Article shipping system

Abstract

It is desirable to realize an article shipping system capable of appropriately generating a support on which a plurality of articles are stowed so that another support can be easily stacked when an article is stored in a warehouse in a state of being placed on the support.SOLUTION: The article shipping system 100 includes a warehouse 1 that stores support bodies P, a retrieval apparatus 21 that retrieves articles W from the support bodies P, and a stowage apparatus 22 that stows the articles W on the support bodies P. If the designated number is greater than or equal to the set number and less than the first placement number, the article shipment system 100 leaves the upper surface flat state number of articles W in the first support body P1, takes out the remaining number of articles W, obtained by subtracting the upper surface flat state number from the first placement number, from the first support body P1 using the take-out device 21, stacks the first remaining required number of articles W out of the remaining number of articles W in the shipment support body P4 using the stacking device 22, and ships the first support body P1 and the shipment support body P4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article shipping system for shipping an article while it is placed on a support. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a technique for stacking items on a support is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-11857 ​​(Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, in the description of this background art, reference numerals in Patent Document 1 will be cited in parentheses. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, items (22) retrieved from an automated warehouse (200) are loaded one by one onto a pallet (21), generating an item group (20) consisting of the pallet (21) and the multiple items (22) loaded thereon. At the top of the item group (20), the multiple items (22) loaded on the pallet (21) form a receiving portion (multiple columns (20p) as shown in FIG. 4 of Patent Document 1) on which another pallet (21) can be stably placed in a substantially horizontal position. Then, multiple item groups (20) are stacked to form a transport unit (10) as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-11857 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for loading items released from a warehouse onto supports (pallets in Patent Document 1) one by one, and generating a support on which multiple items are stacked so that other supports can be easily stacked. Even when items are stored in an automated warehouse while placed on a support, it is conceivable to generate a support on which multiple items to be shipped are stacked so that other supports can be easily stacked. In this case, the support on which the items are placed, rather than the items themselves as in Patent Document 1, is released from the warehouse, but Patent Document 1 does not describe how to generate a support on which multiple items are stacked so that other supports can be easily stacked in such a case.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize an item shipping system that can appropriately generate supports on which multiple items are loaded so that other supports can be easily stacked when the items are stored in a warehouse while placed on the supports. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The product shipping system according to the present disclosure is a product shipping system that ships a specified number of products, which is the number specified by order information, loaded onto a support, and the support can be configured to have multiple layers of product groups stacked vertically, each layer consisting of a set number of the products arranged in a plane, and the system includes: a warehouse that stores the support on which one or more of the products are loaded; a removal device that removes the products from the support; and a loading device that stacks the products onto the support; when a first support on which a first number of the products are loaded and a second support on which a second number of the products, which is equal to or greater than the first number, are stored in the warehouse, the system determines a number within a range in which the top surface of the group of products in the top layer on the first support can be considered flat, determined based on an integer multiple of the set number, and the number that is less than the first number and less than the specified number is defined as a flat top surface number; and the number obtained by subtracting the flat top surface number from the specified number is defined as a first remaining required number. If the specified number is equal to or greater than the set number but less than the first loading number, the flat-surfaced number of items are left on the first support, and the remaining number of items, calculated by subtracting the flat-surfaced number from the first loading number, are removed from the first support by the removal device, and the first required number of items from the remaining number of items are loaded onto another support, which is a shipping support, by the stowage device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped; if the specified number is greater than the first loading number, the flat-surfaced number of items are left on the first support, and the remaining number of items are removed from the first support by the removal device, and a first shortage number of items, which is calculated by subtracting the remaining number from the first required number, are removed from the second support by the removal device, and the remaining number of items and the first shortage number of items are loaded onto the shipping support by the stowage device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped.

[0007] According to this configuration, when first supports and second supports are stored in a warehouse that stores supports on which items are placed, even if the specified number specified in the order information is less or more than the first loading number, which is the number of items placed on the first support, it is possible to ship the specified number of items using the first supports and shipping supports while generating first supports on which the number of items in a flat-top state is loaded. Here, the flat-top state number is a number within a range in which the top surface of the group of items in the top layer of the support can be considered flat. Therefore, the generated first supports can be supports on which multiple items are loaded so that other supports can be easily stacked. Therefore, when transporting shipped supports including the first supports, it is easy to stack another support including the shipping support on top of the multiple items loaded on the first support, facilitating efficient transport of the items after shipment.

[0008] As described above, with this configuration, when items are stored in a warehouse while placed on a support, it is possible to appropriately generate a support (specifically, a first support) on which multiple items are loaded so that other supports can be easily stacked.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the article shipping system will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Conceptual diagram of an article shipping system according to an embodiment [Figure 2] A diagram showing the first example of shipping processing [Figure 3] A diagram showing a second example of shipping processing [Figure 4] A diagram showing a third example of shipping processing [Figure 5] A diagram showing a fourth example of shipping processing [Figure 6] A diagram showing the fifth example of shipping processing [Figure 7] A diagram showing the sixth example of shipping processing [Figure 8]A diagram showing the seventh example of shipping processing [Figure 9] Figure showing the eighth example of shipping processing DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of an item shipping system will be described with reference to the drawings. The item shipping system is a system that ships a specified number of items, which is the number specified by order information, mounted on a support. Various technical features of the item shipping system disclosed in this specification can also be applied to an item shipping method that ships a specified number of items mounted on a support, and an item shipping program that causes a computer to function as an item shipping system (specifically, a control system described below). These item shipping systems, item shipping methods, and item shipping programs, as well as storage media (e.g., computer-readable storage media such as optical discs and flash memory) on which the item shipping programs are stored, are also disclosed by this specification.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the product shipping system 100 includes a warehouse (in this embodiment, a first warehouse 1) that stores a support P on which one or more products W are placed, a removal device (in this embodiment, a first work device 21) that removes the products W from the support P, and a stacking device (in this embodiment, the first work device 21 and the second work device 22) that stacks the products W onto the support P. For example, a robot such as an articulated robot can be used as the first work device 21 and the second work device 22. In this embodiment, the first warehouse 1 corresponds to the "warehouse," the first work device 21 corresponds to the "removal device" and the "stack device" (specifically, the "stack device" that stacks products onto the first support or the storage support), and the second work device 22 corresponds to the "stack device" (specifically, the "stack device" that stacks products onto the shipping support).

[0013] In this embodiment, the item shipping system 100 further includes a second warehouse 2 for storing items W, a first work area A1, a second work area A2, and a shipping area A3. The first work area A1 is an area where a first work device 21 is located. The first work device 21 removes items W from a support body P and stows the items W onto the support body P in the first work area A1. Note that the first work device 21 serving as an unloading device for removing items W from the support body P and the first work device 21 serving as a stowage device for stowage the items W onto the support body P may be provided separately. The second work area A2 is an area where a second work device 22 is located. The second work device 22 stows items W onto the support body P in the second work area A2.

