EP1590285B1 - Narrow stacking compartment for flat postal items - Google Patents

Narrow stacking compartment for flat postal items Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1590285B1
EP1590285B1 EP04706658A EP04706658A EP1590285B1 EP 1590285 B1 EP1590285 B1 EP 1590285B1 EP 04706658 A EP04706658 A EP 04706658A EP 04706658 A EP04706658 A EP 04706658A EP 1590285 B1 EP1590285 B1 EP 1590285B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stacking
stack
compartment
postal items
emptying
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04706658A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1590285A1 (en
Inventor
Armin Zimmermann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
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Siemens AG
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP1590285A1 publication Critical patent/EP1590285A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1590285B1 publication Critical patent/EP1590285B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/30—Arrangements for removing completed piles
    • B65H31/3009—Arrangements for removing completed piles by dropping, e.g. removing the pile support from under the pile
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65H29/26—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by dropping the articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/04—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates
    • B65H31/06—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled on edge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H33/00—Forming counted batches in delivery pile or stream of articles
    • B65H33/16—Forming counted batches in delivery pile or stream of articles by depositing articles in batches on moving supports
    • B65H33/18—Forming counted batches in delivery pile or stream of articles by depositing articles in batches on moving supports with separators between adjacent batches
    • 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
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
    • B65H2301/4214—Forming a pile of articles on edge
    • B65H2301/42146—Forming a pile of articles on edge by introducing articles from above
    • 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
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/4224—Gripping piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/42242—Gripping piles, sets or stacks of articles by acting on the outermost articles of the pile for clamping the pile
    • 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
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/4226—Delivering, advancing piles
    • B65H2301/42261—Delivering, advancing piles by dropping
    • 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 invention relates to a stacking tray for flat items according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the stacking compartments In order subsequently to sort the items for the next distribution section of this or another postman, the stacking compartments must be emptied as quickly as possible and with little effort.
  • a stacking tray for flat broadcasts in a standing position with a stacking bottom, a stacking wall perpendicular thereto, a stacking point at which the mailings are directed into the stacking tray, and with a stacking support along the stacking wall, holding the stack of mail stacking support outside a draining process according to increasing stack thickness of the stacking point is movable away described.
  • a drive For emptying the stacking tray in the stacking direction before the stacking point by a drive also displaceable in the stacking direction push unit is arranged. During its shift, the mail stack is supported from below.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a stacking tray of the type mentioned, which is emptied quickly and automatically and which allows transport of the stack of mail from adjacent stacking compartments with the best possible retention of the stack formation for further processing.
  • the drive of the thrust unit is so controlled that the thrust unit moves to the narrow stack and the stack over the stack bottom out quickly moves and drive the stack support so controlled that the stack support and the thrust unit in the course of the emptying process to empty the stacking tray be moved simultaneously, the stack support covers a greater distance than the push unit.
  • the clamping of the stack between the pushing unit and the stacking support is released, so that the stack falls into the receiving device due to its gravity.
  • the drive of the thrust unit is controlled so that at the open end of the stacking tray on the thrust unit and thus on the mail stack an acceleration is exercised, due to the inertia of the shipments and the friction between the Broadcasts during the displacement of the stack of mail beyond the end of the stack bottom and during its fall on the receiving device does not allow a substantial change in formation within the mail stack.
  • a receiving conveyor with a section conveyor belt, inclined in the emptying direction from the vertical, for transporting the stacks of mail to an outfeed unit.
