluidized bed F,
This is a fluid shelf as the article storage device of the present invention, and storage shelves (gravity roller conveyors) for storing articles G by type (product type) are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages (six stages). Reference numeral 92 denotes a transport conveyor configured in the same manner as the transport conveyor 2, and a vertical direction such that the articles G taken out from the storage shelves (gravity roller conveyors) of the respective stages of the fluidized shelves R are transported step by step. Are provided in six stages. In addition, each of the transfer conveyors 91 stacked in six layers is attached to each of the transfer conveyors 92 stacked in six layers.
Are configured to be joined. Also, at the downstream end of each gravity roller conveyor of the fluidized shelf R,
An article removal device is provided. Thus, the flow shelf R, the conveyor 92, the article take-out device, etc.
A first packing equipment P1 for packing goods G of a kind (kind) having a relatively large requested packing quantity is configured. Numeral 93 denotes a vertical conveyor arranged downstream of the conveyor 92, so that the articles G sorted and packed at the downstream end of each conveyor 92 are conveyed downward. It is. Also, reference numeral 94 denotes an upper and lower direction for conveying the articles G stored (replenished) in the gravity roller conveyor 1 of each stage of the fluidized shelf F in each stage.
It is a carry-in conveyor provided in stages. Reference numeral 95 denotes a carry-in conveyor provided in six stages in the vertical direction so as to convey articles G stored (supplemented) in the storage shelves (gravity roller conveyors) of the respective stages of the fluidized shelf R in each stage.
In addition, two delivery conveyors 5 (only one is shown in FIG. 5) and one delivery conveyor 6 are provided for each of the vertically circulating conveyors 4 arranged adjacent to each other.
And one take-out conveyor 7 and two take-out conveyors 8 (only one is shown in FIG. 5). In addition, each take-out conveyor 7,
The six conveyors 91 arranged at the downstream side of 8 are stacked in six stages at the downstream end.

Thus, the first loading and unloading equipment P1 or the second
Type (product type) for each selection unit for selecting which of the packing facilities P2 to carry out packing, for example, every day, every hour, every shipping container (one truck).
In accordance with the magnitude of the required reordering amount of the articles G, the type (type) of the article (product type) having a relatively large required reordering amount is reloaded by the first reloading facility P1, and the required reordering amount is also determined. , The goods G of each type (kind) are unpacked so that the articles G of a relatively small kind (kind) are unpacked by the second packing equipment P2.
Are selected for each selection unit, and a plurality of types (types) of articles G are selected.
Is to be stocked. In addition, articles G of a kind (kind) selected so as to be packed by the first packing equipment P1 in the preceding selection unit are packed by the second packing equipment P2 in the subsequent selection unit. In such a case, the first kind of goods (type) is not stored in the fluidizing shelf R of the first packing equipment P1 when the packing in the preceding selected unit is completed. The replenishment of the articles G of the corresponding type (kind) to the fluidized shelves R of the loading equipment P1 is controlled.

A gravity roller conveyor 1 at the first stage from the bottom, a third stage from the bottom, and a fifth stage from the bottom, and a gravity roller conveyor at the second stage from the bottom, the fourth stage from the bottom, and the sixth stage from the bottom 1 are grouped in units of stages to form two groups each consisting of three stages of gravity roller conveyors 1, and the same plurality of types (types) of goods are provided in the gravity roller conveyors 1 of each group. G is housed. still,
The first conveyor from the bottom, the third conveyor from the bottom, and the fifth conveyor from the bottom from the gravity roller conveyor 1 to the respective conveyors 2
And then sort the goods G taken out at the right side (on the right side in the conveying direction of the goods G) 4
Then, the articles G taken out from the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the second stage from the bottom, the fourth stage from the bottom, and the sixth stage from the bottom onto the respective conveyors 2 are sorted and sorted (in the conveying direction of the articles G). As described above, the vertical circulation conveyor 4 (on the left side as viewed) is arranged adjacently, and the two vertical circulation conveyors 4 are operated synchronously.

To explain each part in the above embodiment, the gravity roller conveyor 1 comprises a plurality of rollers 1
A pair of rail frames 12 each having a plurality of rails 1 are arranged at a lower end with a lower inclination, and a plurality of rows (only five rows are shown in FIG. 2) in a direction along the conveyor 2 and a vertical direction. A fluid shelf F as an article storage device of the present invention is constituted by these gravity roller conveyors 1 arranged in six stages (only two stages are shown in FIG. 2) and stacked in six stages, The article G supplied (supplemented) on the gravity roller conveyor 1 is stored on the roller 11 by its own weight by its own weight, and then stored in the article take-out device 3.
Is taken out to the conveyor 2. Note that 1a, 1
b, 1c, 1d, 1e are gravity roller conveyors arranged at the first stage from the bottom, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, 1j
Is a gravity roller conveyor arranged in the third row from the bottom.

The conveyor 2 has a conveyor speed of 25 m / min (416.7 mm / sec) arranged so as to connect the article take-out devices 3 provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1 for each stage. A roller conveyor having a linear conveyor section 2A, a linear conveyor section 2A, a curve conveyor section 2B disposed downstream of the linear roller section 2A, another linear conveyor section 2C, and the like. Six stages (only two stages are shown in FIG. 2) are provided in the vertical direction so as to convey the articles G taken out from the first stage. The linear conveyor 2A is disposed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the gravity roller conveyor 1. A roller 21 and a line shaft 22 (not shown)
The rotation of the line shaft 22 is transmitted to the roller 21 by a rubber band (not shown) stretched in the shape of a figure between the roller 21 and the roller 21. Further, the line shaft 2 of the conveyor 2 at the first stage from the bottom, the third stage from the bottom, and the fifth stage from the bottom
2 are connected to each other by a chain and are driven by the same motor.
2, a pulse encoder (not shown) is attached. In addition, the second stage from the bottom, the fourth stage from the bottom, and 6 from the bottom
The line shafts 22 of the second stage conveyor 2 are connected to each other by a chain and are driven by the same motor. A pulse encoder (not shown) is attached to one of the line shafts 22.

The article take-out device 3 includes shafts 33, 3
A pair of rail frames 32 each having a plurality of rollers 31 pivoted up and down by an air cylinder 35 and a lever 36 with the fulcrum 4 as a fulcrum; A wheel rail 38 disposed downstream of the frame 32. When the air cylinder 35 is at the lower end, the inclination of the rail frame 32 substantially matches the inclination of the rail frame 12, and the stopper 37 The upper end is configured to protrude from the upper surface of the roller 31. When an article take-out command is issued, the upper end of the stopper 37 is lowered from the upper surface of the roller 31 by operating the air cylinder 35, and the inclination of the rail frame 32 is made larger than the inclination of the rail frame 12, thereby stopping the stopper. The article G at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1 locked at 37 is taken out. At this time, since the upstream end of the rail frame 32 is higher than the surface of the roller 11 of the rail frame 12, the following article G is locked at the upstream end of the rail frame 32, and the article stored on the gravity roller conveyor 1. Only one G can be taken out to the conveyor 2 and the taken out article G is taken out (merged) to the conveyor 2 by the wheel rail 38.

A vertical circulating conveyor 4 (on the right side in the conveying direction of the articles G) disposed downstream of the first, third and fifth from the bottom conveyor conveyors 2. And a vertical circulating conveyor 4 (on the left side in the conveying direction of the article G) disposed downstream of the second, fourth and sixth from the bottom conveyors 2 And two vertical circulating conveyors 4
Are operating synchronously. In addition, each of the vertical circulation conveyors 4 joins the articles G taken out to the three-stage transport conveyor 2 and sorts the articles G into three destinations. Each of the vertical circulating conveyors 4 includes an article carrier 41 having a skewered (fork) -shaped article mounting portion 411 on which one article G can be mounted and a guide roller 412, and four sprocket wheels 43.
Endless rotating body (endless chain) 42 stretched in a substantially rectangular shape, a first guide frame 44 disposed along the turning locus of the endless chain 42, and substantially the same shape as the turning locus of the endless chain 42. A second guide frame 45, which is displaced in the vertical and horizontal directions, and an auxiliary guide frame 46 for keeping the article carrier 41 in a constant posture. (Shown), an endless chain 42 having a speed of 30 m / min.
The first guide frame 44 and the second guide frame 45 are rotatably mounted at regular (1830 mm) intervals.
The article carrier 41 held in a constant posture (substantially horizontal) by the and the auxiliary guide frame 46 is continuously rotated in the vertical direction. Note that two article transporters 41 are horizontally arranged by two sets of vertically circulating conveyors 4 arranged adjacent to each other, and the two article transporters 41 arranged side by side are endless chains 42. It is configured to operate synchronously.

