Supply system

Abstract

To shorten the time until trays in the next lot are stored in an automated warehouse while suppressing the risk of mixing trays in the current lot with the trays in the next lot.SOLUTION: A supply system 100 for supplying selected eggs E to an automated warehouse 200 includes: a tray transportation part 5 for transporting a tray T1 which stores eggs E selected by a selector 4; a stacking device 6 for stacking the tray T1 transported by the tray transportation part 5; and a tray carrying-in part 7 for carrying the stacked tray TS stacked by the stacking device 6 into a carrying-in station 201 of the automated warehouse 200. During a last tray carrying-in operation where the last tray Tx in the current lot is transferred from the carrying-in station 201 to the inside of the automated warehouse 200, a tray T1 in the next lot is automatically made to wait at a prescribed position in the tray transportation part 5, the stacking device 6 or the tray carrying-in part 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a supply system that supplies sorted eggs to a storage facility such as an automated warehouse. [Background technology]

[0002] At GP centers and the like, trays containing sorted eggs are temporarily stored in an automated warehouse. As shown in Patent Document 1, this automated warehouse includes an input station for inputting trays, an output station for outputting trays, storage shelves for storing the trays, and a transfer device for moving the trays between each station and the storage shelves.

[0003] In addition, a sorting system that systemizes the egg sorting process is connected to the receiving station of the automated warehouse. This sorting system is equipped with a sorting device that sorts eggs mainly based on weight, and a stacking device that stacks trays (temporary containers) filled with sorted eggs. The trays (stacked trays) stacked by the stacking device are then carried into the receiving station.

[0004] When the egg lot being supplied to the sorting system is switched from the current lot to the next lot, the sorting device is stopped by an operator at the start of the final tray receiving operation, which moves the final tray of the current lot from the receiving station into the automated warehouse. By stopping the sorting device during the final tray receiving operation, mixing of the current lot and the next lot is prevented.

[0005] However, because the sorting device is stopped by an operator when the final tray storage operation begins, there is a risk of operational errors occurring and the current lot and the next lot becoming mixed up. Also, because the sorting device is stopped until the final tray of the current lot is moved into the automated warehouse, that is, until the final tray storage operation is completed, the waiting time until the trays of the next lot can be stored in the automated warehouse becomes long. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-11203 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its objective is to shorten the time it takes to store the trays of the next lot in storage equipment while reducing the risk of mixing up trays of the current lot with trays of the next lot. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In other words, the supply system of the present invention is a supply system that supplies sorted eggs to storage equipment, and is characterized by comprising a tray transport unit that transports trays containing eggs sorted by a sorting device, a stacking device that stacks the trays transported by the tray transport unit, a tray loading unit that loads the trays stacked by the stacking device into the storage equipment, and automatically causing the trays of the next lot to wait at a predetermined location in the tray transport unit, the stacking device or the tray loading unit during a final tray entry operation that moves the final tray of the current lot into the storage equipment.

[0009] With this supply system, the trays of the next lot are automatically placed on standby in a predetermined location while the final tray is being stored, so even if the sorting device is operated during the final tray storage operation, the risk of mixing up the trays of the current lot and the trays of the next lot can be reduced.Furthermore, because the trays of the next lot are automatically placed on standby in a predetermined location, the time required to store the trays of the next lot in the storage facility after the final tray storage operation is completed can be shortened.

[0010] It is desirable that during the final tray storing operation, trays of the next lot are stacked in the stacking device, and the stacking device automatically waits in a state where a predetermined number of trays are stacked. With this configuration, by having the trays wait in the stacking device, the number of trays waiting (buffer capacity) for the next lot can be increased without adding a configuration for having the trays wait in a specified location such as a stopper device at the tray loading section.

[0011] As a specific configuration for automatically putting the stacking device into standby, it is desirable that the supply system include a signal receiving unit that receives a start signal and an end signal for the final tray storage operation, and a control unit that, when the signal receiving unit receives the start signal, outputs a command to the stacking device to stop sending out the stacked trays, and then, when the signal receiving unit receives the end signal, outputs a command to the stacking device to cancel the stop on sending out the stacked trays. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to reduce the risk of mixing trays from the current lot with trays from the next lot, while shortening the time it takes to store trays from the next lot in storage equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] In the same embodiment, (a) a diagram showing the state before the final tray of the current lot is stored, (b) a diagram showing the state during the final tray of the current lot is stored, and (c) a diagram showing the state after the final tray of the current lot has been stored and the next lot has started to be stored. [Figure 3] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the tray is made to wait in a tray transport unit according to a modified embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the tray is made to wait in a tray loading section in a modified embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of a supply system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, for ease of understanding, all of the drawings shown below are drawn in a schematic manner with appropriate omissions or exaggerations. Identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0015] <Configuration of Supply System 100> As shown in FIG. 1, a supply system 100 of this embodiment selects and supplies eggs E to a receiving station 201 of an automated warehouse 200, which is a storage facility.

