Goods shipping system
The goods shipping system addresses the challenge of stacking items on supports by using retrieval and stacking devices to ensure flat-topped layers, facilitating easy stacking and efficient transportation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DAIFUKU CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies do not effectively facilitate the stacking of multiple items on supports in a manner that allows easy stacking of additional supports, particularly when items are stored in a warehouse with supports already in place.
A goods shipping system that includes a warehouse, retrieval devices, and stacking devices to manage supports with specified numbers of goods, ensuring the top surface of the stacked items is flat, allowing easy stacking of additional supports.
Enables efficient transportation of goods by creating supports with flat-topped item layers, making it easier to stack additional supports, thereby simplifying the shipping process.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an article shipping system that ships articles while placed on a support.
Background Art
[0002] An example of a technique for stacking articles on a support is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-11857 (Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, in the description of this background art, the reference numerals in Patent Document 1 are cited in parentheses. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, articles (22) taken out from an automated warehouse (200) are loaded one by one onto a pallet (21) to generate an article group (20) consisting of the pallet (21) and a plurality of articles (22) loaded thereon. At the upper end of the article group (20), a placement portion (a plurality of columns (20p) as shown in FIG. 4 of Patent Document 1) on which another pallet (21) can be stably placed substantially horizontally is formed by the plurality of articles (22) loaded on the pallet (21). Then, a plurality of article groups (20) are stacked to form a transport unit (10) as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] As described above, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for generating a support (pallet in Patent Document 1) on which multiple items are stacked, by loading each item one by one onto a support when an item is released from a warehouse, in a manner that facilitates stacking other supports. Even when items are stored in an automated warehouse with items placed on supports, it is conceivable to generate a support on which multiple items to be shipped are stacked in a manner that facilitates stacking other supports. In this case, instead of items themselves, supports on which items are placed would be released from the warehouse, as in Patent Document 1. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe how to generate a support on which multiple items are stacked in a manner that facilitates stacking other supports in such a case.
[0005] Therefore, when goods are stored in a warehouse with goods placed on a support structure, it is desirable to realize a goods shipping system that can appropriately generate support structures on which multiple goods are stacked, making it easy to stack other support structures. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The goods shipping system relating to this disclosure is a goods shipping system that ships a specified number of goods, which is the number specified by order information, placed on a support, wherein the support can be arranged in multiple layers in the vertical direction, each consisting of a set number of the goods arranged planarly, and comprises a warehouse for storing the support on which one or more of the goods are placed, a removal device for removing the goods from the support, and a stacking device for stacking the goods on the support, wherein when a first support on which a first number of the goods is placed and a second support on which a second number of the goods equal to or greater than the first number is placed are stored in the warehouse, the number of top-surface-flat states is a number determined based on an integer multiple of the set number, within a range in which the top surface of the top layer of the goods on the first support can be considered planar, and is less than or equal to the first number of goods and less than or equal to the specified number, and the number obtained by subtracting the top-surface-flat state number from the specified number is the first remaining required number. If the specified number is equal to or greater than the set number and less than the first number to be placed, the number of articles with a flat top surface is left on the first support, the remaining number of articles obtained by subtracting the number of articles with a flat top surface from the first number to be placed is removed from the first support by the removal device, the first required number of articles from the remaining articles are stacked on another support, the shipping support, by the stacking device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped. If the specified number is greater than the first number to be placed, the number of articles with a flat top surface is left on the first support, the remaining number of articles is removed from the first support by the removal device, the first shortage number of articles obtained by subtracting the remaining number from the first required number is removed from the second support by the removal device, the remaining articles and the first shortage number of articles are stacked on the shipping support by the stacking device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped.
[0007] According to this configuration, when a first support and a second support are stored in a warehouse that stores supports on which goods are placed, whether the specified number specified by the order information is less than or greater than the first number of goods placed on the first support, a first support with a number of goods stacked on it that is in a flat top state can be generated, and the specified number of goods can be shipped using the first support and the shipping support. Here, the number of goods in a flat top state is a number within the range in which the top surface of the group of goods on the uppermost layer of the support can be considered flat, so the generated first support can be a support with multiple goods stacked on it that makes it easy to stack other supports on top of it. Therefore, when transporting a shipped support including the first support, it becomes easy to stack another support, including the shipping support, on top of the multiple goods stacked on the first support, making it easier to efficiently transport the goods after shipment.
[0008] As described above, this configuration makes it possible to appropriately generate a support structure (specifically, a first support structure) on which multiple items are stacked, so that when items are stored in a warehouse with the items placed on the support structure, it is easy to stack other support structures on top of it.
[0009] Further features and advantages of the goods shipping system will become clear from the following description of the embodiment described with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0010] [Figure 1] Conceptual diagram of the goods shipping system according to the embodiment [Figure 2] A diagram showing the first example of the shipping process. [Figure 3] A diagram showing a second example of the shipping process. [Figure 4] A diagram showing a third example of the shipping process. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the fourth example of the shipping process. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the fifth example of the shipping process. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the sixth example of the shipping process. [Figure 8]A diagram showing the seventh example of the shipping process. [Figure 9] Diagram showing the eighth example of the shipping process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0011] Embodiments of the goods shipping system will be described with reference to the drawings. The goods shipping system is a system that ships a specified number of goods, which is the number specified by the order information, placed on a support. Various technical features of the goods shipping system disclosed herein are also applicable to the goods shipping method for shipping a specified number of goods placed on a support, and to the goods shipping program for making a computer function as the goods shipping system (specifically, the control system described later). These goods shipping systems, goods shipping methods, and goods shipping programs, as well as storage media in which the goods shipping programs are stored (for example, computer-readable recording media such as optical discs and flash memory), are also disclosed herein.
[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the goods shipping system 100 includes a warehouse (first warehouse 1 in this embodiment) for storing support bodies P on which one or more goods W are placed, a retrieval device (first work device 21 in this embodiment) for retrieving goods W from the support bodies P, and a stacking device (first work device 21 and second work device 22 in this embodiment) for stacking goods W onto the support bodies P. For example, robots such as articulated robots can be used as the first work device 21 and the second work device 22. In this embodiment, the first warehouse 1 corresponds to the "warehouse", the first work device 21 corresponds to the "retrieval device" and the "stacking device" (specifically, the "stacking device" that stacks goods onto the first support body or storage support body), and the second work device 22 corresponds to the "stacking device" (specifically, the "stacking device" that stacks goods onto the shipping support body).
[0013] In this embodiment, the goods shipping system 100 further includes a second warehouse 2 for storing goods W, a first work area A1, a second work area A2, and a shipping area A3. The first work area A1 is the area where the first work device 21 is located. In the first work area A1, the first work device 21 retrieves goods W from the support P and stacks goods W onto the support P. Note that the first work device 21 may be provided separately as a retrieval device for retrieving goods W from the support P and as a stacking device for stacking goods W onto the support P. The second work area A2 is the area where the second work device 22 is located. In the second work area A2, the second work device 22 stacks goods W onto the support P.
