EP0105782B1 - Letter feeding device of a stacking magazine, and sorting machine equipped with such a device - Google Patents

Letter feeding device of a stacking magazine, and sorting machine equipped with such a device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0105782B1
EP0105782B1 EP83401838A EP83401838A EP0105782B1 EP 0105782 B1 EP0105782 B1 EP 0105782B1 EP 83401838 A EP83401838 A EP 83401838A EP 83401838 A EP83401838 A EP 83401838A EP 0105782 B1 EP0105782 B1 EP 0105782B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
suction nozzle
letter
axis
valve
movement
Prior art date
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Expired
Application number
EP83401838A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0105782A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Marcel Bergerioux
Roland Allio
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HBS
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HBS
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/08—Separating articles from piles using pneumatic force
    • B65H3/0808—Suction grippers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/20—Arrangements for facilitating the visual reading of addresses, e.g. display arrangements coding stations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
    • B65H5/08—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by grippers, e.g. suction grippers
    • B65H5/14—Details of grippers; Actuating-mechanisms therefor
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S209/00—Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
    • Y10S209/90—Sorting flat-type mail

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for unstacking folds associated with a storage magazine.
  • each fold is entered individually to be brought for example to a coding station.
  • the operator must be able to easily enter the information carried by the fold and which must be indexed. It is therefore necessary that the fold is presented to the operator in a visible manner for the necessary time, just during this time and all this without risk of double grips.
  • Document FR-A-63 127 discloses a pneumatic vacuum device for folds from a stack of folds, with a view to their subsequent sorting, of the type stated in the preamble of claim 1. This device removes the folds one by one of the stack and places them on an individual conveyor passing in front of an indexing station where the operator records for each ply a sorting indexing code according to the destination he reads on each of the plies.
  • the suction device is a bent suction tube with elastic terminal mouth.
  • a pump is connected to this tube, with the interposition of a safety valve.
  • the tube is integral with two levers mounted pivoting around the same fixed shaft and each actuated by a cam.
  • the tube is pivoted on a movable shaft fixed on one of the levers, it is coupled by a flange to the other lever.
  • This suction tube thus mounted is driven in a forward and backward tilting movement and a translational movement at the end of outward and backward tilting; these two movements are carried out in the plane of the tube, the controls are provided by the two levers and the two cams which are respectively associated with them.
  • the fold taken and driven is detached from the terminal mouth during the tilting movement back of the suction tube, it then comes to rest on the bottom of the individual conveyor for its intermittent drive in front of the indexing station.
  • a device for unstacking folds comprising a magazine for storing said folds equipped with means for driving said folds to a stop, a suction cup for gripping the teminal fold in said stack, mounted on a bent support tube and disposed substantially vertically opposite said end fold in a so-called rest position, pumping means connected by a first connecting pipe to said support tube of said suction cup and means for controlling the tilting of said suction cup towards said end fold and its return to position rest, characterized in that it comprises:
  • a first pneumatic means connected to said pumping means, with an elastically biased piston and coupled to said support tube of the suction cup, and a first controllable valve interposed on said first pipe, constituting together said means for controlling the tilting of said suction cup;
  • a second pneumatic means mounted sliding on an axis comprising a first chamber interposed between said first pipe and said support tube and a second chamber delimited by a piston carried by said axis and connected by a second pipe equipped with a second valve controllable to said pumping means, for the translation of said suction cup along the aforementioned axis by controlling said second valve.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general architecture of an indexing and sorting machine. This is generally made up of the combination of the means listed below. There are therefore essentially means (a) which fill the store associated with means (b) of storage; means carrying out the unitary transfer of mail from the storage store to the operator for the coding operation; these are the unstacking means (c). The mail is then transported, function referenced (e), to the printing station (f) and again it is transported, function referenced (g), to the sorting station.
  • means (a) which fill the store associated with means (b) of storage; means carrying out the unitary transfer of mail from the storage store to the operator for the coding operation; these are the unstacking means (c).
  • the mail is then transported, function referenced (e), to the printing station (f) and again it is transported, function referenced (g), to the sorting station.
