Patent Description:
In the related art, conveyor systems for conveying articles such as small goods include a conveyor system for conveying articles by means of a conveyor installed on a floor, e.g., a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor and a conveyor system for conveying articles with suspending devices such as hanger sorters.

In a conveyor system including a suspending device, an article is stored in a suspended storage that is suspended from the rail of a suspending device. The suspended storage with the stored article is conveyed while being suspended from the rail.

The specification of <CIT> describes a suspended storage that is conventionally used in a conveyor system including suspending devices. The suspended storage includes a pocket main unit (storage body) that stores an article, a frame that suspends the pocket main unit, and a hook-shaped suspended element that is suspended from the suspending device and fixes the frame. In the suspended storage described in the specification of <CIT>, the pocket main unit is made up of a rear wall part, a front wall part, and a base part connecting the rear wall part and the front wall part. The front wall part has an opening for discharging an article stored in the pocket main unit. In the suspended storage described in the specification of <CIT>, the inclination of the frame is changed relative to the suspended element. Thus, the relative positions of the rear wall part and the front wall part are vertically changed and the article in the pocket main unit is discharged from the opening.

In the suspended storage described in the specification of <CIT>, however, the rear wall part, the front wall part, and the base part are different members (parts) constituting the pocket main unit (storage body) that stores an article, and the base part needs to be pivoted in order to discharge the article, which is stored in the pocket main unit (storage body), from the opening. Thus, the configuration of the pocket main unit (storage body) may be disadvantageously complicated.

<CIT> discloses a suspended storage for a conveyor system, according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

An object of the present invention is to provide a suspended storage that can receive and discharge an article stored in a storage body with a simple configuration.

A solution to the technical problem of the present invention will be discussed below.

A bag <NUM> acting as a suspended storage for a conveyor system, according to the present invention will be described below. The present invention is not limited to the bag <NUM> which will be described below. In the following explanation, a conveying direction H of the bag <NUM> will be described as the longitudinal direction of the bag <NUM>, whereas a horizontal direction crossing the conveying direction H of the bag <NUM> will be described as the lateral direction of the bag <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bag <NUM> is used in a conveyor system <NUM> where articles <NUM> ordered (requested) by registered individual users (customers) are collectively delivered to a user-allocated collection container <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to the suspended storage used in the conveyor system <NUM> which will be described below.

The conveyor system <NUM> includes a drop area <NUM> for dropping the article <NUM> into the bag <NUM>, a discharge area <NUM> for discharging the article <NUM> from the bag <NUM>, hanger sorters <NUM> that convey the suspended bags <NUM> between the areas of the conveyor system <NUM>, and a rail <NUM> that is provided on the ceiling above the floor between the areas of the conveyor system <NUM>. In the conveyor system <NUM>, the article <NUM> ordered by a user is dropped and stored into the bag <NUM> in the drop area <NUM>. The bag <NUM> containing the article <NUM> is conveyed to the discharge area <NUM> by the hanger sorter <NUM>, so that the article <NUM> in the bag <NUM> is collected into the collection container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the drop area <NUM> includes a first conveyor <NUM> for conveying, to the bags <NUM>, the articles <NUM> to be stored in the bags <NUM>, and first guide rails <NUM> for reorienting the bags <NUM>.

The first conveyor <NUM> is a known conveyor capable of conveying the articles <NUM> at regular intervals. The first conveyor <NUM> conveys the articles <NUM> to a position for dropping the articles <NUM> into the bags <NUM>. When the articles <NUM> are conveyed to the dropping position, the first conveyor <NUM> automatically drops the articles <NUM> into the bags <NUM>.

