JP2007238332A - Article sorting method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and completely perform receiving time limit management for received articles. <P>SOLUTION: This article sorting method comprises reading effective time limit information attached to articles in the process of sorting received articles, and calculating a receiving time limit for the articles from the effective time limit information on the basis of a receiving time limit rule. A sorting destination entrance or a returned article entrance are specified, displayed and guided on the basis of the calculation result of the receiving time limit. Thereby, the articles received within the receiving time limit are sorted in a predetermined sorting destination entrance corresponding to the delivery destination of the articles and the articles received out of the receiving time limit are sorted in the returned article entrance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an article sorting method and apparatus.

  The number of retailers in the retail industry and the variety of products are increasing, and the number of sorting operations in the distribution center such as the transit center established between the seller supplier and the buyer retailer is increased. Multi-product classification (multi-categorization) has occurred.

  In the retail industry, due to the need for hygiene and safety of foods, medicines, etc., receipt deadline management based on the shelf life and expiration date of the packaged goods is required. In foods, the expiration date and the date of manufacture are given to the food. In addition, in medicine, the law stipulates that an expiration date is attached to an article, which is used as a judgment material for returned goods collection.

  In addition, in the retail industry, aside from food hygiene or pharmaceutical safety, the freshness of “freshness” increases the value of the product. For example, in the case of a product with a long validity period (for example, 90 days) from the date of manufacture. Concludes a sales contract with the supplier to allow purchases until the remaining effective period reaches 7/8 of the maximum effective period, and to return products that do not accept 1/8 of the maximum effective period. Etc. appeared.

  In other words, according to the prior art, for the goods received at the distribution center, based on the expiry date information attached to the goods (expiration date, expiry date, expiry date from the date of manufacture, etc.) The date and time n days before the expiration date, the date and time n days before the expiration date, or the date on which 1/8 of the maximum validity period elapses from the manufacturing date, etc. Acceptance time limit management is performed to accept only articles.

  However, the conventional acceptance deadline management has the following problems because the above-mentioned acceptance deadline management is performed on the goods in the state of pallet loading on the receiving platform of the distribution center.

  [1] Since the acceptance deadline management is performed in the process of receiving the goods in the pallet loading state as they are in the automatic warehouse, in order to manage the acceptance deadline for the goods, it is necessary to temporarily collapse the pallet loading figure. Since this involves a heavy work load and time loss, it is not possible to manage all products, only partial management of some items on the surface side of the package, in the operation of the distribution center.

  [2] The expiration date information is not necessarily the same among the same items constituting the pallet loading form. Therefore, in the partial management described in [1] above, it is not possible to perform complete acceptance deadline management for incoming goods. Under such circumstances, the trust of consumers who are sensitive to the expiration date information in recent years is impaired, and this causes retail sales distrust.

  An object of the present invention is to easily and completely manage a receipt date for a packaged item.

  The invention of claim 1 is a method for sorting articles that accepts each received article and sorts each article into each of a number of entrances of a sorting zone that should be the sorting destination of the article. Predetermined acceptance deadline rules that determine the acceptance deadlines for articles are read in advance, and the associated expiration date information is read from each article during the process of sorting the received goods, and the acceptance deadline for the article is calculated based on the acceptance deadline rules from this expiration date information. Then, articles received within the acceptance deadline are sorted into a predetermined sorting destination corresponding to the delivery destination of the article, and articles received outside the acceptance deadline are returned.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the articles received outside the acceptance deadline are sorted into the return slot specified in the sorting zone.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the articles received outside the acceptance deadline are sorted into return slots specified for each supplier in the sorting zone.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, an article received outside the acceptance deadline is paid out to a return line.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the article is returned in a state where a label printed with return information is attached to the article received outside the acceptance deadline. The list is issued.

  The invention according to claim 6 is an article sorting apparatus that receives each received article and sorts each article into each of a number of entrances of the sorting zone to which the article is to be sorted, from the expiration date information of each article. A control computer that predetermines an acceptance deadline rule that determines the acceptance deadline of the article, and an arrival terminal that reads the expiration date information attached to each article in the sorting process of the received article, and the control computer reads the arrival terminal Based on the expiration date information as a result, the acceptance deadline of the article is calculated based on the acceptance deadline rule, and the article received within the acceptance deadline is sorted into a predetermined sorting destination corresponding to the delivery destination of the article, and the acceptance deadline The goods received outside can be returned.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the control computer can sort the articles received outside the acceptance deadline into the return slot specified in the sorting zone.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the control computer is capable of sorting articles received outside the acceptance deadline into return slots specified for each supplier in the sorting zone. is there.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the control computer is configured such that an article received outside the acceptance deadline can be paid out to a return line.

