Delivery system

Abstract

To provide a delivery system capable of preventing a worker from mistakenly packing too much or too little collection bags into a shipping pack, in a manual operation.SOLUTION: A delivery system of the present invention includes a first conveyor that moves collection bags stored in a circulation box and containing one to multiple ordered items, and a second conveyor for moving a shipment pack containing an appropriate number of the collection bags by transferring the collection bags to the shipment pack. And in order to properly transfer the collection bags from the circulation box to the shipping pack, the collection bags to be transferred are identified by the color of a coloring means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0002]

[0001] The present invention relates to a collection and delivery system for personal home delivery and the like.

Background Art

[0002] At a large-scale logistics center, items picked for each individual are set in the collection bag for that individual. Further, the individual collection bags thus set are grouped together in the same direction (for the same delivery area, etc. for a small-scale logistics center described later) and set in a large box called a shipping pack (such as a folding container). At this time, for normal-temperature items, they are put into a folding container, and for refrigerated or frozen items, they are put into a cooler box containing a cold-insulating agent suitable for that temperature. This is loaded onto a delivery cage truck and then loaded onto a large truck and delivered to small-scale logistics centers provided in each area. Next, at the small-scale logistics center (delivery center for individual deliveries), the collection bags for individuals are taken out from the aforementioned folding containers and cooler boxes and delivered to each individual.

[0003] That is, in picking at a large-scale logistics center, the items of an order are picked from a picking rack (flow rack) containing the goods for each individual's order. The multiple picked items are stored in one collection bag as one order, and these are grouped together as shipping packs by direction (area) and put into a folding container or a cooler box.

[0004] It is convenient to store the aforementioned collection bags for individuals in a shipping pack in units of residential areas, condominiums, etc. To store these multiple collection bags in a shipping pack, workers put the collection bags conveyed by a conveyor into each shipping pack one by one in a predetermined number. <00oooo16>

[0005] Warehouse management systems such as WMS (Warehouse Management System) (or WCS: Warehouse Control System) use computer control to manage the number of items in each ordered item bag that are placed into a shipping pack. The shipping packs are then transported to the delivery area and delivered to individual customers by truck or other means.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a sorting device comprising a host computer, a delivery facility having an incoming goods confirmation means for confirming incoming goods and a sorting area having multiple sorting locations, and an easy-to-inspect label having specific information necessary for identifying storage cases that contain goods sorted in the sorting area. The invention is characterized in that the storage cases containing the goods distributed to the sorting area based on the goods information confirmed by the incoming goods confirmation means and the easy-to-inspect labels, each having different information, are associated by an association means, and the sorted goods are inspected. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-191119 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, the process of placing the collection bags into shipping packs was a manual one, requiring workers to check labels attached to the bags indicating destinations, which meant there was a risk of mistakes, such as overfilling or underfilling.

[0009] Furthermore, there was a problem in that workers had to decide for themselves when to switch to putting the collection bags into the shipping packs, which increased their workload. In particular, since the work of workers putting the collection bags into the shipping packs is done manually, there is a possibility that mistakes may occur, such as putting in too much or too little.

[0010] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a delivery system that can eliminate the possibility of workers mistakenly filling too many or too few bags of collected items into shipping packs, which is a manual process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above problems, a delivery system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a delivery system comprising a first conveyor for moving collection bags containing one to multiple ordered items stored in a circulation box, and a second conveyor for transferring an appropriate number of the collection bags to a shipping pack and moving it, wherein the first conveyor is equipped with an identifier detection unit, and the system has a notification means that performs a countdown and notifies the user when the identifier detection unit detects an identifier attached to the circulation box containing the collection bags, so that an appropriate number of collection bags are stored in the shipping pack.

[0012] In a second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect may be characterized by using color means to identify the collection bags to be transferred in order to properly transfer them from the recycling box to the shipping pack.

