Article dispensing device

Abstract

To provide an article dispensing device capable of storing more articles.SOLUTION: An article dispensing device has an article supply line 2, a storage part 3 which temporarily stores a plurality of articles, a carry-out line 5 which carries articles out, and control means 6. The storage part 3 has a plurality of storage lines 8 where articles are stored in an array, and the storage lines 8 are located by the carry-out line 5, and have a storage conveyor 11. The article supply line 2 has a supply conveyor 25 and a plurality of branch devices 31, and is connected to the storage conveyor 11 through the branch devices 31. One kind of articles are stored in the storage line, articles are carried from the supply conveyor 25, and an article to be stored in a specific storage line 8 is branched by a specific branch device 31 and carried in a target storage conveyor 11 to be stored with the article.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article dispensing device that selectively dispenses a specific article from among many types of articles stored in a storage section. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in response to an order from a retail store, multiple types of goods may be delivered together. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose goods delivery devices used for this purpose. The article dispensing device disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is a device called an A-frame, and includes an output conveyor for transporting articles and a large number of racks (storage shelves). Each rack is steeply inclined and vertical, and many items are stored in a stacked state. There is a push-out device at the bottom of each rack. In the conventional article dispensing device, there is a discharge conveyor in the center, and many of the above-mentioned racks are lined up on both sides of it. The racks facing each other across the discharge conveyor are joined at the top, and when the pair of racks and the discharge conveyor are observed from the front, they are arranged like the letter "A." The height of the lower end of the rack is higher than the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor. As described above, there is a push-out device at the bottom of each rack, but the height of the push-out device is considerably higher than the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor.

[0003] In a conventional article dispensing device, a container such as a basket is placed on a discharge conveyor, and the container is moved from the upstream side to the downstream side by the discharge conveyor. When the container reaches the front of the rack containing the items to be delivered, the pusher of that rack is activated, and like a Daruma doll, the pusher pushes the bottom item out and sends it forcefully onto the carry-out conveyor. As mentioned above, the height of the pusher is considerably higher than the conveying surface of the carry-out conveyor, so the item that jumps out of the rack follows a parabola and flies into the basket-like container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-120125 [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-123501 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the conventional article dispensing device, the rack is vertical and the articles are stored in a stacked state. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of articles that can be stored in the rack is small. Also, there is a problem that it takes time to store the articles in the rack. That is, in the conventional article dispensing device, since the articles are stacked on the rack, the weight of the upper articles is placed on the lower articles, which may cause the lower articles to deform. Therefore, the number of articles that can be stored is limited. Also, in the conventional article dispensing device, the bottom article is pushed out by a push-out device like a Daruma drop, but if the load of the upper article is too large, the push-out device cannot push it out. For this reason, the number of articles that can be stored on the rack is also limited. Furthermore, if the height of the rack is increased to accommodate a large number of items, the height of the insertion section for storing new items will also increase, making it necessary to use a stepladder or ladder to store items on the rack, which is cumbersome.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has an object to provide an article dispensing device capable of storing a larger number of articles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An aspect for solving the above-mentioned problems is an item dispensing device having an item supply line, a storage section for temporarily storing multiple items, an unloading line for unloading the items to the outside, and a control means, wherein the storage section has multiple storage lines for storing items in a row, the storage lines are located beside the unloading line, the storage lines have a storage conveyor, the item supply line has a supply conveyor and multiple branching devices and is connected to the storage conveyor via the branching devices, one type of item is stored in the storage line, items are transported from the supply conveyor, items that should be stored in a specific storage line are branched off by a specific branching device and transported to the storage conveyor where the items are to be stored, information regarding one or more items is input into the control means as an item group, and items included in the item group are dispensed from each storage line to the unloading line.

[0008] The article dispensing device of this aspect has a plurality of storage lines for storing articles in a line, and the storage lines have a storage conveyor. In the article dispensing device of this aspect, articles are stored on the storage conveyor. Since the storage lines are conveyors, the articles are not stacked. Furthermore, since the storage lines can be arranged in a planar manner, a large number of articles can be stored. The article dispensing device of this aspect has an article supply line. The article supply line has a supply conveyor and a plurality of branching devices, and is connected to the storage conveyor via the branching devices. According to the article dispensing device of this aspect, the article can be stored in the storage conveyor using the article supply line.

[0009] In the above-mentioned aspect, it is preferable that the conveyor has a return line, and a part of the supply conveyor is connected to the return line so that articles moving on the supply conveyor can be returned to the supply conveyor.

[0010] According to this aspect, for example, when a specific storage line is full and an item to be stored in the storage line is newly supplied from the item supply line, the item can be returned to the item supply line via the return line, thereby preventing the item supply line from becoming clogged with items.

[0011] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the storage section is provided on both sides of the discharge line.

[0012] According to this embodiment, more items can be stored.

[0013] In each of the above aspects, it is preferable to have a plurality of the article supply lines.

[0014] According to this aspect, items can be quickly supplied to the storage line.

[0015] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable to have an information reading means for reading information attached to an item, and to identify the storage line in which the item is stored from the information read by the information reading means, and when the item reaches the branching device of the corresponding storage line, the item is branched off at the branching device and transported to the storage conveyor in which the item is to be stored.

[0016] According to this aspect, the articles can be smoothly stored in the predetermined storage line.

[0017] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is preferable that the storage line extends in a plane.

[0018] According to this embodiment, more items can be stored.

[0019] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that each storage line is equipped with a discharge means for discharging articles to the discharge line, and that the height above ground of the bottom of the articles when discharged by the discharge means is approximately equal to the height above ground of the discharge line.

[0020] In the article dispensing device of this aspect, the height of the article when dispensed by the dispensing means is substantially equal to the height of the carry-out line, so that the article is less likely to be damaged.

[0021] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the control means determines a space capable of storing the group of items included in the item group in a plan view, and that the items included in the item group are discharged from each storage line to a discharge line at the time when the items included in the item group enter the space.

