JP2654851B2 - Goods sorting equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a sorting unit that sorts a plurality of types of articles for each same destination, and an article sorted by the sorting unit in a plurality of storage positions for each same destination. The present invention relates to an article sorting facility provided with a storage section for storing in a state of being sorted and stored in a container, and inspection information output means for outputting inspection information of the type and number of articles stored in the container.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, for example, the inspection information is inspected by previously determining the type and number of articles to be stored in one container from the size of the container to be stored in the storage unit and the size and number of the articles to be stored. It was output in the form of a slip or the like.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional configuration, it is necessary to estimate in advance the type and number of storable articles for each container, and it is troublesome to create inspection information. Also, if the order of the goods received in the sorting unit changes from the planned order at the time of creating the inspection slip, there is a possibility that the goods actually stored in the container and the output inspection information may not match, There was room for improvement.

Further, in this kind of article sorting equipment, it is considered that a container having a different size such as a used cardboard box is reused as a storage container, but in the conventional configuration, it is stored in a container having a different size. It is difficult to determine the type and number of articles in advance, and if storage containers having different dimensions are mixed, it is not possible to output inspection information for each container.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
An object of the present invention is to enable accurate output of inspection information for each container even when storage containers having different dimensions are mixed.

[Means for solving the problem]

The article sorting equipment according to the present invention has a sorting section for sorting a plurality of types of articles for each same destination, and a state in which the articles sorted by the sorting section are sorted into a plurality of storage positions for each same destination and stored in a container. With the storing department to store in,
Inspection information output means for outputting inspection information of the type and the number of articles stored in the container, the characteristic configuration of which is as follows.

That is, the storage unit is provided with container replacement information input means for inputting replacement information of the containers placed corresponding to each of the plurality of storage positions, and the inspection information output means is provided with a process of sorting the articles in the sorting unit. The configuration is such that the type and the number of articles stored in each of the containers are determined based on the information and the information of the container replacement information input means.

(Operation)

When the sorting unit replaces a container at a storage position where articles classified for the same destination are to be stored with the next container, container replacement information is input, and the container replacement information is sorted by the sorting unit. Based on the progress information, the type and number of articles stored in each container are determined, and inspection information on the type and number of the articles is output. In other words, until the container replacement information is input, the article indicated by the sorting progress information is stored in the container currently placed at the storage position, and when the container replacement information is input, the article is stored at the storage position. The type and number of the articles stored in each container are determined by storing the articles indicated by the sorting progress information after the input of the container replacement information in the next container placed.

〔The invention's effect〕

Therefore, accurate inspection information can be output without previously estimating the articles that can be stored in the container as in the related art. In addition, even if the order in which articles are received in the sorting unit changes from the expected order, or if storage containers having different dimensions are mixed, inspection information for each container can be output accurately.

〔Example〕

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an article sorting facility for sorting a plurality of types of articles returned from a plurality of return sources for each return destination will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where a plurality of types of articles are mixed, a sorting section (2) for sorting articles received via a receiving roller type conveyor (1) for each same destination is provided by the conveyor ( A plurality of storage sections (3) provided at the terminal end of (1) and storing the articles sorted by the sorting section (2) in a plurality of storage positions for the same destination are stored in the sorting section ( It is provided so as to surround the periphery of 2).

The sorting unit (2) includes a sorting unit (2A) that sorts the plurality of types of articles into the same type, and a sorting unit (2A).
A temporary placement section (2B) is provided for temporarily placing the articles sorted in A) in a state of being sorted for each type. That is, the received articles are sorted by the sorting section (2A) for each type and temporarily stored in the temporary storage section (2B), and the articles are transferred from the temporary storage section (2B) to the storage section (3). By moving it, the sorting operation and the storing operation can be performed separately.