The transfer conveyor 5 disposed at the downstream end of the upper conveyor (third stage from the bottom to sixth stage from the bottom) has a 2
One (only one is shown in FIG. 5) is provided at a position corresponding to the height of each transport conveyor 2 (that is, they are arranged at different heights), The articles G are merged (transferred) from the respective conveyors 2 to the vertical circulation conveyor 4.
Further, each delivery conveyor 5 is a fixed skewer type conveyor 51 formed in a fork shape by seven endless chains.
And a moving skewer conveyor 52 formed in a fork shape with six endless chains and a sliding air cylinder (not shown).
The endless chains of the movable skewer-type conveyor 52 are moved by the air cylinder for sliding so that the gaps between the seven endless chains of the fixed skewer-type conveyor 51 or the seven skewers (forks) of the article mounting portion 411 are formed. It is configured to move along the conveying direction of the article G (to advance and retreat in the article delivery direction), and to move the movable skew-shaped conveyor 52 and the article mounting section 411.
Are configured to be able to cross. Note that a stopper 521 is provided at the tip of the moving skewer conveyor 52.

The transfer conveyor 6 disposed at the downstream end of the lower conveyor (the first and second stages from the bottom) of the transport conveyor 2 is one for each vertical circulating conveyor 4.
The articles G are provided at positions corresponding to the heights of the respective conveyors 2 (that is, disposed at different heights), and the articles G are transferred from the respective conveyors 2 to the vertical circulation conveyor 4. They are joined (handed over). Further, each delivery conveyor 6 includes a fixed skewer-shaped conveyor 61 formed in a fork shape with six endless chains, and the six endless chains of the fixed skewer-shaped conveyor 61 correspond to the seven endless chains of the article mounting portion 411. The fixed skewer type conveyor 61 and the article placement unit 4 are arranged in a gap between the skewers (forks).
11 is configured to be able to cross. Note that a stopper 611 is provided at the tip of the fixed skewer type conveyor 61.

Since the downstream ends of the first to sixth transfer conveyors 2 are arranged at different heights, the two conveyors 2 arranged in the horizontal direction are different from each other. The two articles G delivered to the article carrier 41 are delivered at different heights from any of the six delivery conveyors 5 and 6 in total.

The take-out conveyors 7 arranged at the upstream end of the lower conveyors (the first and second stages from the bottom) are one for each vertical circulation conveyor 4. Are provided at positions corresponding to the heights of the respective conveyors 91 (that is, arranged at different heights), and sort the articles G from the vertical circulation conveyor 4 to the respective conveyors 91. (Take out)
It is done. Each of the take-out conveyors 7 includes a fixed skewer conveyor 71 formed in a fork shape with six endless chains.
An endless chain of books is arranged in the gap between the seven skewers (forks) of the article placement section 411, and the fixed skewer conveyor 71 and the article placement section 411 are configured to be able to intersect.

The take-out conveyors 8 arranged at the upstream end of the upper conveyor (third from the bottom to the sixth from the bottom) are two for each vertical circulation conveyor 4 ( In FIG. 5, only one article is provided at a position corresponding to the height of each transport conveyor 91 (that is, they are arranged at different heights). From the vertical circulating conveyor 4 to the respective conveyors 91. In addition, each take-out conveyor 8 has a 7
A fixed skewer-type conveyor 81 composed of two endless chains in a fork shape, and a movable skewer-type conveyor 82 composed of six endless chains and a sliding air cylinder (not shown) in a fork shape. The six endless chains of the conveyer 82 are fixed by a sliding air cylinder so that the gaps between the seven endless chains of the conveyer 81 or the seven skewers (forks) of the article mounting portion 411 are moved in the conveying direction of the articles G. The moving skew-shaped conveyor 82 and the article placement section 411 are configured to be able to cross each other (to advance and retreat in the article removal direction).

Since the upstream ends of the first to sixth transfer conveyors 91 from the bottom are arranged at different heights, two upstream end portions of the transfer conveyor 91 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. The two articles G to be taken out from the article carrier 41 are taken out at different heights by any of the six takeout conveyors 7 and 8 in total.

The transport conveyor 91 is a drive roller conveyor disposed at the downstream end of the take-out conveyors 7 and 8, and is constituted by a linear conveyor section, a curve conveyor section, etc., and is taken out from the vertical circulation conveyor 4. 6 are provided in the vertical direction so as to transport the sorted articles G. In addition, each conveyor 91 stacked in six stages
Are configured to be joined to the respective transport conveyors 92 stacked in six stages.

Further, a take-out control device (not shown) is provided, and a virtual space β having a fixed length (pitch) is set on the conveyor 2 and the set virtual space β is used as the virtual space β.
When it reaches the position facing the gravity roller conveyor 1 containing the articles G to be taken out and merged into
The article removal device 3 is controlled so that a desired article G is taken out.

The above-mentioned gravity roller conveyor 1 of the fluidized shelf F is adapted to store many types (products) of articles G having a relatively small required packing amount.
Gravity roller conveyor 1 at the third and fifth stages from the bottom, and gravity roller conveyor 1 at the second stage from the bottom, the fourth stage from the bottom, and the sixth stage from the bottom are grouped in units of stages. Two groups of three-stage gravity roller conveyors 1 are formed, and the same plurality of types (types) of articles G are stored in the gravity roller conveyors 1 of each group. Thus, the articles G stored in the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the first stage from the bottom, the third stage from the bottom, and the fifth stage from the bottom are taken out to the respective conveyors 2 at the respective stages and merged. The articles G taken out and merged into the conveyor 2 are circulated to the vertical circulation conveyor 4 (on the right side in the conveying direction of the articles G).
Then, the articles G joined in one row by the vertical circulation conveyor 4 are taken out from the vertical circulation conveyor 4 and sorted into three sorting destinations.
Similarly, the articles G taken out from the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the second stage from the bottom, the fourth stage from the bottom, and the sixth stage from the bottom to the respective conveyors 2 are also (article G).
The vertical circulation conveyor 4 (on the left side in the transport direction) sorts the remaining three sorters.

The fluid shelf R is an article storage device of the present invention, and is configured in the same manner as the fluid shelf F. A single shelf (gravity roller conveyor) for storing articles G by type (type) is provided in a plurality of rows. It is arranged in a plurality of stages (six stages).
The articles G supplied (replenished) on the gravity roller conveyor are stored on the rollers by their own weight by their own weight, and then taken out to the conveyor 92 by the article take-out device.

The transport conveyor 92 is a drive roller conveyor arranged so as to connect an article take-out device provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor for each stage, and has the same configuration as the transport conveyor 2. , Goods G taken out from the gravity roller conveyor of each stage
Are provided in the up-down direction so as to be transported for each stage. In addition, each of the transport conveyors 92 stacked in six stages
Then, the transport conveyors 91 stacked in six layers are merged.

The vertical transport conveyor 93 is disposed downstream of the transport conveyor 92, and transports the articles G sorted and packed at the downstream ends of the respective transport conveyors 92 in a downward direction. It is done.

The carry-in conveyer 94 is vertically moved so that the articles G stored (replenished) in the gravity roller conveyors 1 of the respective stages of the fluidized shelf F are conveyed step by step.
There are steps.

The carry-in conveyor 95 is stored (replenished) in gravity roller conveyors at each stage of the fluidized shelf R.
There are provided six stages in the vertical direction so as to transport the articles G to be processed in each stage.

The above-mentioned gravity roller conveyor of the fluidized shelf R is adapted to store a plurality of types (product types) of articles G having a relatively large required packing amount, the first row from the bottom and the second row from the bottom. The gravity roller conveyor of the third order, the gravity roller conveyor of the third stage from the bottom and the fourth stage, and the gravity roller conveyor of the fifth stage from the bottom and the sixth stage from the bottom are grouped in units of stages. Three groups of tier gravity roller conveyors are formed, and the same plurality of types (types) of articles G are stored in the gravity roller conveyors of each group. Thus, the articles G stored in the gravity roller conveyors of the respective stages are taken out and merged into the conveyors 92 of the respective stages, and the articles G taken out and merged in the respective conveyors 92 are collected by the conveyors 92. It is adapted to be conveyed in a downward direction by a vertical conveyance conveyor 93 arranged in the downstream part. In addition, since each of the six conveyors 92 is configured to be joined to each of the six conveyors 92, the downstream end of each conveyor 92 is The articles G stored in the fluid shelves F and the fluid shelves R can be sorted and packed. That is, at the downstream end of each transport conveyor 92, the articles G packed by the first packing apparatus P1 and the articles G packed by the second packing apparatus P2 can be packed. it can.