[0014] Shipping area A3 is the area where the shipping of goods W to destinations (e.g., stores or other logistics centers) takes place. Shipping area A3 is, for example, located adjacent to a truck berth. In this embodiment, "shipping" of goods W performed by the goods shipping system 100 means shipping goods W (the goods W to be shipped) to shipping area A3. That is, the destination of goods W shipped by the goods shipping system 100 is shipping area A3, and the goods shipping system 100 brings goods W into shipping area A3. Goods W are brought into shipping area A3 while placed on a support P.
[0015] The goods W brought into shipping area A3 are shipped from shipping area A3 while placed on support P. In this embodiment, the goods W are shipped from shipping area A3 in the form of a stack of multiple support P with the goods W on either side. In Figure 1, shipping area A3 shows a stack of goods in which a second support P2 on which the goods W is placed is stacked in the order of a first support P1 on which the goods W is placed, and a shipping support P4 on which the goods W is placed. The first support P1, the second support P2, and the shipping support P4 will be described later. The stack is loaded onto a truck, train, ship, airplane, etc., and shipped from shipping area A3 to the destination. Shipping area A3 is provided with a stacking device for stacking support P on which the goods W are placed. At least part of the shipping operations for goods W in shipping area A3 (for example, the operation of forming the stack described above and the operation of loading the stack onto a truck, etc.) may be performed by the goods shipping system 100.
[0016] The support P can accommodate multiple layers of item groups WG, each consisting of a set number of items W arranged planarly, stacked vertically in the vertical direction V. For example, a pallet such as a flat pallet can be used as the support P. In this embodiment, as an example, the set number is "12," and 12 items W arranged planarly in a 3x4 grid constitute one layer of item group WG. Figure 1 shows a support P with four layers of item groups WG stacked on top of each other inside the first warehouse 1. That is, 48 items W are placed on this support P. Note that the "WG" designation is omitted for the item groups WG placed on other support Ps in Figure 1, and for the item groups WG placed on each support P in Figures 2 to 9, to avoid complexity.
[0017] The article W is formed with a rectangular parallelepiped shape (including a cubic shape) on the outer shape. And the article W is placed on the support P in a posture where one outer surface faces upward. The article W is placed directly on the support P or is placed on the support P via one or more other articles W arranged below the article W. A plurality of supports P are stored in the first warehouse 1, and one article W is placed on each of the supports P stored in the first warehouse 1, or a plurality of articles W of the same type are placed. Articles W of the same type have the same outer diameter and the same dimensions.
[0018] In the present embodiment, the article W is a container (for example, a cardboard box) for storing a load (goods, etc.), and the type of the article W is determined according to the type of the load stored in the article W. Therefore, one article W storing a load is placed on each of the supports P stored in the first warehouse 1, or a plurality of articles W storing the same type of load are placed.
[0019] The first warehouse 1 is configured to be able to store a plurality of supports P on which one or more articles W are placed. The first warehouse 1 is an automated warehouse (for example, an automated warehouse using a stacker crane) that automatically performs the incoming and outgoing of the support P. The first warehouse 1 can also be configured to be divided into an area where the first support P1 described later is stored and an area where supports P other than the first support P1 are stored. For example, when the first support P1 is preferentially shipped out from the first warehouse 1, such a configuration is suitable.
[0020] The second warehouse 2 is configured to be able to store a plurality of articles W (articles W after being taken out from the support P). The second warehouse 2 is an automated warehouse (for example, an automated warehouse using a shuttle cart) that automatically performs the incoming and outgoing of the article W. The articles W stored in the second warehouse 2 are stacked on the shipping support P4 described later after being shipped out from the second warehouse 2. The articles W stored in the second warehouse 2 are shipped out from the second warehouse 2, for example, in the order of being stacked on the shipping support P4.
[0021] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the goods shipping system 100 includes a first conveying device 11, a second conveying device 12, a third conveying device 13, a fourth conveying device 14, a fifth conveying device 15, a sixth conveying device 16, and a seventh conveying device 17. These conveying devices (11-17) can be, for example, conveyors such as belt conveyors or roller conveyors, or transport vehicles such as automated guided vehicles.
[0022] The first conveying device 11 transports the support P that has been taken out of the first warehouse 1 to the first work area A1. The first conveying device 11 transports the support P on which at least the items W to be shipped are placed from the first warehouse 1 to the first work area A1.
[0023] The second conveying device 12 conveys the support P to be stored in the first warehouse 1 from the first work area A1 to the first warehouse 1. The second conveying device 12 also conveys the support P on which the remaining items W that are not shipped to the shipping area A3 (specifically, the remaining items W that are not transported to either the shipping area A3 or the second warehouse 2) are placed, from the first work area A1 to the first warehouse 1.
[0024] The third conveying device 13 transports goods W to be stored in the second warehouse 2 from the first work area A1 to the second warehouse 2. The third conveying device 13 also transports goods W to be shipped (specifically, goods W that are shipped while placed on the shipping support P4 described later) from the first work area A1 to the second warehouse 2.
[0025] The fourth conveying device 14 transports the goods W that have been released from the second warehouse 2 to the second work area A2. The fourth conveying device 14 transports the goods W to be shipped (specifically, the goods W that are shipped while placed on the shipping support P4 described later) from the second warehouse 2 to the second work area A2.
[0026] The fifth conveying device 15 conveys the support P that has been released from the first warehouse 1 to the shipping area A3. The fifth conveying device 15 conveys the support P on which only the items W to be shipped are placed from the first warehouse 1 to the shipping area A3. The fifth conveying device 15 conveys the support P directly to the shipping area A3 (i.e., without passing through the first work area A1, the second warehouse 2, or the second work area A2).
[0027] The sixth conveying device 16 conveys the support P from the first work area A1 to the shipping area A3. The sixth conveying device 16 conveys the support P, on which only the items W to be shipped are placed, from the first work area A1 to the shipping area A3. The sixth conveying device 16 conveys the support P directly to the shipping area A3 (i.e., without passing through the first warehouse 1, the second warehouse 2, or the second work area A2).
[0028] The seventh conveying device 17 conveys the support P from the second work area A2 to the shipping area A3. The seventh conveying device 17 conveys the support P, on which only the items W to be shipped are placed, from the second work area A2 to the shipping area A3. The seventh conveying device 17 conveys the support P directly to the shipping area A3 (specifically, without passing through the first warehouse 1, the first work area A1, or the second warehouse 2).