However, in order to be able to receive and sort articles in parallel, two sorting sections (2A) are provided for the article receiving conveyor (1), and the temporary placing section (2B) is Six pieces are provided in such a state that the sorted articles can be temporarily placed from any of the two sorting sections (2A). One worker is arranged in each of the sorting sections (2A), and two workers are arranged in the temporary placing section (2B). A total of four workers sort articles into two systems. Work can be done in parallel and simultaneously.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
A) is provided with a setting device (4) having a barcode reader, a keyboard, and the like as an item information input unit for inputting destination information of the items to be sorted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the temporary placing part (2B)
Each of the containers has a container (5) for temporarily storing articles to be temporarily stored, and a push button as a completion information input means for inputting completion information for sorting articles on a lateral side of the container (5). A storage switch that indicates storage position information of the storage unit (3) based on a switch-on completion switch (6) of an illuminated type and information on the switch-on completion switch (6) and information on the setting device (4) Two sorting lamps (7
A) and (7B) are provided. However, in order to easily identify which one is lit, the display color of the closing switch (6) is white and the display colors of the two sorting lamps (7A) and (7B) are red. In a different color from blue,
Each is set. The two sorting lamps (7
How to use different display colors of A) and (7B) will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sorting section (2)
In some cases, multiple types of goods are received in the same mixed case (8A) for each same return source, or multiple types of goods of the same type are grouped together and packed in a regular case (8B). It has become accepted.

In each of the cases (8A) and (8B), a return label (9) indicating information on the return source of the article by a bar code or the like.
Is affixed. In addition, information such as an article name corresponding to the return destination of the article is individually displayed on each article by a bar code or the like.

Therefore, in the setting device (4), a bar code reader for reading the information on the return source label (9) and the article name, and information on the return source and the article name when there is no bar code are input. Keyboard and the like are provided. Note that the keyboard is also used as a means for inputting the number of articles to be received.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information of the return source, the name of the goods and the number of the goods input by the setting device (4) are transmitted to the controller (10), and the fee is calculated for the returned goods. It may be used as information or as information for specifying the return destination, that is, the destination of the accepted article, based on the article name. It is also used as information for preparing an inspection slip of the stored article for each return destination in the storage section (3).
Incidentally, in the drawing, (14) is a printer for issuing an inspection slip.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the storage section (3) is divided into a plurality of shelves (3A) in the vertical and horizontal directions, and each of the shelves (3A) has a plurality of storage positions. Is formed. Each shelf (3A) includes a plurality of shipping cases (11) as containers for storing articles to be sent to the same destination.
It can be stored in a state aligned in the front-back direction. However, a plurality of articles having the same destination are usually stored in the shipping case (11), but a plurality of types of articles may be stored in a mixed state.

Each of the shelf portions (3A) has two sorting lamps (7A), (7A) and (7A) having different display colors provided on the temporary placing portion (2B).
B) Two illuminated sorting switches of the same color as (B)
A), (12B) and when the shipping case (11) is full, that is, the goods indicated by the sorting lamps (7A) and (7B) are stored in the shipping case (11). If the case (11) cannot be replaced, a push button type full switch (13) as container replacement information input means for inputting container replacement information to the controller (10) to replace the case (11) with the next case (11) is provided. , Each set is provided.

In other words, the controller (10) controls the sorting unit (2) such as the information on the article input by the setting device (4) and the sorting completion information input by the sorting completion switches (12A) and (12B). Based on the sorting progress information of the articles and the container replacement information input by the full switch (13), the type and the number of the articles stored in each of the shipping cases (11) and the operation of the equipment are determined. It is configured to manage.

However, as will be described later, the management information of the received articles is also used as information for issuing an inspection slip describing the type and number of the stored articles for each of the shipping cases (11). Thus, the controller (10) is configured to also function as inspection information output means for outputting inspection information of the type and number of articles stored in each of the shipping cases (11).

If the display colors of the two sorting completion switches (12A) and (12B) are further described, the same color among the two sorting lamps (7A) and (7B) of the temporary placement part (2B) will be used. By illuminating each other, the worker arranged in each of the temporary storage sections (2B) can store the temporary storage section (2B) from any of the temporary storage sections (2B) without knowing the name and number of the articles to be received. It is possible to easily check which shipping case (11) of the section (3) should move the sorted article.

