Article sorting facility

Abstract

To provide an article sorting facility which performs both sorting work and processing work for shipping while reducing the installation space of the facility.SOLUTION: A work area A of the article sorting facility comprises: an output container arrangement section 23 where storage containers 1 are arranged; a collection container arrangement section 25 where a collection container 2 is arranged; a take-out work area A1 where a take-out operation is performed to take out articles 4 from the storage containers 1; a processing work area A3 where a processing operation for shipping is performed on the articles 4 taken out by the take-out operation; and a sorting work area A4 where a sorting operation is performed to put the articles 4 after the processing operation into the collection containers 2. The collection container arrangement section 25 is configured so that a plurality of collection containers 2 are lined up in parallel with a conveying direction T of the storage containers 1 in the output container arrangement section 23, or a plurality of output container arrangement sections 23 are set and a plurality of collection containers 2 are lined up in parallel with the arrangement direction of the plurality of output container arrangement sections 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an item sorting facility that includes a container storage facility in which a plurality of storage containers are stored, and a work area in which sorting work is performed in which items contained in the storage containers are removed and sorted into a plurality of collection containers. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of an article sorting facility for sorting articles is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-154605 (Patent Document 1). In the following description of the background art, the reference symbols in Patent Document 1 will be quoted in parentheses. The facility disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a goods sorting area (13) where goods are sorted according to shipping destination, as well as a distribution processing area (12) where goods are distributed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-154605 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an article sorting facility where articles contained in a storage container are taken out and sorted into a number of collection containers, it is possible to carry out a processing operation for shipment (distribution processing in Patent Document 1) on the articles taken out of the storage container, and then place the articles into the collection container. It is desirable that an article sorting facility that performs both the sorting operation and the processing operation for shipment in this manner can be realized while reducing the installation space of the facility. However, Patent Document 1 does not mention this point.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a technology that makes it possible to realize an article sorting facility that performs both sorting work and processing work for shipping while reducing the installation space of the facility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An item sorting facility according to the present disclosure includes a container storage facility in which a plurality of storage containers are stored, a work area, and a transport system for transporting the storage containers from the container storage facility to the work area and transporting the storage containers from the work area to the container storage facility, wherein the storage containers contain one or more types of items, and the work area includes an output container placement section in which the storage containers transported from the container storage facility to the work area by the transport system are placed, a product collection container placement section in which a plurality of product collection containers are placed, a removal work area in which removal work is performed to remove items from the storage containers placed in the output container placement section, and a removal work area in which the removal work is performed. the storage container is arranged in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the storage container in the outgoing container arrangement section, or a plurality of outgoing container arrangement sections are set up so that the plurality of collection containers are arranged in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the storage container in the outgoing container arrangement section, or a plurality of outgoing container arrangement sections are set up so that the plurality of collection containers are arranged in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of outgoing container arrangement sections.

[0007] According to this configuration, the items removed from the storage container by the removal operation can be processed for shipment and then placed in the collection container. Therefore, items suitable for shipment can be sorted into collection containers and shipped. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the collection container arrangement section is configured so that multiple collection containers are lined up in parallel with the transport direction of the storage container in the outgoing container arrangement section, or multiple outgoing container arrangement sections are set and multiple collection containers are lined up in parallel with the arrangement direction of the multiple outgoing container arrangement sections. When the collection container arrangement section is configured so that multiple collection containers are lined up in parallel with the transport direction of the storage container in the outgoing container arrangement section, the collection container arrangement section can be easily arranged adjacent to a section that is arranged to extend in the transport direction of the first conveyor and includes the outgoing container arrangement section, and this makes it possible to reduce the space required for installing the outgoing container arrangement section and the collection container arrangement section. Furthermore, when the product collection container arranging section is configured so that a plurality of output container arranging sections are set and a plurality of collection containers are arranged in parallel with the arrangement direction of the plurality of output container arranging sections, the product collection container arranging section can be easily arranged adjacent to a section arranged to extend in the arrangement direction of the first conveyor and connecting the plurality of output container arranging sections, thereby reducing the space required for installation of the output container arranging section and the product collection container arranging section. As described above, with this configuration, it is possible to realize an item sorting facility that performs both sorting work and processing work for shipping while reducing the installation space for the facility.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the article sorting installation will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment which refers to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of an article sorting facility according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view of a transport vehicle according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a work area according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work area according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] Control block diagram according to the first embodiment [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a batch loading process according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a batch loading process according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] 11 is a plan view of a working area according to a second embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a part of a work area according to a third embodiment; [Figure 10] 11 is a plan view of a working area according to a third embodiment; [Figure 11] 13 is a perspective view of a work area according to a third embodiment; [Figure 12] 13 is a plan view of a working area according to the fourth embodiment; [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view of a work area according to a fourth embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of an article sorting facility will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 7). As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the article sorting facility 100 includes a container storage facility 8, a work area A, and a transport system 40. The article sorting facility 100 further includes a control system 5 (see FIG. 5) that controls the transport system 40. In the following, two mutually orthogonal horizontal directions are defined as the X direction and the Y direction. One side of the X direction is defined as the X direction first side X1, and the other side of the X direction is defined as the X direction second side X2. One side of the Y direction is defined as the Y direction first side Y1, and the other side of the Y direction is defined as the Y direction second side Y2.

[0011] A plurality of storage containers 1 are stored in the container storage facility 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the container storage facility 8 is equipped with a storage shelf 9 for storing the storage containers 1. The storage containers 1 are stored in the storage shelf 9 while being supported on the shelf portion of the storage shelf 9. Details are omitted, but in the example shown in FIG. 1, the storage shelf 9 is configured as follows. The shelf portion is configured to support a plurality of storage containers 1 lined up in the shelf width direction (Y direction in the example shown in FIG. 1). The shelf portions are arranged in multiple tiers lined up in the Z direction, which is the up-down direction (vertical direction), and the storage shelf 9 is configured to store the storage containers 1 on each of the multiple tiers (stages).

[0012] The storage container 1 is formed in a box shape (here, a box shape with an open top). As shown in Fig. 4, the storage container 1 is configured to be stackable in the Z direction. A storage container 1 is stacked on another storage container 1 by fitting the bottom of the storage container 1 into the opening at the top of the other storage container 1. The storage containers 1 are configured to be stackable with items 4 stored therein.

[0013] The storage container 1 contains items 4 such as products and parts. Here, the storage container 1 contains one or more types of items 4. For example, the storage container 1 contains multiple items 4 of multiple types. The storage container 1 may contain multiple items 4 of a single type, or the storage container 1 may contain one item each of multiple types of items 4. The type (type, item) of the item 4 refers to a classification of the items 4 to be handled by the item sorting equipment 100 according to a predetermined criterion. For example, the type of the item 4 can be classified based on the smallest management unit (SKU) of the item 4, that is, based on the smallest management unit when inventory management of the item 4 is performed. The type of the item 4 can also be classified based on the identification code of the item 4 (for example, a product identification code such as a JAN code or an EAN code).

[0014] The transport system 40 is configured to carry in the storage container 1 from the container storage facility 8 to the work area A, and carry out the storage container 1 from the work area A to the container storage facility 8. As shown in Fig. 1, the transport system 40 includes a conveyor (here, a first conveyor 41) that transports the storage container 1 within the work area A, and a transport vehicle 90 that transports the storage container 1 outside the work area A. The transport vehicle 90 transports a stacked container group 10 formed by stacking a plurality of storage containers 1.

[0015] 1, the first conveyor 41 includes an input section 50 that receives a storage container 1 (here, stacked container group 10) that has been carried into the work area A from the container storage facility 8, and an output section 60 that outputs the storage container 1 (here, stacked container group 10) heading from the work area A to the container storage facility 8. A transport vehicle 90 transports the storage container 1 (here, stacked container group 10) from the container storage facility 8 to the input section 50, and transports the storage container 1 (here, stacked container group 10) from the output section 60 to the container storage facility 8.

[0016] The container storage facility 8 (specifically, storage shelf 9) is configured to store a plurality of storage containers 1 in a mutually separated state. The transport vehicle 90 stacks a plurality of storage containers 1 removed from the storage shelf 9 to form a stacked container group 10, and transports the stacked container group 10 to the carry-in section 50. The transport vehicle 90 also transports the stacked container group 10 received from the carry-out section 60 to the container storage facility 8, and stores the plurality of storage containers 1 constituting the stacked container group 10 in the storage shelf 9 in a mutually separated state.

[0017] The transport vehicle 90 may be an unmanned transport vehicle that runs autonomously or by remote control, or may be a manned transport vehicle (e.g., a forklift) that is driven and operated by an operator. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 90 is an unmanned transport vehicle that runs autonomously. The transport vehicle 90 may be a rail-guided transport vehicle (e.g., a stacker crane) that runs along rails provided on the floor surface or the like, or may be a non-rail transport vehicle such as an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) or an AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot). When the transport vehicle 90 is a non-rail transport vehicle, the transport vehicle 90 runs along a virtually formed travel path P, not a physically formed travel path P using rails or the like (see FIG. 1). For example, a plurality of detectable objects such as two-dimensional codes and RF (Radio Frequency) tags are installed on the floor surface, and the travel path P is virtually formed so as to connect the plurality of detectable objects. It is also possible to configure the transport vehicle 90 such that the detectable objects are not installed on the floor surface, and the travel path P is virtually formed by a route calculated based on the recognition result of the surrounding environment.