  The invention of claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further enabling the control computer to issue a label printed with return information for attaching to an article received outside the acceptance deadline, A list of returned items can be issued.

According to the inventions of claims 1 and 6, there are the following operations [1] and [2].
[1] The expiration date information attached to each article is read in the process of sorting the received articles, and the acceptance deadline management for each article is performed based on the read result. Therefore, the acceptance time limit management for all the received goods can be easily performed in a short time with light work without impairing the operation of the distribution center.

  [2] By managing acceptance deadlines for all incoming goods, it is possible to perform complete acceptance deadline management and improve consumer confidence in the retail industry.

According to the inventions of claims 2 and 7, the following effect [3] is obtained.
[3] Goods that can be returned to the supplier can be improved by collecting items that have not yet been accepted into the return zone specified in the sorting zone.

According to the inventions of claims 3 and 8, the following effect [4] is obtained.
[4] The return workability to the supplier can be further improved by specifying the return window of [3] above for each supplier.

According to the inventions of claims 4 and 9, there is the following effect [5].
[5] By paying out items that are out of the acceptance period to the return line, the items to be returned can be collected in one place with a simple equipment configuration, and the return workability to the supplier can be improved.

The inventions according to claims 5 and 10 have the following operations [6] and [7].
[6] By attaching a return information label to an item that has not been accepted, the return workability to the supplier can be improved.

  [7] By issuing a list of returned items, the return results can be accurately recorded. In addition, by sending a return list to the retail business headquarters and sending a return list to the supplier, it is possible to rationally correct payment information from the retailer to the supplier and achieve high accuracy in quality control. .

  1 is a schematic diagram showing a distribution center sorting device, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a distribution center control system, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting zone, and FIG. 4 is an example in which a store-specific standard is adopted for the sorting zone. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of adopting a store-specific criterion for the sorting zone, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of adopting a product classification criterion for the sorting zone, and FIG. 7 is a delivery to the sorting zone. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example which employ | adopted the standard according to a course.

  A distribution center (passage center) 1 in FIG. 1 is provided between a plurality of suppliers and a plurality of retail stores, and has a sorting device 10.

  The sorting apparatus 10 includes an upper inflow cargo line 20, a primary sorting and conveying line 30, and a secondary sorting and conveying line 40. Further, the sorting apparatus 10 includes a physical distribution computer 11 and a control computer 12 as shown in FIG. The distribution computer 11 has a product master such as a supplier code, a store code, a product code, a product classification (category) code, and store order data. The control computer 12 controls the conveyors 30 </ b> A and 40 </ b> A of the primary sorting line 30 and the secondary sorting and conveying line 40 according to the possessed data of the logistics computer 11 and the receiving data obtained from the receiving terminal 13 of the upper inflow loading line 20. 14 and the sorting destination frontage display control unit 15 of the secondary sorting line 40 is controlled.

  In the following description of the sorting apparatus 10, the delivery terminal 13 of the upper incoming line 20, the barcode reader 31 of the primary sorting line 30, and the barcode reader 41 of the secondary sorting line 40 are attached to each case. The code data indicating the name, product name, product classification name, etc. has been described as being transferred to the control computer 12. However, only the product name code (JAN code) is always printed and attached to each case. The supplier name code can be known by the control computer 12 by inputting the supplier name described in the delivery slip, invoice or tag attached to each case to the control computer 12 from the arrival terminal 13. . The product classification name code is stored in the product master of the logistics computer 11. (a) In the case of 1 product 1 supplier, only the product name is input to the control computer 12 by the arrival terminal 13 to the supplier. All the order data including the product category name code are drawn from the logistics computer 11 to the control computer 12, and the control computer 12 can know the product category name code of the product name from the contents of the order data. b) In the case of a single product multiple supplier, by inputting the supplier name to the control computer 12 by the arrival terminal 13, all the order data to the supplier are controlled from the logistics computer 11 including the product classification name code. The control computer 12 knows the product classification name code of the product name from the contents of the order data. Can.