[0016] Here, the automated warehouse 200 temporarily stores trays T1 containing eggs E sorted by the supply system 100, and has an input station 201 that receives stacked trays TS, each of which is made up of a plurality of trays T1 stacked one above the other, an output station (not shown) that outputs the stacked trays TS, a plurality of storage shelves 202 that store the stacked trays TS, and a transfer device 203 that moves the stacked trays TS from the input station 201 to the storage shelves 202 and also moves the stacked trays TS from the storage shelves 202 to the output station. The automated warehouse 200 of this embodiment has a plurality of input stations 201 and a plurality of output stations.

[0017] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the supply system 100 includes a first conveying unit 2 that conveys eggs E, an egg processing unit 3 that processes the eggs E conveyed by the first conveying unit 2, a sorting device 4 that sorts the eggs E conveyed by the first conveying unit 2, a tray conveying unit 5 that conveys trays T1 containing the eggs E sorted by the sorting device 4, a stacking device 6 that stacks the trays T1 conveyed by the tray conveying unit 5, a tray loading unit 7 that loads the stacked trays TS stacked by the stacking device 6 into the receiving station 201 of the automated warehouse 200, and a control device 10 that controls the sorting and supplying operations by the supply system 100.

[0018] The first transport section 2 is composed of a conveyor that transports the eggs E in, for example, six rows with the long axis of the eggs E horizontal. An egg supply section 8 is provided upstream of the first transport section 2, which removes eggs E from temporary trays T0 containing eggs E and supplies them to the first transport section 2. Note that a temporary tray supply section 9 is connected to the egg supply section 8, which sends out temporary trays T0 to the egg supply section 8 from a rack R containing a plurality of temporary trays T0.

[0019] The egg processing unit 3 has an inspection unit 31 that inspects the eggs E for abnormalities (cracks, dirt, blood contamination, etc.), an egg washing unit 32 that washes the eggs E, and a weighing unit 33 that weighs the eggs E. The inspection unit 31 and the egg washing unit 32 are provided midway through the first conveying unit 2, and the weighing unit 33 is provided at the end of the first conveying unit 2, that is, between the first conveying unit 2 and the sorting device 4.

[0020] The sorting device 4 sorts the eggs E by weight based on the weighing results of the weighing unit 33. Specifically, the sorting device 4 has a second transport unit 41 that transports the eggs E weighed by the weighing unit 33, and a plurality of sorting units 42 that sort the eggs E from the second transport unit 41 based on the weighing results. The second transport unit 41 is composed of a conveyor that transports the weighed eggs E in a single file. Each of the plurality of sorting units 42 sorts the eggs E transported by the second transport unit 41 into an assigned grade.

[0021] The tray conveying section 5 conveys trays T1 containing eggs E sorted by the sorting section 42. A tray conveying section 5 is provided corresponding to each of the multiple sorting sections 42. Further, downstream of each of the multiple tray conveying sections 5, a stacking device 6 is provided to stack the multiple trays T1.

[0022] The stacking device 6 stacks the trays T1 transported by the tray transport unit 5 in the vertical direction. After stacking a predetermined number of trays T1, the stacking device 6 sends the stacked trays TS to the tray loading unit 7 by a sending unit (not shown).

[0023] The tray carry-in section 7 is configured by a conveyor that transports the stacked trays TS. This tray carry-in section 7 is provided for each of the plurality of stacking devices 6. Furthermore, the plurality of tray carry-in sections 7 are connected to the corresponding receiving stations 201.

[0024] The control device 10 functions as a control unit 11 that controls the above-mentioned units 2 to 9 to cause the supply system 100 to perform a sorting operation, and as a signal receiving unit 12 that receives operation signals from the receiving-side terminal 300 of the automated warehouse 200. The control device 10 is configured by a computer equipped with a CPU, memory, an input / output interface, a display, communication means, input means, etc. The control device 10 may manage and control the automated warehouse 200 together with the supply system 100. The control device 10 may be a physically integrated computer, or may be a separate computer provided in each of the units 2 to 9.

