Storage and carrying-out device

Abstract

To provide a storage and carrying-out device that can increase the number of commodities arranged on columns.SOLUTION: A storage and carrying-out device 100 includes: a commodity storage part 1 including a plurality of columns 11, in each of which a plurality of commodities 50 are aligned in a front-rear direction in a state in which surfaces of the plurality of commodities 50 opposite in the front-rear direction are in contact with one another; and a carrying-out part 2 including a take-out part 21 that takes out the commodity 50 arranged at a frontmost side of the column 11 and configured to carry out the commodity 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage and transport device, and more particularly to a storage and transport device including a plurality of columns. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a storage and carry-out device including a plurality of columns is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a storage and carrying-out device including a flat column, a spiral including a rod-shaped member spirally wound around the column along the direction in which the column extends, and a conveying tray for carrying products. In Patent Document 1, products are placed in the part of the column where the rod-shaped member is not wound (the part where the rod-shaped member is not formed in a circular shape). Furthermore, as the spiral rotates, products placed in the part of the column where the rod-shaped member is not wound move forward, and the product at the forefront is carried out onto the conveying tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-139314 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when using a spiral, products are not placed in the area where the rod-shaped member is wound, so the products are placed at intervals. As a result, the number of products that can be placed in a column is reduced. Therefore, it is desirable to increase the number of products that can be placed in a column.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a storage and carrying device that can increase the number of products that can be placed in a column. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a storage and carrying-out device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a product storage section including a plurality of columns in which a plurality of products are arranged in a line in the front-to-back direction with the opposing front-to-back surfaces of the products in contact with each other, and a carrying-out section for carrying out products, including a removal section for removing products arranged at the front of the columns.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, the storage and delivery device includes a delivery section for delivering products, including a removal section for removing products arranged at the front of the column, as described above. This eliminates the need for a spiral or other component for delivering products to the column. This frees up space in the column by eliminating the component for delivering products, allowing for a greater number of products to be placed. The device also includes a product storage section including multiple columns in which multiple products are arranged in a row in the front-to-back direction with their opposing front-to-back surfaces in contact with each other. This allows the products to be placed in contact with each other, thereby preventing gaps from forming between the products. This also allows for a greater number of products to be placed. As a result, the number of products that can be placed in the column can be increased.

[0009] In the storage and carrying-out device according to the above aspect, the removal unit is preferably configured to remove an item located at the front of the column by moving it upward. This configuration, unlike when the item located at the front of the column is removed by moving it forward, prevents the front-to-back position of the front item from changing while it is being removed, thereby preventing rearward items from tipping forward as the front item moves. As a result, it is possible to prevent items from being accidentally removed from the column due to the items being tilted forward.

[0010] In this case, preferably, the column has an opening formed on the front side of the bottom surface, and the removal unit is configured to move the frontmost product upward through the opening for removal. With this configuration, the removal unit can easily remove the product by pushing up the product from the bottom surface through the opening, thereby moving the frontmost product upward.

[0011] In the above-described configuration in which an opening is formed at the front end of the bottom surface of the column, the opening preferably includes a recess that is recessed from front to rear when viewed from the top-bottom direction. With this configuration, the recessed portion opens at the front end of the bottom surface of the column, making it easier for the removal unit to contact the underside of the frontmost product. As a result, the frontmost product can be efficiently removed.

[0012] In this case, the removal unit preferably has a first claw that contacts the underside of the foremost product arranged in the column through the opening and moves the product upward. With this configuration, the first claw can hook onto the underside of the product, making it easy to move the product upward.

[0013] In the storage and carrying-out device according to the above aspect, the carrying-out unit preferably includes a bucket that is provided with a removal unit and that stores the removed products. With this configuration, the products can be removed and carried out using the bucket that is provided with the removal unit. As a result, the device configuration can be made less complex and the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the bucket and the removal unit are provided separately.

[0014] In the storage and carrying-out device according to the above aspect, the carrying-out unit preferably includes a drawer unit that draws forward the column in which the product to be removed is arranged, and the take-out unit is configured to retrieve the product arranged at the front of the column pulled out by the drawer unit. With this configuration, the column in which the product to be removed is arranged is pulled out by the drawer unit, so when multiple columns are arranged so that their front faces are aligned vertically, it is possible to prevent the product moved upward from coming into contact with other columns positioned above it. Furthermore, since the carrying-out unit includes a drawer unit, it is not necessary to provide a component for moving the column for each of the multiple columns, which prevents the device configuration from becoming complicated and the number of parts from increasing.

[0015] In this case, the amount by which the column of the drawer unit is pulled out is preferably smaller than the width of the column. With this configuration, when placing a product whose thickness in the front-to-rear direction is smaller than the width of the column, it is possible to prevent the amount of pulling out from becoming excessively larger than the thickness of one product, thereby preventing the drawer unit from pulling out the column excessively.

[0016] In the configuration in which the discharge section includes a drawer section, the drawer section preferably includes a second claw section that abuts against the underside of the column and draws the column forward while abutting against the underside of the column. With this configuration, the column can be drawn out with the second claw section hooked on the underside of the column, making it easy to draw out the column.