The first guide rails <NUM> are a pair of long members provided along the conveying direction H of the bag <NUM>. The first guide rails <NUM> are guide rails with an inclined part 84A directed upward from one end to the other end. The first guide rails <NUM> are spaced such that the pair of long members (rails) can come into contact with both ends of an upper side <NUM> and both ends of a lower side <NUM> of a reorienting member <NUM>, which will be discussed later. On the flat inclined part 84A, the first guide rails <NUM> guide the bag <NUM> conveyed by the hanger sorter <NUM>. The first guide rails <NUM> guide the bag <NUM> on the inclined part 84A, thereby reorienting the bag <NUM> so as to drop the article <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the discharge area <NUM> includes second guide rails <NUM> for reorienting the bags <NUM>, and a conveyor <NUM> for receiving the articles <NUM> discharged from the bags <NUM>.

The second guide rails <NUM> are a pair of long members provided along the conveying direction H of the bag <NUM>. The second guide rail <NUM> is a bent guide rail with an inclined part 85A directed upward from one end to the other end and a horizontal part 85B horizontally formed from the inclined part 85A to the other end. The second guide rails <NUM> are spaced like the first guide rails <NUM> such that the pair of long members (rails) can come into contact with both ends of the upper side <NUM> and both ends of the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM>. On the flat inclined part 85A and the flat horizontal part 85B, the second guide rails <NUM> guide the bag <NUM> conveyed by the hanger sorter <NUM>. On the inclined part 85A, the second guide rails <NUM> guide the bag <NUM> so as to gradually reorient the bag <NUM> in an orientation for discharging the article <NUM> from the inside of the bag <NUM>. On the horizontal part 85B, the second guide rails <NUM> guide the bag <NUM> so as to reorient the bag <NUM> into the orientation for discharging the article <NUM> from the inside of the bag <NUM>.

The conveyor <NUM> is a known conveyor capable of conveying the articles <NUM>, which are discharged from the bags <NUM>, at regular intervals. The conveyor <NUM> is disposed below a discharge position for discharging the articles <NUM> from the bags <NUM>. The conveyor <NUM> conveys the articles <NUM>, which are received from the bags <NUM>, to the collection container <NUM> disposed downstream of the conveyor <NUM>.

The hanger sorter <NUM> is a hanging device that conveys the suspended bags <NUM>. The hanger sorter <NUM> includes a support <NUM> that supports the suspended bag <NUM> and a carrier <NUM> that is engaged with the rail <NUM> so as to move the support <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the bag <NUM> includes a body <NUM> (an example of "storage body") that stores the article <NUM>, a suspending member <NUM> that suspends the bag <NUM> from the rail <NUM> (the support <NUM> of the hanger sorter <NUM>), the reorienting member <NUM> that reorients the body <NUM> with respect to the suspending member <NUM>, and a support member <NUM> for supporting the suspended body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the body <NUM> is composed of a fabric band. The body <NUM> is formed into a bag (bag-shaped) by connecting both ends of the fabric into a loop shape in the longitudinal direction. The body <NUM> includes a front surface <NUM> (an example of "first surface") that is formed so as to be suspended from the support member <NUM> and a rear surface <NUM> (an example of "second surface") that is formed so as to be suspended from the support member <NUM> so as to be opposed to the front surface <NUM>. The body <NUM> is supported by the support member <NUM> while being suspended like a letter O in side view. The body <NUM> has an engaged part <NUM> that is engaged with the support member <NUM> on a part (upper part) of the loop-shaped fabric formed into a bag. The body <NUM> has a storage part <NUM> (an example of "article storage space") that is an internal space (a space between the front surface <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM>) formed by the loop-shaped fabric formed into a bag suspended from the support member <NUM>. The article <NUM> is stored in the lower part of the suspended loop-shaped fabric. The body <NUM> has an opening <NUM> for dropping and discharging the article <NUM> into and from the body <NUM>, in the upper part of the front surface <NUM>.

The suspending member <NUM> includes a hook <NUM> engaged with the support <NUM> of the hanger sorter <NUM> and a block <NUM> that supports the reorienting member <NUM> and the support member <NUM> while being fixed to the hook <NUM>. The hook <NUM> can be suspended from the support <NUM>. The hook <NUM> is engaged with the support <NUM>, suspending the bag <NUM> from the hanger sorter <NUM>. The block <NUM> pivotally supports the reorienting member <NUM>. The block <NUM> supports the support member <NUM> above the reorienting member <NUM>.