[0025] Then, as shown in Figure 2, during the final tray storage operation in which the final tray Tx of the current lot is moved from the tray transport section 7 or the storage station 201 into the automated warehouse 200, the control section 11 operates the supply system 100 to automatically cause the tray T1 of the next lot to wait at a predetermined location in the tray transport section 5, stacking device 6 or tray loading section 7.

[0026] Specifically, during the final tray storage operation, the control unit 11 operates the supply system 100 to stack trays T1 of the next lot in the stacking device 6, and automatically causes the stacking device 6 to wait with a predetermined number of trays stacked. In other words, the stacking device 6 becomes the standby position for trays T1 of the next lot.

[0027] At this time, it is conceivable that control unit 11 will automatically cause stacking device 6 to wait by controlling the sending unit (not shown) not to send out stacked trays TS to tray carry-in unit 7. Furthermore, when a predetermined number of trays have been stacked in stacking device 6, control unit 11 will stop the operation of devices other than tray carry-in unit 7 (first conveying unit 2, egg processing unit 3, sorting device 4, egg supply unit 8, and temporary tray supply unit 9), in other words, devices in supply system 100 that are upstream of tray carry-in unit 7.

[0028] 2(a), the final tray receiving operation is started after the final tray Tx of the current lot has passed through the stacking device 6, for example, when an operator operates the receiving-side terminal 300 of the automated warehouse 200 to input a command to start the final tray receiving operation. When the command to start the final tray receiving operation is input, the control device 400 of the automated warehouse 200 controls the transfer device 203 and the like to perform the final tray receiving operation.

[0029] It is also possible to set the tray for warehousing for the next lot at the same time as starting the final tray warehousing operation. In this case, after the tray warehousing setting is completed, the control device 400 controls the transfer device 203, etc. to perform the final tray warehousing operation. When starting the final tray warehousing operation and setting the tray for warehousing for the next lot, it is desirable to temporarily suspend the operation of the supply system 100.

[0030] When a command to start the final tray storage operation is input to the storage-side terminal 300, the signal receiving unit 12 receives a signal to start the final tray storage operation from the storage-side terminal 300 or the control device 400 of the automated warehouse 200.

[0031] Then, when the signal receiving unit 12 receives the start signal, the control unit 11 resumes the operation of the supply system 100 and outputs a command to stop sending out the stacked trays TS to the stacking device 6. Here, the control unit 11 outputs a command to control the sending unit (not shown) not to send out the stacked trays TS to the tray carry-in unit 7.

[0032] 2(b), while the final tray of the current lot is being stored, the supply system 100 continues to operate until a predetermined number of trays T1 of the next lot are stacked in the stacking device 6. Then, while the final tray of the current lot is being stored, the tray T1 of the next lot is placed in a stacked state in the stacking device 6 and waits.

[0033] When the final tray warehousing operation is completed, for example, an operator operates the receiving-side terminal 300 of the automated warehouse 200 to input the completion of the final tray warehousing operation. Here, the completion operation of the final tray warehousing operation is performed after the stacked trays TS of the current lot are removed from the tray carry-in section 7. At this time, the signal receiving section 12 receives the completion signal of the final tray warehousing operation from the receiving-side terminal 300 or the control device 400 of the automated warehouse 200.

[0034] Then, when the signal receiving unit 12 receives the end signal, the control unit 11 restarts the sorting operation by the supply system 100 and outputs a command to cancel the stop on sending out the stacked trays TS to the stacking device 6. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2(c), the stacking device 6 sends out the stacked trays TS of the next lot to the tray carry-in unit 7, and the warehousing operation of the next lot is performed.

[0035] <Effects of this embodiment> According to the supply system 100 of this embodiment, the tray T1 of the next lot is automatically kept waiting at a predetermined location during the final tray storing operation, so even if the sorting device 4 is operated during the final tray storing operation, the risk of the tray T1 of the current lot and the tray T1 of the next lot being mixed together can be reduced. Furthermore, because the trays of the next lot are automatically kept waiting at a predetermined location, the time required to store the trays T1 of the next lot in the automated warehouse, which is the storage facility, can be shortened after the final tray storing operation is completed.

[0036] <Modified embodiment of the present invention> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the standby position during the final tray storing operation is the stacking device 6, but it may be a position other than the stacking device 6.

