JPH0820426A - Automatic sorter of magazine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an automatic sorter that is able to sort those of returned magazines unsold through a simple structure. CONSTITUTION:An actuator 12 pressing a returned magazine 1a is adjoined to the back of a leaning conveyor 7a supporting this returned magazine 1a of a third conveyor 7 which transfers this magazine 1a in a leaned position intact, and when this actuator 12 is projected out in accordance with the support of a data shift, a lower part of the magazine 1a is forcibly pressed, and thereby an underside of this magazine 1a is separated from a receiving conveyor 7b, and thus it is stacked on a stacking part 9 by way of a chute 8. Since the returned magazine 1a is easily shiftable by pressing operations of the actuator 12, this automatic sorter is simplified in terms of structure.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention, for example, at a book or magazine agency, automatically selects a new magazine to be sent to each bookstore or a magazine returned from each bookstore. Regarding sorting equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, it is understood that magazines are sold by consignment, and magazines that are unsold by over-the-counter sales are collected as used paper without returning to the publisher.
The publisher trusts the slip without confirming the return from the retailer and processes it with this slip.

As a result, for example, in a remote place, the magazines are not returned to the publisher, but the returned magazines are collected from a store at a predetermined location on the site, where the magazines are sorted according to the type and disposed of. Are being created.

Also, when shipping a new magazine to each bookstore, it is necessary to sort the magazines by each bookstore.

Conventionally, as an apparatus for automatically sorting returned magazines, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-1728, while a returned magazine is being transported by a conveyor, it is displayed on a magazine by a bar code sensor. There is a method in which necessary information such as the publisher and type of the magazine is read by reading the attached bar code, the magazine is sorted according to the read information, and a slip is created for each type of the magazine.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional automatic magazine sorting apparatus, the conveyor is divided into a plurality of parts in the transfer direction, and the divided conveyors are selectively tilted by the actuators and placed on the conveyor. Since it has a structure that sorts magazines that are classified into dedicated shooters for each type, not only does the whole device become large-scale and the installation location of the device is limited, but also the structure is complicated, so the manufacturing cost is high, Moreover, maintenance and inspection becomes complicated.

Therefore, the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to maintain and inspect, and has a relatively low manufacturing cost. Moreover, the area occupied by the device is relatively small, and the installation site can be selected relatively freely. The object is to provide an automatic sorting device for magazines that can be used.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an automatic magazine sorting apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a first conveyor section for transferring magazines and a transfer end of the first conveyor section. A second conveyor part for transferring the magazine transferred from the first conveyor part in a standing posture, and a second conveyor part connected to the second conveyor part for maintaining the magazine standing posture and A third conveyor section that transfers at a higher speed than the second conveyor section, and a reading means for reading the identification mark described in the magazine is disposed above the first conveyor section. The second conveyor section and the third section
The passage detecting means for detecting passage of the magazine identified by the reading means is arranged between the conveyor section and the conveyor section, and a plurality of shooters for collecting magazines for each type are arranged in the middle of the third conveyor section. At the same time, the third conveyor section is provided with shift means for selectively sorting the shooters according to the passage timing of the magazine detected by the passage detecting means.

[0009]

In the above structure, the returned magazines and new magazines to be sorted are first transferred to the first conveyor section, and during the period, they are described in the magazine by the reading means arranged above the conveyor section. The identification display is read, and necessary information such as the publisher and type of the magazine is read. And this first
The magazine sent out from the conveyor section is transferred to the second conveyor section. In the second conveyor section, the magazine is converted into a leaning posture and sent out to the third conveyor section. The third conveyor section is moving at a speed faster than that of the second conveyor section, and the magazine sent from the second conveyor section is cut out at the same time as the second and the second conveyor sections. The passage detecting means arranged between the three conveyor portions confirms passage of the magazine identified by the reading means, and shift means provided in the third conveyor portion corresponding to the detection timing of the passage detecting means. Will shift the data of the magazine to the designated shooter and sort.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the entire structure of the automatic sorting device.

This automatic sorting apparatus has a supply section A for sequentially feeding the packaging box 1 for storing the returned magazine 1a sent from a store, a cutout section B provided along with the supply section A, and a cutout section B for the cutout section B. It is composed of a reading section C arranged in series, a sorting section D for sorting the returned magazine 1a sent from the reading section C, and a computer E for processing the data of the returned magazine 1a and controlling the operation of the entire apparatus. ing.