  • FIG. 2 represents an embodiment of the store (S); it illustrates the functions (a) and (b) of FIG. 1.
  • the store consists of a bottom against which the last fold stored is supported. This bottom consists of two vertical fingers 1 and of a floor itself consisting of two distinct zones: a zone 2 representing a static friction surface, and a zone 3 consisting of a motorized mat 30 leading up to the zone depilation, the folds by training their feet.
  • This floor has an inclination favoring the good presentation of the letters in unstacking.
  • the store (S) also consists of a pallet 4 for driving the plies acting on them by pushing.
  • This palette 4 is even driven by a motorized chain 5 cooperating with a lug 6 secured to the pallet.
  • the pallet 4 comprises two notches 7 which, coming to cooperate with the fingers 1, allow an easy positioning of the latter at the rear of the stack during the recharging period.
  • this section 4 is guided by connecting means 8 to. a cylindrical rod 9. This connection allows a rotational movement of the pallet around the axis to allow the retraction of the lug of the chain and the return from a front or intermediate position all along zone 2 to a rear position, behind the two fingers 1.
  • the front part of the magazine (S) consists of a stop blade 10 against which the foot of the first ply is applied.
  • Photoelectric cells for example CP, detect the presence of folds in abutment on the blade 10 and control, in the absence of folds, the advance of the chain 5.
  • This blade is dimensioned so as to cooperate effectively with the unstacking means, as well as possibly with blowing means 12 which allow a certain expansion which facilitates separation.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the kinematics used in the present invention and FIGS. 6 and 7 the means for regulating the operation of the unstacking device.
  • a fold 100 is sucked by means of a suction cup 14 secured to orientation means 101.
  • the latter are equipped with first and second means capable of ensuring a tilting movement symbolized by the arrow F b and a translational movement symbolized by the arrow F L. All of these means are supported by a frame 105.
  • the orientation means 101 are connected to control means 106 via in particular a fork 107 cooperating with a connecting pin 110.
  • the unstacking means drives the letter in an intermediate position such that its plane makes an angle a with the original plane and that the level (v) of the crease foot is slightly higher than the upstream drive level (level w). This change of plane is obtained by a simple rotation (r). The fold is then driven as shown by arrow F L with the unstacking head towards the reading position.
  • control means 106 acting on the orientation means 101 of the suction cup 14 defined above are as regards the tilting movement consisting, for example, of a diving cylinder 15 connected to a box 120 capable of being evacuated.
  • the rod 108 of this jack 15 is integral with the fork 107 itself integral with the axis 110 and can move between a first position P 1 and a second position P 2 in dotted lines.
  • a return spring 17 ensures a return movement of the rod of this jack 15.
  • Pumping means P producing a vacuum
  • the valve 16 is closed, the suction cup 14 is in the vertical position, that is to say that the fork 107 occupies the position P 2 and the diving cylinder 15 is under vacuum.
  • the opening of the valve 16 causes, under the effect of the return spring 17, the passage of the fork 107 from the vertical position P 2 to the position P 1 which corresponds to the application of the suction cup 14 against the first fold of the stack to be unstacked.
  • the jack 15 is then automatically put under vacuum and counteracts the effect of the spring 17, which has the effect of bringing the suction cup-fold assembly towards the vertical position.
  • the control means 106 of the orientation means 101 of the suction cup 14, as regards the translational movement F L consist of a jack 20 comprising two chambers 19 and 23.
  • the body of the jack 20 can slide along of the fixed axis 21 which carries a piston 22 integral with this axis 21 inside the chamber 19.
  • the chamber 19 is placed in communication through a valve 18 with the pumping means P.
  • the evacuation of the chamber 19 causes the body 20 of the actuator to translate along the axis 21 to the right. This movement has the effect of causing the fold in a translational movement F L towards what, in the example chosen, is the reading position.
  • the axis 21 is also provided with a neck 25 which constitutes an exhaust at the end of the stroke.
  • the valve 18 When the jack 20 reaches the end of travel on the right, the valve 18 is closed. The outlet 31 in the open air of the valve 18 then puts the chamber 19 of the jack 20 in communication with the free air and the return spring 32 brings the jack 20 back to the left. The folds are therefore supported on the stop blade 10 facing the operator.
  • the mail is then routed to a code recording device before being taken over by a device providing the conventional transport function for sorting.
  • the device can be equipped with at least two magazines, so that the operator can first read for example the right letter and hit the keyboard. At the same time, he can anticipate reading the code on the left letter.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne un dispositif de dépilage de plis associé à un magasin de stockage.The invention relates to a device for unstacking folds associated with a storage magazine.