The reorienting member <NUM> includes a plate capable of lifting the body <NUM>. The reorienting member <NUM> is provided independently in the body <NUM> (in a space between the front surface <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>). Moreover, the reorienting member <NUM> is configured such that the lower side <NUM> vertically pivots about the upper side <NUM> supported by the block <NUM> of the suspending member <NUM>. The reorienting member <NUM> is provided independently of the body <NUM> such that the upper side <NUM> on the proximal end is supported by the block <NUM> of the suspending member <NUM> and the lower side <NUM> on the free end is located inside the body <NUM>. The reorienting member <NUM> is configured such that a length A of the upper side <NUM> and the lower side <NUM> is longer than a lateral length a of the body <NUM>. The first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> come into contact with both ends of the upper side <NUM> and both ends of the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM>. The reorienting member <NUM> is formed larger than the opening area of the opening <NUM> formed on the body <NUM>. The reorienting member <NUM> pivots with respect to the block <NUM> so as to reorient the body <NUM>. The reorienting member <NUM> is suspended from the block <NUM> so as to close the opening <NUM> of the body <NUM>. In other words, the reorienting member <NUM> acts as a reorienting member that reorients the body <NUM> and acts as a lid member that closes the opening <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

The support member <NUM> includes a rod-shaped member extended from both sides of the block <NUM> of the suspending member <NUM>. The support member <NUM> is engaged with the engaged part <NUM> of the body <NUM> so as to support the body <NUM>. The support member <NUM> is supported by the block <NUM> above a position where the reorienting member <NUM> is supported by the block <NUM>. In other words, the body <NUM> is supported by the support member <NUM> independently of the reorienting member <NUM>.

The orientations of the bag <NUM> will be discussed below, during the conveyance of the article <NUM> in the bag <NUM>, the dropping of the article <NUM> into the bag <NUM>, and the discharge of the article <NUM> from the bag <NUM>.

When the article <NUM> is dropped into the bag <NUM> (body <NUM>), the reorienting member <NUM> suspended from the suspending member <NUM> (block <NUM>) as shown in <FIG> is pivotally lifted with respect to the block <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, so that the reorienting member <NUM> is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the block <NUM>. In this case, the predetermined angle is an angle where the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM> can lift the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> so as to extend the interior of the body <NUM> (a space between the front surface <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM>) to a degree that the article <NUM> can be stored in the storage part <NUM> of the body <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bag <NUM> is conveyed to the first guide rails <NUM>, and the right and left ends of the upper side <NUM> and the right and left ends of the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM> are conveyed while being guided on (in contact with) the inclined part 84A of the first guide rails <NUM>. Thus, the reorienting member <NUM> suspended from the block <NUM> pivots rearward so as to rise with respect to the block <NUM>, so that the opening <NUM> closed on the body <NUM> by the reorienting member <NUM> is opened. At the same time, the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> is lifted by the reorienting member <NUM> so as to move upward, thereby longitudinally extending a space between the front surface <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

In this way, the reorienting member <NUM> is lifted at the predetermined angle with respect to the block <NUM>. This opens the opening <NUM> formed on the body <NUM> and extends the space between the front surface <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>. In other words, the bag <NUM> is oriented such that the article <NUM> is dropped from the opening <NUM> (the article <NUM> is dropped into the body <NUM>).

