EP0773841A1 - Method and device for distributing letters - Google Patents
Method and device for distributing lettersInfo
- Publication number
- EP0773841A1 EP0773841A1 EP96927532A EP96927532A EP0773841A1 EP 0773841 A1 EP0773841 A1 EP 0773841A1 EP 96927532 A EP96927532 A EP 96927532A EP 96927532 A EP96927532 A EP 96927532A EP 0773841 A1 EP0773841 A1 EP 0773841A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- mail items
- sorting
- sequence
- assigned
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 238000002372 labelling Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000001174 ascending effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003550 marker Substances 0.000 abstract 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- 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 method and a device for distributing mail items according to the preambles of the independent patent claims.
- mail is sorted with several sorting processes connected in series and then placed in a large number of stacking areas. It is often neither desirable nor possible for practical reasons to provide a separate sorting compartment for each smallest class of a sorting process. For example, if the mail item is to be sorted according to the order in which it is delivered by the postman, a separate sorting compartment is not used for each mail recipient. Rather, the mail is distributed to a certain number of stacking compartments in the same sequence in which it is later distributed by the deliverer during his distribution route. The mail item is arranged within each sorting compartment in accordance with the prescribed sequence, so that if the stacking compartments are arranged appropriately, the entire mail item is arranged in accordance with the predetermined overall sequence.
- the mail is therefore sorted several times and possibly indirectly; a corresponding method is described in DE-OS 43 02 231.
- the number of sorting processes and the throughput time are higher than in the case of such methods and devices in which only up to penultimate class is sorted and one is satisfied with a sequence of letters or postal items that is disordered in this penultimate sorting class.
- the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and a device with which the sorting quality is increased without increasing the number of mechanical sorting processes and the transit time of the mail items through the sorting system.
- the invention is based on the fact that for the mail items belonging to a predetermined sorting class, each mail item is assigned a label when reading the address information, in order to identify the position of the assigned mail items in a mail item stack, that each label means an element of a predetermined sequence of distribution positions is assigned and that the assignment of the labeling means to the elements of the sequence of distribution positions is displayed.
- This makes it possible to dispense with the last mechanical sorting process for the mail items in the respective sorting class, so that a reduction in the total throughput time for the letter sorting is also achieved. It is advantageous here to arrange the predetermined sequence of distribution positions in accordance with the distribution series when delivering the mail items and to carry out a list printout or on a display to show the assignment of the labeling means to the elements of the sequence of distribution positions.
- FIG. 2 schematically shows a stack of letters together with identification means and
- FIG. 3 shows a list example for displaying the assignment of the identification means for the elements of the sequence of distribution position.
- FIG. 1 schematically shows a letter sorting system in which a number of stacking compartments 1 are transported to the input module 5 in relation to a conveyor device 2 with which the consignments 3 which have been filled into transport containers 4 are transported.
- the mail items are conditions in the stacking compartments 1 and can be loaded into the transport containers 4. Fully or partially filled collecting containers 4 can be placed on a conveyor belt 2 and then reloaded onto trolleys for further transport.
- the mail items are generally pre-sorted into sorting classes. Basically, a separation with subsequent reading of the address and stacking in only one stacking compartment is also possible. In this case, the consignments are not pre-sorted.
- the sorting is then carried out electronically, as described below.
- the mail items are not arranged according to the sequence of the distribution positions within the last pre-sorted sorting class, ie in particular that the mail items are not arranged in the order in which they are later distributed by the deliverer during his distribution process.
- each mail item is assigned a means of identification in order to identify the position of the assigned mail item in a mail item stack.
- the labeling means are inserted into the mail flow with a feed device 22.
- a suitable device for assigning identification means to each letter is e.g. B. a double input, in which a piece is alternately withdrawn from two separate stacks and the pieces are brought together, as in a zipper, for a common transport.
- the address information read in a device, not shown here, which is applied to the letters, is used.
- the address information can also be applied to the mailpieces in the form of bar code markings.
- the mail items are in a stack together with the associated identification means in a container 4.
- An element of a predetermined sequence of distribution positions can now be assigned to each identification means, preferably by a data processing system.
- the sequence of distribution positions preferably corresponds to the order of distribution in the postman corridor.
- the position of the assigned letter items in the stack is identified by the identification means.
- a suitable means e.g. B. a list printout or a display on a display, the assignment between the positions of the mail items and the elements of the predetermined sequence of distribution positions is displayed.
- the stacks of letters provided with the identification center are loaded in containers 4 onto the conveyor belt 2 and then processed further.
- Fig. 2 shows schematically a stack of letter items provided with labeling means.
- ascendingly numbered thin cards made of cardboard or plastic have been used as identification means.
- the card 21 designated with number 1 is assigned.
- Cards with a slightly larger format than that of the average shipment are advantageously used in order to ensure easy visual identification of the numbers affixed to the cards.
- Fig. 3 is shown as a list example.
- the stops are assigned to the letter positions in the stack. For example in FIG. 3, the first stop is associated with the positions 21 and 538.
- Stop no. 3 the four shipments with positions 287, 1934, 349 and 12 are assigned. This assignment between the stop numbers and the letter positions makes it very easy for the delivery person during his delivery to identify the letter items belonging to the individual distribution positions or stops and to remove them from the stack. The postman then sorts the mail by taking the letters from their positions at his stops.
- the stack of letters are advantageously accommodated in containers, e.g. B. box-like containers with a rectangular base tore or in portable bags.
