Item retrieval device and sorting device

Abstract

To provide an item retrieval device capable of retrieving items of different sizes and thicknesses and sending them to a subsequent device. [Solution] According to the embodiment, the article retrieval device includes a support section for supporting articles supplied from a supply device, an retrieval section for retrieving the supplied articles to a subsequent device, and a control unit. The retrieval section includes a first suction section capable of sucking the support section, a second suction section provided above the first suction section and capable of sucking the support section, and a retrieval belt capable of moving the articles to a position covering the first and second suction sections. The control unit can switch between a first mode in which the first suction section is used to suck the articles onto the retrieval belt, and a second mode in which the first and second suction sections are used to suck the articles onto the retrieval belt. The control unit can retrieve the articles from the retrieval section to the subsequent device while the articles are sucked onto the retrieval belt.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an article taking-out device and a sorting device.

Background Art

[0002] There is a taking-out device that takes out a large number of articles such as collected documents one by one and sends them to a subsequent device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an article taking-out device that can take out articles such as documents with different sizes and thicknesses and send them to a subsequent device, and a sorting device having the taking-out device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to the embodiment, the article retrieval device comprises a support section, an retrieval section, and a control section. The support section supports the article when it is supplied from a supply device with a defined thickness direction. The retrieval section comprises a first suction section, a second suction section, an endless retrieval belt, and a drive source. The first suction section is capable of suctioning the support section side within a range of a first height or more and a second height or less relative to the support section. The second suction section is provided above the first suction section and is capable of suctioning the support section side within a range of a second height or more and a third height or less relative to the support section. The retrieval belt has a number of through holes and covers the first and second suction sections, and is capable of moving the article supplied from the supply device to the support section in a direction different from the direction in which the article is supplied from the supply device, at a position that covers the first and second suction sections. The drive source moves the retrieval belt in a different direction at a position that covers the first and second suction sections. Therefore, the extraction unit can extract items supplied from the supply device to the support unit to subsequent devices in different directions. The control unit can control the operation of the first suction unit, the second suction unit, and the drive source. The control unit can switch between two suction modes: a first mode in which the first suction unit is used to apply a suction force to attract the items to the extraction belt, and a second mode in which the first and second suction units are used to apply a suction force to attract the items to the extraction belt. The control unit controls the operation of the drive source, enabling the extraction of items from the extraction unit to subsequent devices via the extraction belt while the items are attracted to the extraction belt. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic plan view of an article sorting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing a portion of the supply device and the extraction device according to the first embodiment, viewed from the direction indicated by reference numeral II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing the view from the direction indicated by III-III in Figures 1 and 2. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5]A schematic block diagram of the extraction device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the removal process in the removal section of an item removal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram showing the sequence of item retrieval processes by a retrieval device when multiple items are randomly stacked along the Y-axis. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing a portion of the supply device and the extraction device according to the second embodiment, viewed from the direction indicated by reference numeral II in Figure 1. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram of the supply device and the extraction device according to the second embodiment, viewed from the direction indicated by IX-IX in Figure 8. [Figure 10] A schematic block diagram of the extraction device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] A flowchart illustrating the removal process in the removal section of an item removal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] A schematic diagram showing a portion of the supply device and the extraction device according to the third embodiment, viewed from the direction indicated by reference numeral II in Figure 1. [Figure 13] A schematic diagram of the supply device and a part of the extraction device according to the third embodiment, viewed from the direction indicated by reference numeral XIII in Figure 12. [Figure 14] A schematic block diagram of the extraction device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] A schematic diagram showing a series of processes for removing items towards a subsequent device using the supply and removal devices shown in Figure 12. [Figure 16] A schematic diagram showing a series of processes for removing items larger than those shown in Figure 15, using the supply and removal devices shown in Figure 12, and directing them to a subsequent device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The sorting device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0008] Among the numerous articles P1 and P2 taken out by the taking-out device 14 described later of the sorting device 10 according to the embodiment, those having a height of not less than the first height H1 and not more than the second height H2 and a thickness of not more than a predetermined thickness T are defined as the first type of article P1, and those having a height of more than the second height H2 and not more than the third height H3 and a thickness of not more than the predetermined thickness T are defined as the second type of article P2 (see FIGS. 2 and 7).

[0009] Of the surfaces Pa and Pb that define the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the articles P1 and P2, the surface on the side of the attracting portion 34 and the taking-out portion 36 is denoted by the reference sign Pa, and the opposite surface is denoted by the reference sign Pb (see FIG. 7).

[0010] Although the sizes of the articles P1 and P2 applicable to the taking-out device 14 in the embodiment can be set as appropriate, the small article P1 is, for example, the size of a postcard, and the large article P2 is, for example, the C4 size (229 mm × 324 mm: No. 20 rectangle), etc.

[0011] Depending on the sorting device 10, the article P1 may allow, for example, those smaller than the size of a postcard. Similarly, depending on the sorting device 10, the article P2 may allow, for example, those larger than the C4 size.

[0012] The thicknesses of the articles P1 and P2 vary depending on the article. The thickness of the article P2 may be thicker than the thickness of the article P1, or vice versa. The thicknesses of the articles P1 and P2 are preferably, for example, within about 32 mm, but depending on the specifications of the sorting device 10, those thicker than 32 mm may be allowed. In the embodiment, the articles P1 and P2 are preferably, for example, in a plate shape such as a postal postcard, a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an appropriate thickness, etc., but are not limited thereto. As long as the articles P1 and P2 are within the specified size range and within the specified thickness, articles having an appropriate shape such as a disc shape, etc. are allowed.

[0013] (First Embodiment) The sorting device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of the sorting device 10 for articles P1, P2 (see FIG. 2).

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a part of the take-out device 14. Note that FIG. 2 is a schematic view seen from the direction indicated by the symbol II shown in FIG. 1, and in addition to the take-out device 14, the supply device 12 is illustrated. FIG. 3 is a schematic view seen from the direction indicated by III-III in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic view seen from the direction indicated by the arrow IV in FIG. 3.

[0016] Note that the sorting device 10 takes an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system in FIGS. 1 to 4. The +X-axis direction is the direction in which the articles P1, P2 are conveyed from the take-out device 14 to the subsequent devices 16, 18. The +Y-axis direction is the direction in which the articles P1, P2 go from the supply device 12 to the take-out part 36 of the take-out device 14. The Z-axis direction is set such that the upward direction is the +Z-axis direction and the downward direction is the -Z-axis direction. Here, it is assumed that the XY plane is horizontal to the ground.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the take-out device 14 of the sorting device 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting device 10 includes a supply device 12 for articles P1, P2, a take-out device 14 for articles P1, P2, a recognition device 16 for articles P1, P2, and a sorting and integrating unit 18 for articles P1, P2. The sorting device 10 moves the articles P1, P2 along the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1.

[0019] It is preferable that the recognition device 16 and the sorting and integrating unit 18 of the sorting device 10 extend straight along the X-axis direction. The recognition device 16 and the sorting and integrating unit 18 of the sorting device 10 may be bent appropriately in a direction deviating from the X-axis direction

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the supply device 12 supplies the articles P1, P2 to the take-out device 14.

[0021] The supply device 12 includes a first support surface 22 that supports articles P1 and P2 along the XY plane, and a second support surface 24 that supports articles P1 and P2 along the YZ plane. Preferably, the first support surface 22 and the second support surface 24 are orthogonal. The second support surface 24 is positioned in the +X axis direction of the first support surface 22.

[0022] A first conveyor belt 23 is provided on the first support surface 22, having a conveying surface that aligns with the XY plane and moving in the Y-axis direction. The first conveyor belt 23 is preferably provided in an endless manner. The conveying surface of the first conveyor belt 23 that aligns with the XY plane is preferably flush with the first support surface 22, or slightly protruding in the +Z-axis direction relative to the first support surface 22.

[0023] A second conveyor belt 25 is provided on the second support surface 24, having a conveying surface that aligns with the YZ plane and moving in the Y-axis direction. The second conveyor belt 25 is preferably provided in an endless manner. The conveying surface of the second conveyor belt 25 that aligns with the YZ plane is preferably flush with the second support surface 24, or slightly protruding in the -X-axis direction relative to the second support surface 24.

[0024] The second conveyor belt 25 is provided with, for example, a backup plate 28 parallel to the ZX plane, which supports articles P1 and P2 between it and the extraction section 36 of the extraction device 14. The backup plate 28 sandwiches either article P1 or article P2 between itself and the extraction section 36 of the extraction device 14, causing article P1 or article P2 to come into contact with the extraction area R of the extraction belt 66 of the extraction section 36 of the extraction device 14 in the order they are to be extracted.

[0025] Furthermore, it is also preferable that the backup plate 28 be provided on the first conveyor belt 23 rather than the second conveyor belt 25. In this case, the backup plate 28 protrudes in the +Z axis direction relative to the first conveyor belt 23.

[0026] Furthermore, the backup plate 28 may not be necessary when moving items P1 and P2 parallel to the +X axis from the supply device 12 to the extraction device 14, for example.

