EP1332891A1 - Système de traitement de courrier - Google Patents

Système de traitement de courrier Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1332891A1
EP1332891A1 EP03001557A EP03001557A EP1332891A1 EP 1332891 A1 EP1332891 A1 EP 1332891A1 EP 03001557 A EP03001557 A EP 03001557A EP 03001557 A EP03001557 A EP 03001557A EP 1332891 A1 EP1332891 A1 EP 1332891A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
processing
detector
result
drive
insert
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
Application number
EP03001557A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1332891B1 (fr
Inventor
Martin Dr. Sting
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.)
Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH
Original Assignee
Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH filed Critical Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH
Publication of EP1332891A1 publication Critical patent/EP1332891A1/fr
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Publication of EP1332891B1 publication Critical patent/EP1332891B1/fr
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43M—BUREAU ACCESSORIES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B43M3/00—Devices for inserting documents into envelopes
    • B43M3/04—Devices for inserting documents into envelopes automatic

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a mail processing system with one along with funding provided processing path arranged processing stations, which contain at least one insert feed device, each separately speed-adjustable drives and separately adjustable processing elements exhibit.
  • the invention preferably also relates to mail processing systems of the type just mentioned, in which one of the processing stations is an inserting station is.
  • Traditional mail processing systems include a processing path with a Conveyor chain arrangement, which between pairs of in the area of the upper strand of the Conveyor chain towering conveyor forms shed compartments, these shed compartments with intermittent drive of the conveyor chain arrangement in each case in positions in which the insert compartments positioned processing stations opposite each other are and are filled with supplements, so that eventually in the individual funding subjects forms a stack of insert material, which is then inserted in the inserting station open envelope is pushed.
  • One with a central drive coupled drive shaft, the circulation of which with the intermittent drive for the conveyor chain arrangement is synchronized runs along the entire processing path and serves to drive all processing stations, such that they are in forced operation coordinated with one another in time with the intermittent drive of the conveyor chain arrangement carry out the individual machining tasks.
  • Mail processing systems of this traditional construction are well suited Fulfillment of mail processing tasks in which the insert material for a large Number of postal items unchanged from a specific combination of those to be put together by the supplement feeders in the supplement compartments Inserts exist.
  • Modern mail processing systems enable the fulfillment of mail processing tasks, where the filled one from postage to postage Envelope a different combination and also a different number of Includes supplements, the action or inactivity of certain supplement feeders by a program control device assigned to the system in cooperation with code marks on at least some of the supplements supplied is determined.
  • a program control device assigned to the system in cooperation with code marks on at least some of the supplements supplied is determined.
  • Read the code marks on at least some of the inserts through appropriate code mark readers of the system, in particular determine the affiliation a supplement to a specific one in the inserting station into an envelope filling insert set.
  • the object of the invention is to achieve a mail processing system of the type defined at the outset so that it is essentially automatic sets an operation in which the processing stations each respond to a resultant one optimal working speed of the overall system are matched without the Increase likelihood of breakdown.
  • a processing path of a mail processing system is designated by 1 in FIG.
  • a pair of conveyor chains 2 extends along the processing path Raise conveyor fingers up the upper run of the conveyor chains. Pairs of these funding fingers are in the shown schematic top view designated 3 and define supplement compartments, which due to the drive of the conveyor chain pair 2 by a motor 4 intermittently can be moved in the direction of arrow P along the processing path 1.
  • Envelope 5 is synchronized with the movement of the conveyor chains into the insert compartments by means of a Enclosure feeder 6 abandoned, the work cycle with that by the motor 4th predetermined working speed of the conveyor chain pair 2 is synchronized.
  • the Enclosure feeder contains a material feeder 7, for example in the form of a sheet feeder, a separator, a collector for collecting supplements belonging to a mailing item and the like or a combination of such devices.
  • a drive for the material feed device 7 is schematically and collectively designated 8 in FIG. 1.
  • Each shutdown of the motor 8 is detected by a sensor 12 and reported to a counter 13 in the form of a shutdown signal.
  • an inserting station 14 arranged, the insertion station 15 and one Envelope feeder 16 contains the latter, the task of which is to open envelopes State opposite the insertion station 15 for inserting inserts or insert sets 5 by the insertion station 15.
  • Training the Insertion station and the envelope feeder 16 in the basic features is known to the person skilled in the art.
  • Envelopes are stacked at 17 on the bottom Edge standing in an envelope feed channel of the envelope feed device 16 in these are entered and fed to a buffer area 18, in order then from a separating device 19 isolated or converted into a shingled stream of envelopes to be followed by the sequence of isolated envelopes or by the scaled Current individual envelopes in the opposite of the insertion station 15 Position.