A reversing device 2 is provided in the supply section A, and the packing box 1 is rolled over to the sorting section B side by the reversing apparatus 2.

The rotation speed of each roller group forming the roller conveyor 3 of the sorting section B is gradually increased as it moves to the upper side, and each returned magazine 1a is gradually cut out as it moves upward. .

The reading section C has a horizontal first conveyor section 4 connected to the cutout section B, and above the first conveyor section 4, the identification attached to the return magazine 1a. A bar code sensor 5, which is a reading means for reading a bar code as a display, is provided oppositely.

The sorting section D faces the transfer end of the first conveyor section 4 and extends in a direction intersecting with the transfer direction of the first conveyor section 4. 6 and a third conveyor section 7 extending in the same direction as the transfer direction of the second conveyor section 6.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second conveyor section 6 is provided with a standing conveyor 6a which stands up in a slightly inclined posture to stand the returned magazine 1a, and the standing conveyor 6a. And a conveyor 6b for receiving the returned magazine 1a set up in the
b rotates at the same speed.

The third conveyor section 7 is composed of a stand-up conveyor 7a and a receiving conveyor 7b. Both the conveyors 7a and 7b are provided on the second conveyor 6. 6a and 6b are arranged on the same plane. Further, the above-mentioned standing conveyor 7a
A slit 7c is formed at a slightly lower portion in the direction along the rotation direction. The two conveyors 7a and 7b have the same speed, and the conveyors 6 provided on the second conveyor 6 are the same.
It rotates at a speed faster than a and 6b.

Further, a plurality of shooters 8 are arranged at predetermined intervals on the third conveyor section 7, and each shooter 8 is connected to the stacking section 9.

The second conveyor section 6 and the third conveyor section
Each of the conveyors 6a, 7 for standing up provided on the conveyor section 7 of
A passage detection sensor 10 for detecting passage of the returned magazine 1a is arranged between a and a passage confirmation sensor 11 for confirming passage of the returned magazine 1a above the shooters 8 of the slit 6b. Each is arranged. Adjacent to the passage confirmation sensor 11, there is provided an actuator 12 as a shift means such as an air cylinder or a solenoid that selectively presses the returned magazine 1a facing the shooter 8 from the back toward the shooter 8 side. It is arranged.

In the computer E, the actuator 12 is selectively operated according to the output of the signal for detecting the returned magazine 1a at each of the sensors 5, 10 and 11.
The returned magazine 1a is automatically sorted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the surfaces of the compatibility hanging conveyors 6a and 7a are formed in a wave shape parallel to the vertical direction.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment having the above construction will be described. First, the packaging box 1 transported from a store such as a bookstore is placed on the conveyor of the supply unit A and is sequentially fed to the cutout unit B side. Then, the reversing device 2 rolls the packaging box 1 over the cutout portion B and ejects the returned magazine 1a to the standby position of the cutout portion B. At this time, the bookstore code written in the packing box 1a is read by a code reader (not shown).

Then, the returned magazine 1a discharged to the standby position is sequentially sent to the cutout portion B with the surface on which the bar code is described as the upper surface. Since the roller conveyor group of the cutout portion B is set to gradually increase in speed as it moves upward in a group, the reading portion C
When the process shifts to, each returned magazine 1a is cut out.

Next, while the returned goods magazine 1a is placed on the first conveyor section 4 of the reading section C and transferred, the bar code sensor 5 oppositely above the first conveyor 4 causes the returned goods magazine 1a to be returned. The barcode of the magazine 1a is read and the data stored in the computer E is inquired to determine the publisher of this returned magazine 1a, the type of magazine, whether the collection period has expired, and at the same time mixing of comics, books, etc. Also determine the product. If the barcode cannot be recognized, it is sent as a barcode error.

When the returned magazine 1a reaches the transfer end of the first conveyor unit 4, the returned magazine 1a is put into the second conveyor unit 6 facing the transfer end of the first conveyor unit 4. To be done. Then, the returned magazine 1a is in a posture in which the lower surface of the returned magazine 1a is brought into contact with the receiving conveyor 6b of the second conveyor section 6 and is leaned against the standing conveyor 6a. According to the rotation of, the sheet is transferred in the direction of the third conveyor section 7.

