Article containing device

Abstract

A supply device (4) includes a first conveyor (4A) disposed adjacent to a first side (Y1) in a second direction (Y) with respect to a first transfer device (30A), a second conveyor (4B) disposed adjacent to the first side (Y1) in the second direction (Y) with respect to a second transfer device (30B), and a third conveyor (4C) including a first connecting portion (5A) connected to an end portion of the first conveyor (4A) on the first side (Y1) in the second direction (Y) and a second connecting portion (5B) connected to an end portion of the second conveyor (4B) on the first side (Y1) in the second direction (Y). The first conveyor (4A) is capable of arranging a plurality of articles (W) side by side in the second direction (Y), and the second conveyor (4B) is capable of arranging a plurality of articles (W) side by side in the second direction (Y).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an article housing apparatus that has a conveying device having a traveling carriage, a housing rack having a plurality of housing portions, and a supply device that supplies articles to the conveying device. BACKGROUND

[0002] One example of such an article housing apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H63-119509 (Patent Literature 1). Hereinafter, in the description of the background art, the symbols and names in Patent Literature 1 are cited in parentheses.

[0003] The article housing apparatus of Patent Literature 1 has a conveying device (goods access device 8) having a traveling carriage (11) that travels on a prescribed traveling path (7), a housing rack having a plurality of housing portions (partitioned storage spaces 2) arranged along the traveling path (7), and a supply device (storage conveyor 21) that supplies articles to the conveying device (8). In addition, the direction along the traveling path (7) is taken as the traveling direction, and the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction is taken as the rack depth direction, the conveying device (8) has two transfer devices (accesses 16A, 16B) mounted on the traveling carriage (11) and arranged side by side in the traveling direction, and each of the transfer devices (16A, 16B) is configured so as to be able to hold two articles side by side in the rack depth direction. Furthermore, the supply device (21) is a conveyor that conveys two articles (cylindrical cans 6) side by side in the rack depth direction in the state where the articles (6) are conveyed in the traveling direction.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H63-119509 (Fig. 4). SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] In the article housing apparatus of Patent Literature 1, the supply device is able to convey two articles side by side in the traveling direction. Therefore, such a supply device is able to efficiently convey and supply articles without taking into account the conveying order of the articles (more specifically, the arrangement of four articles at the time of handover to the two transfer devices).

[0009] However, in a case where the conveying order of the articles is desired to be a specific order in consideration of, for example, high efficiency of the housing operation of the articles to the housing racks by the conveying device, in the article housing apparatus of the above-described Patent Document 1, a device that changes the conveying order of the articles needs to be provided at a more upstream side than the feeding device. Thus, there is a problem that the entire configuration of the article housing apparatus is easily complicated or enlarged and the cost is also easily increased.

[0010] Thus, for a conveying device that has two transfer devices each configured in a manner that a plurality of articles can be arranged side by side, an article housing apparatus that has a feeding device that changes the conveying order of the articles with a relatively simple configuration is required.

[0011] Solution to the Problem

[0012] The article storage apparatus according to the present disclosure is an article storage apparatus provided with a conveyance device, a storage rack, and a supply device, the conveyance device is provided with a travel car that travels along a prescribed first direction, the storage rack is provided with a plurality of storage portions arranged along the first direction, and the supply device supplies articles to the conveyance device, wherein a direction orthogonal to the first direction when viewed in an up-down direction along the up-down direction is a second direction, one side of the first direction is a first direction first side, the other side of the first direction is a first direction second side, one side of the second direction is a second direction first side, and the other side of the second direction is a second direction second side, the conveyance device is provided with a first transfer device mounted on the travel car and a second transfer device, the second transfer device is arranged on the first direction first side with respect to the first transfer device, each of the first transfer device and the second transfer device is provided with a placement portion that can place a plurality of the articles side by side along the second direction and move the articles along the second direction, and a transfer operation of the articles between the placement portion and the storage portion is performed, and the supply device is provided with a first conveyor arranged so as to be adjacent to the first transfer device on the second direction first side in a state in which the travel car is positioned at a prescribed storage position, a second conveyor arranged on the first direction first side with respect to the first conveyor and arranged so as to be adjacent to the second transfer device on the second direction first side in a state in which the travel car is positioned at the storage position, and a third conveyor provided with a first connecting portion connected to an end portion on the second direction first side of the first conveyor and a second connecting portion connected to an end portion on the second direction first side of the second conveyor, the third conveyor is configured so as to convey the articles along the first direction, the first connecting portion is provided at an end portion on the first direction second side of the third conveyor, the first conveyor is configured so as to convey the articles along the second direction and a plurality of the articles can be arranged side by side along the second direction, and the second conveyor is configured so as to convey the articles along the second direction and a plurality of the articles can be arranged side by side along the second direction.

[0013] According to the present configuration, each of the first transfer device and the second transfer device which are arranged side by side in the first direction has a configuration in which a plurality of articles can be arranged side by side in the second direction, and the plurality of articles can be simultaneously transferred from each of the first conveyor and the second conveyor to each of the first transfer device and the second transfer device. Therefore, the time required for the transfer operation from the supply device to the two transfer devices can be shortened. In addition, according to the present configuration, the second conveyor and the third conveyor can be used to change the order of the articles to be transferred to the first conveyor and the second conveyor. For example, the articles can be temporarily arranged on the second side in the first direction than the second connection portion of the third conveyor, and the articles transferred thereafter can be transferred to the second conveyor. That is, the order of the articles to be transferred to the second conveyor can be changed. In addition, for example, the articles can be temporarily withdrawn from the third conveyor to the second conveyor, and the articles transferred thereafter can be transferred to the first conveyor. That is, the order of the articles to be transferred to the first conveyor can be changed. In this way, according to the present configuration, the order of the articles to be transferred to the first conveyor and the second conveyor can be changed with a relatively simple configuration.

[0014] Further features and advantages of the article storage apparatus will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an article storage apparatus.

[0016] Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of an article storage apparatus.

[0017] Figure 3 is a diagram showing one scenario of warehouse entry control.

[0018] Figure 4 is a diagram showing one scenario of warehouse entry control.

[0019] Figure 5 is a diagram showing one scheme of changing the order of articles to be transferred using a supply device.

[0020] Figure 6 is a diagram showing one scheme of changing the order of articles to be transferred using a supply device.

[0021] Figure 7 is a diagram showing one scheme of changing the order of articles to be transferred using a supply device.

[0022] Figure 8 is a diagram showing one scheme of changing the order of articles to be transferred using a supply device.

[0023] Figure 9 is a control block diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] An embodiment of an article housing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an article housing apparatus 1 is provided with a conveying device 20 provided with a traveling car 21 that travels along a prescribed first direction X, a housing rack 10, and a supply device 4 that supplies articles W to the conveying device 20. As shown in Figure 9 , the article housing apparatus 1 is further provided with a control system S that controls the supply device 4.

[0026] The housing rack 10 is provided with a plurality of housing portions 11 arranged along the first direction X. In the present embodiment, the article housing apparatus 1 is provided with a first housing rack 10A and a second housing rack 10B that are arranged in opposition to each other along a second direction Y. The second housing rack 10B is arranged at a distance from the first housing rack 10A along the second direction Y. The first housing rack 10A is provided with a plurality of first housing portions 11A arranged along the first direction X, and the second housing rack 10B is provided with a plurality of second housing portions 11B arranged along the first direction X. Hereinafter, in the case where matters common to the first housing rack 10A and the second housing rack 10B are described, they will be collectively referred to as the housing rack 10, and in the case where matters common to the first housing portion 11A and the second housing portion 11B are described, they will be collectively referred to as the housing portion 11.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the first direction X is a direction along a horizontal plane. One side of the first direction X is referred to as a first direction first side XI, and the other side of the first direction X (the side opposite the first direction first side XI) is referred to as a first direction second side X2. The second direction Y is a direction orthogonal to the first direction X as viewed in an up-down direction along an up-down direction Z (a vertical direction). Here, the second direction Y is a direction along a horizontal plane. One side of the second direction Y is referred to as a second direction first side Yl, and the other side of the second direction Y is referred to as a second direction second side Y2. The first housing rack 10A is arranged on the second direction first side Yl with respect to the second housing rack 10B.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1 , the housing rack 10 is provided with a support rack 12 that supports the articles W (specifically, supports from a lower side Z2). The support rack 12 is fixed to a support column 13 that is vertically provided to a floor portion. The articles W are housed in the housing rack 10 in a state of being supported by the support rack 12. That is, the housing portion 11 is formed by the support rack 12, and the size of the housing portion 11 in the second direction Y is determined in correspondence with the dimension of the support rack 12 in the second direction Y. The support rack 12 is formed in a plate shape (including a case where it is formed in a plate shape as a whole by the collection of a plurality of members), and in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 1As shown, multiple items W are supported side-by-side along the first direction X by a support frame 12. Items W are, for example, corrugated cardboard boxes or containers.