(Upstream inflow line 20)
Incoming goods from the supplier are carried in the form of cases packed in a roll box pallet 21 or the like, and these cases are supplied to the conveyor 20A of the upper inflow cargo line 20. At this time, code data indicating a supplier name, a product name, a product classification name, etc. attached to each case by an arrival terminal 13 such as a barcode reader installed in the upper inflow cargo line 20 or an article in each case Incoming data such as the number of incoming goods is transferred to the control computer 12, and this incoming data is further transferred to the physical distribution computer 11. A mixed case product containing a plurality of types of goods in a single case is unpacked, and incoming data on the content is collected, and these incoming data are sent from the incoming terminal 13 to the control computer 12 and the logistics computer 11. Forwarded to

(Primary sorting line 30)
The primary sorting line 30 includes a conveyor 30 </ b> A connected to the conveyor 20 </ b> A of the upper inflow load line 20, and conveys each case carried in from the upper inflow load line 20 to any one of the plurality of secondary sorting lines 40. At this time, a bar code reader (scanner) 31 installed in the primary sorting line 30 transfers code data indicating a supplier name, a product name, a product classification name, etc. attached to each case to the control computer 12. . The control computer 12 refers to store ordering data and the like held by the physical distribution computer 11, and sorts the case in the secondary sorting line 40 that is a branch destination from the primary sorting line 30 of each case and the secondary sorting line 40. The previous sorting zone 50 and frontage 52, 53 are designated.

(Secondary sorting line 40)
The secondary sorting line 40 is composed of a plurality of branch lines connected in parallel to the primary sorting line 30, has a plurality of sorting zones 50 assigned to each store, etc., and is carried from the conveyor 30 </ b> A of the primary sorting line 30. Each case is made up of a conveyor 40A that conveys / stops each case in front of each sorting zone 50. A hand cart may be used instead of the conveyor 40A.

  A bar code reader (scanner) 41 is installed at the entrance of each sorting zone 50. The bar code reader 41 receives code data indicating a supplier name, a merchandise name, a merchandise classification name, and the like attached to each case from the control computer 12. The control computer 12 outputs the frontage 52 and 53 in the sorting zone 50 that should be the sorting destination of the case to the sorting frontage display control unit 15, or for the case that is not a corresponding product, the next sorting zone 50. Outputs the forward conveyance signal to When the code data of each case that has been read once by the bar code reader 31 installed in the primary sorting line 30 is stored in the control computer 12 and the case is transported in memory, the entrance of each sorting zone 50 The bar code reader 41 installed in can be replaced with a photoelectric switch.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to 7, each sorting zone 50 includes a fluidized shelf 51 (or an article shelf or a roll box pallet). There are a large number of entrances such as a rose introduction entrance 52 and a case introduction entrance 53 for introducing a single product storage case in units of cases. A storage box such as a folding container that can receive articles in a single unit is set in the rose throwing opening 52. As shown in FIG. 3, roll boxes (or pallets) 2 are arranged on the rear surface of each sorting zone 50 in units of delivery vehicles to retail stores. These roll boxes 2 are collected on a platform for each delivery vehicle in the assortment site 3.

  Each sorting zone 50 is provided with an input number indicator 55 controlled by the sorting frontage display control unit 15, and when a case to be sorted into the sorting zone 50 arrives at the sorting zone 50, The required number of case-type articles is turned on and displayed on the input number display 55.

  In each frontage 52, 53 of each sorting zone 50, a sorting confirmation unit 56 controlled by the sorting frontage display control unit 15 is installed, which is provided with a loading front display lamp, a loading completion button switch, and a full label issuing button switch. ing. The sorting confirmation unit 56 displays and guides the frontage 52 and 53 to which the case-type article should be put in the sorting zone 50 by turning on the loading front indicator lamp, and the operator has finished putting the article into the frontage. When the sorting completion button switch is turned on at that time, the completion of the input is output to the sorting frontage display control unit 15 and the control computer 12. The full label issue button switch outputs a confirmation of the fullness to the sorting frontage display control unit 15 and the control computer 12 when the worker who has visually confirmed that the frontage 52 and 53 are full of the input articles is turned on. .

  In each sorting zone 50, a labeler 57 controlled by the sorting frontage display control unit 15 is installed. The labeler 57 issues a label (or list) in which the store name assigned to the full frontage 52, 53 is printed out when the full label issue button switch of the sorting confirmation unit 56 is turned on. This label is affixed to the full frontage 52, 53 article or its storage box by the operator.

  The secondary sorting line 40 includes a surplus product sorting branch line 61, a surplus product return line 62, a take-out indicator 63, and a surplus product labeler 64. Of the cases received from the upper inflow load line 20 to the primary sorting line 30, the case where only a part of the articles is sorted to each secondary sorting line 40 is transferred from the primary sorting line 30 to the surplus product sorting branch line 61. It is brought in. The control computer 12 displays on the take-out display 63 the required take-out quantity from the case and unnecessary excess items being removed. The operator takes out the required quantity of articles and supplies it to the conveyor 40A of the secondary sorting line 40. The surplus product is returned from the surplus product return line 62 to the primary sorting line 30 with a label issued by the surplus product labeler 64.

