Automatic transfer system

Abstract

To provide an automatic transfer system that can perform the transfer of a commercial article from a container for picking to a container for shipping automatically and quickly.SOLUTION: An automatic transfer system 1 includes: a container for picking 2 that is formed by combining a receiving part 21 whose one side is a release part 213 and a frame body part 22 in a detachable manner; a circulation line 3 that circulates the container for picking 2; a hopper part 4 with an opening 41; movement means 5 that horizontally moves the frame body part 22 between the receiving part 21 and the opening 41; and a transport line for a shipping container 6 that passes under the hopper part 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic transfer system that transfers products picked into a picking container at a distribution center or the like to a shipping box. [Background technology]

[0002] At logistics hubs such as distribution centers, a wide variety of products are stored in warehouses, and at the time of shipment, the products to be shipped from the warehouse are picked based on an order form, placed in shipping boxes for each destination, and then shipped.

[0003] Traditionally, each of these processes was performed manually by workers, but due to recent social conditions, there has been an increase in demand for mail order and home delivery services, and the types of products handled and quantities ordered have also increased. As a result, efforts are being made to automate each process in order to reduce the workload and complete each process more quickly.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic picking means that automates the process of picking products from a warehouse. In this automatic picking means, the automatic picking means automatically picks products from a warehouse and stores the picked products in a picking container such as a folding container.

[0005] The products contained in the picking container are then transferred to shipping cardboard boxes in the shipping process and shipped. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-040121 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Incidentally, in the shipping process following the picking process, it is desirable to automate the process of transferring products from the picking containers to shipping cardboard boxes in order to process the products more quickly than by manual work.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an automatic transfer system that can automatically and quickly transfer products from a picking container to a shipping container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the automatic transfer system of the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a picking container capable of containing products, which is composed of a separable combination of a receiving tray section having an open portion on one side and a frame section placed within the receiving tray section; a circulation line that stops one or more of the picking containers containing products at a predetermined location in a picking area; a hopper section that is arranged along the predetermined location of the circulation line and has one or more openings through which the products can fall; a moving means that is arranged opposite the hopper section across the circulation line and moves the frame section of the picking container that has stopped at the predetermined location of the circulation line in parallel between the receiving tray section and above the opening of the hopper section through the open portion of the receiving tray section; and a shipping container transport line that passes below the hopper section and temporarily stops one or more shipping containers below the opening while the moving means moves the frame section of the picking container in parallel, and transports the shipping container after the products have been loaded.

[0010] This allows the products in the multiple picking containers to move in conjunction with the parallel movement of the frame body, fall through the opening of the hopper section, and be contained in multiple shipping containers at once, allowing the transfer of products from the picking containers to the shipping containers to be performed automatically and quickly.

[0011] A second aspect of the automatic transfer system of the present invention may be characterized in that, in the first aspect, the picking container has a protrusion portion provided on each of the outer sides of two opposing side panels of the frame body portion, and the moving means has a plate-shaped base portion and the predetermined number of sets of arm portions erected from the base portion, and the arm portions support the protrusion portions from below and clamp the frame body portion, while the base portion presses the frame body portion, thereby moving the frame body portion in parallel above the hopper portion.

[0012] This makes it possible to realize parallel movement of the frame portion using a simple structure.

[0013] The automatic transfer system of the third aspect of the present invention may be characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the shipping container transport line temporarily suspends the transport of the shipping container for a predetermined period of time from when the picking container reaches the hopper section until the transfer of goods into the shipping container is completed.

[0014] This allows the products that drop from the hopper to be reliably transferred to the shipping container.

[0015] The automatic transfer system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention may be characterized in that, in the first to third aspects, the opening of the hopper section is tapered so that its width gradually narrows from the top to the bottom.

[0016] This allows the product to be guided into the shipping container, and effectively prevents the product from spilling out of the shipping container.

[0017] The automatic transfer system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention may be characterized in that, in the first to fourth aspects, the circulation line and the shipping container conveying line each have at least one branch section for each size of the shipping container, and the hopper section and the moving means are provided along each of the branch sections of the circulation line.