On connaît diverses formes de postes de codage plus ou moins automatiques commandés par un opérateur. Il s'agit d'une machine destinée soit à l'indexation (inscription d'une donnée) soit au tri d'indexation (lecture d'une donnée).There are various forms of more or less automatic coding stations controlled by an operator. It is a machine intended either for indexing (recording of data) or for sorting indexing (reading of data).

Une des fonctions les plus délicate à mettre en oeuvre dans une machine de tri est la fonction dépilage. Il faut en effet que chaque pli soit saisi individuellement pour être amené par exemple vers un poste de codage. L'opérateur doit pouvoir facilement saisir les informations portées par le pli et qui doivent être indexées. Il faut donc que le pli soit présenté à l'opérateur de manière visible pendant le temps nécessaire, juste pendant ce temps et tout cela sans risque de prises doubles.One of the most delicate functions to implement in a sorting machine is the destacking function. It is indeed necessary that each fold is entered individually to be brought for example to a coding station. The operator must be able to easily enter the information carried by the fold and which must be indexed. It is therefore necessary that the fold is presented to the operator in a visible manner for the necessary time, just during this time and all this without risk of double grips.

On connaît par le document FR-A-63 127 un dispositif aspirateur pneumatique de plis d'une pile de plis, en vue de leur tri ultérieur, du type énoncé dans le préambule de la revendication 1. Ce dispositif enlève un à un les plis de la pile et les dépose sur un convoyeur individuel passant devant un poste d'indexation où l'opérateur enregistre pour chaque pli un code d'indexation de tri en fonction de la destination qu'il lit sur chacun des plis.Document FR-A-63 127 discloses a pneumatic vacuum device for folds from a stack of folds, with a view to their subsequent sorting, of the type stated in the preamble of claim 1. This device removes the folds one by one of the stack and places them on an individual conveyor passing in front of an indexing station where the operator records for each ply a sorting indexing code according to the destination he reads on each of the plies.

Le dispositif aspirateur est un tube d'aspiration coudé à bouche terminale élastique. Une pompe est reliée à ce tube, avec interposition d'une vanne de sécurité. Le tube est solidaire de deux leviers montés pivotant autour d'un même arbre fixe et actionnés chacun par une came. Le tube est pivotant sur un arbre mobile fixé sur l'un des leviers, il est couplé par une bride à l'autre levier. Ce tube d'aspiration ainsi monté est entraîné selon un mouvement de basculement aller et retour et un mouvement de translation en fin de basculement aller et de basculement retour; ces deux mouvements sont effectués dans le plan du tube, les commandes sont assurées par les deux leviers et les deux cames qui leur sont respectivement associées. Le pli prélevé et entraîné est décollé de la bouche terminale au cours du mouvement de basculement retour du tube d'aspiration, il vient alors reposer sur le fond du convoyeur individuel pour son entraînement intermittent devant le poste d'indexation.The suction device is a bent suction tube with elastic terminal mouth. A pump is connected to this tube, with the interposition of a safety valve. The tube is integral with two levers mounted pivoting around the same fixed shaft and each actuated by a cam. The tube is pivoted on a movable shaft fixed on one of the levers, it is coupled by a flange to the other lever. This suction tube thus mounted is driven in a forward and backward tilting movement and a translational movement at the end of outward and backward tilting; these two movements are carried out in the plane of the tube, the controls are provided by the two levers and the two cams which are respectively associated with them. The fold taken and driven is detached from the terminal mouth during the tilting movement back of the suction tube, it then comes to rest on the bottom of the individual conveyor for its intermittent drive in front of the indexing station.