Next, the articles G stored in the gravity roller conveyor 1 of the above-mentioned fluidizing shelf F are taken out and merged into the respective conveyors 2, and the articles G taken out and merged into the respective conveyors 2 are vertically circulated. The five rows of gravity roller conveyors 1 arranged in the first row from the bottom and the five rows of gravity roller conveyors 1 arranged in the third row from the bottom until they are further merged into one row by the conveyor 4.
The articles G stored in the conveyors are taken out and merged into the respective conveyors 2, and the articles G taken out and merged into the respective conveyors 2 are separated by the vertical circulation conveyor 4 (on the right side in the conveying direction of the articles G). A specific example up to the further merging will be described with reference to FIG. still,
FIG. 6 is a (conceptual) explanatory view of a method of taking out the article G from the gravity roller conveyor 1 to the transport conveyor 2, and illustrates the gravity roller conveyor 1 arranged in the second row from the bottom.
The illustration of the articles G stored in the transport conveyor 2 is omitted, and the transport direction of the articles G by the transport conveyor 2 is opposite to the transport direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

That is, when the spacing between the five rows of gravity roller conveyors 1 arranged side by side along the first and third stages of the conveyor 2 from the bottom is 700 mm, Distance to the fifth most upstream gravity roller conveyor 1e, 1j from the downstream end, ie, offset value α
The gravity roller conveyors 1d and 1i adjacent to the gravity roller conveyors 1e and 1j are 700 mm, the gravity roller conveyors 1c and 1h are adjacent to the gravity roller conveyors 1d and 1i, and the gravity roller conveyors 1c and 1h are adjacent to the gravity roller conveyors 1c and 1h. 1b and 1g are 2100 mm, and the gravity roller conveyors 1a and 1f adjacent to the gravity roller conveyors 1b and 1g are 2800 mm.

The gravity roller conveyor 1 has a length dimension, that is, a dimension in the direction of the conveyor 2 of up to 600 m.
The articles G of various sizes up to m, for example, articles Ga on the gravity roller conveyor 1a, articles Gb on the gravity roller conveyor 1b, and articles Gj on the gravity roller conveyor 1j in the same manner. It is stored (the article G is shown in the same size in FIG. 6).

Thus, for example, the vertical circulation conveyor 4
The ten articles G are arranged in the following order: articles Ga, Gg, G
After merging at j, Gj, Gd, Gi, Gi, Gh, Gj, Gd, when there is a packing command to take out the merged articles G from the vertical circulation conveyor 4 and sort them into three sorting destinations, According to the timing at which the articles G conveyed on the respective conveyors 2 are merged into the vertical circulation conveyor 4, the phase difference γ is set at the timing at which the articles G are merged from the gravity roller conveyor 1 for each conveyor 2 according to the timing [from below. The phase difference γ of the third stage conveyor 2 from the first stage conveyor 2 is determined as follows: (interval 700 mm in the stage direction between the transfer conveyor 5 and the transfer conveyor 6 ÷ the speed of the endless chain 42 30 m / min =) 1.4 seconds], and from the gravity roller conveyor 1 to the respective conveyor 2
The phase difference γ is added to the timing at which the articles G are merged into the conveyor (0 seconds is taken at the timing at which the articles G are merged to the first lower conveyor, and the articles G are merged at the third conveyor from the bottom. By adding 1.4 seconds to the timing), the articles G are transferred from the gravity roller conveyor 1 to the respective conveyors 2 at a constant pitch (the endless chain 4 of the article conveyor 41).
2 at an interval of 1830 mm (the speed of the endless chain 42 is 30 m / min = 3.66 seconds), and the articles G joined to the respective conveyors 2 are joined in a single row by the vertical circulation conveyor 4. Calculation and control are performed, and desired articles G are joined in a desired order.

That is, the article Ga that first arrives at the position of the upper take-out conveyor 8 is the gravity roller conveyor 1
a, but the gravity roller conveyor 1a
Since the offset value α is located at the most downstream position of 2800 mm, the article Ga is taken out with a delay of the offset value α from the start of packing. That is, 28
00mm ÷ 416.7 mm / sec = 6.72 seconds later, an article take-out command is provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1a so as to take out the article Ga from the gravity roller conveyor 1a to the first conveyor 2 from below. It is provided to the article take-out device 3. It should be noted that the phase difference γ of the conveyor 2 at the first stage from the bottom is 0 second, so there is no need to add the phase difference γ to the above time.

Next to the article Ga, the upper take-out conveyor 8
The item Gg arriving at the position of item 3 is different from the item Ga from the bottom.
Since it is housed in the gravity roller conveyor 1g arranged along the second stage conveyor 2, it is configured to add a phase difference γ of 1.4 seconds and to be merged.
The conveyor 2 has a certain length (the conveyance pitch of the article conveyor 41 is 3.66 seconds × the conveyance speed of the conveyor 2 is 25 m / min =
The virtual space β of 1525 mm) is set continuously according to the merging order of the articles G, and when the predetermined virtual space β reaches a position facing the article G to be merged, the articles G are taken out to the transport conveyor 2. An article take-out command is given to the article take-out device 3 provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1, and the articles G are fed at a constant pitch (3.66).
Second, that is, at an interval of 1525 mm), so that the articles G that are first passed to the vertical circulation conveyor 4
a to the transfer conveyor 2 excluding the offset value α and the phase difference γ, that is, 0 seconds later, the phase difference γ of the phase difference γ.
4 seconds and the time required for the virtual space βa set on the conveyor 2 to move, that is, 1525 mm ÷ 416.7 m
5.06 seconds after adding m / sec = 3.66 seconds, the offset value α of the gravity roller conveyor 1g was 2100 m
m, that is, 2100 mm ÷ 416.7 mm / sec = 5.04
Gravity roller conveyor 1 10.1 seconds after adding seconds
An article take-out command is given to the article take-out device 3 provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1g so as to take out the article Gg from g into the virtual space βg set in the third-stage conveyor 2 from the bottom.

Next to the article Gg, the upper take-out conveyor 8
Is stored in the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the same level as the articles Gg, and the articles G thus stored in the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the same level as the articles Gg.
Are continuously taken out to the transport conveyor 2 and merged, the articles G previously delivered to the vertical circulation conveyor 4
2. The time required for the virtual space βg set in the conveyor 2 to move after 5.06 seconds, ie, the time required to move the virtual space βg to the conveyor 2 after removing the offset value α of the g, ie, 3.
8.72 seconds after the addition of 66 seconds, the goods Gj are transferred from the gravity roller conveyor 1j to the third-stage transport conveyor 2 from the bottom.
Is given to the article take-out device 3 provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1j so as to take it out to the virtual space βj set in (1). Since the offset value α of the gravity roller conveyor 1j is 0 mm, it is not necessary to add the offset value α to the above time.

After the article Gj, the article Gj also continuously arrives at the position of the upper take-out conveyor 8, so that the virtual space βj set on the transport conveyor 2 moves after the above-described take-out time, ie, 8.72 seconds. 2. the time required for
After 12.38 seconds after adding 66 seconds, an article take-out command is issued from the gravity roller conveyor 1j to take out the article Gj to the virtual space βj set in the third lower conveyor conveyor 2 from the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1j. It is given to the article take-out device 3 provided in the section.

Next to the article Gj, the upper take-out conveyor 8
The item Gd arriving at the position is different from the item Gj from the bottom by 1
Since they are housed in the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the first stage, they are joined by adding a phase difference γ of 0 second, and the offset value α of the article Gj first passed to the vertical circulation conveyor 4 13. The time required to move the virtual space βj set on the conveyor 2 after 10.98 seconds, ie, 3.66 seconds, has been added. 64 seconds later, 16.32 seconds after adding the offset value α of the gravity roller conveyor 1d, that is, 700 mm ÷ 416.7 mm / sec = 1.68 seconds, the article Gd is moved from the gravity roller conveyor 1d to the first stage from below. An article take-out instruction is given to the article take-out device 3 provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1d so as to take it out to the virtual space βd set in the conveyor 2. It is.

