JP7560196B1 - Automatic sorting system - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic sorting system is provided that increases the amount of articles that can be sorted relative to the site area.
[Solution] The automatic sorting system 100 comprises a rack 10 which stores a plurality of containers for holding items 200, including an order rack 16 for storing containers in the process of sorting, and a buffer rack 17 for storing empty containers or containers after sorting has been completed, and a crane 20 which receives items 200 and sorts them into containers stored in the order rack 16, moves empty containers from the buffer rack 17 to the order rack 16, and moves containers after sorting has been completed from the order rack 16 to the buffer rack 17.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies 1. https://roms. inc/ https://roms. inc/product/ec-logics https://roms. inc/product/ec-logics/nano-sorter https://roms. inc/news/18 https://roms. inc/news/V7uCKq6D https://roms. inc/news/iurYY-Iu Published by ROMS Co., Ltd. at the above URL from March 7, 2024. 2. https://www. lnews. jp/2024/04/q0408303.html Published by Logistics News Co., Ltd. on April 8, 2024 at the above URL. 3. https://www.logi-today.com/602377 Published by LOGISTICS TODAY Co., Ltd. on April 19, 2024 at the above URL.

This disclosure relates to an automated sorting system.

Non-Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a crane sorts items into containers on a rack.

Robotic put wall - Berkshire Grey, [online], [Retrieved May 2, 2024], Internet <URL: https://www.berkshiregrey.com/solutions/robotic-put-wall/>

There is a demand to increase the amount of items to be sorted relative to the site area.

The objective of this disclosure is to provide an automated sorting system that increases the amount of items sorted per unit of site area.

An automatic sorting system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises:
(1)
A rack that stores a plurality of containers for storing articles, the rack including an order rack for storing containers in the process of sorting, and a buffer rack for storing empty containers or containers after the sorting process is completed;
a crane that receives the articles and sorts them into containers stored in the order rack, moves empty containers from the buffer rack to the order rack, and moves containers after sorting from the order rack to the buffer rack;
An automatic sorting system equipped with

An automatic sorting system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises:
(2)
The crane is a multi-task crane in which a conveyor that receives the objects and sorts them into the container and a lift that lifts the container are integrated.
The automatic sorting system according to (1) above.

An automatic sorting system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises:
(3)
the conveyor transports the articles in a forward and reverse direction;
The automatic sorting system according to (2) above.

An automatic sorting system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises:
(4)
The rack is configured with multiple rows of racks,
and a rail disposed between adjacent rows of racks along which the crane slides.
An automatic sorting system according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

An automatic sorting system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises:
(5)
The conveyor slides vertically on the first rail and the lift slides vertically on the second rail independently of each other;
The automatic sorting system according to the above aspect (2) or (3), wherein the first rail and the second rail are attached to a common platform.

An automatic sorting system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises:
(6)
The automatic sorting system according to any one of (1) to (5) above, further comprising an output conveyor for outputting the container from the rack.

This disclosure makes it possible to provide an automated sorting system that increases the amount of items sorted per site area.

1 is a perspective view showing an automatic sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates how a crane of the automated sorting system of FIG. 1 sorts items into containers. 2 is a diagram showing a crane of the automated sorting system of FIG. 1 moving a container from the bottom of a rack. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multitasking crane of the automated sorting system of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the rails of the multitasking crane of FIG. 2 shows how a lift of the automated sorting system of FIG. 1 moves a container within a rack. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of a rack of the automatic sorting system of FIG. 1 . 2 is a diagram showing an output conveyor of the automated sorting system of FIG. 1 moving a container from a rack; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modified example of the automatic sorting system of FIG. 1 . 1 is a block diagram showing an automatic sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

With reference to Figure 1, an automatic sorting system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The automatic sorting system 100 includes a rack 10 and a crane 20. The automatic sorting system 100 may further include rails 40. The automatic sorting system 100 may be installed anywhere, but in this embodiment, it is installed in a mail order retailer's warehouse. The automatic sorting system 100 may also be installed as a raw materials warehouse or parts warehouse in the manufacturing industry. The automatic sorting system 100 is also called an "AS/RS (Automated Storage/Retrieval System)." The automatic sorting system 100 may further include an input conveyor 33 and output conveyors 18 and 19.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rack 10 stores multiple containers 210. Each container 210 holds one or more items 200.