[0014] The shipping area A3 is an area where the work of shipping the item W to the destination (for example, a store or another logistics center) is carried out. The shipping area A3 is located, for example, adjacent to a truck berth. In this embodiment, the "shipping" of the item W performed by the item shipping system 100 means shipping the item W (item W to be shipped) to the shipping area A3. In other words, the destination of the item W by the item shipping system 100 is the shipping area A3, and the item shipping system 100 transports the item W into the shipping area A3. The item W is transported into the shipping area A3 while placed on a support P.

[0015] The item W carried into the shipping area A3 is shipped from the shipping area A3 while being placed on a support P. In this embodiment, the item W is shipped from the shipping area A3 in the form of a stack in which multiple supports P are stacked with the item W sandwiched between them. In the shipping area A3 in FIG. 1 , a stack is shown in which a first support P1 with the item W placed thereon and a shipping support P4 with the item W placed thereon are stacked in this order on a second support P2 with the item W placed thereon. The first support P1, the second support P2, and the shipping support P4 will be described later. The stack is loaded onto, for example, a truck, train, ship, airplane, etc., and shipped from the shipping area A3 to the destination. For example, the shipping area A3 is provided with a stacking device that stacks the supports P with the item W placed thereon. At least a part of the shipping work of the item W in the shipping area A3 (for example, the work of forming the stack and the work of loading the stack onto a truck, etc.) may be performed by the item shipping system 100.

[0016] On the support P, layered item groups WG, each consisting of a set number of items W arranged in a plane, can be stacked in multiple layers in the up-down direction V (vertical direction). For example, a pallet such as a flat pallet can be used as the support P. In this embodiment, as an example, the set number is set to "12," and 12 items W arranged in a plane in a 3x4 grid form constitute one layered item group WG. Inside the first warehouse 1 in FIG. 1, a support P is shown in which layered item groups WG are arranged in four layers. In other words, 48 ​​items W are placed on this support P. To avoid complication, the symbol "WG" has been omitted for the layered item groups WG arranged on other support Ps in FIG. 1 and the layered item groups WG arranged on each support P in FIGS. 2 to 9.

[0017] The item W has an outer shape formed in a rectangular parallelepiped (including a cube). The item W is placed on the support P with one outer surface facing upward. The item W is placed directly on the support P, or is placed on the support P via one or more other items W arranged below the item W. A plurality of supports P are stored in the first warehouse 1, and each of the supports P stored in the first warehouse 1 has one item W placed thereon, or a plurality of items W of the same type placed thereon. Items W of the same type have the same outer diameter and the same dimensions.

[0018] In this embodiment, the item W is a container (e.g., a cardboard box) that contains a load (such as a commodity), and the type of the item W is determined according to the type of load contained in the item W. Therefore, each of the supports P stored in the first warehouse 1 is loaded with one item W containing a load, or with multiple items W containing the same type of load.

[0019] The first warehouse 1 is configured to be able to store a plurality of supports P, each with one or more items W placed on it. The first warehouse 1 is an automated warehouse (for example, an automated warehouse using a stacker crane) that automatically stores and retrieves the supports P. The first warehouse 1 can also be configured to be divided into an area where the first supports P1, which will be described later, are stored and an area where supports P other than the first support P1 are stored. For example, such a configuration is suitable when the first support P1 is to be preferentially retrieved from the first warehouse 1.

[0020] The second warehouse 2 is configured to be able to store a plurality of items W (items W after being removed from the support P). The second warehouse 2 is an automated warehouse (for example, an automated warehouse using shuttle carts) that automatically stores and retrieves the items W. After being removed from the second warehouse 2, the items W stored in the second warehouse 2 are stacked on the shipping support P4, which will be described later. The items W stored in the second warehouse 2 are removed from the second warehouse 2, for example, in the order in which they are stacked on the shipping support P4.

[0021] 1, in this embodiment, an article shipping system 100 includes a first conveying device 11, a second conveying device 12, a third conveying device 13, a fourth conveying device 14, a fifth conveying device 15, a sixth conveying device 16, and a seventh conveying device 17. As these conveying devices (11 to 17), for example, conveyors such as belt conveyors or roller conveyors, or conveying vehicles such as unmanned guided vehicles can be used.

[0022] The first conveying device 11 conveys the support P that has been removed from the first warehouse 1 to the first work area A1. The first conveying device 11 conveys the support P on which at least the item W to be shipped is placed from the first warehouse 1 to the first work area A1.

[0023] The second conveying device 12 conveys the support body P to be stored in the first warehouse 1 from the first work area A1 to the first warehouse 1. The second conveying device 12 conveys the support body P on which the remaining items W that have been brought into the first work area A1 and will not be shipped to the shipping area A3 (specifically, the remaining items W that will not be transported to either the shipping area A3 or the second warehouse 2) are placed from the first work area A1 to the first warehouse 1.

[0024] The third conveying device 13 conveys the goods W to be stored in the second warehouse 2 from the first working area A1 to the second warehouse 2. The third conveying device 13 conveys the goods W to be shipped (specifically, the goods W to be shipped while placed on a shipping support P4, which will be described later) from the first working area A1 to the second warehouse 2.

[0025] The fourth conveying device 14 conveys the items W that have been removed from the second warehouse 2 to the second work area A2. The fourth conveying device 14 conveys the items W to be shipped (specifically, the items W that are to be shipped while placed on a shipping support P4, which will be described later) from the second warehouse 2 to the second work area A2.

[0026] The fifth conveying device 15 conveys the support P that has been removed from the first warehouse 1 to the shipping area A3. The fifth conveying device 15 conveys the support P, on which only the items W to be shipped are placed, from the first warehouse 1 to the shipping area A3. The fifth conveying device 15 conveys the support P directly to the shipping area A3 (i.e., without passing through the first work area A1, the second warehouse 2, or the second work area A2).

[0027] The sixth conveying device 16 conveys the support P from the first working area A1 to the shipping area A3. The sixth conveying device 16 conveys the support P, on which only the item W to be shipped is placed, from the first working area A1 to the shipping area A3. The sixth conveying device 16 conveys the support P directly to the shipping area A3 (i.e., without passing through the first warehouse 1, the second warehouse 2, or the second working area A2).