  • Such an envelope is indicated schematically at 20.
  • the envelope feeder has certain conveyor drives, however only a summary of a drive 21 is indicated in FIG. 1.
  • This drive 21 is dependent on a sensor signal from a sensor 22 by means of the previously mentioned Control device 31 on and off, the sensor being the filling state of the buffer area 18 is detected, and via a signal line 22a to the control device 31 reports.
  • Switching the drive 21 on and off is detected by a further sensor 23, which then in each case delivers a shutdown notification signal to a counting device 24, if the engine stops during the operation of the mail processing system 21 has taken place.
  • the counting devices 13 and 24 are designed so that they each over certain adjustable periods of time from the associated sensors qualitatively add the shutdown notification signals supplied to the detector means 12 and 23 and a threshold value comparator after the end of the addition period Feed 13a or 24a. If the result of the addition exceeds that in each case threshold values which can be set individually in the threshold value comparators 13a or 24a, see above a detector output signal appears on output lines 28 and 29, respectively the control device 31 is entered.
  • This control device determines by means of a selection device depending on the occurrence of detector signals one or more of lines 28, 29 and 30 whether correction control signals over a line 32 to an actuator 33 of the separating device 19 or via a Line 34 for changing the working speed of the drive 21 of the envelope feeder 16 or via a line 35 to the drive 8 for changing its working speed or finally via a line 36 for change the working speed of the engine 4 and thus to change the overall working speed of the mail processing system are to be delivered.
  • the decision the selection device of the control means 31 can according to a certain Hierarchy regarding the meaning of the detector signals from lines 28, 29 and 30. It can also be provided that the selection device of the control means 31 after a certain period of time if a desired tax success, there is no disappearance of the detector signals on lines 28 or 29 or 30, the decision made is revised and a new decision accordingly a new hierarchy pattern.
  • Fig. 2 is an inserting station 14 with an associated envelope feeder for a mail processing system of the type specified here shown in more detail.
  • the processing path 1 is indicated here by dash-dotted lines.
  • the insertion station 15 stands over the processing path 1 of a gripper chain arrangement 40 opposite, which is operated by a drive motor 41, which is clocked of the intermittent drive of the conveyor chain arrangement 2 by the motor 4 in cycles
  • Envelopes 20 pulls into a position opposite the insertion station 15, so that inserts or insert sets 5 from the insertion station 15 from the insert compartments of the conveyor chain arrangement in the open envelope or envelope 20 can be inserted.
  • Gripper 42 with gate-controlled gripping elements each capture the leading edge or the edge of an envelope 20 from a scaled delivered envelope stream 43, which led over an angled conveying path Conveyor belt pairs 44 leaves the separating device 19.
  • the separation result or shingling result of the separation device 19 is determined in the embodiment described here in such a way that the detector means 25 on a drive motor 46, which is designed as a stepper motor, determine the number of drive pulses that the stepper motor 46 needs to follow a leading edge of an envelope 20 initially to a preceding work cycle a starting position determined by a light barrier 47 and from here to one Position in the ready gripper claws 42 of the gripper chain 40.
  • This number of drive pulses is namely directly proportional to the distance between the leading envelope edges from each other.
  • the separation device 19 generated separation result or shingling result is this number necessary drive impulses different.
  • the separating device 19 works in the desired manner, the number of those from the stepper motor 46 varies required drive impulses in comparatively small limits.
  • the control means 31 decide, possibly taking into account one Signal line 29 incoming counter output signal and possibly one via the line 28 from the counter means 13 arriving counter output signal, what measure to take, in any case an undesirable scaling result signaling detector signal on line 30 to disappear.
  • roller pairs or roller and conveyor belt combinations can serve, their gripping means in the sense of those specified here Construction are then a roller gap or a roller / conveyor belt gap.
  • the separating device 19 by actuating the actuator 33 of the stripping device the line 32 in the sense of a change in the separation result or
  • the scaling result which is obtained by counting the drive pulses of the motor 46 is determined by the detector means 25, adjusted.
  • the selection device of the control means 31 adjusts cumulatively or alternatively, the operating speed of the drive motor 46 via the control line 48th
  • the reason for this may be that the Motor 21 presses the stack of envelopes too quickly into the buffer area 18 such that the Envelopes in this area with excessive pressure against the lower pairs of conveyor belts 44 press, which leads to a deterioration of the separation result or scaling result of the separating device 19 can lead.
  • the selection device of the control means 31 can therefore, again cumulatively or alternatively, via line 34 the drive speed of the motor 21 for the conveyor belts lower to feed the stack of envelopes.
  • the detector means 23 detect the number of switching operations on the motor 21 and the Counter means 24 cause a counter output signal to be output on line 29, if the switching frequency is a certain one set in the comparison device 24a Threshold exceeds.
  • the counter output signal on line 29 reaches the control means 31 which decide whether the working speed of the motor 21 by setting on the Control line 34 should be reduced or whether the drive speed of the conveyor belt pairs 44 by increasing the working speed of the engine 46 Setting should be increased via the control line 48. That decision is to be taken in such a way, of course, that the result of the separation does not go hand in hand or the descaling result of the separating device 19 deteriorates becomes.