[0018] The transport vehicle 90 illustrated in Fig. 2 is configured as follows. The transport vehicle 90 is equipped with a traveling body 93, a support unit 94, a first transfer device 91, and a second transfer device 92. The transport vehicle 90 is further equipped with a lifting device 95. The support unit 94, the first transfer device 91, the second transfer device 92, and the lifting device 95 are all mounted on the travel vehicle 93.

[0019] The running body 93 is configured to run on a floor surface. Although details are omitted, the running body 93 runs by rotating drive wheels using a driving force source such as an electric motor. The running body 93 has a pair of left and right drive wheels, and is configured to turn by rotating the pair of left and right drive wheels in opposite directions.

[0020] The support section 94 supports the stacked container group 10. The support section 94 can also support a single storage container 1. In this example, the conveyor constituting the second transfer device 92 constitutes the support section 94. Specifically, the conveying surface of the conveyor constituting the second transfer device 92 constitutes the support surface of the stacked container group 10 at the support section 94. The conveying surface of the conveyor is constituted, for example, by a plane (imaginary plane) that includes the upper ends of each of the multiple rollers that constitute the conveyor, or is constituted by the upper surface of the belt that constitutes the conveyor.

[0021] The second transfer device 92 transfers the storage container 1 (here, the stacked container group 10) between the support section 94 and the carry-in section 50. The second transfer device 92 also transfers the storage container 1 (here, the stacked container group 10) between the support section 94 and the carry-out section 60. In Figs. 1 and 3, the transfer operation of the stacked container group 10 by the second transfer device 92 is indicated by a white arrow as the second transfer operation M2. The second transfer operation M2 includes the transfer operation of the stacked container group 10 by the second transfer device 92 from the transport vehicle 90 (in this example, the support section 94) to the carry-in section 50, and the transfer operation of the stacked container group 10 by the second transfer device 92 from the carry-out section 60 to the transport vehicle 90 (in this example, the support section 94).

[0022] In this embodiment, the second transfer device 92 is configured to transfer the stacked container group 10 between the transfer target location (here, the carry-in section 50 and the carry-out section 60) by moving the stacked container group 10 in the vehicle body width direction (a horizontal direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the transport vehicle 90, and a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). In this example, the second transfer device 92 is equipped with a conveyor (e.g., a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor) that transports the stacked container group 10 in the vehicle body width direction. In addition, the second transfer device 92 may be a fork-type transfer device equipped with a fork that supports the stacked container group 10 and moves in and out. In this specification, a member that supports a supported object and moves in and out by a moving in and out device is called a "fork", and the "fork" is not limited to a specific shape.

[0023] The lifting device 95 is mounted on the traveling body 93 so as to be able to rise and fall. The lifting device 95 is configured to lift a storage container 1 at any stage (any height) among the multiple storage containers 1 constituting the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94. By lifting a storage container 1 at any stage in this manner using the lifting device 95, the storage container 1 at that stage can be separated from the storage container 1 one stage below. Note that if one or more other storage containers 1 are stacked on top of the storage container 1 being lifted by the lifting device 95, the other one or more storage containers 1 are also lifted.

[0024] A group of storage containers 1 in multiple tiers lifted by the lifting device 95 is taken as a target container group, and in this example, the lifting device 95 is configured to be able to form a space in the Z direction between the storage containers 1 in two adjacent tiers in the target container group (here, between the storage container 1 in the lowest tier and the storage container 1 one tier above). FIG. 2 shows how the lifting device 95 is lifting a target container group consisting of a group of two tiers of storage containers 1, and a space in the Z direction is formed between the storage container 1 in the lowest tier that constitutes the target container group and the storage container 1 one tier above that (here, the storage container 1 in the top tier that constitutes the target container group). As will be described later, FIG. 2 shows how the first transfer device 91 is moving a storage container 1 (storage container 1 with a circled "2" attached) into the space thus formed.

[0025] The first transfer device 91 transfers the storage container 1 between the storage shelf 9 provided in the container storage facility 8 and the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94. In Fig. 1, the transfer operation of the storage container 1 by the first transfer device 91 is indicated by a white arrow as the first transfer operation M1. The first transfer operation M1 includes the transfer operation of the storage container 1 from the storage shelf 9 to the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94, and the transfer operation of the storage container 1 from the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94 to the storage shelf 9.

[0026] When transferring the storage container 1 from the storage shelf 9 to the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94, the first transfer device 91 removes the storage container 1 from the storage shelf 9 and then adds the storage container 1 to any stage of the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94. The first transfer device 91 is mounted on the traveling body 93 so as to be able to move up and down. The first transfer device 91 removes the storage container 1 in a state where it has been raised and lowered to a height corresponding to the shelf stage where the storage container 1 to be removed is stored. Then, the first transfer device 91 adds the storage container 1 to the stage in the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94 in a state where it has been raised and lowered to a height corresponding to the stage to which the storage container 1 is to be added. In this example, since the transport vehicle 90 is equipped with the lifting device 95, the first transfer device 91 can add the storage container 1 not only to the top stage of the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94 but also to any stage (specifically, the stage below the storage container 1 lifted by the lifting device 95).

[0027] When transferring the storage container 1 from the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94 to the storage shelf 9, the first transfer device 91 removes the storage container 1 from any of the tiers of the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94, and then stores the storage container 1 in the storage shelf 9. The first transfer device 91 removes the storage container 1 from the tier in the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94, while being raised or lowered to a height corresponding to the tier from which the storage container 1 is to be removed. In this example, since the transport vehicle 90 is equipped with the lifting device 95, the first transfer device 91 can remove the storage container 1 not only from the top tier of the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94, but also from any tier (specifically, the tier below the storage container 1 lifted by the lifting device 95). The first transfer device 91 then stores the storage container 1 in the tier, while being raised or lowered to a height corresponding to the tier to be stored.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first transfer device 91 is a push-pull type transfer device. The first transfer device 91 delivers the storage container 1 to a transfer target location (here, the storage shelf 9 and the stacked container group 10) by pressing the storage container 1, and receives the storage container 1 from the transfer target location by pulling in the storage container 1. Alternatively to this configuration, the first transfer device 91 may be a fork type transfer device equipped with forks that support the storage container 1 and move in and out.

[0029] The first transfer device 91 is mounted on a traveling body 93 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the Z direction. By rotating the first transfer device 91 about an axis along the Z direction, the posture of the first transfer device 91 is switched between a posture for transferring the storage container 1 between the storage shelf 9 (in this example, a posture facing the vehicle body width direction) and a posture for transferring the storage container 1 between the stacked container group 10 supported by the support portion 94 (in this example, a posture facing the vehicle body fore-and-aft direction). Here, the vehicle body fore-and-aft direction is the horizontal direction along the traveling direction of the transport vehicle 90, and is the left-right direction in FIG. 2.

[0030] In this example, the first transfer device 91 is configured to be able to perform parallel transfer operations of two storage containers 1. Fig. 2 shows how, while the lifting device 95 is lifting two storage containers 1, the first transfer device 91 simultaneously removes a storage container 1 (storage container 1 marked with a circled "1") one level below these two storage containers 1, and adds a storage container 1 (storage container 1 marked with a circled "2") between these two storage containers 1.

[0031] The operation of the conveying system 40 is controlled by a control system 5 (see FIG. 5). The control system 5 controls the operation of a device to be controlled by controlling the driving of a driving power source (e.g., an electric motor) provided in the device. Each function of the control system 5 is realized by cooperation between hardware such as an arithmetic processing device and a program executed on the hardware. The control system 5 may be configured not by a single piece of hardware, but by a collection of multiple pieces of hardware (multiple separate pieces of hardware) that can communicate with each other. Furthermore, a device to be controlled by the control system 5 (e.g., a controller provided in the device) may configure at least a part of the control system 5.

[0032] The various technical features of the control system 5 disclosed in this specification are also applicable to a method of controlling the conveying system 40 and a program for controlling the conveying system 40 (a program for causing a computer to function as the control system 5), and such methods and programs, as well as storage media on which such programs are stored (e.g., computer-readable recording media such as an optical disk flash memory, etc.), are also disclosed by this specification.

[0033] The work area A is an area where a sorting operation is performed in which the items 4 stored in the storage container 1 are taken out and sorted into a plurality of collection containers 2. As described later, in this embodiment, a worker performs the sorting operation in the work area A. For this reason, an instruction output device 6 (see FIG. 5) that outputs work instructions to the worker is disposed in the work area A. Although the instruction output device 6 is not illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the instruction output device 6 is, for example, a display (monitor). The control system 5 controls the instruction output device 6 in addition to the conveyance system 40. The instruction output device 6 may be a monitor of a mobile terminal carried by the worker, or may be smart glasses (a display device integrated with glasses) if the worker wears them.