In this embodiment, the item 200 is a product sold by a mail-order business. The types of the item 200 include, for example, food, daily necessities, and magazines, but there may be various other types, or conversely, there may be only one or two types. In this embodiment, the types of the item 200 are distinguished as SKUs. "SKU" is an abbreviation for stock keeping unit. The item 200 received by the user 230 may be a product that the user 230 will pack.

In this embodiment, the container 210 is a container, but may also be, for example, a tote, carton, bag, box, pallet, case, or bucket.

Referring to FIG. 1, the rack 10 may be configured with multiple rows of racks. The rack 10 includes an order rack 16 and a buffer rack 17. The order rack 16 stores containers 210 undergoing sorting. The buffer rack 17 temporarily stores empty containers 210 or containers 210 after sorting has been completed. The front row and lower rack that is accessible to users may be the order rack 16. The back row or upper rack that is inaccessible to users may be the buffer rack 17. The order rack 16 and the buffer rack 17 may have the same structure. A cover 10C may be provided on the front and rear sides of the buffer rack 17.

Referring to FIG. 3, the rack 10 includes columns 24 arranged at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction, and one or more plate-like members 22 protruding laterally from the columns 24. A plurality of through holes may be formed in the height direction of the columns 24. The height of the plate-like members 22 can be changed by screwing through holes formed in the plate-like members 22 and selected through holes in the columns 24. Thus, the rack 10 can store containers 210 of various heights. A gap 22S may be present between the plate-like members 22. In other words, in the rack 10, the container 210 may be supported by the plate-like members 22 only at both longitudinal edges from below, and may not be supported near the longitudinal center (gap 22S) on the lower side. As described later, the crane 20 can lift the container 210 from below and transport it out or in by utilizing the gap 22S of the plate-like members 22.

Referring to FIG. 1, a user 220 may inspect an item 200 stored in a rack 10. The user 220 may read identification information, such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or an RFID, attached to the item 200 using a scanner 31 or the like. The read identification information may be displayed on a display device 32. The user 220 may move the inspected item 200 onto an input conveyor 33.

The carry-in conveyor 33 transports the item 200 to the crane 20. The carry-in conveyor 33 may hand over the item 200 to the crane 20 when the crane 20 moves close to the carry-in conveyor 33. The carry-in conveyor 33 may be driven when the scanner 31 or the like is operated. The carry-in conveyor 33 is, for example, a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, a conveyor using an omniwheel, a bot-type transfer device, or any combination of these. The carry-in conveyor 33 has one or more lanes (one in FIG. 1). In a configuration in which the carry-in conveyor 33 has multiple lanes, the carry-in conveyor 33 may be driven independently for each lane.

Referring to FIG. 4, the crane 20 may include a conveyor 21 and a lift 23. The conveyor 21 and the lift 23 may operate independently.

The crane 20 may be a multitask crane in which the conveyor 21 and the lift 23 are integrated. The pair of first vertical rails 21R of the conveyor 21 and the pair of second vertical rails 23R of the lift 23 may be attached to a common platform 25 at the upper end. The platform 25 may be flat. The pair of first vertical rails 21R of the conveyor 21 and the pair of second vertical rails 23R of the lift 23 may be attached to a common platform at the lower end. This configuration can improve the space efficiency of the automatic sorting system 100. That is, if the conveyor and the lift are provided separately, two vertical rails are required. Therefore, the dimension in the extension direction of the rail 40 becomes large. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a crane that slides on the rail 40 for each of the conveyor 21 and the lift 23. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a gap of, for example, 1 meter or more between the conveyor 21 and the lift 23 so that the conveyor 21 and the lift 23 do not collide with each other. For these reasons, if one were to achieve the same function as the automatic sorting system 100 of this embodiment (sorting onto the same rack 10), the installation length (in the extension direction of the rail 40) would be longer by more than 1 meter, and the installation area would be larger. Furthermore, this configuration can reduce costs compared to a configuration in which both the conveyor 21 and the lift 23 are provided separately.

Referring to FIG. 5, the conveyor 21 may slide on a first vertical rail 21R. The lift 23 may include a pair of second vertical rails 23R extending in the vertical direction. The lift 23 may slide on the second vertical rails 23R. The sliding of the conveyor 21 and the sliding of the lift 23 may be independent of each other.

In the example of FIG. 1, the crane 20 is installed in the aisle between the front row of racks and the rear row of racks. This aisle can be narrow enough for a person to pass through, as long as it is wide enough to accommodate the crane 20. In this embodiment, the crane 20 is a mini-load crane, but it may also be, for example, a unit load crane or a mid-load crane.