[0017] In the storage and delivery device according to the above aspect, preferably, the products are provided with identification information, and the delivery unit includes an identification information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the product to be delivered while the product is arranged in the column before delivery. With this configuration, the delivery unit can identify whether the product is the target product based on the identification information provided on the product before delivering it. As a result, it is possible to prevent a product other than the target product from being delivered.

[0018] The storage and carry-out device according to the above aspect preferably further includes an upward movement restriction unit that restricts the second product from the front from being moved upward. With this configuration, when the front product is moved upward for removal, the second product can be prevented from being moved upward for removal.

[0019] In the storage and carry-out device according to the above aspect, the column preferably includes a biasing member that biases the multiple products forward and a forward movement restricting portion that restricts the forward movement of the products by contacting the frontmost product, and is configured so that when the frontmost product is removed by the removal portion, the biasing member moves the second-most product from the front to the front and abuts against the forward movement restricting portion. With this configuration, after the frontmost product is removed, the biasing member can move the second product to the front. Furthermore, since the column includes the biasing member, there is no need to provide a drive source for moving the multiple products forward, which prevents the device configuration from becoming complicated and the number of parts from increasing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a storage and carry-out device that allows an increase in the number of products that can be arranged in a column. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a storage and carry-out device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage and carry-out device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which products are arranged in columns. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a discharge unit. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow when carrying out products. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the bucket has been moved to a column in which the product to be removed is placed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second claw portion has been moved toward the column. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the second claw portion is hooked onto the column. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the column is pulled out by the second claw portion. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the product has been moved upward by the first claw portion. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the product has been taken out of the bucket. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second product from the front has been moved forward. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second claw portion has been returned to its original position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The configuration of a storing / carrying-out apparatus 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0024] The storage and carry-out device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to retrieve and carry out the product 50 from the product storage unit 1 by acquiring information about the product 50 to be retrieved (see FIG. 3). The storage and carry-out device 100 is used, for example, in a storage cabinet from which a salesperson retrieves the product 50 in response to an order from a purchaser. For convenience, the front of the storage cabinet is not shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the front is defined as the Y1 side, the rear is defined as the Y2 side, and the front-to-back direction connecting the Y1 side and the Y2 side is defined as the Y direction. Furthermore, when viewed from the Y1 side to the Y2 side, the left side is defined as the X1 side, the right side is defined as the X2 side, and the left-to-right direction connecting the X1 side and the X2 side is defined as the X direction. Furthermore, the upper side is defined as the Z1 side, the lower side is defined as the Z2 side, and the up-down direction connecting the Z1 side and the Z2 side is defined as the Z direction.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage and carry-out device 100 includes a product storage section 1, a carry-out section 2, and a control section 4.

[0026] The product storage section 1 includes a plurality of columns 11. The columns 11 are arranged side by side in the Z direction and the X direction. The columns 11 are configured to extend along the Y direction. In the columns 11, a plurality of products 50 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction with the surfaces of the products 50 facing each other in the front-to-rear direction in contact with each other.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 , the product 50 is packaged in a thin box. In this embodiment, the product 50 is, for example, contact lenses. The product 50 is provided with identification information 50a. The identification information 50a is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code containing information about the product 50. The identification information 50a includes, for example, the serial number of the product 50 and information about the product 50. In the case of contact lenses, the information about the product 50 includes, for example, information about the type of contact lens. The information about the type of contact lens includes the contact lens power, whether the lens is intended for myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, the material (hard or soft), the color, and the usage period. The identification information 50a is provided on the top of the product 50. The identification information 50a may be located in a position that is visible before the column 11 is pulled out, or may be located in a position that is visible after the column 11 is pulled out.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the column 11 includes a bottom surface 11a, a side surface 11b, a rear surface 11c, a forward movement restricting portion 11d, and an opening 11e.

[0029] The bottom surface 11a has a long side extending in the Y direction and a short side extending in the X direction. Products 50 are arranged along the long side of the bottom surface 11a. The products 50 are arranged on the Y1 side of the bottom surface 11a. In this specification, the surface on the Y2 side of the bottom surface 11a is particularly referred to as the lower surface of the column 11.

[0030] The side surfaces 11b are provided on the long sides of the bottom surface 11a, respectively, and are configured to extend upward from a pair of long sides. The length of the side surfaces 11b in the Z direction is configured to be shorter than the maximum length of the products 50 in the Z direction. The side surfaces 11b are configured to prevent the products 50 from tipping over in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the column 11 is configured so that a partition extending in the Z direction can be disposed between the pair of side surfaces 11b in the X direction. By dividing the column 11 with the partitions, the length of the short sides of the column 11 can be adjusted to match the size of the products 50.

[0031] The rear surface 11c is provided on the short side on the Y2 side of the bottom surface 11a. The rear surface 11c is configured to extend upward from the short side on the Y2 side of the bottom surface 11a. The length of the rear surface 11c in the Z direction is configured to be shorter than the length of the product 50 in the Z direction. The rear surface 11c prevents the product 50 from tipping over on the Y2 side.