[0022] According to this aspect, the articles delivered to the discharge line are organized into groups of articles.

[0023] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that an item included in an item group that is newly discharged from a storage line to a discharge line is discharged ahead of items that have already been discharged from other storage lines to the discharge line and are moving along the discharge line.

[0024] The goods discharged from the storage line to the carry-out line do not have a velocity component in the flow direction of the carry-out line. Therefore, the newly discharged goods move at a slow speed immediately after being discharged to the carry-out line, while the goods already moving on the carry-out line move at a relatively fast speed in the flow direction of the carry-out line. Therefore, the goods already moving on the carry-out line catch up with the newly introduced goods, and the distance between them decreases. As a result, the articles dispensed onto the output line are organized into groups of articles.

[0025] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the discharge line has an discharge conveyor which is capable of changing the conveying speed of any area, and that the discharge conveyor receives items discharged from each storage line while moving in a fixed direction, and at that time changes the conveying speed of a specific area to bundle together one or more specified items.

[0026] According to this aspect, the articles delivered to the discharge line are organized into groups of articles.

[0027] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the designated multiple articles are controlled to be positioned on the carry-out line according to their size and / or shape.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the post-processing is easy. Effect of the Invention

[0029] The article dispensing device of the present invention can accommodate more articles and is easy to use. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a layout of the article dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged plan view of a junction of an article supply line and a storage line of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a plan view of a junction of a storage line and a discharge line of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of a junction of an article supply line and a storage line of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view of a junction of a storage line and a discharge line of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram of a control device of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1, illustrating a process of supplying articles from an article supply line to a storage line. [Figure 8] 8(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1, illustrating a process of supplying articles from an article supply line to a storage line, which is a process subsequent to the process of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 9(a) and 9(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1, illustrating a process of supplying articles from an article supply line to a storage line, which is a process subsequent to the process of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1, illustrating a process of supplying articles from an article supply line to a storage line, which is a process subsequent to the process of FIG. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the item dispensing device of FIG. 1, illustrating the process of supplying items from an item supply line to a storage line when the storage line to store items is full. [Figure 12] 2(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1, illustrating the process in which articles belonging to an article group are dispensed from a storage line to a carry-out line. [Figure 13] 13(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the item dispensing device of FIG. 1, which are explanatory diagrams showing the process in which items belonging to an item group are dispensed from a storage line to a discharge line, and which follow the process of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 13(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the behavior of an article discharged from a storage line to a discharge line. [Figure 15] 15(a) and 15(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the behavior of an article discharged from a storage line to a discharge line, the diagrams showing a state following FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 2(a), (b), and (c) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1, illustrating the process in which articles belonging to an article group are dispensed from a storage line to a carry-out line. [Figure 17] 17(a), (b), and (c) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the item dispensing device of FIG. 1, illustrating the process in which items belonging to an item group are dispensed from a storage line to a discharge line, which is a process following the process of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a layout of an article dispensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a layout of an article dispensing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The article dispensing device 1 of this embodiment selectively dispenses a specific article from a variety of articles stored in a storage unit and carries it to the outside. The article dispensing device 1 of this embodiment is intended to dispense small articles. For example, the minimum unit of article, such as one bar of chocolate, one stick of gum, or one pack of cigarettes, is intended to be dispensed. The present invention does not limit the dispensing object to the smallest unit of goods, but may also dispensing objects of medium size such as a case of chocolates, a carton of cigarettes, a six-pack of canned beer, etc. Furthermore, the dispensing object may also be a large item such as a case of 40 canned beers or a case of 40 cup noodles.

[0032] The article dispensing device 1 has article supply lines 2a and 2b, storage units 3a and 3b, a carry-out line 5, and a control device (control means) 6, as shown in FIG. The storage units 3a and 3b are areas for temporarily storing a plurality of items. The item supply line 2 is a conveyor line that supplies items to the storage units 3a and 3b. The carry-out line 5 is a conveyor line that carries out the items dispensed from the storage units 3a and 3b to the outside. The following will explain.

[0033] (Storage section) Since the storage units 3a and 3b have the same structure, in the following description they will be referred to as storage unit 3. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, storage unit 3 is made up of a large number of storage lines 8 arranged in parallel, each of which stores articles in a line. Each storage line 8 is constituted by a storage conveyor 11 .

[0034] The storage conveyor 11 is divided into a plurality of zones. Each zone is composed of a linear transport module 12. The storage conveyor 11 is composed of a plurality of linear transport modules 12 connected in series. The linear conveying module 12 is a short roller conveyor called a zone conveyor as shown in Figures 2 and 4, and has multiple conveying rollers 16 for conveying objects supported at a predetermined interval in the conveying direction between a pair of left and right side frames 15, 15 arranged in parallel. The conveying rollers 16 consist of freely rotating driven rollers and motorized rollers that incorporate a drive motor (not shown). In this embodiment, there is only one motorized roller, and the rest are all driven rollers.

[0035] Adjacent conveyor rollers 16 in the linear conveyor module 12 are wound with a transmission belt 17. Therefore, the rotational driving force of the motor-incorporated roller can be transmitted to all of the driven rollers. The linear transport module 12 is provided with a load sensor (not shown). The transport modules 12 of the storage conveyor 11 are driven individually to move the articles forward. That is, the linear transport modules 12 of the storage conveyor 11 are always stopped. Then, when an article is introduced to the upstream end of the storage conveyor 11, the transport module 12 and the transport module 12 in front of it are driven to move the article forward. This operation is repeated in sequence to stop the article in the leading zone of the storage conveyor 11. When the next article is introduced to the upstream end of the storage conveyor 11, the linear transport module 12 and the linear transport module 12 in front of it are driven in the same manner as in the previous case to move the article forward and stop in the zone in front of the previously transported article. This operation is repeated in sequence to fill the storage conveyor 11 with articles.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the linear transport module 12 at the head of the storage conveyor 11 functions as the discharging means 10. That is, the articles stored in the storage line 8 are discharged to the carry-out line 5 by driving the leading linear conveying module (discharge means 10) 12.