When the article <NUM> stored in the bag <NUM> (body <NUM>) is conveyed, the reorienting member <NUM> inclined at the predetermined angle with respect to the suspending member <NUM> (block <NUM>) as shown in <FIG> is pivotally inclined downward with respect to the block <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, so that the reorienting member <NUM> is suspended from the block <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to 3C, the bag <NUM> is conveyed to a position where the right and left ends of the upper side <NUM> and the right and left ends of the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM> are separated from the inclined part 84A of the first guide rails <NUM>, so that the reorienting member <NUM> inclined at the predetermined angle with respect to the block <NUM> is suspended downward from the block <NUM>. Thus, the reorienting member <NUM> pivots forward so as to close the opening <NUM> of the body <NUM>. In other words, the reorienting member <NUM> prevents the article <NUM> from dropping from the opening <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

Since the reorienting member <NUM> is suspended from the block <NUM>, the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> is suspended downward by the weight of the body <NUM> so as to reduce a space between the front surface <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

The reorienting member <NUM> suspended thus closes the opening <NUM> of the body <NUM> and reduces a space between the front surface <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>. In other words, the bag <NUM> is oriented so as to convey the article <NUM> (store the article <NUM> in the body <NUM>).

When the article <NUM> is discharged from the bag <NUM> (body <NUM>), the reorienting member <NUM> suspended from the suspending member <NUM> (block <NUM>) as shown in <FIG> is pivotally lifted with respect to the block <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, so that the reorienting member <NUM> is placed in a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bag <NUM> is conveyed to the second guide rails <NUM>, and the right and left ends of the upper side <NUM> and the right and left ends of the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM> are conveyed while being guided on (in contact with) the inclined part 85A of the second guide rails <NUM>. Thus, the reorienting member <NUM> suspended from the block <NUM> pivots rearward so as to rise with respect to the block <NUM>. Furthermore, the bag <NUM> is conveyed while the right and left ends of the upper side <NUM> and the right and left ends of the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM> are guided on (in contact with) the horizontal part 85B of the second guide rails <NUM>, so that the reorienting member <NUM> is placed in a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>. In other words, the inclination of the reorienting member <NUM> with respect to the block <NUM> (the height of the body <NUM> lifted by the reorienting member <NUM>) is larger than that in the dropping of the article <NUM> into the bag <NUM> (body <NUM>).

The reorienting member <NUM> suspended from the block <NUM> is lifted with respect to the block <NUM>, so that the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> is lifted by the reorienting member <NUM> so as to move upward and the front surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> moves downward. Thus, the opening <NUM> of the body <NUM> moves downward. Moreover, the reorienting member <NUM> placed in a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM> moves the opening <NUM> to the bottom of the bag <NUM> (a position where the article <NUM> can be discharged). Hence, the article <NUM> stored in the storage part <NUM> of the bag <NUM> is discharged from the opening <NUM>.

As described above, the reorienting member <NUM> is lifted to a position where the inclination of the reorienting member <NUM> with respect to the block <NUM> is larger than that in the dropping of the article <NUM> into the bag <NUM> (body <NUM>), thereby moving the front surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> downward so as to move the opening <NUM> to the bottom of the bag <NUM>. In other words, the bag <NUM> is oriented such that the article <NUM> stored in the storage part <NUM> of the bag <NUM> is discharged from the opening <NUM>.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the reorienting member <NUM> pivots with respect to the block <NUM> so as to reorient the body <NUM>. Furthermore, the inclination of the reorienting member <NUM> with respect to the block <NUM> is changed so as to reorient the body <NUM> in an orientation for dropping the article <NUM> from the opening <NUM>, an orientation for conveying the article <NUM>, and an orientation for discharging the article <NUM> from the opening <NUM>. Thus, the article <NUM> stored in the bag <NUM> can be easily and securely received and discharged with a simple configuration.

According to the present embodiment, when the bag <NUM> is oriented so as to convey the article <NUM>, the reorienting member <NUM> is suspended with respect to the front surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> and closes the opening <NUM> formed on the front surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>. This can reliably prevent the article <NUM> from dropping from the opening <NUM> during the conveyance of the bag <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the reorienting member <NUM> includes a plate-like rigid body but is not limited thereto. The reorienting member <NUM> may include a frame having no faces as long as the body <NUM> can be lifted.