[0032] The forward movement restricting portion 11d is configured to restrict the forward movement of the product 50 by contacting the forward movement restricting portion 11d. The forward movement restricting portion 11d is a wall portion provided on the front short side of the bottom surface 11a of the column 11 and extending in the Z direction. The forward movement restricting portion 11d includes a first portion 111d extending upward from the bottom surface 11a and a second portion 112d extending downward. The forward movement restricting portion 11d is not provided in the center in the X direction to align with the opening 11e, but is instead arranged on both end sides in the X direction. The Z direction length of the first portion 111d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d is shorter than the minimum Z direction length of the product 50, for example, half the minimum Z direction length of the product 50. The Z direction length of the second portion 112d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d is formed to be equal to or shorter than the Z direction length of the first portion 111d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d.

[0033] The forward movement restricting section 11d restricts the movement of the product 50 to the Y1 side by the first portion 111d, and the second portion 112d allows the discharge section 2 to pull out the column 11 to the Y1 side.

[0034] The opening 11e is formed on the front side of the bottom surface 11a of the column 11. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the opening 11e includes a recess that is recessed from the front to the rear. There is one opening 11e provided on the bottom surface 11a, and the part surrounding the opening 11e is U-shaped when viewed from the Z direction. The size of the recess in the Y direction may be smaller or larger than the size of the product 50 in the Y direction. The area of ​​the opening 11e is configured to be large enough to allow the discharge section 2 to move in the vertical direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the column 11 further includes a biasing member 11f, a pushing member 11g, and a returning member 11h.

[0036] The biasing member 11f is configured to bias the multiple products 50 forward. The biasing member 11f is, for example, a wound constant force spring. A constant force spring is a spring that generates a biasing force when stretched and attempts to unwind. As an example, the wound portion of the biasing member 11f is located on the Y2 side, and the end on the Y1 side is connected to the push-out member 11g.

[0037] The pusher 11g is provided to push the products 50 arranged in the column 11 forward. The pusher 11g may be, for example, a plate-shaped member or a box-shaped member. The pusher 11g extends in the X direction along the short side of the bottom surface 11a. The length of the pusher 11g in the X direction is equal to or shorter than the length of the short side of the bottom surface 11a.

[0038] When the products 50 are arranged in the column 11, the push-out member 11g abuts against the back of the rearmost product 50, and the frontmost product 50 is in contact with the forward movement restricting portion 11d, so the product 50 cannot be pushed forward and rewound, and the urging member 11f is therefore stretched. As the product 50 is conveyed out, the rolled-up portion moves forward together with the push-out member 11g while rewinding. Therefore, when the frontmost product 50 is removed by the removal unit 21, the urging member 11f moves the second-most product 50 from the front to the front, causing the second-most product 50 to abut against the first portion 111d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d.

[0039] The return member 11h is configured to pull the column 11 rearward. The return member 11h is a member that generates a different biasing force from that of the biasing member 11f, and unlike the biasing member 11f, biases the column 11 to pull it rearward. The return member 11h is configured to pull the column 11 rearward when the state in which it has been pulled forward by the discharge section 2 is released. The return member 11h is provided on any one of the bottom surface 11a, side surface 11b, or back surface 11c of the column 11.

[0040] 6, the unloading section 2 includes an unloading section 21, a bucket 22, and a drawing section 23. The unloading section 2 is configured to move along the X direction and the Z direction, which are directions in which the multiple columns 11 are arranged.

[0041] The removal unit 21 is configured to remove the product 50 arranged at the forefront of the column 11. Specifically, the removal unit 21 is configured to remove the product 50 arranged at the forefront of the column 11 by moving it upward. The removal unit 21 is configured to remove the forefront product 50 by moving it upward through the opening 11e (recess).

[0042] The removal unit 21 has a first claw 21a. The first claw 21a is configured to come into contact with the underside (the surface on the Z2 side) of the foremost product 50 arranged in the column 11 through the opening 11e and to move the product 50 upward. The first claw 21a raises the product 50 to a height at which the product 50 can pass over the forward movement restricting portion 11d and fall forward. The removal unit 21 is configured to remove the product 50 arranged in the foremost part of the column 11 that has been pulled out by the pull-out unit 23. One first claw 21a is provided on the bucket 22. The first claw 21a is configured to be located near the center of the short side on the Y1 side of the column 11.

[0043] The first claw 21a is connected to a vertical movement drive unit (not shown) for moving it up and down. The vertical movement drive unit may move the first claw 21a linearly in the vertical direction, or may rotate it around a rotation center axis extending in the X direction. The vertical movement drive unit is attached to the bucket 22. The tip of the first claw 21a may abut against the foremost part of the underside of the foremost product 50, or may abut at a position rearward of the foremost part.

[0044] The bucket 22 is configured to store the products 50 removed from the column 11 by the removal unit 21. The bucket 22 has an removal unit 21 and a drawer unit 23 provided therein. The storage and carry-out device 100 is provided with one bucket 22. The bucket 22 has one removal unit 21 disposed on its rear side. The removal unit 21 and the drawer unit 23 are disposed on the rear side of the bucket 22. The bucket 22 may have an inclined surface for moving the products 50 removed by the removal unit 21 to the bottom of the bucket 22.

