Method for picking up palletized goods after automatic unloading

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a method for picking up palletized goods after automatic unloading, whereby a plurality of palletized goods arranged on a slip sheet are collectively unloaded per slip sheet by an automatic unloading machine, after which the palletized goods can be easily picked up from the front direction by a forklift or an automatic pallet conveyance machine. [Solution] Provided is a method in which a plurality of palletized goods 4 arranged on a slip sheet 3 are collectively unloaded per slip sheet 3 by an automatic unloading machine 7, after which the palletized goods 4 are picked up from the front direction by a forklift 13. This pickup method is characterized in that before the palletized goods 4 that have been collectively unloaded onto the upper surface of the automatic unloading machine 7 are picked up by the forklift 13 from the front direction, rear parts (draw-in bar 11 and draw-in hooks 9a, 9b) of the slip sheet 3 are brought into a state of not hindering the pick-up work.

Description

How to pick up palletized items after automatic unloading

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading, and more particularly to an improvement in a method for unloading multiple palletized packages arranged on a slip sheet together with the slip sheet using an automatic unloading machine, and then picking up the palletized packages from the front using a forklift or automatic pallet transport machine.

[0002] Conventionally, a technology has been proposed that facilitates both loading and unloading of palletized packages onto the bed of a vehicle such as a truck by installing a conveyor on the bed of the vehicle (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, modifying the vehicle in this way requires a significant amount of modification costs, which increases costs. Furthermore, if the vehicle is a rented vehicle, modification is difficult. Therefore, there is a need for technology that allows for automatic loading and unloading of palletized goods onto and from the vehicle bed without modifying the vehicle itself.

[0004] In recent years, mechanisms and equipment have been developed that enable automatic loading of palletized packages onto a vehicle bed, and automatic unloading of palletized packages that have been loaded onto a vehicle bed (see Figures 24 to 26).

[0005] In particular, palletized packages loaded onto a vehicle bed are unloaded using an automatic unloading machine as follows: First, as shown in Figure 24, when loading palletized packages 104 onto the bed 105a of a vehicle 105 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "vehicle bed"), a rubber slip sheet 103 is laid in advance inside the vehicle bed 105a, and multiple palletized packages 104 are placed on the slip sheet 103. When the vehicle 105 loaded with the slip sheet 103 and multiple palletized packages 104 arrives at its destination, an automatic unloading machine 107 is docked at the rear end of the vehicle bed 105a, adjusted to the height of the vehicle bed 105a. When unloading the multiple pallet packages 104 loaded onto the vehicle loading platform 105a, as shown in Figure 25, the retraction bar 111 attached to the rear end of the slip sheet 103 is hooked onto the retraction hooks 109a and 109b of the automatic unloading machine 107, and as shown in Figure 26, the automatic unloading machine 107 pulls the slip sheet 103 out of the vehicle loading platform 105a in one go (see arrow N in Figure 26). This completes the unloading of the multiple pallet packages 104 loaded onto the vehicle loading platform 105a.

[0006] Yamaguchi Motor Co., Ltd. Engineer Blog “Logistics Efficiency and Safety Palette Roller" [online], [Retrieved November 7, 2020], Internet <URL; https: / / yamaguchi-motor.thick.jp / blog / %E3%83%91%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83% A9%E3%83%BC%E6%96%B0%E8%A6%8F%E6%9E%B6%E8%A3%85%E4%BD%9C%E6%A5%AD%E2%9 8%86bp%E3%83%86%E3%82%AF%E3%83%8B%E3%82%AB%E3%83%AB%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3 / 〉

[0007] As shown in Figure 27(a), for maintenance and recovery in the event of a malfunction, a space large enough for an operator to enter around the automatic unloader 107 (approximately 1 meter horizontally from the automatic unloader 107) is required. Figure 27(a) shows a case in which the automatic unloader 107 is installed in a warehouse pit. When the automatic unloader 107 is installed in a warehouse pit like this, a special cover (pit cover) 112 must be placed between the upper edge of the pit and the upper edge of the automatic unloader 107, as shown in Figure 27(b), in order to allow a forklift or automatic pallet transporter to pick up the pallet packages unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 107.

[0008] However, when attempting to pick up pallet package 104 from the "front" direction shown in Figures 25 to 27, it is difficult to get over the step caused by the thickness of retraction hooks 109a, 109b of automatic unloader 107 and retraction bar 111 attached to the rear end of slip sheet 103, even with dedicated cover 112 draped across. As such, it is difficult to pick up pallet packages unloaded in bulk onto the top surface of the automatic unloader from the front direction with a forklift or automatic pallet transporter.

[0009] Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive research to develop a system and equipment that allows multiple palletized packages placed on a slip sheet to be unloaded together with the slip sheet by an automatic unloading machine, and then the palletized packages to be easily picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor. As a result, the inventors have found that by devising the configuration of the automatic unloading machine and the slip sheet, the palletized packages can be easily picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor, and have completed the present invention.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading, which enables a plurality of pallet packages arranged on a slip sheet to be unloaded together with the slip sheet by an automatic unloading machine, and then the pallet packages to be easily picked up from the front by a forklift or an automatic pallet conveyor.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the configuration of the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading according to the present invention is as follows: (1) A method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading, in which a plurality of pallet packages arranged on a slip sheet are unloaded together with the slip sheet by an automatic unloading machine, and then the pallet packages are picked up from the front by a forklift or an automatic pallet conveyor, characterized in that before the pallet packages unloaded in a lump onto the top surface of the automatic unloading machine are picked up from the front by the forklift or the automatic pallet conveyor, the rear of the slip sheet is brought to a position that does not interfere with the pick-up operation.

[0012] In the present invention, the "rear of the slip sheet" includes, for example, a retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet, and a retraction hook of an automatic unloading machine to which the retraction bar is hooked.