[0027] In this embodiment, the supply device 12 supports articles P1 and P2 from below on the first support surface 22 and moves them along the +Y axis relative to the second support surface 24. Articles P1 and P2 can be moved from the -X axis side to the +X axis side, or from the +Z axis side to the -Z axis side of the first support surface 22, and placed on the first support surface 22 of the supply device 12. As shown in Figure 4, the supply device 12 supplies multiple articles P1 and P2 toward the extraction device 14 with the thickness direction of the articles P1 and P2 oriented in the Y axis direction and the articles P1 and P2 stacked appropriately.

[0028] The extraction device 14 is provided adjacent to the downstream side of the first support surface 22 and the second support surface 24 of the supply device 12. Therefore, the extraction device 14 is provided near the downstream end of the first conveyor belt 23 in the +Y axis direction.

[0029] The extraction device 14 separates and extracts the items P1 and P2 supplied from the supply device 12 one by one without feeding them back and forth.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the retrieval device 14 includes a support unit (main body) 32, a pulling unit 34, a retrieval unit 36, an item detection sensor (first detection sensor) 38, an item passage detection sensor (second detection sensor) 40, an air discharge unit (air supply unit) 42, a feeding unit 44, and a control unit 46.

[0031] The support portion 32 of the retrieval device 14 is located adjacent to the downstream side of the downstream end of the supply device 12. It supports the articles P1 and P2 supplied from the supply device 12 in the Y-axis direction and transferred to the retrieval device 14 from below. The support portion 32 also forms a passage for sending the articles P1 and P2 to a subsequent device, such as a recognition device 16, when separating them one by one and transferring them to the recognition device 16. The support portion 32 extends continuously along the X-axis direction, at least from the pulling portion 34 and the retrieval portion 36, through the feeding portion 44, to the subsequent device 16.

[0032] The support portion 32 is, for example, parallel to the XY plane and formed, for example, flush with the first support surface 22 of the supply device 12 or slightly lower than the first support surface 22 (on the -Z axis side).

[0033] The pulling section 34 and the retrieval section 36 are provided at positions adjacent to the support section 32 in the +Y axis direction. That is, the passages for articles P1 and P2 within the support section 32 are provided between the pulling section 34 and the retrieval section 36 and the downstream end of the supply device 12.

[0034] The pulling unit 34 and the retrieval unit 36 ​​are arranged in the X-axis direction. The pulling unit 34 is positioned on the -X-axis side of the retrieval unit 36. The pulling unit 34 and the retrieval unit 36 ​​then retrieve the articles P1 and P2 supported by the support unit 32 in the +X-axis direction and send them to the recognition device 16. For this purpose, the support unit 32, the pulling unit 34, and the retrieval unit 36 ​​bend the transport direction of the articles P1 and P2 from the Y-axis direction to the X-axis direction in the XY plane, that is, bend them in an approximately L-shape in the XY plane to transport the articles P1 and P2.

[0035] The pull-in section 34 includes a blower 52 and an air chamber 54 connected to the blower 52. The opening of the air chamber 54 is preferably formed by a surface (pull-in surface) 54a and a plurality of through holes 54b formed in the surface 54a, so as to prevent articles P1, P2 from being sucked into the air chamber 54. The surface 54a of the opening of the air chamber 54 is provided along the ZX plane. The blower 52 is provided, for example, on the +Y axis side of the air chamber 54 and its operation is controlled by a control unit 46.

[0036] The control unit 46 operates the blower 52, releasing the air inside the air chamber 54 to the outside, thereby drawing the articles P1 and P2, which are being transferred from the supply device 12 to the support part 32 of the extraction device 14, toward the surface 54a of the air chamber 54.

[0037] The extraction unit 36 ​​includes a first suction unit 62, a second suction unit 64, an extraction belt 66, a drive source 68, and at least three rollers 68a, 68b, and 68c.

[0038] The first suction section 62 and the second suction section 64 each have a common or separate suction pump (vacuum pump) 70. The operation of the suction pump 70 is controlled by the control unit 46 and is capable of drawing in air. In this embodiment, the suction pump 70 is used in common for both the first suction section 62 and the second suction section 64. That is, one suction pump 70 can perform suction for both the first suction section 62 and the second suction section 64.

[0039] The first suction unit 62 includes a first suction air chamber (first suction unit) 72 and a first solenoid valve 74. The second suction unit 64 includes a second suction air chamber (second suction unit) 82 and a second solenoid valve 84. The first solenoid valve 74 and the second solenoid valve 84 are controlled by a control unit 46.

[0040] A first suction air chamber 72 and a second suction air chamber 82 are provided at positions adjacent to the support portion 32 in the +Y axis direction. The first suction air chamber 72 and the second suction air chamber 82 are arranged vertically. The first suction air chamber 72 is positioned on the +Z axis side with respect to the support portion 32. The second suction air chamber 82 is positioned on the +Z axis side with respect to the first suction air chamber 72.

[0041] The opening range of the first adsorption air chamber 72 is preferably in a region that includes half of the second height H2 of article P1. Therefore, the first suction unit 64 can exert suction force in a region that includes the middle of the height direction of the surface Pa of article P1. Similarly, the opening range of the second adsorption air chamber 82 is preferably in a region that includes half of the third height H3 of article P2. Therefore, the second suction unit 64 can exert suction force in a region that includes the middle of the height direction of the surface Pa of article P2.

[0042] The openings of the first suction air chamber 72 and the second suction air chamber 82 of the extraction section 36 are provided along the ZX plane, similar to the opening of the air chamber 54 of the pulling section 34. Preferably, the openings of the first suction air chamber 72 and the second suction air chamber 82 of the extraction section 36 and the opening of the air chamber 54 of the pulling section 34 are provided flush or substantially flush.

[0043] Furthermore, the distance between the second support surface 24 and the opening edge of the first suction air chamber 72 on the +X axis side is closer than the length of the shorter side of the article P1, which corresponds to the height H2. Therefore, a suction force can be applied to the article P1 placed in the extraction section 36 of the extraction device 14 through the opening of the first suction air chamber 72.

[0044] The suction pump 70, the first solenoid valve 74, and the second solenoid valve 84 are provided, for example, on the +Y axis side relative to the first adsorption air chamber 72 and the second adsorption air chamber 82.

[0045] The first electromagnetic valve 74 is provided between the suction pump 70 and the first suction air chamber 72 and is controlled by the control unit 46. The first electromagnetic valve 74 can switch the suction between the suction pump 70 and the first suction unit (vacuum chamber) 62 located on the extraction belt 66 ON / OFF. The second electromagnetic valve 84 is provided between the suction pump 70 and the second suction air chamber 82 and is controlled by the control unit 46. The second electromagnetic valve 84 can switch the suction between the suction pump 70 and the second suction unit (vacuum chamber) 64 located on the extraction belt 66 ON / OFF.

[0046] Therefore, the electromagnetic valves 74 and 84 are controlled by the control unit 46 so as to be switchable between a state in which an adhesive force is applied to the first suction part 62 and the adhesive force at the second suction part 64 is blocked while the suction pump 70 is operating, a state in which an adhesive force is applied to both the first suction part 62 and the second suction part 64, and a state in which the adhesive force at both the first suction part 62 and the second suction part 64 is blocked.

[0047] Therefore, when the suction pump 70 is operating, the control unit 46 can switch the first electromagnetic valve 74 to generate or release an adhesive force on articles P1 and P2 in the first suction air chamber 72. Similarly, when the suction pump 70 is operating, the control unit 46 can switch the second electromagnetic valve 84 to generate or release an adhesive force on article P2 in the second suction air chamber 82.

[0048] The extraction belt 66 has numerous through holes 66a and is formed in an endless manner. Preferably, the through holes 66a of the extraction belt 66 are formed to form a predetermined pattern, but they may also be formed randomly.

[0049] In this embodiment, the width of the retrieval belt 66 is aligned with the Z-axis direction (the height direction of the retrieval section 36). Preferably, the width of the retrieval belt 66 is greater than, for example, half the third height H3 of the article P2. The upper end of the retrieval belt 66 does not necessarily have to reach the third height H3 of the article P2.

[0050] The drive source 68 is, for example, a motor and is controlled by the control unit 46. A roller 68a is fixed to the drive source 68. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the roller 68a is parallel to the Z-axis direction.

[0051] Roller 68b is positioned spaced apart from roller 68a in the -X-axis direction. That is, rollers 68a and 68b are spaced apart in the X-axis direction, and the axes of rotation of rollers 68a and 68b are parallel to the Z-axis direction in this embodiment.

[0052] Furthermore, roller 68c is positioned more in the +Y-axis direction than rollers 68a and 68b. In this embodiment, the axis of rotation of roller 68c is parallel to the Z-axis direction.

[0053] These rollers 68a, 68b, and 68c stretch a take-out belt 66 in contact with the articles P1 and / or articles P2 supplied from the supply device 12. That is, the take-out belt 66 is wound around the rollers 68a, 68b, and 68c, and the take-out belt 66 can be moved in a predetermined direction by the drive of the drive source 68.

[0054] In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, an example in which the take-out belt 66 is stretched over three rollers 68a, 68b, and 68c will be described, but the take-out belt 66 may be stretched over four or more rollers arranged as appropriate.

[0055] While roller 68b should ideally move along with the pull-out belt 66 as it moves, roller 68b may also be driven by the drive source 68. Similarly, while roller 68c should ideally move along with the pull-out belt 66 as it moves, roller 68c may also be driven by the drive source 68.

