JPH01303225A - Vessel supplying device on article classifying equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stop and hold vessels for classification of articles certainly on a supplying line by providing a stopper changeable to holding state of vessel and to released state. CONSTITUTION:At the time of starting on operation or when it gets to a supply start timing to be supplied with vessels Z which have been supplied already by a carrying conveyer 2 to next rack portion 1A, together with open operation on a stopper 15, pinch holders 16 are made to act open operation on adapting to number of vessels to be supplied and vessels Z are made to supply to the carrying conveyer 2 at carry starting end portion. After starting to supply, when a confirming photosensor 17 for passing confirms vessels Z on passing, together with close operation on the stopper 15, all pinch holders 16 are acted on open operation. Thereafter, all pinch holders 16 are acted on close operation based on informations from photosensors 16a. That is, respective pinch holders 16 are acted on close operation as it is the condition that corresponded photosensor 16a has detected a vessel Z on existence, and still fall photosensors 16a more down side than that in carrying have detected the vessels Z.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a means for supplying containers, which is provided at a transport start end of a transport line for transporting containers for sorting articles; The means includes a supply line that continuously conveys the containers placed thereon toward a conveyance start end of the conveyance line, a state that protrudes toward the supply line to hold the containers, and a mechanism that extends outside the supply line. The article sorting apparatus is comprised of a stopper that can be freely switched between a stopper and a stopper that can be switched to a state in which it releases its hold on the container.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, this kind of article sorting is carried out in a container supply device in equipment, for example, by making a stopper (16) protrude downward with respect to the supply line (14), as shown in FIG. The inside surface of the container (Z) on the rear side with respect to the transport direction of the container (Z) is held so that the container is stopped on the supply line.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

When the stopper is moved in and out of the container in the vertical direction to hold the container, the container comes into contact with the stopper because the container is continuously transported on the supply line toward the transport start end of the transport line. Accordingly, there is a risk that the container may float upward on the supply line using the contact point as a fulcrum, or that the container may overturn if the withdrawal speed of the supply line is fast.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to enable containers for sorting articles to be accurately stopped and held on a continuously conveyed supply line.

[Means to solve the problem]

The container feeding device in the article sorting equipment according to the present invention includes:
A container supply means for supplying the containers is provided at a transport start end of a transport line for transporting containers for article sorting, and the container supply means is configured to move the containers toward the transport start end of the transport line with the containers placed thereon. A supply line that continuously transports the
The stopper is comprised of a stopper that can be freely switched between a state in which it protrudes toward the supply line and holds the container, and a state in which it retires outside the supply line and releases its hold on the container. The configuration is as follows.

That is, the stopper is configured to be able to freely switch between a state in which it protrudes laterally with respect to the supply line and clamps the container, and a state in which it retires to the side of the supply line and releases the clamping state. It is in the point where it is.

[For production]

The stopper is moved laterally to and from the supply line to switch between a state in which the container is clamped and a state in which the container is released.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Therefore, the containers that are continuously transported while placed on the supply line are clamped from the sides, so the containers do not float up on the supply line or turn over, unlike in the past. It has now become possible to accurately stop and hold the product on the supply line.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the equipment for article sorting includes:
Shelf (1) that stores multiple types of items (Xa) by classification
, a belt-type conveyor (2) serving as a conveyance line for conveying containers (Z) for storing articles, and a container supply for supplying the containers (Z) to the conveyance start end of the conveyor (2). means (K).

The shelf (1) includes a plurality of shelf parts (IA) arranged at equal intervals along the withdrawal direction of the transport conveyor (2), and each shelf part (IA) has two upper and lower stages. The article mounting section (B) includes three types of articles (Xa) packed in boxes and stored in each of the article mounting sections (B) in a horizontally lined manner. In addition, by forming the widths of the shelves to be the same and arranging them in close contact with each other in the lateral direction, the shelf portions (IA) can be arranged at equal intervals along the withdrawal direction of the transport conveyor (2). It is as it should be.

A plurality of workers are arranged on the front side of the shelf (1), with one worker assigned to each shelf part (IA), and each worker is assigned to the container supply means (K). , and are supplied at equal intervals (
Among the multiple containers (Z) transported in step 1), the item taken out based on the item removal information described later is stored in the container (Z) located in front of the shelf section (IA) in charge. By performing this operation, it is possible to store a plurality of types of articles in a container (2) destined for the same destination.