In the present embodiment, the reorienting member <NUM> pivots to move "rear surface <NUM>" of the body <NUM> upward, thereby moving the opening <NUM> of the body <NUM> to a position where the article <NUM> can be dropped into the body <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. As shown in <FIG>, a reorienting member 40A may pivot to move "front surface <NUM>" of the body <NUM> upward such that the opening <NUM> of the body <NUM> moves to a position where the article <NUM> can be dropped into the body <NUM>. In this case, as shown in <FIG>, the reorienting member 40A includes a rectangular loop frame having no faces. The reorienting member 40A includes a lower frame member 42A that vertically pivots about an upper frame member 41A supported by the block <NUM> of the suspending member <NUM>. The reorienting member 40A is configured such that both ends of the upper frame member 41A and the both ends of the lower frame member 42A can come into contact with the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM>. The reorienting member 40A has an input opening 43A for the article <NUM>, a part surrounded by the loop-shaped frame member. When the reorienting member 40A is placed in a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>, the input opening 43A and the opening <NUM> of the body <NUM> overlap each other. The reorienting member 40A pivots forward with respect to the block <NUM> of the suspending member <NUM> and is lifted into a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>. Since the reorienting member 40A is lifted into the horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>, the front surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> is lifted and the opening <NUM> of the body <NUM> is opened upward. In other words, the body <NUM> is oriented such that the article <NUM> is dropped from the opening <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the loop-shaped body <NUM> is supported by, but not exclusively, the support member <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be supported only by the upper side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM> without the support member <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, gussets <NUM> (an example of "anti-drop member") may be provided in a loop-shaped opening <NUM> so as to partially close the opening <NUM> that is formed around both sides of the storage part <NUM> of the body <NUM> (both ends in the width direction of the fabric band constituting the body <NUM>). The gussets <NUM> prevent the article <NUM> stored in the storage part <NUM> from dropping from the opening <NUM>. In this case, the gusset <NUM> is composed of a member that is extensible according to a change of the orientation of the body <NUM>. The gusset <NUM> is composed of, for example, a fan-like member or a bellows-like member that is extended by the load of the article <NUM> discharged from the opening <NUM> when the body <NUM> is oriented to discharge the article <NUM> from the opening <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the gussets <NUM> composed of extensible members narrow the sides of the body <NUM> (opening <NUM>) but do not cause sagging at the center of the body <NUM>, thereby properly inclining the center of the body <NUM>. Hence, the article <NUM> stored in the body <NUM> can be efficiently discharged from the opening <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a counter weight <NUM> (an example of "loading member") may be provided to vertically applying a load to the body <NUM> when the body <NUM> is reoriented to discharge the article <NUM> from the opening <NUM>. The counter weight <NUM> is composed of a rod-shaped iron pipe. The counter weight <NUM> is suspended from the reorienting member 40A by cord members <NUM> attached to both ends of the counter weight <NUM>. In <FIG>, the counter weight <NUM> is suspended from the reorienting member 40A by the cord members <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a cylindrical pocket may be provided outside the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>, allowing the counter weight <NUM> to be held in the body <NUM> while being stored in the pocket without being suspended from the reorienting member 40A. Moreover, in <FIG>, the counter weight <NUM> is used as a loading member that applies a load to the body <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, any member that applies a load to the body <NUM> with a frame member externally pressing the body <NUM> is applicable as long as a load can be applied to the body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the body <NUM> is placed in an orientation for dropping the article <NUM> from the opening <NUM> or in an orientation for conveying the article <NUM>, the counter weight <NUM> is vertically suspended by its own weight from the reorienting member 40A. As shown in <FIG>, when the body <NUM> is placed in an orientation for discharging the article <NUM> from the opening <NUM>, the counter weight <NUM> is placed on the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>. Thus, the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> is pressed downward by the load of the counter weight <NUM> and lifts the front surface <NUM> (the bottom of the body <NUM>) of the body <NUM>. This sharply inclines the front surface <NUM> (a surface from the vicinity of the gussets <NUM> to the opening end of the opening <NUM>) on which the article <NUM> is placed, facilitating the discharge of the article <NUM> from the opening <NUM>. Also in the case where the counter weight <NUM> is replaced with, for example, a frame member that externally presses the body <NUM>, the frame member presses the rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> downward like the counter weight <NUM> and lifts the front surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> so as to sharply incline the front surface <NUM> on which the article <NUM> is placed, thereby facilitating the discharge of the article <NUM> from the opening <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the orientations of the body <NUM> are classified into an orientation for dropping the article <NUM> from the opening <NUM> and an orientation for conveying the article <NUM> but are not limited thereto. The article <NUM> may be dropped from the opening <NUM> by an operator when the body <NUM> is placed in an orientation for conveying the article <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, both ends of the upper side <NUM> and both ends of the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM> are brought into contact with the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> so as to pivot the reorienting member <NUM> about the block <NUM> of the suspending member <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the reorienting member <NUM> may be manually pivoted by an operator without using the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, both ends of the upper side <NUM> and both ends of the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM> are brought into contact with the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM> so as to pivot the reorienting member <NUM> about the block <NUM> of the suspending member <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. As shown in <FIG>, the reorienting member <NUM> may be pivoted by a contact part <NUM> laterally protruding from both ends of the upper side <NUM> and both ends of the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM> so that the contact part <NUM> comes into contact with the first guide rails <NUM> and the second guide rails <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a roller <NUM> may be provided so as to be pivotally supported by the contact part <NUM> that laterally protrudes from both ends of the upper side <NUM> and both ends of the lower side <NUM> of the reorienting member <NUM>. The reorienting member <NUM> may be pivoted by traveling on a groove guide rail 84C (85c) where the roller <NUM> can travel.

