EP1123165A1

EP1123165A1 - Method and device for separating parts from a stack

Info

Publication number: EP1123165A1
Application number: EP99948767A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Helmut Pfoertner; Friedrich Bussmann; Klaus Hegge; Gustav Hamberger
Original assignee: Mechanik Center Erlangen GmbH
Current assignee: Kyra 1 GmbH
Priority date: 1998-09-29
Filing date: 1999-09-16
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Also published as: WO2000018519A1; DE19844765C1; JP2002525253A

Abstract

Normally, mail items are already disposed in adequate position in a container. In order to empty said container, the container is rotated approximately 140 DEG at a predetermined height, wherein the stack completes two full rotations at an 180 DEG angle using appropriate actuating means and is separated by sliding. For this purpose, a rotating hopper (115, 115') causing the mail items to rotate is disposed in the running track (100) in the emptying station (110, 100'). The speed of separation can be influenced by brake elements (16, 17) and appropriate guidance of mail items.

Description

description

Method and device for separating parts from a stack

The invention relates to a method for separating parts from a stack stored in a container, in particular mail items from a stack with a plurality of mail items that are arranged in the correct position in the container. In addition, the invention also relates to the associated device for carrying out the method with a path for containers, which is arranged at a predetermined height above a sorting system and which are associated with means for emptying the containers.

In particular in the case of mail sorting systems, there is the problem of removing a stack with a large number of mail items that are stacked in the correct position in a container and feeding them to a work station for further processing in the correct position and individually. For this purpose, automated devices are already proposed, in which containers are brought to the workplace manually. The mail is removed from the container by hand, separated manually and then manually guided away to the further processing station.

Based on this, the object of the invention is to specify a new method and to create an associated device with which the above-described processes can be carried out automatically.

The object is achieved in a method of the type mentioned in that the container itself is rotated by approximately 140 ° for emptying the container, the stack executing a rotation of 360 ° and being separated by slipping. In the associated device of the type mentioned, a turning funnel is arranged in the track at the emptying station, which receives the postal matter from the container, turns it and occasionally transfers it to a subsequent inclined slide. The inclined slide preferably contains means for braking the postal matter.

In the context of the invention, the containers are therefore fed fully automatically to the device for emptying and correct positioning, for which purpose suitable means can be present. By rotating the container by approx. 140 °, the mail item tilts out of the container into the turning slide. The mail is rotated 2x180 ° so that it arrives in the correct position for the inclined slide to exit. Advantageously, the mail item can be braked step by step by spring-loaded brake flaps, so that individual mail item layers come to lie in terraces in the outlet of each inclined slide.

In the invention, the mail item can be fed in a metered manner according to the processing speed of the subsequent work station by deliberate manual or automatic opening of the brake flaps. It is particularly advantageous that a fully automatic container feed and container emptying is now created. This means that postal items can be fed to the subsequent workplaces in the correct position and individually. Overall, the cycle times can thus be shortened, which increases the output of mail sorting systems according to the invention.

Further details and advantages of the invention result from the following description of figures of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing in conjunction with further subclaims. They show a schematic representation

FIG. 1 shows the top view of a linear unit for transporting mail containers, Figure 2 shows the input or output area in a unit according to Figure 1 with the formation of the so-called turning funnel with a slide for the mail

Figure 3 and Figure 4 shows the turning slide from Figure 2 in front and in section.

In the figures, the same or corresponding parts have the same reference numerals. The figures are partially described below together, in particular to clarify the process flow.

A linear unit for transporting containers is shown as an example in FIG. This unit essentially consists of a travel path 100 on which individual containers 200, 200 ',... Are transported from a first location to a second location by means of a trolley with gripper 120 and drive 150. The gripper 120 and the drive 150 and the associated gripping mechanism for the containers 200, 200 'will not be discussed further in the present context.

The containers 200, 200 ',... Are designed, for example, as containers for receiving mail items. They have structures on the underside in the so-called honeycomb base for engaging external mechanical elements. On the inside, such containers 200 are formed with bevels and stops, as is disclosed, for example, in WO 98/23393A1. Through such a design of the interior of the container and a corresponding feeding of the mail item, the mail items to be transported are already arranged in the correct position, for example with the respective addressing, in particular destination, upwards.

In the context of complex mail sorting systems, it is generally customary to build travels 100 according to FIG. The mail is emptied at the individual processing stations, for which purpose, if the mail item is guided appropriately, its gravity can equally be used to separate the individual mail items.

