Article dispensing device

Abstract

Provided is an article dispensing device capable of simplifying a post-process.　The article dispensing device has a retention part 3 for temporarily retaining a plurality of articles, a carry-out line 5 for carrying out the articles to the outside, and a control means. The retention part 3 has a plurality of retention lines 8 which each arrange articles in a line and retain the same. The retention lines each include a retention conveyor 11 and a dispensing means 10 for dispensing an article to the carry-out line 5. Information on one or more articles is inputted to the control means as one article group. Articles included in said one article group are dispensed from each of the retention lines 8 to the carry-out line 5 to form a group of collective articles, and can be sent out from the carry-out line 5 to the downstream side. Spaces 70, 71, 72, where said one article group can be accommodated in a planar manner, are determined by the control means, and articles are dispensed from the retention lines 8 to the carry-out line 5 at a timing when the articles included in said one article group are to enter one of the spaces.

Description

Goods dispensing device

[0001] The present invention relates to an article dispensing device that selectively dispenses a specific article from a variety of articles stored in a storage section.

[0002] For example, multiple types of goods may be delivered together in response to an order from a retail store. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose an article dispensing device used for this purpose. The article dispensing device disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is a device called an A-frame, which includes an output conveyor for transporting goods and multiple racks (storage shelves). Each rack is steeply inclined vertically, and multiple goods are stored stacked. A pusher is located at the bottom of each rack. In conventional article dispensing devices, an output conveyor is located in the center, and multiple racks are arranged on both sides of it. Racks facing each other across the output conveyor are joined at their tops, and when viewed from the front, the pair of racks and the output conveyor form an "A"-like arrangement. The height of the bottom of the racks is higher than the conveying surface of the output conveyor. As mentioned above, a pusher is located at the bottom of each rack, but the height of the pusher is significantly higher than the conveying surface of the output conveyor.

[0003] In a conventional article dispensing device, a basket-like container is placed on a discharge conveyor, which moves the container from upstream to downstream. When the container reaches a rack containing the items to be delivered, the pusher for the rack is activated, and the bottom item is pushed out by the pusher like a daruma doll dropping, and the item is forcefully dispensed onto the discharge conveyor. As mentioned above, because the height of the pusher is considerably higher than the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor, the item that jumps out of the rack falls into the basket-like container in a parabolic trajectory.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-120125 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-123501

[0005] In the conventional article dispensing device, as described above, a container such as a basket is placed on the discharge conveyor, which moves the container from upstream to downstream, and any articles that fly out of the rack are thrown into the container. For example, when packaging and delivering the articles, a worker must remove the articles from the container and rearrange them so that they can be packaged. In other words, the post-processing required by the conventional article dispensing device is cumbersome.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to provide an article dispensing apparatus that can simplify subsequent processes.

[0007] An aspect for solving the above-mentioned problems is an item dispensing device having a storage section for temporarily storing multiple items, an output line for discharging the items to the outside, and a control means, wherein the storage section has multiple storage lines for storing items in a row, each storage line having a storage conveyor and an output means for discharging the items to the output line, information regarding one or multiple items is input to the control means as an item group, items included in the item group are discharged from each storage line to the output line to form a group of items that can be sent downstream from the output line, the control means determines a space capable of storing the group of items in a planar manner, and the items are discharged from each storage line to the output line at the time when the items included in the item group enter the space.

[0008] In the item dispensing device of this aspect, the control means determines the space capable of storing the group of items in a planar manner. In other words, if the number of items included in the item group is large, a larger space is required, and if the number of items included in the item group is small, a smaller space is set. The space described above is not visible, but is an area that actually exists. Because the carry-out line carries items to the outside, the space also moves as the carry-out line moves. In the item dispensing device of this aspect, items are dispensed from each storage line to the carry-out line at the time when an item included in the item group enters the space. Therefore, all of the items included in the item group are concentrated and arranged in a certain area that actually exists.

[0009] In the above-described aspect, it is desirable that an item included in an item group that is newly dispensed from a storage line to a discharge line be dispensed ahead of an item that has already been dispensed from another storage line to a discharge line and is moving along the discharge line.

[0010] Items dispensed from the storage line to the carry-out line do not have a velocity component in the flow direction of the carry-out line. Therefore, the newly dispensed items move slowly immediately after being dispensed onto the carry-out line, while items already moving along the carry-out line move relatively fast in the flow direction of the carry-out line. Therefore, items already moving along the carry-out line catch up with newly introduced items, reducing the distance between them. As a result, items dispensed onto the carry-out line are grouped together.

[0011] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable to have an item supply line, which has a supply conveyor and multiple branching devices and is connected to a storage conveyor via the branching devices, and one type of item is stored in the storage line, the items are transported from the supply conveyor, and the items to be stored in a specific storage line are branched off by a specific branching device and carried to the storage conveyor where the items are to be stored.

[0012] The article dispensing device of this aspect has an article supply line. The article supply line has a supply conveyor and a plurality of branching devices, and is connected to the storage conveyor via the branching devices. According to the article dispensing device of this aspect, articles can be stored in the storage conveyor using the article supply line.

[0013] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the discharge line has a discharge conveyor that can change the conveying speed of any area, and that the discharge conveyor receives items dispensed from each storage line while moving in a certain direction, and at that time can change the conveying speed of a specific area to place one or more specified items into the space.

[0014] According to this aspect, the articles delivered to the delivery line are grouped together into groups of articles.

[0015] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable to have a return line, and for a portion of the supply conveyor to be connected to the return line so that articles moving on the supply conveyor are returned to the supply conveyor.

[0016] According to this aspect, for example, when a specific storage line is full and an item to be stored in that storage line is newly supplied from the item supply line, the item can be returned to the item supply line via the return line, thereby preventing the item supply line from becoming clogged with items.

[0017] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable to have a plurality of the article supply lines.

[0018] According to this aspect, it is possible to quickly supply items to the storage line.

[0019] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the storage section be located on both sides of the discharge line.

[0020] According to this aspect, it is possible to store more items.