Next to the article Gd, the upper take-out conveyor 8
Gi arriving at the position of item 3 is different from item Gd from the bottom.
Since they are housed in the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the first stage, they are combined by adding a phase difference γ of 1.4 seconds, and at the same time, the offset of the articles Gd transferred to the vertical circulation conveyor 4 first The take-out time to the conveyor 2 excluding the value α and the phase difference γ, ie, 14.64 seconds,
The offset value of the gravity roller conveyor 1i is 19.7 seconds after adding 1.4 seconds of the phase difference γ and the time required for the virtual space βd set in the conveyor 2 to move, that is, 3.66 seconds. α min 700mm, ie 700mm ÷
21.38 seconds after adding 416.7 mm / sec = 1.68 seconds, the virtual space βi is set on the third conveyor from the bottom to transfer the article Gi from the gravity roller conveyor 1i.
Is given to the article take-out device 3 provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1i.

Since the article Gi continuously arrives at the position of the upper take-out conveyor 8 after the article Gi, the virtual space βi set in the transport conveyor 2 moves after the above-described take-out time, that is, 21.38 seconds. Time 3.66
25.04 seconds after the addition of the second, an article take-out command is issued to the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1i so as to take out the article Gi from the gravity roller conveyor 1i to the virtual space βi set in the third-stage transport conveyor 2 from the bottom. It is provided to the article removal device 3 provided.

Next to the article Gi, the upper take-out conveyor 8
Is received in the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the same level as the articles Gi, the articles Gh are transferred to the transport conveyor 2 excluding the offset value α of the articles Gi previously passed to the vertical circulation conveyor 4. Removal time, ie 2
3.36 seconds later, virtual space β set on conveyor 2
27.02 seconds after adding the time required for i to move, ie, 3.66 seconds, the offset value α of the gravity roller conveyor 1h is 1400 mm, that is, 1400 mm ÷ 41.
30.38 seconds after adding 6.7 mm / sec = 3.36 seconds, an article take-out command to take out the article Gh from the gravity roller conveyor 1h to the virtual space βh set in the third-level conveyor 2 from the bottom. Is provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1h.
Given to.

Next to the article Gh, the upper take-out conveyor 8
Is received in the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the same level as the articles Gh, and therefore, the articles Gj are transferred to the conveyor 2 excluding the offset value α of the articles Gh previously passed to the vertical circulation conveyor 4. Removal time, ie 2
Virtual space β set on the conveyor 2 after 7.02 seconds
After 30.68 seconds, which is the time required for h to move, that is, 3.66 seconds, the articles Gj are taken out of the gravity roller conveyor 1j into the virtual space βj set on the third-level conveyor 2 from the bottom. Is given to the article take-out device 3 provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1j. Since the offset value α of the gravity roller conveyor 1j is 0 mm, it is not necessary to add the offset value α to the above time.

Next to the article Gj, the upper take-out conveyor 8
The item Gd arriving at the position is different from the item Gj from the bottom by 1
Since they are stored in the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the first stage, they are added to each other by adding a phase difference γ of 0 second, and the offset value α of the article Gj first passed to the vertical circulation conveyor 4 And the time required for the virtual space βj set on the conveyor 2 to move after 29.28 seconds, ie, 3.66 seconds. After 94 seconds, 34.62 seconds after adding the offset value α of the gravity roller conveyor 1d, that is, 700 mm ÷ 416.7 mm / sec = 1.68 seconds, the article Gd is moved from the gravity roller conveyor 1d to the first stage from below. An article take-out instruction is given to the article take-out device 3 provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1d so as to take out to the virtual space βd set in the conveyor 2. It is.

The value obtained by multiplying the time required for each article G to be taken out from the gravity roller conveyor 1 by the conveying speed of the conveying conveyor 416.7 mm / sec, which is calculated by a computer (not shown) as described above, is as follows: , The transport distance of each virtual space β from the start of packing to the removal of each article G. Therefore, the transport distance of the virtual space β from the start of packing to the removal of each article G is divided by the transport distance of the virtual space β during one pulse of the pulse encoder attached to the line shaft 22 of the transport conveyor 2. The value thus obtained is a pulse value from the start of assortment of articles to be taken out. Thus,
The computer transmits a pulse value from the start of the packing and the number of the gravity roller conveyor 1 from which each article G is to be taken out to a sequencer (not shown). The sequencer having received the data stores the pulse value from the start of the packing and the number of the gravity roller conveyor 1 from which the articles G are to be taken out, and starts counting the pulses of the pulse encoder simultaneously with the start of the packing. The air cylinder 35 of the article take-out device 3 provided at the downstream end of the gravity roller conveyor 1 that coincides with the commanded pulse value is operated to take out a predetermined article G to the transport conveyor 2.

As described above, the articles G taken out from the plurality of gravity roller conveyers 1 to the respective conveyors 2 at a constant pitch and merged are arranged at the downstream ends of the respective conveyors 2. Delivery conveyor 5,
6 and the article placement section 41 of the vertical circulation conveyor 4
1 and fixed skewer conveyor 61 or movable skewer conveyor 52
Reaches the crossing position, the articles Ga, Gg, and the articles Ga, Gg, are successively transferred to the article transporting tool 41 while being scooped up by the article placement section 411 passing upward from below.
After being merged in the order of Gj, Gj, Gd, Gi, Gi, Gh, Gj, Gd, they are conveyed to the position of the upper take-out conveyor 8. When the article G reaches the loading section of the fixed skewer conveyor 51 of the delivery conveyor 5, the movable skewer conveyor 52 is moved to a position where it intersects with the article placement section 411, and the article G is received by the article carrier 41. After the delivery, the product returns to the original state (however, when the subsequent article G is delivered from the movable skewer conveyor 52 to the article transport tool 41,
After the succeeding article G is delivered to the article carrier 41, the article G returns to the original state.) In addition, according to the timing at which the articles G conveyed on the respective conveyors 2 are transferred to the article conveyor 41, the phase difference γ is set at the timing at which the articles G are merged from the plurality of gravity roller conveyors 1 for each conveyor 2. Is set, and the phase difference γ is added to the timing at which the articles G merge from the gravity roller conveyor 1 to the respective transport conveyors 2, so that the timing at which the articles G reach the fixed skewer type conveyor 61 or the movable skewer type conveyor 52 And the timing at which the article G is scooped up by the article placing section 411 substantially coincides with the timing.

Further, they are taken out to the first and third conveyor conveyors 2 from the bottom and merged, and further merged into one row by the vertical circulation conveyor 4 (on the right side in the conveying direction of the articles G). The articles G (transferred to the article transporting tool 41) reach the positions where the article placement section 411 on which the articles G are mounted intersects with the moving skewer conveyor 82 or the fixed skewer conveyor 71. , Gj, Gj, Gd,
Article mounting part 4 on which Gi, Gi, Gh, Gj, and Gd are mounted
11 is a movable skewer conveyor 82 or a fixed skewer conveyor 7
1 is passed down from above to be taken out and sorted into any of three sorting destinations. Before the article G passes through the take-out conveyor 8 to be taken out (to be sorted) (after the previous article G has passed), the moving skewer conveyor 82 is moved to a position where it intersects with the article placement section 411, When the article G is transferred from the article carrier 41 to the moving skewer conveyor 82, the moving skewer conveyor 82 returns to the original state (however, the subsequent articles G are
In the case where the article G is transferred to the moving skewer conveyor 82 from 1, the subsequent article G is transferred from the article carrier 41 and then returns to the original state). Similarly, the articles G taken out from the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the fifth stage from the bottom to the conveyor 2 are also transferred from the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the first stage from the bottom and the third stage from the bottom. After being merged with the article G taken out at the same time, it is sorted into the above three sorting destinations. In the same manner, the articles G taken out from the gravity roller conveyors 1 at the second, fourth and sixth from the bottom to the respective conveyors 2 are (in the conveying direction of the articles G). (To the left) and a vertical circulating conveyor 4 for sorting into three other destinations. In addition, 1 from the bottom
The articles G taken out from the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the third level, the third level from the bottom, and the fifth level from the bottom to the respective transport conveyors 2 are merged and sorted into three destinations (in the direction of transport of the articles G). (The right side as viewed from the right) The article transporter 41 of the vertical circulation conveyor 4 and the articles G taken out from the second lower, lower fourth and sixth lower gravity roller conveyors 1 to the respective transport conveyors 2 from the bottom. And then sorted into another three sorting destinations (on the left side in the conveying direction of the articles G) and the article transport tool 41 of the vertical circulation conveyor 4 is orthogonal to the article delivery direction and the article take-out direction. An article carrier that can horizontally mount a plurality of articles G is formed by two article carriers 41 arranged in the horizontal direction and arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. Individual goods carrying Ingredients 41 endless chain - with are configured to be synchronous operation by down 42, from below 1
Since the downstream ends of the conveyors 2 from the lower stage to the sixth stage are arranged at different heights, they are transferred to two article conveyors 41 arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. The two articles G are delivered at different heights from any of the six delivery conveyors 5 and 6 in total. In addition, since the upstream ends of the first to sixth transfer conveyors 91 from the bottom are arranged at different heights, the two conveyors 91 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction.
The two articles G taken out from the individual article carriers 41 are:
Each of the six take-out conveyors 7 and 8 is designed to take out the product at a different height. Therefore, the two articles G placed in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the article delivery direction can be delivered at different heights, and the two articles G placed in the horizontal direction can be freely moved. They can be delivered to the article transport tool 41 in order. In addition, the two articles G placed in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction in which the articles are taken out can be taken out at different heights, and the two articles G placed in the horizontal direction can be placed in any order. Can be taken out of the article carrier 41. The gravity roller conveyor 1 at the first stage from the bottom, the third stage from the bottom and the fifth stage from the bottom, and the gravity roller conveyor 1 at the second stage from the bottom, the fourth stage from the bottom and the sixth stage from the bottom Each of the groups is grouped so that the same plurality of types (types) of articles G are stored in the gravity roller conveyor 1 of each group.
Since all the articles G stored in the respective gravity roller conveyors 1 are merged in one line by the vertical circulation conveyor 4 for each group, the articles G are sorted into three sorting destinations. It is possible to sort and sort all types (articles) of the articles G stored in the gravity roller conveyor 1 to any of the three sorting destinations (six sorting destinations in total) provided for each of the containers. it can. That is, all of the types (types) of articles stored in the gravity roller conveyor 1 are provided on any of the transport conveyors 91 arranged at the downstream end portions of the take-out conveyors 7 and 8 and vertically stacked in six stages. G can be packed.