And the sorting part (2A) and the temporary placing part (2B)
Each worker is assigned to one of them and the sorting work is performed by two sets of workers. For example, the display colors of lamps and switches are made different for each sorting work system. In this way, even when two sets of sorting work are performed simultaneously in parallel, it is possible to prevent mixing of articles of different destinations, thereby enabling efficient work.

Therefore, the controller (10) is connected to the setting device (4).
The destination of the accepted article is determined on the basis of the information of the accepted article input by the user and information such as a collation list of the article name and the return destination which are set and stored in advance.

When the destination of the receiving article is determined, the storage position of which of the shipping cases (11) of the plurality of storage sections (3) is to be stored is determined based on the determination information. One of the sorting lamps (7A) and (7B) of the empty portion of the section (2B) is lit to instruct the worker to sort the temporary placement position. However, although not described in detail, the lighting color is alternately changed so that the lighting color is different from the color of the lamp lit last time, or the lighting color is changed corresponding to each of the two sets of workers. Settings.

Next, when it is determined based on the information of the input completion switch (6) that the operation of temporarily placing the articles in the temporary placing section (2B) is completed, the temporarily placed articles are stored in any of the storing sections (3). In order to instruct whether to do so, based on the input information of the setting device (4), the lit sorting lamp (7A),
Sorting complete switch (12A), (12
One of B) is turned on to display the storage position of the sorted articles.

From the temporary setting part (2B) where the sorting lamps (7A) and (7B) are lit, the sorting completion switch (12A) of the same color,
When the article storage in the shelf portion (3A) of the storage section (3) in which (12B) is lit is completed, the sorting completion switch (12A) in which the worker in the temporary storage section (2B) is lit, ( Press 12B) to store the storage completion information in the controller (10).
Will be entered.

When the article storage operation in the storage section (3) is completed, the controller (10) makes an inspection list for the shipping case (11) in the storage position in a form in which the type and the number of the determined articles correspond to the return destination. After the additional registration, it is determined whether or not there is a next operation, and if there is another operation, the closing operation switch (6) of the temporary placing part (2B) is pushed and operated. The above-described processes are repeatedly executed.

However, when the shipping case (11) at the designated storage position is full, when the next case (11) is to be replaced, the full switch (13) is pressed to operate the controller. Enter the replacement information for the shipping case (11) in (10). When the full switch (13) is pressed, the controller (10) issues an inspection list for one shipping case (11) stored in the form of an inspection slip.

After pressing the full switch (13), the operator pushes the full shipping case (11) to the back of the shelf and refills the next empty shipping case (11) to the top. Thus, the designated article is stored in the new shipping case (11).

Although not described in detail, the comparison between the shipping case (11) and the inspection slip issued is performed, for example, from the first shipping case (11) to the shipping case (1) for each destination.
1) Each time the worker is replaced, the worker writes a serial number on the side of the case, or affixes a label or the like with the serial number to the case so that multiple shipping cases (11) can be identified. I do. On the controller (10) side, the inspection slip number is sequentially assigned in a form corresponding to the serial number of the case, so that the correspondence between the inspection slip number to be issued and the number of each shipping case (11) is established. Will take.

Therefore, inspection information can be automatically and accurately output every time the shipping case (11) is replaced, regardless of the order of articles received in the sorting section (2). Note that the inspection slip may be issued each time one shipping case (11) is replaced, or may be issued collectively after all operations are completed.

Therefore, the worker in the sorting section (2A) can concentrate on the sorting work of the received articles, and the worker in the temporary placing section (2B) can concentrate on the storing work of the sorted articles. Work can be simplified. As a result, work errors can be reduced and work efficiency can be improved.

