EP1371586B1 - Umkehrvorrichtung für einen Transport von Briefumschlägen und Rampe für einen Ausgangsteil eines Kuvertiersystems - Google Patents

Umkehrvorrichtung für einen Transport von Briefumschlägen und Rampe für einen Ausgangsteil eines Kuvertiersystems Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1371586B1
EP1371586B1 EP03013331A EP03013331A EP1371586B1 EP 1371586 B1 EP1371586 B1 EP 1371586B1 EP 03013331 A EP03013331 A EP 03013331A EP 03013331 A EP03013331 A EP 03013331A EP 1371586 B1 EP1371586 B1 EP 1371586B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transport
envelopes
turning
ramp
envelope
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 - Fee Related
Application number
EP03013331A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1371586A2 (de
EP1371586A3 (de
Inventor
David R. Auerbach
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 Inc
Original Assignee
Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/209,019 external-priority patent/US6688593B1/en
Application filed by Pitney Bowes Inc filed Critical Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority to EP06000800A priority Critical patent/EP1655254B1/de
Publication of EP1371586A2 publication Critical patent/EP1371586A2/de
Publication of EP1371586A3 publication Critical patent/EP1371586A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1371586B1 publication Critical patent/EP1371586B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B07C1/00—Measures preceding sorting according to destination
    • B07C1/18—Orientating articles other than in a stream, e.g. turning, deflecting or changing direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/12—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
    • B65H5/02—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by belts or chains, e.g. between belts or chains
    • B65H5/021—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by belts or chains, e.g. between belts or chains by 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
    • B65H2301/30—Orientation, displacement, position of the handled material
    • B65H2301/33—Modifying, selecting, changing orientation
    • B65H2301/332—Turning, overturning
    • B65H2301/3321—Turning, overturning kinetic therefor
    • B65H2301/33212—Turning, overturning kinetic therefor about an axis parallel to the direction of displacement of material
    • 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
    • B65H2301/30—Orientation, displacement, position of the handled material
    • B65H2301/33—Modifying, selecting, changing orientation
    • B65H2301/332—Turning, overturning
    • B65H2301/3322—Turning, overturning according to a determined angle
    • B65H2301/33222—90°
    • 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
    • B65H2301/443—Moving, forwarding, guiding material by acting on surface of handled material
    • B65H2301/4431—Moving, forwarding, guiding material by acting on surface of handled material by means with operating surfaces contacting opposite faces of material
    • B65H2301/44314—Moving, forwarding, guiding material by acting on surface of handled material by means with operating surfaces contacting opposite faces of material between belts and cylinder
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
    • B65H2404/20—Belts
    • B65H2404/26—Particular arrangement of belt, or belts
    • B65H2404/261—Arrangement of belts, or belt(s) / roller(s) facing each other for forming a transport nip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
    • B65H2701/1916—Envelopes and articles of mail

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device and method for processing and transporting envelopes, typically in a mail processing system.
  • the device and method re-orient and redirect the envelopes in preparation for further processing.
  • US-A-5,411,250 describes an apparatus for changing the orientation and direction of envelopes conveyed in a transport path in a mailpiece processing system, the apparatus comprising: a first transport forming an upstream portion of the transport path and transporting envelopes in a first direction in a horizontal orientation; a twisted belt transport downstream of the first transport, receiving envelopes from the first transport, the twisted belt transport conveying envelopes in the first direction and reorienting the envelopes from the horizontal orientation to an upright vertical orientation; and a turning arrangement downstream of the twisted belt transport, receiving vertically oriented envelopes from the twisted belt transport, the turning arrangement substantially altering the transport path to a second direction.
  • DE-C-524 089 describes a sheet diversion device for vertically aligned sheets.
  • DE-C-965 210 describes apparatus for raising a stream of vertically arranged postal items from a first level to a second level.
  • Inserter systems such as those applicable for use with the present invention, are typically used by organizations such as banks, insurance companies and utility companies for producing a large volume of specific mailings where the contents of each mail item are directed to a particular addressee. Also, other organizations, such as direct mailers, use inserters for producing a large volume of generic mailings where the contents of each mail item are substantially identical for each addressee. Examples of such inserter systems are the 8 series and 9 series inserter systems available from Pitney Bowes Inc. of Stamford Connecticut.
  • the typical inserter system resembles a manufacturing assembly line. Sheets and other raw materials (other sheets, enclosures, and envelopes) enter the inserter system as inputs. A plurality of different modules in the inserter system work cooperatively to process the sheets to produce a finished mailpiece. The exact configuration of each inserter system depends upon the needs of each particular customer or installation.
  • inserter systems prepare mail pieces by gathering collations of documents on a conveyor. The collations are then transported on the conveyor to an insertion station where they are automatically stuffed into envelopes. After being stuffed with the collations, the envelopes are removed from the insertion station for further processing. Such further processing may include automated closing and sealing the envelope flap, weighing the envelope, applying postage to the envelope, and finally sorting and stacking the envelopes.