[0021] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the specified plurality of articles are controlled to be positioned on the carry-out line according to their size and / or shape.

[0022] According to this embodiment, the post-processing is easy.

[0023] According to the article dispensing device of the present invention, the post-processing can be simplified and it is easy to use.

[0024] 1 is a plan view showing the layout of an article dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a junction of an article supply line and a storage line of the article dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a plan view of a junction of a storage line and a carry-out line of the article dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a junction of an article supply line and a storage line of the article dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a junction of a storage line and a carry-out line of the article dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control device for the article dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1; (a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating a process of supplying articles from an article supply line to a storage line ..., which is a process subsequent to the process of FIG. 7; (a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating a process of supplying articles from an article supply line to a storage line, which is a process subsequent to the process of FIG. 8. 12(a) and 12(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1 , illustrating a process of supplying articles from an article supply line to a storage line, which is a process subsequent to the process of FIG. 9 . (a) and 12(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1 , illustrating a process of supplying articles from an article supply line to a storage line, which is a process when the storage line to store articles is full. (a) and 12(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1 , illustrating a process of dispensing articles belonging to an article group from a storage line to a carry-out line. (a) and 12(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of FIG. 1 , illustrating a process of dispensing articles belonging to an article group from a storage line to a carry-out line, which is a process subsequent to the process of FIG. 12 . (a) and 12(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the behavior of articles dispensed from a storage line to a carry-out line. 15(a) and 15(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the behavior of an article dispensed from a storage line to a carry-out line, and are explanatory diagrams showing a state following Fig. 14. Fig. 15(a), 15(b), and 15(c) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the article dispensing device of Fig. 1, and are explanatory diagrams showing the process in which articles belonging to an article group are dispensed from a storage line to a carry-out line.16A, 16B, and 16C are explanatory views showing the operation of the article dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1, in which articles belonging to an article group are dispensed from a storage line to a carry-out line, and which follow the step of FIG. 16A, 16B, and 16C are explanatory views showing the operation of the article dispensing apparatus ..., in which articles belonging to an article group are dispensed from a storage line to a carry-out line, in which

[0025] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The article dispensing device 1 of this embodiment selectively dispenses a specific article from a wide variety of articles stored in a storage unit and transports it to the outside. The article dispensing device 1 of this embodiment is designed to dispense small articles. For example, the minimum unit of articles to be dispensed is one bar of chocolate, one pack of gum, or one pack of cigarettes. Note that the present invention is not limited to minimum unit of articles to be dispensed, and medium-sized articles such as one case of chocolate, one carton of cigarettes, or a six-pack of canned beer may also be dispensed. Furthermore, larger articles such as a case of 40 canned beer or a case of 40 cup noodles may also be dispensed.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the article dispensing device 1 has article supply lines 2a and 2b, storage units 3a and 3b, a carry-out line 5, and a control device (control means) 6. The storage units 3a and 3b are areas for temporarily storing multiple articles. The article supply line 2 is a conveyor line that supplies articles to the storage units 3a and 3b. The carry-out line 5 is a conveyor line that carries articles dispensed from the storage units 3a and 3b to the outside. These are explained below.

[0027] (Storage Section) Because the storage sections 3a and 3b have the same structure, they will be referred to as storage section 3 in the following description. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the storage section 3 is made up of a large number of storage lines 8 arranged in parallel, each of which stores articles in a single row. Each storage line 8 is made up of a storage conveyor 11.

[0028] The storage conveyor 11 is divided into multiple zones. Each zone is composed of a linear transport module 12. The storage conveyor 11 is formed by connecting multiple linear transport modules 12 in series. The linear transport module 12 is a short roller conveyor called a zone conveyor, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, and is configured by a pair of left and right side frames 15, 15 arranged in parallel, with multiple transport rollers 16 for transporting the transported objects journaled at predetermined intervals in the transport direction. The transport rollers 16 consist of a freely rotating driven roller and a motorized roller that incorporates a drive motor (not shown). In this embodiment, there is only one motorized roller, and all the others are driven rollers.

[0029] Adjacent conveying rollers 16 within the linear conveying module 12 are wound with a transmission belt 17. This allows the rotational driving force of the motorized roller to be transmitted to all driven rollers. The linear conveying module 12 is equipped with a load sensor (not shown). The conveying modules 12 of the storage conveyor 11 are driven individually to move items forward. That is, the linear conveying modules 12 of the storage conveyor 11 are always stopped. When an item is introduced to the upstream end of the storage conveyor 11, the corresponding conveying module 12 and the conveying module 12 in front of it are driven to move the item forward. This operation is repeated sequentially until the item stops in the leading zone of the storage conveyor 11. When the next item is introduced to the upstream end of the storage conveyor 11, the corresponding linear conveying module 12 and the linear conveying module 12 in front of it are driven to move the item forward, as in the previous case, until the item stops in the zone in front of the previously transported item. This operation is repeated sequentially until the storage conveyor 11 is filled with items.

[0030] 3, in this embodiment, the leading linear conveying module 12 of the storage conveyor 11 functions as the discharging means 10. That is, the articles stored in the storage line 8 are discharged to the carry-out line 5 by driving the leading linear conveying module (discharging means 10) 12.

[0031] In this embodiment, the conveying speed of the linear conveying module (dispensing means 10) 12 when dispensing articles is relatively slow. That is, the linear conveying modules 12 arranged at other positions have a fast conveying speed in order to pack the articles forward, but the conveying speed of the leading linear conveying module 12 is set to be slow. The dispensing speed of the dispensing means 10 is slower than the maximum conveying speed of the storage conveyor 11. In this embodiment, the leading linear conveying module 12 of the storage conveyor 11 functions as the dispensing means 10, but an independent pusher may also be placed thereon as the dispensing means. Even in this case, it is desirable that the dispensing speed of the dispensing means 10 be slower than the maximum conveying speed of the storage conveyor 11.