[0013] According to the above-mentioned (1) configuration of the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading of the present invention, before the pallet packages that have been collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader are picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor, the rear of the slip sheet (for example, the retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet and the retraction hook of the automatic unloader to which the retraction bar is hooked) is moved to a position that does not interfere with the pick-up operation. This makes it possible to collectively unload multiple pallet packages placed on the slip sheet together with the slip sheet by the automatic unloader, and then easily pick up the pallet packages from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor.

[0014] In the above-mentioned configuration (1) of the method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading of the present invention, it is preferable to configure it as in the following (2) to (8).

[0015] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, the rear upper surface of the automatic unloading machine is an inclined portion that slopes downward toward the rear, and when the pallet packages arranged on the slip sheet are unloaded together with the slip sheet by the automatic unloading machine, the rear of the slip sheet is retracted onto the inclined portion of the automatic unloading machine.

[0016] According to the preferred configuration of (2) above, when the multiple pallet packages loaded onto the vehicle bed have been collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader, the rear of the slip sheet (e.g., the retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet and the retraction hook of the automatic unloader to which the retraction bar is hooked) is retracted onto the inclined portion of the automatic unloader. Therefore, when the pallet packages collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader are picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor, the rear of the slip sheet does not get in the way of the pick-up operation. Therefore, the pallet packages collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader can be easily picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor.

[0017] (3) In the configuration of (1) above, the automatic unloading machine is structured so that it can fold back the direction of travel of the slip sheet at its rear end, and when the multiple pallet packages arranged on the slip sheet are unloaded together with the slip sheet 2 by the automatic unloading machine, the rear of the slip sheet is retracted onto the rear end surface or underside of the automatic unloading machine.

[0018] According to the preferred configuration of (3) above, when the multiple pallet packages loaded onto the vehicle bed have been collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader, the rear of the slip sheet (e.g., the retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet and the retraction hooks of the automatic unloader to which the retraction bar is hooked) is retracted above or below the rear end surface of the automatic unloader. Therefore, when the pallet packages collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader are picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor, the rear of the slip sheet does not get in the way of the pick-up operation. Therefore, the pallet packages collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader can be easily picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor.

[0019] (4) In the configuration of (1) above, the automatic unloading machine comprises an inner wheel that rotates and an outer layer that moves in accordance with the rotation of the inner wheel, and the outer layer is formed with a fixed pocket for fitting a retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet, and when the automatic unloading machine unloads multiple pallet packages arranged on the slip sheet together with the slip sheet, the retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet is fitted into the fixed pocket.

[0020] According to the preferred configuration of (4) above, when the multiple pallet packages loaded onto the vehicle bed have been unloaded onto the automatic unloader, the rear of the slip sheet (the retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet) is embedded inside the outer layer of the automatic unloader. Therefore, when the pallet packages unloaded onto the automatic unloader are picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor, the rear of the slip sheet does not get in the way of the pickup operation. Therefore, the pallet packages unloaded onto the automatic unloader can be easily picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor.

[0021] (5) A method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading, in which a plurality of pallet packages arranged on a slip sheet are towed by an automatic unloading machine and unloaded together with the slip sheet onto the upper surface of the automatic unloading machine, and then the pallet packages are picked up by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor from the front direction, which is the direction opposite to the direction in which the slip sheet is towed, wherein the slip sheet has a structure in which fixing holes are drilled in the rear part, the automatic unloading machine has an inner wheel that is driven to rotate and an outer layer part that moves in response to the rotation of the inner wheel, and the outer layer part has fixing pockets formed therein for inserting fixing nails through the fixing holes drilled in the rear part of the slip sheet, and when a plurality of pallet packages arranged on the slip sheet are towed by the automatic unloading machine and unloaded together with the slip sheet, the fixing nails are inserted into the fixing pockets through the fixing holes drilled in the rear part of the slip sheet, and after unloading is completed, the fixing nails are removed from the fixing pockets.

[0022] According to the preferred configuration of (5) above, when the multiple pallet packages loaded on the vehicle bed have been unloaded onto the automatic unloader, the fixing nails are removed from the fixing holes drilled in the rear part of the slip sheet and the fixing pockets formed in the outer layer of the automatic unloader. Therefore, when the pallet packages unloaded onto the automatic unloader are picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor, the rear part of the slip sheet does not get in the way of the pick-up operation. Therefore, the pallet packages unloaded onto the automatic unloader can be easily picked up from the front by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor.

[0023] (6) In the above configuration (1), the slip sheet is made of a flexible material.

[0024] Examples of flexible materials include natural rubber, silicone rubber, and bellows-shaped metal (nickel, stainless steel) materials. According to the preferred configuration of (6) above, when transporting the palletized items on a vehicle, the rear end of the slip sheet and the "blank" portion that does not carry the palletized items can be folded or rolled up and stored in the vehicle bed.

[0025] (7) In the above configuration (1), the lower surface of the slip sheet has a smooth surface with a relatively small coefficient of friction.

[0026] According to the preferred configuration of (7) above, when the slip sheet is pulled out from the vehicle bed by an automatic unloading machine during unloading, the slip sheet can be pulled out smoothly.

[0027] (8) In the above configuration (1), the slip sheet has a rough surface on the upper surface that has a higher coefficient of friction than the lower surface.

[0028] According to the preferred configuration of (8) above, it is possible to prevent the position of multiple pallet packages placed on the slip sheet from shifting when the slip sheet is pulled out of the vehicle bed by an automatic unloading machine during unloading.

