EP0820818B1 - Method for sorting mail items - Google Patents

Method for sorting mail items Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0820818B1
EP0820818B1 EP97810511A EP97810511A EP0820818B1 EP 0820818 B1 EP0820818 B1 EP 0820818B1 EP 97810511 A EP97810511 A EP 97810511A EP 97810511 A EP97810511 A EP 97810511A EP 0820818 B1 EP0820818 B1 EP 0820818B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conveyor
mail
items
cells
transferred
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97810511A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0820818A1 (en
Inventor
Wilhelm Maier
Jean-Claude Oppliger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
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Siemens AG
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP0820818A1 publication Critical patent/EP0820818A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0820818B1 publication Critical patent/EP0820818B1/en
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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
    • B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • 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
    • B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • B07C3/08—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors
    • B07C3/082—In which the objects are carried by transport holders and the transport holders form part of the conveyor belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/44—Moving, forwarding, guiding material
    • B65H2301/447—Moving, forwarding, guiding material transferring material between transport devices
    • B65H2301/4476—Endless transport devices with compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
    • B65H2405/30—Other features of supports for sheets
    • B65H2405/35—Means for moving support
    • B65H2405/352—Means for moving support in closed loop
    • 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
    • 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
    • Y10S209/919—Rotary feed conveyor

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method according to the preamble of Claim 1.
  • a delivery signal are generated with which the adjustment of the cover element from the closed position to the open position is initiated when the delivery cell off that tray a number in a row along a delivery section below the collecting path of arranged trays happens, which the Delivery district for which the package in question is destined is assigned. The packages then fall for delivery to this tray automatically out of the feed cell.
  • the US - A - 5'042'667 mediates a system in which the Packages after reading the address in a store be stored temporarily, with the assignment of shipping addresses to the storage compartments not from those actually processed Packages depends.
  • the invention has for its object a method of to propose the type mentioned at the beginning, which is to be carried out takes up less space for a corresponding device and can be optimized accordingly.
  • this task is carried out according to the characteristic of Claim 1 solved. In this way of filing there is no need for a storage compartment for each individual shipping address be available.
  • the device shown in the drawing has a carousel-like Conveyor 10 with a number along one closed conveying loop of conveyable conveying cells 12 on.
  • the conveyor loop is made up of two in a horizontal plane rectilinear sections 18 and 19 over two semicircular in the same horizontal plane Sections 16 and 17 are interconnected.
  • a number of trays 50 in the form of storage compartments are one after the other along the rectilinear sections 18 and 19 arranged.
  • the conveyor cells 12 are in the indicated by the arrows 15 along the conveyor loop drivable all around.
  • the feed cells 12 each have two vertically opposite one another Boundary walls 12a, 12b, between their outer, free and vertically extending edges an insertion opening 13 for flat packages 14 in the form of a vertical slot is formed.
  • This package transfer device 30 has a two vertical rollers 32 and 34 revolving conveyor belt 36, the main plane of which is vertical is aligned with the flat packages 14 from one Stack 40 upright packages with any Order deducted individually and, as indicated by arrow 38 indicated, standing upright in the horizontal direction, i.e. in a position in which its main planes are substantially vertical are aligned through the insertion openings 13 to the Delivery cells 12 are passed.
  • essentially rectangular Letters 14 passed to the conveyor cells 12 in such a way that their shorter side edges at handover essentially in the vertical direction approximately parallel to the insertion openings 13 extend.
  • the shipping addresses of the packages 14 with a reading device 42 read automatically and via a signal line 44 of a control device 60 entered.
  • the control device 60 a signal is input via a signal line 46, which denotes the conveyor cell 12 to which the package, whose shipping address was read with the reading device 42, is handed over. This results in the control device 60 the assignment between each conveyor cell and the shipping address of the assignment data representing the shipping item transferred to it determined.
  • the packages 14 pass through after they have been handed over to the Conveying cells 12 the semicircular section 17 of the conveyor loop.
  • the insertion openings 13 of the conveyor cells 12 covered by a cover member 20. This prevents that the packages 14 through the in the semicircular Section 17 acting centrifugal force from the production cells 12 are thrown out. Then go through the conveyor cells the rectilinear section 19, the semicircular section 16 in which the ejection the packages 14 through the insertion openings 13 in turn is prevented with a cover member 20, and get there straight section 18.
  • control device 60 uses the data obtained in this way to determine the assignment between each conveyor cell 12 and the shipping address of the package 14 transferred thereon Allocation data determined.
  • control device 60 via a signal line 49 from a memory device 62 also entered default data, which is an orderly one Order of all possible, i.e. all with the device display sortable shipping addresses.
  • this data is determined in the control device 60 which of the arranged along the rectilinear sections 18 and 19 Storage compartments 50 which are transferred to the conveyor cells 12 Packages 14 are to be delivered.
  • the control device 60 determines 60 the position of all conveyor cells at all times 12 with respect to all storage compartments 50. For this purpose it is sufficient if the position with the control device 60 a conveyor cell 12 with respect to the storage compartments 50 continuously is monitored and the positions of the other production cells 12 with regard to the storage compartments 50 on the basis of the thus determined Position of a delivery cell and a given one Positional relationship between the conveyor cells determined become.
  • the cell bottom 11 (cf. Figure 2) of the relevant feed cell 12 in a release position relocated, so that the package delivered to it 14 in the designated by the arrow 51 in Figure 2 Fall downwards into the corresponding storage compartment 50 can.
  • the packages 14 are in the storage compartments 50 ordered according to the given order.
  • the storage compartments 50 are stationary on the conveyor 10 specified subdivision elements 52 with which the individual Storage compartments are separated, and below arranged, assigned to a number of storage compartments together Drawers 54 formed (see Figure 2).
  • Drawers 54 For removal of the packages 14 from the storage compartments 50 can Drawers 54 from a solid line in FIG drawn recording position in a dashed line in Figure 2 shown removal position are relocated.
  • In the Dispensing position are the shipping items 14 for sorting required subdivision elements 52 separately, so that it without hindrance from these subdivision elements 52 can be removed from the drawers 54.
  • the invention is not based on the exemplary embodiment explained above limited. For example, it is also thought to arrange the conveyor line on several levels one above the other, or to arrange the packages according to delivery districts.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren nach dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruches 1.The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of Claim 1.