[0032] The storage section 3 has storage lines 8 arranged in a planar manner with virtually no gaps, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. The storage conveyor 11 of the storage line 8 extends in a plane. Therefore, the storage line 8 employed in this embodiment can accommodate many items. Furthermore, unlike conventional storage lines, the items do not pile up, so they are not damaged. In this embodiment, one type of item is stored in the storage line 8.

[0033] (Goods Supply Line) Because the goods supply lines 2a and 2b have the same structure, they will be referred to as goods supply line 2 in the following description. The goods supply line 2 has a mainstream line 20 and a return line 21. The mainstream line 20 is made up of multiple conveying modules 30, 31 arranged in a linear fashion, and is composed of a supply conveyor area 22 and a branching device arrangement area 23. A supply conveyor 25 is installed in the supply conveyor area 22. Similar to the storage conveyor 11 described above, the supply conveyor 25 is divided into multiple zones connected in series. Each zone is made up of multiple linear conveying modules 30. The supply conveyor 25 is made up of multiple linear conveying modules 30 connected in series. The structure of the linear conveying module 30 is the same as that of the linear conveying module 12 described above, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0034] The branching device arrangement area 23 is made up of a plurality of transfer-type transport modules (branching devices) 31. The branching device arrangement area 23 is made up of a plurality of transfer-type transport modules 31 connected in series. The transfer-type transport modules 31 have a direction changing mechanism that switches the carrying-in direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the transfer-type transport module 31 is made up of a main transport conveyor 33, a sub-transport conveyor 35, and an elevator (not shown).

[0035] The main conveyor 33 of the transfer-type conveying module 31 is a roller conveyor in which multiple conveying rollers 38 for conveying the objects are supported at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction. The main conveyor 33 has a structure similar to that of the linear conveying module 12 described above, and adjacent conveying rollers 38 are wound around each other by a transmission belt 43. This allows the rotational driving force of the motorized roller to be transmitted to all driven rollers. The auxiliary conveyor 35 is a belt conveyor in which multiple thin belts 36 are arranged at regular intervals. The auxiliary conveyor 35 is driven by a drive motor (drive device) not shown.

[0036] When an article placed on the loading / unloading transport module 31 is to be moved in a straight line, the loading / unloading transport module 31 is placed in a straight line position. That is, an elevator (not shown) is used to extend the main transport conveyor 33 above the auxiliary transport conveyor 35, and the main transport conveyor 33 is driven to rotate the transport rollers 38. When an article placed on the loading / unloading transport module 31 is to be transported laterally (toward the storage line 8), the article is pulled onto the main transport conveyor 33, and then the loading / unloading transport module 31 is placed in a branch position. That is, an elevator (not shown) is used to raise the auxiliary transport conveyor 35 and lower the main transport conveyor 33, causing the auxiliary transport conveyor 35 to extend above the main transport conveyor 33, and the auxiliary transport conveyor 35 is driven to run the belt 36.

[0037] The main line 20 of the article supply line 2 is configured as a series of conveying paths by connecting a plurality of conveying modules 30, 31. The return line 21 is a conveyor that connects the end of the main line 20 with the supply conveyor area 22.

[0038] (Unloading Line) The unloading line 5 is a conveyor (unloading conveyor) in which a plurality of linear conveying modules 40 are connected in series, similar to the storage conveyor 11 and the supply conveyor 25. The structure of the linear conveying module 40 is the same as that of the linear conveying module 12 described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] (Layout) The article dispensing device 1 has an overall planar layout as shown in Figure 1. The article dispensing device 1 has a carry-out line 5 at the center, with storage units 3a and 3b located on either side of that, and article supply lines 2a and 2b located further outboard. The direction of travel of articles on the main line 20 of the article supply lines 2a and 2b is perpendicular to the direction of travel of articles on the storage conveyors 11 of the storage units 3a and 3b. The direction of travel of articles on the storage conveyors 11 of the storage units 3a and 3b is also perpendicular to the direction of travel of articles on the carry-out line 5.

[0040] 2 and 4, the branching device installation area 23 of the article supply lines 2a, 2b is in contact with one end (the entire outside) of each storage conveyor 11 of the storage sections 3a, 3b. The side of each transfer-type transport module 31 in the branching device installation area 23 is in contact with the linear transport module 12 at one end of each storage conveyor 11. In this embodiment, any transfer-type transport module 31 corresponds to any storage conveyor 11. Therefore, articles can be sent to the corresponding storage conveyor 11 by the corresponding transfer-type transport module 31.

[0041] The other end (the entire inner side) of each storage conveyor 11 in the storage sections 3a, 3b contacts the side of the discharge line 5, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. As described above, the discharge line 5 is made up of a plurality of linear conveying modules 40 connected in series. The discharge line 5 has a linear conveying module 40 corresponding to each storage conveyor 11, and the end (the entire inner side) of each storage conveyor 11 contacts the side of the corresponding linear conveying module 40 in the discharge line 5. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 is approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the discharge line 5. In other words, the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 is approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the discharge line 5. In this embodiment, the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 is the same as the height of the conveying surface of the discharge line 5. It is desirable that the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 is the same as the height of the conveying surface of the discharge line 5, but the storage conveyor 11 side may be slightly higher. The difference between the two is desirably within 5 centimeters. The more recommended head is within 3 centimeters.

[0042] An information reading means 41 for reading information attached to an article is provided at the end of the supply conveyor area 22 of the article supply lines 2a, 2b. The structure and principle of the information reading means 41 are not limited, and it may read information optically, or may use magnetism or radio waves. For example, the information reading means 41 may be a code reader that reads two-dimensional codes or a barcode reader that reads barcodes. The information reading means 41 may also read information from an information storage member such as an RFID.

[0043] (Control Device) Each of the above-mentioned components is controlled by a control device (control means) 6. Figure 6 explains the control specific to the first embodiment, and omits well-known parts such as the control for driving the conveyor. The control device 6 is equipped with a CPU and memory, and stores computer programs that realize desired functions. The control device 6 of this embodiment functionally includes a supply line control unit 51 that controls the article supply lines 2a, 2b, and a carry-out control unit 42 that controls the dispensing means 10 of the storage units 3a, 3b.