In the present embodiment, the article <NUM> conveyed to the dropping position by the first conveyor <NUM> is automatically dropped into the bag <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. The article <NUM> may be dropped into the bag <NUM> by, for example, an operator or a robot arm.

In the present embodiment, the article <NUM> discharged from the bag <NUM> is delivered to the collection container <NUM> through the conveyor <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the article <NUM> may be directly delivered into a chute or the collection container <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the article <NUM> is dropped and discharged from the opening <NUM> provided on the body <NUM>. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. The article <NUM> may be dropped or discharged from the opening <NUM> of the reoriented body <NUM> without the opening <NUM> on the body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, a plate having a small friction coefficient, e.g. a plastic plate may be disposed in an area where the article <NUM> slides on the front surface <NUM> (a surface from the vicinity of the storage part <NUM> to the opening end of the opening <NUM> on the front surface <NUM>) when the bag <NUM> is oriented to discharge, from the opening <NUM>, the article <NUM> stored in the storage part <NUM> of the bag <NUM>. This facilitates sliding of the article <NUM> in the area and discharge of the article <NUM> from the opening <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the body <NUM> is bag-shaped into a loop by connecting both ends of the fabric band in the longitudinal direction. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. Like a bag 10A (an example of "suspended storage") according to another embodiment, a bag may be formed by suspending a fabric band substantially into a U shape in side view from a frame <NUM>. In the description of the bag 10A, the explanation of the same configurations as the bag <NUM> is omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the bag 10A includes a body 20A (an example of "storage body") that stores the article <NUM>, a suspending member <NUM> that suspends the body 20A from the rail <NUM> (the support <NUM> of the hanger sorter <NUM>), a frame <NUM> that supports the body 20A, and a flap <NUM> (an example of "reorienting member") that reorients the body 20A with respect to the suspending member <NUM>.

