JPH0536321B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a batch picking type article sorting method and equipment used for sorting types and quantities by store in a logistics process that handles a wide variety of products in small quantities. It is something.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as sorting methods in distribution centers and the like, a picking method by store and a picking method by batch have been adopted. Additionally, both methods may be used together.

The store-specific picking method is a method in which goods of each type are directly placed from storage shelves that store goods by type into store-specific containers on a conveyor, carts, or the like.

On the other hand, in the batch picking method, for example, items from several dozen stores are collectively picked by each type from storage shelves into baskets on trolleys, etc., and then they are arranged by type on sorting shelves, and then secondary picking is carried out for each store. This is a picking method. The aggregate picking is performed by looking at the slips showing the product type and quantity for each batch (collection of several stores), and the secondary picking is performed by looking at the slips for each store.

In recent years, various types of sorting equipment have been proposed that can improve the efficiency of picking. FIG. 8 shows an example (Utility Model Application Publication No. 144211/1983). This is storage shelf 30
is rotated along an endless track 32, and the articles stored in the storage box 31 are picked from a guide plate 33 at a predetermined position. Guide board 3
3 are provided with indicator lamps 34 and 35 for indicating the picking position, which indicate the rows and stages of the storage shelves 30, respectively.

In addition, for example, as shown in FIG.
There is also a trolley in which six store-specific baskets 41 are loaded on the trolley 0 and a digital display is provided for each basket to indicate the sorting quantity on the operation surface 42 and the side surface 43 of the trolley.

Further, as specific examples of the conventional picking system employing the store-based picking system, a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-194839 and a device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-37006 are conventionally known. There is.

The method disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-194839 uses two sets of shelving devices that are equipped with a large number of article storage sections and can call up any selected article storage section to a certain delivery position. Articles are stored by type in each article storage section of the first shelf device, and product assembly parts sets selectively taken out from the first shelf device are stored in each article storage section of the second shelf device. This is a method in which parts sets for product assembly are stored one by one, and in response to a delivery command, a set of parts for product assembly is taken out from the second shelf device and supplied to a production line or the like.

Further, the device disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-37006 has a “conveyance line for conveying containers for storing articles, a conveyor line for conveying containers for storing articles, a conveyor line for conveying containers for storing articles, and a conveyor line for conveying containers for storing articles, and a conveyor line for conveying containers for storing articles, and a first article sorting section having shelves disposed in conjunction with each other; a mobile vehicle that travels with a plurality of containers for storing articles; This device is also equipped with a second article sorting section that includes shelves arranged along the longitudinal direction.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the above-mentioned store-by-store picking system has the disadvantage that, although it is efficient when there are few types of items, it is inefficient when there are many types and small quantities.
In other words, in the case of a wide variety of products, the number of storage shelves increases, so picking must be done from a wide range, which increases the walking distance for workers and takes a long time to pick, which is inefficient. .

On the other hand, since the batch picking method picks items all at once, even when a large variety of items are being shipped in small quantities, the walking time required for each shipping store is reduced, making it more efficient than picking by store.

However, in the conventional batch picking method, items to be collected for multiple stores are divided into units that can be loaded into baskets, picked from storage shelves in multiple batches, and then rearranged on predetermined sorting shelves. Since secondary picking is carried out from the sorting shelves into containers for each store, sorting not only takes time and is inefficient, but also tends to cause mix-ups of product types due to operational errors.

In addition, when the storage shelves 30 shown in FIG. 8 are rotatable, the worker does not have to walk and the sorting work can be done more efficiently, but all the storage shelves 30 are rotated. However, the disadvantage was that the equipment was very large-scale and the equipment cost was high.
In addition, 30 heavy storage shelves are provided for each store picking.
, the power consumption is extremely large.
Therefore, in the case of a large variety of products in small quantities, the number of storage shelves increases, making it unsuitable.

The trolley shown in Figure 9 with a digital display is easier to check than when using slips and can reduce picking errors, but when there are many types of goods to be sorted. In response to this, the number of storage shelves has increased, and picking has to be carried out from a wide range in each store, resulting in workers having to walk longer distances and taking a longer time to sort. This problem still remains unresolved. be. Furthermore, since one type of article is divided into multiple baskets and taken in, it is easy to make mistakes.

Further, in the method disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-194839, the first shelf device corresponds to the device shown in FIG. This is equivalent to store-specific picking, but as mentioned above, when sorting a wide variety of items, it is necessary to install a large number of shelving devices, which raises the problem of equipment costs. If the items to be picked are stored across a large number of shelving devices, they must be picked from a wide range, resulting in the inconvenience that sorting takes a long time.