[0029] According to the present invention, a method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading can be provided, which enables a plurality of pallet packages arranged on a slip sheet to be unloaded together with the slip sheet by an automatic unloading machine, and then the pallet packages to be easily picked up from the front by a forklift or an automatic pallet conveyor.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram ((a) is a schematic perspective view, and (b) is a schematic side view) showing a state in which a slip sheet is laid in the vehicle bed at the loading destination and multiple pallet packages are placed on the slip sheet (loaded state) in accordance with embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view (for simplification of the drawing, the automatic unloading machine is shown in a state before modifications are made) for explaining the process of docking the automatic unloading machine to the vehicle bed in accordance with the height of the vehicle bed in accordance with embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view (for simplification of the drawing, the automatic unloading machine is shown in a state before modifications are made) for explaining the process of hooking a retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet onto a retraction hook of the automatic unloading machine in accordance with embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the process of pulling a slip sheet from a vehicle bed using an automatic unloader in accordance with the first and second embodiments of the present invention (for simplicity, the automatic unloader is shown in a state before the modifications are made). FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating the configuration of the automatic unloader in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention after the modifications are made. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which the rear portion of the slip sheet (the retracting bar and retracting hooks) is retracted to a position (on the inclined portion of the automatic unloader) that does not interfere with the pickup of palletized packages by a forklift or the like in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which a palletized package unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is being picked up by a forklift from the front. FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the properties of each side of a slip sheet, which is equipment used in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view illustrating the configuration of the automatic unloader in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention after the modifications are made. Fig. 10 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the rear portion of the slip sheet (the retracting bar and the retracting hook) is retracted to a position (above the bottom surface of the automatic unloading machine) that does not interfere with the pick-up operation of the palletized package by a forklift or the like in the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the palletized package that has been unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloading machine is being picked up from the front by a forklift in the second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the specific configuration of an automatic unloading machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the process of docking an automatic unloading machine to a vehicle bed in accordance with the height of the vehicle bed according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention (for simplicity of the drawing, the automatic unloading machine is shown in a state before modifications are made). FIG. 14 is a schematic side view illustrating the configuration of an automatic unloading machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention after modifications are made. FIG. 15 is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which a retraction bar attached to the rear end of a slip sheet is fitted into a fixed pocket formed in the upper layer of the automatic unloading machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a schematic side view illustrating the process of pulling a slip sheet from a vehicle bed using the automatic unloading machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the process of pulling a slip sheet from a vehicle bed using the automatic unloading machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention (for simplicity of the drawing, the automatic unloading machine is shown in a state before modifications are made). FIG. 18 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a pallet package unloaded onto the top surface of an automatic unloader according to a third embodiment of the present invention is being picked up from the front by a forklift. FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a slip sheet, which is equipment used in a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of an automatic unloader according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention after modifications have been made. FIG. 21 is a schematic side view illustrating the process of pulling a slip sheet from a vehicle bed using an automatic unloader according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the process of pulling a slip sheet from a vehicle bed using an automatic unloader according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention (for simplicity of the drawing, the automatic unloader is shown in a state before modifications have been made). FIG. 23 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a pallet package unloaded onto the top surface of an automatic unloader according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is being picked up from the front by a forklift. FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the process of docking an automatic unloader to a vehicle bed in accordance with the height of the vehicle bed according to the prior art.Fig. 25 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the process of hooking a retraction bar attached to the rear end of a slip sheet onto a retraction hook of an automatic unloading machine in the prior art. Fig. 26 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the process of pulling a slip sheet from a vehicle bed using an automatic unloading machine in the prior art. Fig. 27 is a plan view showing a prior art automatic unloading machine installed in a warehouse pit ((a) shows the state with the dedicated cover removed, and (b) shows the state with the dedicated cover draped over it).

[0031] The present invention will be described in more detail below using preferred embodiments, but the following embodiments are merely examples of realizing the present invention and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0032] [Embodiment 1] (Description of Equipment, etc.) First, the equipment, etc. used in the method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 and 8.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state (loading state) in which a slip sheet is laid in the vehicle bed at the loading destination and multiple pallet packages are placed on the slip sheet in embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention ((a) is a schematic perspective view, and (b) is a schematic side view). FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the process of docking an automatic unloading machine to the vehicle bed in accordance with the height of the vehicle bed in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention (for simplicity of the drawing, the automatic unloading machine is shown in a state before any modifications are made). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the state in which a retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet is moved to the automatic unloading machine in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic oblique view illustrating the process of hooking a slip sheet onto the retracting hook of a sieve (for the sake of simplicity, the automatic unloading machine is shown in a state before modifications have been made to it); Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the automatic unloading machine after modifications have been made to it in this embodiment; and Figure 8 is a front view illustrating the properties of each side of the slip sheet, which is equipment used in embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, when loading pallet packages 4 onto the loading platform 5a of a vehicle 5 such as a truck (hereinafter simply referred to as the "vehicle loading platform"), a slip sheet 3 is laid in advance inside the vehicle loading platform 5a, and multiple pallet packages 4 are placed on the slip sheet 3.

[0035] Here, the pallet package 4 refers to a pallet on which cargo (products) are placed (see FIG. 8). The slip sheet 3 is made of a flexible material. Examples of flexible materials include natural rubber, silicone rubber, and bellows-shaped metal (nickel, stainless steel). As shown in FIG. 1(b), when multiple pallet packages 4 are arranged on the slip sheet 3, a "blank space" is left on the front side of the slip sheet 3 (the rear end side of the vehicle loading platform 5a) where no pallet packages 4 are placed. This "blank space" is folded or rolled up and stored inside the vehicle loading platform 5a when the pallet packages 4 are loaded onto the vehicle loading platform 5a.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, a retracting bar 11 is attached to the rear end of a rectangular slip sheet 3 via a wire connecting part 10. More specifically, a plurality of small holes are drilled at equal intervals in the left-right direction in the rear end of the slip sheet 3 and in the retracting bar 11. A single wire is passed alternately through the small holes in the rear end of the slip sheet 3 and the small holes in the retracting bar 11 and is tied at both the left and right ends, thereby attaching the retracting bar 11 to the rear end of the slip sheet 3 via the wire connecting part 10.