  • An adjustment of the working speed of the drive motor 41 for the gripper chain 40 comes via the control line 51 brought about by the control means 31 only considered if it is for a coordinated working speed of all parts of the mail processing system seems necessary, the overall speed of work lower, for example when processing materials that are difficult to handle. in this connection primarily the working speed of the motor 4 for the conveyor chain arrangement 2 of the processing path set to a lower level.
  • Fig. 3 shows an example of an insert feed device, that of the inserting station 14 upstream at a certain position along the processing path is arranged.
  • Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view looking in the conveying direction the processing path.
  • a gripper arm 55 On a pivot shaft 53 which oscillates from a motor 54 for execution Rotational movements can be driven, a gripper arm 55 is in turn in Fig. 3 attached with 6 designated feeder.
  • the gripper arm 55 is attached its lower end in a generally known manner towards each other in the closed position and gripper claws 56 movable away from one another in the open position, whereby for the Actuation of the gripper claws 56 in time with the pivoting movements of the gripper arm 55
  • Actuating means not shown in detail in FIG. 3 are provided for example a backdrop control for a backdrop feeler role or an electromagnetic Drive or a compressed air drive included.
  • one of the gripper claws namely the one relative to the gripper arm 55 pivoted gripper claw
  • a detector 57 coupled to the gripper arm 55 attached and pivotable with this and the flexible signal line 58 emits a signal indicating the separation of the gripper claws from one another in their Closed position and thus the strength of the sheet material gripped by the gripper claws or insert set.
  • the signal on line 58 is in a comparator 59 compared with a target value. Deviations from the target value result in the delivery a detector output signal on line 60 which leads to counter means 61 is.
  • the counter means 61 each add the detector output signals on the line 60 and compare the addition result with a threshold value in one Comparator 62. If the addition result exceeds the threshold value, appears on the Line 63 a counter output signal which is input to the control means 31.
  • the gripper arm having the gripper arm 55 and the gripper claws 56 has the task Inserts that are kept in a magazine 64 within a stack, subtract from the bottom of the stack, including a swivel suction cup assembly 65 bends the leading edge of the lowermost supplement downward from the stack, such that that the gripper claws 56 can grasp the front edge of this insert, after which the gripper arm is pivoted clockwise with respect to the position shown in FIG. 3 is and the detected insert on an insert compartment formed in front of conveyor fingers 3 transported on the surface of the processing path. Then they open Gripper claws 56 and the gripper arm returns to the starting position shown in FIG. 3 back to a next insert sheet from the bottom of the stack in the magazine Deduct 64. Meanwhile, the drive motor 4 of the conveyor chains 2 moves that previously filled insert compartment in the conveying direction (arrow P of Fig. 1) and continues again an insert compartment is ready for loading by the gripper arm.
  • Misprints of the gripper claws 56 that is to say the removal of more than one insert, can have the cause that the negative pressure on the suction cup arrangement 65 is set too high is, so that the suction cup arrangement due to a certain air permeability of the Insert material several inserts from the bottom of the insert stack in the magazine bends downwards. This depends on the control device 31 from counter output signals or detector signals from line 63 to correct what by means of a Control signal via line 65b and one acting on a regulating valve 65a Actuator 65c happens.
  • Another or additional correction option to be used is the adjustment the support length of the insert stack by an adjustable magazine bottom 64a and an actuator displacing it in the direction of the double arrow 64b.
  • the actuator 64b can in turn be actuated by a control signal 31.
  • the fill level of the magazine 64 is scanned by a detector 66 which detects one on the Appealing light barrier arrangement included in the upper level of the stack of inserts can. If the top level of the stack drops below a certain level, then a material feed device 7 is activated, one of which is driven by a motor 67 driven conveyor assembly 68 may have. Associated with the engine 67 Detector means 69 detect the switching on and off of the motor 67 below Control by the control device 31 and the detector or sensor 66. On the Line 70 occurring detector output signals of the detector means 69 are in the Counter means 71 added up and compared with a threshold value. Will the threshold exceeded by the addition result, an error output signal occurs on a line 72 on, which is fed to the control means 31.
  • control means 31 was previously sent via line 63 by a counter output signal the counter means 61 conveys the information that the gripper claws 56 of the gripper arm several times during previous work cycles Misprints made, especially missing a sheet to be deducted, this indicates indicates that possibly the operating speed of the gripper arm mechanism is set too high such that the control means 31 now via control lines 36 or 74 the working speed of the motor 4 for driving the conveyor chain arrangement and thus synchronizes the working speed of the motor 54 for the Adjust the swivel drive of the gripper arm downwards.
  • the drive motors indicated schematically in the drawing Can be stepper motors, the pulse generators with drive pulse trains be applied, which is not shown in the drawing in detail.
  • the Control means 31 increases or decreases the pulse repetition frequency.

