EP1620210A1 - Method and device for orienting flat items of mail towards a narrow edge - Google Patents

Method and device for orienting flat items of mail towards a narrow edge

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Publication number
EP1620210A1
EP1620210A1 EP04723186A EP04723186A EP1620210A1 EP 1620210 A1 EP1620210 A1 EP 1620210A1 EP 04723186 A EP04723186 A EP 04723186A EP 04723186 A EP04723186 A EP 04723186A EP 1620210 A1 EP1620210 A1 EP 1620210A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
channel
conveyor
conveyor channel
shipment
item
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP04723186A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1620210B1 (en
Inventor
Michael Schwarzbauer
Rainer Vogel
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
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
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
Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP1620210A1 publication Critical patent/EP1620210A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1620210B1 publication Critical patent/EP1620210B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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
    • B07C1/00—Measures preceding sorting according to destination
    • B07C1/02—Forming articles into a stream; Arranging articles in a stream, e.g. spacing, orientating
    • B07C1/06—Orientating; Aligning ; Aligning to one 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
    • 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
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/30—Orientation, displacement, position of the handled material
    • B65H2301/32—Orientation of handled material
    • B65H2301/321—Standing 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
    • 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
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B65H2511/13—Thickness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/20—Location in space
    • B65H2511/22—Distance
    • B65H2511/224—Nip between rollers, between belts or between rollers and 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
    • 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 method and a device for aligning flat mail items on a narrow side according to the preambles of claims 1 and 3.
  • the alignment section is designed for a limited range of goods with regard to the thickness, ie either for letters and cards or large letters, magazines etc. If a large range of thicknesses is to be processed, i.e. both thin letters and magazines or magazines, the distance between the lateral boundaries must be of the transport channel can be designed for the maximum consignment thickness. Thin consignments with low inherent rigidity can then at least partially collapse when passing through the much wider conveying channel. When transferring to the subsequent transport route to the process devices If this is not the case, the alignment is missing, transport malfunctions, damage to the consignments and reading errors can result.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a method and an apparatus for aligning flat mail items on a narrow side with a U-shaped conveyor channel, in which the mail items are transported standing on a narrow side without lateral clamping, with which both thick and thin mail items with low stiffness can be aligned without the thin soft mail items collapsing.
  • the object is solved by the features of claims 1 and 3.
  • their thickness is measured.
  • the distances of the lateral boundaries or of the boundary sections are changed by means of adjustment mechanisms for each consignment in such a way that the consignment at the end of the conveying channel is aligned on the lower narrow side due to its gravity and the distance of the lateral boundaries of the conveying channel from each consignment during its transport through the
  • the delivery channel is only so large that it does not collapse, or does not partially collapse, even with low inherent rigidity.
  • the conveyor channel If several consignments are to pass through the conveyor channel at the same time, it is advantageous to flexibly design the side boundaries. From the known transport speed and a detected front and / or rear edge, the shipment length and the position of each shipment during its transport through the conveyor channel are determined as a function of time, and with this data the flexible side boundaries over the length of the conveyor channel at their intervals changed to each other for each shipment so that the side boundary sections adapted to the respective shipment thicknesses and lengths move along with the shipments like standing waves.
  • driven rollers are provided as side boundaries of the conveying channel, between which guide plates attached to the bearings of the rollers are provided, the circumferential speed of these rollers corresponding to the transport speed of the underfloor belt.
  • the adjusting mechanism adjusts all the rollers together by the same amount, which means that the adjusting mechanism can be implemented very inexpensively.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a generic device with lateral conveyor belts guided over rollers, the position of the rollers being separately adjustable on one side
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a generic device with lateral conveyor belts guided over rollers, with the rollers on one Page can be adjusted jointly and uniformly in their position.
  • a consignment 2 is transported by means of transfer rollers 11, 12, at least one of which is driven and one is mounted so that it can move locally and is pressed in the direction of the other transfer roller with low tension by means of a spring element (not shown), for alignment supplied, the driven underfloor belt is not shown for the sake of clarity.