[0029] The goods shipping system 100 includes a control system 3 that controls the shipping process of goods W by the goods shipping system 100. The control system 3 includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and peripheral circuits such as memory, and the functions of the control system 3 are realized through the cooperation of hardware such as the arithmetic processing unit and a program executed on that hardware. The control system 3 may be realized not by a single device (for example, a personal computer or workstation), but by multiple devices that can communicate with each other.
[0030] The control system 3 controls the first warehouse 1, the first work device 21, and the second work device 22. In this embodiment, the control system 3 further controls the second warehouse 2, the first conveying device 11, the second conveying device 12, the third conveying device 13, the fourth conveying device 14, the fifth conveying device 15, the sixth conveying device 16, and the seventh conveying device 17. If the above-mentioned stacking device is provided in the shipping area A3, the control system 3 may be configured to control this stacking device.
[0031] The shipping process performed by the goods shipping system 100 is the process of shipping a specified number of goods W, which is the number specified by the order information, by placing them on a support P (one or more support P). In this embodiment, the shipping process ships the specified number of goods W to the shipping area A3. In the shipping process, the specified number of goods W are shipped to the shipping area A3 either placed on a single support P or divided and placed on multiple support P.
[0032] In the goods shipping system 100 of this embodiment, multiple types of goods W are handled. Therefore, the order information specifies the type of goods W (goods type) and the number of goods W of each type (number of items). If the number of goods types included in the order information is multiple, the goods shipping system 100 ships each of the multiple goods types with the specified number of goods W (number of items per type) placed on the support P.
[0033] Order information is generated by the control system 3 or another device capable of communicating with the control system 3 (for example, a higher-level management device of the control system 3). The order information is generated, for example, based on orders from destinations of goods W. The types of goods and the number of goods of each type included in the order information are specified for each destination.
[0034] As described above, the support P can accommodate multiple layers of articles WG, each consisting of a set number of articles W arranged planarly, stacked vertically in the V direction. The "maximum number of articles" that can be placed on the support P is an integer multiple of the set number. In this embodiment, 12 articles W constitute one layer of articles WG, and a maximum of four layer of articles WG can be stacked vertically in the V direction on the support P. Therefore, in this embodiment, the "set number" is "12" and the "maximum number of articles" is "48".
[0035] In this embodiment, there are four numbers that are less than or equal to the maximum number of items that are integer multiples of the set number: "12", "24", "36", and "48". When the number of items W placed on the support P is an integer multiple of the set number (in this embodiment, one of the four numbers above), the uppermost group of items W on the support P is composed of a layered group of items WG, and the top surface of the uppermost group of items W on the support P can be considered as planar. Furthermore, even when the number of items W placed on the support P is not an integer multiple of the set number, it may be possible to arrange the stacked items W on the support P in a way that allows the top surface of the uppermost group of items W to be considered as planar. In particular, when the difference between the number of items W placed on the support P and an integer multiple of the set number is small (for example, when the number of items W placed on the support P is one less than an integer multiple of the set number), the stacked items W on the support P can be arranged in a way that allows the top surface of the uppermost group of items W to be considered as planar. Thus, even if the number of articles W placed on the support P is not an integer multiple of the set number, the upper surface of the uppermost group of articles W on the support P can sometimes be considered planar.
[0036] If the top surface of the uppermost group of articles W on a support P can be considered planar, then other support Ps can be easily stacked on this support P. That is, the range in which the top surface of the uppermost group of articles W can be considered planar (the range of the number of articles W) is defined as the "top surface flat state range," and if the number of articles W placed on the support P falls within the number within the top surface flat state range, then other support Ps can be easily stacked on this support P. The top surface flat state range is determined based on an integer multiple of the set number. In this embodiment, there are four numbers that are less than or equal to the maximum number of articles that are integer multiples of the set number, so four top surface flat state ranges are determined.
[0037] The range of the top surface flat state is set such that, for example, the upper limit is a number that is an integer multiple of the set number, and the lower limit is the value obtained by subtracting the lower limit setting from the number that is an integer multiple of the set number. This lower limit setting is set in advance to a value such as "1" or "2", or to a value obtained by multiplying the set number by a multiplier that is set in advance (for example, a value within the range of 0.05 to 0.2). In this embodiment, for example, if the lower limit setting is set to "1", the numbers (integers) within the top surface flat state range will be eight: "11", "12", "23", "24", "35", "36", "47", and "48".
[0038] The upper surface of the uppermost group of articles W on the support P can be considered planar only when the uppermost group of articles W on the support P is composed of a layered group of articles WG. In this case, the range of top surface flatness is set to include only integer multiples of the set number. In this embodiment, when such a configuration is adopted, the numbers (integers) within the top surface flatness range are "12", "24", "36", and "48". For example, by setting the above lower limit setting value to a value between 0 and 1 (e.g., "0"), the range of top surface flatness can be set to include only integer multiples of the set number.
[0039] In the following, we focus on one type of item W included in the order information. When stored in the first warehouse 1, the support P on which the first number of items W is placed will be referred to as "first support P1". When stored in the first warehouse 1, the support P on which the second number of items W (which is greater than or equal to the first number) is placed will be referred to as "second support P2". When stored in the first warehouse 1, the support P on which the third number of items W (which is greater than or equal to the second number) is placed will be referred to as "third support P3". The first, second, and third numbers of items will all be less than or equal to the maximum number of items that can be placed.
[0040] In addition to support units P on which the maximum number of items W are placed (hereinafter referred to as "fully loaded support units"), support units P on which less than the maximum number of items W are placed (hereinafter referred to as "unloaded support units") may also be stored in the first warehouse 1. For example, if a fully loaded support unit that was stored in the first warehouse 1 is taken out of the first warehouse 1, some of the items W are removed, and then the support unit P is returned to the first warehouse 1, that support unit P becomes an unloaded support unit stored in the first warehouse 1.
[0041] If the number of unloaded supports stored in warehouse 1 is zero, then any three loaded supports stored in warehouse 1 become the first support P1, the second support P2, and the third support P3.
[0042] If there is one unloaded support stored in the first warehouse 1, that unloaded support becomes the first support P1, and any two loaded supports stored in the first warehouse 1 become the second support P2 and the third support P3. In the example shown in Figure 2(a), which will be referenced later, it is assumed that there is one unloaded support stored in the first warehouse 1. In the example shown in Figure 2(a), the first loading count is "42", and the second and third loading counts are "48", so the one unloaded support stored in the first warehouse 1 (a support P on which 42 items W are placed) becomes the first support P1, and the two loaded supports stored in the first warehouse 1 (supports P on which 48 items W are placed) become the second support P2 and the third support P3.
[0043] If there are two unloaded supports stored in the first warehouse 1, the two unloaded supports become the first support P1 and the second support P2, and any one of the loaded supports stored in the first warehouse 1 becomes the third support P3. In this case, the first support P1 and the second support P2 are determined such that the number of articles W placed on the first support P1 is less than or equal to the number of articles W placed on the second support P2.