[0013] To solve the above problems, a third aspect of the present invention provides a delivery system comprising a first conveyor for moving collection bags containing one to multiple ordered items stored in a circulation box, and a second conveyor for transferring an appropriate number of the collection bags to a shipping pack and moving it, characterized in that the collection bags to be transferred are identified by color means in order to properly transfer the collection bags from the circulation box to the shipping pack.

[0014] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the first conveyor may be equipped with an identifier detection unit, and a notification means which performs a countdown and notifies the system when the identifier detection unit detects an identifier attached to a circulation box containing the collection bags, so that an appropriate number of collection bags are stored in the shipping pack.

[0015] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the notification means may be characterized by using one or more of the following: a notification means that displays characters using a liquid crystal panel, a light bulb, a discharge tube, an LED, a self-illuminating panel using a thin LED, and a notification means that uses a projection device, and a notification means that uses sound.

[0016] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the color means may be characterized by being a means capable of distinguishing colors using a light bulb, a discharge tube, an LED, a self-illuminating device using a thin LED, and a projection device.

[0017] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the second embodiment may be characterized by the inclusion of a camera for imaging the collection bag and monitoring for any items that have been left behind.

[0018] In the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, a weighing scale is provided to measure weight, and if the weight of the recycling box is heavier than a predetermined amount, it is determined that the collection bag has been forgotten.

[0019] In a ninth aspect of the present invention, the second aspect may be characterized by having a stop control unit that performs control to stop the first conveyor in the event that an item is forgotten.

[0020] In a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a second embodiment, the system may be equipped with an overall control computer, which separates the collection bags according to delivery attributes and identifies the shipping packs according to the delivery attributes using the color means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] Since the work of the operator who puts the collected product bags into the shipping packs is manual, mistakes such as over-packing or under-packing will no longer occur. In addition, the operator can improve work efficiency by simply looking at the identification display to determine the timing for switching the input of the collected product bags into the shipping packs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] This is a schematic configuration diagram of the delivery system of this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of the overall control computer of this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display of the guide lamp of this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the countdown display of this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the countdown display of this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is explanatory diagram (3) for explaining the countdown display of this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is explanatory diagram (4) for explaining the countdown display of this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is explanatory diagram (5) for explaining the countdown display of this embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram when the collected product bags are packed into the shipping packs of this embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the identifier attached to the circulation box of this embodiment. [Figure 11] This is explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the error detection of this embodiment. A [Figure 12] This is explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the error detection of this embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the guide lamp of this embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the countdown of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The devices and methods described are examples for realizing the technical idea of ​​the invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to those described below. Various modifications can be made to the technical idea of ​​the present invention within the scope of the claims. In particular, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and do not differ from reality. Parts that are already known technology are omitted from the explanation. In this example, the left-right direction refers to the left-right direction when viewing the delivery system 1 from the front. Similarly, the up-down direction is defined as the floor being the down direction and the higher side being the up direction when viewed from the front. Similarly, the front-back direction is defined as the front being the near side and the back being the rear direction when viewed from the front, and coordinates are shown in the drawings as necessary.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the delivery system 1. As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the delivery system 1 moves a circulation box 10 containing collection bags S from upstream to downstream (from left to right in the figure) of the first conveyor 40. Each collection bag S contains one to multiple ordered items in a plastic bag for each individual delivery unit.

[0025] Worker H takes the collection bag S from the recycling box 10 and places the collection bag S into the shipping pack 20. The shipping pack 20 is made by placing one or more collection bags S from the recycling box 10 according to the instructions. These instructions are managed by the overall control computer 60, and the bags may be grouped by region (for example, within the same apartment building) before being placed into the shipping packs.

[0026] Once the collection bag S is removed, the empty recycling box 10 moves further downstream (to the right in the diagram) on the first conveyor belt 40. The recycling box 10 is equipped with an identifier (IC tag, RFID, etc.).