[0029] Each of the plurality of receiving portions 11 (specifically, each of the plurality of first receiving portions 11A and each of the plurality of second receiving portions 11B) is capable of accommodating a plurality of (in this embodiment, 2) articles W side by side along the second direction Y. In other words, the articles W processed by the article receiving device 1 include articles W whose size (specifically, the size along the second direction Y in the state of being contained in the receiving portion 11) is such that a plurality of (in this embodiment, 2) articles W can be accommodated side by side along the second direction Y. Alternatively, the articles W processed by the article receiving device 1 may include articles W whose size is so large that one article W occupies the receiving portion 11. When two articles W are accommodated side by side along the second direction Y in the receiving portion 11, as... Figure 2 As shown, the item W on the front side (the side where the item W is accessed via the conveyor 20) of the two items W is accommodated in the first accommodating position P1, and the item W on the back side (the side opposite to the front side in the second direction Y) of the two items W is accommodated in the second accommodating position P2, which is further back than the first accommodating position P1.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the receiving rack 10 has a plurality of receiving portions 11 arranged in the vertical direction Z. Specifically, a plurality of support frames 12 are fixed to the support column 13 at intervals in the vertical direction Z, and the article W is received in each of the plurality of shelves (shelves) arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z in a state supported by the support frames 12.

[0031] The traveling car 21 travels along the first direction X between the first housing rack 10A and the second housing rack 10B in the second direction Y. In the present embodiment, the conveyance device 20 is a stacker crane. Specifically, the conveyance device 20 has, in addition to the traveling car 21, a column 22 that is vertically provided to the traveling car 21 and a lifting section 23 that is guided by the column 22 and is lifted (moved along the up-down direction Z). The traveling path of the traveling car 21 is formed by a track 6 that is provided in a manner along the first direction X. The conveyance device 20 has a transfer device 30 that is mounted to the traveling car 21. In the present embodiment, the transfer device 30 is mounted to the traveling car 21 by being supported by the lifting section 23. The transfer device 30 is moved to a position corresponding to a transfer target site (the housing section 11 or the discharge device 3 and the supply device 4 described later) of the article W by the traveling action of the traveling car 21 (in the present embodiment, in addition to the traveling action of the traveling car 21, by the lifting action of the lifting section 23). The position corresponding to the transfer target site is a position at which the article W can be transferred between the placement section 31 and the transfer target site, specifically, a position at which the transfer device 30 and the transfer target site face each other in the second direction Y (face each other in the second direction Y at the same height (position in the up-down direction Z)). The transfer device 30 performs a transfer action of the article W between the placement section 31 and the transfer target site in a state in which the transfer device 30 is disposed at the position corresponding to the transfer target site.

[0032] The article W that is stored in the housing rack 10 is conveyed to the housing section 11 by the conveyance device 20 after being supplied to the conveyance device 20 from the storage line or the like via the supply device 4, and is stored in the housing section 11. The article W that is discharged from the housing rack 10 is conveyed to the discharge device 3 by the conveyance device 20 after being taken out from the housing section 11, and is carried out to the discharge line or the like by the discharge device 3. The conveyance device 20 performs access of the article W from the second direction second side Y2 with respect to the first housing rack 10A (specifically, the first housing section 11A) and performs access of the article W from the second direction first side Yl with respect to the second housing rack 10B (specifically, the second housing section 11B).

[0033] As Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the conveying device 20 includes a first transfer device 30A and a second transfer device 30B as two transfer devices 30. The second transfer device 30B is disposed relative to the first transfer device 30A on a first side X1 in a first direction. The first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B can perform transfer operations independently of each other. Each of the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B has a mounting section 31 capable of mounting multiple (in this embodiment, two) articles W side by side along the second direction Y. In other words, the articles W processed by the article receiving device 1 include articles W of a size (specifically, the size along the second direction Y in the state of being mounted on the mounting section 31) capable of mounting two articles W side by side along the second direction Y in the mounting section 31.

[0034] Each of the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B moves the article W along the second direction Y, performing a transfer operation of the article W between the mounting portion 31 and the receiving portion 11. Each of the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B is capable of transferring the article W between the mounting portion 31 and the first receiving position P1, and is also capable of transferring the article W between the mounting portion 31 and the second receiving position P2. In this embodiment, the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B are supported side-by-side along the first direction X by a common lifting portion 23, and move up and down integrally with the lifting portion 23. Hereinafter, when describing the common aspects of the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B, they will be collectively referred to as transfer device 30.

[0035] The configuration of the transfer device 30 is not limited to this, but in this embodiment, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the transfer device 30 includes a pair of arms 32 whose spacing in the first direction X can be changed and which can move forward and backward in the second direction Y. Each of the pair of arms 32 is formed as a flat plate with the thickness direction (orthogonal to the plate surface) in the first direction X. The transfer device 30 performs a transfer operation between the receiving portion 11 (the first receiving portion 11A or the second receiving portion 11B, hereinafter the same) and the placing portion 31 by moving the pair of arms 32 forward and backward in the second direction Y with an article W disposed between the pair of arms 32 (specifically, between the pair of arms 32 in the first direction X, hereinafter the same). Specifically, the transfer device 30 performs a transfer operation by moving the pair of arms 32 forward and backward in the second direction Y with the spacing in the first direction X of the pair of arms 32 being a spacing corresponding to the size of the article W disposed between the pair of arms 32 in the first direction X. A pair of arms 32 are configured to move forward and backward to both sides in the second direction Y, and the transfer device 30 can transfer an article W relative to either the first receiving part 11A or the second receiving part 11B.

[0036] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, each of the pair of arms 32 is supported by a fixed member 33 whose position in the second direction Y (position in the second direction Y with the traveling vehicle 21 as a reference) is fixed in a manner so as to be able to move in sliding motion in the second direction Y. The arm 32 is disposed on the inner side in the first direction X (toward one side of the central position in the first direction X between the pair of arms 32) with respect to the fixed member 33 that supports the arm 32. The arm 32 can also be directly supported by the fixed member 33, but in the present embodiment, the arm 32 is indirectly supported by the fixed member 33 (specifically, via an intermediate member 34 disposed between the arm 32 and the fixed member 33).

[0037] In the transfer action of the article W, the action of transferring the article W from the placement portion 31 to the accommodation portion 11 is taken as the unloading action, and the action of receiving the article W from the accommodation portion 11 to the placement portion 31 is taken as the pickup action. The transfer device 30 performs the transfer action of the article W by moving the article W disposed between the pair of arms 32 in the second direction Y by advancing and retreating of the pair of arms 32. Specifically, the transfer device 30 performs the unloading action of transferring the article W placed on the placement portion 31 to the first accommodation portion 11A by moving the article W to the first side Y1 in the second direction Y by advancing movement of the pair of arms 32, and performs the pickup action of receiving the article W from the first accommodation portion 11A to the placement portion 31 by moving the article W to the second side Y2 in the second direction Y by retreating movement of the pair of arms 32. In addition, the transfer device 30 performs the unloading action of transferring the article W placed on the placement portion 31 to the second accommodation portion 11B by moving the article W to the second side Y2 in the second direction Y by advancing movement of the pair of arms 32, and performs the pickup action of receiving the article W from the second accommodation portion 11B to the placement portion 31 by moving the article W to the first side Y1 in the second direction Y by retreating movement of the pair of arms 32.

[0038] As Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, in the present embodiment, the hooks 35 (one example of abutting members) are provided at each of the pair of arms 32, and the transfer device 30 moves the articles W in and out by the pair of arms 32, using the hooks 35 to push or pull the articles W, to move the articles W disposed between the pair of arms 32 in the second direction Y. Specifically, the transfer device 30 moves the articles W placed on the placement portion 31 out toward the housing portion 11 side by the moving-out movement of the pair of arms 32, using the hooks 35 to push the articles W, and hands over the articles W to the housing portion 11, and moves the articles W housed in the housing portion 11 in by the moving-back movement of the pair of arms 32, using the hooks 35 to pull the articles W, and receives the articles W to the placement portion 31.

[0039] Figure 3 As shown, the second transfer device 30B simultaneously performs the unloading operation on two articles W placed side by side on the placement portion 31 in the second direction Y, Figure 4 As shown, the first transfer device 30A simultaneously performs the unloading operation on two articles W placed side by side on the placement portion 31 in the second direction Y. In Figure 3 As shown, the hooks 35 provided at the central portions in the second direction Y of the pair of arms 32 push one article W out to the second housing position P2, and the hooks 35 provided at the end portions on the first side Y1 in the second direction of the pair of arms 32 push the other article W out to the first housing position P1, and the unloading operation of the two articles W is performed. In addition, as shown in Figure 4 As shown, the hooks 35 provided at the central portions in the second direction Y of the pair of arms 32 push one article W out to the second housing position P2, and the hooks 35 provided at the end portions on the second side Y2 in the second direction of the pair of arms 32 push the other article W out to the first housing position P1, and the unloading operation of the two articles W is performed.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the present embodiment, the transfer device 30 (specifically, the placement portion 31) is provided with conveyors 36 (for example, belt conveyors) that convey the articles W in the second direction Y. The articles W are placed on the placement portion 31 in a state of being supported by the conveying surfaces of the conveyors 36. The conveyors 36 are configured so as to be able to convey the articles W to both sides in the second direction Y. In the present embodiment, the placement portion 31 is provided with two conveyors 36 that are able to independently perform the conveying operation of the articles W. The two conveyors 36 are disposed side by side in the second direction Y, and one of two articles W placed side by side on the placement portion 31 in the second direction Y is placed on the conveyor 36 on the first side Y1 in the second direction, and the other of the two articles W is placed on the conveyor 36 on the second side Y2 in the second direction.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the transfer device 30 is configured in such a manner that, in the unloading operation, the conveyer 36 on which the article W is placed is operated in synchronization with the moving direction and speed of the article W based on the moving-out movement of the pair of arms 32. In addition, in the present embodiment, the transfer device 30 is configured in such a manner that, in the picking-up operation, the conveyer 36 on which the article W is placed is operated in synchronization with the moving direction and speed of the article W based on the moving-back movement of the pair of arms 32.