Bekannte Verfahren dieser Art werden in Postämtern zum Sortieren von Versandstücken nach Zustellbezirken angewendet. Dazu werden die Versandstücke mit der Zuführeinrichtung üblicherweise von einem Stapel aufrecht stehender Versandstücke einzeln in horizontaler Richtung abgezogen und zu einem Vertikalförderer transportiert, mit dem sie dann im Uebergabeabschnitt der Förderstrecke von oben in die Förderzellen eingesteckt werden. Im allgemeinen werden dabei an einer Förderkette festgelegte Förderzellen verwendet, die im Bereich des Uebergabeabschnitts oberhalb der Förderkette angeordnet sind und eine obere Einführöffnung für die Versandstücke aufweisen. Die mit den Versandstücken beschickten Förderzellen werden im Anschluss an den Uebergabeabschnitt und nach Verschliessen der Einführöffnung mit einem zwischen einer Oeffnungsstellung und einer Schliessstellung verstellbaren Abdeckelement in eine unterhalb der Förderkette hängende Stellung überführt. Known methods of this type are used in post offices for sorting of packages by delivery district applied. To are usually the packages with the feeder from a stack of upright packages individually withdrawn in the horizontal direction and to a vertical conveyor transported with which they then in the transfer section the conveyor line from above into the conveyor cells become. In general, they are defined on a conveyor chain Conveying cells used in the area of the transfer section are arranged above the conveyor chain and a have the upper insertion opening for the packages. With The delivery cells that are loaded into the shipping items are then connected to the transfer section and after closing the Entry opening with a between an open position and a closed position adjustable cover in a transferred hanging position below the conveyor chain.