[0027] Upstream (to the left in Figure 1) from the position where worker H transfers the collection bag S, an identifier detection unit 68a is located on the base 68. When the identifier 11 of this circulation box 10 is read and it is to be placed into the same shipping pack 20, the delivery system 1 changes the color of the guide lamp 80, which has, for example, one function as a color means, to red, and reduces the number displayed on the display unit 30, which has, for example, one function as a notification means, by one. The guide lamp 80 is equipped with a red lamp 81 and a blue lamp 82. As a result, collection bags S to be placed into the same shipping pack 20 can be identified by the red lamp 81, so worker H can confirm them reliably. When it is time to switch to the next shipping pack 20, collection bags S following the red lamp 81 are grouped by the blue lamp 82. In other words, the group with the red lamp is followed by the group with the blue lamp, and so on.

[0028] Meanwhile, the shipping pack 20, which has been transported by the second conveyor 50, remains stopped at the shipping pack stop position 51 until a countdown synchronized with the timing of removing the collection bags S starts from "5" (in this example, we will explain using the example of storing 5 collection bags S in the shipping pack 20) ​​and ends with "1". In terms of the guide lamp 68, this corresponds to the time when all the collection bags S indicated by the red lamp 81 have been placed into the shipping pack 20. When the countdown reaches "1", it is determined that all the predetermined collection bags S have been placed into the shipping pack 20, and the stopped shipping pack 20 moves downstream (rearward in Figure 1) by the third conveyor 52. Meanwhile, the second conveyor 50 moves, and the next shipping pack 20 moves to the stop position 51 and stops there.

[0029] The countdown reset is controlled by the overall control computer 60. Alternatively, worker H can press the reset unit 70 to reset the current countdown and start the next one. In other words, the number displayed on the display unit 30 is set to a new number (for example, "7").

[0030] The guide lamp 80 can be any means that can distinguish colors as a means of color, for example, a light bulb, discharge tube, or LED that functions as a lamp, or a panel-type display device using a thin LED, or a projection device such as a projector.

[0031] Furthermore, the display unit 30 is a character notification means that displays the countdown function in numbers, but any means that can notify a countdown is acceptable. For example, the means may be a notification means that displays characters using a liquid crystal panel, a light bulb, a discharge tube, an LED, a self-emissive panel using a thin LED, or a projection device such as a projector, or a notification means that counts down numbers aloud.

[0032] Refer to Figure 2, a block diagram of the overall control computer 60 in this embodiment. The delivery system 1 is configured with an overall control computer 60, which acts as a control unit that displays a countdown and controls the operation of the first conveyor, the second conveyor, and the third conveyor. The overall control computer 60 also pre-schedules the number of collection bags S to be packed into the shipping pack 20. A collection bag S is a bag in which all ordered goods are placed together.

[0033] This overall control computer 60 is configured with a CPU 61 (Central Processing Unit) that controls the display of the display unit 30, a ROM 63 (Read-only Memory) that stores control programs and the like that run on the CPU 61, and a RAM 62 for temporarily storing various data.

[0034] Furthermore, the overall control computer 60 includes a counting unit 64 that counts numbers on the condition that it detects that the circulation box 10 containing the collection bags S has passed. The numbers counted by this counting unit 64 are then processed by the overall control computer 60. butThe value obtained by subtracting the number of collection bags S to be placed into the initially set shipping pack 20 (in this example, we will explain assuming "5") is displayed on the display unit 66 via the display processing unit 65.

[0035] The overall control computer 60 also includes a timing unit 67, an identifier detection unit 68, a reset unit 70, error detection units 69 and 69a, and a guide lamp 80.

[0036] The timing unit 67 measures time, specifically the countdown time from the start of the countdown to the start of the next countdown. This countdown time can be set to match the transport time of the collection bags S carried by the first conveyor 40. However, the timing unit 67 may be omitted, and the countdown may be executed when the identifier detection unit 68 detects the identifier 11 of the circulation box 10. In this case, the overall control computer 60 will control the movement speed of the circulation box 10 on the first conveyor, taking into account the work speed of the worker H.