As described above, the gravity roller conveyor 1 of the fluidized shelf F accommodates various types (articles) of articles G having a relatively small required amount of packing, and the required amount of packing is stored in the gravity roller conveyor of the flowing shelf R. Are stored. Therefore, among the articles G stored in the gravity roller conveyor 1 of the fluidizing shelf F, articles G of a desired type (kind) can be sorted at the downstream ends of the respective transport conveyors 92 and packed. Out of the articles G stored in the gravity roller conveyor of the fluidized shelf R, articles G of a desired type (kind) can also be sorted at the downstream end of each transport conveyor 92 and packed. That is, each conveyor 9
At the downstream end of the second item, a plurality of types (products) of a relatively small required packing amount and a plurality of types (products) of a relatively large required packing amount can be packed.

Next, another embodiment of the article handling equipment suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment of an article handling facility, FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a main part of another embodiment of an article handling facility, and FIG. 9 is an elevation view of FIG. FIG. 10 and FIG.
It is a principal part enlarged side view of.

In these drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes a rotating shelf as an article storage device according to the present invention, in which a plurality of rotating shelf units 110 rotating along a horizontal elliptical circulation path are stacked at appropriate intervals. A transport conveyor (vertical circulation conveyor) for transporting the articles G taken out from the rotating shelf 10 at a constant pitch, provided with a plurality of article transporting tools 270 and disposed to face the reversing path portion RT of the rotating shelf 10. Have been. Numeral 30 denotes a packing equipment including the rotating shelf 10 and the vertical circulation conveyor 20. The article handling equipment shown in FIG. 7 includes four sets of packing equipment 30, and among the four sets, The three sets of packing equipment 30 are first packing equipment 31 for packing articles G of a kind (kind) having a relatively large requested packing quantity.
0, and one of the four sets
Is a second packing equipment 320 for packing goods G of a kind (product type) having a relatively small requested packing quantity. Also,
Reference numeral 60 denotes a packing conveyor for packing the articles G taken out from the vertical circulation conveyor 20, and a plurality of packing conveyors 60 are provided. It should be noted that the articles G taken out from the respective first loading / unloading facilities 310 are not loaded with the articles G taken out from the other first loading / unloading facilities 310 so that the respective loads of the respective first loading / unloading facilities 310 are not combined. And the second packing equipment 320
The articles G taken out of the first loading / unloading equipment 310 can be unloaded on the respective loading / unloading conveyors 60 of the first loading / unloading equipment 310.

Thus, for each of the selection units for selecting which of the first unloading equipment 310 and the second unloading equipment 320 to unload, for example, every day, every hour, every shipping container According to the magnitude of the required packing amount of each type (type) of articles G of each type (one truck unit), the type (type) of articles G of which the required packing quantity is relatively large is the first packing. The articles G of the type (kind) of which type is relatively small and the required quantity of unpacking is relatively small, so that the articles G of each type (kind) are packed by the second packing equipment 320. Loading equipment 31 where G is loaded
0 and 320 are selected for each selection unit so that a plurality of types (types) of articles G are packed. The articles G of the type (type) selected so as to be packed by the first packing equipment 310 in the preceding selection unit are packed by the second packing equipment 320 in the subsequent selection unit. In this case, when the assortment in the preceding selection unit is completed, the first assortment equipment 31 is selected.
The replenishment of the article (G) of the corresponding type (kind) to the rotating shelf 10 of the first loading / unloading facility 310 is controlled so that the article G of the kind (kind) is not stored in the rotating shelf 10 of the zero. It is.

The respective units in the above embodiment will be described.
Has a plurality of article storage units 1 on a horizontal elliptical running rail.
20 so as to be able to run, and a drive chain is stretched between the driving tooth wheel and the idle tooth wheel along the running rail,
The article storage units 120 are fixed to the drive chain at equal intervals, and the drive tooth wheels are driven by a motor so that the article can be rotated independently of the rotating shelf unit 110 in another stage. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the rotating shelf unit 110 has 10 stages (9 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10).
Steps) are stacked to form a rotating shelf 10.

Also, a conveyor (vertical circulation conveyor)
Numeral 20 is disposed opposite to the reverse path RT on the driven side of the rotating shelf 10, and the article storage unit 12 is
7 is transported to the unloading position B, and the vertical circulating surface of a rotating body (chain) 210 stretched endlessly of the vertical circulating conveyor 20 is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. A direction substantially parallel to the linear movement path section S of the rotating shelf 10 (in the embodiment shown in FIGS.
(In a direction substantially perpendicular to the linear movement path S).
Reference numeral 220 denotes a first guide frame disposed along the rotation path of the rotating body 210, and reference numeral 230 denotes the first guide frame, which has substantially the same shape as the rotation path of the rotating body 210 and is displaced vertically and horizontally. The second guide frame 240 is a toothed ring that stretches the rotating body 210 and a motor 260 through a transmission chain 250.
Driven by 270 is a skewer (fork)
280) An article carrier having an article mounting portion 27a
Is a guide roller attached to the article carrier 270. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, seven article transporters 270 are attached to the rotating body 210 at a constant pitch (three times the laminating interval of the single rotating shelf 110).
In addition, the take-out position A is determined in a total of 10 places in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 (a total of 9 places in the embodiments shown in FIGS. Each position is on a path along which the article carrier 270 moves upward. The unloading position B is on the path along which the article transporting tool 270 moves downward.
20 defines six locations.

The take-out device 50 is for taking out the articles G stored in the article storage section 120 in the reversing path section RT of the rotary shelf 10.
The delivery pusher 51 is disposed at a position facing the take-out position A inside the storage device, and is driven by an air cylinder.
0 is provided for each rotating shelf unit 110.

In the packing conveyor 60, the articles G taken out of the first set of first packing equipment 3110 are taken out of the second and third sets of first packing equipment 3120 and 3130. The first and third sets of the first packing equipment 3110, 3110
For each of 120, 3130, two load conveyers 610, 620, 630 are provided. In addition, six auxiliary conveyors 410 are provided for merging the articles G taken out from the second loading / unloading facility 320 into the respective loading / unloading conveyors 610, 620, 630. In addition, a main conveyor 420 for transporting the articles G packed in another facility is provided. Thus, it is configured to be merged with the articles G packed in another facility.

A pulse generator (not shown) for generating a pulse according to the rotation of the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is provided. The pulse generator (pulse encoder)
Pulses are generated according to the rotation distance of the vertical circulation conveyor 20, and the distance (1 mm / pulse) at which the article carrier 270 rotates during one pulse of the pulse encoder. The value obtained by dividing the distance by which the article carrier 270 rotates until the article G is taken out is a pulse value at which the articles G stored in the respective rotating racks 110 are to be taken out.