Bei der Uebergabe wird die Zuordnung zwischen den Förderzellen und den daran übergebenen Versandstücken erfasst. Ferner werden die Versandadressen der Versandstücke üblicherweise während des Transports zum Vertikalförderer erfasst und an die Steuereinrichtung angelegt. Auf Grundlage dieser Informationen kann in der Steuereinrichtung für jede Förderzelle ein Abgabesignal erzeugt werden, mit dem die Verstellung des Abdeckelements von der Schliessstellung in die Oeffnungsstellung veranlasst wird, wenn die Förderzelle diejenige Ablage aus einer Anzahl hintereinander längs eines Abgabeabschnitts unter der Sammelstrecke angeordneter Ablagen passiert, welche dem Zustellbezirk, für den das betreffende Versandstück bestimmt ist, zugeordnet ist. Die Versandstücke fallen dann zur Abgabe an diese Ablage automatisch aus der Förderzelle heraus.When transferring the assignment between the funding cells and the parcels handed over to it. Furthermore the shipping addresses of the packages usually during of transport to the vertical conveyor and to the Control device created. Based on this information can in the control device for each delivery cell, a delivery signal are generated with which the adjustment of the cover element from the closed position to the open position is initiated when the delivery cell off that tray a number in a row along a delivery section below the collecting path of arranged trays happens, which the Delivery district for which the package in question is destined is assigned. The packages then fall for delivery to this tray automatically out of the feed cell.

Der Betrieb derartiger Vorrichtung erfordert grossräumige Gebäude sowie hohe Bedienungs- und Nebenkosten, denn die Bildung von Stapeln des sortierten Gutes lässt sich nur durch manuelle Nacharbeit herstellen.The operation of such a device requires large-scale buildings as well as high operating and ancillary costs, because the education of stacks of sorted goods can only be done by manual Create rework.

Bei einem Versandsystem nach der EP - A2 - 0 476 984 wird als Zuordnung der Ablagefächer zu den Versandadressen die Reihenfolge vorgeschlagen, in die Versandadressen von aufeinanderfolgenden Versandstücken gelesen werden.In a shipping system according to EP - A2 - 0 476 984, as Assign the storage compartments to the shipping addresses the order suggested in the shipping addresses of successive Packages are read.

Die US - A - 5'042'667 vermittelt ein System, bei welchem die Versandstücke nach dem Lesen der Adresse in einem Speicher zwischengelagert werden, wobei die Zuordnung der Versandadressen zu den Ablagefächern nicht von den tatsächlich bearbeiteten Versandstücken abhängt. The US - A - 5'042'667 mediates a system in which the Packages after reading the address in a store be stored temporarily, with the assignment of shipping addresses to the storage compartments not from those actually processed Packages depends.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren der eingangs genannten Art vorzuschlagen, welches zur Durchführung weniger Raum für eine entsprechende Vorrichtung beansprucht und zweckentsprechend optimierbar ist.The invention has for its object a method of to propose the type mentioned at the beginning, which is to be carried out takes up less space for a corresponding device and can be optimized accordingly.

Erfindungsgemäss wird diese Aufgabe nach dem Kennzeichen des Patentanspruchs 1 gelöst. Auf diese Art der Ablageermittlung muss nicht für jede einzelne Versandadresse ein Ablagefach verfügbar sein. According to the invention, this task is carried out according to the characteristic of Claim 1 solved. In this way of filing there is no need for a storage compartment for each individual shipping address be available.