[0034] In the work area A, the storage container 1 is transported by a first conveyor 41 (e.g., a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor) provided in the transport system 40. The first conveyor 41 has a transport section 70 that transports the storage container 1 from the loading section 50 to the unloading section 60. The first conveyor 41 transports the storage container 1 in one direction (transport direction T shown in FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the transport section 70 does not branch, and does not have a branching section 80 or a junction section 81 (see FIGS. 9 and 12) described later.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the conveying section 70 of the first conveyor 41 includes an entrance section extending from the entrance section 50 to the second side Y2 in the Y direction, an exit section extending to the first side Y1 in the Y direction toward the exit section 60, and an intermediate section connecting the entrance section and the exit section. In this example, the exit section 60 is disposed on the second side X2 in the X direction relative to the entrance section 50, and the exit section is disposed on the second side X2 in the X direction relative to the entrance section. In this example, the exit section 60 is disposed at the same position in the Y direction as the entrance section 50. In this example, the intermediate section includes an upstream section extending from the entrance section to the second side X2 in the X direction, and a downstream section disposed on the first side Y1 in the Y direction relative to the upstream section and extending to the first side X1 in the X direction toward the exit section. Although details are omitted, at the point where the conveying direction T of the first conveyor 41 changes, for example, a conveying mechanism for conveying the storage container 1 in the X direction, a conveying mechanism for conveying the storage container 1 in the Y direction, and a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering these two conveying mechanisms relatively are provided.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, work area A is equipped with an outgoing container placement section 23 and a collection container placement section 25. In this embodiment, work area A further includes a processing item placement section 20 and an incoming container placement section 24. Note that work area A may be configured not to include either or both of the processing item placement section 20 and the incoming container placement section 24. If work area A does not include the incoming container placement section 24, then work area A also does not include the incoming work area A2 described below.

[0037] The outgoing container placement section 23 is where the storage container 1 that has been transported from the container storage facility 8 to the work area A by the transport system 40 is placed. Hereinafter, the storage container 1 placed in the outgoing container placement section 23 is referred to as the "first container 1a" to distinguish it from other storage containers 1. The outgoing container placement section 23 is a predetermined area on the first conveyor 41. In this embodiment, the outgoing container placement section 23 is a predetermined area on the above-mentioned intermediate section (specifically, the upstream section) of the first conveyor 41. In this embodiment, this area is set to a size that allows one storage container 1 to be placed therein.

[0038] The work area A includes a take-out work area A1. As described below, the work area A further includes a storage work area A2, a processing work area A3, and a sorting work area A4. Each of the areas included in the work area A is at least conceptually defined. Therefore, the multiple areas included in the work area A do not need to be different from each other, and the multiple areas may overlap in part, or the multiple areas may be the same area. For example, the processing work area A3 and the sorting work area A4 may be different from each other, but in this embodiment, the processing work area A3 and the sorting work area A4 are the same area, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0039] In the take-out work area A1, a take-out work (picking work) is performed to take out the items 4 from the storage container 1 (first container 1a) arranged in the outgoing container arrangement section 23. Therefore, the outgoing container arrangement section 23 is a stop position on the first conveyor 41 where the storage container 1 is stopped for the take-out work. In the take-out work, the items 4 stored in the storage container 1 are taken out through an opening on the top surface of the storage container 1. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the take-out work in the take-out work area A1 is performed by one or more first workers 31. Therefore, for example, an instruction output device 6 visible to the first worker 31 displays an instruction for the take-out work (for example, information on the type of the items 4 to be taken out and information on the number of the items 4 to be taken out). Note that the take-out work may be performed by a robot instead of the first worker 31, or the take-out work may be performed by the first worker 31 and the robot in cooperation with each other.

[0040] In this embodiment, the items 4 are stored in the storage container 1 while being contained in a container 3 such as a bag. For example, the container 3 contains a plurality of items 4 of the same type. In the removal operation, the items 4 are removed from the storage container 1 together with the container 3 in which the items 4 are contained. In other words, in the removal operation, the items 4 are not removed piece by piece (piece picking), but are removed type by type (item picking).

[0041] In this embodiment, the carry-in section 50 receives the stacked container group 10 from the transport vehicle 90. For this reason, the work area A is provided with a de-stack device 44 that separates the stacked container group 10 received in the carry-in section 50 into individual storage containers 1. The de-stack device 44 is disposed downstream of the carry-in section 50 and upstream of the output container arrangement section 23. In this embodiment, the de-stack device 44 is disposed in the above-mentioned carry-in section of the first conveyor 41. The storage containers 1 separated from the stacked container group 10 in the de-stack device 44 are transported in sequence to the output container arrangement section 23. The de-stack device 44 is configured to sequentially separate and carry out the storage containers 1 at the lowest level in the stacked container group 10, for example. Although details are omitted, the de-tiering device 44, for example, includes a first lifting device that holds and raises and lowers the stacked container group 10, and a second lifting device that holds and raises and lowers the storage container 1 on the lowest level of the stacked container group 10.

[0042] A plurality of collection containers 2 are arranged in the collection container arrangement section 25. The collection container 2 is formed in a box shape (here, a box shape with an open top). In this embodiment, the collection container arrangement section 25 is a shelf on which a plurality of collection containers 2 can be arranged side by side. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the work area A includes a plurality of collection container arrangement sections 25. The plurality of collection container arrangement sections 25 are arranged at different positions (heights) in the Z direction and are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the Z direction (when viewed in a direction along the Z direction, i.e., when viewed from above). Here, the work area A includes two collection container arrangement sections 25. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a shelf portion constituting one collection container arrangement section 25 and a shelf portion constituting another collection container arrangement section 25 are arranged at different positions in the Z direction and are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the Z direction.

[0043] In this embodiment, the product collection container arrangement section 25 is configured so that multiple collection containers 2 are arranged in parallel with the conveying direction T of the storage container 1 in the outgoing container arrangement section 23. The conveying direction T of the storage container 1 can also be referred to as the arrangement direction of the storage container 1. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the conveying direction T of the storage container 1 in the outgoing container arrangement section 23 is the X direction. The product collection container arrangement section 25 is configured so that multiple collection containers 2 are arranged in parallel with the X direction. Here, the product collection container arrangement section 25 is arranged on the second side Y2 in the Y direction with respect to the outgoing container arrangement section 23. By configuring the product collection container arrangement section 25 in this manner, the product collection container arrangement section 25 can be arranged adjacent to the section (here, the above-mentioned intermediate section, specifically, the upstream section) that is arranged to extend in the X direction on the first conveyor 41 and includes the outgoing container arrangement section 23, and this makes it possible to reduce the space required for installing the outgoing container arrangement section 23 and the collection container arrangement section 25. In this embodiment, the product collection container arrangement section 25 is configured so that a plurality of product collection containers 2 are arranged in parallel with the conveyance direction T (here, the X direction) of the storage container 1 in the incoming container arrangement section 24.

[0044] The work area A includes a processing work area A3. In the processing work area A3, processing work for shipping (hereinafter simply referred to as "processing work") is performed on the items 4 taken out by the removal work. The processing work is, for example, processing the items 4 such as merchandise to fit them into a shipping form (i.e., distribution processing work). Distribution processing is, for example, packaging, subdivision, replacing identification tags (shipping labels), processing parts, assembling parts, measuring weight, inspection, etc.

[0045] In this embodiment, the items 4 taken out by the take-out operation are placed in the processing item placement section 20 for the processing operation. In this embodiment, the processing item placement section 20 is a workbench for performing the processing operation. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the items 4 taken out by the take-out operation are placed on a cart 7 together with the container 3 in which the items 4 are stored, and transported from the take-out operation area A1 to the processing operation area A3, and then placed together with the container 3 in the processing item placement section 20. Then, the processing operation is performed on the items 4 taken out of the container 3. Thus, in this embodiment, the items 4 are taken out piece by piece (piece picking) in the processing operation.

[0046] 3, in this embodiment, processing work in the processing work area A3 is performed by one or more second workers 32. Therefore, for example, instructions for the processing work (for example, specific details of the processing work) are displayed on an instruction output device 6 that is visible to the second worker 32. Note that a configuration in which a robot performs the processing work instead of the second worker 32, or a configuration in which the second worker 32 and a robot perform the processing work in cooperation with each other, may also be adopted.

[0047] The work area A includes a sorting work area A4. In the sorting work area A4, a sorting work is performed in which the items 4 after the processing work are put into the collection container 2. The sorting work is a work of putting the items 4 of the type specified in the order into each of the multiple collection containers 2 arranged in the collection container arrangement section 25 in the number specified in the order. That is, an order specifying the number of items 4 for each type is assigned to each of the multiple collection containers 2. For example, the control system 5 or another control system that can communicate with the control system 5 (for example, a higher-level control system) generates an order based on an order from a shipping destination of the items 4, and manages the generated order in association with the shipping destination. Then, the control system 5 controls the transport system 40 to transport the storage container 1 containing the items 4 of the type specified in the order (i.e., the storage container 1 required for the sorting work) to the output container arrangement section 23.

[0048] 3, in this embodiment, the sorting work in the sorting work area A4 is performed by one or more second workers 32. Therefore, for example, instructions for the sorting work (for example, information on the type and number of items 4 specified in the order for each collection container 2) are displayed on an instruction output device 6 visible to the second worker 32. Note that the sorting work may be performed by a robot instead of the second worker 32, or the sorting work may be performed in cooperation with the second worker 32 and the robot.