Further, an unillustrated take-out control device is provided, and when the number of pulses generated by the pulse encoder reaches a predetermined value, the vertical circulating conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped and stored in a predetermined rotating shelf unit 110. The article G which has been taken out is taken out of the predetermined article carrier 2 by the take-out device 50.
70.

Further, a merging control device (not shown) is provided, and the articles G on the packing conveyors 610, 620, and 630 are provided.
And the articles G on the auxiliary conveyor 410 are controlled so as to be merged in a desired order.
The control is performed so that the merging with the articles G on 20 is performed in a desired order.

Next, with regard to the article packing method carried out by using the above-described article handling equipment, first, a desired kind (product type) of the articles G stored in the second packing equipment 320 is described. G is taken out and each auxiliary conveyor 4
10 shows a method of packing articles G of a desired type (variety) in a desired order.
A specific example in which the article G is taken out from 0 will be described.

From the rotating shelf 10, each article carrier 27
The articles G to be taken out to 0 are preset according to the packing order, and when the number of pulses generated by the pulse encoder reaches a predetermined value, that is, the articles G from which the predetermined article carrier 270 is taken out are stored. When rotated to the take-out position A opposite to the rotating shelf unit 110, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped and the predetermined rotating shelf unit 11 is rotated.
0 is taken out by a take-out device 50 into a predetermined article carrier 270,
The taken-out articles G are transported by the vertical circulation conveyor 20, and from the unloading position B, the respective auxiliary conveyors 410
Each auxiliary conveyor 41 is carried out by
At 0, articles G of a desired type (type) are packed in a desired order.

110a, 110b, 110c, 110
d, 110e, 110f, 110g, 110h, 110
i is a single rotating shelf 110 stacked in nine levels
When the stacking interval is 700 mm, the distance from the lowermost rotating shelf 110i, that is, the offset value α
Is the rotating shelf unit 110h at the eighth stage from the top is 700 mm,
The rotating shelf unit 110g at the seventh tier from the top is 1400 mm, the rotating shelf unit 110f at the sixth tier from the top is 2100 mm, the rotating shelf unit 110e at the fifth tier from the top is 2800 mm, and the rotating shelf unit 110d at the fourth tier from the top is 3500mm, 3 from above
The single-stage rotating shelf 110c is 4200 mm, the second-stage rotating shelf 110b is 4900 mm, and the top-most rotating shelf 110a is 5600 mm.

Further, in the second packing equipment 320, a plurality of kinds (kinds) of articles G having a relatively small requested packing quantity are stored in each of the article storage units 120, one kind (kind). Various kinds (types) of articles Ga are provided on the shelf unit 110a, and various types (types) are provided on the rotating shelf unit 110b.
Of articles Gb of various kinds (types) on the rotating shelf unit 110c, articles Gd of various types (types) on the rotating shelf unit 110d, and various types (types) of the rotating shelf unit 110e. ), Various kinds (types) of goods Gf are stored in the rotating shelf 110f, and various types (types) of goods Gg are stored in the rotating shelf 110g.
h, articles Gh of various types (types) are stored in the rotating shelf 1
In 10i, various types (articles) of articles Gi are stored.

Thus, for example, ten articles G are placed on the vertical circulation conveyor 20 in the following order, ie, articles Ga, Gg,
When there is a packing order to be taken out by Gf, Gf, Gd, Gi, Gi, Gh, Gf, Gd, calculation and control are performed as follows, and a desired article G is transferred from each article storage unit 120. It is taken out to the vertical circulation conveyor 20 in a desired order.

That is, the articles Ga taken out by the first article transporter 270 of the vertical circulation conveyor 20 are the rotating racks 11
0a, but the rotating shelf 110a is located at the uppermost position where the offset value α is 5600 mm, so that the packing starts (any one of the article transporting tools 270 is located at the lowermost takeout position A). ), The article Ga is taken out to the article carrier 270 facing the rotating shelf 110a (the article carrier 270 located at the lowermost take-out position A at the time of starting the packing) with a delay of the offset value α. . That is, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is decelerated after 5600 pulses from the start of packing (if a given article Ga
Is not arrived at the position facing the reversing path RT, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is stopped, and the article storage 120 storing the predetermined article Ga is turned over. (Wait until it arrives at a position facing the unit RT), and an article take-out instruction is issued to take out a predetermined article Ga from the rotating shelf unit 110a to the article carrier 270 facing the rotating shelf unit 110a. To the take-out device 50 corresponding to The vertical circulation conveyor 20 has a pulse value of 560.
When the number of pulses reaches 0 (or when the pulse approaches 5600 pulses), the speed should be reduced to a speed that does not hinder the removal of the article G (it may be stopped if necessary). 20 is returned to the normal speed and rotated again.

The articles Gg to be taken out to the article transporting tool 270 next to the vertical circulation conveyor 20 after the articles Ga are stored in the rotating shelf 110g alone.
The article carrier 2 next to the article carrier 270 from which a is taken out
The article Gg is delayed by an offset value α (1400 mm) of the rotating shelf 110g by a distance of 2100 mm that is rotated until the 70 is positioned at the lowermost take-out position A, and the article Gg is moved to the article carrier 270 facing the rotating shelf 110g. Taken out. That is, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped after 2100 pulses + 1400 pulses = 3500 pulses from the start of packing, and a predetermined article G is output from the rotating shelf 110g alone.
g is the article carrier 27 facing the rotating shelf 110g.
The command to take out the article is taken out of the rotating shelf unit 11 so that it is taken out to zero.
0 g is provided to the take-out device 50 corresponding to 0 g.

The articles Gf to be taken out to the next article carrier 270 of the vertical circulating conveyor 20 after the articles Gg are stored in the rotating shelf 110f.
The article carrier 2 next to the article carrier 270 from which g is taken out
The article Gf is delayed by an offset value α (2100 mm) of the rotating shelf 110f by a distance of 4200 mm to rotate until the 70 is positioned at the lowermost take-out position A, and the article Gf is moved to the article carrier 270 facing the rotating shelf 110f. Taken out. That is, after 4200 pulses + 2100 pulses = 6300 pulses from the start of packing, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped, and a predetermined article G is output from the rotating shelf 110f.
f is the article carrier 27 facing the rotating shelf 110f
The command to take out the article is taken out of the rotating shelf unit 11 so that it is taken out to zero.
0f is provided to the take-out device 50 corresponding to 0f.

Since the article Gf is also continuously taken out after the article Gf, the article Gf is delayed by the above-described take-out pulse value, that is, the pulse value (2100 pulses) required for the next article carrier 270 to arrive after 6300 pulses. Is taken out by the article carrier 270 facing the rotating shelf unit 110f. That is, 6300 pulses + 2100 pulses =
After 8400 pulses, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped, and the article take-out command corresponds to the rotating shelf unit 110f so as to take out a predetermined article Gf from the rotating shelf unit 110f to the article carrier 270 facing the rotating shelf unit 110f. To the take-out device 50.

The articles Gd to be taken out to the next article carrier 270 of the vertical circulation conveyor 20 after the articles Gf are stored in the rotating shelf 110d.
The article carrier 2 next to the article carrier 270 from which f was taken out
The article Gd is delayed by an offset value α (3500 mm) of the rotating shelf 110d by a distance 8400 mm in which the article Gd rotates until the 70 is located at the lowermost take-out position A. Taken out. That is, the vertical circulating conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped after 8400 pulses + 3500 pulses = 11900 pulses from the start of packing, and the article transporter 2 that is moving the predetermined article Gd from the rotating shelf unit 110d to the rotating shelf unit 110d.
The command to take out the goods is as shown in FIG.
It is provided to a take-out device 50 corresponding to 10d.

The articles Gi to be taken out to the next article carrier 270 of the vertical circulating conveyor 20 after the articles Gd are stored in the rotating shelf 110i.
The article carrier 2 next to the article carrier 270 from which d was taken out
The article Gi is rotated by the offset value α (0 mm) of the rotating shelf unit 110i by a distance of 10500 mm to rotate until the 70 is positioned at the lowermost take-out position A, and the article Gi is rotated by the rotating shelf unit 11.
The article is taken out by the article transporting tool 270 facing 0i.
That is, 10500 pulses + 0 pulse = 1 from the start of packing
After 0500 pulses, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped, and the article take-out instruction corresponds to the rotating shelf unit 110i so as to take out a predetermined article Gi from the rotating shelf unit 110i to the article carrier 270 facing the rotating shelf unit 110i. To the take-out device 50.