[0056] Of the extraction belt 66, the region stretched between rollers 68a and 68b that are spaced apart in the X-axis direction is used as an extraction region R, which is the region to which an article P1 or article P2 supplied from the supply device 12 comes into contact, and which is extracted to a subsequent device when the extraction belt 66 is moved in a predetermined direction by the drive source 68. The extraction region R is defined as a surface at the position furthest to the -Y-axis direction of the extraction belt 66. The drive source 68 moves the extraction region R in the X-axis direction at the openings of the first suction air chamber 72 and the second suction air chamber 82 of the extraction unit 36 ​​by a driving force rotated, for example, along a rotation axis along the Z-axis direction.

[0057] The extraction region R refers to the entire region of the extraction belt 66, not only the region on the supply device 12 side facing the inside of the opening of the first suction air chamber 72 and the region facing the inside of the opening of the second suction air chamber 82, but also the region outside of that, indicated by the symbol R between the rollers 68a and 68b.

[0058] Furthermore, the extraction region R of the extraction belt 66, stretched between the rollers 68a and 68b, is stretched on the ZX plane such that at least a portion of it covers the openings of the first suction air chamber 72 and the second suction air chamber 82. Therefore, in the extraction region R, the extraction belt 66 covers the first suction air chamber 72 of the first suction unit 62 and the second suction air chamber 82 of the second suction unit 64. Preferably, the extraction region R of the extraction belt 66 stretched between the rollers 68a and 68b and the surface (pulling surface) 54a of the pulling unit 34, where the opening of the air chamber 54 is located, are flush or substantially flush.

[0059] The numerous through holes 66a of the extraction belt 66 apply an appropriate suction force to article P1 or article P2 in the extraction area R using the first suction part 62 and the second suction part 64. The numerous through holes 66a of the extraction belt 66 are formed to a size that prevents article P1 or article P2 from being sucked into the first suction air chamber 72 or the second suction air chamber 82 through the numerous through holes 66a of the extraction belt 66.

[0060] In the extraction area R of the extraction belt 66, the areas that come into contact with roller 68a and roller 68b are located outside the openings of the suction chambers 72 and 82, and therefore no suction force is applied to article P1 or article P2 using the first suction part 62 and the second suction part 64. For this reason, when article P1 or article P2 reaches the area of ​​the extraction area R of the extraction belt 66 that comes into contact with roller 68a, it is not moved in the +Y axis direction by the extraction belt 66, but rather article P1 or article P2 can be moved in the +X axis direction.

[0061] Furthermore, a pulling section 34 is provided adjacent to the roller 68b of the extraction section 36 in the -X axis direction. When a first type article P1 comes into contact with the pulling section 34, the first type article P1 is positioned so that a suction force from the first suction section 62 is simultaneously applied to it within the extraction area R of the extraction section 36. Similarly, when a second type article P2 comes into contact with the pulling section 34, the second type article P2 is positioned so that a suction force from the first suction section 62 is simultaneously applied to it within the extraction area R of the extraction section 36.

[0062] Therefore, the retrieval belt 66 can move the article P1 or article P2 supplied from the supply device 12 to the support unit 32 in a direction different from the direction in which the article P1 and / or article P2 are supplied (Y-axis direction), while adsorbing the article P1 or article P2 supplied from the supply device 12 to the support unit 32 at a position covering the first adsorption air chamber 72 of the first suction unit 62 and the second adsorption air chamber 82 of the second suction unit 64. In this embodiment, the retrieval belt 66 can move the article P1 or article P2 supplied to the support unit 32 along the +Y axis direction using the supply device 12 in the +X axis direction.

[0063] The extraction belt 66 can move the article P1 or article P2 that is in contact with the extraction belt 66 in the +X direction while maintaining the position of the article P1 or article P2 that follows the article P1 or article P2 in the -Y direction in the ZX plane.

[0064] The first suction section 62 and the second suction section 64 exert an appropriate suction force on articles P1 and P2, but they exert a lower suction force on article P2 that is separated from the retrieval belt 66 than the appropriate suction force acting on article P1 that is in contact with the retrieval belt 66. Furthermore, when removing article P1, they prevent article P2 on the back side of article P1 from being removed together with it.

[0065] The first detection sensor 38 and the second detection sensor 40 are controlled by the control unit 46.

[0066] The first detection sensor 38 can output whether or not there is an item P1 or item P2 on the support portion 32 adjacent to the downstream side of the downstream end of the supply device 12. In other words, the first detection sensor 38 can output whether or not the item P1 or item P2 to be picked up by the pick-up unit 36 ​​is on the support portion 32.

[0067] The first detection sensor 38 may be provided on the supply device 12, as shown in Figure 3, or on the support portion 32 of the extraction device 14.

[0068] The second detection sensor 40 is provided downstream of the extraction unit 36. Preferably, the second detection sensor 40 is provided between the extraction unit 36 ​​and the feeding unit 44. The second detection sensor 40 can detect whether or not an item P1 or item P2 has been extracted by the extraction unit 36, passed a position facing the second detection sensor 40, and reached the feeding unit 44.

[0069] The air discharge section 42 is provided, for example, on the second support surface 24 of the supply device 12. The air discharge section 42 may also be provided on the support section 32. The air discharge section 42 should be positioned so as not to obstruct the direction in which the article P1 or article P2 is removed from the removal section 36.

[0070] The air discharge unit 42 is controlled by the control unit 46 and can discharge air between the item to be removed by the removal unit 36 ​​from among the multiple items P1 or items P2, and the item P1 or item P2 having a surface Pa that contacts the surface Pb in the -Y axis direction of the item P1 or item P2 to be removed.

[0071] The feeding unit 44 is located on the side of the recognition device 16, which is a subsequent device to the second detection sensor 40, and feeds the article P1 or article P2 picked up by the pick-up unit 36 ​​toward the recognition device 16. The feeding unit 44 is provided, for example, as a pair of rollers 44a, 44b. The pair of rollers 44a, 44b are rotatable, for example, around an axis parallel to the Z-axis direction. One or both of the pair of rollers 44a, 44b of the feeding unit 44 may rotate due to friction when the article P1 or article P2 is picked up by the pick-up unit 36, or a driving force may be applied to one or both of the pair of rollers 44a, 44b to feed the article P1 or article P2 toward the recognition device 16, which is a subsequent device. In this embodiment, the feeding unit 44 is provided with a driving force applied to one or both of the pair of rollers 44a, 44b by a drive source (not shown) controlled by the control unit 46.

[0072] The control unit 46 is composed of, for example, a computer and includes a processor (processing circuit) and a storage medium. The processor may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a microcontroller, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The storage medium may include a main memory such as memory, as well as a non-temporary auxiliary storage device. Examples of storage media include HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid State Drives), magnetic disks, optical disks (CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, DVDs, etc.), magneto-optical disks (MOs, etc.), and non-volatile memory such as semiconductor memory that allows writing and reading at any time.

[0073] In the control unit 46, there may be only one processor and one storage medium, or there may be multiple processors and storage mediums. In the control unit 46, the processor performs processing by executing programs stored in the storage medium, etc. Furthermore, the programs executed by the processor of the control unit 46 may be stored on a computer (server) connected to the control unit 46 via a network such as the Internet, or on a server in a cloud environment. In this case, the processor downloads the program via the network and executes the processing.

[0074] In this embodiment, the control unit 46 can control the operation of the first suction unit 62, the second suction unit 64, and the drive source 68. The control unit 46 can switch between two suction modes: a first mode in which the first suction unit 62 is used to apply a suction force to attract articles P1 and P2 to the retrieval belt 66, and a second mode in which the first suction unit 62 and the second suction unit 64 are used to apply a suction force to attract articles P1 and P2 to the retrieval belt 66. The control unit 46 then controls the operation of the drive source 68, enabling the articles P1 and P2 to be attracted to the retrieval belt 66 and then retrieved from the retrieval unit 36 ​​to the subsequent devices 16 and 18 using the retrieval belt 66.

[0075] The recognition device 16 recognizes the destination addresses written on or attached to the items P1 and P2 that have been removed and separated by the removal device 14.

[0076] The sorting and accumulating unit 18 sorts and accumulates the items P1 and P2 recognized by the recognition device 16 as appropriate.

[0077] In this embodiment, the first type of article P1 is of a size to which suction force is applied by the first adsorption air chamber 72 but not by the second adsorption air chamber 82. The second type of article P2 is of a size to which suction force is applied by both the first adsorption air chamber 72 and the second adsorption air chamber 82. Therefore, the minimum height H1 of the first type of article P1 coincides with the lower end of the opening of the first adsorption air chamber 72, and the maximum height H2 of the first type of article P1 coincides with the lower end of the opening of the second adsorption air chamber 82. The minimum height of the second type of article P2 is greater than H2.

[0078] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the removal process of article P1 or article P2 at the removal section 36 of the removal device 14. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the sequence of removal processes for articles P1 and P2 at the removal device 14 when articles P1 and P2 are randomly stacked in the Y-axis direction. In Figure 7, of the surfaces Pa and Pb that define the thickness direction of articles P1 and P2, the surface on the pulling section 34 and removal section 36 side is denoted by the symbol Pa, and the opposite surface is denoted by the symbol Pb.