Bei der Ausführung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens mit einer längs einer geschlossenen Förderschleife förderbare Förderzellen aufweisenden Vorrichtung ist es besonders zweckmässig, wenn die Versandstücke während eines ersten Umlaufs der Förderzellen längs der Förderschleife an die Förderzellen übergeben werden, dann für jedes der Versandstücke die entsprechende Ablage ermittelt wird, und die Versandstücke danach während eines zweiten Umlaufs der Förderzellen längs der Förderschleife an die Ablagen abgegeben werden.When carrying out the method according to the invention with a Conveyable cells along a closed conveyor loop device has, it is particularly useful if the packages during a first round of the conveyor cells handed over to the conveyor cells along the conveyor loop then the corresponding one for each of the packages Storage is determined, and the packages thereafter during a second round of the conveyor cells along the conveyor loop are handed over to the filing.

Nachstehend wird die Erfindung unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnung, auf die bezüglich einer erfindungswesentlichen Offenbarung aller in der Beschreibung nicht näher erläuterten Einzelheiten ausdrücklich verwiesen wird, beschrieben. In der Zeichnung zeigt:

Fig. 1
eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Vorrichtung zum Sortieren von Versandstücken
Fig. 2
eine längs der Linie A - A in Figur 1 genommene Schnittansicht der in Figur 1 dargestellten Vorrichtung.
The invention is described below with reference to the drawing, to which reference is expressly made with regard to a disclosure essential to the invention of all details not explained in detail in the description. The drawing shows:
Fig. 1
is a schematic plan view of a device for sorting packages
Fig. 2
a sectional view taken along the line A - A in Figure 1 of the device shown in Figure 1.

Die in der Zeichnung dargestellte Vorrichtung weist eine karussellartige Fördereinrichtung 10 mit einer Anzahl längs einer geschlossenen Förderschleife förderbarer Förderzellen 12 auf. Die Förderschleife ist aus zwei in einer Hoizontalebene geradlinige verlaufenden Abschnitten 18 und 19, die über zwei in derselben Horizontalebene verlaufende, halbkreisförmige Abschnitte 16 und 17 miteinander verbunden sind, gebildet. Eine Anzahl in Form von Ablagefächern 50 gebildeter Ablagen sind hintereinander längs der geradlinig verlaufenden Abschnitte 18 und 19 angeordnet. Die Förderzellen 12 sind in der durch die Pfeile 15 bezeichneten Richtung längs der Förderschleife umlaufend antreibbar. Die Förderzellen 12 weisen jeweils zwei einander gegenüberliegende vertikal ausgerichtete Begrenzungswände 12a, 12b auf, zwischen deren äusseren, freien und vertikal verlaufenden Rändern eine Einführöffnung 13 für flache Versandstücke 14 in Form eines vertikalen Schlitzes gebildet ist.The device shown in the drawing has a carousel-like Conveyor 10 with a number along one closed conveying loop of conveyable conveying cells 12 on. The conveyor loop is made up of two in a horizontal plane rectilinear sections 18 and 19 over two semicircular in the same horizontal plane Sections 16 and 17 are interconnected. A number of trays 50 in the form of storage compartments are one after the other along the rectilinear sections 18 and 19 arranged. The conveyor cells 12 are in the indicated by the arrows 15 along the conveyor loop drivable all around. The feed cells 12 each have two vertically opposite one another Boundary walls 12a, 12b, between their outer, free and vertically extending edges an insertion opening 13 for flat packages 14 in the form of a vertical slot is formed.