The crane 20 can slide on the rails 40. The rails 40 may be disposed between adjacent rows of racks. More specifically, the rails 40 may be disposed between a front row of racks and a rear row of racks. A pair of rails 40A, 40B (see FIG. 1) may be provided that extend along the longitudinal direction of the rack 10 and are disposed at different heights.

The crane 20 may be provided with wheels. The wheels may be supported on the rails 40. The crane 20 may be detachable from the rails 40. The wheels of the crane 20 may be driven and braked by a motor. The wheels of the crane 20 may be controlled by the control device 120.

The conveyor 21 may transport the item 200 in a forward direction and a reverse direction. The forward direction here refers to the direction from inside the conveyor 21 to the outside of the conveyor 21. The reverse direction refers to the direction from the outside of the conveyor 21 to the inside of the conveyor 21. After receiving the item 200 from the input conveyor 33, the conveyor 21 may align the item 200 by transporting the item 200 in a forward direction or a reverse direction.

The crane 20 receives the items 200 and sorts them into the containers 210 stored in the order rack 16. The conveyor 21 may, for example, transport the items 200 in a forward direction to sort the items 200 into the receiving containers 210. If two or more types of items 200 are in the same container 210, the two or more types of items 200 may be sorted according to the destination or size of the items 200. For sorting, identification information of the items 200 read by a scanner 31 or the like may be used. Any sorting method may be used, but in this embodiment, a method may be used in which the container 210 is divided into multiple spaces by partitions and each item 200 is placed in a space for a specific destination. The sorting operation may be performed when the items 200 are carried into the container 210 of the rack 10.

The crane 20 moves the containers 210 from the order rack 16 to the buffer rack 17 after the sorting operation is completed. When all of the items 200 to be shipped to a specific destination have been sorted into the containers 210, the control device 120 may determine that the sorting operation is completed.

The lift 23 may lift the container 210. The lift 23 may be of a telescopic type. More specifically, referring to FIG. 6, the lift 23 may have a plurality of overlapping cylindrical members 23C1, 23C2. The cylindrical members 23C1, 23C2 may be displaceable relative to each other. In a configuration in which the lift 23 is sandwiched between two rows of the rack 10, the cylindrical members 23C1, 23C2 may be displaceable in both directions.

With reference to FIG. 6, the procedure for the lift 23 to move the container 210 within the rack 10 will be described. The lift 23 moves so that the upper surfaces of the cylindrical members 23C1 and 23C2 are positioned below and in front of the gap between the plate-like members 22 that support the container 210 in the rack 10. Specifically, the crane 20 may slide on the rail 40 and move in the horizontal direction. The lift 23 may slide on the second vertical rail 23R and move in the vertical direction. The crane 20 extends the cylindrical members 23C1 and 23C2 to just below the gap. The crane 20 raises the lift 23 and supports the bottom surface of the container 210 on the upper surface of the cylindrical member 23C2 at the tip side. The cylindrical members 23C1 and 23C2 are then contracted to pull the container 210 toward the lift 23. Furthermore, by changing the extension direction of the cylindrical members 23C1 and 23C2, containers 210 in different rows of the rack 10 can be pulled to the lift 23.

Then, the lift 23 moves so that it is positioned above and in front of the gap in the plate-like member 22 that supports the container 210 at the next storage position of the container 210. The crane 20 extends the tubular members 23C1 and 23C2 to just below the gap. As a result, the container 210 moves above the plate-like member 22. The crane 20 lowers the lift 23 so that the bottom surface of the container 210 is supported on the upper surface of the plate-like member 22. Then, the tubular members 23C1 and 23C2 are contracted. Note that by changing the extension direction of the tubular members 23C1 and 23C2, the container 210 can be stored in a different row of the rack 10.

Referring to FIG. 7, the rack 10 may include a segment display 11 for displaying numerical values, and a completion button 12 equipped with a lamp. The segment display 11 may display the number of items 200 stored in the container 210. The lamp equipped on the completion button 12 may be lit when the container 210 is stored after the sorting operation is completed. Specifically, the lighting of the lamp may indicate that the container 210 is being prompted to be removed.

Referring to FIG. 8, the bottom level of the order rack 16 may be equipped with output conveyors 18, 19. The output conveyor 18 adjacent to the rack 10 may move the container 210 from within the order rack 16 to the output conveyor 19. The output conveyor 19 may move the container 210 close to the user 230 (FIG. 1) (to the right in FIG. 8). The output conveyors 18, 19 may be driven by the user 230 pressing a switch.