  • the movably mounted transfer roller 12 is pressed outwards by the mail item 2. This movement is evaluated by a thickness sensor 13, the measured value of which is fed to a control unit 15.
  • the lateral boundaries of the conveying channel consist of lateral conveyor belts 4 which are guided over rollers 5, 6 and run at the same speed as the underfloor belt, one of the rollers 5, 6 being driven in each case.
  • the rollers 5 of the lateral conveyor belt 4 on the side of the locally fixed transfer roller 11 are also arranged locally.
  • the corresponding rollers 6 of the lateral conveyor belt 4 on the other side of the conveyor channel 3 after the locally movable transfer roller 12 are movably and rotatably mounted on roller levers 7.
  • the roller levers 7 can be pivoted about a pivot point 8 and are held in a rest position with the narrowest channel width provided by means of compression springs 10.
  • the swiveling movements are in each case released by a servomotor with an eccentric 9 acting on the roller lever 7.
  • a light barrier 14 which is also connected to the control unit 15. With the light barrier 14 which detects the front and rear edges of the items 1, 2 and the known transport speed, the position of each item 1, 2, its length and, via the thickness sensor 13, its thickness is determined in the control unit 15. Accordingly, control signals are transmitted to the connected actuators with the eccentrics 9. The eccentrics are thus adjusted and the roller levers 7 are pivoted in such a way that the rollers 6 move outwards with the conveyor belt 4 and each item 1, 2 is transported through the conveyor.
  • the channel 3 finds a channel width that is slightly larger than its greatest thickness. The items 1, 2 can thus pass through the conveying channel 3 without clamping and align themselves on their lower narrow side, but cannot collapse.
  • the roller 6 at the conveyor channel entrance is correspondingly moved outwards shortly before the consignment leading edge has reached the conveyor channel entrance. This can therefore only happen after the rear edge of the consignment 1 in front has left the entrance area.
  • Each locally movable roller 6 is moved in accordance with the thickness of the mail item 1, 2 located in its area. This creates a kind of movement of standing waves at this side boundary, which move with the programs 1, 2.
  • the conveying channel 3 is set to the measured mail item thickness plus a fixed value which guarantees jam-free transport while avoiding flexible mail items 1, 2 which collapse. Due to the common adjustment via the push rod 16, the restoration into the rest position only has to be carried out on a roller lever 7 by means of an attacking compression spring 10.
  • the adjustment of the lateral conveyor belts 4 can of course also be carried out with other drives which are familiar to the person skilled in the art.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for orienting flat items of mail towards a narrow edge in a U-shaped conveying channel (3) in which they are conveyed in an upright position and without being jammed. Before the items (1, 2) pass the conveying channel (3) for the purpose of alignment, their thickness is measured. The distances of the lateral limit stops or limiting sections are changed by means of adjusting mechanisms (7, 8, 9, 10) for every item of mail (1, 2) in such a manner that at the end of the conveying channel, the item is oriented towards its lower narrow edge by virtue of its own gravity and the distance of the lateral limit stops (4) of the conveying channel (3) from every item of mail (1, 2) during transport through the conveying channel (3) is only wide enough for the item not to collapse at all nor to collapse partially even if its intrinsic stiffness is poor.

Description

Beschreibungdescription
Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von flachen Sendungen auf eine SchmalseiteMethod and device for aligning flat mail items on a narrow side
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von flachen Sendungen auf eine Schmalseite nach den Oberbegriffen der Ansprüche 1 und 3.The invention relates to a method and a device for aligning flat mail items on a narrow side according to the preambles of claims 1 and 3.