La présente a pour but, dans un dépileur opérant en entraînant également une tête de succion selon un mouvement de basculement aller et retour et un mouvement de translation, pour prélever le pli terminal puis le transférer, de rendre les mouvements de la tête en étroite dépendance de la saisie des plis à dépiler.The purpose of this is, in a destacker operating by also driving a suction head according to a back and forth tilting movement and a translational movement, to take the terminal fold and then transfer it, to make the movements of the head in close dependence seizure of folds to be unstacked

Elle a donc pour objet un dispositif de dépilage de plis comportant un magasin de stockage desdits plis équipé de moyens d'entraînement desdits plis jusqu'à une butée, une ventouse de préhension du pli teminal dans ladite pile, montée sur un tube support coudé et disposée sensiblement verticalement face audit pli terminal dans une position dite de repos, des moyens de pompage reliés par une première conduite de liaison audit tube support de ladite ventouse et des moyens de commande du basculement de ladite ventouse vers ledit pli terminal et son retour en position de repos, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte:It therefore relates to a device for unstacking folds comprising a magazine for storing said folds equipped with means for driving said folds to a stop, a suction cup for gripping the teminal fold in said stack, mounted on a bent support tube and disposed substantially vertically opposite said end fold in a so-called rest position, pumping means connected by a first connecting pipe to said support tube of said suction cup and means for controlling the tilting of said suction cup towards said end fold and its return to position rest, characterized in that it comprises:

- un premier moyen pneumatique relié auxdits moyens de pompage, à piston sollicité élastiquement et couplé audit tube support de la ventouse, et une première vanne commandable interposée sur ladite première conduite, constituant ensemble lesdits moyens de commande du basculement de ladite ventouse;- A first pneumatic means connected to said pumping means, with an elastically biased piston and coupled to said support tube of the suction cup, and a first controllable valve interposed on said first pipe, constituting together said means for controlling the tilting of said suction cup;

- un deuxième moyen pneumatique monté coulissant sur un axe comportant une première chambre interposée entre ladite première conduite et ledit tube-support et une seconde chambre délimitée par un piston porté par ledit axe et reliée par une deuxième conduite équipée d'une deuxième vanne commandable auxdits moyens de pompage, pour la translation de ladite ventouse selon l'axe précité par commande de ladite deuxième vanne.a second pneumatic means mounted sliding on an axis comprising a first chamber interposed between said first pipe and said support tube and a second chamber delimited by a piston carried by said axis and connected by a second pipe equipped with a second valve controllable to said pumping means, for the translation of said suction cup along the aforementioned axis by controlling said second valve.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide des explications qui vont suivre et des figures jointes parmi lesquelles:

  • - la figure 1 est un schéma représentant les fonctions des différents éléments de la machine;
  • - la figure 2 représente schématiquement un mode de réalisation du magasin d'alimentation;
  • - les figures 3 à 7 représentent une variante de réalisation du dispositif de dépilage conforme à l'invention.
The invention will be better understood with the aid of the explanations which follow and of the appended figures among which:
  • - Figure 1 is a diagram showing the functions of the various elements of the machine;
  • - Figure 2 schematically shows an embodiment of the food store;
  • - Figures 3 to 7 show an alternative embodiment of the unstacking device according to the invention.

Pour une compréhension plus facile, les mêmes éléments portent les mêmes références dans toutes les figures.For easier understanding, the same elements are given the same references in all the figures.

La figure 1 est un schéma représentant l'architecture générale d'une machine d'indexation et de tri. Celle-ci est constituée généralement par la combinaison des moyens énumérés ci-après. On y trouve donc essentiellement des moyens (a) qui assurent le remplissage du magasin associé à des moyens (b) de stockage; des moyens effectuant le transfert unitaire du courrier depuis le magasin de stockage vers l'opérateur pour l'opération de codage; il s'agit des moyens de dépilage (c). Le cou- rier est ensuite transporté, fonction référencée (e), vers la station d'impression (f) et à nouveau il est transporté, fonction référencée (g), vers la station de tri.Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general architecture of an indexing and sorting machine. This is generally made up of the combination of the means listed below. There are therefore essentially means (a) which fill the store associated with means (b) of storage; means carrying out the unitary transfer of mail from the storage store to the operator for the coding operation; these are the unstacking means (c). The mail is then transported, function referenced (e), to the printing station (f) and again it is transported, function referenced (g), to the sorting station.