[0045] The bucket 22 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with the entire back surface (the surface on the Y2 side) facing the column 11 and a portion of the front surface (the surface on the Y1 side) open. By having the entire back surface open, products 50 removed from the column 11 can be stored inside. Furthermore, by having a portion of the front surface open, products 50 can be removed through the opening to an outlet 1a (see FIG. 1) provided on the front of the storage and carry-out device 100. When removing products 50 through the outlet 1a, the bucket 22 may be tilted, or the bottom surface of the bucket 22 may be formed as an inclined surface. The outlet 1a is located on the front side of the storage and carry-out device 100.

[0046] The bucket 22 moves along rails (not shown). The rails include a first rail extending in the X direction and a second rail extending in the Z direction. The bucket 22 is attached to the second rail and moves in the Z direction along the second rail. The second rail is attached to the first rail and moves in the X direction along the first rail. The bucket 22 can be moved in the X direction by the second rail moving in the X direction along the first rail. The bucket 22 is configured to move by a bucket driving unit 25.

[0047] The drawer 23 is configured to pull the column 11 forward, in which the product 50 to be removed is placed. The amount by which the drawer 23 pulls out the column 11 is smaller than the width w of the column 11 (see FIG. 3). The width w of the column 11 is the length in the left-right direction. In particular, when the width w of the column 11 and the length of the product 50 in the left-right direction are approximately the same when the product 50 is placed in the column 11, and the length of the product 50 in the front-to-back direction is smaller than the length in the left-to-right direction, the amount by which the drawer 23 pulls out the column 11 is smaller than the width w of the column 11. The amount by which the drawer 23 pulls out the column 11 is set to match the length of the product 50 in the front-to-back direction that is placed therein. As an example, the amount by which the drawer 23 pulls out the column 11 is set to be equal to or greater than the length of one product 50 in the front-to-back direction and smaller than the length of two products 50 in the front-to-back direction.

[0048] The drawer 23 includes a second claw 23a. The second claw 23a is configured to come into contact with the second portion 112d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d from the Z2 side. The second claw 23a is configured to draw the column 11 forward when in contact with the second portion 112d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d. A pair of second claws 23a are provided on either side of the first claw 21a in the left-right direction. The second claws 23a are configured to be located at the corners of the short sides on the front side of the column 11.

[0049] The second claw portion 23a is configured to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the X direction by a rotation drive unit (not shown). The rotation axis is attached to a side surface of the bucket 22. The second claw portion 23a is configured to rotate about the rotation axis extending in the X direction and thereby abut against the second portion 112d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d from the Z2 side. Furthermore, the second claw portion 23a is released from abutment against the second portion 112d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d by rotating about the rotation axis extending in the X direction. Furthermore, the second claw portion 23a moves in the Y direction by a linear movement drive unit (not shown). Furthermore, while the second claw portion 23a is in abutment against the second portion 112d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d of the column 11, the second claw portion 23a moves toward the Y1 side, thereby moving the column 11 forward.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 8, the discharge unit 2 further includes an identification information acquisition unit 24. The identification information acquisition unit 24 is disposed on the upper surface of the bucket 22 so as to face the upper surface of the product 50. The identification information acquisition unit 24 is configured to acquire the identification information 50a of the product 50 to be removed while the product is disposed in the column 11 before removal. The identification information acquisition unit 24 includes a one-dimensional code reader or a two-dimensional code reader. The identification information acquisition unit 24 may acquire information from the entire identification information 50a, or may acquire information from a portion of the identification information 50a.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, the storage and carry-out device 100 further includes an upward movement restricting unit 3. The upward movement restricting unit 3 is configured to restrict the second-from-the-front product 50 from moving upward. The upward movement restricting unit 3 faces the column 11 in which the product 50 to be removed is placed in the Z direction, and is provided on the Y2 side of the bottom surface 11a of the column 11, which is located on the Z1 side of the column 11 in which the product 50 to be removed is placed. The upward movement restricting unit 3 is provided on the underside of each column 11, and restricts the second-from-the-front product 50 from moving upward among the products 50 placed in the column 11 below.

[0052] As an example, the upward movement restricting portion 3 includes a flexible plate-shaped member, a winding member around which the plate-shaped member is wound, and a fixing member for fixing the plate-shaped member in a state where it is extended from the winding member and in a bent state. The upward movement restricting portion 3 is formed by extending the plate-shaped member from the winding member in the front-rear direction, and then bending and fixing the plate-shaped member so that it is positioned above the second-to-front product 50. The upward movement restricting portion 3 may or may not abut against the top surface of the second-to-front product 50. The vertical length of the upward movement restricting portion 3 is set so that, by abutting against the second-to-front product 50, the second-to-front product 50 is prevented from rising to a height at which it could fall forward beyond the first portion 111d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d.

[0053] 2, the control unit 4 is configured to control the product storage unit 1 and the discharge unit 2. The control unit 4 is configured to control the discharge of the product 50 by obtaining information about the product 50 to be removed. The control unit 4 includes a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as RAM.