[0018] This allows the products to be transferred efficiently and quickly even when the variety or quantity of products to be shipped increases and multiple types of shipping containers need to be used.

[0019] The automatic transfer system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention may be characterized in that, in the first to fifth aspects, a clamping mechanism for fixing the shipping container is provided along the shipping container conveying line located below the hopper section.

[0020] This effectively prevents the shipping container from falling over due to an impact when the product is transferred.

[0021] An automatic transfer system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention may be characterized in that it comprises a box-shaped picking container having an opening at the top and a door at the bottom that can be opened and closed, a conveying line that circulates the picking container between a picking area and a shipping area, a plurality of branch lines branching off from the conveying line and arranged in parallel, a hopper section having an opening that connects the branch lines, a transfer mechanism that moves the picking container in parallel from one branch line to the other branch line, and a shipping container conveying line that passes below the hopper section and conveys shipping containers.

[0022] As a result, when the picking container reaches the opening of the hopper section, the door opens and drops into the opening, and the products in the picking container fall through the opening and are transferred into the shipping container, allowing the transfer of products from the picking container to the shipping container to be done automatically and quickly.

[0023] An automatic transfer system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention may be characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, a slider is provided below the opening of the hopper section for guiding goods into the shipping container on the shipping container conveying line.

[0024] This makes it possible to guide the product into the shipping container, effectively preventing the product from spilling out of the shipping container, and also effectively preventing damage to the product.

[0025] The automatic transfer system of the 9th aspect of the present invention may be characterized in that, in the 8th aspect, a tip prevention guide for preventing the shipping container from tipping is provided along the shipping container transport line at a position opposite the lower end of the slider.

[0026] This effectively prevents the shipping container from falling over due to an impact when the product is transferred.

[0027] An automatic transfer system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention may be characterized in that it comprises a picking container capable of containing products, which is constituted by a detachable combination of a plate-shaped bottom plate and a frame portion placed on the bottom plate; a circulation line having one or more openings through which the products can pass between loading areas on which the picking container can be placed; a fixing means for fixing the frame portion of the picking container placed on the loading area adjacent to the opening on the downstream side of the conveying direction of the circulation line for a predetermined period of time; a hopper portion provided below the opening and having a tapered cylindrical portion whose width gradually narrows from top to bottom; and a shipping container conveying line provided below the circulation line so as to be at least partially parallel to the circulation line, which conveys a shipping container, temporarily suspends the shipping container until the opening moves below the frame portion fixed by the fixing means and the product in the frame portion falls from the opening through the hopper portion into the shipping container, and conveys the shipping container after the product has been introduced.

[0028] This allows the products in the multiple picking containers to move in parallel with the frame body movement, fall through the opening and through the hopper section, and be contained in multiple shipping containers at once, allowing the products to be transferred from the picking containers to the shipping containers automatically and quickly.

[0029] An automatic transfer system according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the tenth aspect, further comprising: a picking container input line that supplies the picking container to the circulation line; and a shipping container supply line that supplies the shipping container to the shipping container conveying line; The picking container input line may be characterized in that the picking containers are input into the circulation line at the same intervals as the interval between the openings of the circulation line, and the shipping container supply line may be characterized in that the shipping containers are input into the shipping container conveying line at the same intervals as the interval between the openings of the circulation line.

[0030] This makes it possible to reliably transfer products from the picking container to the shipping container. Effect of the Invention

[0031] According to the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to automatically and quickly transfer products from a picking container to a shipping container. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic transfer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a picking container used in the automatic transfer system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state in which products are transferred from a picking container to a shipping container by the automatic transfer system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a schematic diagram showing a branching portion provided in a circulation line and a shipping container conveying line in an automatic transfer system according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an automatic transfer system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a schematic diagram of an automatic transfer system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 11 is a side cross-sectional view that illustrates a schematic diagram of a picking container used in an automatic transfer system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an automatic transfer system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a schematic diagram of an automatic transfer system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 11 is a plan view showing a circulation line and a picking container insertion line provided in an automatic transfer system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a plan view showing a shipping container conveying line and a shipping container supply line provided in an automatic transfer system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] First, an automatic transport system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic transfer system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a picking container 2 used in the automatic transfer system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a product G is transferred from the picking container 2 to a shipping container B by the automatic transfer system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the automatic transfer system 1 is composed of a picking container 2 that contains picked goods G, a circulation line 3 that circulates the picking container 2 between a picking area (not shown) within a logistics center where picking takes place and a shipping area (not shown) where packaging and sorting for shipping takes place, a hopper section 4 provided along the circulation line 3, a moving means 5 provided opposite the hopper section 4 across the circulation line 3, and a shipping container transport line 6 that passes under the hopper section 4 and transports the shipping container B.