However, there are cases where a plurality of containers (Z) are used for one destination, and in this case, the plurality of containers (Z) are treated as one container when performing the work.

Next, an instruction means (D) for instructing removal information of articles to be taken out from each of the shelf portions (IA) into the container (2).
), a container transport means (G) that controls the drive of the transport conveyor (2) to transport the container (Z), the container supply means (K), and various types of equipment necessary for each of these means. Explain the means.

First, to give a general explanation based on FIG.
At , an order form (5) is created according to the contents of the order form (3), and goods are purchased according to the contents of the order form (5). Further, the host controller (4) creates work data for sorting the goods based on the contents of the order form (3) manually entered in advance, and stores the work data in a storage medium such as a floppy disk. output to the work data storage means (6).

The work data is formed by associating destination information with article information so that article information for each destination can be determined, and based on the destination information, as described below, Instructions for article retrieval information are provided.

- In boat fishing, one container (Z) is used for one destination, but if there is a large amount of goods for one destination, multiple containers (Z) are used. may be required. For this reason, the work data is formed in such a way that it is possible to determine the number of containers for each destination, and based on this container number information, the number of containers is also controlled while the transport conveyor (2 ), container supply is made.

Work data reading means (
7A), an arithmetic processing unit (7B), and a work controller (7C) as a work data storage means.
) is provided, and work data is input into this work controller (7) using the storage medium.

However, a management worker is provided to manage the work controller (7), and this management worker inputs work data to the work controller (7),
Replenishment of empty containers (Z) to the container supply means (K), etc. will be performed. In the figure, (8) is a printer that creates an inspection slip containing information on the items stored in each container (Z), and creates the inspection slip based on the command from the work controller (7). It turns out. Incidentally, the created inspection slip can be placed into each container (Z) in a predetermined order when the management worker replenishes the empty container (Z).

Therefore, after work data has been input to the work controller (7) and work preparations have been completed, when a work start command is given on the setting panel (9), this work controller (7) , the various means (D), (
Control processing corresponding to G), (K), etc. will be executed.

Next, the configuration of each means will be explained in detail.

The container conveyance means (G) is the conveyor for conveyance (2).
The container transport is controlled by intermittent driving of the drive motor (2a). Basically, the transport conveyor (2) is driven continuously, but after the containers (2) have been transported a distance corresponding to the spacing between the shelf parts (IA). Nevertheless, each shelf part (IA)
In other words, if the work to take out the goods is not completed in any of the shelves (IA), the container (Z)
If the work of storing goods in the storage area is not completed, the transport conveyor (2) is stopped and the unfinished containers (Z) are transported to the front side (work range) of the next shelf part (IA). This will prevent them from being exposed.

Then, when the work on all the shelf sections (IA) is completed, the drive of the transport conveyor (2) is restarted.

For this reason, a transport distance detection means (100) for detecting the container transport distance from the time when the container (Z) is supplied to the front side of each shelf part (IA), and a work progress of each shelf part (IA) are provided. A work situation management means (101) for managing the situation is configured using the work controller (7), and controls the drive motor (2a) based on information from these means (100) and (101). It is supposed to be done.

The transport distance detection means (100) is configured to detect the transport distance by driving the transport conveyor (2) at a constant speed and measuring the driving time. Incidentally, each time the container (Z) is moved a distance corresponding to the spacing between the shelves (IA), that is, the time when the container (Z) is supplied to the next shelf (18). The measured time will be cleared every time.

The work status management means (101) includes a display device (
H) It is configured to manage the work progress status in each shelf section (IA) based on information from a reset switch (10) provided in the display device (ITA). ) should be stated when explaining.

As shown in FIG. 7, the indicating means (D) includes main indicator lights (1
1), Two upper and lower article placement parts (B) of each shelf part (IA)
A pair of auxiliary indicator lights (1
2), and an indicator (H) provided corresponding to each different type of article stored in each shelf part (IA), basically, the main indicator light (11) The lighting indicates that there is an article to be taken out on the shelf portion (IA), and the lighting of the auxiliary indicator light (12) indicates that there is an article to be taken out on either side of the upper or lower article placement section (B). Furthermore, the display device (H) is configured to indicate the article to be taken out and the amount to be taken out. However, based on the work data, the article retrieval information for the container (2) currently located on the front side of each shelf section (IA) is instructed.