Am in Förderrichtung hinteren Ende des geradlinig verlaufenden Abschnitts 18 der Förderschleife ist eine Versandstückübergabeeinrichtung 30 vorgesehen. Diese Versandstückübergabeeinrichtung 30 weist ein zwei vertikal verlaufende Rollen 32 und 34 umlaufendes Förderband 36 auf, dessen Hauptebene vertikal ausgerichtet ist, mit dem flache Versandstücke 14 von einem Stapel 40 aufrecht stehender Versandstücke mit einer beliebigen Reihenfolge einzeln abgezogen und, wie durch den Pfeil 38 angedeutet, in horizontaler Richtung aufrecht stehend, d.h. in einer Stellung, in der ihre Hauptebenen im wesentlichen vertikal ausgerichtet sind, durch die Einführöffnungen 13 an die Förderzellen 12 übergeben werden. Bei der in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausührungsform werden im wesentlichen rechteckige Briefe 14 so an die Förderzellen 12 übergeben, dass sich ihre kürzeren Seitenkanten bei der Uebergabe im wesentlichen in vertikaler Richtung etwa parallel zu den Einführöffnungen 13 erstrecken.At the rear end of the straight line in the conveying direction Section 18 of the conveyor loop is a package transfer device 30 provided. This package transfer device 30 has a two vertical rollers 32 and 34 revolving conveyor belt 36, the main plane of which is vertical is aligned with the flat packages 14 from one Stack 40 upright packages with any Order deducted individually and, as indicated by arrow 38 indicated, standing upright in the horizontal direction, i.e. in a position in which its main planes are substantially vertical are aligned through the insertion openings 13 to the Delivery cells 12 are passed. At the in the drawing embodiment shown are essentially rectangular Letters 14 passed to the conveyor cells 12 in such a way that their shorter side edges at handover essentially in the vertical direction approximately parallel to the insertion openings 13 extend.

Während des Transports mit dem Förderband 36 werden die Versandadressen der Versandstücke 14 mit einer Leseeinrichtung 42 automatisch gelesen und über eine Signalleitung 44 einer Steuereinrichtung 60 eingegeben. Gleichzeitig wird der Steuereinrichtung 60 über eine Signalleitung 46 ein Signal eingegeben, das die Förderzelle 12 bezeichnet, an das das Versandstück, dessen Versandadresse mit der Leseeinrichtung 42 gelesen wurde, übergeben wird. Daraus werden in der Steuereinrichtung 60 die Zuordnung zwischen jeder Förderzelle und der Versandadresse des daran übergebenen Versandstückes darstellende Zuordnungsdaten ermittelt.During the transport with the conveyor belt 36, the shipping addresses of the packages 14 with a reading device 42 read automatically and via a signal line 44 of a control device 60 entered. At the same time, the control device 60 a signal is input via a signal line 46, which denotes the conveyor cell 12 to which the package, whose shipping address was read with the reading device 42, is handed over. This results in the control device 60 the assignment between each conveyor cell and the shipping address of the assignment data representing the shipping item transferred to it determined.

Die Versandstücke 14 durchlaufen nach ihrer Uebergabe an die Förderzellen 12 den halbkreisförmigen Abschnitt 17 der Förderschleife. Dabei werden die Einführöffnungen 13 der Förderzellen 12 von einem Abdeckelement 20 abgedeckt. Dadurch wird verhindert, dass die Versandstücke 14 durch die in dem halbkreisförmigen Abschnitt 17 wirkende Zentrifugalkraft aus den Förderzellen 12 herausgeschleudert werden. Anschliessend durchlaufen die Förderzellen den geradlinigen Abschnitt 19, den halbkreisförmigen Abschnitt 16, in dem das Herausschleudern der Versandstücke 14 durch die Einführöffnungen 13 wiederum mit einem Abdeckelement 20 verhindert wird, und gelangen danach zum geradlinigen Abschnitt 18.The packages 14 pass through after they have been handed over to the Conveying cells 12 the semicircular section 17 of the conveyor loop. The insertion openings 13 of the conveyor cells 12 covered by a cover member 20. This prevents that the packages 14 through the in the semicircular Section 17 acting centrifugal force from the production cells 12 are thrown out. Then go through the conveyor cells the rectilinear section 19, the semicircular section 16 in which the ejection the packages 14 through the insertion openings 13 in turn is prevented with a cover member 20, and get there straight section 18.