[0042] There are a plurality of kinds of articles W that differ in attribute from each other. The attribute of the article W is a classification that distinguishes the article W that can be an object of handling at the article housing apparatus 1 according to a predetermined criterion. In the present embodiment, the attribute of the article W is the size of the outer shape of the article W, and specifically, the size of the first direction X of the outer shape of the article W (specifically, the size in the direction along the first direction X in the state of being placed on the placement section 31 or in the state of being housed in the housing section 11). Also, in the present embodiment, the kind of the article W is determined in correspondence with which one of the predetermined size classifications the size of the article W (the size of the outer shape of the article W) belongs to. Thus, the articles W of the same kind have mutually equivalent (identical or the same degree) sizes of the first direction X. In the present embodiment, the size classification is determined in correspondence with the size of the first direction X of the outer shape of the article W in the state of being placed on the placement section 31 or in the state of being housed in the housing section 11. Figures 1 to 4 In the present embodiment, two kinds of articles W of a small article WS that is an article W belonging to one size classification and a large article WL that is an article W belonging to a size classification larger than the size of the first direction X of the one size classification are shown, but there can be an article W belonging to a size classification different from these two size classifications.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the transfer device 30 moves the pair of arms 32 back and forth along the second direction Y in the state where the article W is disposed between the pair of arms 32, thereby performing the transfer operation of the article W between the housing section 11 and the placement section 31. Thus, in the case where the sizes of the first direction X of two articles W placed side by side along the second direction Y in the placement section 31 are equivalent, the unloading operation can be performed on these two articles W simultaneously. In the present embodiment, the size classification is set in such a manner that, in the case where the two articles W placed side by side along the second direction Y in the placement section 31 are articles W of the same kind, the transfer device 30 can perform the transfer operation on these two articles W simultaneously.

[0044] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the article W is placed on the conveyer 36 in the state of being housed in the housing section 11, and the conveyer 36 is moved along the first direction X in the state of being placed on the placement section 31. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in each receiving section 11, items W of the same type are arranged side by side along the second direction Y. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when an item W is received in a receiving section 11 of the receiving rack 10, the control unit 2 sets the position and width of the receiving section 11 in the first direction X corresponding to the size of the item W in the first direction X. For example, the control unit 2 sets the position and width of the receiving section 11 in the first direction X corresponding to the size of the received item W in the first direction X, so that the gap between two adjacent items W along the first direction X is equal. Thus, as a configuration where items W of the same type are arranged side by side along the second direction Y in each receiving section 11 and the position and width of the receiving section 11 of the receiving rack 10 are not fixed, the efficiency of receiving items W in the receiving rack 10 can be improved. Moreover, from the viewpoint of improving the conveying efficiency of the conveying device 20 for items W, it is ideal to arrange two items W of the same type side by side in the placement section 31 along the second direction Y, such as... Figure 3 or Figure 4 As illustrated, two articles W placed side-by-side in the placement section 31 along the second direction Y can be unloaded simultaneously. In this article holding device 1, by means of a supply device 4 configured to supply articles W to the conveying device 20 as follows, two articles W of the same type can be transferred together to each transfer device 30.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the supply device 4 includes a first conveyor 4A, a second conveyor 4B, and a third conveyor 4C. Each of the first conveyor 4A, the second conveyor 4B, and the third conveyor 4C transports the items W in a side-by-side configuration. The second conveyor 4B is positioned relative to the first conveyor 4A on a first side in a first direction. The third conveyor 4C is positioned relative to the first conveyor 4A and the second conveyor 4B on a first side Y1 in a second direction. Each of the first conveyor 4A, the second conveyor 4B, and the third conveyor 4C is, for example, a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor.

[0046] The first conveyor 4A is configured as follows: when the traveling trolley 21 is located at the designated storage position L (refer to...) Figure 2The first transfer device 30A is adjacent to the first side Yl of the second direction with respect to the second transfer device 30B in a state where the traveling car 21 is located at the storage position L. The second conveyor 4B is arranged so as to be adjacent to the first side Yl of the second direction with respect to the second transfer device 30B in a state where the traveling car 21 is located at the storage position L. The storage position L is a position at which the conveying device 20 receives the supply of the article W from the supply device 4, and specifically, is a position at which the first transfer device 30A receives the supply of the article W from the first conveyor 4A and the second transfer device 30B receives the supply of the article W from the second conveyor 4B. That is, in a state where the traveling car 21 is located at the storage position L, the first transfer device 30A is arranged at a position corresponding to the first conveyor 4A, and the second transfer device 30B is arranged at a position corresponding to the second conveyor 4B.

[0047] The first conveyor 4A is configured so as to convey the article W in the second direction Y. The first conveyor 4A is configured so as to be able to convey the article W to both sides in the second direction Y. The transfer of the article W from the first conveyor 4A to the first transfer device 30A (specifically, the placement portion 31 provided to the first transfer device 30A) is performed by at least one of the first conveyor 4A and the first transfer device 30A (in the present embodiment, both). In the present embodiment, the article W is moved from the first conveyor 4A to the placement portion 31 of the first transfer device 30A by the conveying action of the first conveyor 4A and the conveying action of the conveyor 36 provided to the first transfer device 30A, and the article W is transferred from the first conveyor 4A to the first transfer device 30A. In this way, the first transfer device 30A (in the present embodiment, the conveyor 36 provided to the first transfer device 30A) moves the article W in the second direction Y, and performs the transfer of the article W between the placement portion 31 and the supply device 4 (specifically, the first conveyor 4A). In addition, the transfer of the article W from the first conveyor 4A to the first transfer device 30A can be performed using the advance and retreat action of the pair of arms 32 provided to the first transfer device 30A.

[0048] The second conveyer 4B is configured to convey the article W in the second direction Y. The second conveyer 4B is configured to be able to convey the article W to both sides in the second direction Y. The article W is moved from the second conveyer 4B to the second transfer device 30B (specifically, the placement portion 31 provided to the second transfer device 30B) by at least one of the second conveyer 4B and the second transfer device 30B (both in the present embodiment). In the present embodiment, the article W is moved from the second conveyer 4B to the placement portion 31 of the second transfer device 30B by the conveyance operation of the second conveyer 4B and the conveyance operation of the conveyer 36 provided to the second transfer device 30B, and the article W is transferred from the second conveyer 4B to the second transfer device 30B. In this way, the second transfer device 30B (the conveyer 36 provided to the second transfer device 30B in the present embodiment) moves the article W in the second direction Y, and performs the transfer operation of the article W between the placement portion 31 and the supply device 4 (specifically, the second conveyer 4B). In addition, the transfer operation of the article W from the second conveyer 4B to the second transfer device 30B can also be performed using the advance and retreat operation of the pair of arms 32 provided to the second transfer device 30B.

[0049] The third conveyer 4C is configured to convey the article W in the first direction X. The third conveyer 4C is configured to be able to convey the article W to both sides in the first direction X. The third conveyer 4C includes a first connecting portion 5A connected to the end portion of the second direction first side Y1 of the first conveyer 4A, and a second connecting portion 5B connected to the end portion of the second direction first side Y1 of the second conveyer 4B. The first connecting portion 5A is provided to the end portion of the first direction second side X2 of the third conveyer 4C. The second connecting portion 5B is provided to the first direction first side X1 further than the first connecting portion 5A.

[0050] In each of the first connecting portion 5A and the second connecting portion 5B, a conveyance direction switching mechanism that switches the conveyance direction of the article W to the first direction X and the second direction Y is provided. Thereby, it is possible to convey the article W arranged in the first connecting portion 5A to the first conveyer 4A or to convey the article W arranged in the first conveyer 4A to the first connecting portion 5A. In addition, it is possible to convey the article W arranged in the second connecting portion 5B to the second conveyer 4B or to convey the article W arranged in the second conveyer 4B to the second connecting portion 5B. The conveyance direction switching mechanism is configured using, for example, a roller conveyer that conveys the article W in the first direction X, and a chain conveyer (chain conveyer) that is arranged in the gap of the plurality of rollers configuring the roller conveyer in a manner capable of being raised and lowered, and conveys the article W in the second direction Y.

[0051] Each of the first conveyer 4A and the second conveyer 4B is able to arrange a plurality of articles W (two articles W in the present embodiment) side by side in the second direction Y. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the first conveyer 4A and the second conveyer 4B are arranged in the first direction X in the present embodiment. Figure 2As shown, multiple items W (two items W in this embodiment) can be transferred simultaneously to the first transfer device 30A or to the second transfer device 30B simultaneously. Each of the first conveyor 4A and the second conveyor 4B has multiple conveying sections arranged side-by-side along the second direction Y, capable of independently performing conveying operations. Therefore, for example, only the item W positioned on the first side Y1 of the two items W arranged side-by-side along the second direction Y can be moved towards the first side Y1 of the second direction and conveyed to the third conveyor 4C (specifically, the first connecting part 5A or the second connecting part 5B), or only the item W positioned on the second side Y2 of the two items W arranged side-by-side along the second direction Y can be moved towards the second side Y2 of the second direction and transferred to the conveying device 20 (specifically, the first transfer device 30A or the second transfer device 30B).