Since the article Gi is continuously taken out after the article Gi, the above-mentioned take-out pulse value, that is, 10500
The next article Gi is taken out to the article carrier 270 facing the rotating shelf 110i with a delay by the pulse value (2100 pulses) required for the next article carrier 270 to arrive after the pulse. That is, after 10500 pulses + 2100 pulses = 12600 pulses, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped, and a predetermined article G is output from the rotating shelf 110i.
i is the article carrier 27 facing the rotating shelf 110i
The command to take out the article is taken out of the rotating shelf unit 11 so that it is taken out to zero.
0i.

The articles Gh to be taken out to the next article transporter 270 of the vertical circulation conveyor 20 after the articles Gi are stored in the rotating shelf 110h.
The article carrier 2 next to the article carrier 270 from which i was taken out
70 (the seven article transporters 270 of the vertical circulation conveyor 20)
Is completed, and the same article transporter 270 as the article transporter 270 on which the articles Ga to be taken out of the first article transporter 270 of the vertical circulation conveyor 20 are placed is located at the lowermost take-out position A. The article Gh is taken out to the article carrier 270 facing the rotating shelf unit 110h with a rotation distance of 14,700 mm delayed by the offset value α (700 mm) of the rotating shelf unit 110h. That is, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped after 14700 pulses + 700 pulses = 15400 pulses from the start of packing, and a predetermined article Gh is transferred from the rotating shelf unit 110h to the rotating shelf unit 110.
An article take-out instruction is given to the take-out device 50 corresponding to the rotary shelf unit 110h so as to take out the product to the article transporting tool 270 facing the h.

The articles Gf to be taken out to the next article carrier 270 of the vertical circulating conveyor 20 after the articles Gh are stored in the rotating shelf 110f.
The article transporting tool 2 following the article transporting tool 270 from which h was taken out
70 (the second article transporter 27 of the vertical circulation conveyor 20)
The article carrier 27 on which the article Gg to be taken out is placed.
The article Gf is opposed to the rotary shelf 110f by delaying the rotary shelf 110f by an offset value α (2100 mm) by a distance of 16800 mm in which the same article transporter 270) rotates to the lowermost take-out position A. Is taken out by the moving article transporter 270. That is, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped after 16800 pulses + 2100 pulses = 18900 pulses from the start of packing, and a predetermined article Gf is transferred from the rotating shelf unit 110f to the rotating shelf unit 110.
An article take-out command is given to the take-out device 50 corresponding to the rotary shelf unit 110f so as to take out the article to the article transporting tool 270 opposed to f.

The article Gd to be taken out to the next article transporting tool 270 of the vertical circulation conveyor 20 after the article Gf is stored in the rotating shelf 110d.
The article carrier 2 next to the article carrier 270 from which f was taken out
70 (third article carrier 27 of vertical circulation conveyor 20)
The article carrier 27 on which the article Gf to be taken out is placed.
The object Gd is opposed to the rotating shelf 110d by delaying the distance by which the same article transporter 270) rotates to the lowermost take-out position A by 18900 mm by the offset value α (3500 mm) of the rotating shelf 110d. Is taken out by the moving article transporter 270. That is, the vertical circulation conveyor 20 is decelerated or stopped after 18900 pulses + 3500 pulses = 22400 pulses from the start of packing, and a predetermined article Gd is transferred from the rotating shelf unit 110d to the rotating shelf unit 110.
An article take-out command is given to the take-out device 50 corresponding to the rotating shelf unit 110d so as to take out the article to the article transporting tool 270 facing d.

As described above, each rotating shelf unit 1
10 to 7 article transporters 27 of the vertical circulation conveyor 20
0 articles Ga, Gg, Gf, taken out in the desired order
Gf, Gd, Gi, Gi, Gh, Gf, and Gd are branched from each of the six discharge positions B provided on the vertical circulating conveyor 20 to the respective auxiliary conveyors 410 and discharged. As a result, articles G of a desired type (kind) are packed in a desired order on each auxiliary conveyor 410.

Thus, the articles G packed on the respective auxiliary conveyors 410 are supplied to the respective packing conveyors 61.
0, 620, and 630, the first unloading equipment 3110, 3120, 313 as described later.
0 and taken out of the packing conveyor 610, 620, 6
The articles G are packed in a desired order with the articles G packed in 30. That is, a large number (various types) of articles Ga with a relatively small requested packing quantity taken out from the second packing equipment 320,
Gb, Gc,...
Through any of the consolidation conveyors 610, 620, 630
Can also be stocked.

Next, the articles G stored in the first to third sets of the first unpacking equipment 3110, 3120, 3130
8 to FIG. 8 show a method of taking out articles G of a desired type (variety) and packing the articles G of a desired type (variety) in a desired order on each of the packing conveyors 610, 620, and 630. From the rotating shelf 10 shown in FIG.
A description will be given of a specific example in the case of taking out.

Each first loading / unloading facility 3110, 3110
120 and 3130 store multiple types (articles) of articles G having a relatively large requested packing quantity in each article storage unit 120.
Each type (type) is stored, and the rotating shelf alone 110a
Are various kinds (types) of articles Gp,
0b, articles Gq of various types (kinds) are provided on the rotating shelf 110c, articles Gs of various types (kinds) are provided on the rotating shelf 110d, and articles Gs of various types (kinds) are provided on the rotating shelf 110d. Various types (types) of articles Gt are included in the single body 110e.
However, various types (types) of articles Gu are provided on the rotating shelf 110f, various types (types) of articles Gv are provided on the rotating shelf 110g, and various types (types) are provided on the rotating shelf 110h. Gw stores various types (products) of articles Gx in the rotating shelf unit 110i. It should be noted that the same type (type) of articles G is stored in each of the first packing equipments 3110, 3120, and 3130.

Thus, for example, the first loading equipment 3110
Of articles Gx, Gu, Gp, Gr, Gp, Gs, G in the following order:
When there is a packing command so that the articles G can be taken out at q, Gs, Gw, and Gt, the calculation and control are performed in the same manner as when packing the articles G from the second packing equipment 320 to the six auxiliary conveyors 410. Thus, the desired articles G are taken out of each article storage section 120 to the vertical circulation conveyor 20 in a desired order, and the seven article transporters 270 of the vertical circulation conveyor 20 are taken out.
Gx, Gu, Gp, G taken out in a desired order
r, Gp, Gs, Gq, Gs, Gw, and Gt are branched from each of the two unloading positions B provided on the vertical circulating conveyor 20 to the respective unloading conveyors 610. By being unloaded, articles G of a desired type (kind) are packed in a desired order on each packing conveyor 610.

[0086] Similarly, the first unloading equipment 3120,
Desired articles G are also taken out of the vertical circulation conveyor 20 in a desired order from the 3130, and each of the unpacking conveyors 6
20 and 630, articles G of a desired type (type) are packed in a desired order. It should be noted that the same type (product type) of the articles Gp and G of a relatively large requested quantity of packing for each of the first packing equipment 3110, 3120 and 3130, respectively.
are stored, so that the same type (type) of articles Gp, Gq, Gr,... in a desired order can be stored in each of the packing conveyors 610, 620, and 630 as necessary. Can be stocked. In addition, various types (types) of articles Gp, which are relatively large in the required packing amount, which are packed in the packing conveyors 610, 620, and 630, respectively.
.. And G (Gr, Gr,...) And the various types (articles) of articles G with relatively small requested packing quantities, which are sorted on the respective auxiliary conveyors 410, are merged. 630, goods Gp, G
, and articles Ga, Gb, Gc,... are packed in a desired order.

Thus, each of the loading conveyors 61
0, 620, 630, a large number of types (types) of articles Gp, Gq, Gr,.
, And the various types (articles) of articles Ga, Gb, Gc,... Having a relatively small requested quantity of packing are sorted by different equipment and conveyed on the respective main conveyors 420. The products G are merged with the various types (products) G of a larger required amount, and the desired types (products) of the products G are packed in a desired order on each main conveyor 420.

As described above, each of the first unloading equipments 3110, 3120, 3130 has a large number of kinds (types) of articles Gp, Gq, Gr,.
Are stored in the second packing equipment 320, and the various kinds (types) of articles Ga and G for which the requested packing quantity is relatively small.
, Gc,... are stored. Therefore, among the articles Gp, Gq, Gr,... Stored in the respective first loading / unloading facilities 3110, 3120, 3130, the articles G of a desired type (kind) are placed on the respective loading / unloading conveyors 6.
10, 620, 630, and the articles G stored in the second
a, Gb, Gc,..., the desired types (types) of the articles G are also loaded on the respective packing conveyors 610, 620, 63.
It can be packed to zero. That is, there are many types (types) of articles Gp, Gq, Gr,... Having a relatively large required packing amount on the six packing conveyors 610, 620, and 630. Goods G)
a, Gb, Gc, ... desired type (type)
Of goods G can be packed.