When the returned magazine 1a is transferred to the third conveyor section 7 side, the passage detection sensor 10 placed between the third conveyor 7 and the second conveyor 6 causes the returned goods to be returned. The passage of the magazine 1a is detected. The above computer E
Then, the data read by the barcode sensor 5 and the returned magazine 1a that has passed through the passage detection sensor 10 are sequentially inquired to determine the type of the returned magazine 1a transferred to the third conveyor unit 7. , Instruct data shift.

Then, the returned magazine 1a moves through the third conveyor section 7 to reach the shooter 8 corresponding to the type, and the passage confirmation sensor 11 which faces the slit 7c of the standing conveyor 7a causes the returned magazine 1a. After detecting 1a,
From the computer E, the actuator 12 corresponding to the shooter 8 is caused to project at a predetermined timing. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower part of the returned magazine 1a is pushed outside the receiving conveyor 7b, and the returned magazine 1a
The data a is subjected to a predetermined data shift via the shooter 8 and sorted and collected in the stacking unit 9 at a designated place.

At this time, the standing conveyor 7a is
As shown in FIG. 6, since it is formed in a corrugated shape, there is little contact with the returned magazine 1a, and the returned magazine 1a is smoothly shifted.

The conveyors 6b, 7b for receiving the second conveyor section 6 and the third conveyor section 7 are the returned magazine 1
A fixed stainless steel plate may be used as long as the transfer of a is not easily affected by friction. Alternatively, the receiving conveyor 6b
Only the side may be a stainless plate. Further, the receiving conveyors 6b and 7b may be free rollers.
Further, the shift means is not limited to the actuator 12, and may be suctioned to the shooter 8 side by vacuum and shift. Furthermore, the automatic sorting device can be used not only for sorting returned magazines, but also for sorting work for shipping new magazines.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7 and subsequent figures. In the first embodiment described above, the receiving conveyor 6 of the sorting section D is used.
Although b and 7b are rotated in synchronization with the respective standing conveyors 6a and 7a, in this embodiment, a fixed plate 21 using a stainless plate or the like is used, and the shooter 8 is the fixed plate 21.
The bottom surface of the shift window 2 and the fixed plate 21
A lid 22 for punching 1a and opening and closing the shift window 21a
Is opened and closed via a lever 21b by an actuator 23 that operates according to a command from a computer E (see FIG. 1). In this example,
When the returned-goods magazine 1a is shifted to the shooter 8 side, it is not necessary to press the returned-goods magazine 1a itself, so that the data shift becomes smooth.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and for example, the data shift of the returned magazine 1a may be controlled by the sequencer according to the detection order of the sensors 10 and 11. Further, the identification display of the returned magazine 1a is not limited to the bar code, and characteristic portions such as the displayed characters of the returned magazine 1a may be recognized and identified by image processing. Further, the fixing plate 21 of the second embodiment may be a free roller.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The returned magazines are transported in a leaning position so that they can be easily shifted to the shooter side. Therefore, not only can the structure of the shift means be simplified, the device can be downsized, but also the device can be manufactured at low cost, and further, maintenance and inspection can be easily performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of an automatic sorting device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a sorting unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sorting unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a second conveyor section according to the first embodiment.

5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment.

6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of VI-VI of FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a sorting unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a sorting unit according to a second embodiment.

9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8 according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a Return magazine 4 First conveyor section 5 Reading means 6 Second conveyor section 7 Third conveyor section 8 Shooter 10 Passage detecting means 12, 23 Shift means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first conveyor section for transferring magazines, and a first conveyor section provided side by side with the first conveyor section for transferring magazines transferred from the first conveyor section in a standing posture. A second conveyor section, and a third conveyor section that is connected to the second conveyor section and that maintains the posture in which the magazine is erected and that transfers the magazine at a faster speed than the second conveyor section, A reading means for reading the identification mark described in the magazine is provided above the first conveyor section, and the reading means is provided between the second conveyor section and the third conveyor section. Passage detecting means for detecting passage of the identified magazine is disposed, and a plurality of shooters for collecting magazines for each type are disposed in the middle of the third conveyor unit. Magazine passage timing detected by the passage detection means An automatic sorting device for magazines, characterized by being provided with a shift means for selectively sorting the shooters in correspondence with each group.