[0044] The supply line control unit 51 functionally includes a corresponding storage line determination means 52, an article movement distance calculation means 56, and a pulse integration means 53. The supply line control unit 51 also receives a signal from the information reading means 41 and a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the motor of the main transport conveyor 33 of each transfer-type transport module 31 of the article supply lines 2a, 2b. The supply line control unit 51 also transmits a direction switching signal to the transfer-type transport modules 31 of the article supply lines 2a, 2b. Specifically, a signal to drive the lifting device of the transfer-type transport module 31 is transmitted.

[0045] The corresponding storage line determination means 52 determines the storage line 8 that will store the item based on the item information read from the information reading means 41. In this embodiment, since only one type of item is stored in the storage line 8, the corresponding storage line determination means 52 determines the storage line 8 that should store the item based on the information read by the information reading means 41. Note that if there are a large number of items to be stored, the same item may be stored in multiple storage lines 8.

[0046] The article movement distance calculation means 56 calculates the movement distance of the article after it has passed the information reading means 41. Specifically, the pulse accumulating means 53 accumulates pulses corresponding to the rotation speed of the drive motor (not shown) output from the transport conveyor 33 of the transfer-type transport module 31 when the article moves, thereby calculating the movement distance of the article after it has passed the information reading means 41. When the movement distance of the article corresponds to the position of the storage line 8 that stores the article, a signal is sent to the transfer-type transport module 31 corresponding to the storage line 8, causing the transfer-type transport module 31 to assume a branching position. That is, the sub-transport conveyor 35 is raised and the main transport conveyor 33 is lowered by an elevator device (not shown), causing the sub-transport conveyor 35 to protrude above the main transport conveyor 33, driving the sub-transport conveyor 35 and causing the belt 36 to run.

[0047] Next, the carry-out control unit 42 will be described. The carry-out control unit 42 functionally includes a placement space determination means 55, a corresponding storage line determination means 60, a space movement distance calculation means 61, and a pulse integration means 62. The carry-out control unit 42 receives item group information from a higher-level device (not shown). Here, an item group refers to a group of items that are desirably grouped together. For example, the group may be items to be shipped to a specific customer or store. For example, the group may be items to be delivered in a single box or sent by courier. An item group may include different items, such as one caramel A, one chocolate B, and one soft drink E. Alternatively, the group may contain multiple items of the same type, such as three soft drinks C. Of course, the group may also contain multiple types and multiple quantities, such as three caramels A, five chocolates B, and two soft drinks F. In short, the group contains information about one or more items in the item group.

[0048] Furthermore, a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the transport module 40 of the unloading line 5 is input to the unloading control unit 42 .

[0049] The layout space determination means 55 determines the layout space (area) required to place all of the items belonging to the item group on the delivery line 5 in a horizontal manner. That is, the layout space determination means 55 determines the layout space (area) required to accommodate all of the items belonging to the item group on the delivery line 5 in a horizontal manner, and specifies this layout space. For example, placing two cartons of milk in a horizontal manner on the delivery line 5 requires a length of 20 centimeters, and placing three bottles of beer in a horizontal manner on the delivery line 5 requires a length of 40 centimeters. If an item group consists of two cartons of milk and three bottles of beer, the layout space (area) for that product group will be 60 centimeters in total. If an item group consists of one bag of carton of milk and two cans of beer, for example, the layout space (area) for that product group will be 50 centimeters. In this way, the space (area) determined by the layout space determination means 55 varies depending on the type and number of items belonging to the item group.

[0050] The placement space is an area of ​​the carry-out line 5 in which all of the items belonging to a specific item group that have been dispensed from the storage unit 3 are expected to be stored in the future. In this embodiment, the placement space is converted into the number of pulses of the motor of the conveyor that makes up the carry-out line 5. For example, if the placement space is 20 cm, it is converted into 10 pulses, and if the placement space is 30 cm, it is converted into 15 pulses. Since the carry-out line 5 is a conveyor, when the conveyor is driven, the space also moves. Multiple item groups are input into the control device 6, and the item groups are continuously formed, and the placement space is continuously determined and specified.

[0051] The corresponding storage line determination means 60 identifies the storage line 8 in which the items included in the item group are stored. For example, if caramel A is stored in storage line 8A, chocolate B is stored in storage line 8B, and soft drink E is stored in storage line 8E, and the item group is, for example, one caramel A, one chocolate B, and one pack of soft drink E, storage lines 8A, 8B, and 8E are selected and determined as the corresponding storage lines.

[0052] The space movement distance calculation means 61 calculates the movement distance of the placement space from a specific reference point. Specifically, the pulse accumulating means 62 accumulates pulses corresponding to the rotation speed of the drive motor (not shown) output from the conveying module 40 when the placement space moves, thereby calculating the movement distance of the placement space from the specific reference point. When the movement distance of the placement space corresponds to the position of the storage line 8 that stores the items included in the item group, a signal is sent to the dispensing means 10 corresponding to the storage line 8, and the item is dispensed to the discharge line 5. Note that in this embodiment, an item included in the item group that is newly dispensed from a storage line to the discharge line 5 is dispensed ahead of items that have already been dispensed from other storage lines 8 to the discharge line 5 and are moving along the discharge line 5.

[0053] Next, we will explain the operation of the article dispensing apparatus 1. The article dispensing apparatus 1 performs a storing operation for storing articles in the storage units 3a and 3b, and a carrying-out operation for carrying out articles belonging to an article group together.

[0054] (Storage Operation) Items are stored in storage sections 3a, 3b using item supply lines 2a, 2b. In this embodiment, the items are placed on the supply conveyor area 22 of item supply lines 2a, 2b and transported to the branching device installation area 23. The items are placed randomly on the supply conveyor area 22. Here, because item supply lines 2a, 2b are arranged on a plane, items can be placed on the supply conveyor 25 without using a stepladder or the like. A code identifying the item is attached to each item. The item proceeds downstream of the supply conveyor area 22 by the supply conveyor 25, and the information in the code attached to the item is read by the information reading means 41. The read information is sent to the control device 6, and the corresponding storage line determination means 52 identifies the storage line 8 that will store the item.