Im Eingangsteil von Sendungssortiermaschinen werden Sendungs- Stapel automatisch vereinzelt, indem die jeweils vorderste aufrechtstehende Sendung abgezogen wird. Die einzelnen Sendungen werden dann nacheinander in aufrechter Stellung zu Prozessgeräten, wie Adresslesern und Druckern, transportiert. Dabei dürfen die Sendungen an den Prozessgeräten v/eder verdreht noch höhenversetzt sein. Da dies aber nach dem Vereinzeln häufig der Fall ist, durchlaufen die Sendungen nach dem Vereinzeln eine Ausrichtstrecke, (vgl. DE 1 116 602 A, DE 37 09 659 C2 , DE 195 28 829 C2 , FR 2 692 565 AI) Diese bestehen bei DE 1 116 602 A, DE 37 09 659 C2 ,In the input section of mail sorting machines, mail batches are automatically separated by subtracting the foremost upright mail item. The individual consignments are then successively transported in an upright position to process devices such as address readers and printers. The consignments on the process devices may be twisted or offset in height. However, since this is often the case after the separation, the mail items pass through an alignment section after separation, (cf. DE 1 116 602 A, DE 37 09 659 C2, DE 195 28 829 C2, FR 2 692 565 AI) DE 1 116 602 A, DE 37 09 659 C2,
DE 195 28 829 C2 und FR 2 692 565 AI aus einem offenen u-förmigen Förderkanal, in dem die Sendungen stehend ohne seitliche Pressung transportiert werden. Dabei werden die Sendungen während des Durchlaufens der Ausrichtstrecke durch ihre Schwerkraft auf die untere Schmalseite (Unterkante) ausgerichtet. Die Ausrichtstrecke ist dabei auf ein eingeschränktes Gutspektrum hinsichtlich der Dicke ausgelegt, d.h. entweder für Briefe und Karten oder Großbriefe, Zeitschriften usw. Soll aber ein großes Dickenspektrum verarbeitet werden, d.h. sowohl dünne Briefe als auch Magazine oder Zeitschriften, so muss der Abstand der seitlichen Begrenzungen des Transportkanals auf die maximale Sendungsdicke ausgelegt sein. Dünne Sendungen mit geringer Eigensteifigkeit können dann aber beim Durchlaufen des wesentlich breiteren Förderkanals mindestens teilweise in sich zusammenfallen. Bei der Übergabe an die nachfolgende Transportstrecke zu den Prozeεsgeräten fehlt dann die Ausrichtung, TransportStörungen, Beschädigungen der Sendungen und Lesefehler können die Folge sein.DE 195 28 829 C2 and FR 2 692 565 AI from an open U-shaped conveying channel in which the mail items are transported standing without lateral pressure. The mail items are aligned by their gravity on the lower narrow side (lower edge) as they pass through the alignment section. The alignment section is designed for a limited range of goods with regard to the thickness, ie either for letters and cards or large letters, magazines etc. If a large range of thicknesses is to be processed, i.e. both thin letters and magazines or magazines, the distance between the lateral boundaries must be of the transport channel can be designed for the maximum consignment thickness. Thin consignments with low inherent rigidity can then at least partially collapse when passing through the much wider conveying channel. When transferring to the subsequent transport route to the process devices If this is not the case, the alignment is missing, transport malfunctions, damage to the consignments and reading errors can result.
Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von flachen Sendungen auf eine Schmalseite mit einem u-förmigen Förderkanal, in dem die Sendungen auf einer Schmalseite stehend ohne seitliche Klemmung transportiert werden, zu schaffen, mit denen sowohl dicke als auch dünne Sendungen mit geringer Steifigkeit ausge- richtet werden können, ohne dass die dünnen weichen Sendungen in sich zusammenfallen.The invention has for its object to provide a method and an apparatus for aligning flat mail items on a narrow side with a U-shaped conveyor channel, in which the mail items are transported standing on a narrow side without lateral clamping, with which both thick and thin mail items with low stiffness can be aligned without the thin soft mail items collapsing.