[0052] In this embodiment, the third conveyor 4C has a buffer area 9 between the first connecting portion 5A and the second connecting portion 5B in the first direction X, which is capable of arranging at least one (in this embodiment, one) item W. The third conveyor 4C has multiple conveying sections arranged side by side along the first direction X, each capable of independently performing conveying operations. Specifically, the first connecting portion 5A, the second connecting portion 5B, the buffer area 9, and the portion of the third conveyor 4C adjacent to the second connecting portion 5B on the first side X1 in the first direction are configured to perform conveying operations independently.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, the item W, which is stored in the receiving rack 10, is supplied from the first direction to the first side X1 to the third conveyor 4C. The third conveyor 4C then transports the item W to the first direction to the second side X2 and supplies it to either the first conveyor 4A or the second conveyor 4B. (See below for further details.) Figures 5 to 8 As illustrated in the specific example, the supply device 4, by changing the conveying order of the items W to the first conveyor 4A and the second conveyor 4B, can, regardless of the conveying order of the items W on the third conveyor 4C, arrange at least one group (in this embodiment, one group) of two items W of the same kind arranged side by side along the second direction Y in each of the first conveyor 4A and the second conveyor 4B. Figure 2 In the example shown, a group of two small items WS arranged side-by-side along the second direction Y is configured on the first conveyor 4A. The items W are transferred from the first conveyor 4A to the first transfer device 30A by arranging these two small items WS side-by-side along the second direction Y in the mounting section 31 of the first transfer device 30A. Furthermore, in Figure 2In the illustrated example, the 2nd conveyor 4B is configured with 1 group of 2 large articles WL aligned in the 2nd direction Y, and the articles W are transferred from the 2nd conveyor 4B to the 2nd transfer device 30B in a manner in which the 2 large articles WL are aligned in the 2nd direction Y on the placement portion 31 of the 2nd transfer device 30B.

[0054] As Figure 2 indicated, on the conveyance path of the articles W by the 3rd conveyor 4C, a detection device 8 that detects the attribute of the article W is provided. As described above, in the present embodiment, the attribute of the article W is the size of the outer shape of the article W (specifically, the size in the 1st direction X), and thus the detection device 8 detects the size of the outer shape of the article W. Further, the detection device 8 can also be a device that directly detects the size of the article W by detecting light or the like, or can be a device that indirectly detects the size of the article W. In the latter case, for example, the detection device 8 can be configured to detect the identification information (bar code or the like) of the article W that is the detection target, and acquire the size of the article W by referring to the size data of the article W associated with the detected identification information. The information of the attribute of the article W detected by the detection device 8 is transmitted to the control portion 2 described later as the attribute data 7 of the article W (refer to Figure 9 ).

[0055] As Figure 9 indicated, the article accommodating apparatus 1 is provided with a control portion 2 that controls the operation of the conveyance device 20 and the supply device 4. The control portion 2 controls the operation of the control target by controlling the driving of the driving power source (for example, an electric motor or a solenoid) provided to each portion. The control portion 2 is provided with an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU, and is provided with a peripheral circuit such as a memory, and each function of the control portion 2 is realized by cooperation of these hardware and a program executed on the hardware such as the arithmetic processing device. The control portion 2 can also not be one hardware, but can be constituted by a collection of a plurality of hardware (a plurality of separate hardware) that can communicate with each other. In addition, at least a part of the control portion 2 can be provided integrally with the control target. For example, at least a part of the control portion 2 can also be provided to the conveyance device 20.

[0056] The conveyance device 20 operates under the control by the control portion 2. Specifically, in the conveyance device 20, a conveyance device control portion 24 (machine controller) is provided, and the conveyance device control portion 24 controls each operation (traveling operation of the traveling car 21, lifting operation of the lifting portion 23, transfer operation of the transfer device 30) of the conveyance device 20 by controlling the driving of the driving power source in accordance with the instruction from the control portion 2.

[0057] The supply device 4 operates under control from the control unit 2. Specifically, the first conveyor 4A is equipped with a first conveyor control unit 41 (machine controller), which controls the drive of the drive power source in response to commands from the control unit 2, thereby controlling the conveying operation of the first conveyor 4A. Similarly, the second conveyor 4B is equipped with a second conveyor control unit 42 (machine controller), which controls the drive of the drive power source in response to commands from the control unit 2, thereby controlling the conveying operation of the second conveyor 4B. Furthermore, the third conveyor 4C is equipped with a third conveyor control unit 43 (machine controller), which controls the drive of the drive power source in response to commands from the control unit 2, thereby controlling the conveying operation of the third conveyor 4C. In this embodiment, the control system S for controlling the supply device 4 is composed of the control unit 2 (specifically, the part of the control unit 2 that has the function of controlling the supply device 4), the first conveyor control unit 41, the second conveyor control unit 42, and the third conveyor control unit 43.

[0058] Furthermore, the technical features of the control system S disclosed in this specification can also be applied to the control method of the supply device 4, which is also disclosed in this specification. This control method includes a step of causing each of the first conveyor 4A, the second conveyor 4B, and the third conveyor 4C to perform a conveying action of the item W for changing the conveying order of the items W conveyed to the first conveyor 4A and the second conveyor 4B.

[0059] The following is for reference Figures 5 to 8 The specific examples shown illustrate the changing order of conveying items W using the supply device 4. Furthermore, in Figures 5 to 8 In this embodiment, the type of item W is indicated by the letter written inside the quadrilateral representing each item W, and items W with the same letter represent items of the same type. In this embodiment, the control system S acquires information about the attributes of the items W detected by the detection device 8 (attribute data 7) (see reference). Figure 9 This allows for the acquisition of information about the types of each item W transported by the supply device 4. Additionally, in... Figures 5 to 8 In this process, multiple items W transported along the third conveyor 4C are sequentially designated as item 1 W1, item 2 W2, item 3 W3, item 4 W4, item 5 W5, and item 6 W6, starting from the second side X2 in the downstream direction of the transport direction. Additionally, in... Figures 5 to 8 In the diagram, the situation at each moment is shown in chronological order, in the sequence of (a), (b), (c), and (d). Furthermore, in... Figures 5 to 8 The symbols for the first connecting part 5A, the second connecting part 5B, and the buffer area 9 are omitted (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0060] In Figure 5 In the example shown, as Figure 5 (a), the first article W1 of the category A, the second article W2 of the category B, the third article W3 of the category A, the fourth article W4 of the category C, the fifth article W5 of the category B, and the sixth article W6 of the category D are conveyed by the third conveyor 4C toward the first direction second side X2 in the order described. First, the control system S conveys the first article W1 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A. Then, with the category of the first article W1 being the first category, the control system S conveys the second article W2 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A in the case where the category of the second article W2 is the first category, and conveys the second article W2 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B in the case where the category of the second article W2 is the second category that is different from the first category. In the present example, the category of the second article W2 is different from the category of the first article W1, and thus the control system S conveys the second article W2 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B.

[0061] As a result, as Figure 5 (b), the first article W1 is arranged on the first conveyor 4A, and the second article W2 is arranged on the second conveyor 4B. Further, unlike the present example, in the case where the category of the second article W2 is the same as the category of the first article W1, at this time, two articles W of the same category (specifically, two articles W of the category A) are arranged side by side along the second direction Y on the first conveyor 4A.

[0062] Next, the control system S conveys the third article W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A in the case where the category of the third article W3 is the first category, and conveys the third article W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B in the case where the category of the third article W3 is the second category. In the present example, the category of the third article W3 is the same as the category of the first article W1, and thus the control system S conveys the third article W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A. As a result, as Figure 5 (c), two articles W of the same category (specifically, two articles W of the category A) are arranged side by side along the second direction Y on the first conveyor 4A.

[0063] Next, the control system S transports the fourth article W4 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A in the case where the kind of the fourth article W4 is the first kind and there is a vacant space in which a new article W is arranged in the first conveyor 4A, and transports the fourth article W4 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B in the case where the kind of the fourth article W4 is the second kind and there is a vacant space in which a new article W is arranged in the second conveyor 4B. In the present example, the kind of the fourth article W4 is neither the first kind nor the second kind, and thus the control system S controls the feeding device 4 as follows. That is, the control system S arranges the fourth article W4 on the second side X2 in the first direction farther than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C in the case where the kind of the fourth article W4 is other than the second kind, and transports the fifth article W5 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B in the case where the kind of the fifth article W5, which is transported after the fourth article W4, is the second kind.

[0064] In the present example, the kind of the fourth article W4 is different from the kind of the second article W2, and thus the control system S arranges the fourth article W4 on the second side X2 in the first direction farther than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C as shown in (c). In the example shown in (c), the fourth article W4 is arranged in the first connecting portion 5A, but the fourth article W4 can be arranged in the buffer region 9. Also, in the present example, the kind of the fifth article W5 is the same as the kind of the second article W2, and thus the control system S transports the fifth article W5 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B. As a result, as shown in (d), two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind A) are arranged side by side in the first conveyor 4A in the second direction Y, and two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind B) are arranged side by side in the second conveyor 4B in the second direction Y. Figure 5 Figure 5 In the example shown in (c), the fourth article W4 is arranged in the first connecting portion 5A, but the fourth article W4 can be arranged in the buffer region 9. Also, in the present example, the kind of the fifth article W5 is the same as the kind of the second article W2, and thus the control system S transports the fifth article W5 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B. As a result, as shown in (d), two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind A) are arranged side by side in the first conveyor 4A in the second direction Y, and two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind B) are arranged side by side in the second conveyor 4B in the second direction Y. Figure 5

[0065] In addition, unlike the present example, in the case where the kind of the fourth article W4 is the same as the kind of the second article W2, the control system S transports the fourth article W4 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B, at which time two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind A) are arranged side by side in the first conveyor 4A in the second direction Y, and two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind B) are arranged side by side in the second conveyor 4B in the second direction Y.