[0036] 1 and 2, the picking container 2 is a container for storing the product G picked in the picking area, and is configured by separably combining a receiving tray 21 having a bottom plate 211 shaped like a square plate in a plan view, peripheral walls 212 erected on three sides of the bottom plate 211, one side of which is an open section 213, and a frame body 22 disposed within the receiving tray 21 and shaped like a square in a plan view. A protrusion 221 is provided on the outer side of each of the two opposing side plates of the frame body 22.

[0037] The circulation line 3 is a conveying means configured by appropriately combining conveying means such as a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, etc. The drive of the circulation line 3 is controlled by a control unit (not shown), and the drive is controlled to be turned on and off as necessary.

[0038] The hopper section 4 is a long plate-like structure provided adjacent to the circulation line 3, and is formed with a plurality of openings 41 (five in this embodiment) through which the products G can pass. The openings 41 are tapered, the diameter of which gradually decreases from the top to the bottom, and can guide the products G into the shipping container B, effectively preventing the products G from spilling out of the shipping container B during transfer. The hopper section 4 also has a stopper section 42 formed for stopping the frame section 22 at a predetermined position.

[0039] 1 and 3, the moving means 5 has a main body 51 having a driving means (not shown) whose driving is controlled by a control unit, a bar 52 that protrudes from the main body 51 and whose forward and backward movement is performed by the driving means, a plate-shaped base 53 that is fixed to the tip of the bar 52, and a predetermined number of arm units 54 (five in this embodiment) standing upright from the base 53. One set of arm units 54 is spaced apart by a distance that allows the frame unit 22 of the picking container 2 to be sandwiched between them.

[0040] The shipping container conveying line 6 is a conveying means configured by appropriately combining conveying means such as belt conveyors, roller conveyors, etc. The driving of the shipping container conveying line 6 is controlled by a control unit (not shown), and the driving is controlled to be turned on and off as necessary.

[0041] A clamp mechanism 61 for fixing the shipping container B when the product G is transferred is provided around the periphery of the portion of the shipping container conveying line 6 located below the hopper section 4.

[0042] Next, the transfer operation of the product G from the picking container 2 to the shipping container B by the automatic transfer system 1 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described.

[0043] First, a plurality of picking containers 2 containing picked products G are moved at predetermined intervals from the picking area to a location where the moving means 5 is provided by the circulation line 3.

[0044] Then, when the container for picking 2 moves to a predetermined location where the moving means 5 is provided, a sensor (not shown) detects it, and the control unit stops driving the circulation line 3 for a predetermined time.

[0045] Also, in synchronization with the movement of the picking container 2, the shipping container conveying line 6 moves a predetermined number (five in this embodiment) of shipping containers B under the opening 41 of the hopper section 4. At this time, a sensor (not shown) detects the movement of the shipping container B under the opening 41, and the control section stops driving the shipping container conveying line 6 for a predetermined time from when the picking container 2 reaches the hopper section 4 to when the transfer of the product G to the shipping container B is completed. This allows the product G that falls from the hopper section 4 to be reliably transferred to the shipping container B.

[0046] Then, the shipping container B that has stopped under the opening 41 is gripped and fixed by the clamp mechanism 61. This effectively prevents the shipping container B from falling over due to an impact when the product G is transferred. The operation of the clamp mechanism 61 is controlled by the control unit.

