EP0513732A1 - Box filling device specially at the output of a mail sorting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for filling boxes, especially at the output of a machine for sorting flat objects, particularly postal envelopes, comprising at least one inclined plate for supporting diverted envelopes, a jogging piece and a sliding pallet subjected to a return force, which device comprises at least one bar which can be retracted through at least one cutout made in the box. …<??>Each bar consists of two arms, including a first arm (1) freely articulated via its first end on the chassis of the machine and a second arm (2) extending the plate (3) in the active position, freely articulated on the second end of the first arm (1) and resting via its first end on the plane of the bottom of the box (4). …<IMAGE>…

Description

The present invention relates to a device for filling boxes, in particular at the outlet of a machine for sorting flat objects, in particular postal items, comprising at least one inclined support plate for deflected items, a jogging piece and a sliding pallet subjected to a restoring force, device comprising at least one retractable bar through at least one cutout made in the box.

Mail sorting machines include juxtaposed stacking modules, the number of which is adapted to the number of sorting directions which the machine must satisfy.

These modules include packers fed by a conveyor consisting of two belts between which the letters are held by pinching. The conveyor is provided at each packer with a switch whose orientation allows the deflection of the folds towards the associated packer, if this is necessary. In the vicinity of each switch and at the foot of it, is disposed a plate maintaining the deviated folds and allowing their stacking in cooperation with a jogging edge against which the letters abut, thus defining one of the two lateral edges of the stack. At the front of the stack in formation, a pallet guided by an axis along which it can slide, recedes as the stack increases. This pallet compresses the stack under the action of a restoring force produced by a spring or a counterweight. To obtain a correct battery, an inclination of the plate is necessary.

In these sorting machines, the folds stacked on each plate must be removed manually to be placed in a corresponding box. This operation is expensive because repetitive it requires a lot of manpower. Furthermore, it is delicate because the stack is difficult to grasp and can only be moved in sections.

French Patent No. 2,552,743 describes a stacking machine, the stacking support area of which comprises means for cooperating with a suitable receptacle, such that the receptacle in whole once loaded by the folds to be routed can be handled automatically. One embodiment includes a set of smooth bars. Each of these bars is shaped like a crank and the upper part of the busbar constitutes the stacking support area. By vertical translation and / or by rotation, this busbar can be retracted below the receptacle which has adequate slots. When the maximum size of the stack is detected, the operator maintains the end of the stack corresponding to the last folded stack and activates the busbar retraction device.

This type of device requires retracting members of the mechanical and / or electrical support area such as a jack. This mechanism must be activated for retraction and therefore filling of the receptacle and for resetting after placing an empty receptacle. In addition, it is only once the busbar has been retracted that the removal of the full receptacle can be started and once the empty receptacle is in place that the busbar can be replaced. In addition to installing a specific mechanism, this device requires a relatively long handling time.

Furthermore, the installation of such a device on an existing sorting machine is not easy, in fact the adaptation requires relatively complicated arrangements.

Finally, the appropriate receptacle, according to this device comprises at its bottom a series of longitudinal slots corresponding to the passage of the busbar over practically the entire length of the box. This receptacle cannot therefore be easily used for another use and even according to its specific use, folds can fall through these slots.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to solve these problems.

To do this, each bar consists of two arms, a first arm freely articulated by its first end on the machine chassis and a second arm extending the plate in the active position, freely articulated on the second end of the first arm and resting on its first end on the plane of the bottom of the box.

Thanks to this arrangement, each bar constitutes by its second arm an extension of the plate and by free rotation of the first arm relative to the chassis and by sliding the first end of the second arm on the plane of the bottom of the box, the bar can be retracted through the cutouts of the box or conversely be pushed into the active stacking position in extension of the plate. This device can easily be adapted on existing sorting machines.

Preferably, the box is arranged on a sliding path slightly inclined in the opposite direction to that of inclination of the plate and in particular the sliding path can be provided with rollers.

This arrangement allows an adequate arrangement of the cutouts in the box. According to the preferred embodiment, the box is provided with at least one slot for the passage of each bar, including a slot arranged in its rear wall and extending in its bottom so that the end of this slot disposed in the bottom of the box forms a stop for at least one of the first arms when the box is moved.

Thus, the installation of the empty box on its sliding path, pushes pushes the rise of each bar which comes in the active position of extension of the plate and the removal of the full box causes the downward retraction of each bar.

This allows the two operations to be carried out at the same time and saves time.

According to another characteristic, the box also includes, for each bar, a slot in its front wall for the passage of the first end of the second arm.

This allows an optimal length of extension of the plate.

Furthermore, preferably, the plate has an end portion provided with insertion slots for the second end of the second arm, in order to achieve a perfect junction between the plate and the second arm of each bar.