[0079] The process of removing item P1 and / or item P2 using the removal device 14 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 6 and the schematic diagram shown in Figure 7. In this embodiment, the removal device 14 will be used to remove items P1, P21, and P22 in the order shown in Figure 7.

[0080] When referring to items P1, P21, and P22, it is assumed that the items are stacked sequentially from the +Y axis to the -Y axis, as shown in Figure 7. Similarly, when referring to items P21 and P22, it is assumed that the items are stacked sequentially from the +Y axis to the -Y axis.

[0081] At the start of processing, the supply device 12 supplies multiple articles P1, P21, and P22 to the support section 32 of the extraction device 14, with their thickness direction oriented in the Y-axis direction and stacked appropriately. Then, the articles P1, P21, and P22 are supplied from the supply device 12 towards the surface 54a of the pull-in air chamber 54 of the pull-in section 34 of the extraction device 14, and towards the openings along the ZX plane of the first suction chamber 72 and the second suction chamber 82 of the extraction section 36, i.e., the extraction area R, while their surfaces Pa and Pb, which define the thickness direction (Y-axis direction), are in contact with each other.

[0082] At this time, the control unit 46 moves the blower 52 to pull the surface Pa on the pulling section 34 and the surface Pa on the removal section 36 side of the surfaces Pa and Pb that define the thickness direction of the article P1 towards the pulling air chamber 54, and brings the surface 54a of the pulling air chamber 54 into contact with the removal area R of the removal belt 66 of the removal section 36. In this way, the control unit 46 sets the article P1 and the subsequent articles P21 and P22 on the support section 32 of the removal device 14 (step S1).

[0083] The control unit 46 operates the suction pump 70 while moving the blower 52 of the pulling section 34 of the item removal device 14 14. At this time, the control unit 46 controls the first electromagnetic valve 74 to prevent any suction force from being applied to the items P1, P21, and P22 in the first suction chamber 72, and also controls the second electromagnetic valve 84 to prevent any suction force from being applied to the items P21 and P22 in the second suction chamber 82.

[0084] The control unit 46 outputs whether or not the first detection sensor 38 has detected articles P1, P21, and P22 (step S2). That is, the control unit 46 outputs whether or not articles P1, P21, and P22 are placed in predetermined positions on the support section 32 of the retrieval device 14. Here, the control unit 46 only needs to output whether or not articles P1, P21, and P22 are set on the support section 32 using the first detection sensor 38, and does not distinguish between article P1 and article P2. Of course, the control unit 46 may also use the first detection sensor 38 to output whether the article that is in contact with the retrieval area R of the retrieval section 36 among the articles set on the support section 32 is article P1 or article P2.

[0085] If the first detection sensor 38 fails to detect articles P1 and P2 (step S2-No), the control unit 46 uses the supply device 12 and the pulling unit 34 to reset articles P1, P21, and P22 to the support unit 32 (step S1).

[0086] When the first detection sensor 38 detects articles P1, P21, and P22 (step S2-Yes), the control unit 46 controls the first electromagnetic valve 74 to pick up article P1 through the pick-up area R of the pick-up belt 66 and, as a first stage of suction, pick up the article P1 into the suction chamber 72 of the first suction unit 62, and also moves the drive source 68 to move the pick-up area R of the pick-up belt 66 in the +X axis direction (step S3). In other words, the control unit 46 selects the first mode as the suction mode and picks up article P1 from the pick-up unit 36 ​​to the subsequent device 16.

[0087] Furthermore, in step S3, the control unit 46 operates the rollers 44a and 44b of the air discharge unit (air supply unit) 42 and the feed unit 44.

[0088] The control unit 46 operates the air discharge unit 42, which supplies air from a direction that intersects with the direction in which articles P1, P21, and P22 overlap, between the first article P1, which is in contact with the retrieval belt 66 at a position covering the first suction unit 62 and the second suction unit 64, and the second article P21, which is in contact with the first article P1 and is scheduled to be in contact with the retrieval belt 66 next, thereby separating the first article P1 and the second article P21.

[0089] Furthermore, the control unit 46 moves the extraction area R of the extraction belt 66 in the +X axis direction in the ZX plane while the first suction unit 62 attracts the article P1 through the through hole 66a of the extraction belt 66.

[0090] For example, if the suction force applied to the first suction unit 62 in the retrieval area R causes the item P1 to move together with the retrieval belt 66, the item P1 will be retrieved by the subsequent devices 16 and 18. In this embodiment, the suction force applied by the first suction unit 62 is applied approximately midway between the upper and lower ends of the item P1 in the height direction. As a result, the item P1 is in close contact with the retrieval area R of the retrieval belt 66 at the retrieval unit 36. Consequently, the item P1 that is attracted to the retrieval area R of the retrieval belt 66 by the action of the first suction unit 62 slides against the items P21 stacked (in contact) in the -Y axis direction relative to that item, is retrieved one by one, and handed over to the recognition device 16.

[0091] Furthermore, the control unit 46 operates the feeding unit 44, which is located downstream of the extraction unit 36, to ensure that the items P1 extracted by the extraction unit 36 ​​are reliably sent to the subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0092] The second detection sensor 40 outputs whether or not it has detected the passage of item P1 or item P2 (step S4). Here again, the second sensor 40 does not need to distinguish between item P1 and item P2.

[0093] If the second detection sensor 40 detects the passage of article P1 or article P2 (step S4-Yes), the control unit 46 outputs again whether or not the first detection sensor 38 has detected articles P21 and P22 (step S5).

[0094] If the first detection sensor 38 detects item P1 or item P2 (step S5-Yes), the second detection sensor 40 outputs whether or not it detected the passage of item P1 or item P2 (step S4).

[0095] As the aforementioned item P1 is removed, item P21 is attracted to the surface 54a of the pulling section 34 and the removal area R of the removal belt 66 of the removal section 36. As a result, item P21, which was stacked on top of item P1, is to be removed immediately after item P1. However, unless item P21 moves together with the removal belt 66 due to the suction force that has attracted item P21 to the first suction section 62, the passage of item P21 will not be detected by the second detection sensor 40.

[0096] In the example shown in Figure 7, the first suction part 62 acts, and the lower side of the article P21 between its upper and lower ends in the height direction comes into close contact with the extraction area R. In this case, the part of the article P21 above the lower side where the first suction part 62 acts may try to move away from the extraction area R in the -Y axis direction. In such cases, the article P21 may not be extracted by the action of the first suction part 62 alone.

[0097] If step S4 is No, the control unit 46 selects the second mode as the suction mode. Therefore, when the control unit 46 has selected the first mode as the suction mode and has removed the item P21 from the removal unit 36 ​​to the subsequent devices 16,18, and the passage of the item P21 is not detected by the second detection sensor 40, the control unit 46 switches the suction mode to the second mode.

[0098] The control unit 46 controls the second electromagnetic valve 84 to attract the article P21 to the suction chamber 82 of the second suction unit 64 through the extraction area R of the extraction belt 66 as the second stage of attraction. At this time, the article P21 has already been attracted to the suction chamber 72 of the first suction unit 62 through the extraction area R of the extraction belt 66 as the first stage of attraction, and the drive source 68 has been moved to move the extraction area R of the extraction belt 66 in the +X axis direction (step S6). Therefore, the article P21 is attracted using the second suction unit 64 in addition to the first suction unit 62. Accordingly, the control unit 46 moves the extraction area R of the extraction belt 66 in the +X axis direction in the ZX plane while attracting the article P21 to the first suction unit 62 and the second suction unit 64 through the through hole 66a of the extraction belt 66. In other words, the control unit 46 selects a second mode as the suction mode and removes the item P21 from the removal unit 36 ​​to the subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0099] For example, if the suction force applied to the first suction section 62 and the second suction section 64 in the retrieval area R causes the article P21 to move together with the retrieval belt 66, the article P21 will be retrieved by the subsequent devices 16 and 18. In this embodiment, the suction force from the first suction section 62 is applied to the lower side between the upper and lower ends of the article P21 in the height direction, and the suction force from the second suction section 64 is applied approximately in the middle between the upper and lower ends of the article P21 in the height direction. As a result, the article P21 is in close contact with the retrieval area R of the retrieval belt 66 in the retrieval section 36. For example, even if the upper side between the upper and lower ends of the article P21 in the height direction tries to tilt in the -Y axis direction, the article P21 will be in closer contact with the retrieval area R of the retrieval belt 66 more reliably. Therefore, due to the action of the second suction unit 64 in addition to the first suction unit 62, the articles P21 that are attracted to the extraction area R of the extraction belt 66 slide against the articles P22 that are stacked (in contact) with the articles P21 in the -Y axis direction, and are extracted one by one and handed over to the recognition device 16.

[0100] The control unit 46 outputs whether or not the second detection sensor 40 has detected the passage of item P1 or item P2 (step S7). Here again, the second sensor 40 does not need to distinguish between item P1 and item P2.

[0101] When the second detection sensor 40 detects the passage of article P21 (step S7-Yes), the control unit 46 controls the second electromagnetic valve 84 to stop the action of attracting article P21 to the suction chamber 82 of the second suction unit 64 as the second stage of attraction (step S8).