[0054] The control unit 4 is configured to, when receiving a purchase operation for the product 50, control the movement of the bucket 22 to the column 11 in which the product 50 is arranged. The position of the column 11 in which the product 50 is arranged is stored in advance in the control unit 4. When receiving a purchase operation for the product 50, the control unit 4 performs at least one of control to determine whether the product 50 is the product to be removed that the purchaser is attempting to purchase based on the identification information 50a read by the identification information acquisition unit 24, and control to determine whether the product 50 falls under any prohibited items, before carrying out the product 50. The control unit 4 is configured to, each time receiving a purchase operation, control to determine whether the product 50 is the product to be removed that the purchaser is attempting to purchase based on the identification information 50a read by the identification information acquisition unit 24, and control to determine whether the product 50 falls under any prohibited items.

[0055] The control for determining whether or not a product 50 is to be removed will now be described. For example, when replenishing products 50 taking into consideration the first-in, first-out principle, there is a possibility that correct and incorrect products may be mixed together due to an incorrect product being replenished behind a correct product stored in column 11 at the time of replenishing. For this reason, the control unit 4 is configured to perform control for determining whether or not a product 50 is to be removed based on the identification information 50a read by the identification information acquisition unit 24, thereby preventing the provision of incorrect products due to mistakes when replenishing products 50.

[0056] The control for determining whether or not a prohibited item is applicable will be described below. An example of a prohibited item is that a sale will not be made if the maximum number of items sold to the same purchaser within a specified period of time exceeds a specified limit. For example, the specified period is one week prior to the time the purchase operation was accepted, and the specified number is five. The control unit 4 compares the identification information 50a read by the identification information acquisition unit 24 with the purchaser's stored past purchase history to determine whether or not a prohibited item is applicable. This allows the identification information 50a to be grasped before determining whether or not to transport the item, thereby preventing overselling to the same person and the sale of the wrong item. Furthermore, by preventing overselling to the same person and the sale of the wrong item, it is possible to link the product information with the purchaser's information, thereby ensuring that the necessary product is delivered (sold) to the purchaser and preventing inappropriate delivery (sale) of the product.

[0057] The control unit 4 is configured to rotate the first claw portion 21a and control the removal of the product 50 when at least one of the following occurs: the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 matches the content of the product 50 to be removed; and the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 does not fall under any prohibited items.

[0058] In detail, when the control unit 4 only performs control to determine whether the contents of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 match the contents of the product 50 to be removed, if they match, the control unit 4 is configured to rotate the first claw portion 21a and control the removal of the product 50.

[0059] Furthermore, when the control unit 4 only performs control to determine whether or not the prohibited items are met, if the prohibited items are not met, the control unit 4 is configured to rotate the first claw portion 21a and control the removal of the product 50.

[0060] Furthermore, when the control unit 4 controls to determine whether the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 matches the content of the product 50 to be removed, and controls to determine whether the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 corresponds to a prohibited item, if the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 matches the content of the product 50 to be removed and the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 does not correspond to a prohibited item, the control unit 4 is configured to rotate the first claw portion 21a and control the removal of the product 50.

[0061] Furthermore, when the control unit 4 only performs control to determine whether the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 matches the content of the product 50 to be taken out, if the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 does not match the content of the product 50 to be taken out, the control unit 4 is configured not to allow the first claw 21a to take out the product 50. In this case, the control unit 4 may perform control to display an error on a display unit (not shown), or may perform control to notify the outside by a visually or audibly obtainable method such as emitting a light or issuing a warning.

[0062] Furthermore, when the control unit 4 performs control to determine only whether the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 corresponds to a prohibited item, if the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 corresponds to a prohibited item, the control unit 4 is configured to not allow the first claw unit 21a to remove the product 50. In this case, the control unit 4 may perform control to display an error on a display unit (not shown), or may perform control to notify the outside by a visually or audibly obtainable method such as emitting light or a warning.

[0063] Furthermore, when the control unit 4 performs control to determine whether the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 matches the content of the product 50 to be taken out, and also performs control to determine whether the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 corresponds to a prohibited item, the control unit 4 is configured to not allow the first claw 21a to take out the product 50 in at least one of the cases where the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 does not match the content of the product 50 to be taken out, or where the content corresponds to a prohibited item. In this case, the control unit 4 may perform control to display an error on a display unit (not shown), or may perform control to notify the outside by a visually or audibly obtainable method such as emitting a light or a warning.

[0064] [Product removal control] The control of the control unit 4 for carrying out the products 50 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 15. In Figures 8 to 15, the direction of movement is indicated by arrows.

[0065] In step S1, the control unit 4 acquires information about the product 50 to be removed. The information about the product 50 to be removed is acquired, for example, by the seller inputting the information into the storage and carry-out device 100. The input may be manual, or may be performed by reading the information about the product 50 to be removed.

[0066] In step S2, the control unit 4 moves the bucket 22 to the column 11 in which the product 50 to be removed is arranged. The control unit 4 moves the bucket 22 to the column 11 based on the preset rotation speed of the bucket driving unit 25.

[0067] 8, the bucket 22 moves in the Z direction and the X direction. When the bucket 22 moves, the second claw portion 23a is positioned so as not to come into contact with the column 11.

[0068] In step S3, the control unit 4 controls the second claw portion 23a to pull out the column 11 by the second claw portion 23a.

[0069] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, after the bucket 22 has moved to the target column 11, the control unit 4 controls the linear movement drive unit to move the second claw portion 23a toward the column 11 in the Y2 direction.