[0066] In the example shown in (c), the fourth article W4 is arranged in the first connecting portion 5A, but the fourth article W4 can be arranged in the buffer region 9. Also, in the present example, the kind of the fifth article W5 is the same as the kind of the second article W2, and thus the control system S transports the fifth article W5 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B. As a result, as shown in (d), two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind A) are arranged side by side in the first conveyor 4A in the second direction Y, and two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind B) are arranged side by side in the second conveyor 4B in the second direction Y. Figure 6 Figure 6 ​​​(a) shown, a first article Wl of a first kind, a second article W2 of a second kind, a third article W3 of a third kind, a fourth article W4 of the first kind, a fifth article W5 of the second kind, and a sixth article W6 of a fourth kind are conveyed by the third conveyor 4C toward the second side X2 of the first direction in the order as described. First, the control system S conveys the first article Wl from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A. Then, with the kind of the first article Wl being the first kind, the control system S conveys the second article W2 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A if the kind of the second article W2 is the first kind, or conveys the second article W2 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B if the kind of the second article W2 is a second kind different from the first kind. In the present example, the kind of the second article W2 is different from the kind of the first article Wl, and thus the control system S conveys the second article W2 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B. As a result, as shown in Figure 6 (b) shown, the first article Wl is disposed on the first conveyor 4A, and the second article W2 is disposed on the second conveyor 4B.

[0067] Next, the control system S conveys the third article W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A if the kind of the third article W3 is the first kind, or conveys the third article W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B if the kind of the third article W3 is the second kind. In addition, the control system S disposes the third article W3 on the second side X2 of the first direction further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C if the kind of the third article W3 is other than the first kind and the second kind. In the present example, the kind of the third article W3 is different from either of the kind of the first article Wl and the kind of the second article W2, and thus as shown in Figure 6 (c) shown, the control system S disposes the third article W3 on the second side X2 of the first direction further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C. In the example shown in Figure 6 (c), the third article W3 is disposed on the first connecting portion 5A.

[0068] Next, the control system S conveys the fourth article W4 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B if the kind of the fourth article W4 is the second kind, or disposes the fourth article W4 on the second side X2 of the first direction further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C if the kind of the fourth article W4 is other than the second kind, and conveys the fifth article W5 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B if the kind of the fifth article W5 conveyed after the fourth article W4 is the second kind. In the present example, the kind of the fourth article W4 is different from the kind of the second article W2, and thus as shown in Figure 6As shown in (c), the control system S positions the fourth item W4 further in the first direction on the second side X2 than the second connection 5B of the third conveyor 4C. Figure 6 In the example shown in (c), the fourth item W4 is positioned in buffer area 9. Furthermore, in this example, the fifth item W5 is of the same type as the second item W2, therefore the control system S transports the fifth item W5 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B. As a result, as... Figure 7 As shown in (d), one item W (specifically, one item W of type A) is disposed on the first conveyor 4A, and two items W of the same type (specifically, two items W of type B) are disposed side by side along the second direction Y on the second conveyor 4B. Therefore, two items W of the same type cannot be transferred together to the first transfer device 30A, but two items W of the same type can be transferred together to the second transfer device 30B.

[0069] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, such as Figure 7 As shown in (a), item W1 of type A, item W2 of type B, item W3 of type C, item W4 of type A, item W5 of type B, and item W6 of type D are transported by the third conveyor 4C in the order described, toward the second side X2 in the first direction. That is, Figure 6 (a) shows the relationship with Figure 7 (a) The same situation. First, the control system S transports the first item W1 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A. Then, taking the type of the first item W1 as type 1, the control system S transports the second item W2 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A if the type of the second item W2 is type 1, and transports the second item W2 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B if the type of the second item W2 is type 2, which is different from type 1. In this example, the type of the second item W2 is different from the type of the first item W1, so the control system S transports the second item W2 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B. As a result, as... Figure 6 As shown in (b), the first item W1 is located on the first conveyor 4A, and the second item W2 is located on the second conveyor 4B.

[0070] Next, when the type of the third item W3 is type 1, the control system S transports the third item W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A; when the type of the third item W3 is type 2, it transports the third item W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B. Furthermore, when the type of the third item W3 is other than type 1 or 2, the control system S transports the third item W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B. Thus, in this example, the control content of the supply device 4 when the type of the third item W3 is other than type 1 or 2 is... Figure 7 The example shown is different. In this example, the type of item W3 is different from the types of item W1 and item W2, and therefore... Figure 7 As shown in (c), the control system S transports the third item W3 to the second conveyor 4B.

[0071] Next, if the fourth item W4 is of type 1 and there is available space in the first conveyor 4A for arranging the new item W, the control system S will transport the fourth item W4 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A. In this example, the fourth item W4 is of the same type as the first item W1, and there is available space in the first conveyor 4A for arranging the new item W, therefore the control system S will transport the fourth item W4 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A. As a result, as... Figure 7 As shown in (d), two items W of the same type (specifically, two items W of type A) are arranged side-by-side along the second direction Y on the first conveyor 4A, and two items W of different types (specifically, one item W of type B and one item W of type C) are arranged along the second direction Y on the second conveyor 4B. Therefore, two items W of the same type cannot be transferred together to the second transfer device 30B, but two items W of the same type can be transferred together to the first transfer device 30A.

[0072] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, it is envisioned that after the fourth item W4 is transported from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A, the item W is supplied from the supply device 4 to the conveying device 20, but... Figure 8In the example shown, the kind of the 5th article W5 conveyed after the 4th article W4 is the same as the kind of the 2nd article W2, and thus the configuration of the feeding device 4 can be further controlled by the control system S as follows. That is, the control system S moves the 3rd article W3 from the 2nd conveyor 4B to the 3rd conveyor 4C to be disposed on the 2nd side X2 in the 1st direction further than the 2nd connecting portion 5B of the 3rd conveyor 4C, and conveys the 5th article W5 from the 3rd conveyor 4C to the 2nd conveyor 4B, in the case where the kind of the 5th article W5 conveyed after the 4th article W4 is the 2nd kind. In the present example, the kind of the 5th article W5 is the same as the kind of the 2nd article W2, and thus in the case of such a configuration, the control system S moves the 3rd article W3 from the 2nd conveyor 4B to the 3rd conveyor 4C to be disposed on the 2nd side X2 in the 1st direction further than the 2nd connecting portion 5B of the 3rd conveyor 4C, and conveys the 5th article W5 from the 3rd conveyor 4C to the 2nd conveyor 4B. Thereby, on the 2nd conveyor 4B as well as on the 1st conveyor 4A, two articles W of the same kind can be disposed side by side in the 2nd direction Y.

[0073] In Figure 8 In the example shown, as Figure 8 As shown in (a), the 1st article W1 of kind A, the 2nd article W2 of kind B, the 3rd article W3 of kind C, the 4th article W4 of kind A, the 5th article W5 of kind C, and the 6th article W6 of kind B are conveyed by the 3rd conveyor 4C in the order described toward the 2nd side X2 in the 1st direction. First, the control system S conveys the 1st article W1 from the 3rd conveyor 4C to the 1st conveyor 4A. Then, with the kind of the 1st article W1 being the 1st kind, the control system S conveys the 2nd article W2 from the 3rd conveyor 4C to the 1st conveyor 4A in the case where the kind of the 2nd article W2 is the 1st kind, and conveys the 2nd article W2 from the 3rd conveyor 4C to the 2nd conveyor 4B in the case where the kind of the 2nd article W2 is the 2nd kind different from the 1st kind. In the present example, the kind of the 2nd article W2 is different from the kind of the 1st article W1, and thus the control system S conveys the 2nd article W2 from the 3rd conveyor 4C to the 2nd conveyor 4B. As a result, as shown in (b), the 1st article W1 is disposed on the 1st conveyor 4A, and the 2nd article W2 is disposed on the 2nd conveyor 4B. Figure 8 (b), the 1st article W1 is disposed on the 1st conveyor 4A, and the 2nd article W2 is disposed on the 2nd conveyor 4B.

[0074] Next, the control system S transports the third article W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A in the case where the kind of the third article W3 is the first kind, and transports the third article W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B in the case where the kind of the third article W3 is the second kind. In addition, the control system S transports the third article W3 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B in the case where the kind of the third article W3 is other than the first kind and the second kind. In the present example, the kind of the third article W3 is different from either of the kind of the first article Wl and the kind of the second article W2, and thus the control system S transports the third article W3 to the second conveyor 4B as shown in (c). Figure 8 (c), the control system S transports the third article W3 to the second conveyor 4B.

[0075] Next, the control system S transports the fourth article W4 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A in the case where the kind of the fourth article W4 is the first kind and there is a vacant space for arranging a new article W on the first conveyor 4A. In the present example, the kind of the fourth article W4 is the same as the kind of the first article Wl, and there is a vacant space for arranging a new article W on the first conveyor 4A, and thus the control system S transports the fourth article W4 from the third conveyor 4C to the first conveyor 4A. Then, the control system S moves the third article W3 from the second conveyor 4B to the third conveyor 4C to be arranged on the second side X2 in the first direction further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C, and transports the fifth article W5 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B in the case where the kind of the fifth article W5, which is transported after the fourth article W4, is the second kind. On the other hand, the control system S moves the third article W3 from the second conveyor 4B to the third conveyor 4C to be arranged on the second side X2 in the first direction further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C, and arranges the fifth article W5 on the second side X2 in the first direction further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C, and transports the sixth article W6 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B in the case where the kind of the sixth article W6, which is transported after the fifth article W5, is the second kind.