[0028] The seventh conveying device 17 conveys the support body P from the second work area A2 to the shipping area A3. The seventh conveying device 17 conveys the support body P, on which only the item W to be shipped is placed, from the second work area A2 to the shipping area A3. The seventh conveying device 17 conveys the support body P directly to the shipping area A3 (specifically, without passing through the first warehouse 1, the first work area A1, or the second warehouse 2).

[0029] The goods shipping system 100 includes a control system 3 that controls the shipping process of goods W by the goods shipping system 100. The control system 3 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and peripheral circuits such as a memory, and the functions of the control system 3 are realized by cooperation between hardware such as the arithmetic processing device and a program executed on the hardware. The control system 3 may be realized not by a single device (for example, a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation) but by multiple devices that can communicate with each other.

[0030] The control system 3 controls the first warehouse 1, the first work device 21, and the second work device 22. In this embodiment, the control system 3 also controls the second warehouse 2, the first conveying device 11, the second conveying device 12, the third conveying device 13, the fourth conveying device 14, the fifth conveying device 15, the sixth conveying device 16, and the seventh conveying device 17. If the above-mentioned stacking device is provided in the shipping area A3, the control system 3 may be configured to control this stacking device.

[0031] The shipping process executed by the item shipping system 100 is a process of shipping a specified number of items W, which is the number specified by the order information, placed on a support P (one or more supports P). In this embodiment, the shipping process ships the specified number of items W to the shipping area A3. In the shipping process, the specified number of items W are shipped to the shipping area A3 placed on a single support P or placed separately on multiple supports P.

[0032] The goods shipping system 100 of this embodiment handles multiple types of goods W. Therefore, the order information specifies the type of goods W (goods type) and the number of goods W for each type (goods number). When the order information includes multiple goods types, the goods shipping system 100 ships the specified number of goods W (goods number for each type) for each of the multiple goods types, placed on the support P.

[0033] The order information is generated by the control system 3 or another device that can communicate with the control system 3 (for example, a higher-level management device of the control system 3). The order information is generated, for example, based on an order from a shipping destination of the item W. The item types and the number of items of each type included in the order information are specified for each shipping destination.

[0034] As described above, the support body P can accommodate multiple layered item groups WG, each consisting of a set number of items W arranged in a plane, stacked in the vertical direction V. The "maximum number of items W" that can be placed on the support body P is an integer multiple of the set number. In this embodiment, 12 items W constitute one layered item group WG, and a maximum of four layered item groups WG can be placed on the support body P, stacked in the vertical direction V. Therefore, in this embodiment, the "set number" is "12" and the "maximum number of items W" is "48."

[0035] In this embodiment, there are four numbers that are less than the maximum number of items W that are integer multiples of the set number: 12, 24, 36, and 48. When the number of items W placed on the support P is an integer multiple of the set number (in this embodiment, when it is one of the four numbers), the group of items W in the top layer on the support P is composed of the layered item group WG, and therefore the upper surface of the group of items W in the top layer on the support P can be considered flat. Furthermore, even when the number of items W placed on the support P is not an integer multiple of the set number, it may be possible to make the stacking state of the multiple items W on the support P such that the upper surface of the group of items W in the top layer can be considered flat. In particular, when the difference between the number of items W placed on the support P and an integer multiple of the set number is small (for example, when the number of items W placed on the support P is one less than an integer multiple of the set number), it is possible to make the stacking state of the multiple items W on the support P such that the upper surface of the group of items W in the top layer can be considered flat. In this way, even if the number of items W placed on the support P is not an integer multiple of the set number, the top surface of the group of items W in the top layer on the support P may be considered to be flat.

[0036] If the top surface of the group of articles W in the top layer of the support P can be considered flat, other supports P can be easily stacked on this support P. In other words, the range (the range of the number of articles W) within which the top surface of the group of articles W in the top layer can be considered flat is defined as the "flat top surface range," and if the number of articles W placed on the support P is within the flat top surface range, other supports P can be easily stacked on this support P. The flat top surface range is determined based on an integer multiple of a set number. In this embodiment, there are four numbers that are equal to or less than the maximum number of articles that can be placed and are integer multiples of the set number, so four flat top surface ranges are determined.

[0037] The flat upper surface state range is set, for example, so that an integer multiple of the set number has an upper limit value and a lower limit value is obtained by subtracting a lower limit value from the integer multiple of the set number. This lower limit value is preset to, for example, "1" or "2," or is set to a value obtained by multiplying the set number by a preset multiplier (for example, a value in the range of 0.05 to 0.2). In this embodiment, if the lower limit value is set to "1," for example, the numbers (integers) within the flat upper surface state range are eight: "11," "12," "23," "24," "35," "36," "47," and "48."

[0038] It is also possible to configure the support P so that the top surface of the group of articles W in the top layer is considered flat only when the group of articles W in the top layer on the support P is composed of a layer article group WG. In this case, the flat top surface range is set to include only integer multiples of the set number. In this embodiment, when such a configuration is used, the numbers (integers) within the flat top surface range are four: "12," "24," "36," and "48." For example, by setting the above lower limit setting value to a value greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1 (e.g., "0"), the flat top surface range can be set to include only integer multiples of the set number.

[0039] In the following, we will focus on one type of item W included in the order information. A support P on which a first number of items W is placed while stored in the first warehouse 1 will be referred to as a "first support P1." A support P on which a second number of items W, which is equal to or greater than the first number, is placed while stored in the first warehouse 1 will be referred to as a "second support P2." A support P on which a third number of items W, which is equal to or greater than the second number, is placed while stored in the first warehouse 1 will be referred to as a "third support P3." The first number, second number, and third number are all values ​​less than or equal to the maximum number.

[0040] Not only supports P on which the maximum number of items W is placed (hereinafter referred to as "full supports"), but also supports P on which less than the maximum number of items W is placed (hereinafter referred to as "unfull supports") may be stored in the first warehouse 1. For example, if a fully loaded support stored in the first warehouse 1 is taken out of the first warehouse 1, some of the items W are removed, and then the support P is re-entered into the first warehouse 1, the support P becomes an unfull support stored in the first warehouse 1.

[0041] If the number of non-full supports stored in the first warehouse 1 is zero, any three full supports stored in the first warehouse 1 will be the first support P1, the second support P2, and the third support P3.

[0042] When the number of non-full supports stored in the first warehouse 1 is one, the non-full support becomes the first support P1, and any two fully loaded supports stored in the first warehouse 1 become the second support P2 and the third support P3. In the example shown in FIG. 2(a) to be referred to later, it is assumed that the number of non-full supports stored in the first warehouse 1 is one. In the example shown in FIG. 2(a), the first loading number is "42", the second loading number and the third loading number are "48", and one non-full support (support P with 42 items W loaded) stored in the first warehouse 1 becomes the first support P1, and two fully loaded supports (support P with 48 items W loaded) stored in the first warehouse 1 become the second support P2 and the third support P3.