La figure 2 représente un mode de réalisation du magasin (S); elle illustre les fonctions (a) et (b) de la figure 1. Le magasin est constitué d'un fond contre lequel vient s'appuyer le dernier pli stocké. Ce fond est constitué de deux doigts verticaux 1 et d'un plancher lui-même constitué de deux zones distinctes: une zone 2 représentant une surface statique de frottement, et une zone 3 constituée d'un tapis motorisé 30 conduisant, jusque vers la zone de dépilage, les plis par entraînement de leurs pieds. Ce plancher présente une inclinaison favorisant la bonne présentation des lettres au dépilage.FIG. 2 represents an embodiment of the store (S); it illustrates the functions (a) and (b) of FIG. 1. The store consists of a bottom against which the last fold stored is supported. This bottom consists of two vertical fingers 1 and of a floor itself consisting of two distinct zones: a zone 2 representing a static friction surface, and a zone 3 consisting of a motorized mat 30 leading up to the zone depilation, the folds by training their feet. This floor has an inclination favoring the good presentation of the letters in unstacking.

Le magasin (S) est également constitué d'une palette 4 d'entraînement des plis agissant sur ceux-ci par poussée. Cette palette 4 est elle-même entraînée par une chaîne motorisée 5 coopérant avec un ergot 6 solidaire de la palette. Par ailleurs, la palette 4 comporte deux échancrures 7 qui, venant coopérer avec les doigts 1, permettent une mise en place aisée de celle-ci à l'arrière de la pile en période de rechargement. Enfin, cette pa- lettte 4 est guidée par des moyens de liaison 8 à . une tige cylindrique 9. Cette liaison permet un mouvement de rotation de la palette autour de l'axe pour permettre l'escamotage de l'ergot de la chaîne et le retour d'une position avant ou intermédiaire tout le long de la zone 2 à une position arrière, à l'arrière des deux doigts 1.The store (S) also consists of a pallet 4 for driving the plies acting on them by pushing. This palette 4 is even driven by a motorized chain 5 cooperating with a lug 6 secured to the pallet. Furthermore, the pallet 4 comprises two notches 7 which, coming to cooperate with the fingers 1, allow an easy positioning of the latter at the rear of the stack during the recharging period. Finally, this section 4 is guided by connecting means 8 to. a cylindrical rod 9. This connection allows a rotational movement of the pallet around the axis to allow the retraction of the lug of the chain and the return from a front or intermediate position all along zone 2 to a rear position, behind the two fingers 1.

La partie avant du magasin (S) est constituée d'une lame butée 10 contre laquelle le pied du premier pli vient s'appliquer. Des cellules photo- électriques, par exemple CP, détectent la présence de plis en butée sur la lame 10 et commandent, en l'absence de plis, l'avance de la chaîne 5.The front part of the magazine (S) consists of a stop blade 10 against which the foot of the first ply is applied. Photoelectric cells, for example CP, detect the presence of folds in abutment on the blade 10 and control, in the absence of folds, the advance of the chain 5.

Cette lame est dimensionnée de manière à coopérer efficacement avec les moyens de dépilage, de même qu'avec éventuellement des moyens de soufflage 12 qui autorisent un certain foisonnement facilitant la séparation.This blade is dimensioned so as to cooperate effectively with the unstacking means, as well as possibly with blowing means 12 which allow a certain expansion which facilitates separation.

Les figures 3 et 4 représentent schématiquement une variante de réalisation des moyens de dépilage (fonction (c) de la figure 1 ) mis en oeuvre dans la présente invention. La figure 5 est un schéma illustrant la cinématique utilisée dans la présente invention et les figures 6 et 7 les moyens de régulation du fonctionnement du dispositif de dépilage.Figures 3 and 4 schematically show an alternative embodiment of the unstacking means (function (c) of Figure 1) used in the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the kinematics used in the present invention and FIGS. 6 and 7 the means for regulating the operation of the unstacking device.

Comme le montre les figures 3 et 4, un pli 100 est aspiré au moyen d'une ventouse 14 solidaire de moyens d'orientation 101. Ces derniers sont équipés de premiers et seconds moyens capables d'assurer un mouvement de basculement symbolisé par la flèche Fb et d'un mouvement de translation symbolisé par la flèche FL. L'ensemble de ces moyens est supporté par un bâti 105. Les moyens d'orientation 101 sont reliés à des moyens de commande 106 par l'intermédiaire notamment d'une fourchette 107 coopérant avec un axe de liaison 110.As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a fold 100 is sucked by means of a suction cup 14 secured to orientation means 101. The latter are equipped with first and second means capable of ensuring a tilting movement symbolized by the arrow F b and a translational movement symbolized by the arrow F L. All of these means are supported by a frame 105. The orientation means 101 are connected to control means 106 via in particular a fork 107 cooperating with a connecting pin 110.