Im Verlauf eines derartigen vollständigen Umlaufs der Förderschleife können mit der Uebergabeeinrichtung 30 an sämtliche Förderzellen 12 Versandstücke 14 übergeben werden. Dabei werden die Versandadressen aller an die Förderzellen 12 übergebenen Versandstücke 14 mit der Leseeinrichtung 42 automatisch gelesen und über die Signalleitung 44 der Steuereinrichtung 60 eingegeben. Zusätzlich wird der Steuereinrichtung 60 über die Signalleitung 46 für jedes übergebene Versandstück 14 ein Signal eingegeben, das die Förderzelle bezeichnet, an die das betreffende Versandstück 14 übergeben wurde.In the course of such a complete circulation of the conveyor loop can with the transfer device 30 to all Conveying cells 12 packages 14 are handed over. In doing so the shipping addresses of all transferred to the conveyor cells 12 Packages 14 with the reading device 42 automatically read and via the signal line 44 of the control device 60 entered. In addition, the control device 60 via the Signal line 46 a signal for each transferred package 14 entered, which designates the production cell to which the relevant package 14 was handed over.

Aus den so erhaltenen Daten werden in der Steuereinrichtung 60 die Zuordnung zwischen jeder Förderzelle 12 und der Versandadresse des daran übergebenen Versandstücks 14 darstellende Zuordnungsdaten ermittelt. Schliesslich werden der Steuereinrichtung 60 über eine Signalleitung 49 aus einer Speichereinrichtung 62 auch noch Vorgabedaten eingegeben, die eine geordnete Reihenfolge aller möglichen, d.h. aller mit der Vorrichtung sortierbaren Versandadresen darstellen. Auf Grundlage dieser Daten wird in der Steuereinrichtung 60 ermittelt, an welches der längs der geradlinigen Abschnitte 18 und 19 angeordneten Ablagefächer 50 die an die Förderzellen 12 übergebenen Versandstücke 14 abzugeben sind. Dazu wird in der Steuereinrichtung auf Grundlage der Vorgabedaten und der Versandadressen aller an die Förderzellen übergebenen Versandstücke für jedes an die Förderzellen übergebene Versandstück ein Ablagefach ermittelt, dessen Stellung in der Reihenfolge der Ablagefächer längs der geradlinig verlaufenden Abschnitte 18 und 19, d.h. längs der Abgabeabschnitte der Förderschleife, der Stellung der Versandadresse des betreffenden Versandstükkes in der geordneten Reihenfolge aller an die Förderzellen übergebenen Versandstücke entspricht.The data obtained in this way are used in the control device 60 the assignment between each conveyor cell 12 and the shipping address of the package 14 transferred thereon Allocation data determined. Finally, the control device 60 via a signal line 49 from a memory device 62 also entered default data, which is an orderly one Order of all possible, i.e. all with the device display sortable shipping addresses. On the basis this data is determined in the control device 60 which of the arranged along the rectilinear sections 18 and 19 Storage compartments 50 which are transferred to the conveyor cells 12 Packages 14 are to be delivered. This is done in the control device based on the default data and shipping addresses of all packages handed over to the conveyor cells one storage compartment for each package delivered to the conveyor cells determined its position in the order of Storage compartments along the rectilinear sections 18 and 19, i.e. along the delivery sections of the conveyor loop, the position of the shipping address of the relevant item in the orderly order of all to the conveyor cells delivered parcels corresponds.