[0047] Next, the moving means 5 moves the frame body parts 22 of a predetermined number (five in this embodiment) of picking containers 2 placed on the circulation line 3 in parallel between the receiving tray part 21 and above the opening 41 of the hopper part 4 via the release part 213 of the receiving tray part 21. Specifically, the main body part 51 moves from the retracted position, i.e., the state in which the arm part 54 is outside the circulation line 3, to the set position, i.e., the position in which the arm part 54 clamps the frame body parts 22.

[0048] Then, the main body portion 51 rises, the arm portion 54 supports the protrusion portion 221 of the frame body portion 22 from below and lifts the frame body portion 22, and at the same time, the main body portion 51 moves forward toward the hopper portion 4, and the base portion 53 pushes the frame body portion 22, thereby moving the frame body portion 22 in parallel above the hopper portion 4.

[0049] At this time, the product G in the picking container 2 is pushed by the moving frame portion 22 and moves parallel to the hopper portion 4. The product G is then transferred from an opening 41 formed in the hopper portion 4 into a shipping container B located on the shipping container conveyor line 6 below.

[0050] Next, the main body portion 51 retreats, and the arm portion 54 moves parallel to return the frame body portion 22 to a position above the receiving tray portion 21, and in that state the main body portion 51 descends further, causing the frame body portion 22 to return to being above the receiving tray portion 21 and releasing support for the frame body portion 22 by the arm portion 54.

[0051] At this time, the clamping mechanism 61 releases its grip on the shipping container B, the shipping container conveying line 6 resumes operation, and the shipping container B with the transferred product G is conveyed to the downstream area where sorting work for each shipping destination is carried out.

[0052] According to the automatic transfer system 1 of the first embodiment described above, the products G in the multiple picking containers 2 move in accordance with the parallel movement of the frame body portion 22, fall through the openings 41 of the hopper portion 4, and are stored in multiple shipping containers B at once, so that the transfer of the products G from the picking containers 2 to the shipping containers B can be performed automatically and quickly.

[0053] In addition, by adopting a configuration in which the arm portion 54 supports the protrusion portion 221 of the frame body portion 22 from below and the base portion 53 presses the frame body portion 22, parallel movement of the frame body portion 22 can be achieved using a simple configuration.

[0054] In the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 1, one circulation line 3 and one shipping container conveying line 6 are provided, but this is not limited to the present invention, and the circulation line 3 and the shipping container conveying line 6 may each branch into multiple lines.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a branching section 30 (60) provided on the circulation line 3 and the shipping container conveying line 4 in the automatic transfer system 10 according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 4, the circulation line 3 branches into a plurality of (five in Fig. 4) branch lines 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 3e at a branching section 30. The shipping container conveying line 6 also branches into a plurality of (five in Fig. 4) branch lines 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e at a branching section 60. When shipping containers B of a plurality of sizes are used, at least one branch line 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e is assigned to each shipping container B of each size.

[0057] In addition, moving means 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e are provided at the right end of the conveyor of each of the branch lines 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 3e when viewed from the upstream side of the conveyor line, and hopper sections 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e are installed directly above each of the branch lines 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e.

[0058] Each picking container 2 is attached with an information label printed with a barcode, QR code (registered trademark), etc., and the shipping container B to be used is linked to the product G contained therein and the total volume of the product G, etc., and stored in a memory unit (not shown).

[0059] Then, when the sensor 9 reads the information label of the container for picking 2, the information on the information label is transmitted to the control unit. The control unit controls the driving of the circulation line 3 based on the information on the information label, and transports the container for picking 2 to any one of the branch lines 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 3e.

[0060] In this manner, even when the variety or quantity of products G to be shipped increases and it becomes necessary to use multiple types of shipping containers B, the products G can be transferred efficiently and quickly.

[0061] Next, an automatic transport system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 5 is a plan view that shows a schematic diagram of an automatic transfer system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a side view that shows a schematic diagram of an automatic transfer system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a side cross-sectional view that shows a schematic diagram of a picking container 200 used in the automatic transfer system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the automatic transfer system 100 of the second embodiment is configured to include a box-shaped picking container 200 having an opening 203 at the top and an openable and closable door 205 at the bottom 201, a conveying line 300 branching into a first line 300A and a second line 300B that circulates the picking container 200 between the picking area and the shipping area, a hopper section 400 that connects the first line 300A and the second line 300B, and a shipping container conveying line 600 that conveys shipping container B and passes below the hopper section 400.