Si l'on prend comme référence de départ du pli le plan xoy (figure 5) le moyen de dépilage entraîne la lettre dans une position intermédiaire telle que son plan fasse un angle a avec le plan d'origine et que le niveau (v) du pied du pli soit légèrement supérieur au niveau d'entraînement en amont (niveau w). Ce changement de plan est obtenu par une simple rotation (r). Le pli est ensuite entraîné comme le montre la flèche FL avec la tête de dépilage vers la position de lecture.If we take as reference of the fold the plane xoy (figure 5) the unstacking means drives the letter in an intermediate position such that its plane makes an angle a with the original plane and that the level (v) of the crease foot is slightly higher than the upstream drive level (level w). This change of plane is obtained by a simple rotation (r). The fold is then driven as shown by arrow F L with the unstacking head towards the reading position.

Comme le montre les figures 6 et 7, les moyens de commande 106 agissant sur les moyens d'orientation 101 de la ventouse 14 définis précédemment sont pour ce qui concerne le mouvement de basculement constitués, par exemple, d'un vérin de plongée 15 relié à un caisson 120 capable d'être mis sous vide. La tige 108 de ce vérin 15 est solidaire de la fourchette 107 elle-même solidaire de l'axe 110 et peut se déplacer entre une première position P1 et une seconde position P2 en pointillés. Un ressort de rappel 17 assure un mouvement de retour de la tige de ce vérin 15.As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the control means 106 acting on the orientation means 101 of the suction cup 14 defined above are as regards the tilting movement consisting, for example, of a diving cylinder 15 connected to a box 120 capable of being evacuated. The rod 108 of this jack 15 is integral with the fork 107 itself integral with the axis 110 and can move between a first position P 1 and a second position P 2 in dotted lines. A return spring 17 ensures a return movement of the rod of this jack 15.

Des moyens de pompage P, réalisant un vide, sont reliés par le caisson 120 d'une part, à travers une première vanne 16, à la ventouse 14, d'autre part au vérin 15. A l'instant TO, la vanne 16 est fermée, la ventouse 14 est en position verticale, c'est-à-dire que la fourchette 107 occupe la position P2 et le vérin de plongée 15 est sous vide. Quand la vanne 16 est fermée, la ventouse 14 n'est pas soumise à l'aspiration provoquée par les moyens de pompage. L'ouverture de la vanne 16 provoque, sous l'effet du ressort de rappel 17, le passage de la fourchette 107 de la position verticale P2 à la position P1 qui correspond à l'application de la ventouse 14 contre le premier pli de la pile à dépiler. Dès qu'un pli obture la ventouse 14, le vérin 15 est alors automatiquement remis sous vide et contrecarre l'effet du ressort 17, ce qui a pour effet de ramener l'ensemble ventouse-pli vers la position verticale.Pumping means P, producing a vacuum, are connected by the box 120 on the one hand, through a first valve 16, to the suction cup 14, on the other hand to the jack 15. At the instant TO, the valve 16 is closed, the suction cup 14 is in the vertical position, that is to say that the fork 107 occupies the position P 2 and the diving cylinder 15 is under vacuum. When the valve 16 is closed, the suction cup 14 is not subjected to the suction caused by the pumping means. The opening of the valve 16 causes, under the effect of the return spring 17, the passage of the fork 107 from the vertical position P 2 to the position P 1 which corresponds to the application of the suction cup 14 against the first fold of the stack to be unstacked. As soon as a fold closes the suction cup 14, the jack 15 is then automatically put under vacuum and counteracts the effect of the spring 17, which has the effect of bringing the suction cup-fold assembly towards the vertical position.