[0037] In this embodiment, the conveying speed of the linear conveying module (dispensing means 10) 12 when dispensing the article is relatively slow. That is, the linear conveying modules 12 arranged at other positions have a fast conveying speed in order to pack the articles forward, but the conveying speed of the leading linear conveying module 12 is set slow. The dispensing speed of the dispensing means 10 is slower than the maximum conveying speed of the storage conveyor 11. In this embodiment, the linear transport module 12 at the head of the storage conveyor 11 functions as the dispensing means 10, but an independent pusher may be placed as the dispensing means. Even in this case, it is desirable that the dispensing speed of the dispensing means 10 is slower than the maximum transport speed of the storage conveyor 11.

[0038] In the storage section 3, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the storage lines 8 are arranged in a planar manner with substantially no gaps. The storage conveyor 11 of the storage lines 8 extends in a plane. Therefore, the storage line 8 employed in this embodiment can store many articles. In addition, since the articles do not pile up as in the conventional case, the articles are not damaged. In this embodiment, the storage line 8 stores one type of article.

[0039] (Goods supply line) Since the product supply lines 2a, 2b have the same structure, in the following description they will be referred to as the product supply line 2. The product supply line 2 has a main flow line 20 and a return line 21. The mainstream line 20 has a plurality of transport modules 30, 31 arranged in a straight line, and is composed of a supply conveyor area 22 and a branching device arrangement area 23. A supply conveyor 25 is installed in the supply conveyor area 22. The supply conveyor 25 is divided into a plurality of zones connected in series, similar to the storage conveyor 11 described above. Each zone is composed of a plurality of linear conveying modules 30. The supply conveyor 25 is composed of a plurality of linear conveying modules 30 connected in series. The structure of the linear conveying module 30 is the same as that of the linear conveying module 12 described above, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0040] The branching device arrangement area 23 is made up of a plurality of transfer type transport modules (branching devices) 31. In the branching device arrangement area 23, a plurality of transfer type transport modules 31 are connected in series. The transfer-type transport module 31 has a direction changing mechanism for switching the carry-in direction. The transfer type transport module 31 is composed of a main transport conveyor 33, a sub-transport conveyor 35, and a lifting device (not shown) as shown in FIG.

[0041] The main transport conveyor 33 of the transfer-type transport module 31 is a roller conveyor in which multiple transport rollers 38 for transporting objects are supported at predetermined intervals in the transport direction. The main transport conveyor 33 has the same structure as the linear transport module 12 described above, and adjacent transport rollers 38 are wound around each other with a transmission belt 43. Therefore, the rotational driving force of the motor-integrated roller can be transmitted to all of the driven rollers. The auxiliary conveyor 35 is a belt conveyor in which a plurality of thin belts 36 are arranged at regular intervals. The auxiliary conveyor 35 is driven by a drive motor (drive device) not shown.

[0042] When an article placed on the transfer-type conveying module 31 is to be moved in a straight line, the transfer-type conveying module 31 is placed in a straight-line position. That is, the main conveying conveyor 33 is protruded above the sub-conveyor 35 by a lifting device (not shown), and the main conveying conveyor 33 is driven to rotate each of the conveying rollers 38. When the article placed on the transfer-type conveying module 31 is to be conveyed horizontally (towards the storage line 8), the transfer-type conveying module 31 is put into a branching position after the article is pulled into the main conveying conveyor 33. That is, the sub-conveyor 35 is raised and the main conveyor 33 is lowered by a lifting device (not shown), so that the sub-conveyor 35 protrudes above the main conveyor 33, and the sub-conveyor 35 is driven to run the belt 36.

[0043] The main line 20 of the article supply line 2 has a plurality of transport modules 30, 31 connected thereto to form a series of transport paths. The return line 21 is a conveyor that connects the end of the main line 20 to the supply conveyor area 22 .

[0044] (Discharge line) The discharge line 5 is a conveyor (discharge conveyor) in which a plurality of linear conveying modules 40 are connected in series, similar to the above-mentioned storage conveyor 11 and supply conveyor 25. The structure of the linear conveying module 40 is the same as that of the above-mentioned linear conveying module 12, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] (Layout) The article dispensing device 1 has an overall planar layout as shown in Figure 1. The article dispensing device 1 has a carry-out line 5 at the center, storage units 3a and 3b on either side of the carry-out line 5, and article supply lines 2a and 2b on the outer sides of the carry-out line 5. The direction of travel of the articles on the main line 20 of the article supply lines 2a, 2b is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the articles on the storage conveyors 11 of the storage sections 3a, 3b. Further, the direction in which the articles travel on the storage conveyors 11 of the storage sections 3a, 3b and the direction in which the articles travel on the carry-out line 5 are perpendicular to each other.

[0046] 2 and 4, the branching device installation area 23 of the article supply lines 2a, 2b is in contact with one end (the entire outside) of each storage conveyor 11 of the storage sections 3a, 3b. The side of each transfer-type conveying module 31 in the branching device installation area 23 is in contact with the linear conveying module 12 at one end of each storage conveyor 11. In this embodiment, any of the transfer-type conveying modules 31 corresponds to any of the storage conveyors 11. Therefore, articles can be sent to the corresponding storage conveyor 11 by the corresponding transfer-type conveying module 31.

[0047] The other end (the entire inner side) of each storage conveyor 11 of the storage sections 3a, 3b contacts the side of the discharge line 5 as shown in Figures 3 and 5. As described above, the discharge line 5 is made up of a plurality of linear conveying modules 40 connected in series. The discharge line 5 has a linear conveying module 40 corresponding to each storage conveyor 11, and the end (the entire inner side) of each storage conveyor 11 contacts the side of the corresponding linear conveying module 40 of the discharge line 5. 5, the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 is approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the discharge line 5. That is, the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 above ground level is approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the discharge line 5 above ground level. In this embodiment, the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 and the height of the conveying surface of the carry-out line 5 are the same. It is desirable that the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 is the same as the height of the conveying surface of the discharge line 5, but the storage conveyor 11 side may be slightly higher. The difference between the two is desirably within 5 centimeters. The more recommended head is within 3 centimeters.