[0076] In the present example, the kind of the fifth article W5 is different from the kind of the second article W2, and the kind of the sixth article W6 is the same as the kind of the second article W2, and thus the control system S transports the sixth article W6 from the third conveyor 4C to the second conveyor 4B after moving the third article W3 from the second conveyor 4B to the third conveyor 4C to be arranged on the second side X2 in the first direction further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C, and arranging the fifth article W5 on the second side X2 in the first direction further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C. As a result, as shown in (d), the control system S arranges the third article W3 on the second side X2 in the first direction further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C, and arranges the fourth article W4 on the second side X2 in the first direction further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C. Figure 8(d) shown, two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind A) are arranged side by side along the second direction Y on the first conveyor 4A, and two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind B) are arranged side by side along the second direction Y on the second conveyor 4B. Thus, it is possible to hand over each of the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B together with two articles W of the same kind. Further, in the example shown in (d), the third article W3 is arranged on the first connecting portion 5A, and the fifth article W5 is arranged on the buffer region 9. Figure 5 (d) shown, two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind A) are arranged side by side along the second direction Y on the first conveyor 4A, and two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind B) are arranged side by side along the second direction Y on the second conveyor 4B. Thus, it is possible to hand over each of the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B together with two articles W of the same kind. Further, in the example shown in (d), the third article W3 is arranged on the first connecting portion 5A, and the fifth article W5 is arranged on the buffer region 9.

[0077] Here, it is assumed that the control system S performs the conveying operation for moving the third article W3 from the second conveyor 4B to the third conveyor 4C to be arranged on the first direction second side X2 further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C earlier than the conveying operation for arranging the fifth article W5 on the first direction second side X2 further than the second connecting portion 5B of the third conveyor 4C. Thus, as shown in (d), the third article W3 is arranged on the first connecting portion 5A, and the fifth article W5 is arranged on the buffer region 9. Figure 5 (d) shown, two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind A) are arranged side by side along the second direction Y on the first conveyor 4A, and two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind B) are arranged side by side along the second direction Y on the second conveyor 4B. Thus, it is possible to hand over each of the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B together with two articles W of the same kind. Further, in the example shown in (d), the third article W3 is arranged on the first connecting portion 5A, and the fifth article W5 is arranged on the buffer region 9. ​ (d) shown, two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind A) are arranged side by side along the second direction Y on the first conveyor 4A, and two articles W of the same kind (specifically, two articles W of kind B) are arranged side by side along the second direction Y on the second conveyor 4B. Thus, it is possible to hand over each of the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B together with two articles W of the same kind. Further, in the example shown in (d), the third article W3 is arranged on the first connecting portion 5A, and the fifth article W5 is arranged on the buffer region 9.

[0078]

Other Embodiments

[0079] Next, other embodiments of the article storage apparatus will be described.

[0080] (1) In the above-described embodiments, the configuration in which the third conveyor 4C has the buffer region 9 between the first connecting portion 5A and the second connecting portion 5B in the first direction X is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and can be configured such that the third conveyor 4C does not have the buffer region 9, and the first connecting portion 5A and the second connecting portion 5B are arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction X.

[0081] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the attribute of the article W is the size of the shape of the article W is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and can be a configuration in which the attribute of the article W is a classification other than the size of the shape of the article W, and the kind of the article W is determined in correspondence with the classification. As the attribute of the article W other than the size of the shape of the article W, the kind of a cargo (commodity or the like) accommodated in the article W, a delivery order to which the article W belongs (in other words, is assigned), the shape of the shape of the article W, and the weight of the article W can be exemplified.

[0082] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the control section 2 sets the position and the width of the first direction X of the accommodation section 11 of the accommodation rack 10 in correspondence with the size of the first direction X of the article W when the article W is accommodated in the accommodation section 11 is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and can be a configuration in which the position and the width of the accommodation section 11 of the accommodation rack 10 are fixed.

[0083] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the hook 35 is provided at each of the pair of arms 32, and the transfer device 30 moves the article W disposed between the pair of arms 32 in the second direction Y by pushing or pulling the article W with the hook 35 by the advance and retreat of the pair of arms 32 is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and can be a configuration in which the hook 35 is not provided at each of the pair of arms 32. For example, it can be a configuration in which the transfer device 30 moves the article W disposed between the pair of arms 32 in the second direction Y by advancing and retreating the pair of arms 32 in a state in which the article W is sandwiched from both sides of the first direction X. In such a configuration, it can be a configuration in which a conveyor (for example, a belt conveyor) that abuts against the side surface of the article W to convey the article W in the second direction Y is provided at each of the pair of arms 32, and the article W disposed between the pair of arms 32 is moved in the second direction Y by the operation of the conveyor in addition to the advance and retreat of the pair of arms 32. In addition, the transfer device 30 can be a configuration in which, instead of the pair of arms 32, a support section that supports the article W from the lower side Z2 is provided, and the support section is advanced and retreated in the second direction Y to perform the transfer operation of the article W.

[0084] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the placement section 31 is provided with conveyors 36 that convey the article W in the second direction Y (two conveyors 36 that are arranged side by side in the second direction Y in the example of the above-described embodiment) is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and can also be a configuration in which the placement section 31 is not provided with the conveyors 36, and the article W slides on the placement section 31 (specifically, on the support surface of the placement section 31 that faces the upper side Z1) in conjunction with the transfer operation.

[0085] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B are supported side by side in the first direction X by the common lifting section 23 and are lifted integrally in conjunction with the lifting of the lifting section 23 is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and can also be a configuration in which the first transfer device 30A and the second transfer device 30B are supported by two lifting sections that can be lifted independently of each other and are lifted independently of each other.

[0086] (7) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the conveying device 20 is a stacker crane is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the conveying device 20 can also be a conveying device other than a stacker crane, such as a conveying device that travels along a travel path provided corresponding to each layer of the housing rack 10.

[0087] (8) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the housing rack 10 is provided with the housing sections 11 arranged in the up-down direction Z is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the housing rack 10 can also be configured to have the housing sections 11 at only one height. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the article housing apparatus 1 is provided with a pair of housing racks 10 arranged opposite each other in the second direction Y is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the article housing apparatus 1 can also be configured to have the housing racks 10 on only one side in the second direction Y with respect to the travel path of the travel car 21.

[0088] (9) Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can also be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of embodiments described as other embodiments) as long as there is no contradiction. As for other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples at all points. Therefore, various changes can be appropriately made within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0089]

Summary of the above-described embodiments

[0090] Hereinafter, a summary of the article housing apparatus explained in the above will be explained.

[0091] An article housing apparatus is an article housing apparatus provided with a conveyance device, a housing rack, and a supply device, the conveyance device is provided with a travel car that travels along a prescribed first direction, the housing rack is provided with a plurality of housing portions arranged along the first direction, the supply device supplies articles to the conveyance device, wherein a direction orthogonal to the first direction when viewed in an up-down direction along the up-down direction is a second direction, one side of the first direction is a first direction first side, the other side of the first direction is a first direction second side, one side of the second direction is a second direction first side, the other side of the second direction is a second direction second side, the conveyance device is provided with a first transfer device mounted on the travel car and a second transfer device, the second transfer device is arranged on the first direction first side with respect to the first transfer device, each of the first transfer device and the second transfer device is provided with a placement portion capable of placing a plurality of the articles side by side along the second direction, and moving the articles along the second direction, and performing a transfer operation of the articles between the placement portion and the housing portion, the supply device is provided with: a first conveyor arranged so as to be adjacent to the first transfer device on the second direction first side with respect to the first transfer device in a state where the travel car is located at a prescribed storage position; a second conveyor arranged on the first direction first side with respect to the first conveyor, so as to be adjacent to the second transfer device on the second direction first side with respect to the second transfer device in a state where the travel car is located at the storage position; and a third conveyor provided with a first connecting portion connected to an end portion on the second direction first side of the first conveyor and a second connecting portion connected to an end portion on the second direction first side of the second conveyor, the third conveyor is configured so as to convey the articles along the first direction, the first connecting portion is provided at an end portion on the first direction second side of the third conveyor, the first conveyor is configured so as to convey the articles along the second direction, and a plurality of the articles can be arranged side by side along the second direction, and the second conveyor is configured so as to convey the articles along the second direction, and a plurality of the articles can be arranged side by side along the second direction.

[0092] According to the present configuration, each of the first transfer device and the second transfer device which are arranged side by side in the first direction has a configuration in which a plurality of articles can be arranged side by side in the second direction. Thus, the plurality of articles can be simultaneously transferred from each of the first conveyor and the second conveyor to each of the first transfer device and the second transfer device. Therefore, the time required for the transfer operation from the supply device to the two transfer devices can be shortened. In addition, according to the present configuration, the second conveyor and the third conveyor can be used to change the order of the articles to be transferred to the first conveyor and the second conveyor. For example, the articles can be temporarily arranged on the second side in the first direction with respect to the second connection portion of the third conveyor, and the articles transferred thereafter can be transferred to the second conveyor. That is, the order of the articles to be transferred to the second conveyor can be changed. In addition, for example, the articles can be temporarily withdrawn from the third conveyor to the second conveyor, and the articles transferred thereafter can be transferred to the first conveyor. That is, the order of the articles to be transferred to the first conveyor can be changed. In this way, according to the present configuration, the order of the articles to be transferred to the first conveyor and the second conveyor can be changed with a relatively simple configuration.