Next, the article packing method of the present invention using the article handling equipment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, or FIGS.
An embodiment of the article packing method of the present invention using the article handling equipment shown in FIG. In addition, the article packing method of the present invention includes a first packing apparatus P1 provided with a flow shelf R in the article handling equipment shown in FIGS.
Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented in combination with the second cargo sorting facility 320 including the rotating shelf 10 in the facility for handling articles shown in FIG.

For example, the composition ratio of the requested packing amount of the goods G of each type (variety) is, for example, a seasonal variation (summer product, winter product, etc.), an event variation (event, bargain sale, etc.), a new product If collapsed due to fluctuations due to release, etc., the first unloading equipment P1, 310 (3110, 3110
120, 3130) and only one of the second unloading facilities P2, 320 has a shortage of the unloading capacity, and the other does not have a sufficient unloading capacity. The first loading equipment P
1, 310 (3110, 3120, 3130) or the second unloading equipment P2, 320, for each selection unit for selecting whether to unload, for example, every day, every hour,
In accordance with the magnitude of the required reordering amount of each type (type) of goods G for each shipping container (one truck unit), the type (type) of the product G of a relatively large required reordering amount is the first type.
Equipment P1, 310 (3110, 3120, 31)
30), and the types (types) of the articles (types) of the types (types) having a relatively small required amount of assortment, so that the articles G are sorted by the second packing apparatuses P2 and 320. Equipment P where goods G are sorted
1, P2, 310 (3110, 3120, 3130),
320 are selected for each selection unit so that a plurality of types (types) of articles G are packed. In the preceding selection unit, the first unloading equipment P1, 310 (3110, 3110
120, 3130), the articles G of the type (kind) selected to be packed by the second packing apparatus P2, 320 in the subsequent selection unit are selected. When the assortment of the preceding selected unit is completed, the flow shelf R of the first assortment facility P1 or the first assortment facility 310 (3110, 3120, 3120)
130) The rotating shelf R of the first loading and unloading equipment P1 so that the article G of the kind (kind) is not stored in the rotating shelf 10 of 130).
Alternatively, the first packing equipment 310 (3110, 3120,
3130) Goods G of the relevant type (kind) on the rotating shelf 10
To control the replenishment.

That is, each of the cargo unloading facilities P1, P2,
When the ABC analysis is performed on the relationship between the items (articles for each type) and the physical quantities that are packed by 310 (3110, 3120, 3130) and 320, the composition ratio of the packing request quantity for each item is calculated by the annual ABC analysis. Monthly A
When the BC analysis, the ABC analysis for one day, the ABC analysis for one hour, and the ABC analysis for each shipping truck are subdivided, the composition ratio of the requested packing quantity is significantly different in each analysis period ( Composition ratio is not proportional). Therefore, each of the packing facilities P1, P2, 310
In order to effectively use (3110, 3120, 3130) and 320, in the article packing method of the present invention, for example, 1
The ABC analysis is performed on a daily basis or the ABC analysis is performed on an hourly basis, and further, the ABC analysis is dynamically performed on a truck basis. Each time the ABC analysis is performed (selection unit), a first analysis is performed based on the analysis value. Packing equipment P1, 310 (311
0, 3120, 3130) and the items to be unpacked by the second unpacking facilities P2, 320 are selected, and the respective unloading facilities P are selected.
1, P2, 310 (3110, 3120, 3130),
The items to be packed by 320 are sequentially replaced.

For example, based on a shipping schedule (packing schedule) for a certain day, the packing schedule is grouped in an appropriate unit (for example, one hour or one truck) to form a plurality of packing batches. , For each batch assortment schedule,
Cumulative items starting from items with large physical quantities (requested load quantity)
The cumulative value is about 80% of the total quantity in each batch
(Usually, the top 20% of items having the largest quantity in the total number of items, and occupies about 80% of the quantity in the total quantity). 310 (3110, 3120, 3
130), the remaining items are selected in a second batching facility P2, 32 in each batch.
It is selected so that it is packed at 0. Accordingly, each of the loading facilities P1, P2, 310 (3110, 3120,
3130), items packed by 320 are swapped for each batch.

Also, when the desired items are packed, each of the packing facilities P1, P2, 310 (311
0, 3120, 3130) and 320, when the number of corresponding items is reduced and the replenishment is required, the predetermined number of replenishment lots of the corresponding items are replenished. In the preceding batch, the first unloading equipment P1, 310 (3110, 3120, 3130)
If the item selected to be unloaded by the second batch is selected to be unpacked by the second unloading facility P2, 320 in a subsequent batch, it is known in advance on the data to be unpacked. Therefore, when the assortment in the preceding batch is completed, the flow shelf R of the first assortment facility P1 or the first assortment facility 310 (3110, 3110)
120, 3130) so that the corresponding item is not stored in the rotating shelf 10 (there is no remaining item), the flow shelf R of the first packing device P1 or the first packing device 310 (3110, 3120). 3130) rotating shelf 10
When replenishing the corresponding item, control is performed so that the surplus of the replenishment lot quantity is cut or replenished to the fluidized shelf R of the second packing equipment P2 or the rotating shelf 10 of the second packing equipment 320. I do. Therefore, even in the subsequent batch, the cumulative value is about 80% of the total quantity in the batch and about 20% of the total number of items in the batch.
% Of the first unloading equipment P1, 3
10 (3110, 3120, 3130) and packed. In the subsequent batch, the items to be unloaded by the second unloading facilities P2, 320 are transferred to the first unloading facilities P1, 310 (3110, 3120, 313).
0), the number of items stored in the first packing equipment P1, 310 (3110, 3120, 3130) is prevented from increasing, so that the first packing equipment P1. , 310 (3110, 312
0, 3130) and the second packing equipment P2, 320, the goods G can be packed very efficiently in a narrower installation space without a large margin.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with the examples of the article handling equipment suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention, the article packing method of the present invention is not limited thereto. Not something. For example, an article G for a subsequent batch may be replenished during a packing operation of a preceding batch.

The selection unit (packing batch) is 3 to 4
It may be a time unit or the like.

The article storage device may be a fixed shelf or the like.

[0097]

The article packing method according to the present invention is configured as described above, and by selecting packing equipment in which each type of article is packed for each selection unit,
Articles of a plurality of varieties can be packed without providing a large margin in the packing capacity of each of the first packing equipment and the second packing equipment.

Note that the number of types of articles stored in the article storage device of the first packing equipment can always be kept substantially constant. In particular, the above-mentioned effect is remarkable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an outline of an embodiment of an article handling facility suitable for carrying out the article packing method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of a fluidized shelf, a conveyor and the like shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view showing a downstream end portion of the fluidizing shelf (a single storage shelf) shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing a main part of the sorting conveyor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a method of taking out an article from a fluidized shelf (a single storage shelf) to a transport conveyor.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment of an article handling facility.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a main part of another embodiment of an article handling facility.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a main part of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 article storage device (rotary shelf) 310 first packing apparatus 3110 first packing apparatus 3120 first packing apparatus 3130 first packing apparatus 320 second packing apparatus R article storage apparatus (flow shelf) ) G Goods P1 First loading equipment P2 Second loading equipment

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An article packing method for packing a plurality of types of articles, wherein a first packing apparatus for packing articles of a type having a relatively large requested packing quantity is compared with a requested packing quantity. A second packing equipment for packing goods of very small varieties, wherein each of the selection units is used to select which of the first packing equipment and the second packing equipment is used for packing. In accordance with the magnitude of the required reordering of the varieties of articles, the articles of the varieties with a relatively large replenishment requirement are sorted by the first replenishment equipment, and the varieties with a relatively small replenishment requirement are The articles are characterized in that the articles of each type are selected for each of the selection units so that the articles are sorted by the second packing apparatus. Packing method. 2. The first packing apparatus and the second packing apparatus each include an article storage device, and are selected so as to be packed by the first packing apparatus in a preceding selection unit. In the case where the article of the kind is selected so as to be packed by the second packing equipment in the subsequent selection unit, when the packing in the preceding selection unit is completed, the goods are transferred to the first packing equipment. 2. The article packing method according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment of the article of the corresponding kind to the first packing apparatus is controlled so that the article of the corresponding kind is not stored. 3. The article packing method according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit is a time unit or a shipping container unit. 4. The article packing method according to claim 1, wherein the article storage device is a fluidized shelf or a rotating shelf.