  • a first consideration is the size of a room for housing the inserting system. While an inserting system that has a straight processing path might often be efficient, the number and size of the processing modules might be such that the customer does not have enough room in their facility to accommodate the length in a single dimension. Accordingly, it is known in the art that it may be necessary to provide a turning module, typically at a right angle, to shorten the system's length in any one dimension. The choice or the nature and location of the turning module may be difficult, because turning may introduce additional complexity and error into the system. It is also preferable that a turning module be made to do something useful during the turning process, and that floor space and machinery not be used solely for changing the direction of the processing path.
  • Envelopes may be moving so fast that glue on a moistened envelope flap may not have time form a seal before it is subjected to further processing. Such further processing may cause the envelope flap to reopen partially or fully before the proper sealing can occur. In addition to making the envelope unsuitable for mailing, re-opened flaps can cause jamming of the system.
  • An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for reorienting and redirecting envelopes in preparation for further processing whilst achieving a desirable footprint.
  • an apparatus for changing the orientation and direction of envelopes conveyed in a transport path in a mail piece processing system comprising: a first transport forming an upstream portion of the transport path and transporting envelopes in a first direction in a horizontal orientation; a twisted belt transport downstream of the first transport, receiving envelopes from the first transport, the twisted belt transport conveying envelopes in the first direction and reorienting the envelopes from the horizontal orientation to an upright vertical orientation; a turning arrangement downstream of the twisted belt transport, receiving vertically oriented envelopes from the twisted belt transport, the turning arrangement substantially altering the transport path to a second direction, the turning arrangement further comprising: a horizontal wheel and a vertical belt, a length of the vertical belt being urged against an outer radius surface of the horizontal wheel to cooperatively form the transport path, for gripping a lower portion of vertically oriented envelopes, between the outer radius surface of the wheel and the length of vertical belt; and a turning guide comprising a stationary curved vertical surface
  • a method for changing the orientation and direction of envelopes conveyed in a transport path in a mail piece processing system comprising: transporting envelopes in a first direction in a horizontal orientation using a first transport; receiving envelopes at a twisted belt transport which conveys envelopes in the first direction and reorients the envelopes from the horizontal orientation to an upright vertical orientation; receiving vertically oriented envelopes from the twisted belt transport at a turning arrangement performing a turning process which substantially alters the transport path to a second direction, the turning process comprising: gripping a lower portion of vertically oriented envelopes between an outer radius surface of a horizontal wheel and a length of a vertical belt which is urged against an outer radius surface of the horizontal wheel to cooperatively form the transport path; and providing vertical support for an upper portion of vertically oriented envelopes as they move through the turning arrangement, by a turning guide comprising a stationary curved vertical surface located substantially over, and extending upward from, the outer radius surface of the horizontal wheel.
  • Figure 1 is a top view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 4a and 4b are a side and top view of a toroidal idler roller for use with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a sensor arrangement for detecting envelopes traveling within the turning portion of the turning module of the present invention.
  • the apparatus is used just before an output sorting module of an inserter system.
  • the sorting bins of the sorting module can be positioned ninety degrees from the collating and inserting part of the inserting system. This arrangement provides the benefits of a smaller footprint in the longest direction, and the sorting bins are closer to other portions of the main body of the inserter system for operator convenience.
  • the method and operation of the apparatus starts with the envelopes being transported horizontally in a first direction.
  • the envelopes are reoriented from the horizontal position to a vertical position as they are transported in the first direction.
  • reorientation is provided by a twisted belt transport arrangement.
  • the apparatus preferably includes a turn guide comprised of a stationary curved surface extending upward on the interior portion of the turn radius.
  • the turn guide serves to support and guide the envelope as it passes through the turn.
  • the turning guide may also preferably serve to house and support sensors for detecting the position of envelopes as they pass through the turn. Such sensors could not otherwise be housed or supported by the moving wheels or belts that comprise the turning arrangement. In the preferred embodiment, the sensors are supported from above the turning guide, one positioned within the turning guide and the other on the opposite side of the transport path.
  • the envelopes are raised several inches (one inch equals 2.54 cm) by transporting them along a ramped vertical transport. Once the envelopes are raised to their desired elevation, they are then redirected by 180 degrees in preparation for being sorted into the sorting bins. This 180 degree redirection is such that the envelopes are being transported back towards the main body of the inserter system as they are being sorted.
  • This configuration may also allow the module housing the turning arrangement to support an outsort bin at the very end of the sorting module. The outsort bin receives outsorted mail pieces rejected, or bypassed from the sorting bins for any of a variety of reasons.