(Another embodiment)

In the above-described embodiment, the lighting case of the lamp of the temporary storage part (2B) and the lamp of the storage part (3) are the same color, so that the shipping case of any storage part (3) from any temporary storage part (2B). (1
The case where the user is asked to store the article in 1) has been described as an example. However, for example, the storage position of the receiving article such as using a display such as a number or a letter and using the same display number or letter is used. The specific configuration of the means for instructing can be changed in various ways.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an article sorting facility for sorting articles returned from different return sources for each return destination has been described, for example, for sorting purchased articles for each shipping destination. The present invention is also applicable to an article sorting facility, and the specific configuration of each unit can be variously changed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, from a plurality of shelves (15) in which a plurality of types of articles are stored in a state of being classified into the same type, the total number of items to be shipped to a plurality of destinations is determined for each type. Take it out and subdivide it into pieces for each shipping destination,
Storage unit for shipping (3) sorted in each destination
The present invention can also be applied to equipment to be stored in a storage. However, in the following description, components that exhibit the same functions as those of the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

Between the shelves (15), a roller-type conveyor (16) for transporting the taken-out articles is provided. The list of articles to be taken out from the shelf (15) is issued as a work list by the controller (10) that manages the operation of the equipment before starting the work. By the way, the type of the articles to be stored in each storage position of the storage section (3) and the number of the articles are input in advance to the controller (10) as the article sorting information. Based on this, the above-mentioned work list is issued, and an inspection slip is issued as will be described later while also using the article sorting information. A plurality of workers are arranged in front of the shelf (15), and a work list is issued in a form corresponding to the work range of each worker. The shelf (15)
The articles taken out of the conveyor are conveyed to the sorting section (2A) operated by one worker by the conveyor (16) and the following free roller type conveyor (17). In the sorting section (2A), information such as the name and number of articles conveyed from the shelf (15) is input by a setting device (4) having a barcode reader, a keyboard, and the like, and the input information and the In accordance with the destination information displayed on the display unit (not shown) based on the article sorting information, the information is transferred to each of the free-roller-type temporary placing units (2B) that are distributed right and left. The articles placed in the temporary placement section (2B) are partitioned in a state corresponding to each destination, and are arranged in a storage section (3) in which a shipping case (11) for storing a plurality of articles is placed. One worker or two workers arranged corresponding to the temporary storage sections (2B) are sorted for each destination. In the storage section (3), a display (18) for indicating which storage position the article is stored in and inputting completion of storage is provided for each storage position. The display (18) will be described in further detail. As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the numeral display section (18A) for displaying the number of articles when they are stored in the storage position to which they are attached, In the same manner as in the first embodiment, a sorting completion switch (12) for inputting the completion of the storing operation and a full switch (13) for inputting container replacement information of the shipping case (11) are provided. Become. Therefore, the controller (10) issues an inspection slip based on the article sorting progress information, the information on the full switch (13), and the article sorting information input by the setting device (4).

In the claims, reference numerals are provided for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the attached drawings.

[Brief description of the drawings]

Drawings show an embodiment of the article sorting equipment according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control configuration, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a layout of the equipment, FIG.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the storage unit, FIG. 5 is a side view of the same, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are explanatory views of an article receiving state. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a layout of equipment in another embodiment,
FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the display. (2) ... sorting unit, (3) ... storage unit, (10) ... inspection information output means, (11) ... container, (13) ... container replacement information input means.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sorting section (2) for sorting a plurality of types of articles for each same destination, and a container (2) in which the articles sorted by the sorting section (2) are sorted into a plurality of storage positions for each same destination. Storage section (3) to store in the state stored in 11)
And an inspection information output means (10) for outputting inspection information of the type and number of articles stored in the container (11). Container exchange information input means (13) for inputting exchange information of the container (11) placed corresponding to each of the storage positions of the inspection section, and the inspection information output means (10) is provided in the sorting section (2). An article sorting facility configured to determine the type and number of articles stored in each of the containers (11) based on information on the sorting of the articles and information on the container replacement information input means (13). .