[0055] The articles flow through article supply lines 2a and 2b and enter branching device arrangement area 23. In control device 6, article movement distance calculation means 56 simultaneously calculates the movement distance of the article after the article has passed through information reading means 41. Specifically, as described above, pulses corresponding to the number of rotations of the drive motor (not shown) output from main transport conveyor 33 of transfer-type transport module 31 when the article moves are integrated by pulse integration means 53, and the movement distance of the article after the article has passed through information reading means 41 is calculated.

[0056] 7 , for example, assume that storage line 8A is located between 1 pulse and 100 pulses, storage line 8B is located between 101 pulses and 200 pulses, storage line 8C is located between 201 pulses and 300 pulses, and thereafter, storage lines 8 exist at 100 pulse intervals. In this case, if the travel distance of an item converted into pulses is 50 pulses, the item is estimated to be placed on transfer-type transport module 31 corresponding to storage line 8A. If the travel distance of an item converted into pulses is 150 pulses, the item is estimated to be placed on transfer-type transport module 31 corresponding to storage line 8B. Below, if an item is located at a 100 pulse interval, it is placed on a transfer-type transport module 31 corresponding to any of the storage lines 8.

[0057] When the travel distance of the article reaches the position of the loading / unloading transport module 31 corresponding to the storage line 8 to receive it, a signal is sent from the control device 6 to the loading / unloading transport module 31 corresponding to the storage line 8, causing the loading / unloading transport module 31 to assume a branching position and send the article to the corresponding storage conveyor 11. When the article is placed on the storage conveyor 11, the storage conveyor 11 starts and moves the article toward the carry-out line 5. The article then stops at the position of the dispensing means 10 of the storage conveyor 11. If another article is already at the position of the dispensing means 10, the article will stop in the zone before that.

[0058] For example, assume that items b1, e1, a1, b2, c1, c2, and c3 are lined up in the supply conveyor area 22 as shown in Figure 7a. Here, lowercase letters indicate the corresponding rows of storage lines 8, and numbers are used to distinguish between multiple items stored in the same storage line 8.

[0059] The items b1, e1, a1, b2, c1, c2, and c3 arranged in the supply conveyor area 22 proceed to the branching device arrangement area 23 while maintaining this order, and when a specific item reaches the position of the corresponding storage line 8, the corresponding transfer-type transport module 31 is put into a branching position and the item is sent to the storage conveyor 11 of the storage line 8. Specifically, of the items b1, e1, a1, b2, c1, c2, and c3 arranged in the supply conveyor area 22, in the next stage ( FIG. 7 b), the leading item b1 reaches the position of storage line 8A. In the next stage ( FIG. 8 a), the leading item b1 reaches the position of storage line 8B, and the following item e1 reaches the position of storage line 8A. The leading item b1 has advanced 150 pulses, which corresponds to the position of the branching device arrangement area 23 corresponding to storage line 8B. Therefore, when the article reaches the position of the storage line 8B, the corresponding transfer type transport module 31 changes to the branching position and sends the article to the storage conveyor 11 of the storage line 8B.

[0060] In the next stage (FIG. 8b), the second item e1 reaches the position of storage line 8B, and the third item a1 reaches the position of storage line 8A. Item a1 is ahead by 50 pulses, which corresponds to the position of the branching device arrangement area 23 corresponding to storage line 8A. Therefore, when item a1 reaches the position of storage line 8A, the corresponding transfer-type transport module 31 changes to the branching position and sends the item onto the storage conveyor 11 of storage line 8A.

[0061] In the next stage (FIG. 9a), the second item e1 reaches the position of storage line 8C, and the fourth item b2 reaches the position of storage line 8A. In the next stage (FIG. 9b), the second item e1 reaches the position of storage line 8D, the fourth item b2 reaches the position of storage line 8B, and the fifth item c1 reaches the position of storage line 8A. Since the fourth item b2 has reached the corresponding storage line 8B, the corresponding transfer-type transport module 31 changes to a branching position and sends the item to the storage conveyor 11 of storage line 8B.

[0062] In the next stage (FIG. 10a), the second item e1 reaches the position of storage line 8E, and the fifth item c1 reaches the position of storage line 8B. As a result, the second item e1 is sent to storage line 8E. Then, in the next stage (FIG. 10b), the fifth item c1 is sent to storage line 8C. In the next stage, the sixth item c2 reaches the position of storage line 8C and is sent to storage line 8C, and in the next stage, the seventh item c3 reaches the position of storage line 8C and is sent to storage line 8C (not shown). In this way, items b1 and b2 lined up in the supply conveyor area 22 are stored in storage line 8B, items e1 and e2 are stored in storage line 8E, items a1 and a2 are stored in storage line 8A, items c1, c2, and c3 are stored in storage line 8C, and item f1 is stored in storage line 8F.

[0063] When any storage line 8 is full, if an article to be stored in that storage line 8 is supplied from the supply conveyor area 22, it passes through the corresponding loading / unloading transport module 31 and flows downstream, enters the return line 21, and returns to the supply conveyor area 22. For example, as shown in Figure 11a, when storage line 8E is full, if article e to be stored in that storage line 8E is supplied from the supply conveyor area 22, it passes through the loading / unloading transport module 31 corresponding to storage line 8E and flows downstream, enters the return line 21, and returns to the supply conveyor area 22, as shown in Figure 11b.

[0064] In this embodiment, the travel distance of each item is monitored by integrating the pulses of the conveyor motor, and when it is confirmed that the item has traveled a predetermined distance, the branching device is activated and the item is sent to the storage line 8. This control method has the advantage that the relatively time-consuming information reading operation only needs to be done once, making it less likely that the flow of items will be disrupted. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, an information reading device such as a barcode reader may be installed upstream of the storage line 8, and the information reading device may confirm that the item has reached the storage line 8 where it should be stored, and then the branching device may be activated and the item may be sent to the storage line 8.

