EP1474249A1 - Method for processing flat deliveries in delivery containers - Google Patents
Method for processing flat deliveries in delivery containersInfo
- Publication number
- EP1474249A1 EP1474249A1 EP03769215A EP03769215A EP1474249A1 EP 1474249 A1 EP1474249 A1 EP 1474249A1 EP 03769215 A EP03769215 A EP 03769215A EP 03769215 A EP03769215 A EP 03769215A EP 1474249 A1 EP1474249 A1 EP 1474249A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- container
- sorting
- buffer memory
- empty
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
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
- B07C3/008—Means for collecting objects, e.g. containers for sorted mail items
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S209/00—Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
- Y10S209/90—Sorting flat-type mail
Definitions
- the invention relates to a method for processing flat mail items according to the preamble of claim 1.
- the invention has for its object to provide a generic method in which fixed identification identifiers of consignment containers, into which the consignments are reloaded from the end points of consignment sorting systems, are assigned to the variable destination addresses of the end points with little effort and reliably, so that the identification identifiers for further process steps sorting, eg automatic application of a label or connection to a shipment container management system.
- the object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1.
- a confirmation element for the presence of a mail container is provided for each buffer memory belonging to a terminal. After a filled mail container has been removed from the respective buffer memory and the confirmation element has been reset to the empty state, an empty container is reloaded into this buffer memory.
- the identification identifier of the mail item container previously read by a reading device is assigned to the destination address or the destination address area assigned to this destination by the current sorting plan and stored. With this procedure, the identification identifiers of the shipment containers, e.g. in the form of RFID
- Labels are securely assigned to the current destination addresses of the relevant end points without each end point having to have a reader for identification codes.
- the reading device is blocked after reading the identification code until the next confirmation signal is triggered by the presence of a mailing container. This prevents the correct assignment of the identification identifier to the destination address being lost in the case of several surgeons who share a reading device. It is also advantageous to provide a presence sensor for mail item containers in the buffer store as the confirmation element. This automatically triggers a corresponding presence signal.
- a switching element to be actuated by the surgeon is located on the buffer store or at the assigned end point. This ensures semi-automatic operation, with the operator checking the degree of filling of the mail item container Feed and discharge can take into account.
- the mail sorting system advantageously also has a fully or semi-automatic feed device for empty mail containers. It is advantageous to provide one or more feed points for the empty mail containers, each equipped with a reading device for the identifiers of the mail containers. When the mailing containers for the entire sorting system or for certain areas are fed in, the respective identification codes are also read. This makes it possible to keep the routes of the surgeons short.
- the end points are assigned to the destination addresses according to the sorting plan of the next sorting run, so that the next sorting run can be started without interruption, for example using separating cards.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a mail sorting system.
- each terminal 2 has a buffer memory 4 for receiving a mail container 5 with a fixed identification identifier 9, into which the mail items 3 are reloaded from this terminal 2 when the terminal 2 is filled accordingly.
- the buffer stores 4 are normally located below the end points 2 and are only moved to the position shown in the drawing for a better explanation for all end points 2 for the reloading processes and new loading with shipment containers 3 on telescopic rails.
- a switching element 6 designed as a button
- a signal transmitter 7 designed as a lighting element which indicates whether the switching element 6 has been properly operated.
- a presence sensor 8 (designed as a light barrier) is arranged within the buffer store 4 and detects whether a mail item container 5 is located in the buffer store 2 or not.
- Each feed point 11 has a reading device 12 for the identification identifiers 9 of the mail item containers 3.
- These identification codes 9 can be both optically readable bar codes and RFID tags.
- the number of feed points 11 is determined depending on the number of end points 2 so that the surgeon or surgeons have to travel as short as possible.
- each feed point 11 with the reading device 12 is assigned a range of 4 end points 2.
- Another reason for the division is to secure the assignment of the read identification identifier 9 and terminal 2 or the corresponding destination address.
- the end point areas and the associated reading devices 12 are also assigned to certain operators. With overlapping assignments, i.e. Two operators are responsible for one area, the reading device 12 is blocked after reading an identification code 9 until the next confirmation signal about the new presence of a mail container 5 in a terminal 2 of this area is triggered.
- the mail items 3 are sorted into the end stations 2 during a sorting run. If an end point 2 is filled to approximately 2/3, the relevant buffer store 4 is pulled out, the mail items 3 are reloaded from the end point 2 into the mail item container 5 in the buffer store 4. Then the mailing container 5 is removed. Triggered by the signal change of the presence sensor 8, the signal transmitter / lighting element 7 goes out. The operator now removes an empty container 5 from the feed device 10 at the corresponding feed point 11, has the identification identifier 9 read by the reading device 12 and places it in the empty buffer memory 4 , in which the signal transmitter 7 signals no absence of the container.
- Consignment container 5 is assigned to the destination address assigned to this terminal 2 by the active sorting plan.
- the switching element 6 He then actuates the switching element 6, as a result of which the signal transmitter 7 again emits a light signal and, at the same time, the identification identifier 9 thereof Consignment container 5 is assigned to the destination address assigned to this terminal 2 by the active sorting plan.
- separating cards which identify the last mail 3 in each end 2 are brought into the end points 2 and the next sorting run is started without interruption. For this purpose, there is a change from the destination addresses assigned to the end points 2 according to the sorting plan of the previous sorting run to the target addresses according to the sorting plan of the new sorting run.