[0102] Then, the control unit 46 outputs again whether or not the first detection sensor 38 has detected item P1 or item P2 (step S5).

[0103] If the first detection sensor 38 detects item P1 or item P2 (step S5-Yes), the second detection sensor 40 outputs whether or not it detected the passage of item P1 or item P2 (step S4).

[0104] As the aforementioned item P21 is removed, item P22, which was stacked on top of item P21, is attracted to the surface 54a of the pulling section 34 and the removal area R of the removal belt 66 of the removal section 36. As a result, item P22, which was stacked on top of item P21, is removed immediately after item P21.

[0105] If the second detection sensor 40 detects the passage of item P1 or item P2 (step S4-Yes), the control unit 46 outputs again whether or not the first detection sensor 38 has detected an item (step S5).

[0106] In step S4, if the suction force applied to the first suction unit 62 does not cause the item P22 to move together with the removal belt 66, the passage of the item P22 will not be detected by the second detection sensor 40.

[0107] Therefore, if step S4-No occurs, the control unit 46 controls the second electromagnetic valve 84 to cause the article P22 to be attracted to the suction chamber 82 of the second suction unit 64 through the extraction region R of the extraction belt 66 as a second stage of attraction. At this time, the article P22 has already been attracted to the suction chamber 72 of the first suction unit 62 through the extraction region R of the extraction belt 66 as a first stage of attraction, and the drive source 68 has been moved to move the extraction region R of the extraction belt 66 in the +X axis direction (step S6). Therefore, the control unit 46 moves the extraction belt 66 in the +X axis direction in the ZX plane while causing the article P22 to be attracted to the first suction unit 62 and the second suction unit 64 through the through hole 66a of the extraction belt 66.

[0108] For example, if the suction force applied to the first suction section 62 and the second suction section 64 in the retrieval area R causes the article P22 to move together with the retrieval belt 66, the article P22 will be retrieved by the subsequent devices 16 and 18. However, the article P22 shown in Figure 7 has a large thickness in the middle in the vertical direction, and the thickness of the areas above and below the middle is smaller than the middle. Therefore, there is a possibility that the suction force of the first suction section 62 may not be properly applied to the article P22. In this embodiment, the suction force of the first suction section 62 is applied to the lower side between the upper and lower ends of the article P22 in the height direction, and the suction force of the second suction section 64 is applied approximately in the middle between the upper and lower ends of the article P22 in the height direction. As a result, the article P22 is in close contact with the retrieval area R of the retrieval belt 66 in the retrieval section 36. For example, even if the upper side of the article P22 between its upper and lower ends in the height direction is about to tilt in the -Y axis direction, or if the lower side of the article P22 between its upper and lower ends in the height direction is located further in the -Y axis direction than the center, the article P22 will still be securely in close contact with the retrieval area R of the retrieval belt 66. As a result, the article P22 that has been attracted to the retrieval area R of the retrieval belt 66 by the action of the second suction part 64 in addition to the first suction part 62 slides against the backup plate 28 which is positioned in the -Y axis direction relative to the article P22, and is retrieved one by one and handed over to the recognition device 16.

[0109] The second detection sensor 40 outputs whether or not it has detected the passage of item P1 or item P2 (step S7). Here again, the second sensor 40 does not need to distinguish between item P1 and item P2.

[0110] When the second detection sensor 40 detects the passage of article P2 (step S7-Yes), the control unit 46 controls the second electromagnetic valve 84 to stop the action of attracting article P2 to the suction chamber 82 of the second suction unit 64 as the second stage of attraction (step S8).

[0111] Then, the control unit 46 outputs again whether or not the first detection sensor 38 has detected item P1 or item P2 (step S5).

[0112] If the first detection sensor 38 does not detect item P1 or item P2 (step S5-No), the control unit 46 stops the operation of the blower 52, drive source 68, suction pump 70, and feed unit 44 (step S9). Consequently, the control unit 46 stops the drive of the extraction belt 66 and stops the first stage of suction. Therefore, the control unit 46 terminates the processing of the extraction device 14.

[0113] Furthermore, if the second detection sensor 40 fails to detect the passage of item P1 or item P2 in step S7 (step S7-No), the control unit 46 stops driving the retrieval belt 66 and stops the first and second stages of suction (step S9).

[0114] In this way, the retrieval device 14 can retrieve one by one the numerous items P1 and P2 that are randomly stacked in the Y-axis direction, in the order they were stacked, and send them to the subsequent device 16.

[0115] The extraction device 14 can reliably deliver an item of size P1 to the subsequent device 16. If the suction force of the first suction unit 62 is insufficient for an item of size P2, the second suction unit 64 can be used in addition to the first suction unit 62 to reliably deliver the item of size P2 to the subsequent device 16.

[0116] As described above, the control unit 46 of the extraction device 14 according to this embodiment controls the operation of the drive source 68 while applying an adhesive force to the extraction belt 66 by using the first suction unit 62 to attract articles P1 and P2 to the extraction belt 66 through the through hole 66a of the extraction belt 66, or by using the first suction unit 62 and the second suction unit 64 to attract articles P1 and P2 to the extraction belt 66 by using the first suction unit 62 and the second suction unit 64 to attract articles P1 and P2 to the extraction belt 66 by using the first suction unit 62 and the second suction unit 64 to attract articles P1 and P2 to the extraction belt 66 by using the first suction unit 62 and the second suction unit 64 to attract articles P1 and P2 to the extraction belt 66 by using the first suction unit 62 and the second suction unit 64 to use

[0117] Furthermore, when the articles P1 and P2 are taken from the supply device 12 to the subsequent devices 16 and 18 using the first suction unit 62 and an adhesive force is applied to them to the pick-up belt 66, the control unit 46 switches the control to apply an adhesive force to the articles P1 and P2 using the second suction unit 64 in addition to the first suction unit 62, if the passage of articles P1 and P2 is not detected by the second detection sensor 40, in order to apply an adhesive force to the articles P1 and P2 to the pick-up belt 66.

[0118] In this embodiment, the control unit 46 can select between a first mode and a second mode as the suction mode. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an article retrieval device 14 that can retrieve articles P1 and P2 such as letters of different sizes and thicknesses and send them to subsequent devices 16 and 18, and a sorting device 10 having the retrieval device 14.

[0119] In this embodiment, a first suction unit 62 is provided for use with both a relatively small item (Type 1) and a relatively large item (Type 2), and a second suction unit 64 is provided for use with the relatively large item (Type 2). Regardless of whether the item is a Type 1 or Type 2 item, the first suction unit 62 for small items is used first to pick up items P1 and P2 by suction and press them against the belt 66 to send them to the subsequent device 16. If the items P1 and P2 can be sent to the subsequent devices 16 and 18, the same process is attempted for subsequent items P1 and P2. Then, the first suction unit 62, which is used in common for both small and large items P1 and P2, is used first to pick up items P1 and P2 by suction and press them against the belt 66 to send them to the subsequent devices 16 and 18. If it is not possible to send the items P1 and P2 to the subsequent device 16, the second suction unit 64, in addition to the first suction unit 62, attempts are made to pick up the items P1 and P2 and press them against the belt 66 to send them to the subsequent devices 16 and 18. If the items P1 and P2 can be sent to the subsequent device 16, the suction force of the second suction unit 64 is shut off while maintaining the suction force of the first suction unit 62.

[0120] In this way, for example, when a second type of article P2 is located on the back side of a first type of article P1, when the first type of article P1 comes into contact with the retrieval belt 66, for example, no suction force is applied to the second type of article P2, and the first type of article P1 can be sent to the subsequent devices 16, 18.

[0121] Furthermore, when the second type of article P2 comes into contact with the retrieval belt 66, for example, the suction force of both the first suction part 62 and the second suction part 64 can be applied to the second type of article P2 to send it to the subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0122] Therefore, according to the extraction device 14 of this embodiment, articles P1 and P2 of different sizes and thicknesses can be extracted one by one without being fed in the same way, and then sent to subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0123] In this embodiment, an example in which the extraction device 14 has a pulling section 34 has been described. The pulling section 34 may not be necessary depending on, for example, the size of the extraction area R of the extraction section 36, the arrangement of the extraction area R with respect to the second support surface 24, the setting of the suction force of the first suction section 62, etc.

[0124] (Second Embodiment) The sorting device 10 (see Figure 1) according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11. This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used as much as possible for components that are the same as or have the same function as those described in the first embodiment, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0125] This section will primarily describe the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14.

[0126] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14 according to the second embodiment, viewed from the direction indicated by reference numeral II in Figure 1. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14 according to the second embodiment, viewed from the direction indicated by IX-IX in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of the extraction device 14 according to the second embodiment.

[0127] In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which a single endless extraction belt 66 is used to cover the first suction chamber 72 of the first suction section 62 and the second suction chamber 82 of the second suction section 64 of the extraction device 14. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in this embodiment, the extraction belt 66 has an endless first belt section 67a and an endless second belt section 67b.

[0128] In this embodiment, the width of the first belt portion 67a is aligned with the Z-axis direction (the height direction of the extraction portion 36). Preferably, the width of the first belt portion 67a is greater than, for example, half of the second height H2 of the first article P1. The upper end of the first belt portion 67a does not necessarily have to reach the second height H2 of the article P1.