[0043] If the number of non-full supports stored in the first warehouse 1 is two, the two non-full supports become the first support P1 and the second support P2, and any one of the fully loaded supports stored in the first warehouse 1 becomes the third support P3. In this case, the first support P1 and the second support P2 are determined so that the number of items W placed on the first support P1 is less than or equal to the number of items W placed on the second support P2.

[0044] If the number of non-full supports stored in the first warehouse 1 is three or more, any three of the non-full supports stored in the first warehouse 1 will be the first support P1, the second support P2, and the third support P3. In this case, the first support P1, the second support P2, and the third support P3 are determined so that the number of items W placed on the second support P2 is less than or equal to the number of items W placed on the third support P3, and the number of items W placed on the first support P1 is less than or equal to the number of items W placed on the second support P2. For example, the three non-full supports selected in order of the fewest number of items W placed on them will be the first support P1, the second support P2, and the third support P3.

[0045] Although the goods shipping system 100 can be configured to operate so that the number of non-full supports stored in the first warehouse 1 can be two or more, in this embodiment, the goods shipping system 100 is operated so that the number of non-full supports stored in the first warehouse 1 is zero or one (i.e., a maximum of one). Therefore, in this embodiment, the second and third loading numbers are the maximum loading numbers (in this embodiment, "48").

[0046] Specific examples (eight examples) of the shipping process executed by the product shipping system 100 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 9. In the following specific examples, attention is focused on one type of product W included in the order information, but if the order information includes multiple product types, the shipping process described below will be executed for each of the multiple product types. Although Figures 2 to 9 omit the conveying devices (11 to 17) and second working area A2 shown in Figure 1, the following description may refer to these conveying devices (11 to 17) and second working area A2.

[0047] <Example 1> Figure 2 shows a first example of shipping processing. In this example, as shown in Figure 2(a), it is assumed that at least a first support P1, a second support P2, and a third support P3 are stored in the first warehouse 1. Also, in this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "52." Therefore, if the number obtained by subtracting the second placement number (= 48) from the specified number is set as the "second remaining required number," the second remaining required number becomes "4" (= 52 - 48).

[0048] In this example, it is assumed that the first number to be placed is "42." Therefore, the specified number (= 52) is greater than the second number to be placed (= 48), and the second required remaining number (= 4) is less than or equal to the first number to be placed. When the specified number is greater than the second number to be placed and the second required remaining number is less than or equal to the first number to be placed, the item shipping system 100 removes the second required remaining number of items W from the first support body P1 using the first work device 21, stacks the second required remaining number of items W onto the shipping support body P4 using the second work device 22, and ships the second support body P2 and the shipping support body P4. The shipping support body P4 is a support body P separate from the three supports (P1, P2, P3).

[0049] 2(a), the goods shipping system 100 removes the first support body P1 and the second support body P2 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support body P1 to the first work area A1 by the first conveying device 11, and transports the second support body P2 to the shipping area A3 by the fifth conveying device 15.

[0050] Next, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the item shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove the second remaining required number of items W (=4) from the first support P1 that has been brought into the first work area A1, and then uses the third conveying device 13 to transport the removed second remaining required number of items W to the second warehouse 2 and store them in the second warehouse 2. Items W (here, 38 items W) that will not be shipped to the shipping area A3 are left in the first support P1. The item shipping system 100 uses the second conveying device 12 to transport the first support P1 to the first warehouse 1 and store it again in the first warehouse 1. The first support P1 that has been stored again in the first warehouse 1 becomes the first support P1 in the next shipping process.

[0051] Although not shown in the figures, the item shipping system 100 removes the second remaining required number (=4) of items W from the second warehouse 2 and transports them to the second work area A2 by the fourth conveying device 14. Then, the item shipping system 100 stacks the second remaining required number of items W brought into the second work area A2 onto the shipping support P4 by the second work device 22, and then transports the shipping support P4 to the shipping area A3 by the seventh conveying device 17. It is preferable that the stacking state of the multiple items W on the shipping support P4 be such that the top surface of the group of items W on the top layer can be considered flat, whenever possible. It is also possible to configure the shipping support P4 to have different types of items W mixed together. In this case, for example, multiple types of items W included in the same order information are mixed together on one shipping support P4, or multiple types of items W having the same shipping destination from the shipping area A3 (for example, multiple types of items W to be shipped to the same logistics center) are mixed together on one shipping support P4.

[0052] By performing the above-described shipping process by the product shipping system 100, the second support P2 on which the second loading number (= 48) of products W is placed and the shipping support P4 on which the second remaining required number (= 4) of products W is placed are transported to the shipping area A3. In other words, the specified number (= 52) of products W are shipped to the shipping area A3 while being placed on one or more supports P (here, the second support P2 and the shipping support P4). Note that in this example and the following examples, the number of products W placed on the shipping support P4 (here, the second remaining required number) means the number of products W of the type under consideration. Therefore, other types of products W may also be placed on the shipping support P4.

[0053] In this example and the second example (Figure 3) described below, it is assumed that the second remaining required quantity is small (specifically, when the second remaining required quantity is less than a set number), and so all of the second remaining required quantity of items W are shipped in a state where they are placed on the shipping support P4.However, when the second remaining required quantity is large (for example, when the second remaining required quantity is equal to or greater than a set number), the second remaining required quantity of items W can also be shipped in a state where they are placed separately on the first support P1 (specifically, the first support P1 on which the number of items W with their top surfaces flat are placed) and the shipping support P4, as in the third example (Figure 4) and fourth example (Figure 5) described below.

[0054] <Example 2> FIG. 3 shows a second example of shipping processing. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3(a), it is assumed that at least a first support P1, a second support P2, and a third support P3 are stored in the first warehouse 1. Also, in this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "52." Therefore, the second remaining required number is "4" (= 52 - 48). The above points are the same as in the first example (FIG. 2).

[0055] In this example, unlike the first example, it is assumed that the first number to be placed is "3." Therefore, the specified number (= 52) is greater than the second number to be placed (= 48), and the second remaining required number (= 4) is greater than the first number to be placed (= 3). If the number obtained by subtracting the first number to be placed from the second remaining required number is defined as the "second shortage," the second shortage becomes "1" (= 4 - 3). In this case, when the specified number is greater than the second number to be placed and the second remaining required number is greater than the first number to be placed, the item shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove the second shortage number of items W from the third support P3, and uses the second work device 22 to stack the first number of items W removed from the first support P1 and the second shortage number of items W removed from the third support P3 onto the shipping support P4, and then ships the second support P2 and the shipping support P4.