  • operators can have access to the output sorting module while it is perpendicular and proximal to the other stations in inserter system. Also, in this preferred embodiment the output bins have been raised to a level that is more ergonomically appropriate for the operator access.
  • the process of raising the envelopes on a ramp further comprises providing transitions between ramped and flat portions of a transport to allow the envelopes to pivot and to remain substantially in square alignment with a surface of the transport while traveling up the ramp and after leaving the ramp.
  • Such transitions are preferably provided by sets of nips whereby at least one of the nips in each of the transitioning modules is an idler roller having a toroidal outer surface biased against another driven roller.
  • the toroidal idler roller can serve to provide the grip to drive the envelopes, but also allows a pivoting motion so that the envelope maintains its registration while traveling up the ramp.
  • the turning module having the twisted belt and redirecting mechanism, can be adjusted to receive and transport different size envelopes to be used in the inserter system.
  • the step of elevating the envelope may take place before it is turned from a horizontal to a vertical orientation.
  • the horizontal envelope can be raised using a conventional horizontal ramp transport, and then the turning arrangement can be utilized to achieve the ninety degree turn to achieve the desired spacing and ergonomic results.
  • the present apparatus is preferably used to provide a right angle turn prior to an output sorting module at the end of a high speed mail processing inserter system.
  • suitable mail piece sorting modules are described in U.S. Patents 5,971,161 , 5,960,963 , 5,449,159 , 5,429,249 , 5,411,250 and 5,368,287 , assigned to the assignee of the present application
  • Major modules of the system comprise a ninety degree turn module 1 , a ramp module 2 , a 180 degree transport module 3 , and a sorting module 4 .
  • the turn module 1 receives envelopes 7 from an upstream module transport 5 .
  • the envelopes 7 are received in a horizontal orientation, with the face of the envelope up, and the flap side of the envelope down.
  • the turn module 1 will be receiving envelopes that have just recently had their flaps closed and moistened for sealing. Because the system operates so quickly, it is unlikely that the moistened flap will have had time to dry and a complete seal will not be formed. Accordingly, certain features in the preferred embodiment are designed to perform the necessary reorienting and redirecting of the envelope without causing the moistened envelope flaps to pop open and to cause jams.
  • the envelopes 7 are received into turn module 1 via input rollers 10 . From the input rollers 10 , the envelopes are transferred to input nips for a twisted belt pair 11 . Twisted belt pairs are transport mechanisms known in the art for transporting and reorienting envelopes from a horizontal to a vertical orientation (or vice versa ).
  • the twisted belt pair 11 will grip the transported envelopes along a bottom portion of the envelope, so as not to interfere with the flap of the envelope.
  • a torsion force is applied to change the orientation from horizontal to vertical, and to bring the envelope into an upright position.
  • an upper portion of the envelope may receive guiding and support from a horizontal-to-vertical guide 26.
  • Guide 26 may comprise a guide bar or a piece of twisted material that runs parallel the transport path of the twisted belt pair 11 .
  • the guide 26 may serve to assist in keeping the envelope flaps shut during the stress of reorienting the envelope.
  • the input end of the twisted belt pair may be adjusted in a direction perpendicular to the transport path, as will be discussed in more detail below.
  • the vertically oriented envelopes enter a turning arrangement.
  • the turning arrangement preferably transports the envelopes in a new direction perpendicular to their original direction.
  • the transport for the turning arrangement is driven by turn belt 13 .
  • a length of turn belt 13 is positioned such that it is urged against a portion of the circumference of turn wheel 14 , positioned contiguous with the transport path.
  • turn wheel 14 is an idler roller that is turned by the force of the length of the driven turn belt 13 that is pressed against the portion of its circumference.
  • Vertically oriented envelopes received by the turning arrangement are gripped between the turn belt 13 and the turn wheel 14 as it is transported around ninety degrees of the circumference of the turn wheel 14 .
  • Turn belt 13 and turn wheel 14 are preferably of approximate equal height, sufficient to grip a lower portion of the envelope between them, preferably between one and two inches high (2.5 to 5 cm high). By gripping just a lower portion of the envelope, turn belt 13 and turn wheel 14 do not place direct bending strain on the envelope flap as the envelope makes the turn. However, the necessary transport force is provided to move the envelopes through the module.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a turning guide 12 .
  • the turning guide 12 is comprised of a smooth curved surface extending vertically upward along the side of the transport path interior to the turn radius of the transport path formed by belt 13 and wheel 14 .
  • a portion of turning guide 12 disposed above the interface of belt 13 and wheel 14 provides support to for the upper portion of envelopes passing through the turn.
  • Such vertical support helps to prevent bending or distortion of the envelopes that might occur while being gripped and turned by the forces acting upon their lower portions.
  • the support provided by turn guide 12 keeps the envelope flaps closed to aid in proper sealing.