[0063] 7, the picking container 200 is configured to include a bottom 201 and peripheral walls 202 erected from the four sides of the bottom 201. An opening 206 is formed in the bottom 201, and a door portion 205, which is a plate-shaped member that opens and closes this opening 206, is attached via a hinge 204.

[0064] The conveying line 300 is a conveying means configured by appropriately combining conveying means such as a belt conveyor and a roller conveyor. The driving of the conveying line 300 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). In the conveying line 300, the first line 300A and the second line 300B are provided at portions 310A and 310B adjacent to the hopper portion 400 with a transfer machine (not shown) that can move the picking container 200 in the left and right directions in FIG. 5.

[0065] The hopper section 400 is configured by arranging two narrow belt conveyors 404 in parallel at a predetermined interval to transport the picking container 200 from the first line 300A to the second line 300B. A plate-shaped base section 403 having an opening 401 is arranged between the two narrow belt conveyors 404. The opening 401 is a rectangular opening in a plan view. A slider 402 extending downward from the base section 403 is formed on the periphery of the opening 401 of the base section 403. By forming the slider 402, the product G falling from the opening 401 can be guided into the shipping container B, and the product G can be effectively prevented from spilling out of the shipping container B, and the falling speed of the product G is appropriately decelerated, thereby effectively preventing damage to the product G.

[0066] The shipping container conveying line 600 is a conveying means configured by appropriately combining conveying means such as belt conveyors, roller conveyors, etc. The driving of the shipping container conveying line 600 is controlled by a control unit (not shown).

[0067] In addition, a tipping prevention guide 700 for preventing tipping of the shipping container B is provided along the shipping container conveying line 600 at a position opposite the lower end of the slider 402. By providing the tipping prevention guide 700, it is possible to effectively prevent the shipping container B from tipping over due to an impact when the product G is transferred.

[0068] Next, the transfer operation of the product G from the picking container 2 to the shipping container B by the automatic transfer system 1 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described.

[0069] First, when the container for picking 200 reaches a position adjacent to the hopper unit 400 of the first line 300A, a sensor (not shown) detects the container for picking 200, and transmits a detection signal to the control unit.

[0070] The control unit then drives the transfer machine of the first line 300 to move the picking container 200 to the hopper unit 400.

[0071] At this time, the control unit also controls the driving of the shipping container conveying line 600 to make the shipping container B wait near the tip of the slider 401.

[0072] Then, when the picking container 200 moves above the hopper section 400, the door section 205 of the picking container 200 falls into the opening 401, thereby opening the opening 206 of the picking container 200, and the product G in the picking container 200 falls into the opening 401.

[0073] The product G that falls into the opening 401 slides down along the slider 402 and is transferred from the tip of the slider 402 into a shipping container B waiting on the shipping container conveying line 600.

[0074] Then, when the picking container 200 is moved onto the second line 300B by the narrow belt conveyor 404 and the transfer machine of the second line 300B, the door section 205 closes and a sensor (not shown) detects the movement of the picking container 200, and the detection signal is sent to the control unit.

[0075] The control unit then resumes driving the shipping container conveyor line 600, and the shipping container B with the transferred products G is conveyed to a downstream area where sorting work for each shipping destination is carried out.

[0076] According to the automatic transfer system 100 according to the second embodiment described above, when the picking container 200 reaches above the opening 401 of the hopper section 400, the door section 402 opens so as to drop into the opening 401, and the product G in the picking container 200 falls from the opening 401 and is transferred to the shipping container B. Therefore, the product G can be automatically and quickly transferred from the picking container 200 to the shipping container B.

[0077] Next, an automatic transport system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an automatic transfer system 700 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a side view showing an automatic transfer system 700 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a circulation line 703 and a picking container input line 708 provided in the automatic transfer system 700 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a shipping container transport line 706 and a shipping container supply line 710 provided in the automatic transfer system 700 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] As shown in Figures 8 to 11, the automatic conveying system 700 of this embodiment is configured to include a picking container 702 in which a bottom plate 702a and a frame body 702b are separably combined, a circulation line 703 with an opening 703a, a fixing means 704 for fixing the picking container 702 on the circulation line 703, a hopper section 705 provided below the opening 703a, and a shipping container conveying line 706 for conveying a shipping container B passing below the hopper section 705.