- the first actuation signals the presence of the mail container 5 that has just been read in the buffer memory 4 and the second actuation results in the new assignment of this terminal 2 to the destination address in accordance with the sorting plan of the new sorting run. This is done until everyone
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE10245873 | 2002-09-30 | ||
DE10245873 | 2002-09-30 | ||
PCT/DE2003/003210 WO2004030836A1 (en) | 2002-09-30 | 2003-09-26 | Method for processing flat deliveries in delivery containers |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1474249A1 true EP1474249A1 (en) | 2004-11-10 |
EP1474249B1 EP1474249B1 (en) | 2005-11-23 |
Family
ID=32049182
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03769215A Expired - Fee Related EP1474249B1 (en) | 2002-09-30 | 2003-09-26 | Method for processing flat deliveries in delivery containers |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7227094B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1474249B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006501061A (en) |
DE (1) | DE50301739D1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004030836A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050288947A1 (en) * | 2004-05-24 | 2005-12-29 | Mallonee Cynthia F | Method and system for tracking assets in a transportation network |
EP1799361A4 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2010-09-22 | Lockheed Corp | One-pass carrier delivery sequence sorter |
DE102004037364A1 (en) * | 2004-07-30 | 2006-03-23 | Deutsche Post Ag | Apparatus and method for providing container identification information when sorting mail |
WO2006063125A2 (en) * | 2004-12-07 | 2006-06-15 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Clamp for mixed mail sorter |
EP1865764A4 (en) * | 2005-04-07 | 2011-12-21 | Lockheed Corp | System for responding to fulfillment orders |
US8556260B2 (en) | 2006-05-26 | 2013-10-15 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Method for optimally loading objects into storage/transport containers |
US7820932B2 (en) | 2006-07-13 | 2010-10-26 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Mail sorter, method, and software product for a two-step and one-pass sorting algorithm |
US7778728B2 (en) * | 2006-07-13 | 2010-08-17 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Apparatus and method for positioning objects/mailpieces |
US7527261B2 (en) | 2006-07-13 | 2009-05-05 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein |
US7769765B2 (en) | 2006-07-25 | 2010-08-03 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Method and system for sorting mail |
US7947916B2 (en) | 2006-10-06 | 2011-05-24 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Mail sorter system and method for moving trays of mail to dispatch in delivery order |
US7937184B2 (en) | 2006-10-06 | 2011-05-03 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Mail sorter system and method for productivity optimization through precision scheduling |
FR2913614B1 (en) † | 2007-03-16 | 2009-04-10 | Solystic Sas | METHOD FOR SORTING FLIP / FLOP SENDS |
US8024063B2 (en) | 2007-08-17 | 2011-09-20 | Siemens Industry, Inc. | Process and system for tracking of mail |
US8608068B2 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2013-12-17 | Siemens Industry, Inc. | Mail processing tracking system and method |
WO2016077782A1 (en) | 2014-11-13 | 2016-05-19 | United States Postal Service | System and method of sorting and sequencing items |
CA3020604A1 (en) * | 2016-05-03 | 2017-11-09 | Opex Corporation | Material handling apparatus and method for sorting items using a dynamically configurable sorting array |
WO2017192824A1 (en) | 2016-05-06 | 2017-11-09 | United States Postal Service | System and method for sorting and delivering items |
US10974283B2 (en) | 2017-10-05 | 2021-04-13 | United States Postal Service | System and method of sorting and sequencing items |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2059472C (en) * | 1991-01-16 | 1997-11-18 | Dennis A. Mikel | On site destination label printing system for postal trays and sacks |
US5216620A (en) * | 1991-09-23 | 1993-06-01 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Requesting, reporting and verification system and method for mail carrier payment |
US5385243A (en) | 1992-05-20 | 1995-01-31 | Harnischfeger Engineers, Inc. | Modular system for automatically staging letters in connection with a letter sorting machine |
US5292008A (en) | 1992-10-28 | 1994-03-08 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postal tray label apparatus and method |
AU770962B2 (en) | 1999-03-09 | 2004-03-11 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Automatic tray-handling system for sorter |
US6953906B2 (en) | 1999-08-02 | 2005-10-11 | Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp. | Delivery point sequencing mail sorting system with flat mail capability |
DE19947259C1 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 2000-09-28 | Siemens Ag | Sorting packages involves changing/emptying containers when full, storing packages in same sequence, entering package data in database and re-ordering during subsequent sorting runs |
US6924451B2 (en) * | 2002-10-08 | 2005-08-02 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Method for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process |
US6881916B2 (en) * | 2003-02-13 | 2005-04-19 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Flats sequencing system and method of use |
-
2003
- 2003-09-26 JP JP2004540512A patent/JP2006501061A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2003-09-26 DE DE50301739T patent/DE50301739D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-09-26 WO PCT/DE2003/003210 patent/WO2004030836A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2003-09-26 EP EP03769215A patent/EP1474249B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-09-26 US US10/497,295 patent/US7227094B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO2004030836A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2004030836A1 (en) | 2004-04-15 |
US7227094B2 (en) | 2007-06-05 |
JP2006501061A (en) | 2006-01-12 |
US20050067329A1 (en) | 2005-03-31 |
EP1474249B1 (en) | 2005-11-23 |
DE50301739D1 (en) | 2005-12-29 |
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