  • the radius of the curved portion of the turning guide 12 is just slightly less than the radius of the wheel 14 .
  • wheel 14 having a relatively low height compared to the envelopes, is more desirable than a taller drum that might be similarly situated for the purpose of providing turning,
  • a first advantage of the wheel 14 over a drum is that the wheel is easier and cheaper to manufacture than a drum, in part because it is smaller and may be composed of less expensive and more easily manufactured parts.
  • Another advantage is that the wheel, again being smaller, weighs less and has less inertia. Having less inertia, the wheel 14 can start and stop more quickly. The ability to start and stop more quickly provides greater precision in the system, and may allow the system to come to a stop more quickly upon the occurrence of an error condition, like jamming.
  • the stationary turn guide can provide a support platform for position sensors 30 to detect the position of envelopes passing within the turning arrangement. If a drum is used, it would be very difficult to arrange a sensor on the moving drum to reliably detect envelopes as they pass through.
  • sensors 30 are supported above the belt 13 and wheel 14 on sensor base 27 .
  • One sensor 30 is supported inside the curve of the turning guide 12 , while its corresponding mate is supported oppositely outside of the turning guide 12 .
  • a small hole is provided in turning guide 12 between the pair of sensors 30 so that when an envelope disrupts the optical connection between the sensors, it is known that an envelope has reached that position in the transport path.
  • envelopes are detected as they pass along the surface of turn guide 12 , breaking the path between the position sensors (preferably optical sensors).
  • the turn guide 12 and wheel 14 combination allows all of these advantages without any loss of functionality in comparison to an arrangement using a drum.
  • the envelopes After the envelopes have completed their change of direction in the turning arrangement, they continue to be transported in the vertical position by series of rollers and belts. Above the rollers an belts, the envelopes receive support from transport guides 16 and 17 , which continue the guiding function in holding the envelopes upright, and providing support for the envelope flaps.
  • the envelopes are transferred from turn module 1 to the ramp module 2 .
  • the purpose of ramp module 2 is to raise the envelopes from a lower elevation, at which they were processed earlier in the system, to a higher elevation used by the output sorting module 4 .
  • the output sorting process occur at a higher elevation than earlier processing.
  • the sorting includes bins 40 that have a downward slant, and because upstream automated processing generally occurs at a level lower than a comfortable working level for human workers, it is desirable from an ergonomics perspective to raise the envelopes for the output sorting stage.
  • the envelopes may be raised by a height of two or three inches (5 or 7.5 cm).
  • the ramp module 2 is preferably inclined at an angle of approximately eight degrees.
  • the input and output portions of the transports for the turn module 1 and the ramp module 2 have particular configurations of rollers and belts to maintain the registration of the bottom of the envelopes substantially parallel to the path of travel, even on the ramp and after the ramp. This is desirable so that envelopes do not become too tilted relative to the travel direction. Downstream, such tilting may have the effect of causing jams as the envelopes are processed by the sorting mechanisms.
  • the envelope is transported between belts 18 and 19 , with an upper portion of the envelope guided by guides 17 .
  • the envelope is transported between belts 23 and 24 , with an upper portion of the envelope guided by guides 25 .
  • the transport guide pairs 17 and 25 may be comprised of guides that are different heights on the opposite sides of the feed path.
  • an interior guide 17 or 25 , of a pair is taller, and has a height substantially the same as the turning guide 12 . The taller guide provides support on the flap side of transported envelopes for continued prevention of opening of the flap before a seal can be formed.
  • roller 21 may be a driven roller at the transition end of a transport belt 13, 18 , 19, or 23, as shown in Fig. 1 . Roller 21 is driven along with its respective transport belt.
  • the idler roller assembly is comprised of a toroidal roller wheel 201 rotatably mounted on a shaft 202 mounted on an arm 203 . Arm 203 pivots on base shaft 204 .
  • the toroidal wheel 201 is spring biased against roller 21 by the spring 205 providing angular tension between the arm 203 and the base shaft 204.
  • the toroidal shape of the wheel 201 results in a relatively small point of contact between the toroidal wheel 201 and the driven roller 21 .
  • the small point of contact on the curved outer diameter of the toriodal wheel 201 provides a moving pivot point around which the envelope may turn as the transport direction changes.
  • the envelope can pivot at the point between those rollers to adjust to the new vector while it continues to be driven forward with the same forward vector.
  • the driven roller 21 may also have a somewhat curved outer surface to further reduce the friction creating surface area of the nip rollers on the envelope.
  • the first set of nips 20 and 21 at that location are in a horizontal orientation and will continue to drive the envelope in the horizontal direction.
  • the lead edge of the envelope reaches the angled set of second nips 20 and 21 at the beginning of ramp module 2
  • the lead edge of the envelope is urged upward in the angled direction.