Erfindungsgemäß wird die Aufgabe durch die Merkmale der Ansprüche 1 und 3 gelöst . Dabei wird, bevor die Sendungen den Förderkanal zum Ausrichten durchlaufen, ihre Dicke gemessen. Danach werden die Abstände der seitlichen Begrenzungen oder von Begrenzungsabschnitten mittels Verstellmechanismen für jede Sendung so verändert, dass die Sendung am Ende des Förderkanals aufgrund ihrer Schwerkraft auf der unteren Schmalseite ausgerichtet ist und der Abstand der seitlichen Begrenzungen des Förderkanals von jeder Sendung während ihres Transportes durch den Förderkanal nur so groß ist, dass sie auch bei geringer Eigensteifigkeit nicht oder auch nicht teilweise in sich zusam- menfällt.According to the invention the object is solved by the features of claims 1 and 3. Before the mail items pass through the conveying channel for alignment, their thickness is measured. Then the distances of the lateral boundaries or of the boundary sections are changed by means of adjustment mechanisms for each consignment in such a way that the consignment at the end of the conveying channel is aligned on the lower narrow side due to its gravity and the distance of the lateral boundaries of the conveying channel from each consignment during its transport through the The delivery channel is only so large that it does not collapse, or does not partially collapse, even with low inherent rigidity.
Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen dargelegt .Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the subclaims.
Sollen gleichzeitig mehrere Sendungen den Förderkanal durchlaufen, so ist es vorteilhaft, die Seitenbegrenzungen flexibel auszuführen. Aus der bekannten Transportgeschwindigkeit und einer detektierten Vorder- und/oder Hinterkante werden die Sendungslänge und die Lage jeder Sendung während ihres Transportes durch den Förderkanal in Abhängigkeit von der Zeit ermittelt und mit diesen Daten die flexiblen Seitenbegrenzungen über die Länge des Förderkanals in ihren Abständen zueinander für jede Sendung so verändert, dass die an die jeweiligen Sendungsdicken und -längen angepassten Seitenbegrenzungsabschnitte wie stehende Wellen mit den Sendungen mitwandern.If several consignments are to pass through the conveyor channel at the same time, it is advantageous to flexibly design the side boundaries. From the known transport speed and a detected front and / or rear edge, the shipment length and the position of each shipment during its transport through the conveyor channel are determined as a function of time, and with this data the flexible side boundaries over the length of the conveyor channel at their intervals changed to each other for each shipment so that the side boundary sections adapted to the respective shipment thicknesses and lengths move along with the shipments like standing waves.
Vorteilhaft ist es auch, als flexible und sendungsschonende Seitenbegrenzungen des Förderkanals über Rollen geführte, mit der gleichen Geschwindigkeit wie das Unterflurband umlaufende, seitliche Transportbänder vorzusehen.It is also advantageous to provide lateral conveyor belts running at the same speed as the underfloor belt as flexible and shipment-protecting side delimitations of the conveyor channel via rollers.
In einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausführungsvariante sind als Seitenbegrenzungen des Förderkanals angetriebene Rollen vorgesehen, zwischen denen an den Lagerungen der Rollen befestigte Leitbleche angebracht sind, wobei die Umfangsgeschwin- digkeit dieser Rollen der Transportgeschwindigkeit des Unterflurbandes entspricht .In a further advantageous embodiment, driven rollers are provided as side boundaries of the conveying channel, between which guide plates attached to the bearings of the rollers are provided, the circumferential speed of these rollers corresponding to the transport speed of the underfloor belt.
Sind die Abstände zwischen den Sendungen so groß, dass sich in dem Förderkanal immer nur eine Sendung befindet, so ist es ausreichend, wenn der Verstellmechanismus jeweils alle Rollen gemeinsam um den gleichen Betrag verstellt, wodurch der Verstellmechanismus sehr kostengünstig realisierbar ist.If the distances between the items are so large that there is only ever one item in the conveyor channel, it is sufficient if the adjusting mechanism adjusts all the rollers together by the same amount, which means that the adjusting mechanism can be implemented very inexpensively.
Anschließend wird die Erfindung in einem Ausführungsbeispiel anhand der Zeichnung näher erläutert .The invention is then explained in more detail in an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing.