[0093] Here, it is appropriate that the aforementioned third conveyor has a buffer area in which at least one of the aforementioned articles can be arranged between the aforementioned first connection portion and the aforementioned second connection portion in the aforementioned first direction.

[0094] According to the present configuration, the articles can be temporarily arranged in the buffer area on the second side in the first direction with respect to the second connection portion of the third conveyor in addition to the first connection portion. That is, the plurality of articles can be temporarily held on the second side in the first direction with respect to the second connection portion of the third conveyor, and the articles transferred thereafter can be transferred to the second conveyor. Thus, the change in the order of the articles to be transferred to the second conveyor becomes easier.

[0095] Further, it is desirable that the control system for controlling the above-mentioned supply device is provided, and that there are a plurality of kinds of the above-mentioned articles having mutually different attributes, and that the control system sequentially sorts a plurality of the above-mentioned articles conveyed along the above-mentioned third conveyor from the above-mentioned first direction second side of the downstream side in the conveying direction as a first article, a second article, a third article, and a fourth article, conveys the above-mentioned first article from the above-mentioned third conveyor to the above-mentioned first conveyor, and that in the case where the kind of the above-mentioned first article is a first kind, the above-mentioned second article is conveyed from the above-mentioned third conveyor to the above-mentioned first conveyor in the case where the kind of the above-mentioned second article is the above-mentioned first kind, the above-mentioned third article is conveyed from the above-mentioned third conveyor to the above-mentioned first conveyor in the case where the kind of the above-mentioned third article is the above-mentioned first kind, the above-mentioned third article is conveyed from the above-mentioned third conveyor to the above-mentioned second conveyor in the case where the kind of the above-mentioned third article is a second kind different from the above-mentioned first kind, the above-mentioned fourth article is conveyed from the above-mentioned third conveyor to the above-mentioned first conveyor in the case where the kind of the above-mentioned fourth article is the above-mentioned first kind and there is a vacant space for arranging a new article in the above-mentioned first conveyor, and the above-mentioned fourth article is conveyed from the above-mentioned third conveyor to the above-mentioned second conveyor in the case where the kind of the above-mentioned fourth article is the above-mentioned second kind and there is a vacant space for arranging a new article in the above-mentioned second conveyor.

[0096] According to the present configuration, in the case where there are a plurality of kinds of articles having mutually different attributes, it is possible to arrange as many articles of the same kind as possible in each of the first conveyor and the second conveyor. Therefore, it is possible to transfer the articles to each of the first transfer device and the second transfer device in a state where as many articles of the same kind as possible are arranged side by side in each of the first conveyor and the second conveyor. Thus, it is possible to simplify the operation of transferring articles of the same kind to each of the two transfer devices or the operation of accommodating articles of the same kind in the accommodation section.

[0097] In the above-mentioned configuration, it is desirable that in the case where the kind of the above-mentioned third article is other than the above-mentioned first kind and the above-mentioned second kind, the above-mentioned third article is arranged on the above-mentioned first direction second side further than the above-mentioned second connecting portion of the above-mentioned third conveyor, in the case where the kind of the above-mentioned fourth article is the above-mentioned second kind, the above-mentioned fourth article is conveyed from the above-mentioned third conveyor to the above-mentioned second conveyor, in the case where the kind of the above-mentioned fourth article is other than the above-mentioned second kind, the above-mentioned fourth article is arranged on the above-mentioned first direction second side further than the above-mentioned second connecting portion of the above-mentioned third conveyor, and in the case where the kind of a fifth article conveyed after the above-mentioned fourth article is the above-mentioned second kind, the above-mentioned fifth article is conveyed from the above-mentioned third conveyor to the above-mentioned second conveyor.

[0098] According to the present configuration, it is possible to utilize the portion on the second side in the first direction further than the second connecting portion of the third conveyor as a buffer for changing the order of the articles. Further, by thus utilizing the third conveyor as a buffer, it is easy to arrange a plurality of the same kind of articles in the second conveyor.

[0099] Further, it is appropriate that, in the case where the kind of the third article is other than the first kind and the second kind, the third article is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor, and in the case where the kind of the fourth article is the first kind and there is a vacant space for arranging a new article in the first conveyor, the fourth article is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor.

[0100] According to the present configuration, it is possible to utilize the second conveyor as a buffer for changing the order of the articles. Further, by thus utilizing the second conveyor as a buffer, it is easy to arrange a plurality of the same kind of articles in the first conveyor.

[0101] In the above-described configuration, in the case where the kind of the fifth article, which is transported after the fourth article, is the second kind, the third article is moved from the second conveyor to the third conveyor to be arranged on the second side in the first direction further than the second connecting portion of the third conveyor, the fifth article is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor, in the case where the kind of the fifth article is other than the second kind, the third article is moved from the second conveyor to the third conveyor to be arranged on the second side in the first direction further than the second connecting portion of the third conveyor, and the fifth article is arranged on the second side in the first direction further than the second connecting portion of the third conveyor, and in the case where the kind of the sixth article, which is transported after the fifth article, is the second kind, the sixth article is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor.

[0102] According to the present configuration, it is possible to utilize the second conveyor and the portion on the second side in the first direction further than the second connecting portion of the third conveyor as a buffer for changing the order of the articles. Further, by thus utilizing the second conveyor and the third conveyor as a buffer, it is easy to arrange a plurality of the same kind of articles in the first conveyor and the second conveyor.

[0103] Further, it is appropriate that the attribute is the size of the outer shape of the article, and the kind of the article is determined in correspondence with which one of the predetermined size divisions the size of the article belongs to.

[0104] According to the present configuration, the outer dimensions of the plurality of articles arranged side by side in the second direction can be made closer to each other at each of the first conveyor and the second conveyor. Therefore, it is easy to simultaneously transfer the plurality of articles from the first conveyor to the first transfer device and to simultaneously transfer the plurality of articles from the second conveyor to the second transfer device. In addition, according to the present configuration, the outer dimensions of the plurality of articles arranged side by side in the second direction can be made closer to each other at each of the first transfer device and the second transfer device. Therefore, it is easy to simultaneously transfer the plurality of articles from the first transfer device to the housing portion and to simultaneously transfer the plurality of articles from the second transfer device to the housing portion.

[0105] The article housing apparatus according to the present disclosure can achieve at least one of the above-described effects.

[0106] Symbol explanation

[0107] 1: article housing apparatus

[0108] 4: supply device

[0109] 4A: first conveyor

[0110] 4B: second conveyor

[0111] 4C: third conveyor

[0112] 5A: first connection portion

[0113] 5B: second connection portion

[0114] 9: buffer area

[0115] 10: housing rack

[0116] 11: housing portion

[0117] 20: conveyance device

[0118] 21: travel trolley

[0119] 30A: first transfer device

[0120] 30B: second transfer device

[0121] 31: placement portion

[0122] L: storage position

[0123] S: control system

[0124] W: article

[0125] W1: first article

[0126] W2: second article

[0127] W3: third article

[0128] W4: 4th article

[0129] W5: 5th article

[0130] W6: 6th article

[0131] X: 1st direction

[0132] X1: 1st side of 1st direction

[0133] X2: 2nd side of 1st direction

[0134] Y: 2nd direction

[0135] Y1: 1st side of 2nd direction

[0136] Y2: 2nd side of 2nd direction

[0137] Z: up-down direction

Claims

1. An article containing device comprising a conveying device, a receiving rack, and a supplying device, wherein the conveying device includes a traveling trolley that travels along a predetermined first direction, the receiving rack includes a plurality of receiving portions arranged along the first direction, and the supplying device supplies articles to the conveying device, wherein... The direction orthogonal to the first direction when viewed from the vertical direction is defined as the second direction. One side of the first direction is defined as the first side of the first direction, and the other side of the first direction is defined as the second side of the first direction. One side of the second direction is defined as the first side of the second direction, and the other side of the second direction is defined as the second side of the second direction. The conveying device includes a first transfer device and a second transfer device mounted on the traveling trolley. The second transfer device is disposed on the first side in the first direction relative to the first transfer device. Each of the first and second transfer devices includes a mounting section capable of mounting a plurality of articles side-by-side along the second direction, and the articles are moved along the second direction to perform a transfer operation between the mounting section and the receiving section. The supply device includes: a first conveyor arranged adjacent to the first transfer device on a first side in a second direction when the traveling trolley is in a predetermined storage position; a second conveyor arranged relative to the first conveyor on a first side in the first direction, adjacent to the second transfer device on a first side in the second direction when the traveling trolley is in the storage position; and a third conveyor having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion being connected to the end of the first conveyor on the first side in the second direction, and the second connecting portion being connected to the end of the second conveyor on the first side in the second direction. The third conveyor is configured to transport the article along the first direction. The first connecting portion is located at the end of the third conveyor on the second side in the first direction. The first conveyor is configured to transport the items along the second direction, and is capable of arranging multiple items side-by-side along the second direction. The second conveyor is configured to transport the items to both sides in the second direction, and is capable of arranging multiple items side-by-side along the second direction. At least the second conveyor, of the first and second conveyors, is configured to move the article to the third conveyor.