To explain further, as shown in FIG. 9, the indicator (H) is lit to indicate that there is an article to be taken out, and at the same time has a numerical display (H) that instructs the person to take out the article.
13) and the reset switch (10) which is pressed when the article retrieval operation for the article (Xa) indicated by the display (11) is completed, and further includes the work controller (13), although not illustrated. 7) and a controller for controlling the numerical display section (13), the main indicator light (11), and the auxiliary indicator light (12).

Moreover, each container (
Container position determining means (102) for determining in which of the plurality of shelf parts (IA) each of the above-mentioned shelf parts (IA) is located on the front side, the work controller (7) ), and its container position determination means (
The article retrieval information is instructed based on the information 102).

The container position determining means (102) manages the container position based on the information from the transport distance detecting means (101). To explain further, as described above, the conveyance distance detection means (100) clears the measurement time every time the container (2) moves a distance corresponding to the spacing between the shelf parts (IA). Therefore, the container position determination means (102) uses information on the forward light of the container (Z) supplied to the transport start end of the transport conveyor (2) and the direction of the container (Z). The container position is determined by managing the container in association with the number of times the measurement time clearing process is performed as the container is transported.

Therefore, the indicator (H) is operated based on the information of the work controller (7), and both the main and auxiliary indicator lights (11) and (12) are activated by the controller of the indicator (H). It is designed to operate based on information from

In other words, the work controller (7) controls the position of the containers (2) that are sequentially transported with respect to each shelf section (IA), and the next one on the indicator (H) of each shelf section (IA). The work data of the supplied container (Z) is displayed on the display (
H), and each shelf part (18)
As the next container (2) is supplied to the front side, each display (H) is instructed to display the next work data. The main indicator light (11) is located near the shelf part L.
All the indicators (H) provided in A) are OR-connected, and each indicator (H) gives a turn-on command and a light-off command, and the auxiliary indicator light (12) is connected to the corresponding one. It is OR-connected to all the indicators (H) provided on the article platform (B), so that each indicator (H) can give a turn-on command or a light-off command.

In short, as the next container (Z) is supplied to the front side of each shelf section (IA), the indicating means (D) indicates the indicator (
H), and both the main and auxiliary indicator lights (11) and (12) are turned on based on the information on the indicator (H), and each indicator (H)
The numerical display section (13) provided in the display (H)
Turn off the light by operating the reset switch (10),
The auxiliary indicator light (12) is connected to the corresponding article placement section (B).
The main indicator light (11) is turned off when all the work on the corresponding shelf section (IA) is completed.

Further, the work controller (7) is configured to control each of the display devices (
As mentioned above, the work progress status of each shelf section (IA) is managed while receiving information from H).

In other words, the operation information of the reset switch (10) is
The information is transmitted from the controller of each display (H) to the work controller (7), and whether or not all reset switches (10) of the display (H) with work have been pressed. Based on this, it is determined whether there is an unfinished shelf portion (IA).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the container supply means (K
) basically transports an empty container (z) placed on a belt-type supply conveyor (14) as a supply line which is provided in a constantly running state to the conveyor (2). Every time each container on the top (the next shelf section (18)
), and furthermore, the number of containers to be supplied in - times of supply operation can be changed freely. However, the number of containers to be supplied is determined by the work controller (
The determination is made based on the work data stored in the memory (7C) of 7).

To explain further, an electromagnetically operated opening/closing stopper (15) which is operated in the vertical direction is provided between the supply conveyor (14) and the general conveyor (2), and the supply A plurality of clamping tools (16) as electromagnetically operated stoppers that protrude onto the supply conveyor (14) from the lateral sides of the empty container (Z) on the conveyor (14) and clamp the empty container (Z) from the left and right directions; , a plurality of photosensors (16a) for confirming the presence of containers are provided so as to act separately on each of the plurality of containers (2) lined up in the container supply direction, and further, 2) is provided with a photosensor (17) for confirming passage of the container to detect that the container has passed through the stopper location.

In FIG. 2, (18) is an electric motor for driving the supply conveyor (14), and in FIGS. 1 and 3, (19) is an electric motor for driving the containers on the supply conveyor (14). These are guides for guiding along the direction, and are provided on each of the left and right sides of the supply conveyor (14).

Finally, the two types of photosensors (16a).

The detection information of (17) is the work controller (7)
The stopper (15) and the clamping tool (16) are configured to operate according to commands from the work controller (7).