[0070] As shown in Figure 10, after moving the second claw portion 23a backward toward the column 11, the control unit 4 controls the rotation drive unit to rotate the second claw portion 23a and cause it to abut against the second part 112d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d of the column 11 from behind.

[0071] 11, when the second claw 23a abuts against the second portion 112d of the forward movement restricting portion 11d, the control unit 4 controls the linear movement drive unit to move the second claw 23a toward the Y1 side, thereby pulling out the column 11 forward. As a result, the first claw 21a is positioned below the product 50 arranged at the forefront of the column 11.

[0072] In step S4, the control unit 4 controls the identification information acquisition unit 24 to acquire the identification information 50a.

[0073] 11, when the first claw 21a is positioned below the product 50 placed at the front of the column 11, the identification information acquisition unit 24 acquires the content of the identification information 50a placed on the product 50. Then, the control unit 4 performs control to determine whether the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 matches the information of the product 50 to be removed acquired in step S1.

[0074] In step S5, the next step depends on whether the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 matches the information of the product 50 to be taken out. As shown in Fig. 9, if the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 matches the information of the product 50 to be taken out, the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if the content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 does not match the information of the product 50 to be taken out, the process ends with the removal of the product 50.

[0075] In step S6, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the prohibited items apply based on the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24. The content of the identification information 50a acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 24 is compared with the purchaser's past purchase history, and if the prohibited items do not apply, the process proceeds to step S7. If the prohibited items apply, the process terminates the removal of the product 50. Note that only one of steps S5 and S6 may be performed. If step S6 is not performed, the process proceeds to step S7 if the answer is YES in step S5. If step S5 is not performed, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S6. If both steps S5 and S6 are performed, the order may be reversed.

[0076] In step S7, the control unit 4 controls the first claw portion 21a to control the removal of the product 50 by the first claw portion 21a.

[0077] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 4 controls the vertical movement drive unit to move the first claw 21a toward the Y1 side. As a result, the frontmost product 50 moves upward. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the product 50 is removed from the bucket 22. At this time, even if the second-forward product 50 moves upward, the upward movement restricting unit 3 prevents it from moving to a height at which it can be removed from the bucket 22. The control unit 4 also controls the vertical movement drive unit to move the first claw 21a toward the Y2 side. As a result, the second-forward product 50 does not come into contact with the first claw 21a, and therefore moves to the frontmost position due to the biasing force of the biasing member 11f, where it comes into contact with the forward movement restricting unit 11d.

[0078] In step S8, the control unit 4 performs control to return the second claw portion 23a to its original position.

[0079] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 14, the control unit 4 controls the rotation drive unit to move the second claw portion 23a toward the Z2 side and return it to its original position. When the second claw portion 23a moves toward the Z2 side and returns to its original position, the state in which the column 11 is pulled out by the second claw portion 23a is released. Then, the column 11 moves rearward due to the biasing force of the return member 11h.

[0080] In step S9, the control unit 4 controls the bucket driving unit 25 to move the bucket 22 to the take-out opening 1a. In step S10, the control unit 4 carries out the products 50 from the bucket 22 to the take-out opening 1a. This completes the carrying out of the products 50.

[0081] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0082] As described above, the storage and carry-out device 100 of this embodiment includes the carry-out unit 2 for carrying out the products 50, which includes the removal unit 21 for removing the products 50 arranged at the front of the column 11. This eliminates the need to provide the column 11 with a component for carrying out the products 50, such as a spiral. This frees up space in the column 11 by eliminating the component for carrying out the products 50, allowing for a greater number of products to be placed. The storage and carry-out device 100 also includes a product storage unit 1 including multiple columns 11 in which multiple products 50 are arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction with their opposing front-to-back surfaces in contact with each other. This allows the products to be placed in contact with each other, thereby preventing gaps from forming between the products 50. This also allows for a greater number of products to be placed. As a result, the number of products that can be placed in the column 11 can be increased.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the removal unit 21 is configured to remove the product 50 arranged at the front of the column 11 by moving it upward. As a result, unlike when the product 50 arranged at the front of the column 11 is removed by moving it forward, the position of the front product 50 in the front-to-back direction does not change while the front product 50 is being removed, and therefore it is possible to prevent rear products 50 from tipping forward as the front product 50 moves. As a result, it is possible to prevent the product 50 arranged in the column 11 from tipping forward and being mistakenly carried out of the column 11.

[0084] In this embodiment, the column 11 has an opening 11e formed on the front side of the bottom surface, and the removal unit 21 is configured to move the frontmost product 50 upward through the opening 11e and remove it. As a result, the removal unit 21 pushes up the bottom surface of the product 50 through the opening 11e, moving the frontmost product 50 upward and making it easy to remove the product 50.

[0085] In this embodiment, the opening 11e includes a recess that is recessed from the front to the rear when viewed from the top-bottom direction. This recess opens the front of the bottom surface 11a of the column 11, making it easier to bring the removal unit 21 into contact with the underside of the frontmost product 50. This allows the frontmost product 50 to be efficiently removed.