2. The article containing device according to claim 1, wherein, The third conveyor has a buffer area between the first connecting part and the second connecting part in the first direction, which is capable of arranging at least one of the articles.

3. The article containing device according to claim 1, wherein, It also has a control system for controlling the supply device. For the items mentioned, there are multiple categories with different attributes. The control system sequentially designates the multiple items transported along the third conveyor as item 1, item 2, item 3, and item 4, starting from the second side of the first direction downstream of the transport direction. The first item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor. Taking the type of the first item as the first type, If the second item is of the first type, the second item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor; if the second item is of a different type than the first type, the second item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the third item is of the first type, the third item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor; if the third item is of the second type, the third item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the fourth item is of the first type and there is spare space in the first conveyor to accommodate the new item, the fourth item is conveyed from the third conveyor to the first conveyor. If the fourth item is of the second type and there is spare space in the second conveyor to accommodate the new item, the fourth item is conveyed from the third conveyor to the second conveyor.

4. The article containing device according to claim 3, wherein, If the type of the third item is other than the first and second types, the third item is positioned further along the second side in the first direction than the second connecting part of the third conveyor. If the fourth item is of the second type, the fourth item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the fourth item is of a type other than the second item, the fourth item shall be positioned further along the second side in the first direction than the second connecting portion of the third conveyor. If the fifth item that arrives after the fourth item is of the second type, the fifth item is transferred from the third conveyor to the second conveyor.

5. The article containing device according to claim 3, wherein, If the third item is of a type other than the first and second items, the third item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the fourth item is of the first type and there is available space in the first conveyor to accommodate the new item, the fourth item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor.

6. The article containing device according to claim 5, wherein, If the fifth item, which is of the second type, is transported after the fourth item, the third item is moved from the second conveyor to the third conveyor and positioned further in the first direction on the second side than the second connecting part of the third conveyor, and the fifth item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the fifth item is of a type other than the second item, the third item is moved from the second conveyor to the third conveyor and positioned further in the first direction on the second side than the second connecting portion of the third conveyor, and the fifth item is positioned further in the first direction on the second side than the second connecting portion of the third conveyor. If the type of the sixth item that is delivered after the fifth item is the second type, the sixth item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor.

7. The article containing device according to claim 3, wherein, The attribute is the dimensions of the item's shape. The type of the item and the size of the item are determined accordingly to which of the predetermined size classifications they belong to.

8. An article receiving device comprising a conveying device, a receiving rack, and a supplying device, wherein the conveying device includes a traveling trolley that travels along a predetermined first direction, the receiving rack includes a plurality of receiving portions arranged along the first direction, and the supplying device supplies articles to the conveying device, wherein... The direction orthogonal to the first direction when viewed from the vertical direction is defined as the second direction. One side of the first direction is defined as the first side of the first direction, and the other side of the first direction is defined as the second side of the first direction. One side of the second direction is defined as the first side of the second direction, and the other side of the second direction is defined as the second side of the second direction. The conveying device includes a first transfer device and a second transfer device mounted on the traveling trolley. The second transfer device is disposed on the first side in the first direction relative to the first transfer device. Each of the first and second transfer devices includes a mounting section capable of mounting a plurality of articles side-by-side along the second direction, and the articles are moved along the second direction to perform a transfer operation between the mounting section and the receiving section. The supply device includes: a first conveyor arranged adjacent to the first transfer device on a first side in a second direction when the traveling trolley is in a predetermined storage position; a second conveyor arranged relative to the first conveyor on a first side in the first direction, adjacent to the second transfer device on a first side in the second direction when the traveling trolley is in the storage position; and a third conveyor having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion being connected to the end of the first conveyor on the first side in the second direction, and the second connecting portion being connected to the end of the second conveyor on the first side in the second direction. The third conveyor is configured to transport the article along the first direction. The first connecting portion is located at the end of the third conveyor on the second side in the first direction. The first conveyor is configured to transport the items along the second direction, and is capable of arranging multiple items side-by-side along the second direction. The second conveyor is configured to transport the items along the second direction, and is capable of arranging multiple items side-by-side along the second direction. The third conveyor has a buffer area between the first connecting part and the second connecting part in the first direction, which is capable of arranging at least one of the articles.

9. An article containing device comprising a conveying device, a receiving rack, and a supplying device, wherein the conveying device includes a traveling trolley that travels along a predetermined first direction, the receiving rack includes a plurality of receiving portions arranged along the first direction, and the supplying device supplies articles to the conveying device, wherein... The direction orthogonal to the first direction when viewed from the vertical direction is defined as the second direction. One side of the first direction is defined as the first side of the first direction, and the other side of the first direction is defined as the second side of the first direction. One side of the second direction is defined as the first side of the second direction, and the other side of the second direction is defined as the second side of the second direction. The conveying device includes a first transfer device and a second transfer device mounted on the traveling trolley. The second transfer device is disposed on the first side in the first direction relative to the first transfer device. Each of the first and second transfer devices includes a mounting section capable of mounting a plurality of articles side-by-side along the second direction, and the articles are moved along the second direction to perform a transfer operation between the mounting section and the receiving section. The supply device includes: a first conveyor arranged adjacent to the first transfer device on a first side in a second direction when the traveling trolley is in a predetermined storage position; a second conveyor arranged relative to the first conveyor on a first side in the first direction, adjacent to the second transfer device on a first side in the second direction when the traveling trolley is in the storage position; and a third conveyor having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion being connected to the end of the first conveyor on the first side in the second direction, and the second connecting portion being connected to the end of the second conveyor on the first side in the second direction. The third conveyor is configured to transport the article along the first direction. The first connecting portion is located at the end of the third conveyor on the second side in the first direction. The first conveyor is configured to transport the items along the second direction, and is capable of arranging multiple items side-by-side along the second direction. The second conveyor is configured to transport the items along the second direction, and is capable of arranging multiple items side-by-side along the second direction. It also has a control system for controlling the supply device. For the items mentioned, there are multiple categories with different attributes. The control system sequentially designates the multiple items transported along the third conveyor as item 1, item 2, item 3, and item 4, starting from the second side of the first direction downstream of the transport direction. The first item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor. Taking the type of the first item as the first type, If the second item is of the first type, the second item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor; if the second item is of a different type than the first type, the second item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the third item is of the first type, the third item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor; if the third item is of the second type, the third item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the fourth item is of the first type and there is available space on the first conveyor to accommodate the new item, the fourth item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor. If the fourth item is of the second type and there is available space on the second conveyor to accommodate the new item, the fourth item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the type of the third item is other than the first and second types, the third item is positioned further along the second side in the first direction than the second connecting part of the third conveyor. If the fourth item is of the second type, the fourth item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the fourth item is of a type other than the second item, the fourth item shall be positioned further along the second side in the first direction than the second connecting portion of the third conveyor. If the fifth item that arrives after the fourth item is of the second type, the fifth item is transferred from the third conveyor to the second conveyor.

10. An article containing device comprising a conveying device, a receiving rack, and a supplying device, wherein the conveying device includes a traveling trolley that travels along a predetermined first direction, the receiving rack includes a plurality of receiving portions arranged along the first direction, and the supplying device supplies articles to the conveying device, wherein... The direction orthogonal to the first direction when viewed from the vertical direction is defined as the second direction. One side of the first direction is defined as the first side of the first direction, and the other side of the first direction is defined as the second side of the first direction. One side of the second direction is defined as the first side of the second direction, and the other side of the second direction is defined as the second side of the second direction. The conveying device includes a first transfer device and a second transfer device mounted on the traveling trolley. The second transfer device is disposed on the first side in the first direction relative to the first transfer device. Each of the first and second transfer devices includes a mounting section capable of mounting a plurality of articles side-by-side along the second direction, and the articles are moved along the second direction to perform a transfer operation between the mounting section and the receiving section. The supply device includes: a first conveyor arranged adjacent to the first transfer device on a first side in a second direction when the traveling trolley is in a predetermined storage position; a second conveyor arranged relative to the first conveyor on a first side in the first direction, adjacent to the second transfer device on a first side in the second direction when the traveling trolley is in the storage position; and a third conveyor having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion being connected to the end of the first conveyor on the first side in the second direction, and the second connecting portion being connected to the end of the second conveyor on the first side in the second direction. The third conveyor is configured to transport the article along the first direction. The first connecting portion is located at the end of the third conveyor on the second side in the first direction. The first conveyor is configured to transport the items along the second direction, and is capable of arranging multiple items side-by-side along the second direction. The second conveyor is configured to transport the items along the second direction, and is capable of arranging multiple items side-by-side along the second direction. It also has a control system for controlling the supply device. For the items mentioned, there are multiple categories with different attributes. The control system sequentially designates the multiple items transported along the third conveyor as item 1, item 2, item 3, and item 4, starting from the second side of the first direction downstream of the transport direction. The first item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor. Taking the type of the first item as the first type, If the second item is of the first type, the second item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor; if the second item is of a different type than the first type, the second item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the third item is of the first type, the third item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor; if the third item is of the second type, the third item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the fourth item is of the first type and there is available space on the first conveyor to accommodate the new item, the fourth item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor. If the fourth item is of the second type and there is available space on the second conveyor to accommodate the new item, the fourth item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the third item is of a type other than the first and second items, the third item is transported from the third conveyor to the second conveyor. If the fourth item is of the first type and there is available space in the first conveyor to accommodate the new item, the fourth item is transported from the third conveyor to the first conveyor.

Images