[0056] 3(a), the goods shipping system 100 removes the first support P1, the second support P2, and the third support P3 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support P1 and the third support P3 to the first work area A1 by the first conveying device 11, and transports the second support P2 to the shipping area A3 by the fifth conveying device 15.

[0057] Next, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the item shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove all of the first number (= 3) of items W from the first support P1 carried into the first work area A1, and also uses the first work device 21 to remove the second missing number (= 1) of items W from the third support P3 carried into the first work area A1. The removed second remaining required number (= first number + second missing number = 4) of items W are transported to the second warehouse 2 by the third conveyance device 13 and stored in the second warehouse 2. Items W (here, 47 items W) that will not be shipped to the shipping area A3 remain in the third support P3. The item shipping system 100 uses the second conveyance device 12 to transport the third support P3 to the first warehouse 1 and store it back in the first warehouse 1. The third support P3 that has been stored in the first warehouse 1 becomes the first support P1 in the next shipping process.

[0058] The second remaining required number of items W stored in the second warehouse 2 are transported to the shipping area A3 while being placed on the shipping support P4, as in the first example. As a result, the second support P2 on which the second loading number (=48) of items W are placed and the shipping support P4 on which the second remaining required number (=4) of items W are placed are transported to the shipping area A3.

[0059] In addition, when the specified number is greater than the second loading number and the second remaining required number is greater than the first loading number, the item shipping system 100 can also be configured to remove the second shortage number of items W from the third support P3 by the first work device 21, stack the second shortage number of items W removed from the third support P3 onto the first support P1 by the first work device 21, and ship the second support P2 and the first support P1. When such a configuration is used in the situation shown in Figure 3(a), the item shipping system 100 removes the second shortage number of items W (= 1) from the third support P3 carried into the first work area A1 by the first work device 21, and stacks the removed second shortage number of items W onto the first support P1 carried into the first work area A1 by the first work device 21. Then, the item shipping system 100 transports the first support P1, on which the second remaining required number (=4) of items W is placed, to the shipping area A3 by the sixth conveying device 16. As a result, the second support P2, on which the second loading number (=48) of items W is placed, and the first support P1, on which the second remaining required number (=4) of items W is placed, are transported to the shipping area A3. In other words, the specified number (=52) of items W are shipped to the shipping area A3 while placed on one or more supports P (here, the second support P2 and the first support P1).

[0060] <Example 3> FIG. 4 shows a third example of shipping processing. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4(a), it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1. Also, in this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "41" and the first placement number is "42." Here, the number within the flat top surface range that is less than or equal to the first placement number and the specified number is defined as the "flat top surface number." As described above, the flat top surface range is determined based on an integer multiple of the set number, and is the range within which the top surface of the group of articles W on the top layer of the support P (here, the first support P1) can be considered flat.

[0061] In this example and the following examples, it is assumed that the flat-top condition range is set to include only integer multiples of the set number. Therefore, the numbers within the flat-top condition range are four: "12," "24," "36," and "48." In this example and the following examples, the flat-top condition number is the number within the flat-top condition range that is equal to or less than the first placement number and closest to the specified number. In this example, the first placement number is "42," and the specified number is "41," so the flat-top condition number is "36." Therefore, if the number obtained by subtracting the flat-top condition number from the specified number is set as the "first remaining required number," the first remaining required number is "5" (= 41 - 36). Also, if the "remaining number" is set as the "first placement number minus the flat-top condition number," the remaining number is "6" (= 42 - 36).

[0062] In this example, the specified number (= 41) is equal to or greater than the set number (= 12) and is less than the first number to be placed (= 42). When the specified number is equal to or greater than the set number but is less than the first number to be placed, the item shipping system 100 leaves the number of items W with flat surfaces on the first support P1, removes the remaining number of items W from the first support P1 using the first work device 21, and stacks a first required number of items W from the remaining number of items W onto the shipping support P4 using the second work device 22, and ships the first support P1 and the shipping support P4. Also, in this example, the item shipping system 100 stacks the remaining items W, obtained by subtracting the first required number of items W from the remaining number of items W, onto a storage support P5, which is a support P for returning to the first warehouse 1, using the first work device 21, and stores the storage support P5 in the first warehouse 1.

[0063] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4(a), the goods shipping system 100 removes the first support body P1 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support body P1 to the first work area A1 by the first transport device 11.

[0064] Next, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the article shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove the remaining number (=6) of articles W from the first support P1 that has been brought into the first work area A1, and then uses the third conveying device 13 to transport the first required number (=5) of the remaining articles W to the second warehouse 2 and store them in the second warehouse 2. The number (=36) of articles W with flat top surfaces is left on the first support P1. The article shipping system 100 also uses the first work device 21 to stack the remaining article W (here, one article W) obtained by subtracting the first required number of articles W from the remaining number of articles W onto a storage support P5 (here, an empty support P on which no articles W are placed).

[0065] Next, as shown in Figure 4(c), the product shipping system 100 transports the first support P1, on which the number of products W with flat top surfaces (=36) is placed, to the shipping area A3 by the sixth conveying device 16, and transports the storage support P5 to the first warehouse 1 by the second conveying device 12 and stores it in the first warehouse 1. The storage support P5 stored in the first warehouse 1 becomes the first support P1 in the next shipping process.

[0066] The first remaining required number of items W stored in the second warehouse 2 are transported to the shipping area A3 while placed on the shipping support P4, as in the first example. As a result, the first support P1 on which the number of items W with flat top surfaces (=36) are placed and the shipping support P4 on which the first remaining required number of items W (=5) are placed are transported to the shipping area A3. By configuring the first support P1 on which the number of items W with flat top surfaces are placed in this way, the number of operations can be reduced compared to when all of the specified number of items W are removed from the first support P1 and stacked on the shipping support P4.

[0067] Here, the example has been described in which the goods shipping system 100 performs the above-described shipping process when the designated number is equal to or greater than the set number but less than the first loading number, but the goods shipping system 100 can also be configured to perform the above-described shipping process when the designated number is equal to the first loading number. That is, the goods shipping system 100 can also be configured to perform the above-described shipping process when the designated number is equal to or greater than the set number but less than the first loading number. Naturally, when the designated number is equal to the first loading number, the remaining number and the first remaining required number are equal, so goods W are not stacked on the storage support body P5.