  • a section conveyor belt At the lower side boundary of the section conveyor while a narrow transport path is inclined at an angle of about 90 °, on which the broadcasts are supported with their narrow sides, whereby the maintenance of the orientation and orientation of the items is ensured among themselves.
  • the section conveyor belt stands still, with each section being assigned a stacking compartment. After emptying all stacking compartments on the section conveyor this is set in motion.
  • shipments for a particular area are to be sorted on individual delivery points. This is done in two Sorting machines 10,20, in which the shipments arrive via switches in the terminals.
  • a roller conveyor 11 mailing container 12 with broadcasts of the Verteil capablees the input part of the first sorting machine 10, consisting of a feeder bed 13 and a separating device 14, respectively. There they are unloaded and placed the shipments on the feeder bed 13 in an upright position. The consignment stack is then successively pushed to the separating device 14, where the respective foremost consignment is withdrawn.
  • each stacking tray 17 is associated with a particular group of delivery points.
  • the emptying of the stacking compartments 17 takes place in consignment containers 12, which are then transported via a further transport roller conveyor 18 to the input part 19 of the second sorting machine 20.
  • the mail items are sorted by the mailing section 21 in the sorting section 22 on the individual delivery points in the distribution order, that is to say in the order of dispatch.
  • the series adjacent to each other, designed as stacking compartments 23 terminals are assigned to the delivery points in the distribution order.
  • the emptied consignment containers are fed back to the first sorting machine 10 via an upper transport path 25 in order to load the sorted consignment groups from the stacking compartments 17 therein. Since in the second sorting machine 20 each delivery point is assigned a stacking tray 23, and therefore the shipment load for each stacking tray 23 is relatively small, they have a limited capacity (about 30 - 50 mm in length).
  • both the destination addresses and the thicknesses of each shipment are determined in the first sorting machine 10, it is therefore also known, if for a particular delivery point the total thickness of the mail exceeds the capacity of a stacker. In this case, two or more stackers are assigned to this delivery point.
  • the emptying of the stacking compartments 23 with upright shipments 12 on the section conveyor belt 24 is automatic and is in FIG. 2 a and b shown in more detail.
  • the mailpieces 2 are fed laterally into the stacking tray 23 as a terminal to a baffle, not shown, using a stacking roller 30 and held there on the stacking tray 31 upright by a powered stacking support 32 in the upright position.
  • a stacking roller 30 in addition to the stacking roller 30 further means, such as in EP 0 143 818 B1 described, are used.
  • the relatively fast movement of the stack support 32 and the thrust unit 34 is generated by corresponding drives 33,35, wherein the stack support 32 travels a greater distance, thereby canceling the clamping of the stack.
  • the drives 33,35 can be realized as known per se, for example as a linear drive or as a rack and pinion drive.
  • the thrust unit 34 is designed so that as evenly as possible on the surface of all broadcast formats a force can be initiated. Due to the rapid movement and the consequent shock-like force on the stack this is due to the inertia without significant change in formation pushed over the edge of the short shelf 31.
  • a narrow conveyor track 36 designed as a roller conveyor, inclined at an angle of approximately 90 °, is arranged on the lower side boundary, on which the items 2 are supported with their narrow sides.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a vertical narrow stacking compartment for flat postal items, said compartment comprising a stacking bottom (31), a stacking stand, and a stack support element (32) which can be displaced in an approximately horizontal stacking direction and supports the stack of postal items. A driven pushing unit (34), which can also be displaced in the stacking direction, is arranged upstream of the stacking station in the stacking direction, for emptying the compartment. In order to empty said compartment, the drive (35) of the pushing unit (34) can be controlled in such a way that the pushing unit (34) rapidly moves the stack across the stacking bottom (31), and the drive (33) of the stack support element (32) can be controlled in such a way that the stack support element (32) covers a larger distance during the emptying process than the pushing unit (34).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Stapelfach für flache Sendungen nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruches 1.The invention relates to a stacking tray for flat items according to the preamble of claim 1.