  • the envelope pivots upward at both the first and second set of nips as control is transferred to the ramped transport system and belts 18 and 19 .
  • the envelope has pivoted such that it is angled at substantially the same direction as the ramped transport direction.
  • an apparatus utilizing the present invention can be adjusted to receive and process envelopes of different sizes.
  • a first location that is sensitive to different envelope sizes is the input rollers 10 at the input to turn module 1 .
  • the twisted belt pair 11 , and other downstream vertical transport devices grip a lower portion of the envelopes.
  • variance in the sizes of the envelopes results in different locations for their lower portions relative to the turn module 1 . Accordingly, as can be seen in Fig. 1 , it is desirable that the input rollers 10 , and the corresponding beginning of the twisted belt pair be adjustable laterally to the transport direction of the envelopes. Such adjustment would typically only be necessary when starting a new mail production job using different sized envelopes.
  • the input rollers 10 and twisted belt pair 11 are mounted on a base 28 which is laterally movable relative to the frame of the turn module 1.
  • the lateral position of the base 28 is adjusted by turning adjusting mechanism 15.
  • the adjusting mechanism includes a threaded shaft rotatably and fixedly mounted to the frame of turn module 1 .
  • a screw interface with base 28 causes the base to move a desired amount to a position where the input roller 10 grip the lower portion of the envelopes at the standard predetermined position.
  • Base 28 also preferably supports the turning arrangement comprised of the wheel 14 and turning belt 13.
  • the same motion can adjust a gap in the transport path between the turn module 1 and ramp module 2.
  • more space will be provided for larger envelopes to make the transition in the turn upward onto ramp module 2 .
  • another adjustment mechanism 15' may be provided between those two modules.
  • the adjustment mechanism may again be a threaded turnscrew mechanism, with one end fixedly mounted on ramp module 2 and the other end attached though a threaded interface to a movable base in the transport module 3 .
  • the second adjustment mechanism 15' is not necessary, and that the resulting error in positioning as a result of not adjusting for different envelope sizes is not so great as to affect the downstream sorting process. However for use with different downstream processing, less error may be tolerated, and adjustment mechanism 15' may be necessary.
  • Sorting module 4 is located to the side of ramp module 2 and transport module 3 that is closer to the inserter system modules upstream of the turn module 1 . In this way an inserter system with an "L” or “U” shaped footprint can be formed, with the interior of the "L” or "U” serving as the workspace for operators. Workers may attend to upstream modules while being able to observe the operation of the sorting module 4 . Also, when it comes time to empty the bins 40 of the stacks of processed mail, the operators may perform that task without having to walk too far from the other stations on the inserter machine.
  • envelopes are transported on the sort transport 41 comprised of a series of belts 42 between which envelopes are transported.
  • deflectors 43 open to deflect the envelopes into the appropriate sort bins 40.
  • An outsort guide 44 guides mail pieces into the outsort bin 6 in an orderly fashion.
  • a potential advantage of the preferred embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 is that the outsort bin 6 can be mounted in turn module 1 .
  • the arrangement depicted in Fig. 1 shows that the turn module 1 can provide space for the outsort bin 6 , along the side, and elevated from, the twisted belt pair 11 . By placing the outsort bin 6 at that location, the overall length of the sorting module 4 can be shortened, and greater efficiency is achieved and floor space saved.
  • the alternative ramp module is one similar to that depicted as item 10 in Figure 2 of U.S. Patent No. 5,971,161 .
  • the alternative ramp module raises the envelope in a horizontal orientation using conventional transport techniques.
  • the turn module 1 may then reorient and turn the elevated horizontal envelopes by ninety degrees, as described above.
  • the vertical ramp module 2 after the turn module 1 is not necessary.
  • the use of the conventional horizontal envelope ramp may be less desirable for an installation that desires to minimize the length of the system in the first travel direction.
  • the length of the alternative ramp portion will add to the length of the system in the first direction.