Les moyens de commande 106 des moyens d'orientation 101 de la ventouse 14, pour ce qui concerne le mouvement de translation FL, sont constitués d'un vérin 20 comportant deux chambres 19 et 23. Le corps du vérin 20 peut coulisser le long de l'axe 21 fixe qui porte un piston 22 solidaire de cet axe 21 à l'intérieur de la chambre 19. La chambre 19 est mise en communication à travers une vanne 18 avec les moyens de pompage P. La mise sous vide de la chambre 19 provoque la translation vers la droite du corps 20 du vérin le long de l'axe 21. Ce mouvement a pour effet d'entraîner le pli dans un mouvement de translation FL vers ce qui, dans l'exemple choisi, est la position de lecture. L'axe 21 est muni d'autre part d'une striction 25 qui constitue un échappement en fin de course.The control means 106 of the orientation means 101 of the suction cup 14, as regards the translational movement F L , consist of a jack 20 comprising two chambers 19 and 23. The body of the jack 20 can slide along of the fixed axis 21 which carries a piston 22 integral with this axis 21 inside the chamber 19. The chamber 19 is placed in communication through a valve 18 with the pumping means P. The evacuation of the chamber 19 causes the body 20 of the actuator to translate along the axis 21 to the right. This movement has the effect of causing the fold in a translational movement F L towards what, in the example chosen, is the reading position. The axis 21 is also provided with a neck 25 which constitutes an exhaust at the end of the stroke.

Pour libérer le pli, deux actions sont prévues:

  • - d'une part la fermeture de la vanne 16 provoque la mise en communication avec l'air libre de la chambre 23 par une sortie 30 de la vanne 16; la chambre 23 est en communication avec la ventouse 14 par le tuyau 24;
  • - d'autre part l'utilisation de la striction 25 qui est positionnée de telle manière que la rupture d'étanchéité de la chambre 23 se fasse en bout de course correspondant à la zone de lacher des plis.
To release the fold, two actions are planned:
  • - On the one hand the closing of the valve 16 causes the communication with the open air of the chamber 23 by an outlet 30 of the valve 16; the chamber 23 is in communication with the suction cup 14 by the pipe 24;
  • - On the other hand the use of the neck 25 which is positioned so that the sealing rupture of the chamber 23 occurs at the end of travel corresponding to the area of letting folds.

Lorsque le vérin 20 arrive en bout de course sur la droite, la vanne 18 est fermée. La sortie 31 à l'air libre de la vanne 18 met alors la chambre 19 du vérin 20 en communication avec l'air libre et le ressort de rappel 32 ramène le vérin 20 sur la gauche. Les plis sont donc en appui sur la lame butée 10 face à l'opérateur. La ventouse 14, comme cela a été décrit précédemment, prend en charge le premier pli qui se présente; grâce à son double mouvement de rotation d'une part et rectiligne d'autre part, elle saisit le pli et le présente à l'opérateur qui lit le code inscrit sur le pli et le frappe sur un clavier prévu à cet effet. Le pli est ensuite acheminé vers un organe d'enregistrement de code avant d'être pris en charge par un dispositif assurant la fonction de transport conventionnel pour être ensuite trié.When the jack 20 reaches the end of travel on the right, the valve 18 is closed. The outlet 31 in the open air of the valve 18 then puts the chamber 19 of the jack 20 in communication with the free air and the return spring 32 brings the jack 20 back to the left. The folds are therefore supported on the stop blade 10 facing the operator. The suction cup 14, as described above, takes care of the first fold which presents itself; thanks to its double movement of rotation on the one hand and rectilinear on the other hand, it grasps the fold and presents it to the operator who reads the code written on the fold and hits it on a keyboard provided for this purpose. The mail is then routed to a code recording device before being taken over by a device providing the conventional transport function for sorting.

Pour améliorer les cadences de codage, le dispositif peut être équipé d'au moins deux magasins, de telle sorte que l'opérateur peut d'abord lire par exemple la lettre de droite et frapper le clavier. Il peut en même temps anticiper la lecture du code sur la lettre de gauche.To improve the coding rates, the device can be equipped with at least two magazines, so that the operator can first read for example the right letter and hit the keyboard. At the same time, he can anticipate reading the code on the left letter.

Claims (4)