On the other hand, in the device disclosed in JP-A No. 63-37006, the work efficiency can be improved by using a moving vehicle, but even in this device, when sorting a wide variety of articles, it is difficult to cover a wide range. There is no change in the fact that the items must be picked separately for each store, and the problem that it takes a long time to sort them still remains unresolved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an article sorting method and equipment that improves work efficiency and sorting accuracy when sorting a wide variety of articles by store, and that has a simple structure and high mobility. For the purpose of providing.

(Means for Solving the Problems) A first invention of the present invention to achieve the above object is an invention of a method, which includes a plurality of mutually partitioned shelves 1 ₁ for storing articles M by type, 1 ₂ ,...
In a method for sorting articles according to store orders from a storage shelf 1a having 1 _n , ... 1 _o , first, a picking instruction means (for example, a consolidated picking slip 1
0), multiple storage compartments 6 for storing items by type.
Portable storage means (e.g., picking trolley 2)
picking instruction means for storing the articles collectively picked from the storage shelves in the corresponding storage compartments, and then associating the articles to be picked for each store with each storage compartment of the portable storage means in which they are stored; For example, according to store picking slip 11),
The gist is to pick target articles by store from the storage compartments of the portable storage means.

Further, a second invention is an invention of an apparatus, which comprises a storage shelf having a plurality of mutually partitioned shelves for storing articles by type, and a plurality of storage compartments, and which collects articles from the storage shelf. a portable storage means for storing the items by type, a picking instruction means for instructing the items to be collectively picked from the storage shelves and the storage compartments of the picked items in the portable storage means, and the items to be picked for each store. The gist of the present invention is that the picking instruction means is configured to correspond to each storage compartment of the portable storage means in which the picking instruction means is stored.

(Function) According to the configuration of the present invention, sorting can be performed as follows. First, collective picking is performed from the storage shelf to the portable storage means by the picking instruction means. At this time, articles of a predetermined type are stored in a predetermined storage section of the portable storage means. Next, the portable storage means for which all the picking work has been completed by the picking instruction means is carried to a location where picking by store is performed, and there, the picking instruction means picks predetermined items from predetermined storage compartments of the portable storage means by store. Perform secondary picking (by store) in containers.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 7.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the entire device. Storage shelf 1a
stores goods by type,
A large number of them are lined up to form storage shelf row 1. The storage shelves 1a are arranged in multiple rows in parallel through passages through which a picking cart 2, which is a portable storage means, can pass. The middle storage shelf row 1 is arranged in two rows with the storage shelves 1a back to back. The picking cart 2 is pushed and moved by the worker 5. The conveyor 3 conveys containers 4 for each store. Near the conveyor 3, a space is provided in which four picking carts 2 are lined up for inspection and picking by store.

As shown in FIG. 5, the storage shelf 1a is divided into shelves 1...1 _n ...1 _o by partition plates 20 for each stage.
, and the articles M are stored by type on each of the shelves 1 ₁ to 1 _o .

As shown in FIG.
It consists of a roller conveyor driven by a. The container 4 is box-shaped with an open top, and stores articles M therein.

As shown in FIG. 2, the picking cart 2 has a plurality of storage compartments 6 partitioned by vertical and horizontal partition plates 6a and 6b, and a preliminary storage compartment 7 is provided at the bottom.
The caster 8 of the picking truck 2 can change the roller axis in any direction. 9 is a handle that is pushed by the operator 5.

Next, the sorting method using this equipment will be explained.
First, the overall outline will be explained. As shown in FIG. 1, an operator 5 pushes a picking trolley 2 to move it along the path between the storage shelf rows 1 while collectively picking articles from the storage shelves 1a. This aggregate picking is performed in order according to an aggregate picking slip 10 which is a picking instruction means to be described later. The picked articles are stored in the storage section 6 of the picking cart 2 designated by the aggregated picking slip. At that time, if there are a large number of items, the storage compartment 6 of the picking trolley 2
When there is not enough storage space, the spare storage compartment 7 stores the amount that is insufficient.

When a plurality of picking carts 2 are used as in this embodiment, the section of the storage shelf row 1 that the worker 5 is in charge of is determined in advance. For example, one method is for the worker 5 to take charge of the passage between the storage shelf rows 1 in a U-shape from the conveyor 3 side, as shown by the arrow in the figure.

When the intensive picking is completed, the picking cart 2 is made to stand by at a standby position Q. Here, as will be described later, after inspection, secondary picking, that is, picking by store, is performed. Picking by store is the third
This is done by taking out articles from the picking carts 2 arranged in the arrangement shown in the figure and storing them in the store-specific containers 4 on the conveyor 3 according to a store-specific picking slip 11 which is a picking instruction means to be described later.

Then, three sets of four picking trolleys 2 are prepared, and while one set of picking trolleys 2 is performing collective picking from the storage shelves 1a, another set of picking trolleys 2 is performing picking for each store. 1 left
The pair of picking carts 2 are placed on standby at a standby position Q.

