JPH04112104A - Merchandise sorting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To sort ordered articles smoothly and continuously and improve the work efficiency by setting the preset number of articles, which are replenished when or before they are sorted and delivered, to the storable number or below on a sorting shelf. CONSTITUTION:When articles are delivered and the articles on the conveyor 4' of a sorting shelf 4 are decreased, the articles invariably wait adjacently in the push-out mode forward from the back side with the conveyor 4' inclined by the preset angle so that the articles are not lacking due to delivery. When the articles on the conveyor 4' are decreased, the number of delivered articles is counted by a photoelectric detecting device provided at a delivery port, the lamp 9 of a display device 8 ' for article replenishment is turned on based on the schedule program, a worker on the base end side replenishes the articles corresponding to the number of the delivered articles or the preset number of articles intermittently or into the filled state to the base end side while the lamp 9 is lighted, and the worker pushes a button 6' to turn off the lamp 9 when the replenishment of the preset quantity is completed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The disclosed technology is used to deliver a predetermined number of products from a product supply side such as a pack center to stores such as supermarkets and private stores, and to determine the order quantity for each store. It belongs to the field of technology that sorts items into pieces.

<Summary of the gist> Therefore, the invention of this application enables stores such as supermarkets and individual stores to be sent from a pack center etc. to each store.
When shipping the ordered products of the store in the order quantity, and when sorting the products of a predetermined item to each store, containers such as containers such as flexible boxes are continuously conveyed next to each other by a roller conveyor, etc. In the flow rack type sorting method, which has a predetermined number of blocks, the products of the predetermined items are drawn out and supplied to each store in the quantity indicated by a photoelectric indicator, etc. from each machine on the shelf group, and the sorting is carried out on the shelves. The invention relates to a method for sorting containers, replenishing them as they are pulled out, or replenishing a preset amount of products. Even if the shelf has a small storage capacity, the number of product drawers that correspond to the number of product drawers can be replenished by reducing the number of products to the number that can be stored, and sorting can be done by using the flow rack type etc. The invention relates to a method for sorting products in which a sufficient quantity is replenished at a timing when the shelf is about to become empty, or an appropriate quantity is replenished intermittently as the shelves become empty over time.

<Prior art> As is well known, as industrial society flourishes and citizens' lives become more affluent, a wide variety of products are traded in large quantities and small quantities in the secondary market, and as supply and demand increases, the market becomes stable. There is a strong demand for reliable distribution.

Therefore, the secondary market has also become a huge industry, with orders being placed from one side to the other.

It has become desirable for delivery to be reliable or fully guaranteed.

Among these, in the process of delivering and supplying various products according to orders from stores such as supermarkets and private stores, shipping is carried out quickly, in other words, in a planned and speedy manner, due to the expansion of transportation systems. Problems such as deterioration in product quality and damage have been eliminated, and stable distribution has become possible.

However, in the pre-delivery process, sorting a large number of items by order quantity not only cannot keep up with improvements in delivery systems, but also poses various problems.

With the introduction of computer-based electronic systems, inventory quantities for numerous items ordered and sorting by store can now be quickly and accurately processed. However, the actual sorting of products by store is a cost issue, and the time has not yet ripened for the introduction of systems such as robotization in the manufacturing industry.

Therefore, in general, labeling and sorting of products from the inventory area is done by replenishing the shelves, and sorting of products into containers such as containers brought in by conveyor from the shelves is done manually by visual inspection of display devices such as indicators and lamps. The current situation is that such things are being carried out.

Containers for each ordering store are conveyed by a conveyor, and the sorting is carried out in front of the shelf by a worker who takes out the number of ordered products for the store from the shelf and places them on a flat shelf. However, because the workability is not always good, in recent years, the flow rack type sorting uses shelves, and the worker can sort the items from the back by sorting the items by quantity, which has been processed in advance by a computer. Nowadays, a method has been adopted in which a worker replenishes the product and feeds it forward in a "push-and-push" style, and then an operator pulls out the number of products indicated by an indicator on the conveyor side and puts them into the container.