[0079] The picking container 702 is a container capable of storing products, which is configured by separably combining a bottom plate 702a, which is a square plate in plan view, and a frame body part 702b, which is arranged on the bottom plate 702a and is L-shaped in plan view. The peripheral part of the bottom plate 702a is an inclined surface. This allows the frame body part 702b to slide smoothly from the bottom plate 702a, as described below.

[0080] The circulation line 703 is a conveying means configured by appropriately combining conveying means such as a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, etc., which circulates the picking container 702 between the picking area and the shipping area. The circulation line 703 is provided with placement areas 703b in which the picking container 702 can be placed, and a predetermined number (five in this embodiment) of openings 703a provided between adjacent placement areas 703b, which are openings smaller than the frame body portion and through which products can pass.

[0081] In the automatic transport system 700 according to this embodiment, a box-shaped bottom plate recovery unit 709 for recovering the bottom plate 702a separated from the frame body part 702b is provided downstream of the circulation line 703, but the bottom plate recovery unit 709 is not an essential component in the present invention and can be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the frame body part 702b separated from the bottom plate 702a may be transported as is by the circulation line 703 and recovered downstream by an operator, or may be recovered using an automatic recovery machine.

[0082] The fixing means 704 fixes the frame portion 702b of the container for picking 702 placed on the placement area 703b for a predetermined time in an area where products are transferred from the container for picking 200 to the container for shipping B. The fixing means 704 is configured to have a long plate-shaped base portion 704a that moves forward and backward by a driving means (not shown), and a predetermined number (five in this embodiment) of rod-shaped motion restricting portions 704b that are erected from the base portion 704a in a direction transverse to the traveling direction of the circulation line 703, the same number as the openings 703a. The motion restricting portions 704b are provided with an interval that allows the container for picking 702b to be sandwiched.

[0083] The hopper 705 has a function of guiding the products G that drop from the opening 703a into the shipping container B, and is configured with a plurality of (five in this embodiment) tapered tube sections 705b whose width gradually narrows from top to bottom, and a long plate-like base section 705a to which the base ends of the tube sections 705b are fixed and which supports the tube sections 705b. Each tube section 705b is disposed so as to be located below the opening 703a.

[0084] The shipping container conveying line 706 is a conveying means configured by appropriately combining conveying means such as a belt conveyor and a roller conveyor. The shipping container conveying line 706 has a portion parallel to the circulation line 703 below the circulation line 703 at least in the area where the products are transferred from the picking container 200 to the shipping container B. The shipping container conveying line 706 passes under the hopper section 705 and conveys the shipping container B below each of the cylindrical sections 705b, and temporarily stops the shipping container B until the opening 703a moves below the frame section 702b fixed by the fixing means 704 and the products in the frame section 702b fall from the opening 703a through the hopper section 705 into the shipping container B, and resumes conveying the shipping container B when the input of the products is completed.

[0085] In this embodiment, a base plate 707 is placed on the shipping container conveying line 706, and five shipping containers B are placed on this base plate 707, but this base plate 707 is not an essential component in the present invention and can be omitted as appropriate.

[0086] The automatic conveying system 700 according to this embodiment also includes a picking container input line 708 that supplies picking containers 702 to the circulation line 703, and a shipping container supply line 710 that supplies shipping containers B to the shipping container conveying line 706. The picking container input line 708 and the shipping container supply line 710 are conveying means configured by appropriately combining conveying means such as belt conveyors and roller conveyors.

[0087] The arrangement of the picking containers 702 on the circulation line 703 is performed by a picking container input line 708, as shown in Fig. 10. The picking container input line 708 is provided so as to merge vertically with the circulation line 703 in an area where products are transferred from the picking containers 200 to the shipping containers B, and five picking containers 702 are arranged in groups on the circulation line 703 with the same intervals as between the openings 703a, while adjusting the input timing.