FIG. 6 shows an aggregated picking slip 10 which is a picking instruction means. Consolidated picking slip 10
is prepared for each picking cart 2 in batches, with a title section 10a showing the picking cart number and batch number, the storage section number of the picking cart 2, the shelf address of the storage shelf 1a, and the corresponding information. Displays 10b to 10e of each item such as the product number and picking quantity, and the corresponding display 10
f to 10i are displayed.

FIG. 7 shows a store-specific picking slip 11 which is a picking instruction means. Picking slips by store are prepared in batches, with a title section 11a showing the batch number, the store number of the shipping store to be picked,
Product number, storage compartment number of picking trolley 2,
Display of each item of picking quantity 11b to 11e
and displays 11f to 11i corresponding to these are provided.

Explaining inspection and picking by store.
First, regarding the inspection, as mentioned above, the standby position Q
The picking cart 2 is moved and placed, and it is checked according to the aggregated picking slip 10 whether or not there is a predetermined number of articles with a predetermined product number in the storage compartment 6 of the picking cart 2.

When the inspection is completed, the worker 5 stores the articles to be picked in the corresponding store-specific container 4 according to the store-specific picking slip 11. When picking for one container 4 is completed, a container delivery switch (not shown) is turned on. As a result, the next store-specific container 4 stops at the picking location. In this way, picking by store is performed sequentially.
Once the batch picking by store is completed,
The picking cart 2 is replaced and the next batch is picked by store.

According to this article sorting equipment, the picking cart 2 is provided with a plurality of storage compartments 6 for storing articles by type, and the picking cart 2 is used as a sorting shelf when picking by store.
It is no longer necessary to rearrange the products by product type before picking by store, which shortens one process and prevents picking mistakes, greatly reducing the amount of work and shortening the work time.

Since the storage shelf 1a does not require display means, etc.
Existing products can be used as they are, the structure is simple, and the equipment cost is low.

In the above embodiment, the portable storage means may be carried by hand. The portable storage means may be transported with the storage compartment opened upward, and may be opened forward when picking by store. In addition, instructions for collective picking and store-specific picking may be given by any other appropriate means other than the slip. For example, exchanging picking data using an IC card and a handy terminal,
There are methods such as communication of picking data.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the article sorting method and equipment of the present invention, articles collectively picked from storage shelves are stored in storage compartments provided in a portable storage means, and then from this portable storage means to secondary (store-specific) ) Picking eliminates the need for conventional secondary picking shelves, and also eliminates the need to rearrange items by type before secondary picking, shortening one process and significantly reducing the amount of work. This reduces work time.

In addition, in cases where the external shapes are almost the same but only the product number (product type) is different, the work of rearranging them by product type is no longer necessary.
There is no mix-up of product types that is likely to occur during the next picking, and it is possible to prevent picking errors caused by this.

Furthermore, by simply providing a storage compartment with a simple structure of a partition plate in the portable storage means, not only can a sorting shelf be eliminated, but also a large work space can be secured because the portable storage means is not fixedly installed. There is an advantage.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of the picking cart, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the picking cart in a parallel state, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the picking cart.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the conveyor and container by store, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the storage shelf, Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the consolidated picking slip, Figure 7
The same figure is an explanatory diagram of the picking slip by store, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of the conventional example. 1...Storage shelf row, 1a...Storage shelf, 1 ₁ to 1 _o ...
...shelf, 2...picking cart, 3...conveyor, 4...container by store, 5...worker, 6...
Storage compartment, 6a, 6b...Storage compartment partition plate, 7
... Spare storage section, 10 ... Aggregated picking slip, 10a ... Title part, 11 ... Picking slip by store, 11a ... Title part, 20 ... Storage shelf partition plate, 30 ... Storage shelf, 31 ... Goods, 32... Track, 33... Guide board, 34, 35... Picking instruction lamp, 40... Loading platform, 41... Basket by store, 42... Operation surface.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a method for sorting articles according to store orders from a storage shelf having a plurality of mutually partitioned shelves for storing articles by type, first, according to a picking instruction means, a plurality of shelves for storing articles by type are sorted. The articles picked collectively from the storage shelves are stored in the corresponding storage compartments of the portable storage means having storage compartments, and then the articles to be picked separately for each store and the respective storage compartments of the portable storage means in which they are stored are stored. A method for sorting articles, comprising picking target articles for each store from a storage compartment of the portable storage means in accordance with a picking instruction means associated with the above. 2. A storage shelf having a plurality of mutually partitioned shelves for storing articles by type, and a plurality of storage compartments, and articles collectively picked from the storage shelf,
A portable storage means for storing items by type; a picking instruction means for instructing articles to be collectively picked from the storage shelves as well as storage compartments in the portable storage means for the picked items; and articles to be picked for each store and the items to be picked by each store. Article sorting equipment comprising a picking instruction means that associates each storage compartment of the stored portable storage means with each other.