1. A device for destacking letters comprising a storage magazine (5) for said letters equipped with drive means for moving said letters against a stop (10), a suction nozzle (14) for taking up the last letter in said stack, mounted on a curved support pipe (24) and disposed substantially vertically facing said last letter in a so-called rest position, pumping means (P) connected via a first connection conduit with said support pipe (24) of said suction nozzle (14) and means (15, 16) for controlling the swinging movement of said suction nozzle towards said last letter and its return into the rest position, characterized in that it comprises:
- a first pneumatic means (15) connected to said pumping means (P), with an elastically stressed piston coupled to said support pipe (24) of the suction nozzle (14), and a first controllable valve inserted on said first conduit, this means and this valve together constituting said control means (15, 16) for the swinging of said suction nozzle (14);
- a second pneumatic means (20) slideably mounted on an axis (21), comprising a first chamber (23) inserted between said first conduit and said support pipe (24), and a second chamber (19) which is delimited by a piston (22) carried by said axis (21) and which is connected by a second conduit equipped with a second controllable valve (18) to said pumping means for the translation movement of said suction nozzle (14) along said axis (21) under the control of said second valve (18).
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, on said axis (21), a means (25) for interrupting the tightness of said first chamber (23) in order to provoke, at the end of the translation movement of the suction nozzle (14) the release of said letter which has been taken and driven by said suction nozzle.
3. A device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said translation plane is angularly shifted with respect to the plane of the end letter of said stack, the lower edge of the taken end letter occupying a level (V) which is higher than that (W) of the letter in the stack during the return movement into the rest position of said suction nozzle.
4. A device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises elastic means (22) coupled to said second pneumatic means and conceived to ensure the translation return movement on said axis of said second pneumatic means when said second valve (18) is not controlled.
EP83401838A 1982-10-01 1983-09-20 Letter feeding device of a stacking magazine, and sorting machine equipped with such a device Expired EP0105782B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8216548 1982-10-01
FR8216548A FR2533841B1 (en) 1982-10-01 1982-10-01 FOLD STACKING DEVICE ASSOCIATED WITH A STORAGE STORE AND SORTING MACHINE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0105782A1 EP0105782A1 (en) 1984-04-18
EP0105782B1 true EP0105782B1 (en) 1987-01-07

Family

ID=9277914

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83401838A Expired EP0105782B1 (en) 1982-10-01 1983-09-20 Letter feeding device of a stacking magazine, and sorting machine equipped with such a device

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US4569512A (en)
EP (1) EP0105782B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS5982980A (en)
AU (1) AU559593B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1209602A (en)
DE (1) DE3368908D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2533841B1 (en)
NO (1) NO833573L (en)
PT (1) PT77389B (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2576530B1 (en) * 1985-01-30 1987-08-07 Hotchkiss Brandt Sogeme LARGE SPECTRUM FLAT OBJECT SEPARATOR
US5219432A (en) * 1987-06-18 1993-06-15 Compagnie Generale D'automatisme Cga Hgs Device for unstacking flat objects
GB2214896B (en) * 1988-02-13 1991-10-23 Unisys Corp Document feeding apparatus
DE10360692A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-07-14 Böwe Bell + Howell GmbH Method and device for separating letters
US7014126B2 (en) * 2004-03-17 2006-03-21 Festo Corporation Sorting machine for diverting an article from an article stream
US20070116829A1 (en) * 2005-11-23 2007-05-24 The Coca-Cola Company Pharmaceutical Composition with High-Potency Sweetener

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2028306A (en) * 1935-01-25 1936-01-21 Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp Tin pot feeder
US2722416A (en) * 1950-05-10 1955-11-01 Backhouse Headley Townsend Separation of sheets of paper or the like from the top of a pile
US2819073A (en) * 1955-04-20 1958-01-07 Aetna Standard Eng Co Sheet feeding apparatus
US2792218A (en) * 1955-10-19 1957-05-14 Andriessen Tech Nv Mail handling equipment
FR1048767A (en) * 1956-03-08 1953-12-23 Int Standard Electric Corp Sorting machine for letters and similar flat objects of predetermined dimensions
US3201114A (en) * 1961-05-11 1965-08-17 Universal Business Machines Document feeder and control system
NL6400535A (en) * 1964-01-24 1965-07-26
US3265383A (en) * 1965-04-22 1966-08-09 Eastman Kodak Co Film sheet feeder
US3879031A (en) * 1973-07-23 1975-04-22 Chippewa Paper Products Compan Sheet feeding apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0105782A1 (en) 1984-04-18
AU1981483A (en) 1984-04-05
PT77389A (en) 1983-10-01
DE3368908D1 (en) 1987-02-12
NO833573L (en) 1984-04-02
JPS5982980A (en) 1984-05-14
US4569512A (en) 1986-02-11
CA1209602A (en) 1986-08-12
AU559593B2 (en) 1987-03-12
FR2533841B1 (en) 1985-07-05
PT77389B (en) 1986-02-13
FR2533841A1 (en) 1984-04-06

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