<Problem to be solved by the invention> However, as mentioned above, the number of items tends to increase dramatically in recent years due to the expansion of the distribution market and the increase in the number of items handled. For example, it is necessary to replenish sufficient quantities of several hundred items, and for this reason, the shelves are long and wide for the number of items, so the facility as a whole takes up a vast area.

The disadvantage was that it required space, and as a result, the equipment cost increased to the cost of sorting.

In addition, as the facility expands, sorting requires a large amount of product replenishment work.
There were some problems that caused the work efficiency of workers to deteriorate, which also had the disadvantage of increasing costs, and there was also the disadvantage that sorting could lead to work errors.

In particular, if the size of the sorting shelves cannot keep up with the increase in the initial replenishment quantity of products, the sorting equipment will have no choice but to locate a reserve stock location for replenishment near the shelves. Stocking facilities, inspection areas, and pricing areas compete with facilities such as areas, resulting in interference and the disadvantage that only rerouting is possible.

Furthermore, as seen in the recent land and land issues, medium and small-scale sorting centers that cannot be expanded in terms of equipment may end up leading to a decline in functionality or suspension of operations at centers, etc. There was also a drawback that there was a risk of failure.

<Object of the Invention> The object of the invention of this application is that the sorting based on the above-mentioned prior art is a technical problem to be solved in the equipment at the sorting center, etc., and the sorting is a technical problem to be solved by the equipment.

Regardless of the small scale, it is possible to reliably sort ordered products smoothly and without interruption, with good work efficiency and no cost impact, which is an excellent product that benefits the field of product processing technology application in the distribution industry. The aim is to provide a method for product sorting.

<Means/effects for solving the problem> In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the structure of the invention of this application, which is based on the scope of the above-mentioned patent claims, is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem. When sorting the specified items ordered from each store into the specified containers for each store in the order quantity, the flow rack type, flat shelf type, direct type, etc. are placed on the shelves.
Products are sometimes filled to the brim and conveyed by a conveyor into predetermined containers such as containers or flexible boxes, and workers are instructed to sort the products by pulling them out from the shelves and putting them in, using indicators posted by a computer in advance. Therefore, when the number of products on the shelf decreases over time, the number of products on the shelf decreases over time, and the replenishment side sequentially replenishes the products by the number of products withdrawn, or By replenishing the shelf with a predetermined quantity of products using photoelectric detection, or by replenishing the shelf when it is full, just before the number of products on the shelf approaches zero,
By replenishing a predetermined quantity intermittently according to the number of available products, which decrease over time, small-scale sorting, that is, sorting with small shelf lengths and small space, can be carried out at the facility's pack center, etc. We will ensure that the ordered quantities of ordered products can be sorted and delivered without interruption, even if the number of items is being sorted. Existing sorting facilities can be used to their full potential without the need for pre-loading products, etc., eliminating costs, etc., and improving work efficiency and ensuring accurate sorting. It took technical measures to achieve this goal.

Embodiment> Next, one embodiment of the invention of this application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The illustrated example is a medium-sized, small-scale pack center in Nanchu, where the sorting is done at a facility.For example, it is used to sort products ordered for stores such as supermarkets and private stores, and to deliver the ordered quantity to each store. There is no question of whether the facility will be newly constructed or an existing facility.

As shown in Fig. 1, a conveyor 2, such as a roller conveyor, is installed in the center of the conveyor 2, which has a two-figure shape in plan view, and is used to store containers made of synthetic resin, plastic boxes, etc. for each store. The containers 3, 3, . . . are placed next to each other and are continuously conveyed.

On both sides of the conveyor 2, there are four groups of roller-type flow rack sorting shelves facing the conveyor 2, as shown in FIGS. They are arranged in a downward slope from the side to the distal end in a so-called "push and push" style, and the parts pulled out from the distal end are dynamically filled from the rear side, and the distal end is A predetermined photoelectric detection device such as a photocoupler or a foot transistor (not shown) is installed, and the flow rack type sorting avoids a situation where there are no products on the shelf 4, and energizes lamps, buzzers, etc. As shown in Figure 4, there is a lamp 5 on the tip side of the drawer opening. A display device 8 such as a switch 6 and a predetermined digital indicator 7 is provided and is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) with a built-in computer, so that the ordered quantity of the product is displayed for each store, and sorting (not shown) is done by the worker. Items can only be pulled out by visual inspection.