[0068] Furthermore, although the example given here is of a case where the flat top surface number is a number within the flat top surface range that is equal to or less than the first placement number and closest to the designated number, the configuration is not limited to "the number closest to the designated number." For example, in this example, if the flat top surface number is a number within the flat top surface range that is equal to or less than the first placement number and second closest to the designated number, the flat top surface number would be "24" instead of "36." In this case, the first support P1 on which the flat top surface number (= 24) of articles W is placed and the shipping support P4 on which the first remaining required number (= 17) of articles W is placed would be transported to the shipping area A3. Furthermore, in this example, if the flat top surface condition range is set so that the numbers within the flat top surface condition range are eight, namely, "11," "12," "23," "24," "35," "36," "47," and "48," and the second closest number is set as the flat top surface condition number as described above, the flat top surface condition number will be "35" instead of "36." In this case, the first support P1 on which articles W with the flat top surface condition number (= 35) are placed and the shipping support P4 on which articles W with the first remaining required number (= 6) are placed will be transported to the shipping area A3.

[0069] <Example 4> FIG. 5 shows a fourth example of shipping processing. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1. Furthermore, in this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "43" and the first placement number is "42." Therefore, in this example, as in the third example, the number of flat-topped states is "36" and the remaining number is "6" (= 42 - 36). Meanwhile, in this example, unlike the third example, the first remaining required number is "7" (= 43 - 36). Therefore, if the number obtained by subtracting the remaining number from the first remaining required number is defined as the "first shortage number," the first shortage number becomes "1" (= 7 - 6).

[0070] In this example, the specified number (= 43) is equal to or greater than the set number (= 12) and is greater than the first loading number (= 42). When the specified number is greater than the first loading number in this way, the article shipping system 100 leaves the number of articles W with flat upper surfaces on the first support body P1, removes the remaining number of articles W from the first support body P1 by the first work device 21, and removes the first shortage number of articles W from the second support body P2 by the first work device 21, stacks the remaining number of articles W and the first shortage number of articles W on the shipping support body P4 by the second work device 22, and ships the first support body P1 and the shipping support body P4.

[0071] 5(a), the goods shipping system 100 removes the first support P1 and the second support P2 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support P1 and the second support P2 to the first work area A1 by the first transport device 11.

[0072] 5(b), the item shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove the remaining number (=6) of items W from the first support P1 carried into the first work area A1, and also removes the first shortage number (=1) of items W from the second support P2 carried into the first work area A1, and then transports the removed first required number of items W (=remaining number+first shortage number=7) to the second warehouse 2 by the third conveying device 13 and stores them in the second warehouse 2. The number (=36) of items W with flat top surfaces is left on the first support P1, and the items W (here, 47 items W) that will not be shipped to the shipping area A3 are left on the second support P2.

[0073] 5(c), the product shipping system 100 transports the first support P1, on which the number of flat-top-surface-state items (=36) is placed, to the shipping area A3 by the sixth conveying device 16, and transports the second support P2 to the first warehouse 1 by the second conveying device 12 and stores it in the first warehouse 1. The second support P2 stored in the first warehouse 1 becomes the first support P1 in the next shipping process.

[0074] The first remaining required number of items W stored in the second warehouse 2 are transported to the shipping area A3 while placed on the shipping support P4, as in the first example. As a result, the first support P1 on which the number of items W with flat top surfaces (=36) are placed and the shipping support P4 on which the first remaining required number of items W (=7) are placed are transported to the shipping area A3.

[0075] <Example 5> FIG. 6 shows a fifth example of shipping processing. In this example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1. In addition, in this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "23" and the first placement number is "24." Here, a value set to be equal to or greater than the set number and less than the second placement number is defined as the "threshold value." The threshold value is set to, for example, an integer multiple of the set number (= 12). In this example and the sixth example (FIG. 7) described below, it is assumed that the threshold value is set to "24," which is twice the set number.

[0076] In this example, the specified number (= 23) is less than the threshold value (= 24) and less than the first loading number (= 24). When the specified number is less than the threshold value and less than the first loading number in this way, the item shipping system 100 removes the specified number of items W from the first support body P1 using the first work device 21, and stacks them onto the shipping support body P4 using the second work device 22, and ships the shipping support body P4.

[0077] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6(a), the goods shipping system 100 removes the first support body P1 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support body P1 to the first work area A1 by the first transport device 11.

[0078] Next, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the item shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove a specified number (=23) of items W from the first support P1 that has been brought into the first work area A1, and then uses the third conveying device 13 to transport the removed specified number of items W to the second warehouse 2 and store them in the second warehouse 2. An item W (here, one item W) that will not be shipped to the shipping area A3 is left on the first support P1. The item shipping system 100 uses the second conveying device 12 to transport the first support P1 to the first warehouse 1 and store it again in the first warehouse 1. The first support P1 that has been stored again in the first warehouse 1 will also be the first support P1 in the next shipping process.

[0079] The specified number of items W stored in the second warehouse 2 are transported to the shipping area A3 while being placed on the shipping support P4, as in the first example. As a result, the shipping support P4 on which the specified number (=23) of items W are placed is transported to the shipping area A3.

[0080] Here, the example has been described in which the goods shipping system 100 performs the above-mentioned shipping process when the designated number is less than the threshold value and less than the first placement number, but the goods shipping system 100 can also be configured to perform the above-mentioned shipping process when the designated number is less than the threshold value and equal to the first placement number. In other words, the goods shipping system 100 can also be configured to perform the above-mentioned shipping process when the designated number is less than the threshold value and equal to or less than the first placement number.

[0081] <Example 6> Fig. 7 shows a sixth example of shipping processing. In this example, as shown in Fig. 7(a), it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1. In addition, in this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "23", the first placement number is "22", and the threshold value is set to "24".

[0082] In this example, the specified number (= 23) is less than the threshold value (= 24) and greater than the first loading number (= 22). When the specified number is less than the threshold value and greater than the first loading number in this way, the item shipping system 100 removes the specified number of items W from the first support body P1 and the second support body P2 using the first work device 21, and stacks them on the shipping support body P4 using the second work device 22, and ships the shipping support body P4.

[0083] 7(a), the goods shipping system 100 removes the first support body P1 and the second support body P2 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support body P1 and the second support body P2 to the first work area A1 by the first transport device 11.

[0084] Next, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the article shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove the first number (=22) of articles W from the first support P1 carried into the first work area A1, and also uses the first work device 21 to remove the number (=1) of articles W obtained by subtracting the first number from the designated number from the second support P2 carried into the first work area A1. The total designated number (=23) of articles W removed is transported to the second warehouse 2 by the third conveyance device 13 and stored in the second warehouse 2. The articles W (here, 47 articles W) that will not be shipped to the shipping area A3 remain in the second support P2. The article shipping system 100 transports the second support P2 to the first warehouse 1 by the second conveyance device 12 and re-stores it in the first warehouse 1. The second support P2 re-stored in the first warehouse 1 becomes the first support P1 in the next shipping process.