  Further, the sorting apparatus 10 has a payout line 71 connected to the transport end of the primary sorting line 30. Articles that have not been ordered or that have been delivered in excess of the number of orders are delivered from the delivery line 71.

  However, the sorting apparatus 10 includes (1) an operation of assigning a sorting zone based on the sorting standard and (2) an operation for managing the receipt time limit of the received goods as follows.

(1) Sorting zone assignment operation based on sorting criteria (Figs. 4-7)
The sorting apparatus 10 predetermines a plurality of types of sorting criteria for sorting articles into each sorting zone 50, and includes a supplier name, a brand name, and a merchandise class incidental to the case of each article that arrives in the upper inflow cargo line 20. The code data (product information) indicating the name or the like is read by the arrival terminal 13 as described above.

  The control computer 12 predetermines a plurality of types of sorting criteria for sorting articles into each sorting zone 50. Then, the control computer 12 adopts a specific sorting standard from a plurality of types of sorting standards based on the reading result of the arrival terminal 13, and sorts the case article as a sorting destination of the case article according to the adopted sorting standard. 50 and frontage 52, 53 are assigned, and when the case is branched to the secondary sorting line 40, the assigned destination is output to the sorting frontage display control unit 15 as described above, and the number of input to the corresponding sorting zone 50 is output. The display 55 and the sorting confirmation unit 56 are operated to sort each article.

  The control computer 12 can determine, for example, two or more selected from the store-specific criteria, the product category-specific criteria, and the delivery course-specific criteria as the plurality of types of sorting criteria.

(Example 1 of store-specific standards) (Fig. 4)
In adopting the standard for each store, one delivery destination store (for example, A store, B store or C store) is assigned to one sorting zone 50, and each product is assigned to each frontage 52, 53 of the sorting zone 50. Assign each of the classifications.

  In the example of FIG. 4, each of the three sorting zones 50 is assigned to each of the A store zone, the B store zone, and the C store zone. In the A store zone and the B store zone, the upper three-stage entrances a to i are set as the rose entry entrance 52 for each product classification a to i, and the lower first entrance j is the upper three entrances a, d, The product entry a, d, and g assigned to g are grouped into a case entry front 53, and the front k is a case entry front comprising the product categories b, e, and h assigned to the upper three levels b, e, and h. 53, and the frontage l is a case insertion frontage 53 in which the product classifications c, f, i assigned to the upper three frontage c, f, i are collected. In the C store zone, since the product categories c, f, i are not handled, there is no allocation window for the product categories c, f, i.

  The case insertion front 53 (for example, j) in FIG. 4 is merged and registered so that the handling product classifications (for example, a, d, and g) of the plurality of rose input fronts 52 (for example, a, d, and g) are collected. In the case where there are a large number of separated items and a small number of case items, it is efficient to register and use cases in which a plurality of product categories are accepted per case entry slot 53 in this way.

  Conversely, when handling case-sorted products as the main, for example, each of the upper three-stage front doors is set as a case insertion front opening 53 assigned to each of the three product categories, and the lower first-stage front door is the upper three-stage case. A merged registration may be made as the rose input front 52 that enables the acceptance of all three handling product categories in the input front 53.

  In the frontage assignment program executed by the control computer 12, select one of the above merged registrations by selecting the priority assignment for roses when there are many loose handling items and selecting the case priority assignment when receiving many case handling items. it can.

  For example, in the A store zone of FIG. 4, the input front display lamps of the sorting confirmation units 56 of the front doors b and k are lit, and the goods of the product classification b for which the A store is to be sorted are classified as the A store zone. It shows that the vehicle has arrived at the zone 50.

  In FIG. 4, for example, in the store A zone, the rose insertion opening 52 (b) and the case insertion opening 53 (k) are simultaneously designated by the simultaneous lighting of the insertion opening display lamps of the sorting confirmation unit 56. Visually recognizes the size of the goods of the product classification B that has arrived in the A store zone, and selects one of the rose entry front 52 (b) and the case introduction front 53 (k) as an appropriate destination for the size of the goods. to decide. After putting the article into one loose entry slot 52 (b) or case insertion slot 53 (k) selected by the operator and then turning on the loading completion button switch of the sorting confirmation unit 56, the two slots 52 and 53 are loaded. The frontage lamp turns off.

(Example 2 of store-specific standards) (Fig. 5)
In the example of FIG. 5, each of the two sorting zones 50 is assigned to the A store zone and the B store zone. In each store A and store B zone, one frontage of the sorting zone 50 is a case input and no category frontage 54, and all the other frontage is a rose input front 52 corresponding to each product category. Each rose slot 52 can accommodate articles of the corresponding product category in units of one removed from the case. The case insertion and no-category entrance 54 can accommodate single-product storage cases of each product category in units of cases, and can store articles of each product category in units of one taken out from the case.