[0037] In Figures 2 to 5, reference numeral 7 denotes an automatic unloader. A pair of left and right rails 8a, 8b extending in the front-to-rear direction is formed on the rectangular top surface of the automatic unloader 7 in a plan view. A pair of left and right retracting hooks 9a, 9b (Figure 3) are slidably mounted on the pair of left and right rails 8a, 8b. The pair of left and right retracting hooks 9a, 9b can be slid forward and backward by operating the automatic unloader 7. Note that for simplicity's sake, the pair of left and right rails 8a, 8b are depicted as having convex strips in Figures 2 to 4, but in reality, they have concave strips. The retracting hooks 9a, 9b can slide within the concave strips. Although specific mechanisms are not shown, the automatic unloader 7 can move forward, backward, up and down, change direction, and so on.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 5, the upper rear surface of the automatic unloader 7 is an inclined portion (inclined surface) 7a that slopes downward toward the rear (to the left in Fig. 5). The inclination angle θ and horizontal length L of the inclined portion 7a are set to values ​​that allow the rear portion of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and the retraction hooks 9a, 9b) to be retracted onto the inclined portion 7a when the automatic unloader 7 unloads multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3 together with the slip sheet 3 (see arrow A in Fig. 4, arrow B in Fig. 5, and arrows C and D in Fig. 6) (see Figs. 6 and 7).

[0039] 8, the lower surface of the slip sheet 3 is a smooth surface with a relatively low coefficient of friction, and the upper surface of the slip sheet 3 is a rough surface with a higher coefficient of friction than the lower surface.

[0040] (Method for Picking Up Palletized Packages After Automatic Unloading) Next, a method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic side view showing the state in which the rear part of the slip sheet (the retraction bar and retraction hook) has been retracted to a position (on the inclined part of the automatic unloading machine) that does not interfere with the pick-up of the palletized package by a forklift or the like in this embodiment, and Figure 7 is a schematic side view showing the state in which the palletized package that has been unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloading machine is being picked up from the front by a forklift in this embodiment.

[0042] In this embodiment, the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading involves unloading multiple pallet packages 4 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) placed on a slip sheet 3 together with the slip sheet 3 using an automatic unloader 7 (see FIGS. 4 to 6; arrow A in FIG. 4, arrow B in FIG. 5, and arrows C and D in FIG. 6), and then picking up the pallet packages 4 from the front with a forklift 13 (see FIG. 7; arrow E in FIG. 7). This pickup method is characterized in that, before the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7 are picked up from the front with the forklift 13, the rear of the slip sheet 3 (retraction bar 11 and retraction hooks 9a, 9b) is moved out of the way of the pickup operation (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0043] According to the configuration of the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment, before the pallet packages 4 that have been collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7 are picked up from the front by the forklift 13, the rear part of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and the retraction hooks 9a, 9b) is brought to a position where it does not interfere with the pick-up operation. This makes it possible to collectively unload multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3 together with the slip sheet 3 by the automatic unloader 7, and then easily pick up the pallet packages 4 from the front by the forklift 13.

[0044] This process will be explained in more detail below. First, as shown in FIG. 1 , when loading pallet packages 4 onto a vehicle loading platform 5a, a slip sheet 3 is laid in advance inside the vehicle loading platform 5a, and multiple pallet packages 4 are placed on the slip sheet 3 (Step A). ​​Here, the multiple pallet packages 4 are arranged horizontally. In the example of FIG. 1 , they are arranged in four rows and two columns. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1( b), the multiple pallet packages 4 are arranged so that a certain amount of "blank space" is left on the front side of the slip sheet 3 (the rear end side of the vehicle loading platform 5a). Since the slip sheet 3 is made of a flexible material such as natural rubber, silicone rubber, or a bellows-shaped metal (nickel, stainless steel), this "blank space" can be folded or rolled up and stored inside the vehicle loading platform 5a when loading the pallet packages 4 onto the vehicle loading platform 5a.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, after the slip sheet 3 and the plurality of pallet packages 4 are loaded onto a vehicle loading platform 5a, the vehicle 5 transports the goods to the destination.

[0046] Next, as shown in Figure 2, when the vehicle 5 loaded with the slip sheet 3 and multiple pallet packages 4 arrives near the pit of the warehouse where the goods are to be unloaded, the automatic unloading machine 7 is docked at the rear end of the vehicle loading platform 5a in accordance with the height of the vehicle loading platform 5a (step B).

[0047] Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the pull-in bar 11 attached to the rear end of the slip sheet 3 is hooked onto the pull-in hooks 9a and 9b of the automatic unloading machine 7 (step C).

[0048] 3 to 6, the automatic unloader 7 pulls the slip sheet 3 out of the vehicle loading platform 5a in one go (see arrow A in FIG. 4, arrow B in FIG. 5, and arrows C and D in FIG. 6) (step D). This completes the unloading of the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded onto the vehicle loading platform 5a onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7.

[0049] Here, since the underside of the slip sheet 3 has a smooth surface with a relatively small coefficient of friction, the slip sheet 3 can be smoothly pulled out from the vehicle bed 5a by the automatic unloading machine 7 during unloading. Also, since the upper surface of the slip sheet 3 has a rough surface with a larger coefficient of friction than the lower surface, it is possible to prevent the positions of the multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3 from shifting when the slip sheet 3 is pulled out from the vehicle bed 5a by the automatic unloading machine 7 during unloading.

[0050] Furthermore, in the configuration of the method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment, by including the above-mentioned process B, there is no step or gap between the top surface of the automatic unloading machine 7 and the rear end of the vehicle loading platform 5a, so that multiple palletized packages 4 loaded onto the vehicle loading platform 5a can be smoothly unloaded all at once.