  • the preferred embodiment, using ramp module 2 described above, however, may not add any length in any direction as it takes advantage of a length of the sorting module 4 where the system doubles back on itself.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
  • Delivering By Means Of Belts And Rollers (AREA)
  • Registering Or Overturning Sheets (AREA)

Claims (25)

  1. Eine Vorrichtung zum Ändern der Ausrichtung und Richtung von Umschlägen, die in einem Transportweg in einem Poststück-Verarbeitungssystem befördert werden, die Vorrichtung umfassend:
    einen ersten Transport (5), der einen stromaufwärtigen Abschnitt des Transportwegs bildet und Umschläge (7) in einer ersten Richtung in einer horizontalen Ausrichtung transportiert;
    einen Verdrehungsriementransport (11) stromabwärts des ersten Transports (5), der Umschläge von dem ersten Transport aufnimmt, wobei der Verdrehungsriementransport Umschläge in der ersten Richtung befördert und die Umschläge von der horizontalen Ausrichtung zu einer aufrechten vertikalen Ausrichtung umorientiert;
    eine Wendeanordnung (13, 14) stromabwärts des Verdrehungsriementransports (11), die vertikal ausgerichtete Umschläge von dem Verdrehungsriementransport aufnimmt, wobei die Wendeanordnung im wesentlichen den Transportweg zu einer zweiten Richtung ändert, die Wendeanordnung ferner umfassend:
    ein horizontales Rad (14) und einen vertikalen Riemen (13), wobei eine Länge des vertikalen Riemens (13) gegen eine äußere Radiusoberfläche des horizontalen Rades (14) gedrängt wird, um den Transportweg kooperativ zu bilden, zum Ergreifen eines unteren Abschnitts von vertikal ausgerichteten Umschlägen (7), zwischen der äußeren Radiusoberfläche des Rades und der Länge des vertikalen Riemens; und
    eine Wendeführung (12), umfassend eine stationäre gekrümmte vertikale Oberfläche, die sich befindet im wesentlichen über, und sich erstreckt aufwärts von, der äußeren Radiusoberfläche des horizontalen Rades (14), wobei die Oberfläche der Wendeführung (12) eine vertikale Stütze für einen oberen Abschnitt von vertikal ausgerichteten Umschlägen (7) bereitstellt, während sie sich durch die Wendeanordnung bewegen.
  2. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei sich die Wendeführung (12) über eine Länge des Transportwegs erstreckt, um den oberen Abschnitt der vertikal ausgerichteten Umschläge (7) für einen Abschnitt des Transportwegs zu führen, wo er sich von der ersten Richtung zu der zweiten Richtung ändert.
  3. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend eine Sensoranordnung (27, 30), die sich nahe der Wendeführung befindet, wobei die Sensoranordnung zum Erfassen des Vorhandenseins von Umschlägen in der Wendeanordnung dient.
  4. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Sensoranordnung umfasst einen ersten Sensor (30), der innerhalb eines inneren Abschnitts der Wendeführung gestützt wird, und einen zweiten Sensor (30), der in einer Position gestützt wird, die dem ersten Sensor gegenüberliegt auf einer entgegengesetzten Seite des Transportwegs, wobei die Wendeführung (12) ein Loch enthält, durch das die ersten und zweiten Sensoren (30) kommunizieren, wobei die ersten und zweiten Sensoren ein Positionssignal bereitstellen, wenn Kommunikation zwischen den Sensoren durch einen Umschlag (7) unterbrochen wird, der sich in dem Transportweg bewegt.
  5. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend eine Verdrehungsführungsoberfläche (26), nahe dem, und im wesentlichen parallel zu, dem Verdrehungsriementransport (11), wobei die Verdrehungsführungsoberfläche einen Abschnitt des Umschlags, der nicht innerhalb des Verdrehungsriementransports ist, führt.
  6. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend einen Abstimmungsmechanismus (15) zum Abstimmen einer Position des Verdrehungsriementransports (11) senkrecht zu der ersten Richtung für eine richtige Positionierung, um Umschläge variierender Größen von dem horizontalen Transport aufzunehmen.
  7. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Wendeanordnung (13, 14) den Transportweg von der ersten Richtung zu der zweiten Richtung um einen Winkel ändert, der im wesentlichen neunzig Grad ist.
  8. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei ein Radius der Wendeführung etwas geringer als der Radius des horizontalen Rades (14) ist.
  9. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Verdrehungsriementransport (11) und die Wendeanordnung (13, 14) ein Wendemodul rechten Winkels zum Transportieren von Umschlägen zu einem Umschlagsortierungsausgabemodul (4) umfassen, wobei das Umschlagsortierungsausgabemodul einen Sortierungstransport mit einer Umschlagsortierungstransportrichtung entgegengesetzt zu der zweiten Richtung enthält.
  10. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, wobei das Wendemodul rechten Winkels ferner umfasst einen Aussortierungsbehälter in dem Ende des Umschlagsortierungstransports zum Aufnehmen von Umschlägen, die nicht in Sortierungsbehälter des Umschlagsortierungsausgabemoduls sortiert wurden.
  11. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend einen geneigten Rampentransport (2), der die vertikal ausgerichteten Umschläge von der Wendeanordnung in einer ersten Höhe aufnimmt und die Umschläge zu einem Ausgabetransport mit einer zweiten Höhe, die höher als die erste Höhe ist, transportiert.