[0088] The shipping container supply line 710 is installed perpendicular to the shipping container conveying line 706, and five shipping containers B are arranged in groups on the shipping container conveying line 706 so that the spacing between them is the same as the spacing between the openings 703a.

[0089] By arranging the line 708 for introducing containers for picking and the line 710 for supplying containers for shipping in this manner, it is possible to form a compact automatic transfer system 700. Note that the arrangement of the line 708 for introducing containers for picking and the line 710 for supplying containers for shipping is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the area of ​​the logistics base and the configuration of other devices.

[0090] Next, the operation of transferring products from the picking container 702 to the shipping container B by the automatic transfer system 700 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described.

[0091] First, the picking container 702 is introduced from the picking container supply line 708 onto the circulation line 703 with the same interval as the opening 703a.

[0092] Next, when each of the five containers for picking 702 on the circulation line 703 reaches the placement area 703b, a sensor (not shown) detects the container for picking 702, the control unit stops the circulation line 703, and the fixing means 704 that had been retracted from the circulation line 703 advances, and each set of operation restriction units 704b clamps the container for picking 702 from the front and rear in the conveying direction of the container for picking 702. This fixes the container for picking 702.

[0093] On the other hand, shipping container B is introduced from shipping container supply line 710 onto shipping container conveying line 706 with the same interval as opening 703a.

[0094] Next, when the five shipping containers B reach the lower side of the opening 703 a, a sensor (not shown) detects the shipping containers B, and the control unit stops the shipping container conveying line 706 .

[0095] Next, when the forward movement of the motion restricting portion 704b is completed and the fixing means 704 has completed fixing the frame portion 702b of the picking container 702, the control portion resumes driving the circulation line 703. At this time, the frame portion 702b is fixed by the motion restricting portion 704b, while the bottom plate 702a moves in the conveying direction as the circulation line 703 is driven. As a result, the frame portion 702b slides parallel to the bottom plate 702a and the circulation line 703, and the products inside the frame portion 702b also slide along with the frame portion 702b.

[0096] When the frame portion 702b reaches above the opening 703a of the circulation line 703, the product inside the frame portion 702b falls into the opening 703a.

[0097] The products that have fallen into the opening 703 a are further guided by the cylindrical portion 705 b of the hopper portion 705 located below the opening 703 a , and are transferred into the shipping container B located below the hopper portion 705 .

[0098] Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed since a sensor (not shown) detects the products to be put into the shipping container B, the control unit resumes driving the shipping container conveyor line 706, and the shipping container B to which the products G have been transferred is conveyed to a downstream area where sorting work for each shipping destination is carried out. This predetermined time is set to be a time sufficient to complete the transfer of the products from the picking container 702 to the shipping container B.

[0099] According to the automatic transfer system 700 of the third embodiment described above, the products in the multiple picking containers 702 are shifted as the frame body portion 702b moves parallel to the position of the opening 703a, and as a result, they fall through the opening 703a and are stored in multiple shipping containers B at once, so that the products can be transferred automatically and quickly from the picking container 702 to the shipping container B.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the aspects of the automatic transfer systems 1, 100, and 700 according to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted.

[0101] For example, cushioning material may be laid on the bottom plate 21, 211, 702a and door portion 205 of the picking container 2, 200, 702, and further on the bottom of the shipping container B. This can reduce the impact when the product G is stored, and effectively prevent the product G from being damaged.

[0102] In addition, in the automatic transfer systems 1, 100, 700 according to each of the above-described embodiments, the number of picking containers 2, 200, 702 moved to the location where the moving means 5 is provided, the number of openings 41, 401, 703a, and the number of shipping containers B moved under the openings 41, 401, 703a are all the same, but they may also be different numbers.