[0129] The width of the second belt portion 67b is preferably about the same as the width of the first belt portion 67a. The lower end of the second belt portion 67b may be slidable with the upper end of the first belt portion 67a, or it may be located at a position above the upper end of the first belt portion 67a. In this embodiment, the lower end of the second belt portion 67b is located at a position above the upper end of the first belt portion 67a. Furthermore, it is preferable that the lower end of the second belt portion 67b is lower than half of the third height H3 of the article P2, and the upper end of the second belt portion 67b is higher than half of the third height H3 of the article P2.

[0130] The first belt portion 67a has a number of through holes 66a and covers the first suction chamber 72 of the first suction portion 62. The second belt portion 67b also has a number of through holes 66a and covers the second suction chamber 82 of the second suction portion 64. The first belt portion 67a and the second belt portion 67b are aligned in the Z-axis direction. The first belt portion 67a is positioned below the second belt portion 67b.

[0131] As shown in Figure 10, the drive source 68 includes a first drive source 69a that moves the first belt section 67a and a second drive source 69b that moves the second belt section 67b. The first drive source 69a and the second drive source 69b are controlled by the control unit 46.

[0132] Each belt section 67a and 67b is stretched using rollers (not shown), similar to the rollers 68a, 68b, and 68c described in the first embodiment. The rollers of each belt section 67a and 67b are arranged parallel to the Z-axis and spaced apart vertically. Of the rollers of each belt section 67a and 67b, the rollers spaced apart in the X-axis direction are on the same axis parallel to the Z-axis and are arranged similarly to rollers 68a and 68b.

[0133] Therefore, the first belt section 67a can move the articles P1 and P2 supplied from the supply device 12 in a direction different from the direction in which the articles P1 and P2 are supplied from the supply device 12. In addition, the second belt section 67b can move the article P2 supplied from the supply device 12 in a direction different from the direction in which the article P2 is supplied from the supply device 12.

[0134] Therefore, the region of the belt section 67a stretched between rollers spaced apart in the X-axis direction is used as a removal region R1, which is used to remove the article P1 or article P2 supplied from the supply device 12 when it comes into contact with the belt section 67a and the drive source 69a moves the belt section 67a in a predetermined direction. Similarly, the region of the belt section 67b stretched between rollers spaced apart in the X-axis direction is used as a removal region R2, which is used to remove the article P1 or article P2 supplied from the supply device 12 when it comes into contact with the belt section 67b and the drive source 69b moves the belt section 67b in a predetermined direction. As shown in Figure 9, the removal regions R1 and R2 are defined as surfaces at the position furthest to the -Y-axis direction of the belt sections 67a and 67b.

[0135] The control unit 46 can select a first mode as the suction mode and control the operation of the first drive source 69a so that the first belt section 67a can retrieve the articles P1 and P2 that have been sucked onto the first belt section 67a from the retrieval section 36 to the subsequent devices 16 and 18. Alternatively, the control unit 46 can select a second mode as the suction mode and control the operation of the first drive source 69a and the second drive source 69b so that the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b can retrieve the articles P1 and P2 that have been sucked onto the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b from the retrieval section 36 to the subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0136] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the extraction process at the extraction unit 36 ​​of the extraction device 14 for item P1 or item P2. The basic operation is the same as the flowchart described in the first embodiment. Therefore, this section mainly describes the parts that differ from the flowchart described in the first embodiment. In addition, this section describes the process of extracting items P1 and P21 from the items P1, P21, and P22 shown in Figure 7 to the subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0137] Steps S1 and S2 were described in the first embodiment, so their description is omitted here.

[0138] When the first detection sensor 38 detects articles P1, P21, and P22 (step S2-Yes), the control unit 46 controls the first electromagnetic valve 74 to pick up article P1 through the extraction area R1 of the first belt section 67a and, as the first stage of suction, pick up the article P1 into the suction chamber 72 of the first suction section 62, and also moves the first drive source 69a to move the extraction area R1 of the first belt section 67a in the +X axis direction (step S3).

[0139] In this case, the control unit 46 moves the first drive source 69a to move the extraction area R1 of the first belt section 67a in the +X axis direction, but does not move the second drive source 69b. Therefore, the extraction area R2 of the second belt section 67b does not move.

[0140] Steps S4 and S5 were described in the first embodiment, so their explanation is omitted here. That is, of the articles P1, P21, and P22 (see Figure 7), article P1 is sent to the subsequent devices 16 and 18. Therefore, article P21 is the item to be processed by the retrieval device 14.

[0141] If step S4-No, the control unit 46 controls the second electromagnetic valve 84 to pick up the article P21 into the suction chamber 82 of the second suction unit 64 through the pick-up area R2 of the second belt unit 67b as the second stage of suction. At this time, the article P21 has already been picked up into the suction chamber 72 of the first suction unit 62 through the pick-up area R1 of the first belt unit 67a as the first stage of suction, and the first drive source 69a has been moved to move the pick-up area R1 of the first belt unit 67a in the +X direction. Therefore, as the second stage of suction, the control unit 46 picks up the article P21 into the suction chamber 82 of the second suction unit 64 and moves the second drive source 69b to move the pick-up area R2 of the second belt unit 67b in the +X direction (step S6). Therefore, while the article P21 is attracted to the first suction part 62 and the second suction part 64 through the through hole 66a of the belt parts 67a and 67b, the extraction areas R1 and R2 of the belt parts 67a and 67b are moved in the +X axis direction in the ZX plane.

[0142] For example, if the suction force applied to the first suction part 62 and the second suction part 64 in the retrieval areas R1 and R2 causes the article P21 to move together with the belt parts 67a and 67b, the article P21 will be retrieved by the subsequent devices 16 and 18. Therefore, due to the action of the second suction part 64 in addition to the first suction part 62, the article P21 that is attracted to the retrieval areas R1 and R2 of the belt parts 67a and 67b slides against the article P22 that is stacked (in contact) with it in the -Y axis direction, and is retrieved one by one and handed over to the recognition device 16.

[0143] Step S7 was described in the first embodiment, so its description is omitted here.

[0144] When the second detection sensor 40 detects the passage of article P21 (step S7-Yes), the control unit 46 controls the second electromagnetic valve 84 to stop the action of attracting article P21 to the suction chamber 82 of the second suction unit 64 as the second stage of attraction, and controls the second drive source 69b to stop the operation of the second belt unit 67b (step S8).

[0145] In step S9, if the first belt section 67a is moving, the operation of the first belt section 67a is stopped. If the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b are moving, the operation of the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b is stopped. Also, if the control unit 46 is performing the first stage of suction, it stops the first stage of suction. If the control unit 46 is performing the second stage of suction in addition to the first stage, it stops both the first stage of suction and the second stage of suction.

[0146] In the extraction device 14 according to this embodiment, the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b can be controlled and moved separately. Therefore, the control unit 46 of the extraction device 14 according to this embodiment can control the operation of the first drive source 69a and control the first belt section 67a to extract the articles P1 and P2 that have been attracted to the extraction area R1 of the first belt section 67a from the supply device 12 to the subsequent devices 16 and 18, or it can control the operation of the first drive source 69a and the second drive source 69b and control the extraction areas R1 and R2 of the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b to extract the articles P1 and P2 that have been attracted to the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b from the supply device 12 to the subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0147] Then, when the articles P1 and P2, which have been subjected to an adhesive force to be attracted to the first belt portion 67a using the chamber 72 of the first suction unit 62, are taken from the supply device 12 to the subsequent devices 16 and 18, and the passage of articles P1 and P2 is not detected by the second detection sensor 40, the control unit 46 switches the control to apply an adhesive force to be attracted to the second belt portion 67b using the second suction unit 64 in addition to the first suction unit 62.

[0148] In this embodiment, a first suction unit 62 is provided for use with both a relatively small item (Type 1) and a relatively large item (Type 2), and a second suction unit 64 is provided for use with the relatively large item (Type 2). Regardless of whether the item is a Type 1 or Type 2 item, the first suction unit 62 for small items is used first to press the items P1 and P2 against the first belt unit 67a by suction and attempt to send them to the subsequent device 16. If the items P1 and P2 can be sent to the subsequent devices 16 and 18, the same process is attempted for subsequent items P1 and P2. Then, using the first suction unit 62, which is used for both small and large items P1 and P2, the system attempts to press the items P1 and P2 against the first belt unit 67a by the suction of the first suction unit 62 and send them to the subsequent devices 16 and 18. If the items P1 and P2 cannot be sent to the subsequent device 16, the system attempts to press the items P1 and P2 against the belt units 67a and 67b using the second suction unit 64 in addition to the first suction unit 62, and to move the second belt unit 67b in addition to the first belt unit 67a to send them to the subsequent devices 16 and 18. If the items P1 and P2 can be sent to the subsequent device 16, the system attempts to maintain the suction force of the first suction unit 62, block the suction force of the second suction unit 64, and stop the operation of the second belt unit 67b.

[0149] In this way, for example, when a second type of article P2 is located on the back side of a first type of article P1, when the first type of article P1 comes into contact with the extraction area R1 of the first belt portion 67a, for example, no suction force is applied to the second type of article P2, and the first type of article P1 can be sent to the subsequent devices 16, 18.