• le second bras est articulé sur le premier bras à proximité de sa seconde extrémité.
• la première extrémité du second bras supporte un galet de roulement.
• les barres sont au moins au nombre de trois.
• le premier bras des barres latérales du jeu de barres supporte un galet de roulement sur le fond de la caissette à une première partie coudée, en vue de côté, à proximité de sa première extrémité.
• le premier bras des barres latérales du jeu de barres comporte une seconde partie coudée, en vue de côté, en forme de U disposée à l'arrière du dispositif.
• les barres centrales du jeu de barres sont constituées d'un premier bras solidaire des premiers bras des barres latérales et d'un second bras.

In order to obtain optimal kinematics, the device presents the following characteristics alternatively or cumulatively:

• the second arm is articulated on the first arm near its second end.
• the first end of the second arm supports a roller.
• there are at least three bars.
• the first arm of the side bars of the busbar supports a roller on the bottom of the box with a first bent part, in side view, near its first end.
• the first arm of the side bars of the busbar has a second angled part, in side view, in the shape of a U arranged at the rear of the device.
• the central bars of the busbar consist of a first arm secured to the first arms of the side bars and of a second arm.

Thanks to these bent parts of the first arm, the total length of each bar in the retracted position is minimal and allows minimal bulk.

The invention is set out below in more detail with the aid of drawings showing only preferred embodiments.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment, in the retracted position.

Figure 2 is a similar view in the active position.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment, in the retracted position.

Figure 4 is a similar view in the active position.

Figure 5 is a top view of this second variant.

Figure 6 is a side view in section along VI-VI of the bars of the device according to this second variant.

Figures 1 and 2 show a first alternative embodiment of the invention.

The mail sorting machine has juxtaposed stacking modules. The output of one of these modules is shown here. This outlet comprises a guide rod 20 parallel and lateral to the outlet and used for sliding a pallet 21. Upstream the packer is equipped with a jogging roller 22, near the end of a plate 3.

The deflected folds 23 are stacked compressed by the pallet 21, under the action of a restoring force produced by a spring or a counterweight not shown.

The device according to the invention comprises a set of bars made up of two arms 1 and 2.

The game preferably has five bars. Figures 1 and 2 show a sidebar.

The first arm 1 is freely articulated by its first end on the chassis of the machine. The second arm 2 extends the plate 3 in the active position. It is freely articulated on the second end of the first arm 1 and it rests by its first end on the plane of the bottom of the box 4.

This box 4 is arranged on a sliding path 5 slightly inclined in the opposite direction to that of inclination of the plate 3.

The box 4 is provided with passage slots for the bars. The corresponding slots each consist of a slot 7 arranged in the rear wall of the box 4 and which extends into the bottom of the box 4 so that the end 8 of this slot 7 disposed in the bottom of the box 4 forms a stop for the first arm 1 during the displacement of the box 4.

As can be seen in the figures, the second arm 2 is articulated on the first arm 1 near its second end 11.

Furthermore, the boxes 4 are preferably provided in their front face with slots identical to the slots 7 so that they can be used in any direction.

• figure 1 : les barres sont en position escamotée, la caissette 4 est mise en place par introduction des bras 2 dans les fentes 7.
• l'extrémité 8 de la fente 7 vient buter sur le bras 1 et en continuant la mise en place de la caissette 4 sur son chemin de glissement 5, le bras 1 est soulevé pour venir dans la position active (représentée en pointillés), où le bras 2 est amené en prolongement de la platine 3.
• figure 2 : l'empilement des plis 23 se réalise sur la platine 3 et sur les bras 2 en position active jusqu'à la contenance maximale.
• à ce moment, l'opérateur escamote la palette 21 en la faisant pivoter vers le haut autour de la tige de guidage 20, la face avant de la pile prend alors appui contre la paroi avant de la caissette 4 et l'opérateur remet la palette 21 en amont du tasseur afin qu'elle soutienne la nouvelle pile en formation.
• il pousse alors la pile qui vient prendre place dans la caissette 4 elle-même poussée hors de son chemin de guidage 5 entraînant ainsi le déplacement des bras 1 et 2 jusqu'à leur position escamotée (en pointillés) où la caissette 4 pleine peut être enlevée pour son traitement ultérieur.
• une caissette vide peut alors être mise en place et le cycle d'opérations recommencé.

The operation of the device is as follows:

• FIG. 1: the bars are in the retracted position, the box 4 is put in place by introducing the arms 2 into the slots 7.
• the end 8 of the slot 7 abuts on the arm 1 and while continuing the positioning of the box 4 on its sliding path 5, the arm 1 is raised to come into the active position (shown in dotted lines), where the arm 2 is brought in extension of the plate 3.
• Figure 2: the stack of folds 23 is carried out on the plate 3 and on the arms 2 in the active position until the maximum capacity.
• at this time, the operator retracts the pallet 21 by pivoting it upwards around the guide rod 20, the front face of the stack then bears against the front wall of the box 4 and the operator puts the pallet back 21 upstream of the tamper so that it supports the new pile being formed.
• it then pushes the stack which takes its place in the box 4 itself pushed out of its guide path 5 thus causing the displacement of the arms 1 and 2 to their retracted position (in dotted lines) where the full box 4 can be removed for further processing.
• an empty box can then be put in place and the cycle of operations restarted.