[0044] If there are three or more unloaded supports stored in the first warehouse 1, any three unloaded supports stored in the first warehouse 1 become the first support P1, the second support P2, and the third support P3. In this case, the first support P1, the second support P2, and the third support P3 are determined such that the number of articles W placed on the second support P2 is less than or equal to the number of articles W placed on the third support P3, and the number of articles W placed on the first support P1 is less than or equal to the number of articles W placed on the second support P2. For example, the three unloaded supports selected in order from the fewest number of articles W placed on them become the first support P1, the second support P2, and the third support P3.
[0045] The goods shipping system 100 can be configured to operate in such a way that the number of unloaded support units stored in the first warehouse 1 may be two or more. However, in this embodiment, the goods shipping system 100 is operated in such a way that the number of unloaded support units stored in the first warehouse 1 is zero or one (i.e., a maximum of one). Therefore, in this embodiment, the second and third loading capacities are the maximum loading capacities (48 in this embodiment).
[0046] The following describes specific examples (eight examples) of shipping processes performed by the goods shipping system 100, with reference to Figures 2 to 9. In the following examples, we focus on one type of goods W included in the order information. However, if there are multiple types of goods included in the order information, the shipping processes described below will be performed for each of the multiple types of goods. In Figures 2 to 9, the conveying devices (11 to 17) and the second work area A2 shown in Figure 1 are omitted, but these conveying devices (11 to 17) and the second work area A2 may be referred to in the following explanation.
[0047] <Example 1> Figure 2 shows a first example of the shipping process. In this example, as shown in Figure 2(a), it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2, in addition to the third support P3, are stored in the first warehouse 1. Also, in this example, it is assumed that the specified quantity is "52". Therefore, if we subtract the second quantity to be stored (=48) from the specified quantity, the "second remaining required quantity" will be "4" (=52-48).
[0048] In this example, we assume that the first loading quantity is "42". Therefore, the specified quantity (=52) is greater than the second loading quantity (=48), and the second remaining required quantity (=4) is less than or equal to the first loading quantity (=42). When the specified quantity is greater than the second loading quantity and the second remaining required quantity is less than or equal to the first loading quantity, the goods shipping system 100 takes the second remaining required quantity of goods W from the first support P1 using the first work device 21, loads the second remaining required quantity of goods W onto the shipping support P4 using the second work device 22, and ships the second support P2 and the shipping support P4. The shipping support P4 is a support P separate from the three supports (P1, P2, P3).
[0049] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2(a), the goods shipping system 100 retrieves the first support P1 and the second support P2 from the first warehouse 1. The goods shipping system 100 then transports the first support P1 to the first work area A1 using the first transport device 11, and transports the second support P2 to the shipping area A3 using the fifth transport device 15.
[0050] Next, as shown in Figure 2(b), the goods shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove the second remaining required number (=4) of goods W from the first support P1 brought into the first work area A1, and uses the third conveying device 13 to transport the removed second remaining required number of goods W to the second warehouse 2 for storage in the second warehouse 2. The first support P1 is left with goods W that are not shipped to the shipping area A3 (in this case, 38 items W). The goods shipping system 100 uses the second conveying device 12 to transport the first support P1 to the first warehouse 1 for re-stored storage in the first warehouse 1. The first support P1 that has been re-stored in the first warehouse 1 becomes the first support P1 again in the next shipping process.
[0051] Although not shown in the diagram, the goods shipping system 100 retrieves the second remaining required number (=4) of goods W from the second warehouse 2 and transports them to the second work area A2 by the fourth conveying device 14. Then, the goods shipping system 100 loads the second remaining required number of goods W that have been brought into the second work area A2 onto the shipping support P4 using the second work device 22, and then transports the shipping support P4 to the shipping area A3 by the seventh conveying device 17. The stacking state of the multiple goods W on the shipping support P4 is preferably such that the top surface of the uppermost layer of goods W can be considered as flat as possible. The shipping support P4 can also be configured to have a mixture of different types of goods W. In this case, for example, multiple types of goods W included in the same order information may be mixed together on one shipping support P4, or multiple types of goods W destined for the same destination from shipping area A3 (for example, multiple types of goods W destined for the same logistics center) may be mixed together on one shipping support P4.
[0052] As the goods shipping system 100 performs the shipping process described above, the second support P2 on which the second required number of goods W (=48) is placed, and the shipping support P4 on which the second remaining required number of goods W (=4) is placed, are transported to the shipping area A3. In other words, the specified number (=52) of goods W are shipped to the shipping area A3 on one or more support P (here, the second support P2 and the shipping support P4). In this example and the following examples, the number of goods W placed on the shipping support P4 (here, the second remaining required number) refers to the number of goods W of the type of goods being focused on here. Therefore, other types of goods W may also be placed on the shipping support P4.
[0053] In this example and the second example (Figure 3) described below, the configuration assumes that the second remaining quantity is small (specifically, when the second remaining quantity is less than the set number), and that all of the second remaining quantity of goods W are shipped on the shipping support P4. However, if the second remaining quantity is large (for example, when the second remaining quantity is equal to or greater than the set number), the second remaining quantity of goods W can be shipped on the first support P1 (specifically, the first support P1 on which the number of goods W in the top-flat state are placed) and the shipping support P4, as described in the third example (Figure 4) and the fourth example (Figure 5) below.
[0054] <Example 2> Figure 3 shows a second example of the shipping process. In this example, as shown in Figure 3(a), it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2, as well as the third support P3, are stored in the first warehouse 1. Also, in this example, it is assumed that the specified quantity is "52". Therefore, the second remaining required quantity is "4" (= 52 - 48). The above points are the same as in the first example (Figure 2).
[0055] In this example, unlike the first example, we assume that the first loading quantity is "3". Therefore, the specified quantity (=52) is greater than the second loading quantity (=48), and the second remaining required quantity (=4) is greater than the first loading quantity (=3). If we define the number obtained by subtracting the first loading quantity from the second remaining required quantity as the "second shortage quantity", then the second shortage quantity is "1" (=4-3). In this case, where the specified quantity is greater than the second loading quantity and the second remaining required quantity is greater than the first loading quantity, the goods shipping system 100 removes the second shortage quantity of goods W from the third support P3 using the first work device 21, loads the first loading quantity of goods W removed from the first support P1 and the second shortage quantity of goods W removed from the third support P3 onto the shipping support P4 using the second work device 22, and ships the second support P2 and the shipping support P4.
[0056] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3(a), the goods shipping system 100 retrieves the first support P1, the second support P2, and the third support P3 from the first warehouse 1. The goods shipping system 100 then transports the first support P1 and the third support P3 to the first work area A1 using the first transport device 11, and transports the second support P2 to the shipping area A3 using the fifth transport device 15.