  12. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, ferner umfassend:
    Mengen von Rampenwalzenspalten (20, 21), wobei eine Menge von Rampenwalzenspalten umfasst eine angetriebene Rolle (21) und eine Leerlaufrolle (20) mit einer als Ring geformten äußeren Oberfläche, die gegen die angetriebene Rolle (21) vorgespannt ist, wobei der Transportweg zwischen der angetriebenen Rolle und der Leerlaufrolle durchläuft; und
    wobei sich eine erste Menge von horizontalen Rampenwalzenspalten (20, 21) in einem stromabwärtigen Ende der Wendeanordnung (13, 14) befindet, sich eine zweite Menge von winkligen Rampenwalzenspalten (20, 21) in einem stromaufwärtigen Ende des Rampentransports (2) befindet, wobei die ersten und zweiten Mengen von Rampenwalzenspalten kooperieren, um den vertikal ausgerichteten Umschlägen (7) zu erlauben, aufwärts in einer Transportrichtung mit einem Winkel zu schwenken, der im wesentlichen der gleiche wie die Neigung des Rampentransports ist; und
    wobei sich eine dritte Menge von winkligen Rampenwalzenspalten (20, 21) in einem stromabwärtigen Ende des Rampentransports (2) befindet, und eine vierte Menge von horizontalen Rampenwalzenspalten (20, 21) in einem stromaufwärtigen Ende des Ausgabetransports, wobei die dritten und vierten Mengen von Rampenwalzenspalten kooperieren, um den vertikal ausgerichteten Umschlägen (7) zu erlauben, abwärts in dem Transportweg in im wesentlichen einer horizontalen Bewegungsrichtung zu schwenken.
  13. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12, wobei der Rampentransport (2) den Transportweg zwischen zwei und vier Zoll (5 und 10 cm) anhebt.
  14. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Wendeanordnung den Transportweg von der ersten Richtung zu der zweiten Richtung um einen Winkel ändert, der im wesentlichen neunzig Grad ist.
  15. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 14, wobei der Verdrehungsriemen (11) und die Wendeanordnung (13, 14) an einer gemeinsamen Grundlage (28) montiert sind, und ferner umfassend einen Abstimmungsmechanismus (15) zum Abstimmen einer Position der Grundlage senkrecht zu der ersten Richtung, und parallel zu der zweiten Richtung, zum Positionieren des Verdrehungsriementransports (11) und zum Abstimmen einer Lücke zwischen den ersten und zweiten Mengen von Rampenwalzenspalten, um so Umschläge variierender Größen zu berücksichtigen, die zu transportieren sind.
  16. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 15, ferner umfassend einen zweiten Abstimmungsmechanismus (15') zum Abstimmen des Abstands zwischen den dritten und vierten Mengen von Rampenwalzenspalten (20, 21), um so Umschläge variierender Größen zu berücksichtigen, die zu transportieren sind.
  17. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, wobei der Verdrehungsriementransport (11) und die Wendeanordnung (13, 14) ein Wendemodul rechten Winkels zum Transportieren von Umschlägen (7) zu einem Umschlagsortierungsausgabemodul (4) umfassen, wobei das Umschlagsortierungsmodul enthält einen Sortierungstransport mit einer Umschlagsortierungstransportrichtung entgegengesetzt zu der zweiten Richtung, wobei der Sortierungstransport höher als der Transportweg in dem Wendemodul rechten Winkels angehoben ist.
  18. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 17, wobei das Wendemodul rechten Winkels ferner umfasst einen Aussortierungsbehälter (6) in dem Ende des Umschlagsortierungstransports zum Aufnehmen von Umschlägen, die nicht in Sortierungsbehälter (40) des Umschlagsortierungsausgabemoduls sortiert wurden.
  19. Ein Verfahren zum Ändern der Ausrichtung und Richtung von Umschlägen (7), die in einem Transportweg in einem Poststück-Verarbeitungssystem befördert werden, das Verfahren umfassend:
    Transportieren von Umschlägen in einer ersten Richtung in einer horizontalen Ausrichtung unter Verwendung eines ersten Transports;
    Aufnehmen von Umschlägen in einem Verdrehungsriementransport (11), der Umschläge in der ersten Richtung befördert und die Umschläge (7) von der horizontalen Ausrichtung zu einer aufrechten vertikalen Ausrichtung umorientiert;
    Aufnehmen von vertikal ausgerichteten Umschlägen von dem Verdrehungsriementransport in einer Wendeanordnung (13, 14), die einen Wendeprozess durchführt, der im wesentlichen den Transportweg zu einer zweiten Richtung ändert, der Wendeprozess umfassend:
    Ergreifen eines unteren Abschnitts von vertikal ausgerichteten Umschlägen (7) zwischen einer äußeren Radiusoberfläche eines horizontalen Rades (14) und einer Länge eines vertikalen Riemens (13), der gegen eine äußere Radiusoberfläche des horizontalen Rades (14) gedrängt wird, um den Transportweg kooperativ zu bilden; und
    Bereitstellen einer vertikalen Stütze für einen oberen Abschnitt von vertikal ausgerichteten Umschlägen, während sie sich durch die Wendeanordnung bewegen, durch eine Wendeführung (12), umfassend eine stationäre gekrümmte vertikale Oberfläche, die sich befindet im wesentlichen über, und sich erstreckt aufwärts von, der äußeren Radiusoberfläche des horizontalen Rades (14).