The body 20A includes a front surface 21A (an example of "first surface") that is formed so as to be suspended from the front side of the frame <NUM> and a rear surface 22A (an example of "second surface") that is formed so as to be suspended from the rear side of the frame <NUM> so as to be opposed to the front surface <NUM>. The body 20A is composed of a fabric band. Specifically, the body 20A is formed by a combination of the front surface 21A and the rear surface 22A. Both ends of the body 20A in the longitudinal direction are attached to the frame <NUM>, so that the body 20A is supported by the frame <NUM> while being suspended like a letter U in side view.

The body 20A has a storage part 23A (an article storage part in the storage body) that is an interior (a space between the front surface 21A and the rear surface 22A) of a piece of fabric suspended from the frame <NUM>. The article <NUM> is stored in the lower part of the suspended fabric. The body 20A has a discharge opening 24A for discharging the article <NUM> stored in the storage part 23A, in the upper part of the front surface 21A.

The block <NUM> of the suspending member <NUM> pivotally supports the front side of the frame <NUM>. The block <NUM> pivotally supports the flap <NUM> below the frame <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> includes a rectangular loop frame having no faces. The frame <NUM> includes a lower frame member <NUM> that vertically pivots about an upper frame member <NUM> supported by the block <NUM> of the suspending member <NUM>. The frame <NUM> has the upper frame member <NUM> supporting the end of the front surface 21A of the body 20A and the lower frame member <NUM> supporting the end of the rear surface 22A of the body 20A. The frame <NUM> is configured such that a length A of the upper frame member <NUM> and the lower frame member <NUM> is longer than a lateral length a of the body 20A. The frame <NUM> is configured such that the guide rail of the drop area <NUM> comes into contact with both ends of the upper frame member <NUM> and both ends of the lower frame member <NUM>. The frame <NUM> has an input opening <NUM> for dropping the article <NUM> into the body 20A, a part surrounded by the loop-shaped frame member.

The flap <NUM> is provided in the body 20A (in a space between the front surface 21A and the rear surface 22A). The flap <NUM> includes a plate-like rigid body capable of lifting the body 20A. The flap <NUM> has an upper end 77A on the proximal end. The upper end 77A is supported by the block <NUM> of the suspending member <NUM>. The flap <NUM> is provided independently of the body <NUM> such that a lower end 77B on the free end is located in the body 20A. The flap <NUM> is configured such that a length B1 of the upper end 77A is longer than the lateral length a of the body 20A and is shorter than a length A of the upper frame member <NUM> and the lower frame member <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The flap <NUM> is configured such that a length B2 of the lower end 77B is shorter than the length B1 of the upper end 77A and the lateral length a of the body 20A. The flap <NUM> is configured such that a length Y of a left end 77C and a length Y of a right end 77D are longer than an opening length b of the discharge opening 24A of the body 20A, a length X of a left frame member <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, and a length X of a right frame member <NUM>. The flap <NUM> is configured such that the center of the left end 77C and the center of the right end 77D are bendable. The flap <NUM> is bent from the lower end 77B so as to keep a constant clearance in the body 20A (between the front surface 21A and the rear surface 22A).

The orientations of the bag 10A will be discussed below, during the conveyance of the article <NUM> in the bag 10A, the dropping of the article <NUM> into the bag 10A, and the discharge of the article <NUM> from the bag 10A.

When the article <NUM> is dropped into the bag 10A (body 20A), the frame <NUM> suspended from the suspending member <NUM> (block <NUM>) as shown in <FIG> is pivotally lifted with respect to the block <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, so that the frame <NUM> is placed in a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>. Specifically, the bag 10A is conveyed while the right and left ends of the upper frame member <NUM> and the right and left ends of the lower frame member <NUM> of the frame <NUM> are guided on (in contact with) the guide rails of the drop area <NUM>, so that the frame <NUM> suspended from the block <NUM> is lifted and is placed in a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>. Thus, the input opening <NUM> formed on the frame <NUM> is opened on the body <NUM>.