Landscapes

  • Controlling Sheets Or Webs (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles By Means Other Than Belts Or Rollers (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
EP20030001557 2002-02-01 2003-01-23 Système de traitement de courrier Expired - Lifetime EP1332891B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2002103951 DE10203951A1 (de) 2002-02-01 2002-02-01 Postbearbeitungssystem
DE10203951 2002-02-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1332891A1 true EP1332891A1 (fr) 2003-08-06
EP1332891B1 EP1332891B1 (fr) 2004-09-08

Family

ID=7713501

Family Applications (1)

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EP20030001557 Expired - Lifetime EP1332891B1 (fr) 2002-02-01 2003-01-23 Système de traitement de courrier

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1332891B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE10203951A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1522419A1 (fr) * 2003-09-19 2005-04-13 SITMA S.p.A. Dispositif d'insertion de produits dans des enveloppes
FR2876058A1 (fr) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-07 Gianfranco Passoni Procede de mise sous plis automatique de pieces de faible encombrement, notamment de documents, et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procede
EP1645530A1 (fr) 2004-10-08 2006-04-12 Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH Poste d'alimentation pour positionner des pièces jointes sur une ligne d'une assembleuse
US7690644B2 (en) 2003-10-01 2010-04-06 Pitney Bowes Deutschland Gmbh Supply station for positioning enclosures on an enclosure-collating path
EP2279974A1 (fr) * 2009-07-31 2011-02-02 Müller Martini Holding AG Procédé de commande d'une machine de traitement du papier
US7930869B2 (en) * 2007-12-21 2011-04-26 Pitney Bowes Inc. Inserter control method
US8201387B2 (en) 2003-09-18 2012-06-19 Kern Ag Method for the automatic enveloping of small items such as documents and device used to implement same