Sollen die Sendungen bis auf die Zustellpunkte eines Postboten in der Verteilreihenfolge sortiert werden, so sind aufgrund des Sendungsanfalles für den letzten Sortiergang nur schmale Stapelfächer, in welche die Sendungen einsortiert werden, notwendig ( JP 09-86771 A ).If the consignments are to be sorted in the distribution order up to the delivery points of a postman, then only narrow staple compartments, into which the consignments are sorted, are necessary due to the shipment load for the last sorting pass ( JP 09-86771 A ).

Um anschließend die Sendungen für den nächsten Verteilabschnitt dieses oder eines anderen Postboten zu sortieren, müssen die Stapelfächer möglichst schnell und aufwandsarm entleert werden.In order subsequently to sort the items for the next distribution section of this or another postman, the stacking compartments must be emptied as quickly as possible and with little effort.

In diesem Zusammenhang ist bekannt, zum Entleeren eines Stapelfaches für flache Sendungen eine Schubeinheit und eine Stapelstütze zum Klemmen und Ausschieben des Stapels vorzusehen ( WO 97/36 523 A1 ).In this connection, it is known to provide a pusher unit and a stacking support for clamping and pushing out the stack for emptying a stacking tray for flat mail items ( WO 97/36 523 A1 ).

Weiterhin wird in FR-A-2 680 121 ein Stapelfach für flache Sendungen in stehender Position, mit einem Stapelboden, einer dazu senkrechten Stapelwand, einer Einstapelstelle, an der die Sendungen in das Stapelfach geleitet werden, und mit einer in Stapelrichtung entlang der Stapelwand verschiebbaren, den Sendungsstapel haltenden Stapelstütze, die außerhalb eines Entleerungsvorganges entsprechend wachsender Stapeldicke von der Einstapelstelle weg bewegbar ist, beschrieben. Zum Entleeren des Stapelfaches ist in Einstapelrichtung vor der Einstapelstelle eine durch einen Antrieb ebenfalls in Stapelrichtung verschiebbare Schubeinheit angeordnet. Während seiner Verschiebung wird der Sendungsstapel von unten gestützt.Furthermore, in FR-A-2 680 121 a stacking tray for flat broadcasts in a standing position, with a stacking bottom, a stacking wall perpendicular thereto, a stacking point at which the mailings are directed into the stacking tray, and with a stacking support along the stacking wall, holding the stack of mail stacking support outside a draining process according to increasing stack thickness of the stacking point is movable away described. For emptying the stacking tray in the stacking direction before the stacking point by a drive also displaceable in the stacking direction push unit is arranged. During its shift, the mail stack is supported from below.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Stapelfach der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, das schnell und automatisch entleerbar ist und das einen Transport der Sendungsstapel aus nebeneinander liegenden Stapelfächern unter möglichst guter Beibehaltung der Stapelformation zur Weiterverarbeitung gestattet.The invention has for its object to provide a stacking tray of the type mentioned, which is emptied quickly and automatically and which allows transport of the stack of mail from adjacent stacking compartments with the best possible retention of the stack formation for further processing.

Erfindungsgemäß wird die Aufgabe durch ein Stapelfach mit den Merkmalen nach Anspruch 1 gelöst:According to the invention the object is achieved by a stacking tray having the features of claim 1:

Dabei ist zum Entleeren des Stapelfaches der Antrieb der Schubeinheit so ansteuerbar, dass sich die Schubeinheit auf den schmalen Stapel zu bewegt und den Stapel über den Stapelboden hinaus schnell verschiebt und ein Antrieb der Stapelstütze so ansteuerbar, dass die Stapelstütze und die Schubeinheit im Verlauf des Entleerungsvorganges gleichzeitig bewegt werden, wobei die Stapelstütze einen größeren Weg zurücklegt als die Schubeinheit. Dadurch wird die Klemmung des Stapels zwischen Schubeinheit und Stapelstütze aufgehoben, sodass der Stapel infolge seiner Schwerkraft in die Aufnahmevorrichtung fällt.In this case, the drive of the thrust unit is so controlled that the thrust unit moves to the narrow stack and the stack over the stack bottom out quickly moves and drive the stack support so controlled that the stack support and the thrust unit in the course of the emptying process to empty the stacking tray be moved simultaneously, the stack support covers a greater distance than the push unit. As a result, the clamping of the stack between the pushing unit and the stacking support is released, so that the stack falls into the receiving device due to its gravity.

Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen dargelegt.Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the subclaims.

So ist es vorteilhaft, im Stapelfach einen Füllstandssensor vorzusehen, der bei Erreichen einer festgelegten Stapeldicke ein Entleerungssignal erzeugt. Dieses Entleerungssignal wird an die Antriebssteuerungen der Schubeinheit und der Stapelstütze übertragen und löst die entsprechenden Bewegungsvorgänge aus. Dadurch wird auch ein Überlaufen des jeweiligen Stapelfaches verhindert.Thus, it is advantageous to provide a filling level sensor in the stacking compartment, which generates a discharge signal when a defined stack thickness is reached. This discharge signal is transmitted to the drive controls of the push unit and the stack support and triggers the corresponding movement processes. As a result, an overflow of the respective stacking tray is prevented.