[0048] An information reading means 41 for reading information attached to an article is provided at the end of the supply conveyor area 22 of the article supply lines 2a, 2b. The structure and principle of the information reading means 41 are not limited, and it may be a means for optically reading information, or a means for using magnetism or radio waves. For example, the information reading means 41 may be a code reader for reading two-dimensional codes, or a barcode reader for reading barcodes. The information reading means 41 may be a means for reading information from an information storage member such as an RFID.

[0049] (Control device) Each of the above-mentioned members is controlled by a control device (control means) 6. Fig. 6 explains the control specific to the first embodiment, and omits well-known parts such as the control for driving the conveyor. The control device 6 includes a CPU and a memory, and stores a computer program for implementing desired functions. The control device 6 of this embodiment functionally includes a supply line control section 51 that controls the article supply lines 2a, 2b, and a carry-out control section 42 that controls the dispensing means 10 of the storage sections 3a, 3b.

[0050] The supply line control unit 51 functionally has a corresponding storage line determination means 52, an article moving distance calculation means 56, and a pulse integration means 53. In addition, a signal from the information reading means 41 and a pulse signal corresponding to the motor rotation speed of the main transport conveyor 33 of each transfer type transport module 31 of the article supply lines 2a, 2b are input to the supply line control unit 51. In addition, a direction switching signal is transmitted from the supply line control unit 51 to the transfer type transport modules 31 of the article supply lines 2a, 2b. Specifically, a signal for driving the lifting device of the transfer type transport module 31 is transmitted.

[0051] The corresponding storage line determination means 52 determines the storage line 8 in which to store the item based on the information of the item read from the information reading means 41. In this embodiment, since only one type of item is stored in the storage line 8, the corresponding storage line determination means 52 determines the storage line 8 in which to store the item based on the information read by the information reading means 41. Note that when there are a large number of items to be stored, the same item may be stored in multiple rows of storage lines 8.

[0052] The article movement distance calculation means 56 calculates the movement distance of the article after the article has passed through the information reading means 41. Specifically, the pulse accumulating means 53 accumulates pulses corresponding to the number of rotations of the drive motor (not shown) output from the transport conveyor 33 of the transfer type transport module 31 when the article moves, and calculates the movement distance of the article after the article has passed through the information reading means 41. Then, when the travel distance of the article corresponds to the position of the storage line 8 that stores the article, a signal is sent to the transfer-type conveying module 31 corresponding to the storage line 8, and the transfer-type conveying module 31 is put into a branching position. That is, the auxiliary conveyor 35 is raised and the main conveyor 33 is lowered by a lifting device (not shown), so that the auxiliary conveyor 35 protrudes above the main conveyor 33, the auxiliary conveyor 35 is driven, and the belt 36 is made to run.

[0053] Next, the discharge control unit 42 will be described. The discharge control unit 42 functionally includes an arrangement space determination means 55 , a corresponding storage line determination means 60 , a space movement distance calculation means 61 , and a pulse integration means 62 . The carry-out control unit 42 receives item group information from a higher-level device (not shown). An item group is a group of items that are desirably grouped together. For example, it is an item to be shipped to a specific customer or store. For example, it is a group of items to be delivered in one box or sent by a home delivery service. An item group may contain different items, such as one caramel A, one chocolate B, and one soft drink E. Or there may be multiple items of the same type, such as three soft drinks C. Of course, there may be multiple types and multiple numbers, such as three caramel A, five chocolate B, and two soft drinks F. In short, it is information about one or multiple items in an item group.

[0054] Further, a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the conveying module 40 of the unloading line 5 is input to the unloading control unit 42 .

[0055] The arrangement space determination means 55 determines the arrangement space (area) required to place all of the items belonging to the item group in a planar manner on the carry-out line 5. In other words, the arrangement space determination means 55 determines the arrangement space (area) capable of accommodating all of the items belonging to the item group in a planar manner on the carry-out line 5, and specifies the arrangement space. For example, 20 centimeters is required to place two cartons of milk horizontally on the conveying line 5, and 40 centimeters is required to place three bottles of beer horizontally on the conveying line 5. If a product group is two cartons of milk and three bottles of beer, the total placement space (area) for that product group is 60 centimeters. Also, if a product group is one bag of cartoned milk and two cans of beer, the placement space (area) of the product group is, for example, 50 centimeters. In this way, the space (area) determined by the arrangement space determination means 55 differs depending on the type and number of items belonging to the item group.

[0056] The placement space is the area of ​​the output line 5 in which all of the items belonging to a particular group of items dispensed from the storage section 3 will be stored in the future. In this embodiment, the arrangement space is converted into the number of pulses of the motor of the conveyor that constitutes the carry-out line 5. For example, if the placement space is 20 cm, it is converted into 10 pulses, and if the placement space is 30 cm, it is converted into 15 pulses, and so on. Since the discharge line 5 is a conveyor, when the conveyor is driven, the above-mentioned space also moves. A plurality of groups of items are inputted to the control device 6, and the above-mentioned groups of items are continuously formed, and the arrangement spaces are continuously determined and specified.

[0057] The corresponding storage line determination means 60 identifies the storage line 8 in which the items included in the item group are stored. For example, if caramel A is stored in storage line 8A, chocolate B is stored in storage line 8B, and soft drink E is stored in storage line 8E, and an item group is, for example, one caramel A, one chocolate B, and one pack of soft drink E, storage lines 8A, 8B, and 8E are selected and determined to be the corresponding storage lines.