[0049] In this embodiment, both the processing work and the sorting work are performed by the same worker (worker or robot). In the example shown in Fig. 3, a second worker 32 performs both the processing work and the sorting work. That is, the second worker 32 performs the processing work on the items 4, and then performs the sorting work of placing the items 4 into the collection container 2. Alternatively, the processing work and the sorting work may be performed by different workers.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the collection container arrangement section 25 is arranged on the upper side Z1 than the processing article arrangement section 20. The processing article arrangement section 20 and the collection container arrangement section 25 are arranged so as to overlap when viewed in the Z direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the multiple storage containers 1 in the collection container arrangement section 25 when viewed in the Z direction is set as the target direction (Y direction in this example), and the processing article arrangement section 20 is formed to have a larger dimension in the target direction than the collection container arrangement section 25. The processing article arrangement section 20 is arranged so as to protrude on both sides of the target direction relative to the collection container arrangement section 25 when viewed in the Z direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, multiple second workers 32 are separated on both sides of the target direction relative to the processing article arrangement section 20 and the collection container arrangement section 25, making it easier to perform processing work and sorting work.

[0051] In the incoming container arrangement section 24, a storage container 1 to be transported from the work area A to the container storage facility 8 by the transport system 40 is arranged. Hereinafter, the storage container 1 arranged in the incoming container arrangement section 24 is referred to as a "second container 1b" to distinguish it from other storage containers 1. The incoming container arrangement section 24 is a predetermined area on the first conveyor 41. The incoming container arrangement section 24 is a predetermined area downstream of the outgoing container arrangement section 23 in the transport section 70 (specifically, the above-mentioned intermediate section, more specifically, the above-mentioned upstream section). In this embodiment, this area is set to a size that allows one storage container 1 to be arranged. In the example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, between the first container 1a arranged in the outgoing container arrangement section 23 and the second container 1b arranged in the incoming container arrangement section 24, a storage container 1 (here, four storage containers 1) other than the first container 1a and the second container 1b can be arranged.

[0052] The work area A includes an incoming work area A2. In the incoming work area A2, incoming work is performed. The incoming work is the work of putting the items 4 to be stored into the storage container 1 (second container 1b) arranged in the incoming container arrangement section 24, or the work of arranging the storage container 1 containing the items 4 to be stored in the incoming container arrangement section 24. Therefore, the incoming container arrangement section 24 is a stop / placement position on the first conveyor 41 where the storage container 1 is stopped or placed for the incoming work.

[0053] In this embodiment, as the storing operation of putting the item 4 to be stored into the second container 1b, the container 3 after the item 4 has been removed by the processing operation (the container 3 in which the item 4 remains) is placed into the second container 1b. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the container 3 after the item 4 has been removed by the processing operation is placed on a cart 7 and transported from the processing operation area A3 to the storing operation area A2, and then placed into the second container 1b. Note that the second container 1b into which the container 3 is placed may be the same storage container 1 as the storage container 1 from which the container 3 was removed by the removing operation, or a different storage container 1. In this embodiment, as the storing operation of putting the item 4 to be stored into the second container 1b, the container 3 containing the item 4 to be replenished or the container 3 containing the item 4 newly to be stored (the container 3 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3) is also placed into the second container 1b.

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, the incoming container placement work of placing the storage container 1 containing the items 4 to be stored in the incoming container placement section 24 involves loading the storage container 1 containing the items 4 to be replenished or the items 4 newly to be stored in the container 3 onto the incoming container placement section 24 from outside the first conveyor 41.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the storing operation in the storing operation area A2 is performed by one or more third workers 33. Note that it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a robot performs the storing operation instead of the third worker 33, or a configuration in which the third worker 33 and a robot work together to perform the storing operation. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the processing operation and the sorting operation are performed by the same worker (worker or robot), but any two or more operations among the removal operation, processing operation, sorting operation, and storing operation may be performed by the same worker. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the removal operation and the storing operation are performed by the same worker.

[0056] In this embodiment, the unloading section 60 delivers the stacked container group 10 to the transport vehicle 90. For this purpose, the work area A is provided with a stacking device 45 that generates the stacked container group 10 by stacking a plurality of storage containers 1 (in this embodiment, a set number of storage containers 1 described later). The stacking device 45 is disposed downstream of the outgoing container arrangement section 23 and the incoming container arrangement section 24 and upstream of the unloading section 60. In this embodiment, the stacking device 45 is disposed in the unloading section side section described above in the first conveyor 41. The stacked container group 10 generated by sequentially stacking a plurality of storage containers 1 in the stacking device 45 is transported to the unloading section 60. The stacking device 45 is configured, for example, to sequentially add the storage container 1 to be stacked to the stacked container group 10 as the storage container 1 at the bottom tier. For example, the de-stack device 44 and the stacking device 45 can be devices having a common configuration.

[0057] Although not limited to such a configuration, in this embodiment, the control system 5 is configured to cause the conveying system 40 to execute the batch carry-in process. The sorting work for a predetermined number of collection containers 2 is grouped into one batch, and the batch carry-in process is a process of carrying the storage containers 1 required for the sorting work included in each of the multiple batches into the work area A in the order of processing the multiple batches. As described above, in this embodiment, the work area A has multiple collection container placement units 25 in which the collection containers 2 are placed. Then, in each of the multiple collection container placement units 25, collection containers 2 belonging to different batches are placed. Therefore, the sorting work included in multiple batches (specifically, batches of the same number as the number of collection container placement units 25) can be performed in parallel. The maximum number of collection containers 2 that can be placed in each collection container placement unit 25 (6 in the example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) is set to be the same as the maximum number of collection containers 2 belonging to one batch. It should be noted that "a collection container 2 belonging to a batch" refers to a collection container 2 into which items 4 are sorted by a sorting operation included in the batch.

[0058] 3 and 4, sorting operations for six collection containers 2 placed in one collection container placement section 25 are collectively regarded as one batch. Then, the two collection container placement sections 25 are each placed with collection containers 2 belonging to two different batches (specifically, one batch and the next batch to be processed after the first batch). When the sorting operation included in one of the two batches is completed, the collection containers 2 belonging to that batch (six collection containers 2 in this example) are removed from the collection container placement section 25, and the collection containers 2 belonging to the next batch to be processed after the first two batches are placed in that collection container placement section 25.

[0059] In this embodiment, the transport system 40 is configured to generate a stacked container group 10 in which a predetermined set number (8 in the example shown in FIG. 4) of storage containers 1 are stacked, and transport the stacked container group 10 to the work area A. When transporting the stacked container group 10 to the work area A in this manner, it is also possible to generate one stacked container group 10 only from storage containers 1 belonging to the same batch, and not generate a stacked container group 10 in which storage containers 1 belonging to different batches are mixed (i.e., generate only stacked container groups 10 divided by batch). In this case, however, it becomes necessary to generate stacked container groups 10 with fewer tiers than the set number, which may reduce the efficiency of transporting the storage containers 1 by the transport system 40. Note that the "storage containers 1 belonging to a batch" refers to the storage containers 1 required for the sorting work included in the batch.

[0060] In view of the above, in this embodiment, instead of carrying in only stacked container groups 10 divided into batches into working area A, as described below, stacked container groups 10 containing a mixture of storage containers 1 belonging to multiple batches in which the processing order is different (consecutive) are also carried into working area A. This reduces the need to generate stacked container groups 10 with fewer tiers than the set number, making it easier to improve the efficiency of transporting storage containers 1 by the transport system 40. Note that, although this embodiment assumes a case in which the "set number" is always a constant number, the set number may be changed to a different number depending on the situation.

[0061] When the control system 5 causes the transport system 40 to execute the batch loading process, the control system 5 controls the transport system 40 as follows. With one of the batches as the first batch and the batch processed next to the first batch as the second batch, the control system 5 causes the transport system 40 to execute a second loading process to load a stacked container group 10, some of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the first batch and the rest of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the second batch, into the work area A between a first loading process to load a stacked container group 10, some of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the first batch, into the work area A and a third loading process to load a stacked container group 10, some of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the second batch, into the work area A.

[0062] In addition, when the stacked container group 10 carried into the working area A in the first carrying-in process is a stacked container group 10 in which some of the storage containers 1 belong to the first batch, the remaining storage containers 1 are, for example, storage containers 1 that belong to the batch that is processed before the first batch. That is, the remaining storage containers 1 in this case are not basically considered to be storage containers 1 that belong to the second batch. In addition, when the stacked container group 10 carried into the working area A in the third carrying-in process is a stacked container group 10 in which some of the storage containers 1 belong to the second batch, the remaining storage containers 1 are, for example, storage containers 1 that belong to the batch that is processed next after the second batch. That is, the remaining storage containers 1 in this case are not basically considered to be storage containers 1 that belong to the first batch.

[0063] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the above-mentioned first carry-in process, second carry-in process, and third carry-in process. As shown in Fig. 6(a), it is assumed here that there are 13 storage containers 1 (storage containers 1 with a circled "1" attached) belonging to the first batch, and 11 storage containers 1 (storage containers 1 with a circled "2" attached) belonging to the second batch. In Fig. 6(b), the first stacked container group 11 is the stacked container group 10 carried into the work area A by the first carry-in process, the second stacked container group 12 is the stacked container group 10 carried into the work area A by the second carry-in process, and the third stacked container group 13 is the stacked container group 10 carried into the work area A by the third carry-in process. Here, an example is shown in which all of the storage containers 1 belonging to the first batch are lined up consecutively in the Z direction in the second stacked container group 12, and all of the storage containers 1 belonging to the second batch are lined up consecutively in the Z direction, but as described above, in this embodiment, sorting operations included in multiple batches (two batches in the example shown in FIG. 4) can be performed in parallel. Therefore, in the second stacked container group 12, one or more storage containers 1 belonging to the first batch and one or more storage containers 1 belonging to the second batch may be lined up alternately in the Z direction.