[0065] (Carry-out Operation) Next, the carry-out operation will be described. In this embodiment, items are placed directly on the carry-out line 5 for transport without using baskets or trays. In this embodiment, the transport speed of the carry-out line 5 is the same in all zones, and items are transported at a relatively fast speed. In this embodiment, item group information is input from a higher-level device (not shown). Let's assume that the item group is a first item group, and information about this first item group is input to the control device 6. The placement space determination means 55 of the control device 6 determines the placement space (area) required to place all of the items belonging to the first item group in a horizontal manner on the carry-out line 5. For example, if the first item group consists of one bag of sugar cubes, one pack of miso paste, and one pack of soy sauce, and a length of 50 cm is required to place these items in a horizontal manner, a first placement space 70 equivalent to 25 pulses is secured ( FIG. 12 a).

[0066] Next, information about the second item group is input to the control device 6. The arrangement space determination means 55 of the control device 6 determines the second arrangement space (area) required to place all of the items belonging to the second item group in a horizontal manner on the carry-out line 5. For example, if the second item group consists of two bags of sugar cubes and two packs of miso paste, and a length of 60 cm is required to place these items in a horizontal manner, a second arrangement space 71 equivalent to 30 pulses is secured (FIG. 12b). If a length of 40 cm is required to place the items included in the subsequent third item group in a horizontal manner, a third arrangement space 72 equivalent to 20 pulses is secured (FIG. 13a).

[0067] Because the carry-out line 5 is a conveyor, as shown in Figure 13a, when the conveyor is driven, the first arrangement space 70, second arrangement space 71, and third arrangement space 72 also move. There is a fixed distance between each of the arrangement spaces 70, 71, and 72. The space movement distance calculation means 61 of the control device 6 monitors the position of each of the arrangement spaces 70, 71, and 72 based on pulses corresponding to the rotation speed of the drive motor of the carry-out line 5. When each of the arrangement spaces 70, 71, and 72 reaches in front of the storage line 8 containing the corresponding article, the discharge means 10 (the leading linear conveying module 12) of that storage line 8 is driven to discharge the article to the area of ​​the carry-out line 5 corresponding to the arrangement spaces 70, 71, and 72.

[0068] In the article dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 and the height of the conveying surface of the carry-out line 5 are approximately equal, so that the articles are less likely to be damaged when they are moved from the storage line 8 to the carry-out line 5. The article dispensing device 1 of this embodiment does not use baskets or trays, and does not involve throwing articles into baskets or trays as in the past. That is, the height above ground of the bottom of the article when it is dispensed by the dispensing means 10 is approximately equal to the height above ground of the carry-out line 5, so there is little impact on the article when it is transferred. In the article dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, the drop when it is dispensed from the storage conveyor 11 to the carry-out line 5 is small, so the external force acting on the article is small and the article is less likely to be damaged. That is, in the article dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, there is no step between the dispensing means 10 and the carry-out line 5, so there is little impact when it is transferred. In addition, since the height of the conveying surface of each storage conveyor 11 is approximately equal to the height of the conveying surface of the carry-out line 5, articles do not overlap on the carry-out line 5. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the conveying speed of the dispensing means 10 is relatively slow, so articles are less likely to be damaged.

[0069] In this embodiment, for example, when the first arrangement space 70 reaches in front of the storage line 8 containing sugar cubes, one bag of sugar cubes is dispensed from the storage line 8, when the first arrangement space 70 reaches in front of the storage line 8 containing miso, one pack of miso is dispensed from the storage line 8, and when the first arrangement space 70 reaches in front of the storage line 8 containing soy sauce, one pack of soy sauce is dispensed from the storage line 8. In this way, all of the items belonging to the first item group are gathered in the first arrangement space 70 and transported downstream.

[0070] The second placement space 71 advances at a fixed interval from the first placement space 70. When the second placement space 71 reaches the front of the storage line 8 containing the sugar cubes, two bags of sugar cubes are dispensed from that storage line 8, and when the second placement space 71 reaches the front of the storage line 8 containing the miso, two packs of miso are dispensed from that storage line 8. A specified item is also dispensed from the third placement space 72. In this way, all of the items belonging to the first item group are gathered in the first placement space 70, all of the items belonging to the second item group are gathered in the second placement space 71, and all of the items belonging to the third item group are gathered in the third placement space 72, and they are transported downstream (Figure 13b).

[0071] Furthermore, as a control unique to this embodiment, when an item is already in the placement space 70 and another item is newly dispensed to the placement space 70, the new item is dispensed ahead of the item that has already been dispensed from another storage line 8 to the discharge line 5 and is moving along the discharge line 5. Hereinafter, the first placement space 70 will be described as an example with reference to Figures 14 and 15. For example, if a sugar cube 80 has been dispensed first into the first placement space 70 and is moving along the discharge line 5 as shown in Figure 14a, the next item, miso paste 81, is dispensed ahead of the sugar cube as shown in Figure 14b. Specifically, just before the sugar cube 80, the first item, reaches the storage line 8 containing the miso paste 81, the dispensing means 10 of the storage line 8 for the miso paste 81 is driven to place the miso paste 81 just before the sugar cube 80 moving along the discharge line 5. Here, the discharge line 5 is moving at a normal speed, and the sugar cubes 80 moving along the discharge line 5 are also moving at a normal speed, whereas the second item, miso 81, introduced from the storage line 8, does not have a velocity component in the direction of movement of the discharge line 5. Therefore, the newly introduced second item, miso 81, is slower than the sugar cubes 80 that were introduced earlier and are moving along the discharge line 5. Therefore, as shown in Figure 15, the sugar cubes 80 moving behind catch up with the miso 81 that is ahead, and the distance between them becomes extremely small. Therefore, the sugar cubes 80 and miso 81 form a group and move along the discharge line 5 with the miso 81 at the front.