[0037] The identifier detection unit 68 reads the identifier (ID tag, RFID, etc.) attached to the circulation box 10 and notifies the counting unit 64. This triggers the countdown to begin.

[0038] The error detection unit 69 is an imaging camera that detects if an employee forgets to take the collection bag S and that items remain in the circulation box 10, and notifies the employee H, etc. Alternatively, the weight of the circulation box 10 may be measured, and if it exceeds a predetermined threshold, the employee H, etc. may be notified that the collection bag S has been forgotten.

[0039] The reset unit 70 is reset when a designated collection bag S is transferred to the shipping pack 20. A new countdown begins at the timing of this reset.

[0040] The guide lamps 80 change color to red or blue for each group of identical shipping packs 20. The guide lamps 80 are equipped with red lamps 81 and blue lamps 82. This allows worker H to reliably identify collection bags S to be placed into the same shipping pack 20 by the red lamp 81. Furthermore, the overall control computer 60 groups collection bags S that follow the red lamp 81 with the blue lamp 82.

[0041] Refer to Figure 3. This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the display of the guide lamp 80 in this embodiment. The panel is equipped with a red lamp 81 and a blue lamp 82.

[0042] Refer to Figure 4. This is an explanatory diagram (1) illustrating the countdown display in this embodiment. First, the overall control computer 60 reads the number of collection bags S to be placed in the shipping pack 20 and displays it on the display unit 66. In this example, the case in which "5" collection bags S1 to S5 are placed in the shipping pack 20 is described.

[0043] The first conveyor belt 40 moves from upstream to downstream (from left to right in Figure 1), and the collection bags S1 are taken out of the circulation box 10 and placed into the shipping pack 20. The circulation box 10 moves downstream empty. The identifier 11 attached to the circulation box 10 is detected by the upstream identifier detection unit 68.

[0044] Refer to Figure 5. This is an explanatory diagram (2) illustrating the countdown display in this embodiment. The timing unit 67, having received information detected by the identifier detection unit 68, measures a predetermined time and then notifies the count unit 64 of the information.

[0045] The counting unit 64 counts "1" and subtracts "1" from the initial set value "5". Then, the display processing unit 65 displays the calculated result "4" on the display unit 66.

[0046] While this countdown is underway, the next collection bag S2 moves along the first conveyor belt from upstream to downstream.

[0047] Worker H takes out the collection bag S2 from the recycling box 10 and places it in the shipping pack 20.

[0048] The empty circulation box 10 moves downstream. Meanwhile, on the upstream side, the identifier detection unit 68 detects the identifier (ID tag, RFID, etc.) attached to the circulation box 10.

[0049] Refer to Figure 6. This is an explanatory diagram (3) illustrating the countdown display in this embodiment. The timing unit 67, having received information detected by the identifier detection unit 68, measures a predetermined time and then notifies the count unit 64 of the information.

[0050] The counting unit 64 counts "2" and subtracts "2" from the initial set value "5". Then, the display processing unit 65 displays the calculated result "3" on the display unit 66.

[0051] While this countdown is underway, the next collection bag S3 moves along the first conveyor belt from upstream to downstream.

[0052] Worker H takes out the collection bag S3 from the recycling box 10 and places it in the shipping pack 20.

[0053] The empty circulation box 10 moves downstream. Meanwhile, on the upstream side, the identifier detection unit 68 detects the identifier (ID tag, RFID, etc.) attached to the circulation box 10.

[0054] Refer to Figure 7. This is an explanatory diagram (4) illustrating the countdown display in this embodiment. The timing unit 67, having received information detected by the identifier detection unit 68, measures a predetermined time and then notifies the count unit 64 of the information.

[0055] The counting unit 64 counts "3" and subtracts "3" from the initial set value "5". Then, the display processing unit 65 displays the calculated result "2" on the display unit 66.