[0038] For example, the standby position may be the tray conveying section 5. In this case, as shown in Fig. 3, a stopper device 50 may be provided in front of the stacking device 6 in the tray conveying section 5 (downstream of the sorting section 42), and the stopper device 50 may be controlled to stop the tray T1 while the supply system 100 is operating during the final tray storage operation.

[0039] Then, during the final tray storing operation of the current lot, the operation of the supply system 100 continues until the tray T1 of the next lot is stopped by the stopper device 50. Then, during the final tray storing operation of the current lot, the tray T1 of the next lot is stopped by the stopper device 50 and enters a standby state.

[0040] The standby position may also be the tray loading section 7. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4, a stopper device 70 may be provided midway through the tray loading section 7, and the stopper device 70 may be controlled to stop the stacked trays TS while the supply system 100 is operating during the final tray storage operation.

[0041] Then, during the final tray storing operation of the current lot, the operation of the supply system 100 continues until the stacked tray TS of the next lot is stopped by the stopper device 70. Then, during the final tray storing operation of the current lot, the stacked tray TS of the next lot is stopped by the stopper device 70 and enters a standby state.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the start and end signals of the final tray receiving operation are sent to the signal receiving unit 12 by operating the receiving side terminal 300 of the automated warehouse 200, but the start and end of the final tray receiving operation may also be determined automatically.

[0043] When automatically determining the start of the final tray storing operation, for example, the rear end or a predetermined number of eggs E from the rear of the current lot supplied to the sorting device 4 may be tracked, and one or more types of trays T1 containing the predetermined number of eggs E from the rear end or from the rear may be determined as the final tray Tx, and the start of the final tray storing operation may be determined based on the timing at which the final tray Tx passes through the stacking device 6. In this case, if there are multiple final trays Tx, the start of the final tray storing operation may be determined based on the latest timing at which each of the multiple final trays Tx passes through the stacking device 6.

[0044] Furthermore, when the completion of the final tray receiving operation is automatically determined, the completion of the final tray receiving operation may be determined, for example, at the timing when the transfer device 203 transfers the stacked trays TS including the final tray Tx to the storage shelf 202. Furthermore, the completion of the final tray receiving operation may be determined by detecting with a sensor that there are no stacked trays TS of the current lot in the receiving station 201 and the tray carry-in section 7.

[0045] Although the storage facility in the above embodiment is an automated warehouse, the storage facility may be a rack storage device that stores stacked trays TS in racks. In this case, the tray carry-in unit 7 is connected to the rack storage device. In this configuration, the supply system 100 automatically places the tray T1 of the next lot on standby at a predetermined location in the tray transport unit 5, stacking device 6, or tray carry-in unit 7, as in the above embodiment, during the final tray storage operation that moves the final tray Tx of the current lot to the rack storage device.

[0046] The storage facility may also be a palletizer that transfers stacked trays TS onto pallets. In this case, the tray carry-in unit 7 is connected to the palletizer. In this configuration, the supply system 100 automatically places the tray T1 of the next lot on standby at a predetermined location in the tray transport unit 5, stacking device 6, or tray carry-in unit 7, as in the above embodiment, during the final tray storage operation that moves the final tray Tx of the current lot to the palletizer.

[0047] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100···Supply System 200···Storage facility (automated warehouse) 201···Storage Station E...egg T1 Tray Tx...Final tray 5 Tray transport section 6 Stacking device 7 Tray loading section 11 Control unit 12 Signal reception section

Claims

1. 1. A supply system for supplying graded eggs to a storage facility, comprising: a tray conveying unit that conveys trays containing eggs sorted by the sorting device; a stacking device that stacks the trays transported by the tray transport unit; a tray loading unit that loads the trays stacked by the stacking device into the storage facility; A supply system that automatically causes the tray of the next lot to wait at a predetermined location in the tray transport section, the stacking device, or the tray loading section during a final tray storage operation that moves the final tray of the current lot into the storage facility.

2. 2. The supply system according to claim 1, wherein trays of the next lot are stacked in the stacking device during the final tray storing operation, and the stacking device automatically waits in a state where a predetermined number of trays are stacked.

3. a signal receiving unit that receives a start signal and an end signal of the final tray storing operation; 3. The supply system according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that outputs a command to the stacking device to stop the sending out of the stacked trays when the signal receiving unit receives the start signal, and then outputs a command to the stacking device to cancel the stop on the sending out of the stacked trays when the signal receiving unit receives the end signal.

Images