  20. Das Verfahren nach Anspruch 19, wobei der obere Abschnitt der vertikal ausgerichteten Umschläge durch die Wendeführung für einen Abschnitt des Transportwegs geführt wird, wo er sich von der ersten Richtung zu der zweiten Richtung ändert.
  21. Das Verfahren nach Anspruch 19, ferner umfassend Erfassen des Vorhandenseins von Umschlägen in der Wendeanordnung durch eine Sensoranordnung (30), die sich nahe zu der Wendeführung befindet.
  22. Das Verfahren nach Anspruch 19, ferner umfassend Führen eines Abschnitts des Umschlags, der nicht innerhalb des Verdrehungsriementransports ist, durch eine Verdrehungsführungsoberfläche (26) nahe, und im wesentlichen parallel zu, dem Verdrehungsriementransport.
  23. Das Verfahren nach Anspruch 19, ferner umfassend Abstimmen mit einem Abstimmungsmechanismus einer Position des Verdrehungsriementransports (11) senkrecht zu der ersten Richtung für eine richtige Positionierung, um Umschläge variierender Größen von dem horizontalen Transport aufzunehmen.
  24. Das Verfahren nach Anspruch 19, wobei die Wendeanordnung den Transportweg von der ersten Richtung zu der zweiten Richtung um einen Winkel ändert, der im wesentlichen neunzig Grad ist.
  25. Das Verfahren nach Anspruch 19, ferner umfassend Aufnehmen mit einem geneigten Rampentransport der vertikal ausgerichteten Umschläge von der Wendeanordnung in einer ersten Höhe und Transportieren der Umschläge zu einem Ausgabetransport mit einer zweiten Höhe, die höher als die erste Höhe ist.
EP03013331A 2002-06-13 2003-06-13 Umkehrvorrichtung für einen Transport von Briefumschlägen und Rampe für einen Ausgangsteil eines Kuvertiersystems Expired - Fee Related EP1371586B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

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EP06000800A EP1655254B1 (de) 2002-06-13 2003-06-13 Verfahren zur Verarbeitung von Post in einem Kuvertiersystem

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US209019 1988-06-20
US38894502P 2002-06-13 2002-06-13
US388945P 2002-06-13
US10/209,019 US6688593B1 (en) 2002-07-31 2002-07-31 Envelope transport turn module and ramp for an output portion of an inserter system

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CN116835290B (zh) * 2023-06-06 2024-05-03 麦格纳汽车镜像(天津)有限公司 一种零部件运输转弯装置

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US209016A (en) 1878-10-15 Improvement in electric apparatus for gas-burners
DE524089C (de) * 1928-02-23 1931-05-01 C Aug Schmidt Soehne Wendevorrichtung fuer Rinnenfoerderanlagen
DE863923C (de) * 1942-07-29 1953-01-22 Mix & Genest Ag Eckumfuehrung fuer Bandfoerderanlagen mit durchgehendem Foerderband fuer hochkant stehendes Foerdergut
DE912318C (de) * 1950-10-31 1954-05-28 Bruno Horstenke Bandfoerderanlage zum Verteilen von Briefen, Telegrammen u. dgl.
DE965210C (de) * 1952-06-15 1957-06-06 Standard Elek K Ag Einrichtung zur senkrechten Foerderung flacher, hochkantstehender Gegenstaende, wie Briefe, Postkarten u. dgl.
DE1984079U (de) * 1967-05-08 1968-04-18 Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag In eine hochkantfoerderanlage geschalteter pufferspeicher.
US4863037A (en) * 1986-09-05 1989-09-05 Opex Corporation Apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail and the like
US5429249A (en) 1993-11-15 1995-07-04 Pitney Bowes Inc. On-line sorting for an inserter system
US5368287A (en) 1993-11-15 1994-11-29 Pitney Bowes Inc. Ninety degree turn-up apparatus
US5411250A (en) * 1993-11-15 1995-05-02 Pitney Bowes Inc. Turn-up and alignment apparatus
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DE19824251C1 (de) * 1998-05-29 1999-12-30 Siemens Ag Transporteinrichtung zur Umlenkung von flachen Sendungen

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CA2432236C (en) 2010-01-19
DE60321270D1 (de) 2008-07-10
DE60322975D1 (de) 2008-09-25
EP1371586A2 (de) 2003-12-17
EP1371586A3 (de) 2004-10-20
CA2432236A1 (en) 2003-12-13

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