The latter is illustrated with reference to FIG. 2: The travel path 100 from FIG. 1 is arranged at a height above man, for example at a height of 2 m, for which purpose the entire transport device is mounted on a frame 210 with a row of supports 211, 212,. At the input / output area 110, 110 'for mail, reversible funnels 115, 115' with inclined chutes 10, 10 'are attached, which are designed in such a way that mail is in a suitable positioning and portioning right up to a work station that is below the travel path 100 is located, can be brought. For this purpose, the container 200 is tilted in a suitable manner by a predetermined angle for the purpose of emptying.

It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the container 200 is pivoted at the level of the inclined slide 10, 10 'when moving on the linear path. Ideally, a swivel angle of approximately 140 ° is carried out. The mail item in the container 200 likewise executes a rotation by 2x180 ° = 360 ° in the reversing funnel 115, 115 ', so that the mail item is again in the correct position in the inclined slide after the rotation. Slipping in the inclined slide 10 also results in a separation effect that can be controlled in a targeted manner. It is thus achieved that the mail is fed to the workstation individually or in layers. If the track 100 is at a height of 2 m, for example, and the workstation is at Im, the gravity of the mail item creates a considerable speed of the mail item as it slides in the inclined slide due to the gravity. The mail must therefore be braked when it slips. For this purpose, measures are provided with which a specifiable braking force can be generated. In particular from FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 it can be seen in detail that retaining flaps 16 and spring plates 17 are arranged in the inclined chutes 10, 10 'at suitable locations in front of the respective working mouth 20, 20', the means for braking the Define postal items. The processing speed can be influenced by briefly opening the flaps 16, 17. The opening of the brake flaps 16, 17 in the chutes 10, 10 'can be controlled manually or else automatically. For this purpose, a lever 1 is provided with which an operator can actuate a push rod 5 and a lever rod 8 as mechanical means. The braking force of the brake flaps 16, 17 can be predetermined by external adjustment of the spring load, for which purpose Bowden cables 25, 26 extend from a holding bracket 19 on the working mouth to a compression spring 30.

The geometrical specifications of the chutes 10, 10 'of the associated reversing funnel 115, 115' are essentially determined by the mail item to be transported. The size, for example the dimensions, and / or the weight of the individual postal items can be taken into account.

With the device described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, automatic gripping and tipping out of postal good containers is now possible. By adjusting the dumping point, the dumping speed and the dumping delay of the container by means of braking ramps or the like, a uniform behavior of the mail item in the reversing funnel and thus its complete rotation is achieved.

Especially when dumping, the rapid braking of the container in the dump position accelerates the mail so much that it rotates about 200 to 250 ° when falling out of the container. In this position, it tilts into the reversing funnel, which, thanks to its geometric shape, continuously rotates the slipping mail item up to 360 °. Continued rotation determines the separation behavior.

Claims

claims

1. A method for separating parts from a stack stored in a container, in particular mail from a stack with a large number of mail items which are arranged in the correct position in the container, characterized in that the container is rotated by approximately 140 ° for emptying the container, the stack rotates 360 ° and is separated by slipping.

2. The method of claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the mail is braked when slipping, wherein a braking force can be specified when the mail slips.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, d a d u r c h g e k e n e z e i c h n e t that the mail is metered according to the further processing speed when slipping.

4. Apparatus for performing the method according to claim 1 or one of claims 2 or 3, with a travel path for containers, which is arranged at a predetermined height above a sorting system and the means for emptying the container are assigned to at least one emptying station, characterized in that A reversing funnel (115, 115 ') is arranged in the trajectory (100) at the emptying station (110, 110'), which receives the postal matter from the container (200), turns it over and, occasionally, onto a subsequent inclined slide (10, 10 ') passes.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the inclined chute (10, 10 ') contains means (16, 17) for braking the mail.

6. The device according to claim 6, dadurchge indicates that the means in the inclined slide (10, 10 ') are retaining and / or brake flaps (15, ..., 17).

7. The device according to claim 6, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the braking force of the flaps (16, 17) is adjustable by spring loading.

8. The device according to claim 6, d a d u r c h g e k e n n - z e i c h n e t that the flaps (16, 17) can be opened manually or automatically.

9. Device according to one of claims 4 to 8, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the geometric shape of the turning funnel (110, 110 ') is determined by the size, for example the dimensions, and / or the weight of the mail item to be processed.