[0072] It is also recommended to control the carry-out line (carry-out conveyor) 5 and the dispensing means 10 so that the specified multiple items are positioned on the carry-out line 5 according to their size and shape. For example, when the control device 6 determines the placement space, it calculates and determines not only the size but also the position where the items should be placed. Then, the carry-out line (carry-out conveyor) 5 is driven to move the placement space and insert the items into a specific position in the placement space 70.

[0073] For example, when wrapping a group of items with different heights, widths, and shapes in wrapping paper, it may be necessary to manually rearrange the items. In this embodiment, information regarding the shape of the items is stored in an upper device (not shown). Therefore, the control device calculates an arrangement suitable for packaging, etc., based on information regarding the type and number of items included in the group of items, as well as the shape of the items, and determines the area into which the items should be placed. Then, the control device drives the carry-out line (carry-out conveyor) 5 to move the arrangement space and insert the items into a specific position in the arrangement space.

[0074] For example, assume that a product group is made up of items 95, 96, 97, and 98. The control device 6 determines an arrangement space 75 with an area large enough to accommodate items 95, 96, 97, and 98, as shown in Figure 16a. The control device 6 also defines areas within the arrangement space 75 where items 95, 96, 97, and 98 should be accommodated. Specifically, a first area 85 is defined as the area for accommodating item 95, a second area 86 is defined as the area for accommodating item 96, a third area 87 is defined as the area for accommodating item 97, and a fourth area 88 is defined as the area for accommodating item 98 within the arrangement space 75.

[0075] The discharge line (discharge conveyor) 5 and the dispensing means 10 are then controlled so that the predetermined items 95, 96, 97, and 98 are stored in the predetermined areas 85, 86, 87, and 88. For example, as shown in Figure 16b, first, the item 95 is placed in the first area 85 within the placement space 75, and in this state the discharge line 5 is driven to move the placement space 75. Next, as shown in Figure 16c, the item 98 is placed in the fourth area 88 within the placement space 75, and in this state the discharge line 5 is driven to move the placement space 75. At this stage, the items 95 and 98 are present at both the front and rear ends of the placement space 75, and the central area is empty.

[0076] 17a and 17b, an article 96 is placed between the articles 95 and 98. Then, an article 97 is placed between the articles 96 and 98 as shown in FIG. 17c.

[0077] In the embodiment described above, the conveying speed of the discharge line (discharge conveyor) 5 is the same for all zones. However, the discharge line (discharge conveyor) 5 may be started and stopped or its speed may be changed for each zone. That is, it is also recommended that the discharge line (discharge conveyor) 5 moves in a fixed direction while receiving items discharged from each storage line 8, and change the conveying speed in a specific area to group one or more specified items together. For example, if multiple items need to be discharged from one storage line 8, the items may be grouped together by slowing down or slightly adjusting the conveying speed of the linear conveying module 40 in the zone preceding the storage line 8 of the discharge conveyor. Furthermore, the interval between one group of items and the next group of items may be ensured by starting and stopping or changing the speed for each zone.

[0078] The conveying speed of the linear conveying module 40 in the zone preceding the storage line 8 of the discharge conveyor may also be slowed or slightly moved to place the items belonging to the item group in the corresponding placement space or a specified area within the placement space.

[0079] In the embodiment described above, articles are dispensed from one storage section 3a, but naturally, articles are also dispensed from the other storage section 3b. Articles may also be dispensed from both storage sections 3a and 3b simultaneously into one storage space. Furthermore, articles may also be dispensed from multiple storage lines 8 of one or both storage sections 3a and 3b simultaneously into one storage space.

[0080] In the embodiment described above, the main line 20 of the product supply lines 2a, 2b is a single system, and products are introduced into the storage sections 3a, 3b from a single location. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and products may be introduced from multiple locations. The product dispensing device 77 shown in FIG. 18 has two product supply lines 78 for one storage section 3, allowing products to be introduced from two locations. This configuration is effective when the storage section 3 is large. In this embodiment, the first product supply line 78a supplies products from the left side of the drawing, and the second product supply line 78b supplies products from the right side of the drawing.

[0081] In the embodiment described above, the storage sections 3 are provided on both sides of the discharge line 5, but as shown in FIG. 19, the storage section 3 may be provided on only one side of the discharge line 5.

[0082] The above-mentioned item dispensing device has a storage section for temporarily storing multiple items, an output line for discharging the items to the outside, and a control means, wherein the storage section has multiple storage lines for storing items in a row, each storage line having a storage conveyor and an output means for discharging the items to the output line, the storage line being located next to the output line, the height above ground of the bottom of the items when dispensed by the output means being approximately equal to the height above ground of the output line, and the control means receives an input of a group of items containing one or more items, and the items contained in the group of items are dispensed from each storage line to the output line in response to a signal from the control means.

[0083] In the article dispensing device of this aspect, the height of the articles when dispensed by the dispensing means is substantially equal to the height of the carry-out line, so the articles are less likely to be damaged.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the storage line extends in a plane.

[0085] According to this aspect, it is possible to store more items.

[0086] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the item supply line has a supply conveyor and a plurality of branching devices, and is connected to a storage conveyor via the branching devices, and that one type of item is stored in the storage line, and the item is transported from the supply conveyor, and the item to be stored in a specific storage line is branched off by a specific branching device and carried to the storage conveyor where the item is to be stored.

[0087] The article dispensing device of this aspect has an article supply line. The article supply line has a supply conveyor and a plurality of branching devices, and is connected to the storage conveyor via the branching devices. According to the article dispensing device of this aspect, articles can be stored in the storage conveyor using the article supply line.

[0088] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the articles be dispensed at a dispensing speed that is slower than the maximum speed of the storage conveyor.

[0089] In the article dispensing device of this aspect, the speed at which articles are dispensed onto the carry-out line is slow, so the articles are less likely to be damaged.

[0090] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the control means determines a space capable of storing the group of items in a horizontal manner, and that the items included in the group of items are discharged from each storage line to the discharge line at the time when the items included in the group of items enter the space.

[0091] According to this aspect, the articles delivered to the delivery line are collected into a single group of articles.