[0150] Furthermore, when the second type article P2 comes into contact with the extraction areas R1 and R2 of the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b, for example, the suction force of both the first suction section 62 and the second suction section 64 is applied to the second type article P2, and both the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b are moved in the same direction to feed the second type article P2 to the subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0151] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 46 can select between a first mode and a second mode as the suction mode. Accordingly, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an article extraction device 14 that can extract articles P1 and P2 such as letters of different sizes and thicknesses and send them to subsequent devices 16 and 18, and a sorting device 10 having the extraction device 14.

[0152] Furthermore, according to the retrieval device 14 of this embodiment, items P1 and P2 such as letters of different sizes and thicknesses can be retrieved one by one without being fed multiple times, and then sent to subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0153] (Third embodiment) The sorting device 10 (see Figure 1) according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 16. This embodiment is a modification of the first and second embodiments, and the same reference numerals are used as much as possible for components that are the same as or have the same function as those described in the first and second embodiments, and detailed descriptions are omitted. The extraction device 14 according to this embodiment will be described mainly as a modification of the extraction device 14 according to the second embodiment.

[0154] This section will primarily describe the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14.

[0155] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14 according to the third embodiment, viewed from the direction indicated by reference numeral II in Figure 1. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14 according to the third embodiment, viewed from the direction indicated by reference numeral XIII in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram of the extraction device 14 according to the third embodiment.

[0156] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing a series of processes for removing article P1 towards subsequent devices 16 and 18 using the supply device 12 and removal device 14 shown in Figure 12. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing a series of processes for removing article P2 towards subsequent devices 16 and 18 using the supply device 12 and removal device 14 shown in Figure 12.

[0157] As shown in Figure 12, the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14 according to this embodiment are inclined with respect to the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14 described in the first and second embodiments. The supply device 12 and the extraction device 14 according to this embodiment rotate and inclin around an axis of rotation parallel to the Y-axis indicated by reference numeral 14a with respect to the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14 described in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the support portion 32 is formed on an upward slope as it moves the articles P1 and P2, which have been sucked onto the extraction belt 66, toward the direction of extraction to the subsequent devices 16 and 18 at a position covering the first suction portion 62 and the second suction portion 64.

[0158] Furthermore, unlike the first embodiment shown in Figure 2 and the second embodiment shown in Figure 8, the second support surface 24 and the second conveyor belt 25 are provided on the -X axis side of the first support surface 22.

[0159] The inclination direction of the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14 is such that the pulling section 34 side is positioned lower than the extraction section 36 side. By inclining the supply device 12 and the extraction device 14 in this way, the supply device 12 can move articles P1 and P2 in the +Y axis direction while bringing them into contact not only with the first support surface 22 of the supply device 12 but also with the second support surface 24. This ensures that articles P1 and P2 are reliably brought into contact with the pulling section 34. Articles P1 and P2 can be moved from the +Z axis direction side to the -Z axis direction side of the first support surface 22 and placed on the first support surface 22 of the supply device 12.

[0160] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, in this embodiment, the pulling section 34 is provided with a transport section 48 whose drive section 48a is controlled by a control section 46 to transport the articles toward the extraction section 36 and subsequent devices 16 and 18. As shown in Figure 13, the transport section 48 uses an endless belt 49, similar to the extraction belt 66, i.e., the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b. The belt 49 has a number of through holes 49a. The width of the belt 49 is formed to be approximately the same as the width of the first belt section 67a. The belt 49 covers the opening surface 54a of the air chamber 54, and the transport belt 49 having through holes 49a is movable by, for example, three or more rollers 49b1, 49b2, 49b3. For example, suppose that roller 49b1 is driven by the drive section 48a.

[0161] Furthermore, the conveying unit 48 does not necessarily require a drive unit 48a, for example, by transmitting the driving force of the drive source 69a of the first belt unit 67a to the roller 49b1 via a gear.

[0162] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, in this embodiment, the support portion 32 extends continuously along the X-axis direction to support the articles P1 and P2 on the -Y-axis side of the pulling portion 34 and the extraction portion 36. However, the X-axis direction component of the support portion 32 is cut off at the end side (+X-axis direction side) of the extraction portion 36.

[0163] In this embodiment, the feeding unit 44 is provided on the -Y axis side of the extraction unit 36 ​​and the second detection sensor 40. Of the uphill support unit 32, the feeding unit 44 is provided at or near the end of the unit in the direction in which articles P1 and P2 are extracted to the subsequent devices 16 and 18, to feed articles P1 and P2 toward the subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0164] The feeding unit 44 according to this embodiment is formed as a conveyor capable of actively transporting articles P1 and P2. In Figure 12, the transport surface 45 of the feeding unit 44 according to this embodiment is shown as being parallel to the XY plane and extending in the X-axis direction, but it may be rising or falling as it approaches the subsequent device 16.

[0165] The process of removing article P1 using the supply device 12 and removal device 14 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 15. The process of removing article P2 using the supply device 12 and removal device 14 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 16.

[0166] The operation flow of the retrieval device 14 in this embodiment is basically the same as the flow described using Figure 11 of the second embodiment. The only difference in the operation flow is that the belt 49 of the conveying unit 48 is moved at the same time, in the same direction and at the same speed as the first belt 67a, and the operation of the belt 49 of the conveying unit 48 and the first belt 67a are stopped at the same time. For this reason, the explanation of the operation flow of the retrieval device 14 is omitted here.

[0167] As shown in Figure 15, for example, article P1 is supported by the first support surface 22 and the second support surface 24 of the supply device 12 while contacting the pulling section 34. Therefore, the pulling force of the pulling section 34 acts on article P1 through the belt 49.

[0168] Also, at this time, The article P1 comes into contact with the removal area R1 of the first belt portion 67a of the removal section 36 at a position that overlaps with the inside of the opening of the first suction chamber 72. Therefore, the suction force of the first suction section 62 acts on the article P1 through the first belt portion 67a.

[0169] Because the belt 49 provided on the pulling section 34 and the first belt section 67a of the taking section 36 move simultaneously in the same direction, the article P1 is taken out by the belt 49 and the first belt section 67a along the support section 32 toward the feeding section 44.

[0170] When the first belt portion 67a of the extraction section 36 moves, the -X-axis end (upstream end) of the article P1 exceeds the -X-axis end (upstream end) of the first suction chamber 72, causing the suction force to decrease compared to when the article P1 completely covered the inside of the opening of the first suction chamber 72. As a result, when the -X-axis end of the article P1 exceeds the -X-axis end (upstream end) of the first suction chamber 72, the article P1 rotates around the -X-axis end (upstream end) of the conveyor of the feeding section 44 as a pivot. As a result, the article P1 is placed on the conveying surface 45 of the feeding section 44.

[0171] Using the supply device 12 and the retrieval device 14 according to this embodiment, the article P1 can be supported by the first support surface 22 and the second support surface 24, while simultaneously bringing the article P1 into contact with the belt 49 provided on the pulling section 34 and the first belt section 67a of the retrieval section 36.

[0172] Therefore, the article P1 can be reliably brought into contact with the belt 49 provided on the pulling section 34, and also into contact with the removal area R1 of the first belt section 67a of the removal section 36. At this time, the surface Pa of the article P1 can close the surface 54a of the opening of the suction chamber 54. Therefore, by moving the belt 49 while the article P1 is in close contact with the belt 49, the article P1 can be sent along the longitudinal direction of the support section 32 towards the subsequent device 16.

[0173] Furthermore, the surface Pa of the article P1 can close the opening of the first suction chamber 72. Therefore, by moving the first belt portion 67a while the article P1 is in close contact with the first belt portion 67a, the article P1 can be fed along the longitudinal direction of the support portion 32 towards the subsequent device 16.

[0174] In this way, the belt 49 provided on the pulling section 34 reliably removes the article P1, and the opening of the first suction chamber 72 facing the first belt section 67a can be closed by the surface Pa of the article P1 that is in contact with the first belt section 67a.

[0175] Therefore, the article P1 that has been passed to the belt 49 and the first belt section 67a can be sent to the conveying surface 45 of the feeding section 44.

[0176] In addition to using the first belt section 67a, using the belt 49 makes it possible to assist in removing the item P1 even when the support section 32 is on an uphill slope.

[0177] As shown in Figure 16, for example, article P2 is supported by the first support surface 22 and the second support surface 24 of the supply device 12 while contacting the pulling section 34. Therefore, the pulling force of the pulling section 34 acts on article P2 through the belt 49.

[0178] Furthermore, at this time, the article P2 comes into contact with the inside of the opening of the first suction chamber 72 within the extraction area R1 of the first belt portion 67a of the extraction section 36. Therefore, the suction force of the first suction section 62 acts on the article P2 through the first belt portion 67a.

[0179] Because the belt 49 provided on the pulling section 34 and the first belt section 67a of the taking section 36 move simultaneously in the same direction, the article P2 is taken out by the belt 49 and the first belt section 67a along the support section 32 toward the feeding section 44.

[0180] If, for example, the belt 49 that pulls the article P2 closer and makes close contact with it, and similarly the first belt portion 67a that attracts the article P2, does not cause the article P2 to climb the incline of the support portion 32, the control unit 46 operates the second belt portion 67b while using the second suction portion 64 to attract the article P2 through the second belt portion 67b. The article P2 comes into contact with the inside of the opening of the second suction chamber 82 within the extraction area R2 of the second belt portion 67b of the extraction portion 36. As a result, the suction force of the first suction portion 62 acts on the article P2 through the first belt portion 67a, and the suction force of the second suction portion 64 acts on the article P2 through the second belt portion 67b.