[0086] In this embodiment, the removal unit 21 has a first claw 21a that comes into contact with the underside of the foremost product 50 arranged in the column 11 through the opening 11e and moves the product 50 upward. This allows the first claw 21a to hook onto the underside of the product 50, making it easy to move the product 50 upward.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the discharge section 2 is provided with the take-out section 21 and includes a bucket 22 that stores the taken-out products 50. This allows the bucket 22 provided with the take-out section 21 to take out the products 50 and carry them out. As a result, it is possible to prevent the device configuration from becoming more complex and the number of parts from increasing, compared to when the bucket 22 and the take-out section 21 are provided separately.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the discharge unit 2 includes a drawer 23 that pulls forward the column 11 on which the product 50 to be removed is arranged, and the discharge unit 21 is configured to remove the product 50 that is arranged at the forefront of the column 11 pulled out by the drawer 23. As a result, the column 11 on which the product 50 to be removed is arranged is itself pulled out by the drawer 23, and therefore, when multiple columns 11 are arranged so that their forefronts are aligned vertically, it is possible to prevent the product 50 moved upward from coming into contact with other columns 11 positioned above. Furthermore, since the discharge unit 2 includes the drawer 23, it is not necessary to provide a member for moving the column 11 for each of the multiple columns 11, which prevents the device configuration from becoming more complex and the number of parts from increasing.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the amount by which the drawer unit 23 draws out the column 11 is smaller than the width of the column 11. As a result, when placing a product 50 whose thickness in the front-to-rear direction is smaller than the width of the column 11, it is possible to prevent the amount of drawing out from becoming excessively larger than the thickness of one product, and therefore it is possible to prevent the drawer unit 23 from drawing out the column 11 excessively.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drawer 23 abuts against the lower surface of the column 11 and includes the second claw 23a that draws the column 11 forward while in contact with the lower surface of the column 11. This allows the column 11 to be drawn out while the second claw 23a is hooked on the lower surface of the column 11, making it possible to easily draw out the column 11.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the product 50 is assigned identification information 50a, and the discharge unit 2 includes an identification information acquisition unit 24 that acquires the identification information 50a of the product 50 to be removed while it is placed in the column 11 before removal. This allows the discharge unit 2 to identify whether the product 50 is the desired product 50 based on the identification information 50a assigned to the product 50 before removing the product 50. As a result, it is possible to prevent a product 50 different from the desired product 50 from being removed and removed.

[0092] This embodiment also includes an upward movement restriction unit 3 that restricts the second product 50 from the front from moving upward. This prevents the second product 50 from moving upward and being removed when the front product 50 is moved upward for removal.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the column 11 has a biasing member 11f that biases the multiple products 50 forward, and a forward movement restricting portion 11d that restricts the forward movement of the product 50 by contacting the forward movement restricting portion 11d, and is configured so that when the frontmost product 50 is removed by the removal unit 21, the biasing member 11f moves the second-most product 50 from the front to the front and causes it to contact the forward movement restricting portion 11d. As a result, after the frontmost product 50 is removed, the biasing member 11f can move the second product 50 to the front. Furthermore, because the column 11 has the biasing member 11f, there is no need to provide a drive source for moving the multiple products 50 forward, which prevents the device configuration from becoming too complicated and the number of parts from increasing.

[0094] [Variations] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0095] For example, in the above embodiment, the removal unit is configured to remove the product arranged at the front of the column by moving it upward, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the removal unit may be configured to remove the product arranged at the front of the column by moving it forward or downward.

[0096] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a vertical movement drive unit was provided to move the first claw upward, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the first claw may be fixed to the bucket and moved upward as the bucket moves upward. In this case, play may be provided in the portion where the second claw is fixed to the bucket to prevent the second claw from moving upward.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the identification information is attached to the top of the product, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the identification information may be attached to the front or side of the product in addition to or instead of the top. In this case, the identification information acquisition unit may be configured to read the information attached to the front or side.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the identification information is a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the identification information may be any information that can be seen from the outside, such as letters, figures, patterns (designs), etc., attached to the product. In this case, the letters, figures, and patterns include the product type (including the design), capacity, and expiration date written on the product.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the identification information acquisition unit includes a one-dimensional code reader or a two-dimensional code reader, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the identification information acquisition unit may be configured to capture and analyze an image. In particular, when the identification information is characters, figures, patterns (designs), etc. attached to a product, the image may be captured by the image capture unit, and image or character recognition may be performed.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the identification information acquisition unit is provided in the bucket of the discharge unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the identification information acquisition unit may be provided in the discharge unit other than the bucket, or may be provided in a location other than the discharge unit. When an identification information acquisition unit is provided in the product storage unit instead of the bucket, it may be provided for each of multiple columns, or one identification information acquisition unit may be provided for each of multiple columns.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the opening of the column includes a recess, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the opening of the column may include a through-hole without including a recess. In this case, the removal unit may be a linear member that moves in the Z direction and pushes up the product through the through-hole.

[0102] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example in which one opening is provided on the bottom surface is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a plurality of openings may be provided on the bottom surface, and the portion surrounding the opening may be comb-shaped when viewed from the Z direction. In this case, the first claw portion is also configured in a comb-shaped shape.