Landscapes
- Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE19520057 | 1995-06-06 | ||
DE19520057A DE19520057C2 (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1995-06-06 | Method and device for distributing letters |
PCT/EP1996/002440 WO1996039262A2 (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1996-06-05 | Method and device for distributing letters |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0773841A1 true EP0773841A1 (en) | 1997-05-21 |
EP0773841B1 EP0773841B1 (en) | 2000-12-13 |
Family
ID=7763378
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP96927532A Expired - Lifetime EP0773841B1 (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1996-06-05 | Method and device for distributing letters |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5957296A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0773841B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH10506846A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1071151C (en) |
AU (1) | AU697172B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR9606426A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2196996C (en) |
DE (2) | DE19520057C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996039262A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2352550A (en) * | 1997-03-17 | 2001-01-31 | Post Office | Sorting system |
US7081595B1 (en) | 1999-08-31 | 2006-07-25 | United States Postal Service | Apparatus and methods for processing mailpiece information in a mail processing device using sorter application software |
US6894243B1 (en) | 1999-08-31 | 2005-05-17 | United States Postal Service | Identification coder reader and method for reading an identification code from a mailpiece |
US6977353B1 (en) | 1999-08-31 | 2005-12-20 | United States Postal Service | Apparatus and methods for identifying and processing mail using an identification code |
GB2370823B (en) * | 2001-01-09 | 2004-09-22 | Post Office | An improved sorting system |
ATE344952T1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2006-11-15 | Siemens Ag | PARCEL SHIPPING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES |
US20070102329A1 (en) * | 2001-10-04 | 2007-05-10 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Parcel dispatch manager system and method |
FR2841673B1 (en) † | 2002-06-26 | 2004-12-03 | Solystic | TIMING OF POSTAL OBJECTS BY IMAGE SIGNATURE AND ASSOCIATED SORTING MACHINE |
WO2006012430A2 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2006-02-02 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Carrier delivery sequence system and process adapted for upstream insertion of exceptional mail pieces |
FR2913614B1 (en) † | 2007-03-16 | 2009-04-10 | Solystic Sas | METHOD FOR SORTING FLIP / FLOP SENDS |
US7855349B2 (en) | 2007-07-25 | 2010-12-21 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Process and device for sorting of goods |
DE102008017140A1 (en) | 2008-04-03 | 2009-10-08 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Automatic postal item sorting method for a sorting installation involves ejecting the separating elements and postal items such that the separating element is directly behind the items with same feature value in each dispensing container |
DE102007034660B3 (en) * | 2007-07-25 | 2008-10-02 | Siemens Ag | Automatically sorting objects involves outputting written separating element, objects so all objects with same value are directly in sequence in each output container followed by separating element with characteristic value and number |
BRPI0722270A2 (en) * | 2007-11-29 | 2014-04-22 | Airbus Operations Gmbh | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCAL OBJECT DISTRIBUTION |
FR2984773B1 (en) * | 2011-12-22 | 2014-02-14 | Solystic | AUTOMATIC LOADING / UNLOADING DEVICE FOR SQUARE STACKED OBJECTS, FLAT OBJECT SORTING MACHINE, AUTOMATIC UNLOADING METHOD, AND POSTAL SORTING METHOD |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS6011826A (en) * | 1983-06-30 | 1985-01-22 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Classifying method of slide film in magazine system |
FR2590505A1 (en) * | 1985-11-28 | 1987-05-29 | Sadas Sarl | METHOD FOR SORTING AND GROUPING OBJECTS ACCORDING TO THEIR DESTINATION AND INSTALLATION AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID METHOD |
US5042667A (en) * | 1989-11-13 | 1991-08-27 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Sorting system for organizing in one pass randomly order route grouped mail in delivery order |
US5104681A (en) * | 1990-01-02 | 1992-04-14 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Method and apparatus for marking letter mail |
CA2059472C (en) * | 1991-01-16 | 1997-11-18 | Dennis A. Mikel | On site destination label printing system for postal trays and sacks |
US5311597A (en) * | 1992-09-11 | 1994-05-10 | International Business Machines Corporation | Deferred optical character recognition active pigeon hole sorting of mail pieces |
US5292008A (en) * | 1992-10-28 | 1994-03-08 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postal tray label apparatus and method |
DE4302231C2 (en) * | 1993-01-28 | 1995-08-10 | Licentia Gmbh | Process for sorting mail items in the distribution aisle sequence in mail distribution systems |
JP3269234B2 (en) * | 1993-12-28 | 2002-03-25 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Delivery route assembly device for paper sheets |
-
1995
- 1995-06-06 DE DE19520057A patent/DE19520057C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1996
- 1996-06-05 BR BR9606426A patent/BR9606426A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-06-05 AU AU67333/96A patent/AU697172B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1996-06-05 US US08/793,010 patent/US5957296A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-06-05 EP EP96927532A patent/EP0773841B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-06-05 DE DE59606211T patent/DE59606211D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-06-05 CA CA002196996A patent/CA2196996C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-06-05 CN CN96190721A patent/CN1071151C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-06-05 WO PCT/EP1996/002440 patent/WO1996039262A2/en active IP Right Grant
- 1996-06-05 JP JP9500148A patent/JPH10506846A/en not_active Ceased
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9639262A2 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE19520057A1 (en) | 1996-12-12 |
BR9606426A (en) | 1997-09-30 |
CA2196996C (en) | 2004-05-25 |
AU697172B2 (en) | 1998-10-01 |
DE59606211D1 (en) | 2001-01-18 |
AU6733396A (en) | 1996-12-24 |
WO1996039262A3 (en) | 1997-02-06 |
JPH10506846A (en) | 1998-07-07 |
DE19520057C2 (en) | 2000-05-18 |
CN1071151C (en) | 2001-09-19 |
WO1996039262A2 (en) | 1996-12-12 |
EP0773841B1 (en) | 2000-12-13 |
US5957296A (en) | 1999-09-28 |
CN1158093A (en) | 1997-08-27 |
CA2196996A1 (en) | 1996-12-12 |
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