[0092] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that an item included in an item group that is newly dispensed from a storage line to a discharge line be dispensed ahead of items that have already been dispensed from other storage lines to the discharge line and are moving along the discharge line.

[0093] Items dispensed from the storage line to the carry-out line do not have a velocity component in the flow direction of the carry-out line. Therefore, the newly dispensed items move slowly immediately after being dispensed onto the carry-out line, while items already moving along the carry-out line move relatively fast in the flow direction of the carry-out line. Therefore, items already moving along the carry-out line catch up with newly introduced items, reducing the distance between them. As a result, items dispensed onto the carry-out line are grouped together.

[0094] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the carry-out line has a carry-out conveyor, and that the carry-out conveyor is capable of changing the conveying speed of any area.

[0095] According to this aspect, the articles delivered to the delivery line are collected into a single group of articles.

[0096] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the discharge line moves in a fixed direction while accepting items dispensed from each storage line, and at that time be able to change the conveying speed in a specific area to group one or more specified items together.

[0097] According to this aspect, the articles delivered to the delivery line are collected into a single group of articles.

[0098] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the carry-out line and / or the dispensing means be controlled so that the specified multiple items are positioned on the carry-out line according to their size and / or shape.

[0099] According to this embodiment, the post-processing is easy.

[0100] In the above embodiment, articles are dispensed directly onto the carry-out line 5, and no container such as a basket is required, but a container such as a basket may be placed on the carry-out line 5 and articles may be placed in the container.

[0101] This disclosure includes the following items.

[0102] [Item 1] An item dispensing device comprising: a storage section for temporarily storing a plurality of items; an unloading line for unloading the items to the outside; and a control means; wherein the storage section has a plurality of storage lines for storing the items in a row, each storage line having a storage conveyor and unloading means for unloading the items to the unloading line; information relating to one or more items as an item group is input to the control means; items included in the item group are unloaded from each storage line to the unloading line to form a group of items which can be sent downstream from the unloading line; and wherein the control means determines a space capable of storing the group of items in a planar manner; and the items are unloaded from each storage line to the unloading line at the timing when an item included in the item group enters the space.

[0103] [Item 2] The item dispensing device described in Item 1, characterized in that an item included in an item group that is newly dispensed from a storage line to a discharge line is dispensed ahead of an item that has already been dispensed from another storage line to a discharge line and is moving on the discharge line.

[0104] [Item 3] An item dispensing device according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that it has an item supply line, the item supply line having a supply conveyor and a plurality of branching devices, and connected to a storage conveyor via the branching devices, a single type of item is stored in the storage line, items are transported from the supply conveyor, and items to be stored in a specific storage line are branched off by a specific branching device and carried to the storage conveyor where the item is to be stored.

[0105] [Item 4] The item dispensing device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the discharge line has a discharge conveyor that can change the conveying speed of any area, and the discharge conveyor receives items dispensed from each storage line while moving in a fixed direction, and at that time can change the conveying speed of a specific area to place one or more specified items in the space.

[0106] [Item 5] The article dispensing device according to any one of Items 1 to 4, further comprising a return line, a portion of the supply conveyor being connected to the return line to return articles moving on the supply conveyor to the supply conveyor.

[0107] [Item 6] The article dispensing device according to any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that it has a plurality of the article supply lines.

[0108] [Item 7] The article dispensing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 6, wherein the storage section is located on both sides of the carry-out line.

[0109] [Item 8] The article dispensing device according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that a plurality of designated articles are controlled to be positioned on the carry-out line according to their size and / or shape.

[0110] 1, 77 Goods dispensing device 2 Goods supply line 3 Storage section 5 Discharge line (discharge conveyor) 6 Control device (control means) 8 Storage line 10 Dispensing means 11 Storage conveyor 20 Main line 21 Return line 22 Supply conveyor area 23 Branching device installation area 25 Supply conveyor 31 Transfer type transport module (branching device) 41 Information reading means 42 Dispensing control section 51 Supply line control section 52 Corresponding storage line determination means 53 Pulse accumulating means 55 Arrangement space determination means 60 Corresponding storage line determination means 61 Space movement distance calculation means 62 Pulse accumulating means 70 First arrangement space 71 Second arrangement space 72 Third arrangement space 78 Goods supply line 85 First area 86 Second area 87 Third area 88 Fourth area

Claims

1. An item dispensing device comprising: a storage section for temporarily storing a plurality of items; an output line for discharging the items to the outside; and a control means; said storage section having a plurality of storage lines for storing items in a row, each storage line having a storage conveyor and an output means for discharging the items to the output line; information relating to one or more items is input to said control means as an item group; items included in the item group are discharged from each storage line to the output line to form a group of items which can be sent downstream from the output line; said control means determines a space capable of storing the group of items in a plan view; and the items are discharged from each storage line to the output line when an item included in the item group enters said space.

2. The item dispensing device described in claim 1, characterized in that an item included in an item group that is newly dispensed from a storage line to a discharge line is dispensed ahead of an item that has already been dispensed from another storage line to the discharge line and is moving along the discharge line.

3. An item dispensing device as described in claim 1, further comprising an item supply line having a supply conveyor and a plurality of branching devices, connected to a storage conveyor via the branching devices, wherein one type of item is stored in the storage line, items are transported from the supply conveyor, and items to be stored in a specific storage line are branched off by a specific branching device and carried to the storage conveyor in which the items are to be stored.

4. The item dispensing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the discharge line has an discharge conveyor that is capable of changing the conveying speed of any area, and the discharge conveyor receives items dispensed from each storage line while moving in a certain direction, and at that time, the conveying speed of a specific area can be changed to place one or more specified items in the space.

5. The article delivery device according to claim 1, further comprising a return line, a portion of said supply conveyor being connected to said return line for returning articles moving on said supply conveyor back to said supply conveyor.

6. The article dispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said article supply lines.

7. The article dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the storage section is located on both sides of the discharge line.

8. The article dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of designated articles are controlled so as to be positioned on the carry-out line in accordance with their size and / or shape.