[0064] If the configuration shown in FIG. 6 were to generate only stacked container groups 10 divided by batch, two stacked container groups 10 with fewer tiers than the set number would be generated, namely, a stacked container group 10 with five storage containers 1 belonging to the first batch stacked and a stacked container group 10 with three storage containers 1 belonging to the second batch stacked, instead of the second stacked container group 12. In this case, the stacked container group 10 needs to be transferred from the transport vehicle 90 to the loading section 50 four times, one more than the three times in the case shown in FIG. 6(b), and the efficiency of transporting the storage containers 1 by the transport system 40 may decrease. In contrast, by generating not only stacked container groups 10 divided by batch, but also stacked container groups 10 in which storage containers 1 belonging to different batches are mixed, the number of times of transfer of the stacked container group 10 from the transport vehicle 90 to the loading section 50 can be reduced, and the efficiency of transporting the storage containers 1 by the transport system 40 can be improved.

[0065] When the control system 5 causes the transport system 40 to execute the batch loading process, it is not necessary for the control system 5 to cause the transport system 40 to execute the first loading process, the second loading process, and the third loading process in that order, and the control system 5 may cause the transport system 40 to execute other loading processes. For example, one of the batches may be the third batch, the batch processed after the third batch may be the fourth batch, and the batch processed after the fourth batch may be the fifth batch, and when the number of storage containers 1 belonging to the fourth batch is equal to or less than the set number minus 2, the control system 5 may be configured to control the transport system 40 as follows. Between a fourth delivery process in which a stacked container group 10, some or all of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the third batch, is delivered to the work area A, and a sixth delivery process in which a stacked container group 10, some of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the fifth batch, is delivered to the work area A, the control system 5 causes the conveying system 40 to execute a fifth delivery process in which a stacked container group 10, some of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the third batch, some of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the fourth batch, and the remainder of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the fifth batch, is delivered to the work area A.

[0066] In addition, when the stacked container group 10 carried into the working area A in the fourth carrying-in process is a stacked container group 10 in which some of the storage containers 1 belong to the third batch, the remaining storage containers 1 are, for example, storage containers 1 that belong to the batch that is processed before the third batch. That is, the remaining storage containers 1 in this case are not basically storage containers 1 that belong to the fourth or fifth batch. In addition, when the stacked container group 10 carried into the working area A in the sixth carrying-in process is a stacked container group 10 in which some of the storage containers 1 belong to the fifth batch, the remaining storage containers 1 are, for example, storage containers 1 that belong to the batch that is processed next after the fifth batch. That is, the remaining storage containers 1 in this case are not basically storage containers 1 that belong to the third or fourth batch.

[0067] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the above-mentioned fourth, fifth, and sixth carry-in processes. As shown in FIG. 7(a), here, it is assumed that there are 10 storage containers 1 (storage containers 1 marked with a circled "3") belonging to the third batch, 5 storage containers 1 (storage containers 1 marked with a circled "4") belonging to the fourth batch, and 9 storage containers 1 (storage containers 1 marked with a circled "5") belonging to the fifth batch. That is, in FIG. 7, the number of storage containers 1 belonging to the fourth batch is 5, and the number obtained by subtracting 2 from the set number is 6, which satisfies the condition that the number of storage containers 1 belonging to the fourth batch is equal to or less than the number obtained by subtracting 2 from the set number. In Figure 7(b), the fourth stacked container group 14 is the stacked container group 10 that is transported into the work area A by the fourth loading process, the fifth stacked container group 15 is the stacked container group 10 that is transported into the work area A by the fifth loading process, and the sixth stacked container group 16 is the stacked container group 10 that is transported into the work area A by the sixth loading process.

[0068] 7, if a configuration were adopted in which only stacked container groups 10 divided by batch were generated, three stacked container groups 10 with fewer tiers than the set number would be generated, including a stacked container group 10 with two storage containers 1 belonging to the third batch stacked, a stacked container group 10 with five storage containers 1 belonging to the fourth batch stacked, and a stacked container group 10 consisting of one storage container 1 belonging to the fifth batch, instead of the fifth stacked container group 15. Note that a single storage container 1 is also referred to as a stacked container group 10 here. In this case, the stacked container group 10 needs to be transferred from the transport vehicle 90 to the loading section 50 five times, two more than the three times in the case shown in FIG. 7(b), and the efficiency of transporting the storage containers 1 by the transport system 40 may decrease. In response to this, by configuring the system to generate not only stacked container groups 10 divided by batch, but also stacked container groups 10 containing a mixture of storage containers 1 belonging to different batches, the number of times the stacked container groups 10 are transferred from the transport vehicle 90 to the loading section 50 can be kept low, thereby improving the efficiency of transporting the storage containers 1 by the transport system 40.

[0069] When the number of storage containers 1 belonging to the fourth batch is equal to or less than the set number minus two, the control system 5 does not necessarily have the transport system 40 execute the fourth carry-in process, the fifth carry-in process, and the sixth carry-in process in order as described above. Specifically, when all of the storage containers 1 belonging to the third batch cannot be carried into the work area A in the fourth carry-in process, and further, when the sum of the number of the remaining storage containers 1 belonging to the third batch and the number of the storage containers 1 belonging to the fourth batch is less than the set number, the control system 5 has the transport system 40 execute the fourth carry-in process, the fifth carry-in process, and the sixth carry-in process in order as described above. On the other hand, when the sum of the number of the remaining storage containers 1 belonging to the third batch and the number of the storage containers 1 belonging to the fourth batch is equal to or more than the set number, instead of the fifth carry-in process, a carry-in process is executed to carry the stacked container group 10, some of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the third batch and the rest of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the fourth batch, into the work area A. In addition, if all of the storage containers 1 belonging to the third batch are able to be transported into work area A in the fourth loading process, instead of the fifth loading process, a loading process is performed in which a stacked container group 10, some of which are storage containers 1 belonging to the fourth batch and some or the remainder are storage containers 1 belonging to the fifth batch, is transported into work area A.

[0070] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the article sorting equipment will be described with reference to the drawing (FIG. 8). The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Points that are not specifically mentioned are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used to omit detailed descriptions.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 8, in this embodiment, the transport system 40 includes a first conveyor 41 and a second conveyor 42 as conveyors for transporting the storage container 1 within the working area A. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the second conveyor 42 is disposed adjacent to the first conveyor 41 on the second side X2 in the X direction.

[0072] The first conveyor 41 includes a first carry-in section 51 that receives a storage container 1 (here, stacked container group 10) carried from the container storage facility 8 to the work area A, a first unloading section 61 through which the storage container 1 (here, stacked container group 10) heading from the work area A to the container storage facility 8 is unloaded, and a first transport section 71 that transports the storage container 1 from the first carry-in section 51 to the first unloading section 61. The first carry-in section 51, the first unloading section 61, and the first transport section 71 correspond to the carry-in section 50, the unloading section 60, and the transport section 70 in the first embodiment, respectively. In this example, the first transport section 71 includes a first input section extending from the first input section 51 to the second side Y2 in the Y direction, a first output section extending to the first side Y1 in the Y direction toward the first output section 61, and a first intermediate section extending from the first input section to the second side X2 in the X direction and connecting the first input section and the first output section. Unlike the intermediate section in the first embodiment, the first intermediate section is arranged in a straight line along the X direction.

[0073] The second conveyor 42 includes a second carry-in section 52 that receives storage containers 1 (here, stacked container group 10) carried into the work area A from the container storage facility 8, a second unloading section 62 through which the storage containers 1 (here, stacked container group 10) heading from the work area A to the container storage facility 8 are unloaded, and a second transport section 72 that transports the storage containers 1 from the second carry-in section 52 to the second unloading section 62. The second carry-in section 52 receives, for example, empty storage containers 1 that do not contain any items 4. In this example, the second transport section 72 includes a second entrance section extending from the second entrance 52 to the second side Y2 in the Y direction, a second exit section extending to the first side Y1 in the Y direction toward the second exit 62, and a second intermediate section extending from the second entrance section to the second side X2 in the X direction and connecting the second entrance section and the second exit section. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the second conveyor 42 has the same configuration as the first conveyor 41. Therefore, the second entrance 52, the second exit 62, the second transport section 72, the second entrance section, the second exit section, and the second intermediate section correspond to the first entrance 51, the first exit 61, the first transport section 71, the first entrance section, the first exit section, and the first intermediate section, respectively.