Dabei zeigenShow
FIG 1 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine gattungsgemäße Vorrichtung mit über Rollen geführten seitlichen Transportbändern, wobei die Rollen an einer Seite separat in ihrer Lage einstellbar sind, FIG 2 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine gattungsgemäße Vorrichtung mit über Rollen geführten seitlichen Transportbändern, wobei die Rollen an einer Seite gemeinsam und einheitlich in ihrer Lage einstellbar sind. Wie in FIG 1 dargestellt wird eine antransportierte Sendung 2 mittels Übergaberollen 11,12, von denen mindestens eine angetrieben ist und eine örtlich beweglich gelagert ist sowie mittels eines nicht dargestellten Federelementes in Richtung der anderen Übergaberolle mit geringer Spannung gedrückt wird, einem Förderkanal 3 zum Ausrichten zugeführt, dessen angetriebenes Unterflurband der Übersicht halber nicht dargestellt ist. Dabei wird die beweglich gelagerte Übergaberolle 12 durch die Sendung 2 nach außen gedrückt . Diese Bewegung wird durch einen Dickensensor 13 ausgewertet, dessen Messwert einer Steuereinheit 15 zugeführt wird.1 shows a schematic plan view of a generic device with lateral conveyor belts guided over rollers, the position of the rollers being separately adjustable on one side, FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a generic device with lateral conveyor belts guided over rollers, with the rollers on one Page can be adjusted jointly and uniformly in their position. As shown in FIG. 1, a consignment 2 is transported by means of transfer rollers 11, 12, at least one of which is driven and one is mounted so that it can move locally and is pressed in the direction of the other transfer roller with low tension by means of a spring element (not shown), for alignment supplied, the driven underfloor belt is not shown for the sake of clarity. The movably mounted transfer roller 12 is pressed outwards by the mail item 2. This movement is evaluated by a thickness sensor 13, the measured value of which is fed to a control unit 15.
Die seitlichen Begrenzungen des Förderkanals bestehen aus über Rollen 5,6 geführten, mit der gleichen Geschwindigkeit wie das Unterflurband umlaufenden seitlichen Transportbän- dern 4, wobei jeweils eine der Rollen 5,6 angetrieben ist. Die Rollen 5 des seitlichen Transportbandes 4 auf der Seite der örtlich festen Übergaberolle 11 sind ebenfalls örtlich fest angeordnet. Die entsprechenden Rollen 6 des seitlichen Transportbandes 4 auf der anderen Seite des Förderkanals 3 nach der örtlich beweglichen Übergaberolle 12 sind auf Rollenhebeln 7 beweglich und drehbar gelagert. Die Rollenhebel 7 sind um einen Hebeldrehpunkt 8 schwenkbar und werden mittels Druckfedern 10 in einer Ruhestellung mit der vorgesehenen engsten Kanalweite gehalten. Die Schwenkbewegungen werden je- weils durch einen Stellmotor mit einem am Rollenhebel 7 angreifenden Exzenter 9 gelöst. Vor dem Förderkanal 3 befindet sich noch eine Lichtschranke 14, die ebenfalls an die Steuereinheit 15 angeschlossen ist. Mit der die Vorder- und Hinterkanten der Sendungen 1,2 detektierenden Lichtschranke 14 und der bekannten Transportgeschwindigkeit wird in der Steuereinheit 15 die Lage jeder Sendung 1,2 zu jedem Zeitpunkt, deren Länge und über den Dickensensor 13 deren Dicke ermittelt. Dementsprechend werden Stellsignale an die angeschlossenen Stellmotoren mit den Exzentern 9 übertragen. Damit