Since the frame <NUM> is lifted with respect to the block <NUM>, the rear surface 22A of the body 20A is lifted and moved upward by the frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> is placed in the horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>, thereby longitudinally extending a space between the front surface 21A and the rear surface 22A of the body 20A. At this point, the flap <NUM> closes the discharge opening 24A of the body 20A while being suspended from the block <NUM> without pivoting.

In this way, when the article <NUM> is dropped into the bag 10A (body 20A), the frame <NUM> supporting the body 20A acts as a reorienting member that reorients the body 20A and the flap <NUM> acts as a lid member that closes the discharge opening 24A of the body 20A.

When the article <NUM> stored in the bag 10A (body 20A) is conveyed, the frame <NUM> placed in a horizontal position with respect to the suspending member <NUM> (block <NUM>) as shown in <FIG> is pivotally inclined downward with respect to the block <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, so that the frame <NUM> is suspended from the block <NUM>. Specifically, the bag 10A is conveyed to a position where the right and left ends of the upper frame member <NUM> and the right and left ends of the lower frame member <NUM> of the frame <NUM> are separated from the guide rails of the drop area <NUM>, so that the frame <NUM> placed in a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM> is suspended from the block <NUM>. Thus, the input opening <NUM> formed on the frame <NUM> is closed on the body 20A.

Since the frame <NUM> is suspended from the block <NUM>, the rear surface 22A of the body 20A is suspended by the weight of the body 20A so as to reduce a space between the front surface 21A and the rear surface 22A of the body 20A. At this point, the flap <NUM> closes the discharge opening 24A of the body 20A while being suspended from the block <NUM> without pivoting.

When the article <NUM> is discharged from the bag 10A (body 20A), the flap <NUM> suspended from the suspending member <NUM> (block <NUM>) as shown in <FIG> is pivotally lifted with respect to the block <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, so that the flap <NUM> is placed in a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>. Specifically, the bag 10A is conveyed while the left end 77C and the right end of the flap <NUM> are guided on (in contact with) the guide rails of the discharge area <NUM>, so that the flap <NUM> suspended from the block <NUM> is lifted into a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>. The flap <NUM> is lifted with respect to the block <NUM>, so that the frame <NUM> is lifted by the flap <NUM> into a horizontal position with respect to the block <NUM>.

The flap <NUM> lifted with respect to the block <NUM> moves the rear surface 22A of the body 20A upward and lifts the front surface 21A of the body 20A. Hence, the opening of the discharge opening 24A of the body 20A is directed downward, allowing the article <NUM> stored in the storage part 23A of the bag 10A to be discharged from the discharge opening 24A.

Claim 1:
A suspended storage (<NUM>) for a conveyor system, the suspended storage being capable of storing an article (<NUM>), the suspended storage (<NUM>) being adapted to be conveyed while being suspended from a rail (<NUM>),
the suspended storage (<NUM>) comprising:
a suspending member (<NUM>) suspending a storage body (<NUM>) from the rail (<NUM>);
the storage body (<NUM>), suspended from the suspending member (<NUM>), including a bag having an internal storage space (<NUM>) for the article (<NUM>) and adapted to store the article (<NUM>); and
a reorienting member (<NUM>, 40A, <NUM>) supported by the suspending member (<NUM>) and has a free end (<NUM>, 42A, 77B) in the storage body (<NUM>) adapted to reorient the storage body (<NUM>) with respect to the suspending member (<NUM>),
characterized in that the reorienting member (<NUM>, 40A, <NUM>) which is provided independently of the storage body (<NUM>) is provided in the internal storage space (<NUM>) of the storage body (<NUM>) and presents a lower side (<NUM>) and an upper side (<NUM>), capable of lifting the storage body (<NUM>), and is supported pivotally with respect to the suspending member (<NUM>) such that the lower side (<NUM>) is adapted to vertically pivot about the upper side (<NUM>) supported by a block (<NUM>) of the suspending member (<NUM>) so as to pivot with respect to the suspending member (<NUM>) so as to reorient the storage body (<NUM>).