Darüber hinaus ist es besonders vorteilhaft, dass der Antrieb der Schubeinheit so ansteuerbar ist, dass am offenen Ende des Stapelfaches auf die Schubeinheit und damit auf den Sendungsstapel eine Beschleunigung ausgeübt wird, die aufgrund der Massenträgheit der Sendungen und der Reibung zwischen den Sendungen während der Verschiebung des Sendungsstapels über das Ende des Stapelbodens hinaus und während seines Fallens auf die Aufnahmeeinrichtung keine wesentliche Formationsänderung innerhalb des Sendungsstapels zulässt.In addition, it is particularly advantageous that the drive of the thrust unit is controlled so that at the open end of the stacking tray on the thrust unit and thus on the mail stack an acceleration is exercised, due to the inertia of the shipments and the friction between the Broadcasts during the displacement of the stack of mail beyond the end of the stack bottom and during its fall on the receiving device does not allow a substantial change in formation within the mail stack.

Für mehrere nebeneinander befindliche Stapelfächer ist es vorteilhaft, als Aufnahmeeinrichtung ein in Entleerungsrichtung aus der Vertikalen geneigtes Abschnittsförderband zum Transport der Sendungsstapel zu einer Auslieferungseinheit vorzusehen. An der unteren Seitenbegrenzung des Abschnittsförderbandes ist dabei eine schmale Transportbahn geneigt im Winkel von ca. 90° angeordnet, auf der sich die Sendungen mit ihren Schmalseiten abstützen, wodurch die Beibehaltung der Ausrichtung und Orientierung der Sendungen untereinander sichergestellt wird. Solange nicht alle Stapelfächer entleert sind, steht das Abschnittsförderband still, wobei jedem Abschnitt ein Stapelfach zugeordnet ist. Nach Entleerung aller Stapelfächer auf das Abschnittsförderband wird dieses in Bewegung gesetzt.For a plurality of stacking compartments located next to one another, it is advantageous to provide a receiving conveyor with a section conveyor belt, inclined in the emptying direction from the vertical, for transporting the stacks of mail to an outfeed unit. At the lower side boundary of the section conveyor while a narrow transport path is inclined at an angle of about 90 °, on which the broadcasts are supported with their narrow sides, whereby the maintenance of the orientation and orientation of the items is ensured among themselves. As long as not all stacking compartments are emptied, the section conveyor belt stands still, with each section being assigned a stacking compartment. After emptying all stacking compartments on the section conveyor this is set in motion.

Anschließend wird die Erfindung in einem Ausführungsbeispiel anhand der Zeichnung näher erläutert.Subsequently, the invention will be explained in more detail in an embodiment with reference to the drawing.

Dabei zeigen

FIG 1
eine perspektivische Darstellung von zwei kaskadierten Sortiermaschinen, bei denen die Sendungen über Weichen in Stapelfächer geleitet werden;
FIG 2a,b
eine seitliche Schnittdarstellung eines Stapelfaches mit Entleerungsvorrichtung und die sortierten Sendungsstapel abtransportierendem Abschnittsförderband mit vollem Stapelfach (a) und mit entleertem Stapelfach (b).
Show
FIG. 1
a perspective view of two cascaded sorting machines, in which the programs are routed via switches in stacking compartments;
FIG. 2a, b
a sectional side view of a stacking tray with emptying device and the sorted consignment stack transporting section conveyor belt with a full stacking tray (a) and with emptied stacking tray (b).

In dem Beispiel sind Sendungen für ein bestimmtes Gebiet auf einzeln Zustellpunkte zu sortieren. Dies erfolgt auf zwei Sortiermaschinen 10,20, in denen die Sendungen über Weichen in die Endstellen gelangen. Über eine Rollentransportbahn 11 werden Sendungsbehälter 12 mit Sendungen des Verteilgebietes dem Eingangsteil der ersten Sortiermaschine 10, bestehend aus einem Feederbett 13 und einer Vereinzelungsvorrichtung 14, zugeführt. Dort werden sie entladen und die Sendungen auf das Feederbett 13 in aufrechter Position gestellt. Der Sendungsstapel wird dann sukzessive zur Vereinzelungsvorrichtung 14 geschoben, wo die jeweils vorderste Sendung abgezogen wird. Nach dem Ausrichten und Lesen der Zieladresse werden die vereinzelten Sendungen über eine Brieflaufstrecke 15 dem Sortierteil 16 zugeführt, in welchem die Sendungen über entsprechend der gelesenen Zieladresse angesteuerte Weichen in nebeneinander liegende, als Stapelfächer 17 ausgebildete Endstellen sortiert werden. Jedes Stapelfach 17 ist einer bestimmten Gruppe von Zustellpunkten zugeordnet.In the example, shipments for a particular area are to be sorted on individual delivery points. This is done in two Sorting machines 10,20, in which the shipments arrive via switches in the terminals. About a roller conveyor 11 mailing container 12 with broadcasts of the Verteilgebietes the input part of the first sorting machine 10, consisting of a feeder bed 13 and a separating device 14, respectively. There they are unloaded and placed the shipments on the feeder bed 13 in an upright position. The consignment stack is then successively pushed to the separating device 14, where the respective foremost consignment is withdrawn. After aligning and reading the destination address, the individual items are sent via a letter line 15 to the sorting section 16, in which the items are sorted via switches, which are controlled according to the read destination address, into adjacent end positions designed as stacking compartments 17. Each stacking tray 17 is associated with a particular group of delivery points.