[0051] Furthermore, the configuration of the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment includes the above-mentioned step C, and since the pulling bar 11 is attached to the rear end of the slip sheet 3 via the wire connecting part 10 configured as shown in Figure 3, the automatic unloading machine 7 can pull the slip sheet 3 out of the vehicle bed 5a in one go with an equal pulling force acting on the entire rear end of the slip sheet 3. This also makes it possible to prevent the positions of the multiple pallet packages 4 placed on the slip sheet 3 from shifting when the slip sheet 3 is pulled out of the vehicle bed 5a by the automatic unloading machine 7 during unloading.

[0052] To reiterate, in this embodiment, the upper rear surface of the automatic unloader 7 is formed as an inclined portion (inclined surface) 7a that slopes downward toward the rear (to the left in FIG. 5 ). More specifically, the inclination angle θ and horizontal length L of the inclined portion 7a are set to values ​​that allow the rear portion of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and the retraction hooks 9a, 9b) to be retracted onto the inclined portion 7a when the automatic unloader 7 unloads multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3 together with the slip sheet 3 (see arrow A in FIG. 4 , arrow B in FIG. 5 , and arrows C and D in FIG. 6 ). Therefore, when the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded on the vehicle bed 5a have been unloaded onto the upper surface of the automatic unloader 7, the rear portion of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and the retraction hooks 9a, 9b) is retracted onto the inclined portion 7a of the automatic unloader 7 (the state in FIG. 6 ).

[0053] Once the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded onto the vehicle loading platform 5a have been unloaded onto the automatic unloader 7, a dedicated cover (pit cover) 12 is placed between the upper edge of the pit and the edge of the horizontal upper surface of the automatic unloader 7, as shown in Figure 7, so that a forklift 13 can pick up the pallet packages 4 from the front (step E). Here, the rear of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and retraction hooks 9a, 9b) is retracted above the inclined portion 7a of the automatic unloader 7, so that when the forklift 13 picks up the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the automatic unloader 7 from the front, the rear of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and retraction hooks 9a, 9b) does not get in the way of the pick-up operation. Therefore, the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the automatic unloader 7 can be easily picked up from the front by the forklift 13.

[0054] In this embodiment, the case where the pallet package 4 is picked up from the front by a forklift 13 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. Even when the pallet package is picked up from the front by an automatic pallet transporter, the same effects can be obtained by adopting a configuration similar to that of the present invention. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments described below.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, the automatic unloading machine 7 is installed in a pit of a warehouse. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. Regardless of where the automatic unloading machine is installed, similar effects can be obtained by adopting a configuration similar to that of the present invention. The same applies to embodiments 2 to 4 described below.

[0056] [Embodiment 2] (Explanation of Equipment, etc.) Next, equipment, etc. used in the method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 12. Note that in this embodiment, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and explanations of points that overlap with embodiment 1 will be omitted, and Figures 1 to 4 and 8 and the descriptions referring to these will be used.

[0057] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the automatic unloading machine after the modification in this embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the specific configuration of the automatic unloading machine in this embodiment.

[0058] In FIG. 9, reference numeral 7-2 denotes an automatic unloader. As shown in FIG. 9, the automatic unloader 7-2 is configured to fold back the slip sheet 3 at its rear end (left end in FIG. 9) to reverse its travel direction. More specifically, the automatic unloader 7-2 is configured with a flat rubber sheet (FIG. 12(a)) configured as a caterpillar (FIG. 12(b)), allowing it to fold back the slip sheet 3 to reverse its travel direction. By adopting the above configuration, when the automatic unloader 7-2 unloads multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3 together with the slip sheet 3 (see arrow A in FIG. 4 and arrows F, G, and H in FIGS. 9 and 10), the rear of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and retraction hooks 9a and 9b) can be retracted above the underside of the automatic unloader 7-2 (see FIG. 10).

[0059] (Method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading) Next, a method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Note that in this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and explanations of points that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted, and reference will be made to Figures 1 to 4 and 8 and the descriptions referring to these figures.

[0060] Figure 10 is a schematic side view showing the state in which the rear part of the slip sheet (the retraction bar and retraction hook) has been retracted to a position (above the underside of the automatic unloading machine) that does not interfere with the pick-up of the palletized package by a forklift or the like in this embodiment, and Figure 11 is a schematic side view showing the state in which the palletized package that has been unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloading machine is being picked up from the front by a forklift in this embodiment.

[0061] In this embodiment, the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading involves unloading multiple pallet packages 4 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) placed on a slip sheet 3 together with the slip sheet 3 using the automatic unloader 7-2 (see FIGS. 4, 9, and 10; see arrow A in FIG. 4, arrows F, G, and H in FIG. 9, and arrows F, G, and H in FIG. 10), and then picking up the pallet packages 4 from the front with a forklift 13 (see FIG. 11; arrow R in FIG. 11). This pickup method is characterized in that, before the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-2 are picked up from the front with the forklift 13, the rear of the slip sheet 3 (retraction bar 11 and retraction hooks 9a and 9b) is moved out of the way of the pickup operation (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

[0062] According to the configuration of the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment, the rear part of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and the retraction hooks 9a, 9b) is moved to a position where it does not get in the way of the pick-up operation before the pallet packages 4 that have been collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-2 are picked up from the front by the forklift 13. This makes it possible to easily pick up the pallet packages 4 from the front by the forklift 13 after the multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3 have been collectively unloaded together with the slip sheet 3 by the automatic unloader 7-2.

[0063] As shown in Figures 4, 9, and 10, the automatic unloader 7-2 pulls the slip sheet 3 out of the vehicle loading platform 5a in one go (see arrow A in Figure 4, arrows F, G, and H in Figure 9, and arrows F, G, and H in Figure 10) (step F). This completes the unloading of the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded onto the vehicle loading platform 5a onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-2.