[0056] While this countdown is underway, the next collection bag S4 moves along the first conveyor belt from upstream to downstream.

[0057] Worker H takes out the collection bag S4 from the recycling box 10 and places it in the shipping pack 20.

[0058] The empty circulation box 10 moves downstream. Meanwhile, on the upstream side, the identifier detection unit 68 detects the identifier (ID tag, RFID, etc.) attached to the circulation box 10.

[0059] Refer to Figure 8. This is an explanatory diagram (5) illustrating the countdown display in this embodiment. The timing unit 67, having received information detected by the identifier detection unit 68, measures a predetermined time and then notifies the count unit 64 of the information.

[0060] The counting unit 64 counts "4" and subtracts "4" from the initial set value "5". Then, the display processing unit 65 displays the calculated result "1" on the display unit 66.

[0061] While this countdown is underway, the next collection bag S5 moves along the first conveyor belt from upstream to downstream.

[0062] Worker H takes out the collection bag S5 from the recycling box 10 and places it in the shipping pack 20.

[0063] The empty circulation box 10 moves downstream. Meanwhile, on the upstream side, the identifier detection unit 68 detects the identifier (ID tag, RFID, etc.) attached to the circulation box 10.

[0064] Refer to Figure 9. This is a schematic diagram of the shipping pack of this embodiment when collection bags are packed inside. The shipping pack 20 contains collection bags S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5. At this time, the shipping pack 20 moves downstream on the second conveyor, and the next shipping pack 20 stops at the input position for the collection bags 10.

[0065] Refer to Figure 10. This is a schematic diagram of the identifier attached to the circulation box in this embodiment. The circulation box 10 is attached to an identifier 11. This identifier 11 is preferably an IC tag, IFID, etc. The information of this identifier 11 is configured to be detectable by an identifier detection unit 68 fixed to the base 68a.

[0066] Refer to Figure 11. This is an explanatory diagram (1) illustrating the error detection in this embodiment. In the delivery system 1, if worker H forgets to take the collection bag S from the recycling box 10, the system is configured so that the collection bag can be detected by the imaging camera 69 installed downstream.

[0067] Refer to Figure 12. This is an explanatory diagram (2) illustrating the error detection in this embodiment. In the delivery system 1, if worker H forgets to take the collection bag S from the recycling box 10, the system may be configured so that the collection bag can be detected by a weighing scale 69a installed downstream instead of the imaging camera 69.

[0068] Refer to Figure 13. This is a flowchart showing the operation of the guide lamp in this embodiment.

[0069] In step S1, the collection bags S are transported from upstream to downstream (from left to right in Figure 1) on the first conveyor belt under the control of the overall control computer 2.

[0070] In step S3, the worker transfers the collection bag S to the shipping pack 20.

[0071] In step S5, the blue color of the upstream guide lamp 80 changes to red under the control of the overall control computer 60. This change will be explained. The identifier detection unit 68 detects the identifier 11 of the circulation box 10. Here, since the guide lamps 80 are arranged at equal intervals downstream from the identifier detection unit 68, the position of the circulation box 10 can be determined from the relationship between the transfer speed of the first conveyor, distance, and time. The overall control computer 60 then determines the display color of the lamp on the guide lamp 80. Alternatively, a sensor that reads the identifier may be attached to each guide lamp 80 to read the identifier 11 of the circulation box 10, and the overall control computer 60 may determine the display color of the lamp.

[0072] In step S7, the overall control computer 60 determines whether there is another collection bag in the same shipping pack 20. If it determines that there is another collection bag S, the process returns to step S1. If it determines that there is no next collection bag S, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0073] In step S9, the overall control computer 60 determines whether all tasks are complete. If it determines that all tasks are complete, the process proceeds to step S13. If it determines that there are still tasks remaining, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0074] In step S11, the overall control computer 60 resets the guide lamps.

[0075] In step S13, the system is shut down for termination.