Wurden alle Sendungen für das aktuelle Gebiet einsortiert, so erfolgt das Entleeren der Stapelfächer 17 in Sendungsbehälter 12, die dann über eine weitere Transportrollenbahn 18 zum Eingangsteil 19 der zweiten Sortiermaschine 20 transportiert werden. In dieser Sortiermaschine 20 werden die Sendungen nach der Brieflaufstrecke 21 im Sortierteil 22 sendungsgruppenweise auf die einzelnen Zustellpunkte in der Verteilreihenfolge sortiert, d.h. die in Reihe nebeneinander liegenden, als Stapelfächer 23 ausgebildeten Endstellen sind in der Verteilreihenfolge den Zustellpunkten zugeordnet. Die entleerten Sendungsbehälter werden über eine obere Transportbahn 25 der ersten Sortiermaschine 10 wieder zugeführt, um darin die sortierten Sendungsgruppen aus den Stapelfächern 17 einzuladen. Da in der zweiten Sortiermaschine 20 jedem Zustellpunkt ein Stapelfach 23 zugeordnet ist, und daher der Sendungsanfall für jedes Stapelfach 23 relativ gering ist, haben sie ein begrenztes Fassungsvermögen (ca. 30 - 50 mm Länge).Were all consignments sorted for the current area, the emptying of the stacking compartments 17 takes place in consignment containers 12, which are then transported via a further transport roller conveyor 18 to the input part 19 of the second sorting machine 20. In this sorting machine 20, the mail items are sorted by the mailing section 21 in the sorting section 22 on the individual delivery points in the distribution order, that is to say in the order of dispatch. the series adjacent to each other, designed as stacking compartments 23 terminals are assigned to the delivery points in the distribution order. The emptied consignment containers are fed back to the first sorting machine 10 via an upper transport path 25 in order to load the sorted consignment groups from the stacking compartments 17 therein. Since in the second sorting machine 20 each delivery point is assigned a stacking tray 23, and therefore the shipment load for each stacking tray 23 is relatively small, they have a limited capacity (about 30 - 50 mm in length).

Da in der ersten Sortiermaschine 10 sowohl die Zieladressen als auch die Dicken jeder Sendung ermittelt werden, ist es also auch bekannt, falls für einen bestimmten Zustellpunkt die Gesamtdicke der Sendungen das Fassungsvermögen eines Stapelfaches übersteigt. In diesem Fall werden diesem Zustellpunkt zwei oder mehr Stapelfächer zugeordnet.Since both the destination addresses and the thicknesses of each shipment are determined in the first sorting machine 10, it is therefore also known, if for a particular delivery point the total thickness of the mail exceeds the capacity of a stacker. In this case, two or more stackers are assigned to this delivery point.

Die Entleerung der Stapelfächer 23 mit aufrecht stehenden Sendungen 12 auf das Abschnittsförderband 24 erfolgt automatisch und ist in FIG 2 a und b näher dargestellt.The emptying of the stacking compartments 23 with upright shipments 12 on the section conveyor belt 24 is automatic and is in FIG. 2 a and b shown in more detail.