Further, the base end side, that is, the back side, is equipped with a display device 8' having a switch 6' and a lamp 9 as shown in FIG. 5, and is lit when the item in question needs to be replenished. In the refilled state, the lamp 9 is turned off by the switch 6'.

For each sorting, there is a product supply conveyor 1 on the back side of the shelf 4.
0 or 0 is provided, and a worker looks at the lamp 9 of the display device 8' to replenish the sorting of products to the shelves 4, and depending on the design, it is also possible to carry out racking.

As for the method of replenishing each sort from the supply conveyor 10 to the conveyor 4' of the shelf 4, in this embodiment, as described above, medium and small-scale sorting is carried out at a facility. If it is known in advance through the computer based on the ordering information that 500 pieces of the item are to be sorted, the 500 pieces may be supplied to the conveyor 4' on the shelf 4 for sorting. However, (if possible), the sorting is carried out by the photoelectric detection at the tip of the shelf 4, since the number of items ordered for each store is pulled out from the tip during the operation, and the number of products on the conveyor 4' decreases over time. The device counts the reduced quantity and displays the lamp 9 of the display device 8'.
Light up and set the required schedule in advance, or
According to the instructions, the set quantity, for example, several items, is replenished and the button 6' is pressed, the lamp 9 is turned off, and replenishment is continued to ensure that there is no shortage of items on the conveyor 4'.

In this case, it is of course possible to replenish the proximal end car of the conveyor 4' so that it is full of products.

A primary inventory area 11 for sorting is provided at the base end of the conveyor 2, an inspection area 13 connected to the receiving port 12 is provided near the primary inventory area 11, and an area 14 for pricing is provided on the side thereof.
Container stock areas 15 are provided next to each other.

Furthermore, 52 shipping ports 16 are provided on the tip side of the conveyor 2.

Note that 17 is a block of pallets.

The above-mentioned sorting is carried out in a facility where predetermined items ordered by each store are sorted according to the ordered quantity and delivered. The product is filled from the drawer opening at the tip to the replenishment opening at the base end.

Of course, even if the quantity of products to be sorted on the day is known in advance, for example, 500 items, as mentioned above, the sorting done in this example is due to the fact that the facilities are medium to small. For sorting, it is impossible to fill shelf 4 with 500 products per item, and in terms of facilities, it is necessary to provide a spare stock shelf below or near shelf 4. Therefore, during sorting, the conveyor 4' is replenished by the number of products reduced due to withdrawal, and the replenishment specifications are set in advance according to the schedule. Depending on the quantity of products withdrawn by the program, replenish them sequentially, or
It is decided in advance whether to replenish the number of drawers as counted by the photoelectric display device installed at the drawer opening, or to replenish intermittently at predetermined intervals, for example, 30 pieces at a time. Replenishment work is performed in accordance with instructions given to end-side workers, or according to workers who have a work list or the like in advance.

When the replenishment work starts, the conveyor 2 moves, and the containers 3, 3 are successively conveyed next to each other from store to store, and each item is sorted into different categories. The workers waiting on both sides of the conveyor 2 at the drawer opening of the shelf 4 visually check the digital quantity displayed on the indicator 7 of the display device 8 to sort the quantities for each store using a computer, and sort them from the drawer opening of the shelf 1tI4. The products are pulled out and put into the container 3, and then, as in the conventional method, the products are delivered in the quantity ordered for each store or the container 3 for each store.
It will be put into...

As the products are pulled out, the number of products on the conveyor 4' of the shelf 4 decreases, and the conveyor 4', which is tilted at a predetermined angle, is moved from the rear side to the front in a "push and push" manner, so that the products are always next to each other. This is done by waiting in the set state and withdrawing the products so that they do not become out of stock.

When the number of products on the conveyor 4' decreases, the number of products to be withdrawn is counted by the photoelectric detection device installed at the withdrawal port, and the lamp 9 of the display device 8' for replenishment of products is activated based on the schedule program. While the lamp 9 is on, the worker at the proximal end pulls out products from the supply conveyor 10 according to the quantity, or intermittently by a predetermined quantity, or from the supply conveyor 10 to the proximal end. When the set amount of replenishment is completed, the lamp 9 is turned off by pressing the button 6'.