Instead of the output conveyor 18, the user 230 may remove the container 210 from the order rack 16 for packing or the like. When removing the container 210 from the order rack 16, the user 230 presses the complete button 12 (FIG. 7). After the complete button 12 is pressed, the lamp provided on the complete button 12 goes out. The lamp also goes out when the output conveyor 18 moves the container 210 for packing or the like. The lamp going out may indicate that sorting of the items 200 inside the container 210 has not been completed and the container 210 should not be removed.

The crane 20 moves the empty container 210 from the buffer rack 17 to the order rack 16. The crane 20 may also move the container 210 after the sorting operation is completed from the buffer rack 17 to the order rack 16.

After the items 200 are removed from the container 210 removed from the order rack 16, the empty container 210 is returned to the order rack 16. The output conveyors 18, 19 or the user 230 may return the empty container 210 to the order rack 16.

Figure 9 shows a modified example of the rack. The order rack 16' includes a cart 16C and a flow rack 16F. A user can move the cart 16C and the flow rack 16F together with the stored containers 210 for packaging or the like. This allows a large number of containers 210 to be moved efficiently. In addition, by storing fragile items 200 and the like in the flow rack 16F and then retrieving them, damage to the items 200 can be prevented. Other configurations of the order rack 16' may be similar to those of the order rack 16.

Referring to FIG. 10, the automatic sorting system 100 further includes a control device 120, a database 140, an input device 150, and an output device 160.

The control device 120 is installed in the rack 10 or another area. The control device 120 is a computer. The control device 120 includes a control unit 121, a memory unit 122, a communication unit 123, an input unit 124, and an output unit 125.

The control unit 121 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 121 controls each part of the control unit 120 and executes information processing related to the operation of the control unit 120.

The memory unit 122 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The memory unit 122 functions, for example, as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 122 stores information used in the operation of the control device 120 and information obtained by the operation of the control device 120.

The communication unit 123 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface, or an interface compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network. "LTE" is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th generation. "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th generation. The communication unit 123 receives information used in the operation of the control device 120 from the database 140 or other external devices, and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control device 120 to the database 140 or other external devices.

The input unit 124 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a USB interface. "USB" is an abbreviation for universal serial bus. The input unit 124 accepts operations for inputting information used in the operation of the control device 120 via the input device 150.

The output unit 125 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a USB interface. The output unit 125 outputs information obtained by the operation of the control device 120 via the output device 160.

The functions of the control device 120 are realized by executing a control program according to this embodiment on a processor included in the control unit 121. That is, the functions of the control device 120 are realized by software. The control program is a program for causing a computer to execute processing of steps included in the operation of the control device 120, thereby causing the computer to realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. That is, the control program is a program for causing a computer to function as the control device 120.

The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, and semiconductor memories. The program may be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending portable recording media such as DVDs or CD-ROMs on which the program is recorded. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program may be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transferring the program from the server to other computers. The program may be provided as a program product.

The computer temporarily stores in the main storage device, for example, a program recorded on a portable recording medium or a program transferred from a server. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor and executes processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. The computer may execute processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred to the computer from the server. Processing may be executed by a so-called ASP-type service that does not transfer a program from the server to the computer and achieves functions only by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. Programs include information used for processing by a computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct command to a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under "something equivalent to a program."

Some or all of the functions of the control device 120 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 121. In other words, some or all of the functions of the control device 120 may be realized by hardware.

The database 140 is installed in the rack 10 or other area, just like the control device 120. The database 140 is, for example, an RDBMS. "RDBMS" is an abbreviation for relational database management system. In this embodiment, the database 140 is separate from the control device 120, but may be integrated into the control device 120.

The database 140 holds inventory information 240 for the rack 10. The inventory information 240 includes identification information such as a barcode, two-dimensional code, or RFID attached to each container 210, or a combination of information indicating the storage position of each container 210 in the rack 10 and information indicating the type of item 200 contained in each container 210. The inventory information 240 may be updated when each item 200 is sorted into a container 210.

The input device 150 is installed in an area where the users 220 and 230 can enter. The input device 150 is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone. The input device 150 may include the scanner 31 described above. The input device 150 may be separate from the control device 120, or may be integrated into the control device 120.

The output device 160 is installed in an area where the users 220, 230 can enter, similar to the input device 150. The output device 160 is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for liquid crystal display. "EL" is an abbreviation for electro luminescence. In this embodiment, the output device 160 may be separate from the control device 120, or may be integrated into the control device 120.