[0074] In this embodiment, the outgoing container placement section 23 is a predetermined area in the first conveying section 71 (here, the first intermediate section), and the incoming container placement section 24 is a predetermined area in the second conveying section 72 (here, the second intermediate section). In the example shown in Fig. 8, the work area A is provided with a de-stack device 44 downstream of the first carry-in section 51 and upstream of the outgoing container placement section 23 (here, in the first carry-in section side section), and is provided with a stacking device 45 downstream of the outgoing container placement section 23 and upstream of the first unloading section 61 (here, in the first unloading section side section). In addition, in the example shown in Figure 8, the work area A is equipped with a de-stack device 44 downstream of the second entrance section 52 and upstream of the incoming container arrangement section 24 (here, in the second entrance section side section), and is equipped with a stacking device 45 downstream of the incoming container arrangement section 24 and upstream of the second unloading section 62 (here, in the second unloading section side section).

[0075] Third embodiment A third embodiment of the article sorting equipment will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 9 to 11). FIG. 9 is a plan view of the work area A with the third conveyor 43 shown in FIG. 10 omitted. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Points that are not specifically mentioned are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used to omit detailed description thereof.

[0076] 9, the transport section 70 of the first conveyor 41 includes a branch section 80 provided downstream of the carry-in section 50, a plurality of branch sections 82 branched off at the branch section 80, and a junction section 81 provided upstream of the carry-out section 60 where the plurality of branch sections 82 join together. The number of branch sections 80 and junction sections 81 is not limited to one, and the number of branch sections 82 is not limited to two, but in the present embodiment, the transport section 70 includes one branch section 80, two branch sections 82, and one junction section 81.

[0077] 9 to 11, the transport section 70 of the first conveyor 41 includes an entrance section extending from the entrance 50 to the second side Y2 in the Y direction, an exit section extending to the first side Y1 in the Y direction toward the exit 60, and an intermediate section extending from the entrance section to the second side X2 in the X direction to connect the entrance section and the exit section. The section on the first side X1 in the X direction of the intermediate section is composed of two branch sections 82 parallel to the X direction, and the section on the second side X2 in the X direction of the intermediate section is composed of one section after the two branch sections 82 are joined at a joining section 81.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, an output container placement section 23 where the take-out operation is performed is set for each of the multiple branch sections 82. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the work area A has take-out work areas A1 in the same number as the number of branch sections 82. Note that the multiple take-out work areas A1 may be grouped together as a single area, but in this example, two take-out work areas A1 in the same number as the number of branch sections 82 are set on opposite sides in the Y direction, sandwiching the two branch sections 82 between them. The take-out operation in the take-out work area A1 is performed on a storage container 1 (first container 1a) placed in the output container placement section 23 corresponding to the take-out work area A1. In the example shown in Figures 9 and 10, a first worker 31 arranged in the take-out work area A1 on the first side Y1 of the Y direction performs take-out work on a first container 1a arranged in the output container placement section 23 on the first side Y1 of the Y direction, and a first worker 31 arranged in the take-out work area A1 on the second side Y2 of the Y direction performs take-out work on a first container 1a arranged in the output container placement section 23 on the second side Y2 of the Y direction.

[0079] In this embodiment, the removal operation involves removing the item 4 piece by piece (piece picking). Therefore, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, piece picking is not performed in the processing operation. The removal operation is, for example, an operation of removing a container 3 from a storage container 1, removing the item 4 from the container 3, and then placing the container 3 (the container 3 in which the item 4 remains) into the same storage container 1. In the removal operation, the item 4 may be removed from the container 3 without removing the container 3 from the storage container 1.

[0080] In the example shown in Figs. 9 and 10, a first worker 31 performing a removal operation places the items 4 removed by the removal operation in the processing item placement section 20. Then, a second worker 32 performing a processing operation and a sorting operation performs a processing operation on the items 4 placed in the processing item placement section 20, and then places the items 4 in the collection container 2. In this example, two processing work areas A3 (in other words, two sorting work areas A4) in the same number as the number of branch sections 82 are set on opposite sides in the Y direction, sandwiched between the transport section 70 of the first conveyor 41 (specifically, the above-mentioned intermediate section). In addition, two processing item placement sections 20 are set on opposite sides in the Y direction, sandwiched between the transport section 70 of the first conveyor 41 (specifically, the above-mentioned intermediate section).

[0081] In this embodiment, the product collection container arrangement section 25 is also configured so that multiple collection containers 2 are arranged in parallel with the conveying direction T of the storage container 1 in the output container arrangement section 23. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the direction of carrying the storage container 1 into the output container arrangement section 23 is the direction toward the second side X2 in the X direction, and the direction of carrying the storage container 1 out of the output container arrangement section 23 is the direction toward the first side Y1 in the Y direction or the second side Y2 in the Y direction. Therefore, the conveying direction T of the storage container 1 in the output container arrangement section 23 includes both the X direction and the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the product collection container arrangement section 25 is configured so that the conveying direction T of the storage container 1 in the output container arrangement section 23 is the X direction, and multiple collection containers 2 are arranged in parallel with the X direction. By configuring the collection container placement section 25 in this manner, it becomes easier to position the collection container placement section 25 adjacent to a section that is arranged to extend in the X direction on the first conveyor 41 and includes the output container placement section 23 (here, the section on the first side X1 in the X direction in the intermediate section described above, specifically, the section that transports the storage container 1 to the second side X2 in the X direction toward the output container placement section 23).

[0082] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the article sorting equipment 100 (specifically, the conveying system 40) includes a third conveyor 43. The third conveyor 43 is a conveyor (e.g., a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor) that carries in an empty collection container 2 to the collection container arrangement section 25 and carries out a collection container 2 for which a sorting operation has been completed from the collection container arrangement section 25. The third conveyor 43 is configured to continuously transport a plurality of collection containers 2, for example. The collection container arrangement section 25 is a predetermined area on the third conveyor 43. In the example shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, this area is set to a size that allows four collection containers 2 to be arranged side by side. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the article sorting equipment 100 includes two third conveyors 43 at different positions in the Z direction, and these two third conveyors 43 are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the Z direction. As a result, similarly to the first embodiment, the two collection container arrangement sections 25 are arranged at different positions in the Z direction and are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the Z direction.

[0083] In this embodiment, the processing article placement section 20 and the collection container placement section 25 are arranged at horizontally offset positions so as not to overlap when viewed in the Z direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, the collection container placement section 25 is arranged on the upper side Z1 of the transport section 70 of the first conveyor 41. And, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the transport section 70 (specifically, the intermediate section described above) and the collection container placement section 25 are arranged so as to overlap when viewed in the Z direction.

[0084] In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the work area A does not have an incoming container placement section 24 and an incoming work area A2, but in order to make it easier to replenish items 4 and add new items 4 to be stored, the work area A in this embodiment may also be configured to have an incoming container placement section 24 and an incoming work area A2.

[0085] [Fourth embodiment] The fourth embodiment of the article sorting equipment will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 12 and 13). The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Points that are not specifically mentioned are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used to omit detailed description.

[0086] 12, the transport section 70 of the first conveyor 41 includes a branch section 80 provided downstream of the carry-in section 50, a plurality of branch sections 82 branched off at the branch section 80, and a junction section 81 provided upstream of the carry-out section 60 and where the plurality of branch sections 82 join together. In this embodiment, the transport section 70 includes three branch sections 80, four branch sections 82, and three junction sections 81.

[0087] 12 and 13, the transport section 70 of the first conveyor 41 includes an entrance section extending from the entrance 50 to the second side Y2 in the Y direction, an unloading section extending to the first side Y1 in the Y direction toward the unloading section 60, and an intermediate section extending from the entrance section to the second side X2 in the X direction to connect the entrance section and the unloading section. The intermediate section is made up of four branch sections 82 parallel to each other in the X direction.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 12, in this embodiment, the outgoing container placement section 23 where the take-out operation is performed is set in each of the multiple branch sections 82. And, as shown in Fig. 12, the work area A has the same number of take-out work areas A1 as the number of branch sections 82. In the example shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, of the four take-out work areas A1 set to be aligned in the Y direction, the two take-out work areas A1 on the first side Y1 in the Y direction are grouped together as one area, and the two take-out work areas A1 on the second side Y2 in the Y direction are grouped together as one area.

[0089] The take-out work in the take-out work area A1 is performed on the storage container 1 (first container 1a) arranged in the output container placement section 23 corresponding to the take-out work area A1. In this example, the first worker 31 arranged in the take-out work area A1 closest to the first side Y1 in the Y direction performs the take-out work on the first container 1a arranged in the output container placement section 23 closest to the first side Y1 in the Y direction, and the first worker 31 arranged in the take-out work area A1 second from the first side Y1 in the Y direction performs the take-out work on the first container 1a arranged in the output container placement section 23 second from the first side Y1 in the Y direction. In addition, the first worker 31 positioned in the take-out work area A1 closest to the second side Y2 in the Y direction performs take-out work on the first container 1a positioned in the output container placement section 23 closest to the second side Y2 in the Y direction, and the first worker 31 positioned in the take-out work area A1 second from the second side Y2 in the Y direction performs take-out work on the first container 1a positioned in the output container placement section 23 second from the second side Y2 in the Y direction.