By doing this, there will be no shortage of products on the shelf 4 when the sorting is done by work, and the determined quantity of products can be reliably withdrawn regardless of the size of the facility. Become.

In this way, when the ordered quantities of products are sorted into containers at each store, they are carried out from the tip of the conveyor 2 through the shipping port 16 to the delivery process in the same manner as in the conventional manner.

It goes without saying that the embodiments of the invention of this application are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the sorting is performed by detecting when the number of products on the shelf decreases due to drawers and reaches the last 10 items using a photoelectric detection device. Various methods can be adopted, such as lighting a replenishment lamp at the same timing to replenish the product to the full state.

For sorting, shelves are not limited to the flow rack type, but flat shelves or direct placement types can also be used.

Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to the sorting of stores such as supermarkets and private stores, but also to the sorting in the supply of parts to various machine factories.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the invention of this application, basically, when sorting ordered products by quantity ordered from a pack center etc. to stores such as supermarkets and private stores, it is possible to A sorter such as a flow rack system facing the conveyor that transports containers is used to draw out the ordered quantity of products from the shelf, replenish the predetermined quantity at a time according to the product drawer and sort, and sort the products to the shelf. By ensuring that there is no shortage of products, that is, replenishing the product to the full before it becomes empty, or intermittently replenishing a predetermined quantity according to the number of available products, sorting can be done without requiring large-scale equipment. Even in small-scale distribution centers, etc., there is no need to stock the shelves with products in a full state before sorting begins. The advantage is that sorting does not take up a large amount of space without having to make it longer and wider, or expand the equipment, which does not result in higher costs in terms of equipment investment. effect is produced.

In addition, sorting can be done without having to store spare product stock under or near the shelves, so there is no competition with nearby facilities, it is easy to route equipment, and there is no interference with work. Sorting has the advantage of improving work efficiency, especially replenishment work, since there is nothing to do.

In addition, since the sorting can be performed using movable shelves with medium and small size shelves, workers can hold a receiver and increase the number of sorting tasks, which can actually improve work efficiency. This has the effect of being able to cope with an increase in

Then, the worker can increase the number of shelves for sorting, either on the conveyor side or on the replenishment side.

Therefore, since it is a good idea to expand the overall facility, the facility does not have to worry about rising land prices, and sorting has the effect of enhancing its functions.

As for the sorting, since the shelves are of the flow rack type, it is possible to fill the products in a "push-push" manner by putting them on the drawer side, so there is no interruption in the sorting of products, and the photoelectric detection device etc. By installing a product detection device, it is possible to count the number of minutes for product sorting and to quickly replenish products. Size sorting can have a function no different from the capacity of a facility with shelves, and has the effect of being able to adequately cope with an increase in the number of items and the number of stores.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings are facility diagrams of an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the invention of this application, in which Fig. 1 is an overall schematic plan view, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are schematic front views of shelves for sorting, and Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the same. 4 is a schematic front view of the display device on the drawer side of the sorting shelf, and FIG. 5 is a schematic rear view of the display device on the replenishment side. 2...Conveyor 4...Shelf 3...Container for sorting

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) Containers from each store are continuously transported by a conveyor, and the quantity of products is set based on the order for each store from a group of sorting shelves facing the conveyor. In a product sorting method in which a predetermined quantity of products is pulled out and supplied and the sorting shelf is replenished with a predetermined quantity of products along with or before the sorting drawer, the predetermined quantity is set to be less than the number that can be stored in the sorting shelf. A product sorting method characterized by: (2) The product sorting method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined quantity is set as the number of drawers corresponding to the sorting of products from the sorting shelves. (3) The product sorting method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined quantity is set to the number of full sorting drawers just before the sorting shelves become empty. (4) The product sorting method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined quantity is intermittently set to an appropriate number depending on the number of openings of the sorting shelf. (5) The product sorting method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sorting shelf is of a flow rack type. (6) The product sorting method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sorting shelf is of a flat shelf type. (7) The product sorting method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sorting shelf is of a vertical type.