[0064] To reiterate, in this embodiment, the automatic unloader 7-2 is configured to be able to fold back the direction of travel of the slip sheet 3 at its rear end (left end in FIG. 9). By adopting the above configuration, when the automatic unloader 7-2 unloads multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3 together with the slip sheet 3 (see arrow A in FIG. 4, arrows F, G, and H in FIG. 9, and arrows F, G, and H in FIG. 10), the rear of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and retraction hooks 9a, 9b) can be retracted above the bottom surface of the automatic unloader 7-2. Therefore, when the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded on the vehicle bed 5a have been unloaded all at once onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-2, the rear of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and retraction hooks 9a, 9b) is retracted above the bottom surface of the automatic unloader 7-2 (the state in FIG. 10).

[0065] Once the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded onto the vehicle loading platform 5a have been unloaded onto the automatic unloader 7-2, a dedicated cover (pit cover) 12 is placed between the upper edge of the pit and the slip sheet 3 located on the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-2, as shown in Figure 11, allowing a forklift 13 to pick up the pallet packages 4 from the front (step G). Here, the rear of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and retraction hooks 9a, 9b) is retracted above the bottom surface of the automatic unloader 7-2, so that when the forklift 13 picks up the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-2 from the front, the rear of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and retraction hooks 9a, 9b) does not get in the way of the pick-up operation. Therefore, the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-2 can be easily picked up by the forklift 13 from the front.

[0066] In this embodiment, the rear portion of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and the retraction hooks 9a, 9b) is retracted onto the underside of the automatic unloader 7-2. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. The rear portion of the slip sheet 3 (the retraction bar 11 and the retraction hooks 9a, 9b) may be retracted onto the rear end surface of the automatic unloader 7-2, for example.

[0067] [Embodiment 3] (Explanation of Equipment, etc.) Next, the equipment, etc. used in the method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 15 and 17. Note that in this embodiment, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and explanations of points that overlap with embodiment 1 will be omitted, with reference to Figures 1 and 8 and the descriptions referring to them.

[0068] Figure 13 is a schematic oblique view illustrating the process of docking an automatic unloading machine to a vehicle bed in accordance with the height of the vehicle bed in embodiments 3 and 4 of the present invention (for the sake of simplicity, the automatic unloading machine is shown in a state before modifications have been made to the machine); Figure 14 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the automatic unloading machine in this embodiment after modifications have been made; Figure 15 is a schematic side view showing the state in this embodiment in which the retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet is inserted into a fixed pocket formed in the upper part of the automatic unloading machine; and Figure 17 is a schematic oblique view illustrating the process of pulling the slip sheet out of the vehicle bed using the automatic unloading machine in this embodiment (for the sake of simplicity, the automatic unloading machine is shown in a state before modifications have been made to the machine).

[0069] In Figures 13 to 15 and 17, reference numeral 7-3 designates an automatic unloader. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the automatic unloader 7-3 includes a rotating inner wheel 14 and an outer layer 15 that moves in response to the rotation of the inner wheel 14. The outer layer 15 is formed with a fixed pocket 16 extending laterally, into which a retracting bar 11 attached to the rear end of the slip sheet 3 is fitted. Note that the fixed pocket 16 is not shown in Figures 13 and 17 for the sake of simplicity. By adopting the above configuration, when the automatic unloader 7-3 unloads multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3 together with the slip sheet 3 (see arrows 11, 12, and 13 in Figure 16 and arrow 14 in Figure 17), the rear of the slip sheet 3 (the retracting bar 11) can be buried within the outer layer 15 of the automatic unloader 7-3.

[0070] (Method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading) Next, a method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 18. Note that in this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and explanations of points that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted, with reference to Figures 1 and 8 and the descriptions referring to them.

[0071] Figure 16 is a schematic side view illustrating the process of pulling a slip sheet from a vehicle bed using an automatic unloading machine in this embodiment, and Figure 18 is a schematic side view showing the state in this embodiment where a pallet package unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloading machine is being picked up from the front by a forklift.

[0072] In this embodiment, the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading involves unloading multiple pallet packages 4 (see FIG. 1) placed on a slip sheet 3 together with the slip sheet 3 using an automatic unloader 7-3 (see arrows J, L, and O in FIG. 16 and arrow W in FIG. 17), and then picking up the pallet packages 4 from the front with a forklift 13 (see FIG. 18; arrow F in FIG. 18). This pickup method is characterized in that, before the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-3 are picked up from the front with the forklift 13, the rear of the slip sheet 3 (retraction bar 11) is moved out of the way of the pickup operation (see FIG. 18).

[0073] According to the configuration of the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment, the rear part (retraction bar 11) of the slip sheet 3 is moved out of the way of the pickup operation before the pallet packages 4 that have been collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-3 are picked up from the front by the forklift 13. This allows multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3 to be collectively unloaded together with the slip sheet 3 by the automatic unloader 7-3, and then the pallet packages 4 can be easily picked up from the front by the forklift 13.

[0074] As shown in Figure 13, when the vehicle 5 loaded with the slip sheet 3 and the multiple pallet packages 4 arrives near the pit of the warehouse where the goods are to be unloaded, the automatic unloading machine 7-3 is docked at the rear end of the vehicle loading platform 5a in accordance with the height of the vehicle loading platform 5a (step H).

[0075] Next, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the retraction bar 11 attached to the rear end of the slip sheet 3 is fitted into a fixed pocket 16 formed in the upper layer 15 of the automatic unloading machine 7-3 (Step I).

[0076] 16 and 17, the automatic unloader 7-3 pulls the slip sheet 3 out of the vehicle bed 5a in one go (see arrows J, L, and O in FIG. 16 and arrow W in FIG. 17) (step J). This completes the unloading of the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded onto the vehicle bed 5a onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-3.