[0058] The space movement distance calculation means 61 calculates the movement distance of the arrangement space from a specific reference point. Specifically, the pulse accumulating means 62 accumulates pulses corresponding to the number of rotations of the drive motor (not shown) output from the conveying module 40 when the arrangement space moves, and calculates the movement distance of the arrangement space from the specific reference point. Then, when the movement distance of the placement space corresponds to the position of a storage line 8 that stores an item included in the item group, a signal is sent to the dispensing means 10 corresponding to the storage line 8, and the item is dispensed to the carry-out line 5. Note that in this embodiment, an item included in the item group that is newly dispensed from a storage line to the carry-out line 5 is dispensed ahead of items that have already been dispensed from other storage lines 8 to the carry-out line 5 and are moving on the carry-out line 5.

[0059] Next, the operation of the article dispensing device 1 will be described. The article dispensing device 1 performs a storing operation for storing articles in the storage units 3a and 3b, and a discharge operation for discharging articles belonging to an article group together.

[0060] (Containment operation) The articles are stored in storage sections 3a, 3b using article supply lines 2a, 2b. In this embodiment, articles are placed on the supply conveyor area 22 of the article supply lines 2a, 2b and transported to the branching device arrangement area 23. The articles are randomly placed in the supply conveyor area 22. Here, since the article supply lines 2a, 2b are arranged in a plane, the articles can be placed on the supply conveyor 25 without using a stepladder or the like. The articles are provided with a code that identifies the article. The article advances to the downstream side of the supply conveyor area 22 by the supply conveyor 25, and the information of the code attached to the article is read by the information reading means 41. The read information is sent to the control device 6, and the corresponding storage line determination means 52 identifies the storage line 8 that will accommodate the article.

[0061] The article flows through article supply lines 2a, 2b and enters branching device arrangement area 23. In control device 6, article movement distance calculation means 56 simultaneously calculates the movement distance of the article after the article has passed through information reading means 41. Specifically, as described above, pulses corresponding to the number of rotations of the drive motor (not shown) output from main transport conveyor 33 of transfer type transport module 31 when the article moves are accumulated by pulse accumulation means 53, and the movement distance of the article after the article has passed through information reading means 41 is calculated.

[0062] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance converted into pulses is between 1 pulse and 100 pulses for storage line 8A, between 101 pulse and 200 pulse, between 201 pulse and 300 pulse, and the storage lines 8 are there at intervals of 100 pulses. In this case, if the moving distance of the item converted into pulses is 50 pulses, the item is estimated to be placed on the transfer-type transport module 31 corresponding to storage line 8A. If the moving distance of the item converted into pulses is 150 pulses, the item is estimated to be placed on the transfer-type transport module 31 corresponding to storage line 8B. If an item is present at a position 100 pulses apart, it is placed on a transfer-type transport module 31 corresponding to any of the storage lines 8.

[0063] When the distance the item has traveled reaches the position of the transfer type conveying module 31 corresponding to the storage line 8 to accommodate it, a signal is sent from the control device 6 to the transfer type conveying module 31 corresponding to the storage line 8, causing the transfer type conveying module 31 to assume a branching position and send the item to the corresponding storage conveyor 11. When an article is placed on the storage conveyor 11, the storage conveyor 11 starts and moves the article toward the carry-out line 5. The article then stops at the position of the discharge means 10 on the storage conveyor 11. If there is already another article at the position of the discharge means 10, the article stops in the zone just before that.

[0064] For example, assume that items b1, e1, a1, b2, c1, c2, and c3 are lined up in the supply conveyor area 22 as shown in FIG. 7a. Here, the lowercase letters indicate the corresponding columns of storage lines 8, and the numbers are used to distinguish between multiple items stored in the same storage line 8.

[0065] Items b1, e1, a1, b2, c1, c2, and c3 arranged in the supply conveyor area 22 proceed to the branching device arrangement area 23 while maintaining this order, and when a particular item reaches the position of the corresponding storage line 8, the corresponding transfer type conveying module 31 is placed in a branching position to send the item to the storage conveyor 11 of the storage line 8. Specifically, of the items b1, e1, a1, b2, c1, c2, and c3 arranged in the supply conveyor area 22, in the next stage (FIG. 7b), the leading item b1 reaches the position of the storage line 8A. In the next stage (FIG. 8a), the leading item b1 reaches the position of the storage line 8B, and the following item e1 reaches the position of the storage line 8A. The leading article b1 is ahead by 150 pulses, which corresponds to the position of the branching device arrangement area 23 corresponding to the storage line 8B. Therefore, when the article reaches the position of the storage line 8B, the corresponding transfer-type conveying module 31 changes to the branching posture and sends the article to the storage conveyor 11 of the storage line 8B.

[0066] In the next step (FIG. 8b) the second article e1 reaches a position on the storage line 8B and the third article a1 reaches a position on the storage line 8A. The article a1 is ahead by 50 pulses, which corresponds to the position of the branching device arrangement area 23 corresponding to the storage line 8A. Therefore, when the article a1 reaches the position of the storage line 8A, the corresponding transfer-type conveying module 31 changes to the branching posture and sends the article to the storage conveyor 11 of the storage line 8A.

[0067] In the next stage (FIG. 9a), the second item e1 reaches the position of storage line 8C, and the fourth item b2 reaches the position of storage line 8A. In the next stage (FIG. 9b), the second item e1 reaches the position of storage line 8D, the fourth item b2 reaches the position of storage line 8B, and the fifth item c1 reaches the position of storage line 8A. Since the fourth item b2 has reached the corresponding storage line 8B, the corresponding loading and unloading type transport module 31 changes to a branching position and sends the item to the storage conveyor 11 of the storage line 8B.

[0068] In the next step (FIG. 10a), the second item e1 reaches the position of storage line 8E, and the fifth item c1 reaches the position of storage line 8B. As a result, the second item e1 is sent to storage line 8E. Then, in the next step (FIG. 10b), the fifth item c1 is sent to storage line 8C. In the next step, the sixth item c2 reaches the position of storage line 8C and is sent out to storage line 8C, and in the next step, the seventh item c3 reaches the position of storage line 8C and is sent out to storage line 8C (not shown). In this way, items b1 and b2 lined up in the supply conveyor area 22 are stored in storage line 8B, items e1 and e2 are stored in storage line 8E, items a1 and a2 are stored in storage line 8A, items c1, c2, and c3 are stored in storage line 8C, and item f1 is stored in storage line 8F.