[0085] The specified number of items W stored in the second warehouse 2 are transported to the shipping area A3 while being placed on the shipping support P4, as in the first example. As a result, the shipping support P4 on which the specified number (=23) of items W are placed is transported to the shipping area A3.

[0086] <Example 7> Figure 8 shows a seventh example of shipping processing. In this example, as shown in Figure 8, it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1. Furthermore, in this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "24", the first placed number is "24", and the numbers within the flat top surface state range are four: "12", "24", "36", and "48". In this example, since both the first placed number and the specified number are "24", the flat top surface state number is "24".

[0087] In this example, the specified number (=24) is the same as the first placement number (=24), and the first placement number (=24) is the number of flat-top states (=24). When the specified number is the same as the first placement number and the first placement number is the number of flat-top states, the item shipping system 100 ships the first support P1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the item shipping system 100 removes the first support P1 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the item shipping system 100 transports the first support P1 to the shipping area A3 by the fifth conveyance device 15. As a result, the first support P1 on which the specified number (=24) of items W are placed is transported to the shipping area A3.

[0088] <Example 8> Fig. 9 shows an eighth example of shipping processing. In this example, as shown in Fig. 9, it is assumed that at least the first support body P1 and the second support body P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1. In addition, in this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "48".

[0089] In this example, the specified number (= 48) is the same as the second number to be placed (= 48). When the specified number is the same as the second number to be placed, the goods shipping system 100 ships the second support body P2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the goods shipping system 100 removes the second support body P2 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the second support body P2 to the shipping area A3 by the fifth conveying device 15. As a result, the second support body P2 on which the specified number (= 48) of goods W are placed is transported to the shipping area A3.

[0090] Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the goods W loaded onto the shipping support P4 are stored in the second warehouse 2 and then transported to the second work area A2. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the goods W loaded onto the shipping support P4 may also be transported to the second work area A2 without passing through the second warehouse 2 (for example, directly). In this case, the goods shipping system 100 may not be equipped with the second warehouse 2.

[0091] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the loading of items W onto the shipping support bodies P4 is performed in the second work area A2. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the loading of items W onto the shipping support bodies P4 may also be performed in the first work area A1. In this case, the item shipping system 100 may not be provided with the second work area A2. In this case, when the loading of items W onto the shipping support bodies P4 is performed in the first work area A1, the loading of items W onto the shipping support bodies P4 may also be performed by the first work device 21 instead of the second work device 22. In this case, the item shipping system 100 may not be provided with the second work device 22.

[0092] (3) Note that the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of embodiments described as other embodiments) as long as no contradictions arise. 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.

[0093] [Summary of this embodiment] The embodiment of the article shipping system described above will be summarized below.

[0094] The product shipping system is a product shipping system that ships a specified number of products, which is a number specified by order information, placed on a support, and that allows for layered product groups consisting of a set number of the products arranged in a plane to be arranged in multiple layers in the vertical direction on the support, and that includes a warehouse that stores the support on which one or more of the products are placed, a removal device that removes the products from the support, and a loading device that stacks the products on the support, and when a first support on which a first number of the products are placed and a second support on which a second number of the products, which is equal to or greater than the first number, are stored in the warehouse, a number that is equal to or less than the first number and is within a range in which the top surface of the group of products in the top layer on the first support can be considered flat, and is determined based on an integer multiple of the set number, is a number that is equal to or less than the first number and is equal to or less than the specified number, and a number that is equal to or less than the first number and is equal to or less than the specified number is a first remaining required number, If the specified number is equal to or greater than the set number but less than the first loading number, the flat-surfaced number of items are left on the first support, and the remaining number of items, calculated by subtracting the flat-surfaced number from the first loading number, are removed from the first support by the removal device, and the first required number of items from the remaining number of items are loaded onto another support, a shipping support, by the stowage device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped; if the specified number is greater than the first loading number, the flat-surfaced number of items are left on the first support, and the remaining number of items are removed from the first support by the removal device, and a first shortage number of items, calculated by subtracting the remaining number from the first required number, are removed from the second support by the removal device, and the remaining number of items and the first shortage number of items are loaded onto the shipping support by the stowage device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped.

[0095] According to this configuration, when first supports and second supports are stored in a warehouse that stores supports on which items are placed, even if the specified number specified in the order information is less or more than the first loading number, which is the number of items placed on the first support, it is possible to ship the specified number of items using the first supports and shipping supports while generating first supports on which the number of items in a flat-top state is loaded. Here, the flat-top state number is a number within a range in which the top surface of the group of items in the top layer of the support can be considered flat. Therefore, the generated first supports can be supports on which multiple items are loaded so that other supports can be easily stacked. Therefore, when transporting shipped supports including the first supports, it is easy to stack another support including the shipping support on top of the multiple items loaded on the first support, facilitating efficient transport of the items after shipment.

[0096] As described above, with this configuration, when items are stored in a warehouse while placed on a support, it is possible to appropriately generate a support (specifically, a first support) on which multiple items are loaded so that other supports can be easily stacked.

[0097] Here, in addition to the first support and the second support, when a third support on which a third number of the articles, which is equal to or greater than the second number of articles, is stored in the warehouse, a number obtained by subtracting the second number of articles from the specified number is set to a second required remaining number, and when the specified number is greater than the second number of articles and the second required remaining number is equal to or less than the first number of articles, the second required remaining number of articles is removed from the first support by the removal device, the second required remaining number of articles is loaded onto the shipping support by the loading device, and the second support and the shipping support are shipped, and the specified number is equal to the second number of articles. If the second remaining required number is greater than the first loaded number, it is preferable to remove a second shortage number of items, which is the second remaining required number minus the first loaded number, from the third support by the removal device, and to load the first shortage number of items removed from the first support and the second shortage number of items removed from the third support onto the shipping support by the loading device, or to load the second shortage number of items removed from the third support onto the first support by the loading device, and then ship the second support and the shipping support or the first support.

[0098] According to this configuration, even if the specified number specified in the order information is greater than the second number, which is the number of items placed on the second support, the specified number of items can be shipped using the second support and the shipping support, or the second support and the first support. In this case, the second remaining required number of items, which is the number obtained by subtracting the second number of items from the specified number, is preferentially allocated from the items placed on the first support out of the first and third supports, making it easier to keep the number of supports with fewer items stored in the warehouse low. Therefore, it is easier to keep the number of supports removed from the warehouse to ship the specified number of items low.

[0099] Preferably, the second loading number is the maximum number of the articles that can be loaded on the support body, and is an integer multiple of the set number.