  The no-category entrance 54 is allocated and used for an article for which no product classification is registered in the ordering data of the logistics computer 11. Alternatively, when the product category is assigned to each frontage in the store-specific zone and the remaining frontage is reduced, the frontage can be changed and used as a no-category frontage 54, which is already registered in this no-category frontage 54. A plurality of product category products other than the product category products can be input. When an article is put into the no-category entrance 54, a no-category label is issued by the labeler 57 described above, and this no-category label is affixed to the inputted article, which is useful for display work at the storefront.

  For example, in the A store zone of FIG. 5, the input opening indicator lamps of the sorting check unit 56 of the rose input front 52 and the case input / no category front 54 are turned on, and a certain product category for which the A store is to be sorted is displayed. It shows that the article has arrived at the sorting zone 50 which is the A store zone.

  For example, in the store A zone of FIG. 5, the rose insertion slot 52 and the case insertion and no-category slot 54 are designated at the same time by simultaneously turning on the insertion slot display lamps of the sorting confirmation unit 56. After visually recognizing the size of the article that has arrived at the store zone, one of the rose insertion slot 52 and the case insertion / no-category slot 54 is selected and determined as an input destination suitable for the size of the article. After the article is put into one of the rose insertion slots 52 or the case insertion and no category slot 54 selected by the worker, the loading completion button switch of the sorting confirmation unit 56 is turned on, and the insertion slot display lamps of both the openings 52 and 54 are displayed. Goes off.

(Example of criteria by product category) (Figure 6)
In adopting the standard for each product category, one product category (for example, Class A or Class B) is assigned to one sorting zone 50 and delivered to each of the rose slot 52 and case slot 53 of the sort zone 50. Each of the previous stores (eg, a store, b store, c store, etc.) is allocated.

  In the example of FIG. 6, each of the two sorting zones 50 is assigned to class A and class B, respectively. In the A-type zone and the B-type zone, the upper and lower two-stage rose entrances 52 and the case entrance 53 are provided for one store.

  For example, in the A-type zone of FIG. 6, the entrance front display lamps of the sorting confirmation units 56 of the b entrance rose entrance 52 and the case entrance 53 are turned on, and the product classification A for which the b store is the sorting destination is displayed. It shows that the article has arrived at the sorting zone 50 that is the Class A zone.

  In FIG. 6A, for example, the A category zone, the rose slot 52 and case slot 53 to which goods of category A are assigned to the same b store are simultaneously designated by simultaneously turning on the slot indicator lamps of their sorting confirmation unit 56. The worker visually recognizes the size of the article that has arrived in the A-type zone, and then selects and determines one of the rose insertion slot 52 and the case insertion slot 53 of the b store as an input destination suitable for the size of the article. After the article is put into one of the rose insertion slots 52 or the case insertion slot 53 selected by the operator at the store b, if the loading completion button switch of the sorting confirmation unit 56 is turned on, the loading slot display lamps of both the slots 52 and 53 are displayed. Is turned off and, if necessary, each sorting confirmation unit of, for example, the rose loading front 52 and the case loading front 53 of the store c, which is assigned next as the next sorting destination of the goods of the product classification A arriving in the A category zone. The 56 insertion opening indicator lamps are turned on.

(Example of delivery course criteria) (Figure 7)
In adopting the standard for each delivery course, one delivery course (for example, A course) is assigned to one sorting zone 50, and each delivery destination store (for example, each of the rose opening fronts 52 adjacent to the shelves in the sorting zone 50) is assigned. a to h) are assigned to their delivery order (for example, the top row is arranged in the horizontal order, and then the horizontal row order in the lower row is set as the delivery order (or the reverse delivery order)).

  In the example of FIG. 7, the sorting zone 50 is assigned to the A course zone (course number display section 58).

  In the example of FIG. 7, a preload case input port i and a post load case input port k are assigned to the case input port 53, and each delivery destination store is assigned to each front port of the case input port 53 in the order of their delivery. . A roll box pallet that can accommodate heavy and large items is arranged in the case insertion opening 53.

  In the A course zone of FIG. 7, for example, the entrance entrance display lamps of the sorting confirmation units 56 of the store entrance entrance 52 of the store a and the case entrance entrance 53 of the pre-loading case entrance entrance i are lit. It shows that the article of the merchandise classification that should be first arrived at the sorting zone 50 that is the A course zone.