[0069] When any of the storage lines 8 is full and an item to be stored in that storage line 8 is supplied from the supply conveyor area 22, the item passes directly through the corresponding transfer type conveying module 31 and flows downstream, enters the return line 21 and returns to the supply conveyor area 22. For example, when the storage line 8E is full as shown in Figure 11a, if an item e to be stored in the storage line 8E is supplied from the supply conveyor area 22, it flows downstream through the transfer type conveying module 31 corresponding to the storage line 8E as shown in Figure 11b, enters the return line 21 and returns to the supply conveyor area 22.

[0070] In this embodiment, the travel distance of each article is monitored by integrating the pulses of the conveyor motor, and when it is confirmed that the article has traveled a specified distance, the branching device is activated to send the article to the storage line 8. This control method has the advantage that the flow of articles is less likely to be disrupted because the relatively time-consuming information reading operation only needs to be done once. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and for example, an information reading device such as a barcode reader may be installed upstream of the storage line 8, and the information reading device may confirm that the item has reached the storage line 8 where it is to be stored, and then a branching device may be activated to send the item out to the storage line 8.

[0071] (Discharge operation) Next, the carrying-out operation will be described. In this embodiment, no baskets or trays are used, and articles are placed directly on the carry-out line 5 for transport. In this embodiment, the transport speed of the carry-out line 5 is the same in each zone, and articles are transported at a relatively high speed. In this embodiment, item group information is input from a higher-level device (not shown). Assuming that the item group is a first item group, the first item group information is input to the control device 6. The arrangement space determination means 55 of the control device 6 determines the arrangement space (area) required for placing all of the articles belonging to the first article group on the discharge line 5 in a planar manner. For example, if the first group of items is one bag of sugar cubes, one pack of miso paste, and one pack of soy sauce, and a length of 50 cm is required to place these items flat, a first placement space 70 equivalent to 25 pulses is secured (FIG. 12a).

[0072] Second item group information is then input to the controller 6 . The arrangement space determination means 55 of the control device 6 determines a second arrangement space (area) required for placing all of the articles belonging to the second article group on the discharge line 5 in a planar manner. For example, if the second group of items is two bags of sugar cubes and two packs of miso paste, and a length of 60 cm is required to place these items flat, then a second arrangement space 71 equivalent to 30 pulses is secured (FIG. 12b). If a length of 40 cm is required to place the items included in the subsequent third group of items flat, then a third arrangement space 72 equivalent to 20 pulses is secured (FIG. 13a).

[0073] Since the discharge line 5 is a conveyor, as shown in Fig. 13a, when the conveyor is driven, the first arrangement space 70, the second arrangement space 71, and the third arrangement space 72 also move. There is a certain interval between each of the arrangement spaces 70, 71, and 72. The space movement distance calculation means 61 of the control device 6 monitors the positions of the arrangement spaces 70 , 71 , 72 on the basis of pulses corresponding to the number of revolutions of the drive motor of the carry-out line 5 . Then, when each placement space 70, 71, 72 reaches in front of the storage line 8 in which the corresponding item is stored, the dispensing means 10 (the leading linear conveying module 12) of that storage line 8 is driven to dispense the item into the area corresponding to the placement spaces 70, 71, 72 of the discharge line 5.

[0074] Here, in the goods dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 and the height of the conveying surface of the carry-out line 5 are approximately equal, so that the goods are less likely to be damaged when they are moved from the storage line 8 to the carry-out line 5. The goods dispensing device 1 of this embodiment does not use a basket or tray, and does not throw goods into a basket or tray as in the past. That is, the ground height of the bottom of the goods when they are dispensed by the dispensing means 10 is approximately equal to the ground height of the carry-out line 5, so that the impact on the goods when they are transferred is small. In the goods dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, the drop when the goods are dispensed from the storage conveyor 11 to the carry-out line 5 is small, so that the external force applied to the goods is small and the goods are less likely to be damaged. That is, in the goods dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, there is no step between the dispensing means 10 and the carry-out line 5, so that the impact on the goods when they are transferred is small. In addition, since the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 and the height of the conveying surface of the carry-out line 5 are approximately equal, articles do not overlap on the carry-out line 5. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the conveying speed of the dispensing means 10 is relatively slow, the articles are less likely to be damaged.

[0075] In this embodiment, for example, when the first placement space 70 reaches in front of a storage line 8 containing sugar cubes, one bag of sugar cubes is dispensed from the storage line 8, when the first placement space 70 reaches in front of a storage line 8 containing miso, one pack of miso is dispensed from the storage line 8, and when the first placement space 70 reaches in front of a storage line 8 containing soy sauce, one pack of soy sauce is dispensed from the storage line 8. In this way, all of the articles belonging to the first article group are gathered in the first placement space 70 and transported downstream.

[0076] The second arranging space 71 advances at a fixed interval from the first arranging space 70. Then, when the second arranging space 71 reaches in front of the storage line 8 containing sugar cubes, two bags of sugar cubes are dispensed from the storage line 8, and when the second arranging space 71 reaches in front of the storage line 8 containing miso, two packs of miso are dispensed from the storage line 8. Predetermined items are also dispensed from the third arranging space 72. In this way, all items belonging to the first item group are gathered in the first placement space 70, all items belonging to the second item group are gathered in the second placement space 71, and all items belonging to the third item group are gathered in the third placement space 72 and transported downstream (Figure 13b).