[0057] Next, as shown in Figure 3(b), the goods shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove all of the first number of goods W (=3) from the first support P1 that has been brought into the first work area A1, and also uses the first work device 21 to remove the second shortage number (=1) of goods W from the third support P3 that has been brought into the first work area A1. The removed second remaining required number of goods W (=first number of goods + second shortage number = 4) are then transported to the second warehouse 2 by the third transport device 13 and stored in the second warehouse 2. The third support P3 is left with goods W that are not shipped to the shipping area A3 (in this case, 47 items W). The goods shipping system 100 uses the second transport device 12 to transport the third support P3 to the first warehouse 1 and stores it back in the first warehouse 1. The third support P3 that has been stored back in the first warehouse 1 becomes the first support P1 in the next shipping process.
[0058] The second remaining required quantity of goods W, which has been stored in the second warehouse 2, is transported to the shipping area A3 on the shipping support P4, just as in the first example. As a result, the second support P2 on which the second required quantity (=48) of goods W is placed, and the shipping support P4 on which the second remaining required quantity (=4) of goods W is placed, are transported to the shipping area A3.
[0059] Furthermore, if the specified number is greater than the second number of items to be placed, and the second remaining required number is greater than the first number of items to be placed, the goods shipping system 100 can be configured to remove the second shortage of items W from the third support P3 using the first work device 21, stack the removed second shortage of items W onto the first support P1 using the first work device 21, and then ship the second support P2 and the first support P1. In the situation shown in Figure 3(a), if such a configuration is adopted, the goods shipping system 100 will remove the second shortage (=1) of items W from the third support P3 that has been brought into the first work area A1 using the first work device 21, and stack the removed second shortage of items W onto the first support P1 that has been brought into the first work area A1 using the first work device 21. The goods shipping system 100 then transports the first support P1, on which the second remaining required number (=4) of goods W are placed, to the shipping area A3 using the sixth transport device 16. As a result, the second support P2, on which the second required number (=48) of goods W are placed, and the first support P1, on which the second remaining required number (=4) of goods W are placed, are transported to the shipping area A3. In other words, the specified number (=52) of goods W are shipped to the shipping area A3 on one or more support P (in this case, the second support P2 and the first support P1).
[0060] <Example 3> Figure 4 shows a third example of the shipping process. In this example, it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1, as shown in Figure 4(a). In this example, it is also assumed that the specified number is "41" and the first number of items to be placed is "42". Here, the number within the top surface flat state range that is less than or equal to the first number of items to be placed and less than or equal to the specified number is defined as the "top surface flat state number". The top surface flat state range is, as described above, the range in which the top surface of the group of items W on the uppermost layer of the support P (in this case, the first support P1) can be considered flat, based on an integer multiple of the set number.
[0061] In this example and the following examples, it is assumed that the top-flat state range is set to include only integer multiples of the set number. Therefore, the numbers within the top-flat state range are "12", "24", "36", and "48". In this example and the following examples, the number within the top-flat state range that is closest to the specified number, which is less than or equal to the first number of units to be placed and less than or equal to the specified number, is defined as the top-flat state number. In this example, the first number of units to be placed is "42", and the specified number is "41", so the top-flat state number is "36". Therefore, if we define the number obtained by subtracting the top-flat state number from the specified number as the "first remaining required number", the first remaining required number is "5" (=41-36). Also, if we define the "remaining number" obtained by subtracting the top-flat state number from the first number of units to be placed as the "remaining number", the remaining number is "6" (=42-36).
[0062] In this example, the specified number (=41) is greater than or equal to the set number (=12) and less than the first loading number (=42). When the specified number is greater than or equal to the set number and less than the first loading number, the goods shipping system 100 leaves the number of goods W in a flat top state on the first support P1, removes the remaining number of goods W from the first support P1 using the first work device 21, loads the first required number of goods W from the remaining number of goods W onto the shipping support P4 using the second work device 22, and ships the first support P1 and the shipping support P4. In addition, in this example, the goods shipping system 100 loads the remaining goods W (after subtracting the first required number of goods W) onto the storage support P5, which is a support P for returning to the first warehouse 1, using the first work device 21, and stores the storage support P5 in the first warehouse 1.
[0063] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4(a), the goods shipping system 100 retrieves the first support P1 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support P1 to the first work area A1 using the first transport device 11.
[0064] Next, as shown in Figure 4(b), the goods shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove the remaining number (=6) of goods W from the first support P1 that has been brought into the first work area A1, and uses the third transport device 13 to transport the first remaining required number (=5) of goods W to the second warehouse 2 for storage. The first support P1 is left with a top-flat number (=36) of goods W. The goods shipping system 100 also uses the first work device 21 to stack the remaining goods W (in this case, 1 item W) after subtracting the first remaining required number of goods W from the remaining goods W onto the storage support P5 (in this case, an empty support P on which no goods W are placed).
[0065] Next, as shown in Figure 4(c), the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support P1 on which the number of goods W with a flat top surface (=36) are placed to the shipping area A3 by the sixth transport device 16, and transports the storage support P5 to the first warehouse 1 by the second transport device 12 and stores it in the first warehouse 1. The storage support P5 stored in the first warehouse 1 becomes the first support P1 in the next shipping process.
[0066] The first remaining required number of items W, which have been received into the second warehouse 2, are transported to the shipping area A3 on the shipping support P4, similar to the first example. As a result, the first support P1, on which items W in a top-flat state (=36) are placed, and the shipping support P4, on which items W in a first remaining required state (=5) are placed, are transported to the shipping area A3. By configuring the first support P1 to be shipped with items W in a top-flat state in this way, the number of operations can be reduced compared to the case where all of the specified number of items W are taken from the first support P1 and stacked on the shipping support P4.
[0067] In this explanation, we have described the case where the goods shipping system 100 performs the above-described shipping process when the specified number is equal to or greater than the set number but less than the first loading number. However, the goods shipping system 100 can also be configured to perform the above-described shipping process when the specified number is equal to the first loading number. In other words, the goods shipping system 100 can also be configured to perform the above-described shipping process when the specified number is equal to or greater than the set number but less than or equal to the first loading number. Naturally, when the specified number is equal to the first loading number, the remaining quantity and the first remaining required quantity will be equal, so no goods W will be stacked on the storage support P5.