  For example, in the A course zone of FIG. 7, the rose insertion opening 52 and the case insertion opening 53 allocated to the A store of the A course are simultaneously designated by the simultaneous lighting of the insertion opening display lamps of the sorting confirmation unit 56, The worker visually recognizes the size of the article that has arrived at the A course zone, and selects and determines one of the rose insertion slot 52 and the case insertion slot 53 as an input destination suitable for the size of the article. When the article is inserted into one of the rose insertion slots 52 or the case insertion slot 53 selected by the operator for the store a and then the loading completion button switch of the sorting confirmation unit 56 is turned on, the loading slot display lamps of both the slots 52 and 53 are displayed. Is turned off, and if necessary, for example, the rose entry slot 52 of the f store and the pre-loading case entry slot i (or the next case) to be assigned next in the A course as the next sorting destination of the articles arriving in the A course zone. The insertion opening indicator lamp of each sorting confirmation unit 56 of the post-loading case insertion opening k) is turned on.

(Switching settings for each sorting standard)
The control computer 12 switches and sets the above-described sorting criteria applied to each sorting zone 50 according to the arrival status of the incoming goods to the upper inflow cargo line 20 (whether it is mainly a bulk product or a case product). That is, the control computer 12 adopts one sorting standard (for example, a store-specific standard) for the articles received in the upper inflow cargo line 20, and sorts the goods according to the sorting standard in the sorting zone 50 to which the sorting standard is applied. After completion, other sorting criteria (for example, criteria for each product category) are adopted for articles that are received after the upper inflow cargo line 20, and this sorting criteria is applied in the sorting zone 50 to which this sorting criteria is applied. Sort.

  Accordingly, the sorting apparatus 10 has the following effects by adopting the sorting zone assignment operation based on the sorting criteria described above.

  [1] By reading the product information of the goods that are received in the upper inflow cargo line 20, the status of arrival of the goods is grasped. Then, by assigning a sorting zone 50 to be sorted into the goods and a frontage 52, 53 based on a sorting standard that can be adapted to the arrival status, the usage mode of the plurality of sorting zones 50 can be changed as appropriate. The productivity of the apparatus 10 can be improved. The selection of the sorting criteria according to the arrival status and the setting change of the usage mode of the sorting zone 50 are not limited to those by the control computer 12 but may be based on human judgment.

  [2] As a sorting standard, two or more appropriately selected from a shop standard, a product classification standard, and a delivery course standard can be defined.

  a. When the store-specific standard is adopted, it is convenient that the goods can be subdivided into the product categories when the products of many product categories are concentrated and delivered from many suppliers.

  b. Adopting the product classification standard is effective when the number of product categories of the supplier is small and it is desired to reduce the number of workers. If the delivery is only one product category, the sorting for 20 stores can be advanced in one sorting zone 50 in which one worker is in charge. If 5 stores are allocated to one sorting zone, the number of used sorting zones becomes four, and the used sorting zones can be adjusted according to the work load and working time, the workers in each sorting zone 50 can be leveled, and the sorting speed Can be faster. When sorting by only one product classification, there is substantially no product classification (no category), and a distribution center that does not require sorting of product classification can allocate many stores.

  c. When the delivery course standard is adopted, the frontage assigned to each store is set to be arranged in the order of delivery (or the reverse order of delivery), and the sorted articles or their storage boxes taken out from each frontage are arranged in the order of frontage. Stacking improves delivery workability.

  [3] After completing the sorting in accordance with one sorting standard for the goods received in the upper inflow line 20, other sorting standards are adopted for the other goods that are received after the upper inflow line 20 By sorting them, the usage mode of each sorting zone 50 can be appropriately changed according to the change in the arrival status accompanying the change of the delivery time zone of the distribution center 1.

(2) Receipt deadline management operation for incoming goods The sorting device 10 determines the incoming deadline rules for each article in the merchandise master of the logistics computer 11 and transfers them to the control computer 12 in order to manage incoming deadlines for incoming goods. It is possible. The acceptance deadline rule is based on expiration date information such as the expiration date, the expiration date, or the expiration date from the date of manufacture of each article, and the acceptable acceptance date (n days before the expiration date) of the article into the sorting apparatus 10. Or the date when, for example, 1/8 of the maximum effective period elapses from the date of manufacture).

  The arrival terminal 13 of the upper inflow cargo line 20 reads the expiration date information attached to each article. The arrival terminal 13 is for each case of a single type of goods received in a case packing state, and for each case of a mixed case product containing a plurality of types of goods in a single case Each time, the arrival data such as the product name is read by a barcode reader or the like as described above, and the expiration date information such as the expiration date printed on each case or content article is visually checked by the operator. Input to a handy terminal (mobile terminal) and read. These reading results of the arrival terminal 13 are transferred to the control computer 12 and the distribution computer 11.