[0103] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which one take-out unit is arranged in the bucket, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, multiple take-out units may be arranged in the bucket. In this case, the first claws of the multiple take-out units are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. This allows products arranged in columns arranged side by side in the left-right direction to be taken out into the bucket approximately simultaneously. Also, the bucket may be configured to move only in the up-down direction. Also, the draw-out unit may be provided in the column.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the removal unit and the drawer unit are disposed on the rear side of the bucket, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the removal unit and the drawer unit may be disposed on the front and rear sides of the bucket, respectively. In this case, the product storage units are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction, and the bucket can remove and store products from the front product storage unit and the rear product storage unit, respectively.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the biasing member and the return member are separate, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the biasing member and the return member may be configured as a single member. In this case, the biasing member may be wrapped around the bottom surface of the column from the Z1 side surface toward the Z2 side surface (lower surface).

[0106] In the above embodiment, an example in which a biasing member and a return member are provided is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a drive unit may be provided instead of the biasing member and the return member.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the upward movement restricting portion is provided on the bottom surface of the column facing the column on which the product to be removed is placed in the Z direction and located on the Z1 side of the column on which the product to be removed is placed, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the upward movement restricting portion may be provided on the top surface or side surface of the column on which the product to be removed is placed.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the unloading unit includes a bucket, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the unloading unit may not include a bucket and may unload directly to the outlet.

[0109] In the above embodiment, an example in which a drawer portion is provided is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a drawer portion does not have to be provided. In this case, a removal portion provided on the bucket is configured to pull out the product forward.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which an identification information acquisition unit was provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the identification information acquisition unit does not necessarily have to be provided in the present invention.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the product is a contact lens, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the product may be a thin product such as medicine, card, or confectionery.

[0112] The storage and delivery device may also be capable of communicating with at least one of a cloud and a server. In this case, the identification information read by the identification information acquisition unit may be transmitted to the cloud or the server, and the cloud or the server may determine, based on the identification information read by the identification information acquisition unit, at least one of whether the product is a product to be removed that the purchaser is attempting to purchase and whether the product falls under any of the prohibited items. The determination result may then be transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit may control the removal of the product. In this case, the prohibited items may be stored in the cloud or the server. Furthermore, when both the determination of whether the product is a product to be removed that the purchaser is attempting to purchase and the determination of whether the product falls under any of the prohibited items are performed based on the identification information read by the identification information acquisition unit, one of the determinations may be performed by the control unit and the other by the cloud or the server. Furthermore, when at least one of the determinations that the product is not a product to be removed and the determination that the product falls under any of the prohibited items is made, the determination may be stored in the cloud or the server together with the reason for the determination.

[0113] In the above embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the control processing of the control unit is described using a flow-driven flowchart in which processing is performed in order according to a processing flow, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control processing of the control unit may be performed by event-driven processing in which processing is performed on an event-by-event basis. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1 Product storage section 2. Unloading section 21 Removal section 22 Bucket 23 Drawer section 24 Identification information acquisition unit 3. Upward movement restriction section 11 Column 11a Bottom 11d Forward movement restriction part 11e opening 11f. biasing member 21a 1st claw part 23a 2nd claw part 50 items 50a Identification Information 100 Storage and handling device

Claims

1. a product storage unit including a plurality of columns in which the plurality of products are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction with surfaces of the products facing each other in the front-rear direction in contact with each other; a delivery section for delivering the products, including a removal section for removing the products arranged at the front of the column.

2. The storage and carry-out device according to claim 1 , wherein the removal section is configured to move the product arranged at the front of the column upward to remove the product.

3. The column has an opening formed on the front side of the bottom surface, The storage and carry-out device according to claim 2 , wherein the removal section is configured to remove the frontmost product by moving it upward through the opening.

4. The storing and carrying-out device according to claim 3 , wherein the opening includes a recess that is recessed from the front to the rear when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

5. 4. The storage and transport device according to claim 3, wherein the removal section has a first claw section that contacts the underside of the frontmost product arranged on the column through the opening and moves the product upward.

6. The storage and carrying-out device according to claim 1 , wherein the carrying-out section is provided with the take-out section and includes a bucket for storing the taken-out products.

7. the carrying-out unit includes a drawing unit that draws forward the column in which the product to be removed is arranged, The storage and carry-out device according to claim 1 , wherein the removal unit is configured to remove the product arranged at the front of the column pulled out by the pull-out unit.

8. The storage and carry-out device according to claim 7 , wherein the amount by which the column of the drawer section is pulled out is smaller than the width of the column.

9. The storage and carry-out device according to claim 7 , wherein the drawer includes a second claw that contacts a lower surface of the column and draws the column forward while in contact with the lower surface of the column.

10. The product is provided with identification information, The storage and transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the transport unit includes an identification information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the product to be removed while the product is placed in the column before removal.

11. The storage and carry-out device according to claim 2 , further comprising an upward movement restricting section that restricts the second front product from being moved upward.

12. the column has a biasing member that biases the plurality of products forward, and a forward movement restricting portion that restricts forward movement of the products by contact with the frontmost product, 2. The storage and transport device according to claim 1, wherein when the frontmost product is removed by the removal section, the biasing member moves the second-most product from the front to the front and abuts against the forward movement restricting section.

Images