[0068] Furthermore, while this example illustrates a case where the number of items within the top-flat state range is the number closest to the specified number, which is less than or equal to the first number of items to be placed and less than or equal to the specified number, the configuration is not limited to "the number closest to the specified number." For example, in this example, if the number of items within the top-flat state range is the number second closest to the specified number, which is less than or equal to the first number of items to be placed and less than or equal to the specified number, then the number of items in the top-flat state will be "24" instead of "36." In this case, the first support P1 on which items W with a top-flat state number (=24) are placed, and the shipping support P4 on which items W with the first remaining required number (=17) are placed, will be transported to the shipping area A3. Furthermore, in this example, if the range of top-surface flat states is set so that there are eight such ranges of top-surface flat states ("11", "12", "23", "24", "35", "36", "47", and "48"), and the second closest number is used as the number of top-surface flat states as described above, then the number of top-surface flat states will be "35" instead of "36". In this case, the first support P1 on which the number of top-surface flat states (=35) of items W is placed, and the first remaining required number (=6) of items W is placed on the shipping support P4, will be transported to the shipping area A3.
[0069] <Example 4> Figure 5 shows a fourth example of the shipping process. In this example, as shown in Figure 5(a), it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1. Also, in this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "43" and the first number of units to be placed is "42". Therefore, in this example, as with the third example, the number of units with a flat top surface is "36", and the remaining number is "6" (=42-36). On the other hand, in this example, unlike the third example, the first remaining required number is "7" (=43-36). Therefore, if we subtract the remaining number from the first remaining required number and define the "first shortage", the first shortage is "1" (=7-6).
[0070] In this example, the specified number (=43) is greater than or equal to the set number (=12) and greater than the first loading number (=42). When the specified number is greater than the first loading number, the goods shipping system 100 leaves the number of goods W in the top-flat state on the first support P1, removes the remaining number of goods W from the first support P1 using the first work device 21, removes the first shortage number of goods W from the second support P2 using the first work device 21, stacks the remaining number of goods W and the first shortage number of goods W on the shipping support P4 using the second work device 22, and ships the first support P1 and the shipping support P4.
[0071] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5(a), the goods shipping system 100 retrieves the first support P1 and the second support P2 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support P1 and the second support P2 to the first work area A1 using the first transport device 11.
[0072] Next, as shown in Figure 5(b), the goods shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove the remaining number (=6) of goods W from the first support P1 that has been brought into the first work area A1, and also removes the first shortage number (=1) of goods W from the second support P2 that has been brought into the first work area A1. The removed first remaining required number (=remaining number + first shortage number = 7) of goods W are then transported to the second warehouse 2 by the third transport device 13 and stored in the second warehouse 2. The first support P1 is left with the number of goods W in the top flat state (=36), and the second support P2 is left with goods W that will not be shipped to the shipping area A3 (in this case, 47 goods W).
[0073] Next, as shown in Figure 5(c), the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support P1 on which the number of goods W with a flat top surface (=36) are placed to the shipping area A3 by the sixth transport device 16, and transports the second support P2 to the first warehouse 1 by the second transport device 12 and stores it in the first warehouse 1. The second support P2, which has been stored in the first warehouse 1, becomes the first support P1 in the next shipping process.
[0074] The first remaining required number of items W, which have been stored in the second warehouse 2, are transported to the shipping area A3 on the shipping support P4, similar to the first example. As a result, the first support P1 on which items W in the top-flat state (=36) are placed, and the shipping support P4 on which items W in the first remaining required number (=7) are placed, are transported to the shipping area A3.
[0075] <Example 5> Figure 6 shows the fifth example of the shipping process. In this example, it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1, as shown in Figure 6(a). In this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "23" and the first number of items to be placed is "24". Here, the value set to be greater than or equal to the set number and less than the second number of items to be placed is called the "threshold". The threshold is set, for example, to an integer multiple of the set number (=12). In this example and the sixth example (Figure 7) described below, it is assumed that the threshold is set to "24", which is twice the set number.
[0076] In this example, the specified number (=23) is less than the threshold (=24) and less than the first loading number (=24). When the specified number is less than the threshold and less than the first loading number, the goods shipping system 100 takes the specified number of goods W from the first support P1 using the first working device 21, loads them onto the shipping support P4 using the second working device 22, and ships the shipping support P4.
[0077] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6(a), the goods shipping system 100 retrieves the first support P1 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support P1 to the first work area A1 using the first transport device 11.
[0078] Next, as shown in Figure 6(b), the goods shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove a specified number (=23) of goods W from the first support P1 brought into the first work area A1, and uses the third conveying device 13 to transport the removed specified number of goods W to the second warehouse 2 for storage in the second warehouse 2. One item W (in this case, one item W) remains on the first support P1 and is not shipped to the shipping area A3. The goods shipping system 100 uses the second conveying device 12 to transport the first support P1 to the first warehouse 1 for re-stored storage in the first warehouse 1. The first support P1 that has been re-stored in the first warehouse 1 will remain the first support P1 in the next shipping process.
[0079] The specified number of items W stored in warehouse 2 are transported to shipping area A3 on shipping support P4, similar to the first example. As a result, shipping support P4s with the specified number (=23) of items W are transported to shipping area A3.
[0080] In this explanation, we have described the case where the goods shipping system 100 performs the above-described shipping process when the specified number is less than the threshold and less than the first loading quantity. However, the goods shipping system 100 can also be configured to perform the above-described shipping process when the specified number is less than the threshold and equal to the first loading quantity. In other words, the goods shipping system 100 can also be configured to perform the above-described shipping process when the specified number is less than the threshold and less than or equal to the first loading quantity.
[0081] <Example 6> Figure 7 shows the sixth example of the shipping process. In this example, it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1, as shown in Figure 7(a). In this example, it is also assumed that the specified number is "23", the first number of items to be placed is "22", and the threshold is set to "24".
[0082] In this example, the specified number (=23) is less than the threshold (=24) and greater than the first loading number (=22). When the specified number is less than the threshold and greater than the first loading number, the goods shipping system 100 takes the specified number of goods W from the first support P1 and the second support P2 using the first working device 21, stacks them on the shipping support P4 using the second working device 22, and ships the shipping support P4.
[0083] Specifically, as shown in Figure 7(a), the goods shipping system 100 retrieves the first support P1 and the second support P2 from the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support P1 and the second support P2 to the first work area A1 using the first transport device 11.
[0084] Next, as shown in Figure 7(b), the goods shipping system 100 uses the first work device 21 to remove a first number of items W (=22) from the first support P1 brought into the first work area A1, and also uses the first work device 21 to remove a number of items W equal to the specified number minus the first number of items (=1) from the second support P2 brought into the first work area A1. The total number of items W removed, which is the specified number (=23), is then transported to the second warehouse 2 by the third transport device 13 and stored in the second warehouse 2. Items W that are not shipped to the shipping area A3 (in this case, 47 items W) remain on the second support P2. The goods shipping system 100 uses the second transport device 12 to transport the second support P2 to the first warehouse 1 and stores it back in the first warehouse 1. The second support P2 that has been stored back in the first warehouse 1 becomes the first support P1 in the next shipping process.
[0085] The specified number of items W stored in warehouse 2 are transported to shipping area A3 on shipping support P4, similar to the first example. As a result, shipping support P4s with the specified number (=23) of items W are transported to shipping area A3.