[0090] Since this is the same as the third embodiment, details are omitted, but in the removal operation, removal of the items 4 in pieces (piece picking) is performed. In the example shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the processing item placement section 20 includes a first item placement section 21 and a second item placement section 22. The first item placement section 21 is disposed on the upper side Z1 of the transport section 70 (specifically, the above-mentioned loading section side section) of the first conveyor 41, and is arranged so as to overlap with the transport section 70 as viewed in the Z direction. In addition, the collection container placement section 25 is disposed on the first side X1 in the X direction of the first conveyor 41, and the second item placement section 22 is disposed adjacent to the collection container placement section 25 on the second side X2 in the X direction. In the example shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the first worker 31 performing the removal operation places the items 4 removed by the removal operation in the first item placement section 21. Then, a second worker 32 who performs processing and sorting work performs processing work on the items 4 placed in the first item placement area 21 in the first item placement area 21 or the second item placement area 22, and then places the items 4 into the collection container 2.

[0091] In the first to third embodiments, the product collection container arrangement section 25 is configured so that a plurality of collection containers 2 are arranged in parallel with the conveying direction T of the storage container 1 in the output container arrangement section 23. In this embodiment, however, the product collection container arrangement section 25 is configured so that a plurality of output container arrangement sections 23 are set and a plurality of collection containers 2 are arranged in parallel with the arrangement direction of the plurality of output container arrangement sections 23. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, in this embodiment, four output container arrangement sections 23 are set, and the arrangement direction of these four output container arrangement sections 23 is the Y direction. The product collection container arrangement section 25 is configured so that a plurality of collection containers 2 are arranged in parallel with the Y direction. Here, the product collection container arrangement section 25 is arranged on the first side X1 in the X direction with respect to the four output container arrangement sections 23. By configuring the collection container placement section 25 in this manner, the collection container placement section 25 can be positioned adjacent to and in parallel with the section (here, the above-mentioned loading section side section) that is arranged to extend in the Y direction on the first conveyor 41 and connects multiple output container placement sections 23 (in other words, multiple branch sections 82), thereby reducing the space required for installing the output container placement section 23 and the collection container placement section 25.

[0092] 12 and 13, the product collection container arrangement section 25 may be configured so that multiple product collection containers 2 are lined up in parallel in the Y direction on the second side X2 in the X direction relative to the four output container arrangement sections 23. In this case, the product collection container arrangement section 25 can be arranged in parallel adjacent to a section (here, the above-mentioned unloading section side section) that is arranged to extend in the Y direction on the first conveyor 41 and connects the multiple output container arrangement sections 23.

[0093] In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the work area A does not have an incoming container placement section 24 and an incoming work area A2, but in order to make it easier to replenish items 4 and add new items 4 to be stored, the work area A in this embodiment may also be configured to have an incoming container placement section 24 and an incoming work area A2.

[0094] Other embodiments (1) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described as an example in which the items 4 are stored in the storage container 1 while being contained in a container 3 such as a bag. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the items 4 may also be stored in the storage container 1 without being contained in a container 3. When such a configuration is used in the first and second embodiments, the items 4 are removed piece by piece (piece picking) in the removal operation, and the storage operation of placing the container 3 after the items 4 have been removed by the processing operation into the second container 1b is not performed. Therefore, in this case, the work area A may be configured not to include the receiving container placement section 24 and the receiving work area A2.

[0095] (2) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described as an example in which the container storage equipment 8 stores multiple storage containers 1 in a mutually separated state. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the container storage equipment 8 may also be configured to store a stacked container group 10. In addition, the container storage equipment 8 may also be configured to include both an area in which multiple storage containers 1 are stored in a mutually separated state, and an area in which the stacked container group 10 is stored.

[0096] (3) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described as an example in which the container storage facility 8 includes a storage shelf 9 for storing the storage containers 1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the container storage facility 8 may not include a storage shelf 9, and the storage containers 1 may be stored in the container storage facility 8 by being placed on the floor or the like.

[0097] (4) In each of the above embodiments, the transport system 40 is described as having a transport vehicle 90 that transports the storage container 1 outside the work area A. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the transport system 40 may be configured to have a container transport device of a different form from the transport vehicle 90 instead of or in addition to the transport vehicle 90. In this case, at least one of the transport of the storage container 1 or the stacked container group 10 to the loading section 50 and the transport of the storage container 1 or the stacked container group 10 from the unloading section 60 may be performed by this container transport device. For example, a container transport device having a gripping section that grips the storage container 1 or the stacked container group 10, a lifting section that lifts and lowers the gripping section, and a horizontal moving section that moves the gripping section in two horizontal directions perpendicular to each other can be used as the container transport device of a different form from the transport vehicle 90. It is preferable that this container transport device is configured to be able to change the combination of the storage containers 1 that make up the stacked container group 10.

[0098] (5) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described in which the work area A includes a de-tiering device 44 and a stacking device 45. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the work area A may not include the de-tiering device 44, and the task of separating the stacked container group 10 into individual storage containers 1 may be performed manually by a worker or the like. The work area A may not include the stacking device 45, and the task of stacking multiple storage containers 1 to generate the stacked container group 10 may be performed manually by a worker or the like. When the work area A does not include the stacking device 45, the storage containers 1 may be carried out from the carrying-out section 60 one by one.

[0099] (6) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described in which the collection container placement section 25 is disposed on the upper side Z1 of the processing item placement section 20. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the collection container placement section 25 may be disposed on the lower side Z2 of the processing item placement section 20. Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, a configuration has been described in which the processing item placement section 20 and the collection container placement section 25 are disposed so as to overlap when viewed in the Z direction, but in the first and second embodiments, as in the third and fourth embodiments, the processing item placement section 20 and the collection container placement section 25 may be disposed at horizontally offset positions so as not to overlap when viewed in the Z direction.

[0100] (7) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described in which the work area A includes a plurality of collection container placement sections 25, and the plurality of collection container placement sections 25 are arranged at different positions (heights) in the Z direction and arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the Z direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the plurality of collection container placement sections 25 may be arranged at positions shifted in the horizontal direction so as not to overlap each other when viewed in the Z direction. In this case, the plurality of collection container placement sections 25 may be arranged at the same position in the Z direction. The work area A may also be configured to include only one collection container placement section 25.

[0101] (8) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described as an example in which the transport system 40 transports the stacked container group 10 into the work area A (specifically, the loading section 50). However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the transport system 40 may also be configured to transport the storage containers 1 one by one into the work area A (specifically, the loading section 50) without stacking them. When the storage containers 1 are transported to the work area A in such a disassembled state, storage containers 1 that cannot be stacked while containing items 4 or storage containers 1 that cannot be stacked regardless of whether or not items 4 are contained therein may be used.

[0102] (9) Note that the configurations disclosed in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of the embodiments described as other embodiments) as long as no contradiction occurs. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0103] [Summary of this embodiment] The embodiment of the article sorting system described above will be summarized below.

[0104] The article sorting facility includes a container storage facility in which a plurality of storage containers are stored, a work area, and a transport system for transporting the storage containers from the container storage facility to the work area and transporting the storage containers from the work area to the container storage facility, wherein the storage containers contain one or more types of articles, and the work area includes an output container placement section in which the storage containers transported from the container storage facility to the work area by the transport system are placed, a product collection container placement section in which a plurality of product collection containers are placed, a removal work area in which removal work is performed to remove articles from the storage containers placed in the output container placement section, and a removal work area in which the removal work is performed. The storage system comprises a processing work area where processing work for shipping is carried out on items removed by the workers, and a sorting work area where sorting work is carried out to place the items after the processing work into the collection container, the transport system comprises a first conveyor for transporting the storage containers within the work area, the output container placement section is a predetermined area on the first conveyor, and the collection container placement section is configured so that a plurality of the collection containers are lined up in parallel with the transport direction of the storage containers in the output container placement section, or a plurality of the output container placement sections are set up so that a plurality of the collection containers are lined up in parallel with the arrangement direction of the plurality of output container placement sections.

[0105] According to this configuration, the items removed from the storage container by the removal operation can be processed for shipment and then placed in the collection container. Therefore, items suitable for shipment can be sorted into collection containers and shipped. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the collection container arrangement section is configured so that multiple collection containers are lined up in parallel with the transport direction of the storage container in the outgoing container arrangement section, or multiple outgoing container arrangement sections are set and multiple collection containers are lined up in parallel with the arrangement direction of the multiple outgoing container arrangement sections. When the collection container arrangement section is configured so that multiple collection containers are lined up in parallel with the transport direction of the storage container in the outgoing container arrangement section, the collection container arrangement section can be easily arranged adjacent to a section that is arranged to extend in the transport direction of the first conveyor and includes the outgoing container arrangement section, and this makes it possible to reduce the space required for installing the outgoing container arrangement section and the collection container arrangement section. Furthermore, when the product collection container arranging section is configured so that a plurality of output container arranging sections are set and a plurality of collection containers are arranged in parallel with the arrangement direction of the plurality of output container arranging sections, the product collection container arranging section can be easily arranged adjacent to a section arranged to extend in the arrangement direction of the first conveyor and connecting the plurality of output container arranging sections, thereby reducing the space required for installation of the output container arranging section and the product collection container arranging section. As described above, with this configuration, it is possible to realize an item sorting facility that performs both sorting work and processing work for shipping while reducing the installation space for the facility.