[0181] In this state, the belt 49 provided on the pulling unit 34 and the first belt portion 67a of the taking unit 36 ​​are moved simultaneously in the same direction, and the second belt portion 67b of the taking unit 36 ​​is also moved simultaneously in the same direction, so that the article P2 can be sent to the feeding unit 44. At this time, the moving speed of the second belt portion 67b is the same as the moving speed of the first belt portion 67a.

[0182] Because the belt 49 provided in the pulling section 34 and the first belt section 67a and second belt section 67b of the taking section 36 move simultaneously in the same direction, the article P2 is taken out along the support section 32 toward the feeding section 44 by the belt 49, the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b.

[0183] When the second belt portion 67b of the extraction section 36 moves, and the -X-axis end (upstream end) of the article P2 extends beyond the -X-axis end (upstream end) of the second suction chamber 82, the suction force decreases compared to when the article P2 completely covered the inside of the opening of the second suction chamber 82. As a result, when the -X-axis end of the article P2 extends beyond the -X-axis end (upstream end) of the second suction chamber 82, the article P2 rotates around the -X-axis end (upstream end) of the conveyor of the feeding section 44 as a pivot. As a result, the article P2 is placed on the conveying surface 45 of the feeding section 44.

[0184] Using the supply device 12 and retrieval device 14 according to this embodiment, in addition to supporting the article P2 with the first support surface 22, the article P2 can be supported with the second support surface 24 while simultaneously bringing the article P2 into contact with the belt 49 provided on the pulling section 34, the first belt section 67a, and the second belt section 67b of the retrieval section 36.

[0185] Therefore, the article P2 can be reliably brought into contact with the belt 49 provided on the pulling section 34, and can also be brought into contact with the extraction area R1 of the first belt section 67a and the extraction area R2 of the second belt section 67b of the extraction section 36. At this time, the surface Pa of the article P2 can close the surface 54a of the opening of the suction chamber 54. Therefore, by moving the belt 49 while the article P2 is in close contact with the belt 49, the article P2 can be sent to the subsequent device 16 side along the longitudinal direction of the support section 32.

[0186] Furthermore, the surface Pa of the article P2 can close the openings of the first suction chamber 72 and the second suction chamber 82. Therefore, by moving the first belt portion 67a and the second belt portion 67b while the article P2 is in close contact with the first belt portion 67a and the second belt portion 67b, the article P2 can be fed along the longitudinal direction of the support portion 32 towards the subsequent device 16.

[0187] In this way, the belt 49 provided on the pulling section 34 reliably removes the article P2, and the opening of the first suction chamber 72 facing the first belt section 67a can be closed by the surface Pa of the article P2 in contact with the first belt section 67a.

[0188] Therefore, the articles P2 that have been passed to the belt 49, the first belt section 67a, and the second belt section 67b can be sent to the conveying surface 45 of the feeding section 44.

[0189] By using the first belt section 67a and the second belt section 67b, as well as the belt 49, it is possible to assist in removing items P1 and P2 even when the support section 32 is on an uphill slope.

[0190] In this embodiment, the control unit 46 can select between a first mode and a second mode as the suction mode. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an article retrieval device 14 that can retrieve articles P1 and P2 such as letters of different sizes and thicknesses and send them to subsequent devices 16 and 18, and a sorting device 10 having the retrieval device 14.

[0191] Furthermore, according to the extraction device 14 of this embodiment, articles P1 and P2 of different sizes and thicknesses can be extracted one by one without being fed in the same way, and then sent to subsequent devices 16 and 18.

[0192] According to at least one embodiment described above, an article retrieval device 14 for articles P1 and P2, which can retrieve articles P1 and P2 such as letters of different sizes and thicknesses and send them to subsequent devices 16 and 18, and a sorting device 10 having the retrieval device 14 are provided.

[0193] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0194] 10... Sorting device, 12... Supply device, 14... Extraction device, 16... Recognition device (successor device), 18... Sorting and accumulation unit (successor device), 22, 24... Support surface, 23, 25... Conveyor belt, 28... Backup plate, 32... Support unit (main body), 34... Pulling unit, 36... Extraction unit, 38... First detection sensor (item detection sensor), 40... Second detection sensor (item passage detection sensor), 42... Air discharge unit, 44... Feeding unit, 44a ,44b...Roller, 46...Control unit, 52...Blower, 54...Air chamber, 54...Pulling air chamber, 62...First suction unit, 64...Second suction unit, 66...Removal belt, 66a...Through hole, 68...Drive source, 68a,68b,68c...Roller, 70...Suction pump, 72...First suction chamber (first suction unit), 74...First solenoid valve, 82...Second suction chamber (second suction unit), 84...Second solenoid valve.

Claims

1. A support portion that supports the article when the article is supplied from a supply device with a defined thickness direction, A first suction part capable of sucking the support part side within a range of a first height or more and a second height or less relative to the support part, A second suction portion is provided above the first suction portion and is capable of sucking the support portion side within a range that is higher than the second height but within the third height relative to the support portion. An endless extraction belt having numerous through holes, covering the first suction portion and the second suction portion, and capable of moving the article supplied from the supply device to the support portion in a direction different from the direction in which the article is supplied from the supply device, at a position covering the first suction portion and the second suction portion, and A drive source moves the extraction belt in the different directions at a position that covers the first suction part and the second suction part. The system includes a take-out section that takes out the articles supplied from the supply device to the support section to the subsequent devices in different directions, The operation of the first suction unit, the second suction unit, and the drive source can be controlled. A first mode in which a suction force is applied using the first suction part to cause the article to be attracted to the removal belt, A second mode in which a suction force is applied using the first suction part and the second suction part to cause the article to adhere to the removal belt, The suction mode can be switched, Controlling the operation of the drive source, and enabling the removal of the item from the removal unit to the subsequent device by the removal belt while the item is being attracted to the removal belt, Control unit and An article removal device having [a certain feature].

2. The control unit has a detection sensor that is controlled by the control unit and capable of detecting when the article is removed from the support unit toward the subsequent device, When the control unit selects the first suction mode and removes the item from the removal unit to the subsequent device, and the detection sensor does not detect the passage of the item, the control unit switches the suction mode to the second mode. The extraction device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned removal belt is An endless first belt portion having the aforementioned number of through holes, covering the first suction portion, and capable of moving the article supplied from the supply device in a direction different from the direction in which the article is supplied from the supply device, An endless second belt portion having the aforementioned number of through holes, covering the second suction portion, and capable of moving the article supplied from the supply device in a direction different from the direction in which the article is supplied from the supply device, It has, The aforementioned drive source is A first drive source that moves the first belt portion in the different direction at a position covering the first suction portion, At a position covering the second suction portion, a second drive source moves the second belt portion in the different direction. It has, The control unit, The first mode is selected as the suction mode, and the operation of the first drive source is controlled so that the first belt section can be controlled to remove the article that has been adsorbed onto the first belt section from the removal section to the subsequent device, or The second mode is selected as the suction mode, and the operation of the first and second drive sources is controlled so that the first and second belt sections can be controlled to remove the articles that have been adsorbed onto the first and second belt sections from the removal section to the subsequent device. The extraction device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The first suction unit and the second suction unit each have a suction pump, either common or separate, that is controlled by the control unit. With the aforementioned suction pump in operation, A state in which the suction force is applied to the first suction part and the suction force at the second suction part is blocked, A state in which the suction force is applied to the first suction part and the second suction part, A state in which the suction force in the first suction part and the second suction part is blocked. The control unit controls an electromagnetic valve that can be switched between the following modes: The extraction device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The removal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support portion is formed in an upward slope at a position covering the first suction portion and the second suction portion, so as the article that has been adsorbed onto the removal belt is directed toward the subsequent device for removal.

6. Of the aforementioned uphill slope, a feed section is provided at or near the end of the slope in the direction from which the article is taken out to the subsequent device, for sending the article toward the subsequent device. The extraction device according to claim 5.

7. With respect to the first suction portion, a pulling portion is provided on the opposite side from the direction toward the subsequent device, and within a range of a first height or more and a second height or less relative to the support portion, for pulling the article on the support portion side, A transport unit provided in the pulling unit transports the article toward the extraction unit and the subsequent device. The extraction device according to claim 5, having the following:

8. Controlled by the control unit, and provided on the subsequent device side of the first suction unit and the second suction unit, the air discharge unit discharges air in a direction intersecting the direction in which the articles were supplied from the supply device, between a first article that is in contact with the removal belt at a position covering the first suction unit and the second suction unit, and a second article that is in contact with the first article and is scheduled to next contact with the removal belt, thereby separating the first article and the second article. The extraction device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

9. The supply device that supplies the article to the extraction device, The extraction device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The subsequent device to which the article removed by the removal device is sent It has, The subsequent device is, A recognition device that recognizes the destination address of each of the separated items, A sorting and accumulating unit that appropriately sorts and accumulates the items recognized by the recognition device, A compartmentalizer having the following features.

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