[0086] <Example 7> Figure 8 shows the seventh example of the shipping process. In this example, it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1, as shown in Figure 8. In this example, it is assumed that the specified number is "24", the first number of items to be placed is "24", and the number of items within the top-flat state range is "12", "24", "36", and "48". In this example, since both the first number of items to be placed and the specified number are "24", the number of items with a flat top surface is "24".
[0087] In this example, the specified number (=24) is the same as the first number of items to be placed (=24), and the first number of items to be placed (=24) is the number of items in the top-flat state (=24). The goods shipping system 100 ships the first support P1 when the specified number is the same as the first number of items to be placed and the first number of items to be placed is the number of items in the top-flat state. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the goods shipping system 100 takes the first support P1 out of the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the first support P1 to the shipping area A3 using the fifth transport device 15. As a result, the first support P1 on which the specified number (=24) of items W are placed is transported to the shipping area A3.
[0088] <Example 8> Figure 9 shows the eighth example of the shipping process. In this example, it is assumed that at least the first support P1 and the second support P2 are stored in the first warehouse 1, as shown in Figure 9. In this example, it is also assumed that the specified number is "48".
[0089] In this example, the specified number (=48) is the same as the second loading number (=48). When the specified number is the same as the second loading number, the goods shipping system 100 ships the second support P2. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the goods shipping system 100 takes the second support P2 out of the first warehouse 1. Then, the goods shipping system 100 transports the second support P2 to the shipping area A3 using the fifth transport device 15. As a result, the second support P2 with the specified number (=48) of goods W loaded on it is transported to the shipping area A3.
[0090] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, a configuration was described as in which the articles W stacked on the shipping support P4 are stored in the second warehouse 2 and then transported to the second work area A2. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the articles W stacked on the shipping support P4 can also be transported to the second work area A2 without going through the second warehouse 2 (for example, directly). In this case, the articles shipping system 100 does not need to have a second warehouse 2.
[0091] (2) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the stacking of articles W onto the shipping support P4 is performed in the second work area A2 was described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the stacking of articles W onto the shipping support P4 is performed in the first work area A1 is also possible. In this case, the article shipping system 100 does not need to have the second work area A2. When the stacking of articles W onto the shipping support P4 is performed in the first work area A1 in this way, a configuration in which the stacking of articles W onto the shipping support P4 is performed by the first work device 21 instead of the second work device 22 is also possible. In this case, the article shipping system 100 does not need to have the second work device 22.
[0092] (3) The configurations disclosed in each of the embodiments described above can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of embodiments described as other embodiments), as long as no inconsistencies arise. With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.
[0093] [Summary of this embodiment] The following is a summary of the embodiments of the goods shipping system described above.
[0094] The goods shipping system is a goods shipping system that ships a specified number of goods, which is the number specified by order information, placed on a support, wherein the support can be arranged in multiple layers in the vertical direction, each consisting of a set number of the goods arranged planarly, and comprises a warehouse for storing the support on which one or more of the goods are placed, a removal device for removing the goods from the support, and a stacking device for stacking the goods on the support, wherein when a first support on which a first number of the goods is placed and a second support on which a second number of the goods, which is equal to or greater than the first number, is stored in the warehouse, the number of items that can be considered to have a flat top surface is determined based on an integer multiple of the set number, and the number that is less than or equal to the first number and less than or equal to the specified number is defined as the number of items with a flat top surface, and the number obtained by subtracting the number of items with a flat top surface from the specified number is defined as the first remaining required number, If the specified number is equal to or greater than the set number and less than the first number to be placed, the number of articles in the top-flat state is left on the first support, the remaining number of articles obtained by subtracting the number of articles in the top-flat state from the first number to be placed is removed from the first support by the removal device, the first required number of articles from the remaining articles is stacked on another support, the shipping support, by the stacking device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped. If the specified number is greater than the first number to be placed, the number of articles in the top-flat state is left on the first support, the remaining number of articles is removed from the first support by the removal device, the first shortage number of articles obtained by subtracting the remaining number from the first required number is removed from the second support by the removal device, the remaining articles and the first shortage number of articles are stacked on the shipping support by the stacking device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped.
[0095] According to this configuration, when a first support and a second support are stored in a warehouse that stores supports on which goods are placed, whether the specified number specified by the order information is less than or greater than the first number of goods placed on the first support, a first support with a number of goods stacked on it that is in a flat top state can be generated, and the specified number of goods can be shipped using the first support and the shipping support. Here, the number of goods in a flat top state is a number within the range in which the top surface of the group of goods on the uppermost layer of the support can be considered flat, so the generated first support can be a support with multiple goods stacked on it that makes it easy to stack other supports on top of it. Therefore, when transporting a shipped support including the first support, it becomes easy to stack another support, including the shipping support, on top of the multiple goods stacked on the first support, making it easier to efficiently transport the goods after shipment.
[0096] As described above, this configuration makes it possible to appropriately generate a support structure (specifically, a first support structure) on which multiple items are stacked, so that when items are stored in a warehouse with the items placed on the support structure, it is easy to stack other support structures on top of it.
[0097] Here, in addition to the first and second supports, if a third support on which a third number of articles equal to or greater than the second number of articles is placed is stored in the warehouse, the number obtained by subtracting the second number of articles from the designated number is defined as the second remaining required number. If the designated number is greater than the second number of articles and the second remaining required number is less than or equal to the first number of articles, the second remaining required number of articles is removed from the first support by the removal device, the second remaining required number of articles is stacked on the shipping support by the stacking device, the second support and the shipping support are shipped, and the designated number is the second number of articles. If the number is greater than the number of remaining items, and the second remaining required number is greater than the number of items to be placed, it is preferable to remove the second shortage number of items, which is the number obtained by subtracting the first placed number from the second remaining required number, from the third support using the removal device, stack the items of the first placed number removed from the first support and the second shortage number of items removed from the third support onto the shipping support using the stacking device, or stack the items of the second shortage number removed from the third support onto the first support using the stacking device, and then ship the second support and the shipping support or the first support.
[0098] With this configuration, even if the specified number of items specified by the order information is greater than the second number of items placed on the second support, the specified number of items can be shipped using the second support and the shipping support, or using the second support and the first support. In this case, the second remaining required number of items, which is the specified number minus the second number of items placed, is preferentially allocated from the items placed on the first support among the first and third supports. Therefore, it is easier to keep the number of supports with fewer items placed on them in the warehouse low. As a result, it is easier to keep the number of supports that need to be taken out of the warehouse to ship the specified number of items low.
[0099] Furthermore, the second number of items to be placed is preferably the maximum number of items that can be placed on the support, and is an integer multiple of the set number.