werden die Exzenter verstellt und die Rollenhebel 7 so geschwenkt, dass sich die Rollen 6 mit dem Transportband 4 nach außen bewegen und jede Sendung 1,2 während ihres Transportes durch den För- derkanal 3 eine Kanalweite vorfindet, die etwas größer als ihre größte Dicke ist. Damit können die Sendungen 1,2 ohne Klemmung den Förderkanal 3 durchlaufen und sich auf ihre untere Schmalseite ausrichten, aber nicht in sich zusammenfal- len. Weist die in relativ kurzem Abstand der auslaufenden Sendung 1 folgende Sendung 2 eine andere Dicke auf, so wird entsprechend die Rolle 6 am Förderkanaleingang entsprechend nach außen bewegt , kurz bevor die Sendungsvorderkante den Förderkanaleingang erreicht hat. Dies kann also erst gesche- hen, nachdem die Hinterkante der vorauslaufenden Sendung 1 den Eingangsbereich verlassen hat. So wird jede örtlich bewegliche Rolle 6 entsprechend der Dicke der in ihrem Bereich befindlichen Sendung 1,2 verfahren. Dadurch entsteht an dieser Seitenbegrenzung eine Art Bewegung stehender Wellen, die mit den Sendungen 1,2 mitwandern.The lateral boundaries of the conveying channel consist of lateral conveyor belts 4 which are guided over rollers 5, 6 and run at the same speed as the underfloor belt, one of the rollers 5, 6 being driven in each case. The rollers 5 of the lateral conveyor belt 4 on the side of the locally fixed transfer roller 11 are also arranged locally. The corresponding rollers 6 of the lateral conveyor belt 4 on the other side of the conveyor channel 3 after the locally movable transfer roller 12 are movably and rotatably mounted on roller levers 7. The roller levers 7 can be pivoted about a pivot point 8 and are held in a rest position with the narrowest channel width provided by means of compression springs 10. The swiveling movements are in each case released by a servomotor with an eccentric 9 acting on the roller lever 7. In front of the conveyor channel 3 there is also a light barrier 14, which is also connected to the control unit 15. With the light barrier 14 which detects the front and rear edges of the items 1, 2 and the known transport speed, the position of each item 1, 2, its length and, via the thickness sensor 13, its thickness is determined in the control unit 15. Accordingly, control signals are transmitted to the connected actuators with the eccentrics 9. The eccentrics are thus adjusted and the roller levers 7 are pivoted in such a way that the rollers 6 move outwards with the conveyor belt 4 and each item 1, 2 is transported through the conveyor. the channel 3 finds a channel width that is slightly larger than its greatest thickness. The items 1, 2 can thus pass through the conveying channel 3 without clamping and align themselves on their lower narrow side, but cannot collapse. If the consignment 2 following at a relatively short distance from the outgoing consignment 1 has a different thickness, then the roller 6 at the conveyor channel entrance is correspondingly moved outwards shortly before the consignment leading edge has reached the conveyor channel entrance. This can therefore only happen after the rear edge of the consignment 1 in front has left the entrance area. Each locally movable roller 6 is moved in accordance with the thickness of the mail item 1, 2 located in its area. This creates a kind of movement of standing waves at this side boundary, which move with the programs 1, 2.