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3735974A1 (de) * 1986-11-07 1988-05-19 Pitney Bowes Inc Puffer-zufuehrsystem
US5083281A (en) 1989-05-12 1992-01-21 Bell & Howell Phillipsburg Co. Insertion machine with speed optimization
EP0665126A1 (fr) * 1994-02-01 1995-08-02 Juki Corporation Méthode et dispositif pour détecter le manque/excès d'article mis sous enveloppe dans un machine à insérer et à fermer
EP0906881A1 (fr) * 1997-10-03 1999-04-07 Pitney Bowes Inc. Appareil de séparation pour un système de traitement de courrier
US5982129A (en) * 1994-11-14 1999-11-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. Asynchronous control of insertion apparatus

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5154246A (en) * 1991-03-08 1992-10-13 Pitney Bowes Inc. Sensor processor for high-speed mail-handling machine
IT1257920B (it) * 1992-11-27 1996-02-19 Dispositivo di compensazione di flusso per oggetti postali.
US6328297B1 (en) * 1999-07-02 2001-12-11 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and apparatus for improving synchronization in a document inserting system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3735974A1 (de) * 1986-11-07 1988-05-19 Pitney Bowes Inc Puffer-zufuehrsystem
US5083281A (en) 1989-05-12 1992-01-21 Bell & Howell Phillipsburg Co. Insertion machine with speed optimization
EP0665126A1 (fr) * 1994-02-01 1995-08-02 Juki Corporation Méthode et dispositif pour détecter le manque/excès d'article mis sous enveloppe dans un machine à insérer et à fermer
US5982129A (en) * 1994-11-14 1999-11-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. Asynchronous control of insertion apparatus
EP0906881A1 (fr) * 1997-10-03 1999-04-07 Pitney Bowes Inc. Appareil de séparation pour un système de traitement de courrier

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8201387B2 (en) 2003-09-18 2012-06-19 Kern Ag Method for the automatic enveloping of small items such as documents and device used to implement same
EP1522419A1 (fr) * 2003-09-19 2005-04-13 SITMA S.p.A. Dispositif d'insertion de produits dans des enveloppes
US7047711B2 (en) 2003-09-19 2006-05-23 Sitma S.P.A. Device for the automatic inserting of products into envelopes
US7690644B2 (en) 2003-10-01 2010-04-06 Pitney Bowes Deutschland Gmbh Supply station for positioning enclosures on an enclosure-collating path
FR2876058A1 (fr) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-07 Gianfranco Passoni Procede de mise sous plis automatique de pieces de faible encombrement, notamment de documents, et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procede
WO2006037245A3 (fr) * 2004-10-01 2006-06-29 Gianfranco Passoni Procede de mise sous plis automatique de pieces de faible encombrement, notamment de documents, et dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procede
US8590280B2 (en) 2004-10-01 2013-11-26 Bowe Systec Gmbh Method and apparatus for inserting objects into opened envelopes
CN101060998B (zh) * 2004-10-01 2011-07-06 博威系统公司 自动封装物件的方法和实施该方法的装置
EP1645530A1 (fr) 2004-10-08 2006-04-12 Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH Poste d'alimentation pour positionner des pièces jointes sur une ligne d'une assembleuse
US8181424B2 (en) 2007-12-21 2012-05-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Inserter control apparatus
US7930869B2 (en) * 2007-12-21 2011-04-26 Pitney Bowes Inc. Inserter control method
US8317182B2 (en) 2009-07-31 2012-11-27 Mueller Martini Holding Ag Method for controlling a paper-processing machine
EP2279974A1 (fr) * 2009-07-31 2011-02-02 Müller Martini Holding AG Procédé de commande d'une machine de traitement du papier

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1332891B1 (fr) 2004-09-08
DE10203951A1 (de) 2003-08-14

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