Wie zu erkennen, werden die Sendungen 2 unter Verwendung einer Stapelrolle 30 an der Einstapelstelle seitlich in das Stapelfach 23 als Endstelle bis zu einer nicht dargestellten Prallwand geleitet und dort auf dem Stapelboden 31 stehend von einer angetriebenen Stapelstütze 32 in der aufrechten Position gehalten. Zur Verbesserung des Einstapelvorganges können neben der Stapelrolle 30 noch weitere Mittel, wie z.B. in EP 0 143 818 B1 beschrieben, eingesetzt werden. Mit steigender Stapeldicke bewegt sich die Stapelstütze 32 von der Einstapelstelle weg entsprechend der gemessenen Sendungsdicke (angetrieben durch einen Antrieb 33 der Stapelstütze 32) oder entsprechend eines bestimmten Stapeldruckes gegen die Federkraft einer nicht dargestellten Feder (max. Hub = Fachtiefe). Befinden sich alle vorgesehenen Sendungen 2 in dem Stapelfach 23, so werden gleichzeitig die Stapelstütze 32 und eine im Ruhezustand in Einstapelrichtung vor der Einstapelstelle befindliche Schubeinheit 34 von der Einstapelstelle weg über das offene Ende des Stapelfaches 23 hinaus bewegt.As can be seen, the mailpieces 2 are fed laterally into the stacking tray 23 as a terminal to a baffle, not shown, using a stacking roller 30 and held there on the stacking tray 31 upright by a powered stacking support 32 in the upright position. To improve the stacking process, in addition to the stacking roller 30 further means, such as in EP 0 143 818 B1 described, are used. With increasing stack thickness, the stack support 32 moves away from the stacking point according to the measured mailing thickness (driven by a drive 33 of the stack support 32) or corresponding to a particular stack pressure against the spring force of a spring, not shown (max lift = compartment depth). If all the programs 2 provided are in the stacking compartment 23, the stacking support 32 and a pusher unit 34 located in the stacking direction in the stowing position in the rest position are simultaneously moved beyond the open end of the stacking compartment 23 away from the stacking station.

Die relativ schnelle Bewegung der Stapelstütze 32 und der Schubeinheit 34 wird durch entsprechende Antriebe 33,35 erzeugt, wobei die Stapelstütze 32 einen größeren Weg zurücklegt und dadurch die Klemmung des Stapels aufhebt. Die Antriebe 33,35 können wie an sich bekannt, z.B. als Linearantrieb oder als Zahnstangenantrieb realisiert werden. Die Schubeinheit 34 ist so ausgebildet, dass möglichst gleichmäßig auf die Fläche aller Sendungsformate eine Kraft eingeleitet werden kann. Durch die schnelle Bewegung und die daraus folgende stoßartige Krafteinleitung auf den Stapel wird dieser infolge der Massenträgheit ohne wesentliche Formationsänderung über die Kante des kurzen Fachbodens 31 geschoben. Da die Klemmung des Stapels aufgehoben ist, fällt der Stapel infolge der Schwerkraft auf das außerhalb der Stapelfächer 23 unterhalb der Stapelböden 31 befindliche, in Entleerungsrichtung aus der Vertikalen geneigte, stillstehende Abschnittsförderband 24 zum Transport der Sendungsstapel in den Abschnitten zu der Auslieferungseinheit. Damit die Sendungen vom Abschnittsförderband 24 nicht nach unten wegrutschen, ist an dessen unterer Seitenbegrenzung eine schmale als Rollenbahn ausgeführte Transportbahn 36, geneigt im Winkel von annähernd 90°, angeordnet, auf der sich die Sendungen 2 mit ihren Schmalseiten abstützen. Sobald alle Stapelfächer 23 entleert sind, wird das Abschnittsförderband 24 solange in Bewegung gesetzt, bis alle Sendungsstapel an die Auslieferungseinheit übergeben wurden.The relatively fast movement of the stack support 32 and the thrust unit 34 is generated by corresponding drives 33,35, wherein the stack support 32 travels a greater distance, thereby canceling the clamping of the stack. The drives 33,35 can be realized as known per se, for example as a linear drive or as a rack and pinion drive. The thrust unit 34 is designed so that as evenly as possible on the surface of all broadcast formats a force can be initiated. Due to the rapid movement and the consequent shock-like force on the stack this is due to the inertia without significant change in formation pushed over the edge of the short shelf 31. Since the clamping of the stack is canceled, the stack falls due to gravity on the outside of the stacking compartments 23 below the stack trays 31 located in the emptying direction from the vertical inclined stationary section conveyor 24 for transporting the stacks of mail in the sections to the delivery unit. So that the shipments do not slip away from the section conveyor 24, a narrow conveyor track 36 designed as a roller conveyor, inclined at an angle of approximately 90 °, is arranged on the lower side boundary, on which the items 2 are supported with their narrow sides. As soon as all stacking compartments 23 have been emptied, the section conveyor 24 is set in motion until all consignment stacks have been transferred to the delivery unit.