[0077] To reiterate, in this embodiment, the automatic unloading machine 7-3 comprises an inner wheel 14 that rotates and an outer layer portion 15 that moves in response to the rotation of the inner wheel 14, and the outer layer portion 15 is formed with a fixed pocket 16 extending left and right into which a retraction bar 11 attached to the rear end of the slip sheet 3 is fitted. By adopting the above configuration, when a plurality of pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3 are unloaded together with the slip sheet 3 by the automatic unloading machine 7-3 (see arrows J, L, and W in FIG. 16 and arrow W in FIG. 17), the rear portion of the slip sheet 3 (retraction bar 11) can be buried inside the outer layer portion 15 of the automatic unloading machine 7-3. Therefore, when the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded on the vehicle loading platform 5a have been unloaded all at once onto the top surface of the automatic unloading machine 7-3, the rear part of the slip sheet 3 (retraction bar 11) becomes embedded inside the outer layer 15 of the automatic unloading machine 7-3 (as shown in Figure 18).

[0078] Once the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded onto the vehicle loading platform 5a have been unloaded onto the automatic unloader 7-3, a dedicated cover (pit cover) 12 is placed between the upper edge of the pit and the slip sheet 3 located on the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-3, as shown in Figure 18, allowing a forklift 13 to pick up the pallet packages 4 from the front (step K). Here, the rear of the slip sheet 3 (retraction bar 11) is embedded within the outer layer 15 of the automatic unloader 7-3, so that the rear of the slip sheet 3 (retraction bar 11) does not get in the way of the forklift 13 picking up the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-3 from the front. Therefore, the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-3 can be easily picked up by the forklift 13 from the front.

[0079] [Embodiment 4] (Explanation of Equipment, etc.) Next, the equipment, etc. used in the method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 22. Note that in this embodiment, differences from embodiments 1 and 3 will be mainly described, and explanations of points that overlap with embodiments 1 and 3 will be omitted, and reference will be made to Figures 1, 8, and 13 and the descriptions referring to these figures.

[0080] Figure 19 is a schematic oblique view showing the configuration of the slip sheet, which is the equipment used in this embodiment; Figure 20 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the automatic unloading machine in this embodiment after the modifications have been made; Figure 21 is a schematic side view for explaining the process of pulling the slip sheet from the vehicle bed using the automatic unloading machine in this embodiment; and Figure 22 is a schematic oblique view for explaining the process of pulling the slip sheet from the vehicle bed using the automatic unloading machine in this embodiment (for simplicity of the drawing, the automatic unloading machine is shown in a state before the modifications have been made).

[0081] In Fig. 19, reference numeral 3-2 denotes a slip sheet. As shown in Fig. 19, the slip sheet 3-2 is formed in a rectangular shape. A plurality of fixing holes 17 are drilled at the rear of the slip sheet 3-2 at equal intervals in the left-right direction.

[0082] In Figures 20 and 21, reference numeral 7-4 designates an automatic unloader. As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the automatic unloader 7-4 includes a rotationally driven inner wheel 14 and an outer layer 15 that moves in response to the rotation of the inner wheel 14. The outer layer 15 has a plurality of fixing pockets 18 formed at equal intervals in the left-right direction for inserting fixing nails 19 through fixing holes 17 drilled in the rear of the slip sheet 3-2. Note that in Figure 22, the fixing holes 17 and fixing pockets 18 are omitted from the illustration to simplify the drawing. When the multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3-2 are unloaded together with the slip sheet 3-2 by the automatic unloading machine 7-4 (see arrows Y, T, and R in Figure 21 and arrow S in Figure 22), the fixing nails 19 are inserted into the fixing pockets 18 through the fixing holes 17 drilled in the rear of the slip sheet 3-2, and after unloading is complete, the fixing nails 19 are removed from the fixing pockets 18.

[0083] (Method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading) Next, a method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Note that in this embodiment, differences from the first and third embodiments will be mainly described, and explanations of points that overlap with the first and third embodiments will be omitted, citing Fig. 1, Fig. 8, Fig. 13 and the descriptions referring to these.

[0084] FIG. 23 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a pallet package unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader is being picked up from the front by a forklift in this embodiment.

[0085] In this embodiment, the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading involves unloading multiple pallet packages 4 (see FIG. 1) placed on a slip sheet 3-2 together with the slip sheet 3-2 using an automatic unloader 7-4 (see arrows Y, T, and R in FIG. 21 and arrow S in FIG. 22), and then picking up the pallet packages 4 from the front with a forklift 13 (see FIG. 23; arrow T in FIG. 23). This pickup method is characterized in that, before the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-4 are picked up from the front with the forklift 13, the rear of the slip sheet 3-2 is moved out of the way of the pickup operation (see FIG. 23).

[0086] According to the configuration of the method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading in this embodiment, the rear of the slip sheet 3-2 is moved out of the way of the pickup operation before the pallet packages 4 that have been collectively unloaded onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-4 are picked up from the front by the forklift 13. This allows multiple pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3-2 to be collectively unloaded together with the slip sheet 3-2 by the automatic unloader 7-4, and then the pallet packages 4 can be easily picked up from the front by the forklift 13.

[0087] As shown in Figure 13, when a vehicle 5 loaded with a slip sheet 3-2 and multiple pallet packages 4 arrives near the pit of a warehouse where the goods are to be unloaded, an automatic unloading machine 7-4 is docked at the rear end of the vehicle loading platform 5a in accordance with the height of the vehicle loading platform 5a (step L).

[0088] Next, as shown in Figures 19 to 21, when the pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3-2 are unloaded together with the slip sheet 3-2 by the automatic unloading machine 7-4 (see arrows Y, T, and R in Figure 21 and arrow S in Figure 22), fixing nails 19 are inserted into fixing pockets 18 through fixing holes 17 drilled in the rear of the slip sheet 3-2 (step M).