[0103] By doing as described above, the number of picking containers 2, 200, 702 moved to the location where the moving means 5 is provided and the number of shipping containers B moved under the openings 41, 401, 703a can be increased or decreased as long as it is within the number of openings 41, 401, 703a, and waste in transportation can be eliminated by appropriately adjusting the transportation of the picking containers 2, 200, 702 and the shipping containers B according to the shipping quantity of goods G. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1, 10, 100, 700 Automatic transfer system 2, 200, 702 Picking container 3, 300, 703 Conveyor Line 4, 400, 705 Hopper section 5,500 Transportation 6, 600, 706 Shipping container transport line 704 Fixing means 21 Receptacle 22 Frame body part 41, 401, 703a opening 204 Hinge 205 Door section 213 Liberation Department 221 Protrusion B. Shipping container G product

Claims

1. A picking container capable of containing products, the picking container being configured by separably combining a receiving tray portion having an open portion on one side and a frame portion disposed within the receiving tray portion; a circulation line that stops one or more of the picking containers containing products at a predetermined location in a picking area; a hopper section provided along the predetermined portion of the circulation line and having one or more openings through which the products can fall; a moving means for moving the frame of the picking container stopped at the predetermined location of the circulation line in parallel between the receiving tray and the opening of the hopper, through the release portion of the receiving tray; a shipping container conveying line that passes under the hopper section, temporarily stops one or more shipping containers under the opening while the frame section of the picking container is being moved in parallel by the moving means, and conveys the shipping container after the introduction of the products has been completed; An automatic transfer system comprising:

2. The picking container has protrusions on the outer sides of two opposing side plates of the frame portion, The automatic transfer system described in claim 1, characterized in that the moving means has a plate-shaped base portion and a predetermined number of sets of arm portions erected from the base portion, and the arm portions support the protrusion portions from below and clamp the frame portion, while the base portion presses the frame portion to move the frame portion in parallel above the hopper portion.

3. The automatic transfer system described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shipping container transport line temporarily suspends the transport of the shipping container for a predetermined period of time from when the picking container reaches the hopper section until the transfer of goods into the shipping container is completed.

4. 4. The automatic transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the hopper portion is tapered so that the width of the opening gradually narrows from the top to the bottom.

5. An automatic transfer system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the circulation line and the shipping container transport line each have at least one branch section for each size of the shipping container, and the hopper section and the moving means are provided along the branch section of the circulation line.

6. The automatic transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a clamping mechanism for fixing the shipping container is provided along the shipping container conveying line located below the hopper section.

7. A box-shaped picking container having an opening at the top and an openable / closable door at the bottom; a conveyor line for circulating the picking container between a picking area and a shipping area; A plurality of branch lines branched off from the conveying line and arranged in parallel; A hopper portion having an opening portion that connects the branch lines; A transfer mechanism that moves the container for picking in parallel from one of the branch lines to the other of the branch lines; a shipping container conveying line that conveys shipping containers and passes under the hopper; An automatic transfer system comprising:

8. 8. The automatic transfer system according to claim 7, wherein a slider is provided below the opening of the hopper portion for guiding products into the shipping container on the shipping container conveying line.

9. The automatic transfer system described in claim 8, characterized in that an anti-tip guide for preventing the shipping container from tipping is provided along the shipping container transport line at a position opposite the lower end of the slider.

10. A picking container capable of accommodating products, the picking container being configured by separably combining a plate-shaped bottom plate and a frame portion disposed on the bottom plate; a circulation line having one or more openings through which the products can pass between placement areas on which the picking containers can be placed; a fixing means for fixing the frame portion of the container for picking placed on the placement area adjacent to the opening on the downstream side of the conveying direction of the circulation line for a predetermined period of time; A hopper portion provided below the opening and having a tapered cylindrical portion whose width gradually narrows from the top to the bottom; a shipping container conveying line that is provided below the circulation line and at least partially parallel to the circulation line, conveying a shipping container, temporarily stopping the shipping container until the opening moves below the frame portion fixed by the fixing means and the product in the frame portion passes through the opening and passes through the hopper portion and falls into the shipping container, and conveying the shipping container after the product has been inserted; An automatic transfer system comprising:

11. a picking container input line that supplies the picking container to the circulation line; a shipping container supply line for supplying the shipping container to the shipping container conveying line; Equipped with the picking container input line inputs the picking containers into the circulation line at intervals equal to the intervals between the openings of the circulation line; The shipping container supply line introduces the shipping containers into the shipping container conveying line at intervals equal to the intervals between the openings of the circulation line. The automatic transfer system according to claim 10 .

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