[0106] Here, it is preferable that the work area further includes a processing item placement section in which the items removed by the removal operation are placed for the processing operation, and that the processing item placement section and the collection container placement section are arranged so as to overlap when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0107] According to this configuration, it is easy to efficiently place the items removed from the storage container in the collection container after processing the items for shipping. Also, it is easy to reduce the space required for installing the processing item placement section and the collection container placement section, compared to when the processing item placement section and the collection container placement section are arranged so as not to overlap when viewed from above and below.

[0108] The present invention also includes a control system for controlling the conveying system, and the control system is configured to cause the conveying system to execute a batch import process in which the sorting work for a predetermined number of the collection containers is grouped into one batch, and the storage containers required for the sorting work included in each of the batches are imported into the work area in the processing order of the batches, and the work area is preferably equipped with a plurality of the collection container placement sections, the plurality of collection container placement sections being arranged at different heights in the vertical direction and arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the vertical direction, and each of the plurality of collection container placement sections has a collection container belonging to a different batch placed therein.

[0109] According to this configuration, sorting operations for multiple batches can be performed in parallel in the sorting work area. This makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the sorting work. In addition, it is easier to reduce the space required to install multiple collection container placement units compared to when multiple collection container placement units are arranged so that they do not overlap each other when viewed from above and below.

[0110] It is also preferable that the work area further comprises an incoming container placement section where the storage containers to be transported from the work area to the container storage facility by the transport system are placed, and an incoming work area where incoming work is performed, which is the work of placing items to be stored into the storage containers placed in the incoming container placement section, or the work of placing the storage containers containing the items to be stored in the incoming container placement section.

[0111] According to this configuration, storage operations for replenishing items lost through removal operations or adding new items to be stored can be appropriately performed using the storage container arrangement section.

[0112] In the configuration described above, in which the work area comprises the incoming container placement section and the incoming work area, the first conveyor comprises an input section that receives the storage containers transported from the container storage equipment to the work area, an output section from which the storage containers are transported from the work area to the container storage equipment, and a transport section that transports the storage containers from the input section to the output section, and it is preferable that the incoming container placement section is a predetermined area in the transport section downstream of the outgoing container placement section.

[0113] According to this configuration, while the first conveyor is transporting the storage container from the carry-in section to the carry-out section, it is possible to appropriately perform the removal operation of removing items from the storage container and the storage operation of replenishing items lost through the removal operation or adding new items to be stored, etc. Therefore, it is easy to simplify the configuration of the first conveyor.

[0114] In the above-described configuration in which the work area includes the incoming container placement section and the incoming work area, the transport system includes, in addition to the first conveyor, a second conveyor that transports the storage container within the work area, and the first conveyor includes a first carry-in section that receives the storage container that has been carried into the work area from the container storage facility, a first unloading section where the storage container is unloaded from the work area to the container storage facility, and a second unloading section that transports the storage container from the first carry-in section to the first unloading section. and a first conveying section for receiving the storage containers transported from the container storage equipment to the working area, the second conveyor having a second input section for receiving the storage containers transported from the working area to the container storage equipment, a second output section for transporting the storage containers from the working area to the container storage equipment, and a second conveying section for transporting the storage containers from the second input section to the second output section, and it is preferable that the outgoing container placement section is a predetermined area in the first conveying section, and the incoming container placement section is a predetermined area in the second conveying section.

[0115] According to this configuration, the removal operation of removing items from the storage container and the storing operation for replenishing items lost due to the removal operation or adding new items to be stored can be performed using separate conveyors in a state where they are less likely to be affected by each other. Therefore, it is unlikely that a delay in one of the removal operation and storing operation will cause a delay in the other operation.

[0116] In each of the above-mentioned configurations of item sorting equipment, the first conveyor comprises an input section that receives the storage containers transported from the container storage equipment to the work area, an output section through which the storage containers are transported from the work area to the container storage equipment, and a transport section that transports the storage containers from the input section to the output section, the transport section comprising a branching section provided downstream of the input section, a plurality of branch sections branching off at the branching section, and a junction section provided upstream of the output section at which the plurality of branch sections join, and it is preferable that the output container placement section where the removal work is performed is set in each of the plurality of branch sections, and the work area comprises the same number of removal work areas as the number of branch sections.

[0117] According to this configuration, removal operations can be performed in parallel at multiple outgoing container placement sections, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the removal operations.

[0118] It is also preferable that the system further includes a third conveyor for transporting empty collection containers into the collection container placement section and transporting collection containers from the collection container placement section after the sorting operation has been completed, and that the collection container placement section is a predetermined area on the third conveyor.

[0119] According to this configuration, it is easy to efficiently carry empty collection containers into the collection container arrangement section and carry collection containers for which sorting has been completed out of the collection container arrangement section.

[0120] It is sufficient for the article sorting equipment according to the present disclosure to achieve at least one of the above-mentioned effects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1: Storage container 2: Collection container 4: Goods 5: Control system 8: Container storage equipment 20: Processing item placement section 23: Delivery container arrangement section 24: Incoming container arrangement section 25:Collection container arrangement section 40:Transportation system 41: First conveyor 42: Second conveyor 43: 3rd conveyor 50: Loading section 51: First loading section 52: Second loading section 60: Unloading section 61: First unloading section 62: Second unloading section 70:Transportation section 71: First transport section 72: Second transport section 80: Branch 81: Junction 82: Branch line section 100:Item sorting equipment A: Work area A1: Removal work area A2: Storage work area A3: Processing work area A4: Sorting area T: Transport direction Z: Z direction (vertical direction)

Claims

1. An article sorting facility including a container storage facility in which a plurality of storage containers are stored, a work area, and a transport system for transporting the storage containers from the container storage facility to the work area and transporting the storage containers from the work area to the container storage facility, The storage container contains one or more types of items, The work area includes: an output container placement unit in which the storage container carried from the container storage facility to the work area by the transport system is placed; a collection container arrangement section in which a plurality of collection containers are arranged; a take-out operation area in which a take-out operation is performed to take out items from the storage containers arranged in the outgoing container arrangement section; a processing work area in which processing work for shipping is performed on the items removed by the removal work; a sorting work area in which a sorting work is performed in which the articles after the processing work are put into the collection container; Equipped with the transport system includes a first conveyor configured to transport the storage container within the work area; The outgoing container placement section is a predetermined area on the first conveyor, An item sorting equipment, wherein the collection container arrangement section is configured so that a plurality of the collection containers are arranged in parallel to the transport direction of the storage container in the output container arrangement section, or a plurality of the output container arrangement sections are set so that a plurality of the collection containers are arranged in parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of output container arrangement sections.

2. The work area further includes a processing object placement section in which the object removed by the removal operation is placed for the processing operation, The article sorting equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the processing article arrangement section and the collection container arrangement section are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the up-down direction.

3. A control system for controlling the transport system, the control system is configured to cause the transport system to execute a batch loading process in which the sorting operations for a predetermined number of the collection containers are grouped into one batch, and the storage containers necessary for the sorting operations included in each of the multiple batches are loaded into the work area in a processing order of the multiple batches; The work area includes a plurality of collection container placement units, The plurality of collection container arrangement sections are arranged at different heights in the vertical direction and are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the vertical direction, The article sorting equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the collection containers belonging to different batches are placed in each of the plurality of collection container placement sections.

4. The work area includes: an incoming container placement unit in which the storage container to be transported from the work area to the container storage facility by the transport system is placed; an input operation area in which an input operation is performed, which is an operation of putting an item to be stored into the storage container arranged in the input container arrangement section, or an operation of arranging the storage container containing the item to be stored in the input container arrangement section; The article sorting installation according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. The first conveyor includes an input section that receives the storage container that has been transferred from the container storage facility to the work area, an output section that transfers the storage container from the work area to the container storage facility, and a transport section that transports the storage container from the input section to the output section, The article sorting facility according to claim 4 , wherein the incoming container placement section is a predetermined area in the transport section that is downstream of the outgoing container placement section.

6. The transport system includes, in addition to the first conveyor, a second conveyor that transports the storage container within the work area; the first conveyor includes a first loading section that receives the storage container carried from the container storage facility to the work area, a first unloading section through which the storage container is unloaded from the work area toward the container storage facility, and a first transport section that transports the storage container from the first loading section to the first unloading section; the second conveyor includes a second input section that receives the storage container that has been transferred from the container storage facility to the work area, a second output section through which the storage container is transferred from the work area to the container storage facility, and a second transport section that transports the storage container from the second input section to the second output section; The outgoing container placement section is a predetermined area in the first transport section, The article sorting facility according to claim 4 , wherein the input container placement section is a predetermined area in the second transport section.

7. The first conveyor includes an input section that receives the storage container that has been transferred from the container storage facility to the work area, an output section that transfers the storage container from the work area to the container storage facility, and a transport section that transports the storage container from the input section to the output section, The transport section includes a branch section provided downstream of the loading section, a plurality of branch sections branched at the branch section, and a junction section provided upstream of the unloading section where the plurality of branch sections join together, The outgoing container arrangement unit where the removal operation is performed is set in each of the plurality of branch line sections, The article sorting facility according to claim 1 , wherein the work area includes the removal work areas in the same number as the number of the branch line sections.

8. a third conveyor for carrying the empty collection container into the collection container arrangement section and carrying the collection container after the sorting operation out of the collection container arrangement section; 4. An article sorting installation according to claim 1, wherein the collection bin location is a predetermined area on the third conveyor.

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