[0100] According to this configuration, the support on which a fractional number of items less than the maximum value is placed can be the first support only. Therefore, it is easy to keep the number of supports removed from the warehouse to ship a specified number of items low. Furthermore, according to this configuration, it is easy to use the second support as a support on which multiple items are loaded so that other supports can be easily stacked. Therefore, even when the second support is shipped as is, it is easy to stack another support on top of the multiple items loaded on the second support, making it easy to efficiently transport the items after shipment.

[0101] Furthermore, it is preferable to configure the device so that when the specified number is the same as the first number of mountings and the first number of mountings is the number of top surfaces in a flat state, the first support is shipped, and when the specified number is the same as the second number of mountings, the second support is shipped.

[0102] According to this configuration, when the specified number is the same as the first loading number, which is the number of flat-surfaced containers, or when the specified number is the same as the second loading number, the specified number of items can be shipped quickly.

[0103] It is also preferable that the remaining items, obtained by subtracting the first remaining required number of items from the remaining number of items, are loaded onto a storage support, which is the support for returning to the warehouse, by the loading device, and the storage support is stored in the warehouse.

[0104] According to this configuration, any remaining items after the specified number of items have been shipped can be stored in the warehouse while placed on the storage support, and therefore, when the next specified number of items are shipped, the storage support stored in the warehouse can be used as the first support.

[0105] Furthermore, it is preferable to use a threshold value set to be equal to or greater than the set number but less than the second loading number, and when the specified number is less than the threshold value and less than the first loading number, the specified number of items are removed from the first support by the removal device and loaded onto the shipping support by the loading device, and the shipping support is shipped; and when the specified number is less than the threshold value and greater than the first loading number, the specified number of items are removed from the first support and the second support by the removal device and loaded onto the shipping support by the loading device, and the shipping support is shipped.

[0106] Although multiple items are stacked on a first support so that other supports can be easily stacked on it, if the height of the group of items stacked on the first support is too low, when the shipped items are transported in a stacked state in which multiple supports, including the first support, are stacked with the items sandwiched between them, the ratio of the total height (total thickness) of the multiple supports to the height of the stack becomes large, and the efficiency of transporting the shipped items may decrease. In this regard, according to this configuration, if the specified number specified in the order information is less than a threshold value, the specified number of items can be shipped using the shipping support rather than the first support. Therefore, by appropriately setting the threshold value, first supports with a stacked group of items that is too low in height can be prevented from being shipped, making it less likely that the situation in which the efficiency of transporting the shipped items decreases as described above will occur.

[0107] Furthermore, according to this configuration, if the specified number specified in the order information is less than the threshold value, the specified number of items can be shipped using the shipping support body rather than the first support body. Therefore, by appropriately setting the threshold value, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the specified number of items is shipped divided among multiple supports (for example, the first support body and the shipping support body) even though the specified number is small.

[0108] The product shipping system according to the present disclosure may have at least one of the above-described effects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1: Warehouse 1 (warehouse) 21: 1st work device (unloading device, loading device) 22: Second work device (loading device) 100: Goods shipping system P: Support P1: 1st support P2: Second support P3: Third support P4: Shipping support P5:Storage support V: Vertical direction W:Goods WG: layered products group

Claims

1. An article shipping system that ships a specified number of articles, which is the number specified by order information, in a state where the articles are placed on a support, A layered article group consisting of a set number of the articles arranged in a plane can be arranged on the support in a stacked manner in the vertical direction in multiple layers, a warehouse for storing the support on which one or more of the articles are placed; a removal device for removing the article from the support; a loading device for loading the items onto the support body, When a first support on which a first number of the items are placed and a second support on which a second number of the items, which is equal to or greater than the first number, are stored in the warehouse, a number within a range in which the top surface of the group of articles in the top layer of the first support can be considered flat, determined based on an integer multiple of the set number, the number being equal to or less than the first placement number and the specified number, and a first remaining required number being the number obtained by subtracting the number of flat top surfaces from the specified number; If the specified number is equal to or greater than the set number and is less than the first loading number, the number of articles in the flat-top state state is left on the first support, the remaining number of articles obtained by subtracting the number of articles in the flat-top state state from the first loading number is removed from the first support by the removal device, and the first remaining required number of articles among the remaining number of articles is loaded onto a shipping support that is another support by the loading device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped. When the specified number is greater than the first loading number, the flat-surfaced number of items is left on the first support, the remaining number of items is removed from the first support by the removal device, and a first shortage number of items, which is the number obtained by subtracting the remaining number from the first remaining required number, is removed from the second support by the removal device, the remaining number of items and the first shortage number of items are loaded onto the shipping support by the loading device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped.

2. In addition to the first support and the second support, a third support on which a third number of the items, which is equal to or greater than the second number, is stored in the warehouse, The second remaining required number is determined by subtracting the second number of pieces from the specified number. When the specified number is greater than the second loading number and the second remaining required number is equal to or less than the first loading number, the second remaining required number of articles is removed from the first support by the removal device, the second remaining required number of articles is loaded onto the shipping support by the loading device, and the second support and the shipping support are shipped; 2. The item shipping system of claim 1, wherein, when the specified number is greater than the second loading number and the second remaining required number is greater than the first loading number, a second shortage number of items, which is the second remaining required number minus the first loading number, is removed from the third support by the removal device, and the first loading number of items removed from the first support and the second shortage number of items removed from the third support are loaded onto the shipping support by the loading device, or the second shortage number of items removed from the third support is loaded onto the first support by the loading device, and the second support and the shipping support or the first support are shipped.

3. 3. The goods shipping system according to claim 1, wherein the second loading number is a maximum number of the goods that can be loaded on the support body, and is an integer multiple of the set number.

4. If the specified number is the same as the first number of mountings and the first number of mountings is the number of mountings with flat upper surfaces, shipping the first support body; 3. The article shipping system according to claim 1, wherein when the specified number is equal to the second number to be placed, the second support is shipped.

5. The item shipping system described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the remaining items, excluding the first remaining required number of items, are loaded onto a storage support, which is the support for returning to the warehouse, by the loading device, and the storage support is stored in the warehouse.

6. a value set to be equal to or greater than the set number and less than the second number is used as a threshold value; When the specified number is less than the threshold value and less than the first loading number, the specified number of items are removed from the first support by the removal device and loaded onto the shipping support by the loading device, and the shipping support is shipped; 3. An item shipping system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the specified number is less than the threshold value and greater than the first loading number, the specified number of items are removed from the first support and the second support by the removal device, loaded onto the shipping support by the loading device, and the shipping support is shipped.

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