Claims (4)

  1. Stacking compartment for flat postal items stacked in an upright position, said stacking compartment having a stacking base (31), a stacking wall which is disposed vertically thereto and against which the postal items (2) in the stacking compartment (23) rest, and a stacking station at which the postal items (2) are guided into the stacking compartment (23), and having a stack support element (32) which supports the stack of postal items and is movable in an approximately horizontal stacking direction along the stacking wall and which outside of the emptying time is movable away from the stacking station accordingly as the stack increases in thickness, wherein the stacking compartment (23) is open at the end opposite the stacking station, wherein there is arranged in the stacking direction upstream of the stacking station a driven pusher unit (34) which is also movable in the stacking direction and serves for emptying the stacking compartment and wherein a receiving device (24,36) collecting the stack of postal items from the stacking compartment (23) is provided outside of the stacking compartment (23) at its open end in the stacking direction underneath the stacking base (31), characterised in that for emptying purposes the drive (35) of the pusher unit (34) can be controlled in such a way that the pusher unit (34) moves toward the narrow stack and rapidly pushes the stack out over the stacking base (31) and a drive (33) of the stack support element (32) can be controlled in such a way that the stack support element (32) and the pusher unit (34) are moved simultaneously in the course of the emptying process, wherein the stack support element (32) travels a greater distance than the pusher unit (34) and thereby prevents the stack from becoming jammed, with the result that the stack drops into the receiving device (24,36) due to gravity.
  2. Stacking compartment according to claim 1, characterised in that the stacking compartment (23) contains a fill level sensor which, when a specified stack thickness is reached, generates an emptying signal which is transmitted to the drive controllers (33,35) of the pusher unit (34) and the stack support element (32).
  3. Stacking compartment according to claim 3, characterised in that the drive (35) of the pusher unit (34) can be controlled in such a way that at the open end of the stacking compartment (23) an acceleration force is applied to the pusher unit (34) and consequently to the stack of postal items which, on account of the mass inertia of the postal items (2) and the friction between the postal items (2) during the displacement of the postal item stack out over the end of the stacking base (31) and during its drop onto the receiving device (24,36), allows no significant change in formation within the stack of postal items.
  4. Stacking compartment according to claim 1, characterised in that for a plurality of adjacently disposed stacking compartments (23) a sectional conveyor belt (24) inclined from the vertical in the emptying direction is provided as receiving device (24,36) for the purpose of transporting the stack of postal items to a distribution unit, there being disposed at the lower lateral boundary of said sectional conveyor belt a narrow conveyor track (36) inclined at an angle of approximately 90° on which the postal items (2) are supported by their narrow sides, wherein the sectional conveyor belt (24) remains stationary until all of the stacking compartments (23) are emptied and each stacking compartment (23) is assigned a section, and the sectional conveyor belt (24) is set in motion after all the stacking compartments (23) have been emptied.
EP04706658A 2003-01-31 2004-01-30 Narrow stacking compartment for flat postal items Expired - Lifetime EP1590285B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10303979A DE10303979B3 (en) 2003-01-31 2003-01-31 Letter stack compartment for mail sorting machine with driven displacement device infront of stacking point for rapid emptying of stack compartment
DE10303979 2003-01-31
PCT/EP2004/000841 WO2004067425A1 (en) 2003-01-31 2004-01-30 Narrow stacking compartment for flat postal items

Publications (2)

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EP1590285A1 EP1590285A1 (en) 2005-11-02
EP1590285B1 true EP1590285B1 (en) 2010-04-14

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EP04706658A Expired - Lifetime EP1590285B1 (en) 2003-01-31 2004-01-30 Narrow stacking compartment for flat postal items

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US (1) US7029225B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1590285B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2006516471A (en)
CN (1) CN100556780C (en)
DE (2) DE10303979B3 (en)
WO (1) WO2004067425A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20040161328A1 (en) 2004-08-19
EP1590285A1 (en) 2005-11-02
JP2006516471A (en) 2006-07-06
CN100556780C (en) 2009-11-04
US7029225B2 (en) 2006-04-18
DE502004011033D1 (en) 2010-05-27
WO2004067425A1 (en) 2004-08-12
CN1753822A (en) 2006-03-29
DE10303979B3 (en) 2004-07-08

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