[0077] Furthermore, as a control unique to this embodiment, when there is already an item in the placement space 70 and another item is to be newly discharged to the placement space 70, the new item is discharged in front of the item that has already been discharged from another storage line 8 to the discharge line 5 and is moving along the discharge line 5. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned first arrangement space 70 will be described as an example with reference to FIGS. For example, as shown in Figure 14a, when a sugar cube 80 has been first dispensed into the first placement space 70 and the sugar cube 80 is moving on the discharge line 5, the next item, miso 81, is dispensed in front of the sugar cube, as shown in Figure 14b. Specifically, just before the first item, a sugar cube 80, reaches the storage line 8 in which the second item, miso 81, is stored, the dispensing means 10 of the storage line 8 for the miso 81 is driven to place the miso 81 just before the sugar cube 80 moving along the discharge line 5. Here, the discharge line 5 is moving at a normal speed, and the sugar cubes 80 moving along the discharge line 5 are also moving at the normal speed, whereas the second item, miso 81, introduced from the storage line 8, does not have a speed component in the moving direction of the discharge line 5. Therefore, the newly introduced second item, miso 81, is slower than the sugar cubes 80 that were introduced earlier and are moving along the discharge line 5. 15, the sugar cube 80 moving behind catches up with the miso 81 moving ahead, and the distance between them becomes extremely small. Therefore, the sugar cube 80 and the miso 81 form a group, and proceed down the carry-out line 5 with the miso 81 at the front.

[0078] It is also recommended to control the carry-out line (carry-out conveyor) 5 and the dispensing means 10 so that the designated articles are positioned on the carry-out line 5 according to their size and shape. For example, when the control device 6 determines the placement space, it calculates and determines not only the size of the space but also the position at which the article should be placed. Then, the discharge line (discharge conveyor) 5 is driven to move the placement space and insert the article into a specific position in the placement space 70.

[0079] For example, when wrapping a group of articles that are of different heights, widths, or shapes in wrapping paper, it may be necessary to rearrange the articles manually. In this embodiment, information on the shape of the articles is stored in an upper device (not shown), and the control device calculates an arrangement suitable for packaging, etc., based on the information on the type and number of articles included in the article group, as well as the article shape, and determines the area in which the articles should be placed. Then, the discharge line (discharge conveyor) 5 is driven to move the placement space and insert the article into a specific position in the placement space.

[0080] For example, assume a product group consists of items 95, 96, 97, and 98. The control device 6 determines the arrangement space 75 having an area capable of accommodating the items 95, 96, 97, and 98, as shown in Fig. 16a. Also, the control device 6 determines within the arrangement space 75 an area in which the items 95, 96, 97, and 98 should be accommodated. Specifically, a first area 85 is defined as an area for storing item 95, a second area 86 is defined as an area for storing item 96, a third area 87 is defined as an area for storing item 97, and a fourth area 88 is defined as an area for storing item 98 within the placement space 75.

[0081] Then, the discharge line (discharge conveyor) 5 and the dispensing means 10 are controlled so that the predetermined items 95, 96, 97, and 98 are stored in the predetermined areas 85, 86, 87, and 88. For example, as shown in Fig. 16b, first, an article 95 is placed in a first region 85 in the placement space 75, and in this state, the discharge line 5 is driven to move the placement space 75. Next, as shown in Fig. 16c, an article 98 is placed in a fourth region 88 in the placement space 75, and in this state, the discharge line 5 is driven to move the placement space 75. At this stage, there are items 95, 98 at both the front and rear ends of the placement space 75, and the central area is empty.

[0082] In the next step, an item 96 is placed between items 95 and 98 as shown in Figures 17a and 17b. Then, an item 97 is placed between items 96 and 98 as shown in Figure 17c.

[0083] In the embodiment described above, the conveying speed of the discharge line (discharge conveyor) 5 is the same for all zones, but it may be started and stopped for each zone, or the speed may be changed. In other words, it is recommended that the discharge line (discharge conveyor) 5 moves in a fixed direction while receiving items dispensed from each storage line 8, and at that time change the conveying speed in a specific area to group one or more specified items together. For example, if multiple items need to be removed from a single storage line 8, the items may be grouped together by slowing or inching the conveying speed of the linear conveying module 40 in the zone of the output conveyor preceding that storage line 8. It is also possible to ensure a gap between one group of items and the next by starting and stopping each zone or changing the speed.

[0084] The conveying speed of the linear conveying module 40 in the zone preceding the storage line 8 of the output conveyor may also be slowed down or slightly shifted to place items belonging to the item group in the corresponding placement space or in a specified area within the placement space.

[0085] In the embodiment described above, the article is dispensed from one storage section 3a, but naturally, the article is also dispensed from the other storage section 3b. Also, articles may be dispensed from the two storage sections 3a and 3b simultaneously into one arrangement space. Furthermore, for example, articles may be dispensed from multiple storage lines 8 of one or both storage sections 3a and 3b simultaneously into one arrangement space.

[0086] In the embodiment described above, the main line 20 of the product supply lines 2a and 2b is a single system, and products are introduced into the storage units 3a and 3b from one location. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and products may be introduced from multiple locations. The article dispensing device 77 shown in Fig. 18 has two article supply lines 78 for one storage section 3, and articles can be introduced from two locations. This embodiment is effective when the storage section 3 is large. In this embodiment, the first article supply line 78a supplies articles from the left side of the drawing, and the second article supply line 78b supplies articles from the right side of the drawing.

[0087] In the embodiment described above, the storage units 3 are provided on both sides of the discharge line 5, but as shown in FIG. 19, the storage unit 3 may be provided on only one side of the discharge line 5.

[0088] The above-mentioned item dispensing device has a storage section for temporarily storing multiple items, an output line for dispensing the items to the outside, and a control means, wherein the storage section has multiple storage lines for storing items in a row, each storage line having a storage conveyor and an output means for dispensing the items to the output line, the storage line is located next to the output line, the height above ground of the bottom of the items when dispensed by the output means is approximately equal to the height above ground of the output line, a group of items containing one or more items is input to the control means, and the items contained in the group of items are dispensed from each storage line to the output line in response to a signal from the control means.

[0089] In the article dispensing device of this aspect, the height of the article when dispensed by the dispensing means is substantially equal to the height of the carry-out line, so that the article is less likely to be damaged.