It should be noted that the operations of removing the full box and placing the empty box do not require the sorting machine to stop. The deflected folds 23 stack on the plate 3 during these operations which can be carried out very quickly.

Figures 3 and 4 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2 showing a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

The description above is applicable to these figures and only the complements will be developed below.

Figures 3 and 4 show a side bar, the constitution of the central bars will be described later.

The first variant described comprises a length of projecting bars (arm 2) relatively high in the retracted position. This second variant solves this problem by a particular constitution of the arms 1 and 2.

The sliding path 5 of the box 4 is improved there by the installation of a track of rollers 6 facilitating the movement of the box 4.

The plate 3 is extended by an end portion 10 provided with insertion slots for the second end 11 of the second arm 2 thus in the active position, the arms 2 are inserted into the slots of the part 10 of the plate forming a completely continuous stacking path.

The first end of this second arm 2 supports a roller 12 for rolling on the sliding path 5. The first arm 1 is also provided with a roller 13 for rolling on the bottom of the box 4 with a first bent part, in view from the side, near its first end. It has a second angled part, in side view, U-shaped arranged at the rear of the device.

The operation of this device is the same as that of the first variant.

According to this variant, the front wall of the box 4 must be provided with slots 9 for the passage of the second arms 2. These slots 9 will preferably be identical to the slots 7 to allow the use in any direction of the box 4 .

The side bars of the busbar are thus formed. The central bars, preferably three in number, consist of a first arm whose first end is integral with the first arms 1 of the side bars and whose second end is articulated to a second arm 2 identical to the arms 2 side bars.

Thus all the bars move in a single movement, the busbar constituting a compact assembly of which the first arms 1 are integral. This busbar is visible in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 5 is a top view showing the bars and the sliding path 5 of the box.

The bars are preferably five in number and the side bars consist of a first arm 1 and a second arm 2 as described above.

The three central bars consist of a first arm 1 'and a second arm 2 identical to the previous ones. In order to constitute a unitary and integral assembly, the arms 1 ′ are made in one piece with a cross member 24 which is fixed, by bolting, to the arms 1.

As can also be seen in Figure 6, only the bent arms 1 are directly articulated on the chassis of the sorting machine. The arms 1 ′ are therefore seen from the side, of simpler shape, without a rear bend. Their shape is chosen so that their second arm 2 which is attached to them is in alignment with those of the side bars.

Furthermore, in Figure 5, is visible the sliding path 5 of the box 4. It is equipped with rollers 6 on its central part and slots 25 and 26 on its edges. These slots 25 and 26 allow the passage of the arms 1 of the side bars, in the retracted position.

The arms 1 ′ of the central bars, by their visible shape in FIG. 6, are above the sliding plane and the bottom of the box 4, whatever their position.

Claims (12)

Device for filling boxes, in particular at the outlet of a machine for sorting flat objects, in particular postal envelopes, comprising at least one support plate inclined with deviated envelopes, a jogging piece and a sliding pallet subjected to a force of reminder, device comprising at least one bar retractable through at least one cutout made in the box and characterized in that each bar consists of two arms including a first arm (1, 1 ') freely articulated by its first end on the machine frame and a second arm (2) extending the plate (3) in the active position, freely articulated on the second end of the first arm (1, 1 ') and resting at its end on the plane of the bottom of the box (4). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the box (4) is arranged on a sliding path (5) slightly inclined in the opposite direction to that of inclination of the plate (3). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the sliding path (5) is provided with rollers (6). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box (4) is provided with at least one slot for the passage of each bar, one of which (7) arranged in its rear wall and extending in its bottom so that the end (8) of this slot (7) disposed in the bottom of the box (4) forms a stop for the first arm (1) during the movement of the box (4). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the box (4) also includes for each bar, a slot (9) in its front wall for the passage of the first end of the second arm (2). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (3) has an end part (10) provided with insertion slots for the second end (11) of the second arm (2). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second arm (2) is articulated on the first arm (1) near its second end (11). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first end of the second arm (2) supports a roller (12) for rolling. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bars are at least three in number. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first arm (1) of the lateral bars of the busbar supports a roller (13) for rolling on the bottom of the box (4) with a first bent part, in side view , near its first end. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the first arm (1) of the side bars of the busbar comprises a second angled part, in side view, in the shape of a U arranged at the rear of the device. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the central bars of the busbar set consist of a first arm (1 ') integral with the first arms (1) of the side bars and of a second arm (2).

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