[0100] With this configuration, the support on which fractional items less than the maximum value are placed can be limited to only the first support. Therefore, it is easier to keep the number of support units that need to be taken out of the warehouse to ship a specified number of items low. Furthermore, with this configuration, the second support unit can be made into a support unit on which multiple items are stacked in a way that makes it easy to stack other support units on top of it. Therefore, even when shipping the second support unit as is, it becomes easy to stack another support unit on top of the multiple items stacked on the second support unit, making it easier to efficiently transport the items after shipment.
[0101] Furthermore, it is preferable to have a configuration in which, if the specified number is the same as the first number of units to be mounted and the first number of units to be mounted is the number of units in the top-surface-flat state, the first support is shipped, and if the specified number is the same as the second number of units to be mounted, the second support is shipped.
[0102] With this configuration, when the specified number is the same as the first number of items with a flat top surface, or when the specified number is the same as the second number of items, the specified number of items can be shipped quickly.
[0103] Furthermore, it is preferable to configure the system such that the remaining items, after subtracting the first required number of items from the remaining number of items, are stacked by the stacking device onto a storage support which is a support for returning to the warehouse, and the storage support is stored in the warehouse.
[0104] With this configuration, after a specified number of items have been shipped, any remaining items can be stored in a warehouse while placed on the storage support. Therefore, when shipping the next specified number of items, the storage support stored in the warehouse can be used as the first support.
[0105] Furthermore, it is preferable to configure the system so that, with a threshold value set to be greater than or equal to the set number but less than the second number of items to be placed, if the specified number is less than the threshold value and less than the first number of items to be placed, the specified number of items are taken out of the first support by the retrieval device and stacked on the shipping support by the stacking device, and the shipping support is shipped. If the specified number is less than the threshold value and greater than the first number of items to be placed, the specified number of items are taken out of the first and second supports by the retrieval device and stacked on the shipping support by the stacking device, and the shipping support is shipped.
[0106] Although multiple items are stacked on the first support in a way that facilitates stacking other supports, if the height of the items stacked on the first support is too low, when transporting the shipped items in a stacked state with the items sandwiched between multiple supports, including the first support, the ratio of the total height (total thickness) of the multiple supports to the height of the stack becomes large, which can reduce the transport efficiency of the shipped items. In this regard, with this configuration, if the specified number specified by the order information is below a threshold, the specified number of items can be shipped using the shipping support instead of the first support. Therefore, by appropriately setting the threshold, the first support with an excessively low height of stacked items can be prevented from being shipped, making it less likely for the transport efficiency of shipped items to decrease as described above.
[0107] Furthermore, with this configuration, if the specified number of items specified by the order information is below a threshold, the specified number of items can be shipped using the shipping support instead of the first support. Therefore, by appropriately setting the threshold, it is possible to make it less likely that the specified number of items will be shipped on multiple supports (for example, the first support and the shipping support) even if the specified number is small.
[0108] The goods shipping system described in this disclosure only needs to achieve at least one of the effects described above. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0109] 1: Warehouse No. 1 (Warehouse) 21: 1st work device (unloading device, loading device) 22: Second working device (stacking device) 100: Goods shipping system P: Support P1: 1st support P2: Second support P3: Third support P4: Shipping support P5:Storage support V: Vertical direction W:Goods WG: layered products group
Claims
1. A shipping system for goods that ships a specified number of items, which are specified in the order information, by placing them on a support structure. The support can be configured to arrange multiple layers of stacked articles, each consisting of a set number of articles arranged in a planar manner, in the vertical direction. A warehouse for storing the support on which one or more of the aforementioned articles are placed, A removal device for removing the article from the support, The device comprises a stacking device for stacking the aforementioned articles onto the support, When a first support on which a first number of the articles is placed and a second support on which a second number of the articles equal to or greater than the first number is placed are stored in the warehouse, A number determined based on an integer multiple of the aforementioned setting number, within the range in which the upper surface of the group of articles on the uppermost layer of the first support can be considered flat, wherein the number is less than or equal to the first number of items to be placed and less than or equal to the specified number, and the number obtained by subtracting the number of items in the flat state from the specified number is the first remaining required number. If the specified number is equal to or greater than the set number and less than the first number to be placed, the number of articles in the top-flat state is left on the first support, the remaining number of articles obtained by subtracting the number of articles in the top-flat state from the first number to be placed is removed from the first support by the removal device, the first required number of articles from the remaining number of articles is stacked on another support, which is the shipping support, by the stacking device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped. If the specified number is greater than the first number to be placed, the number of articles in the top-flat position is left on the first support, the remaining number of articles is removed from the first support by the removal device, the first shortage number of articles, which is the number obtained by subtracting the remaining number from the first required number, is removed from the second support by the removal device, the remaining number of articles and the first shortage number of articles are stacked on the shipping support by the stacking device, and the first support and the shipping support are shipped, an article shipping system.
2. In addition to the first support and the second support, a third support on which a third number of the articles, which is equal to or greater than the second number, is placed is stored in the warehouse, The number obtained by subtracting the second number to be placed from the aforementioned designated number is taken as the second remaining required number. If the specified number is greater than the second number to be placed and the second remaining required number is less than or equal to the first number to be placed, the second remaining required number of articles is removed from the first support by the removal device, the second remaining required number of articles is stacked on the shipping support by the stacking device, and the second support and the shipping support are shipped. If the specified number is greater than the second number of items to be placed and the second remaining required number is greater than the first number of items to be placed, the second shortage of items, which is the number obtained by subtracting the first number of items to be placed from the second remaining required number, is taken out of the third support by the taking device, the items of the first number of items taken out of the first support and the items of the second shortage taken out of the third support are stacked on the shipping support by the stacking device, or the items of the second shortage taken out of the third support are stacked on the first support by the stacking device, and the second support and the shipping support or the first support are shipped, the article shipping system according to claim 1.
3. The article shipping system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second number of items to be placed is the maximum number of items that can be placed on the support, and is an integer multiple of the set number.
4. If the specified number is the same as the first number of mountings and the first number of mountings is the number of top-surface-flat states, the first support is shipped. The article shipping system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specified number is the same as the second number of items to be placed, and the second support is shipped.
5. The article shipping system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the remaining articles obtained by subtracting the first required number of articles from the remaining number of articles are stacked by the stacking device onto a storage support which is a support for returning to the warehouse, and the storage support is stored in the warehouse.
6. A value set to be greater than or equal to the aforementioned number and less than the second number of items to be placed is used as the threshold. If the specified number is less than the threshold and less than the first number to be placed, the specified number of articles are removed from the first support by the removal device and stacked on the shipping support by the stacking device, and the shipping support is shipped. The article shipping system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the specified number is less than the threshold and greater than the first number of items to be placed, the specified number of articles are taken out from the first support and the second support by the retrieval device and stacked on the shipping support by the stacking device, and the shipping support is shipped.