[0090] In the above-mentioned aspect, it is preferable that the storage line extends in a plane.

[0091] According to this embodiment, more items can be stored.

[0092] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable to have an item supply line, the item supply line having a supply conveyor and a plurality of branching devices, connected to a storage conveyor via the branching devices, one type of item being stored in the storage line, items being transported from the supply conveyor, and items to be stored in a specific storage line being branched off at a specific branching device and carried to the storage conveyor in which the items are to be stored.

[0093] The article dispensing device of this aspect has an article supply line. The article supply line has a supply conveyor and a plurality of branching devices, and is connected to the storage conveyor via the branching devices. According to the article dispensing device of this aspect, the article can be stored in the storage conveyor using the article supply line.

[0094] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable for the articles to be dispensed at a dispensing speed that is slower than the maximum speed of the storage conveyor.

[0095] In the article dispensing device of this embodiment, the speed at which articles are dispensed onto the carry-out line is slow, making it less likely that the articles will be damaged.

[0096] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the control means determines a space capable of storing the group of items in a plan view, and that the items included in the group of items are discharged from each storage line to the discharge line at the time when the items included in the group of items enter the space.

[0097] According to this aspect, the articles discharged to the discharge line are collected into a lump for each article group.

[0098] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that an item included in an item group that is newly discharged from a storage line to a discharge line is discharged ahead of items that have already been discharged from other storage lines to the discharge line and are moving along the discharge line.

[0099] The goods discharged from the storage line to the carry-out line do not have a velocity component in the flow direction of the carry-out line. Therefore, the newly discharged goods move at a slow speed immediately after being discharged to the carry-out line, while the goods already moving on the carry-out line move at a relatively fast speed in the flow direction of the carry-out line. Therefore, the goods already moving on the carry-out line catch up with the newly introduced goods, and the distance between them decreases. As a result, the articles dispensed onto the discharge line are bundled together by group of articles.

[0100] In each of the above aspects, it is preferable that the discharge line has a discharge conveyor, and that the discharge conveyor is capable of changing the conveying speed of any desired area.

[0101] According to this aspect, the articles discharged to the discharge line are collected into a lump for each article group.

[0102] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the discharge line be capable of receiving items dispensed from each storage line while moving in a fixed direction, and at that time changing the conveying speed in a specific area to bundle together one or more specified items.

[0103] According to this aspect, the articles discharged to the discharge line are collected into a lump for each article group.

[0104] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the discharge line and / or the ejection means are controlled so that the specified multiple items are positioned on the discharge line according to their size and / or shape.

[0105] According to this embodiment, the post-processing is easy.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the articles are directly dispensed onto the carry-out line 5 and no container such as a basket is required, but a container such as a basket may be placed on the carry-out line 5 and the articles may be placed into the container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1, 77 Goods dispensing device 2. Goods supply line 3. Storage section 5. Discharge line (discharge conveyor) 6 Control device (control means) 8 Storage Line 10 Payment Method 11 Storage conveyor 20 Main Line 21 Return Line 22 Supply Conveyor Area 23 Branching device placement area 25 Supply Conveyor 31 Transfer type transport module (branching device) 41 Information Reading Means 42 Delivery control section 51 Supply line control section 52 Method for determining corresponding storage line 53 Pulse integration means 55 Placement space determination means 60 Means for determining corresponding storage lines 61 Space movement distance calculation means 62 Pulse integration means 70 First Placement Space 71 Second Placement Space 72 Third Placement Space 78 Goods Supply Line 85 First area 86 Second area 87 Third area 88 Fourth area

Claims

1. The system includes an article supply line, a storage section for temporarily storing a plurality of articles, an unloading line for unloading the articles to the outside, and a control means; the storage section has a plurality of storage lines for storing the articles in a line, the storage lines are located beside the carrying-out line, and the storage lines have a storage conveyor; the article supply line includes a supply conveyor and a plurality of branching devices, and is connected to the storage conveyor via the branching devices; The storage line stores one type of item, An article is transported from the supply conveyor, and an article to be stored in a specific storage line is branched off by a specific branching device and carried into a storage conveyor in which the article is to be stored; An item dispensing device characterized in that information regarding one or more items is input to the control means as a single item group, and items included in the item group are dispensed from each storage line to a discharge line.

2. 2. The article delivery device according to claim 1, further comprising a return line, a portion of the supply conveyor being connected to the return line so that articles moving on the supply conveyor can be returned to the supply conveyor.

3. 2. The article dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage section is provided on both sides of the discharge line.

4. 2. The article dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the article supply lines.

5. The method further comprises: providing an information reading means for reading information attached to the article; and identifying a storage line in which the article is stored from the information read by the information reading means; 2. The article dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein when the article reaches a branching device of a corresponding storage line, the article is branched at the branching device and carried to a storage conveyor in which the article is to be stored.

6. 2. The article dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage line extends in a plane.

7. 2. The article dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein each of the storage lines is provided with a discharge means for dispensing articles to the discharge line, and the height above ground of the bottom of the articles when discharged by the discharge means is approximately equal to the height above ground of the discharge line.

8. The item dispensing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the control means determines a space capable of storing the group of items included in the item group in a plan view, and items included in the item group are dispensed from each storage line to a discharge line at the time when the items included in the item group enter the space.

9. The item dispensing device described in claim 1, characterized in that an item included in an item group that is newly dispensed from a storage line to a discharge line is dispensed ahead of an item that has already been dispensed from another storage line to the discharge line and is moving along the discharge line.

10. The discharge line has a discharge conveyor, and the discharge conveyor can change a conveying speed of any area; The item dispensing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the discharge conveyor receives items dispensed from each storage line while moving in a fixed direction, and at that time is capable of changing the conveying speed of a specific area to group one or more specified items together.

11. 2. The article dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of designated articles are controlled so as to be positioned on the carry-out line in accordance with their size and / or shape.

Images