In other words, the stopper (15) is opened at the start of work or at the supply start timing when the already supplied container (Z) is supplied to the next shelf section (IA) by the conveyor (2). At the same time, the clamping tool (16) is opened and operated in accordance with the number of containers to be supplied, thereby supplying the containers Z) to the transport start end of the transport conveyor (2). After the start of supply,
The passage confirmation photosensor (17) is once shielded from light and then becomes unshielded again, so that the container (Z
) is detected, the stopper (15
) at the same time as opening all the clamping tools (16). After that, based on the information of the photo sensor (16a) for the presence sure S-nin, all the gripping tools (
16) will be closed.

That is, each of the holding tools 16) detects the presence of the container (Z) by the presence confirmation photosensor (16a) located corresponding thereto, and the food sensor (1
Photo sensor (16) located on the lower side of conveyance than 6a)
All of a) are closed and operated on the condition that the container (Z) is detected.

Incidentally, in the illustrated example, three clamping tools (16) are provided so as to clamp the second to fourth containers (Z) from the lower conveyance side to the upper conveyance side. Therefore, the number of containers to be supplied can be set to a maximum of three.

That is, when feeding - number of containers (Z), only the stopper (15) is operated to open, and when feeding two containers (Z), the stopper (15) and the second container ( When the clamping tool (16) for Z) is opened and three containers (Z) are supplied, the stopper (15)
and clamping tools (16) for the second and third containers (Z)
will be opened and operated.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the clamping tool (16) includes a pad (20) made of rubber that presses the side surface of the container (Z), and a support member (20) for the pad (20). 21) and a solenoid (22) that operates the supply conveyor (14) to move in and out in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the supply conveyor (14). Then, the pad (20)
) for guiding containers attached along the length of the supply conveyor (14).
9), both left and right side surfaces of the container (2) are held between them.

Note that the photosensor (16a) for confirming the presence of the container is
The container (Z) is placed on the downstream side of the pad (20) and above the pad (20).
The photosensor (16a) for confirming the presence of the container is connected to the solenoid (22) so as to detect the presence of the container.
Using the support member (23) of the support member (23)
is attached to the upper end of the

In the figure, (24) is the support member (24) of the pad (20).
The guide bar is attached to the solenoid (21) and is held in a state where it passes through the support member (23) of the solenoid (22).

[Another example]

In the above embodiment, the gripper (16) is constructed by simply attaching a friction-retaining rubber pad (20) to the supply conveyor (
14), the pad (20) is attached so as to be swingable in the vertical direction, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. You can. In this case, if the container (Z) is made of plastic and has an oblique side surface, the pad (20
) can be held while being tilted according to the shape of the inclined surface, so the container (Z) can be held securely. In the figure, (P,) indicates the pad (20
), and (25) is a rubber pressing member that defines the swing range of the pad (20).

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the pad (
20) may be attached so as to be swingable in the left-right direction around the vertical axis (P2). In this case, for example, even if the container (2) is made of cardboard that easily deforms, the ability to follow the deformation of the side surface of the container due to the contact of the pad (20) is improved, and the container can be held accurately. can be done.

Further, in carrying out the present invention, various changes can be made to the specific configuration of each part.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenient comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of a container feeding device in an article sorting facility according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of the container feeding means, FIG. 2 is a side view of the same, FIG. 3 is a front view of the same, and FIG. is an enlarged side view of the stopper, FIG. 5 is a front view of the same, FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the article sorting equipment, FIG. 7 is a side view of the same, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the control configuration, and FIG. Schematic perspective view of the display device, 1st
0 is an enlarged side view of another embodiment of the stopper, FIG. 11 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 12 is an enlarged side view of still another embodiment of the stopper, and FIG. 13 is a plan view thereof. FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of a conventional example. (Z)...Container, (K)...Container supply means, (2)...Withdrawal line, (14)...
... Supply line, (16) ... Stopper.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Conveyance line (2) that conveys containers (Z) for sorting goods
A container supply means (K) for supplying the container (Z) is provided at the transport start end of the transport line (2), and the container supply means (K) carries the container (Z) on the transport line (2). a supply line (14) that continuously conveys toward the conveyance starting end;
A stopper (1) that can be freely switched between a state in which it protrudes toward the supply line (14) and holds the container (Z) and a state in which it retires outside the supply line (14) and releases its hold on the container (Z). 16), wherein the stopper (16) protrudes laterally with respect to the supply line (14) and holds the container (Z). and a container feeding device in an article sorting facility, which is configured to be able to freely switch between a state in which the container is retracted to the side of the supply line (14) and the grip is released.