  The control computer 12 calculates the acceptance deadline of the article from the expiration date information that is the reading result of the arrival terminal 13 based on the acceptance deadline rule, and the article received within the acceptance deadline is determined in advance by the store order data of the article. In addition to sorting into the sorting zone 50 and the front doors 52 and 53 corresponding to the sorting destination (delivery destination store), the primary sorting line 30 and the secondary sorting line 40 are set as follows so that articles received outside the acceptance deadline are returned. To control.

  [1] When the code data such as the product name of each case collected by the bar code reader 31 of the primary sorting line 30 is transferred to the control computer 12, the control computer 12 obtains the above-described acceptance deadline calculation result for the case article. Based on the above, the following (a) or (b) is performed.

  (a) For an article whose date of receipt into the upper inflow cargo line 20 is within the acceptance deadline, the control computer 12 refers to the store order data held by the logistics computer 11 in accordance with the sorting operation described above, and The secondary sorting line 40 that is a branch destination from the primary sorting line 30 and the sorting zone 50 that is the sorting destination of the case in the secondary sorting line 42 and the frontage 52 and 53 are designated, and the frontage 52 and 53 are designated. Sorting into

  (b) For articles whose acceptance date to the upper inflow cargo line 20 is outside the acceptance deadline, the control computer 12 sends a secondary sorting line 40 to be branched from the primary sorting line 30 of the case, In the next sorting line 40, the sorting zone 50 as the sorting destination of the case and the return slot 80 are designated, and sorting into the return slot 80 is performed.

  At this time, the control computer 12 excludes the front doors 52 and 53 that have been assigned as sorting destinations for the goods within the acceptance period of the above (a) according to the above-mentioned sorting criteria among the front doors of the plurality of sorting zones 50. A thing is assigned as a return opening 80. Then, the control computer 12 may use one sorting zone 50 as a return-only zone and use all frontage as the return frontage 80, or use a part of one sorting zone 50 or only one frontage as the return frontage 80. May be. When the control computer 12 uses a plurality of frontage as the return frontage 80, the control computer 12 may specify each frontage 80 for each supplier.

  [2] The fact that the goods outside the acceptance deadline have arrived at the entrance of the sorting zone 50 designated for the goods from the primary sorting line 30 via the secondary sorting line 40 is indicated by the barcode reader 41 of the sorting zone 50 This is determined by transferring code data such as a product name attached to the article case to the control computer 12. As a result, the control computer 12 outputs the return frontage 80 in the sorting zone 50, which is the sorting destination of the goods outside the acceptance deadline, to the sorting frontage display control unit 15.

  [3] The sorting frontage display control unit 15 lights up and displays on the input number display 55 of the sorting zone 50 that the article case has arrived at the sorting zone 50 that serves as the sorting destination of the goods that have not been accepted. Then, the control unit 12 operates the sorting confirmation unit 56 of the return door 80 specified in advance as the input destination of the goods outside the acceptance deadline, and the return door 80 is turned on by turning on the loading front display lamp of the sorting confirmation unit 56. When the operator turns on the sorting completion button switch when the worker completes the insertion of the article into the frontage 80, the completion of the input is output to the sorting frontage display control unit 15 and the control computer 12. To do.

  The sorting confirmation unit 56 is also provided with a return label issue button switch. When the operator turns on this switch, the sorting frontage display control unit 15 operates the labeler 57 to display the return information label of the article whose receipt is past due. Issue. This return information label is affixed to an article put into the return opening 80 or its storage box. On the return information label, “supplier name, supplier code, acceptance deadline and date of receipt, reason for return, etc.” are printed.

  Note that the above-mentioned return information label may be issued in conjunction with the labeler 57 when the input completion button switch (sorting completion button switch) of the sorting confirmation unit 56 is turned on, or the full label issuing of the sorting confirmation unit 56 is issued. A button switch may also be used as a return label issuing button switch.

  In addition, a roll box (or pallet) 2 is arranged on the back side of the return slot 80 in the sorting zone 50 in units of suppliers, etc., and it is possible to collect and return goods that have been received by the return slot 80 after the acceptance deadline. To do.

  [4] The logistics computer 11 records the return result data sorted by supplier based on the return results of the above [1] to [3] by the control computer 12, and also returns the return data on which the record data is printed. Can be issued. In addition, the distribution computer 11 can transmit return result data to the retail business headquarters or to a supplier.