[0076] Refer to Figure 14. This is a flowchart showing the countdown operation of this embodiment.

[0077] In step S21, the collection bags S are transported from upstream to downstream (from left to right in Figure 1) on the first conveyor belt under the control of the overall control computer 2.

[0078] In step S23, the worker transfers the collection bag S to the shipping pack 20.

[0079] In step S25, the display processing unit 65 displays a countdown on the display unit 66, which is the result of subtracting the number of items stored in the initial shipping pack 20 from the count count calculated by the count unit 64 under the control of the overall control computer 60.

[0080] In step S27, the overall control computer 60 determines whether there are any more items to be packed in the same shipping pack 20. If it determines that there are any more items to be packed in the next bag S, the process returns to step S1. If it determines that there are no more items to be packed in the next bag S, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0081] In step S29, the overall control computer 60 determines whether all tasks are complete. If it determines that all tasks are complete, the process proceeds to step S13. If it determines that there are still tasks remaining, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0082] In step S31, the overall control computer 60 resets the count.

[0083] In step S33, the system is shut down for termination.

[0084] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment. For example, in this example, the transfer of the collection bags S by a worker using the guide lamp 80 and the transfer of the collection bags S using a countdown were described separately, but both may be combined for the worker to transfer the collection bags S. [Industrial applicability]

[0085] Each aspect of the present invention relates to a delivery system that can be used to improve the efficiency of storage operations. Therefore, the present invention has great potential for use in various industries such as logistics and machinery manufacturing. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1. Delivery System 10 circulation box 20 shipping packs 30 Display 40 First Conveyor 50 Second Conveyor 51 Shipping pack stopping position 52 Third Conveyor 60. Overall control computer H worker F Floor S collection bag

Claims

1. A first conveyor that moves collection bags containing one to multiple ordered items stored in a circulation box, and is equipped with an identifier detection unit, A second conveyor that transfers an appropriate number of the aforementioned collection bags into shipping packs and moves them, The identifier detection unit detects the identifier attached to the recycling box containing the collection bags, and a notification means performs a countdown to ensure that the appropriate number of collection bags are stored in the shipping pack and notifies the user. A delivery system characterized by having the following features.

2. The delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the collection bags to be transferred are identified by color means in order to properly transfer the collection bags from the recycling box to the shipping pack.

3. The first conveyor moves collection bags containing one or more ordered items stored in a circulation box, A second conveyor that transfers an appropriate number of the aforementioned collection bags into shipping packs and moves them, In order to properly transfer the collection bags from the recycling box to the shipping pack, means for identifying the collection bags to be transferred using color means, A delivery system characterized by having the following features.

4. The delivery system according to claim 3, characterized in that the first conveyor is equipped with an identifier detection unit, and the system has a notification means that performs a countdown and notifies when the identifier detection unit detects an identifier attached to a circulation box containing the collection bags, so that an appropriate number of collection bags are stored in the shipping pack.

5. The delivery system according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means uses one or more of the following: a notification means that displays characters using a liquid crystal panel, a light bulb, a discharge tube, an LED, a self-emissive panel using a thin LED, and a projection device, and a notification means that provides sound.

6. The delivery system according to claim 2, characterized in that the color means is a means that can distinguish colors using a light bulb, a discharge tube, an LED, a self-illuminating device using a thin LED, and a projection device.

7. The delivery system according to claim 2, further comprising a camera for imaging the collection bags, and the camera for detecting collection bags that have been left behind by the worker.

8. The delivery system according to claim 2, characterized in that it is equipped with a weighing scale for measuring weight, and the weighing scale is used to detect the collection bags that have been left behind by the worker.

9. The delivery system according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a stop control unit that performs control to stop the first conveyor when it detects a collection bag that has been forgotten by the worker.

10. The delivery system according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes an overall control computer, separates the collection bags according to delivery attributes, and identifies the shipping packs according to the delivery attributes using the color means.

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