[0089] 21 and 22, the automatic unloader 7-4 pulls the slip sheet 3-2 out of the vehicle bed 5a in one go (see arrows Y, T, and R in FIG. 21 and arrow S in FIG. 22) (Step N). This completes the unloading of the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded onto the vehicle bed 5a onto the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-4.

[0090] To reiterate, in this embodiment, the automatic unloading machine 7-4 comprises a rotationally driven inner wheel 14 and an outer layer portion 15 that moves in response to the rotation of the inner wheel 14, and the outer layer portion 15 has a plurality of fixing pockets 18 formed at equal intervals in the left-right direction for inserting fixing nails 19 through fixing holes 17 drilled in the rear part of the slip sheet 3-2. When the automatic unloading machine 7-4 unloads a plurality of pallet packages 4 arranged on the slip sheet 3-2 together with the slip sheet 3-2 (see arrows Y, T, and R in Figure 21 and arrow S in Figure 22), the fixing nails 19 are inserted into the fixing pockets 18 through the fixing holes 17 drilled in the rear part of the slip sheet 3-2, and after unloading is complete, the fixing nails 19 are removed from the fixing pockets 18. Therefore, when the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded on the vehicle loading platform 5a have been unloaded all at once onto the top surface of the automatic unloading machine 7-4, the fixing nails 19 are removed from the fixing holes 17 drilled in the rear of the slip sheet 3-2 and the fixing pockets 18 formed in the outer layer 15 of the automatic unloading machine 7-4 (see Figure 23).

[0091] Once the multiple pallet packages 4 loaded onto the vehicle loading platform 5a have been unloaded onto the automatic unloader 7-4, a dedicated cover (pit cover) 12 is placed between the upper edge of the pit and the slip sheet 3-2 located on the top surface of the automatic unloader 7-4, as shown in Figure 23, allowing a forklift 13 to pick up the pallet packages 4 from the front (step O). Here, the fixing nails 19 have been removed from the fixing holes 17 drilled in the rear of the slip sheet 3-2 and the fixing pockets 18 formed in the outer layer 15 of the automatic unloader 7-4. Therefore, when the forklift 13 picks up the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the automatic unloader 7-4 from the front, the rear of the slip sheet 3-2 does not get in the way. Therefore, the pallet packages 4 unloaded onto the automatic unloader 7-4 can be easily picked up from the front by the forklift 13.

[0092] 3, 3-2 Slip sheet 4 Pallet packing 5 Vehicle 5a Loading platform 7, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4 Automatic unloading machine 7a Inclined portion 8a, 8b Rail 9a, 9b Pull-in hook 10 Wire connecting portion 11 Pull-in bar 12 Dedicated cover 13 Forklift 14 Inner ring 15 Outer layer 16, 18 Fixing pocket 17 Fixing hole 19 Fixing nail

Claims

1. A method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading, in which a plurality of pallet packages arranged on a slip sheet are towed by an automatic unloading machine and unloaded together with the slip sheet onto the top surface of the automatic unloading machine, and then the pallet packages are picked up from the front, which is the direction opposite to the direction in which the slip sheet is towed, by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor, characterized in that before the pallet packages that have been unloaded together with the slip sheet onto the top surface of the automatic unloading machine from the front, a rear portion of the slip sheet that is thicker than other portions of the slip sheet is lowered downward.

2. A method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading as described in claim 1, wherein the upper rear surface of the automatic unloading machine is an inclined portion that slopes downward toward the rear, and when the multiple pallet packages arranged on the slip sheet are towed by the automatic unloading machine to unload the entire slip sheet at once, the rear of the slip sheet is retracted onto the inclined portion of the automatic unloading machine.

3. The automatic unloading machine is structured so that it can fold back the direction of travel of the slip sheet at its rear end, and when the multiple pallet packages arranged on the slip sheet are towed by the automatic unloading machine to unload the entire slip sheet at once, the rear end of the slip sheet is retracted above or below the rear end surface of the automatic unloading machine, as described in claim 1.

4. The automatic unloading machine is equipped with an inner wheel that rotates and an outer layer that moves in response to the rotation of the inner wheel, and a fixed pocket is formed in the outer layer for fitting a retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet, and when multiple pallet packages arranged on the slip sheet are towed by the automatic unloading machine to unload the entire slip sheet at once, the retraction bar attached to the rear end of the slip sheet is fitted into the fixed pocket, as described in claim 1.

5. A method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading, in which a plurality of pallet packages arranged on a slip sheet are towed by an automatic unloading machine and unloaded together with the slip sheet onto the upper surface of the automatic unloading machine, and then the pallet packages are picked up from the front direction, which is the direction opposite to the direction in which the slip sheet is towed, by a forklift or automatic pallet conveyor, wherein the slip sheet has a structure in which fixing holes are drilled in the rear part, the automatic unloading machine has an inner wheel that is driven to rotate and an outer layer part that moves in response to the rotation of the inner wheel, and the outer layer part has fixing pockets formed therein for inserting fixing nails through the fixing holes drilled in the rear part of the slip sheet, and when a plurality of pallet packages arranged on the slip sheet are towed by the automatic unloading machine and unloaded together with the slip sheet, the fixing nails are inserted into the fixing pockets through the fixing holes drilled in the rear part of the slip sheet, This method for picking up pallet packages after automatic unloading is such that the fixing nails are removed from the fixing pockets after unloading is completed.

6. The method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading according to claim 1, wherein the slip sheet is made of a flexible material.

7. The method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the slip sheet has a smooth surface with a relatively low coefficient of friction.

8. The method for picking up palletized packages after automatic unloading according to claim 1, wherein the slip sheet has a rough surface on the upper surface with a higher coefficient of friction than the lower surface.