Das bedeutet, dass dem Versandstück, dessen Versandadresse in der geordneten Reihenfolge aller an die Förderzellen 14 übergebenen Versandstücke an erster Stelle steht, das in der Förderrichtung 15 erste der längs des geradlinig verlaufenden Abschnitt 19 angeordneten Ablagefächer 50 zugeordnet wird. Entsprechendes gilt für die Versandstücke, deren Versandadressen in der geordneten Reihenfolge aller Versandstücke an zweiter, dritter usw. Stelle stehen. Wenn sämtliche längs des geradlinig verlaufenden Abschnitts 19 angeordnete Ablagefächer 50 einem der an die Förderzellen 12 übergebenen Versandstücke zugeordnet worden sind, werden als nächstes Ablagefächer 50 des geradlinig verlaufenden Abschnitts 18 in der durch die Förderrichtung bezeichneten Reihenfolge den weiteren Versandstücken, deren Versandadressen in der geordneten Reihenfolge aller Versandstücke an den entsprechenden Stellen stehen, zugeordnet. Auf diese Weise wird für jedes der während des ersten Umlaufes der Förderschleife an die Förderzellen 12 übergebenen Versandstücke 14 ein Ablagefach 50 ermittelt.This means that the shipping item whose shipping address is in the ordered order of all transferred to the conveyor cells 14 Packages in the first place, that is in the conveying direction 15 first one along the straight line Section 19 arranged storage compartments 50 is assigned. The same applies to the shipping items and their shipping addresses in second order in the order in which all packages are shipped, third, etc. position. If all along the straight line extending section 19 arranged storage compartments 50 one of the packages transferred to the conveyor cells 12 storage compartments 50 are next assigned of the rectilinear section 18 in the by the Direction of conveyance in the order specified for the other packages, their shipping addresses in the correct order all packages are in the appropriate places. In this way, for each of the first Circulation of the conveyor loop transferred to the conveyor cells 12 Packages 14 a storage compartment 50 determined.

Beim nächsten Umlauf der Förderzellen 12 längs der Förderschleife wird mit der Steuereinrichtung 60 für jede Förderzelle 12 auf Grundlage der zuvor für die einzelnen Versandstücke ermittelten Ablagefächer und Zuordnungsdaten ein Abgabesignal erzeugt, wenn die betreffende Förderzelle das Ablagefach für das an sie übergebene Versandstück passiert, und an die Fördereinrichtung 10 angelegt. Dazu ermittelt die Steuereinrichtung 60 zu jedem Zeitpunkt die Position sämtlicher Förderzellen 12 bezüglich aller Ablagefächer 50. Zu diesem Zweck reicht es aus, wenn mit der Steuereinrichtung 60 die Position einer Förderzelle 12 bezüglich der Ablagefächer 50 kontinuierlich überwacht wird und die Positionen der anderen Förderzellen 12 bezüglich der Ablagefächer 50 auf Grundlage der so ermittelten Position der einen Förderzelle und einer vorgegebenen Positionsbeziehung der Förderzellen untereinander ermittelt werden.The next time the conveyor cells 12 run along the conveyor loop with the control device 60 for each delivery cell 12 based on the previously for the individual packages determined storage compartments and allocation data a delivery signal generated when the relevant feed cell the storage compartment for the package passed to them, and to the conveyor 10 is created. For this purpose, the control device determines 60 the position of all conveyor cells at all times 12 with respect to all storage compartments 50. For this purpose it is sufficient if the position with the control device 60 a conveyor cell 12 with respect to the storage compartments 50 continuously is monitored and the positions of the other production cells 12 with regard to the storage compartments 50 on the basis of the thus determined Position of a delivery cell and a given one Positional relationship between the conveyor cells determined become.

Ansprechend auf das Abgabesignal wird der Zellenboden 11 (vergleiche Figur 2) der betreffenden Förderzelle 12 in eine Freigabestellung verlagert, so dass das daran übergebene Versandstück 14 in der in Figur 2 durch den Pfeil 51 bezeichneten Richtung nach unten in das entsprechende Ablagefach 50 fallen kann. Auf diese Weise werden sämtliche während des ersten Umlaufs an die Förderzellen 12 übergebenen Versandstücke 14 während des zweiten Umlaufs an die entsprechenden Ablagefächer abgegeben. Danach sind die Versandstücke 14 in den Ablagefächern 50 entsprechend der vorgegebenen Reihenfolge geordnet.In response to the delivery signal, the cell bottom 11 (cf. Figure 2) of the relevant feed cell 12 in a release position relocated, so that the package delivered to it 14 in the designated by the arrow 51 in Figure 2 Fall downwards into the corresponding storage compartment 50 can. In this way, all of them during the first round to the delivery cells 12 transferred packages 14 during of the second round to the corresponding storage compartments submitted. Then the packages 14 are in the storage compartments 50 ordered according to the given order.