  In the sorting apparatus 10, when the return opening 80 of the sorting zone 50 is not prepared as a return destination for articles that are not accepted, a payout line 71 (return line) may be used as the return destination. At this time, when the case article from which the code data such as the product name has been collected by the barcode reader 31 of the primary sorting line 30 is an article whose receipt is not due, the control computer 12 directly sends out the article from the primary sorting line 30. Pay out at 71. The payout line 71 is provided with a bar code reader 72, a payout display 73, and a labeler 74. The bar code reader 72 outputs code data such as the product name of the article arriving at the payout line 71 to the control computer 12. The payout display 73 lights up and displays the arrival of the article on the payout line 71, and the labeler 74 issues a return information label to be affixed to the goods that have arrived at the payout line 71 and are not yet received. The operator attaches the return information label to the corresponding article, and returns it.

According to this embodiment, there are the following operations.
[1] The expiration date information attached to each article is read in the process of sorting the received articles, and the acceptance deadline management for each article is performed based on the read result. Therefore, the acceptance time limit management for all the received goods can be easily performed in a short time with light work without impairing the operation of the distribution center.

  [2] By managing acceptance deadlines for all incoming goods, it is possible to perform complete acceptance deadline management and improve consumer confidence in the retail industry.

  [3] Goods that have not yet been accepted can be collected in the return slot 80 specified in the sorting zone 50, and the return workability to the supplier can be improved.

  [4] By specifying the return opening 80 of [3] above for each supplier, the return workability to the supplier can be further improved.

  [5] By delivering the articles that are not received by the delivery line 71 (return line), the articles to be returned can be collected in one place with a simple equipment configuration, and the return workability to the supplier can be improved.

  [6] By attaching a return information label to an item that has not been accepted, the return workability to the supplier can be improved.

  [7] By issuing a list of returned items, the return results can be accurately recorded. In addition, by sending a return list to the retail business headquarters and sending a return list to the supplier, it is possible to rationally correct payment information from the retailer to the supplier and achieve high accuracy in quality control. .

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and there are design changes and the like without departing from the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform complete acceptance time limit management for a packaged item.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting apparatus in a distribution center. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a control system of the distribution center. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting zone. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a store-specific standard is adopted for the sorting zone. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example in which the store-specific standard is adopted for the sorting zone. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which the product classification standard is adopted for the sorting zone. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a delivery course standard is adopted for the sorting zone.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sorting device 11 Logistics computer 12 Control computer 13 Arrival terminal 20 Upper inflow cargo line 30, 40 Sorting line 50 Sorting zone 71 Delivery line (return line)
80 Returns

Claims (10)

In a method for sorting articles that accepts each received article and sorts each article into each of a number of entrances in a sorting zone that should be the sorting destination of the article,
Based on the expiration date information of each article, an acceptance period rule for determining the acceptance period of the article is determined in advance, and the expiration date information attached to each article is read in the process of sorting the received articles, and based on the acceptance period rule from this expiration date information The receipt deadline of the article is calculated, the article received within the receipt deadline is sorted into a predetermined sorting front corresponding to the delivery destination of the article, and the article received outside the receipt deadline is returned. Method for sorting articles to be sold. The article sorting method according to claim 1, wherein articles received outside the acceptance deadline are sorted into a return slot specified in a sorting zone. The method for sorting articles according to claim 2, wherein the articles received outside the acceptance deadline are sorted into return slots specified for each supplier in the sorting zone. The article sorting method according to claim 1, wherein an article received outside the acceptance deadline is paid out to a return line. The method for sorting articles according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the article received is returned with the label printed with return information attached to the article received outside the acceptance deadline, and a list of the returned articles is issued. . In an article sorting apparatus that receives each received article and sorts each article into each of a number of frontage of a sorting zone that should be a sorting destination of the article,
A control computer that pre-determines an acceptance deadline rule that determines the acceptance deadline of the article from the expiration date information of each article;
An arrival terminal that reads the expiration date information attached to each article in the process of sorting the received articles;
The control computer calculates the acceptance deadline of the article based on the acceptance deadline rule from the expiration date information that is the reading result of the arrival terminal, and the article received within the acceptance deadline is predetermined according to the delivery destination of the article An article sorting apparatus characterized in that an article that has been sorted into a sorting frontage and received outside the acceptance deadline can be returned. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control computer is capable of sorting articles received outside the acceptance deadline into a return slot specified in a sorting zone. 8. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control computer is capable of sorting articles received outside the acceptance deadline into a return slot specified for each supplier in the sorting zone. 7. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control computer can pay out articles received outside the acceptance deadline to a return line. The control computer can issue a label printed with return information for attaching to an article received outside the acceptance deadline, and can issue a list of returned articles. Equipment sorting equipment.

Images