As an example of this embodiment, the control unit 121 of the control device 120 may change the storage position of each container 210 depending on the order frequency of the item 200 contained in each container 210. According to this example, the cycle time can be shortened.

In this embodiment, the rack 10, the crane 20, or a combination thereof is treated as a module to enhance the scalability of the automatic sorting system 100. That is, the configuration of the automatic sorting system 100 can be easily determined or changed according to various requirements such as the site area of the warehouse in which the automatic sorting system 100 is installed and the number of items required. Furthermore, the scalability of the entire automatic sorting system 100 may be enhanced by treating a combination of the components of the automatic sorting system 100 as a module. That is, the entire configuration of the automatic sorting system 100 may be easily determined or changed according to various requirements of the warehouse in which the automatic sorting system 100 is installed. For example, the automatic sorting system 100 can be easily introduced to a warehouse by configuring the components of the automatic sorting system 100 with a small number of modules or small-scale modules. Alternatively, the automatic sorting system 100 can be easily introduced to a warehouse by configuring the components of the automatic sorting system 100 with a large number of modules or large-scale modules. Furthermore, if a warehouse in which the automatic sorting system 100 is installed is closed, each module of the automatic sorting system 100 can be reused in another warehouse, etc.

In this embodiment, the rack 10 may store the multiple containers 210 brought in, in two or more compartments with different temperature settings according to the type of item 200 contained in each container 210. For example, the rack 10 is divided into four compartments corresponding to the four temperature zones of freezing, refrigeration, fixed temperature, and room temperature, and the multiple containers 210 brought in are stored in these four compartments according to the type of item 200 contained in each container 210. In this case, the freezing compartment stores containers 210 containing products that need to be frozen, such as frozen foods. The refrigerating compartment stores containers 210 containing products that need to be refrigerated. The fixed temperature compartment stores containers 210 containing products that need to be kept at a fixed temperature, such as alcoholic beverages. The room temperature compartment stores containers 210 containing other products.

As an example of this embodiment, a temperature zone management function may be added to each container 210. For example, out of the four temperature zones of freezing, refrigeration, constant temperature, and room temperature, the corresponding temperature zone may be different for each container 210. According to this modification, the temperature zone can be managed more reliably.

As an example of this embodiment, an API may be defined for connecting and coordinating various existing systems of a retailer, such as a payment system such as a POS system, an IMS, and an ERP system, with the automatic sorting system 100. "IMS" is an abbreviation for inventory management system. "ERP" is an abbreviation for enterprise resource planning. "API" is an abbreviation for application programming interface. According to this variation, the automatic sorting system 100 can be provided as a turnkey system via the API.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, multiple blocks shown in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing multiple steps shown in the flowchart in chronological order as described, each step may be executed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capacity of the device executing each step, or as needed. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

100 Automatic sorting system 10 Rack 10C Cover 11 Segment display 12 Complete button 16 Order rack 16C Cart 16F Flow rack 17 Buffer rack 18, 19 Output conveyor 20 Crane 21 Conveyor 21R First vertical rail 22 Plate-shaped member 23R Second vertical rail 22S Gap 220, 230 User 23 Lift 23C1, 23C2 Cylindrical member 24 Pillar 25 Stand 31 Scanner 32 Display device 33 Input conveyor 40, 40A, 40B Rail 120 Control device 121 Control unit 122 Memory unit 123 Communication unit 124 Input unit 125 Output unit 140 Database 150 Input device 160 Output device 200 Article 210 Container 240 Inventory information 250 List

Claims (6)

A rack that stores a plurality of containers for storing articles, the rack including an order rack for storing containers in the process of sorting, and a buffer rack for storing empty containers or containers after the sorting process is completed;
a crane that receives the articles and sorts them into containers stored in the order rack, moves empty containers from the buffer rack to the order rack, and moves containers after sorting from the order rack to the buffer rack;
An automatic sorting system equipped with The crane is a multi-task crane in which a conveyor that receives the objects and sorts them into the container and a lift that lifts the container are integrated.
The automated sorting system according to claim 1 . the conveyor transports the articles in a forward and reverse direction;
The automated sorting system according to claim 2 . The rack is configured with multiple rows of racks,
and a rail disposed between adjacent rows of racks along which the crane slides.
The automatic sorting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The conveyor slides vertically on the first rail and the lift slides vertically on the second rail independently of each other;
4. The automatic sorting system according to claim 2, wherein the first rail and the second rail are attached to a common platform. Further comprising an output conveyor for outputting the container from the rack.
The automatic sorting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images