Die Ablagefächer 50 sind aus ortsfest an der Fördereinrichtung 10 festgelegten Unterteilungselementen 52, mit denen die einzelnen Ablagefächer voneinander getrennt sind, und darunter angeordneten, einer Anzahl von Ablagefächern gemeinsam zugeordneten Schubladen 54 gebildet (siehe Figur 2). Zum Entnehmen der Versandstücke 14 aus den Ablagefächern 50 können die Schubladen 54 aus einer in Figur 2 mit durchgezogenen Linien eingezeichneten Aufnahmestellung in eine in Figur 2 strichliniert dargestellte Entnahmestellung verlagert werden. In der Entnahmestellung sind die Versandstücke 14 von den zur Sortierung benötigten Unterteilungselementen 52 getrennt, so dass sie ohne Behinderung durch diese Unterteilungselemente 52 aus den Schubladen 54 entnommen werden können.The storage compartments 50 are stationary on the conveyor 10 specified subdivision elements 52 with which the individual Storage compartments are separated, and below arranged, assigned to a number of storage compartments together Drawers 54 formed (see Figure 2). For removal of the packages 14 from the storage compartments 50 can Drawers 54 from a solid line in FIG drawn recording position in a dashed line in Figure 2 shown removal position are relocated. In the Dispensing position are the shipping items 14 for sorting required subdivision elements 52 separately, so that it without hindrance from these subdivision elements 52 can be removed from the drawers 54.

Die Erfindung ist nicht auf das vorstehend erläuterte Ausfürungsbeipiel beschränkt. Beispielsweise ist auch daran gedacht, die Förderstrecke in mehreren Ebenen übereinander anzuordnen, oder die Versandstücke nach Zustellbezirken zu ordnen.The invention is not based on the exemplary embodiment explained above limited. For example, it is also thought to arrange the conveyor line on several levels one above the other, or to arrange the packages according to delivery districts.

Claims (4)

  1. Method of transferring items of mail delivered in any sequence in a sequence arranged according to their delivery addresses specified for a number of possible delivery addresses, whereby the items of mail are transferred in their random sequence individually to one conveyor cell in each case from a number of conveyor cells that can be conveyed behind each other along a conveyor line, the allocation between each conveyor cell and the allocation data representing the item of mail transferred to it is determined and the items of mail are discharged, in response to discharge signals generated on the basis of allocation data, corresponding to the ordered sequence, selectively to one bin in each case from a number of bins arranged behind each other along a discharge section of the conveyor, characterised in that a bin is determined, on the basis of the ordered sequence of the delivery addresses of all the items of mail transferred to the conveyor cells and the allocation data for each of the items of mail transferred to the conveyor cells, the position of which in the sequence of the pockets along the discharge section corresponds to the position of the delivery address of the relevant item of mail in the ordered sequence of the delivery addresses of all the items of mail transferred to the conveyor cells, whereby the items of mail are transferred to the conveyor cells during the first circuit of the conveyor cells along the conveyor loop, the corresponding bin is then determined for each transferred item of mail and the items of mail are then discharged to the pockets during a second circuit of the conveyor cells along the conveyor loop.
  2. Method in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the conveyor cells are conveyed along a closed conveyor loop.
  3. Method in accordance with one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the items of mail for transfer to the conveyor cells are individually withdrawn from a stack of items of mail and transferred to the conveyor cells.
  4. Method in accordance with claim 3, characterised in that the delivery addresses are automatically read and detected after withdrawal.
EP97810511A 1996-07-26 1997-07-21 Method for sorting mail items Expired - Lifetime EP0820818B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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CH186696 1996-07-26
CH1866/96 1996-07-26
CH186696 1996-07-26

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AU (1) AU735487B2 (en)
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US5994657A (en) 1999-11-30
AU3015997A (en) 1998-02-05
EP0820818A1 (en) 1998-01-28
AU735487B2 (en) 2001-07-12
DE59705043D1 (en) 2001-11-29

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