Sind die Abstände zwischen den Sendungen 1,2 so groß, dass in dem Förderkanal 3 stets nur eine Sendung 1 oder 2 transportiert und ausgerichtet wird, so ist es nicht notwendig, die Sendungen 1,2 im Förderkanal 3 zu verfolgen. Es genügt dann auch, die Rollen 6 gemeinsam und einheitlich zu verstellen. Entsprechend FIG 2 ist es dann ausreichend, wenn bei einer gemessenen Dickenänderung vor dem Eingang des Förderkanals 3 in der Steuereinheit 15 ein Stellsignal für nur einen Stellantrieb mit einem Exzenter 9 erzeugt wird, der daraufhin ei- ne Schubstange 16 so verschiebt, dass die mit ihr beweglich verbundenen Rollenhebel 7 um einen gleichen Betrag gemeinsam geschwenkt werden. Durch diese Schwenkbewegung wird der Förderkanal 3 auf die gemessene Sendungsdicke zuzüglich eines festgelegten Wertes, der einen klemmfreien Transport bei Ver- meidung eines in sich Zusammenfallens flexibler Sendungen 1,2 garantiert, eingestellt. Aufgrund der gemeinsamen Verstellung über die Schubstange 16 muss die Rückstellung in die Ruhelage nur an einem Rollenhebel 7 mittels angreifender Druckfeder 10 erfolgen. Die Verstellung der seitlichen Transportbänder 4 kann selbstverständlich auch mit anderen, dem Fachmann geläufigen Antrieben erfolgen. If the distances between the items 1, 2 are so large that only one item 1 or 2 is always transported and aligned in the conveying channel 3, it is not necessary to track the items 1, 2 in the conveying channel 3. It is then also sufficient to adjust the rollers 6 jointly and uniformly. According to FIG. 2, it is sufficient if, in the case of a measured change in thickness in front of the input of the conveying channel 3 in the control unit 15, an actuating signal is generated for only one actuator with an eccentric 9, which then shifts a push rod 16 in such a way that it moves with it movably connected roller lever 7 can be pivoted together by the same amount. By means of this pivoting movement, the conveying channel 3 is set to the measured mail item thickness plus a fixed value which guarantees jam-free transport while avoiding flexible mail items 1, 2 which collapse. Due to the common adjustment via the push rod 16, the restoration into the rest position only has to be carried out on a roller lever 7 by means of an attacking compression spring 10. The adjustment of the lateral conveyor belts 4 can of course also be carried out with other drives which are familiar to the person skilled in the art.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Verfahren zum Ausrichten von flachen Sendungen (1,2) auf eine Schmalseite unter Verwendung eines u-förmigen För- derkanals (3) mit einem angetriebenen Unterflurband, in welchem die flachen Sendungen (1,2) hintereinander über eine festgelegte Strecke, auf einer Schmalseite stehend, ohne Klemmung transportiert werden, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h folgende Schritte: - Messen der Dicke der jeweiligen auszurichtenden Sendung (1,2), bevor diese den Förderkanal (3) erreicht hat, - Verändern des Abstandes der Seitenbegrenzungen (4) oder von Seitenbegrenzungsabschnitten des Förderka- nals (3) entsprechend der jeweils gemessenen Sendungsdicke derart, dass die jeweilige Sendung (1,2) am Ende des Förderkanals (3) aufgrund ihrer Schwerkraft auf der unteren Schmalseite ausgerichtet ist und der Abstand der Seitenbegrenzungen (4) des Förderkanals (3) von je- der Sendung (1,2) während ihres Transportes durch den1. A method for aligning flat mail items (1, 2) on a narrow side using a U-shaped conveyor channel (3) with a driven underfloor belt, in which the flat mail items (1, 2) follow one another over a defined distance standing on a narrow side without being clamped, characterized by the following steps: - measuring the thickness of the respective item (1, 2) to be aligned before it has reached the conveyor channel (3), - changing the distance between the side borders (4) or side border sections of the Conveyor channel (3) corresponding to the measured mail item thickness in such a way that the respective mail item (1, 2) at the end of the conveyor channel (3) is aligned due to its gravity on the lower narrow side and the distance between the side boundaries (4) of the conveyor channel (3 ) of each shipment (1,2) during its transportation by the
Förderkanal (3) nur so groß ist, dass sie auch bei geringer Eigensteifigkeit nicht oder auch nicht teilweise in sich zusammenfällt.Delivery channel (3) is only so large that it does not collapse or does not partially collapse even with low inherent rigidity.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, dass wenigstens eine der Seitenbegrenzungen (4) flexibel ausgeführt ist und dass aus der bekannten Transportgeschwindigkeit und einer detektierten Vorder- und/oder Hinterkante die Sendungslänge und die Lage jeder Sendung (1,2) während ihres Transportes durch den Förderkanal (3) in Abhängigkeit von der Zeit ermittelt werden und mit diesen Daten die Seitenbegrenzungen (4) über die Länge des Förderkanals (3) in ihren Abständen zueinander für jede Sendung (1,2) so verändert werden, dass an die jeweiligen Sendungsdicken und -längen angepasste Seitenbegrenzungsabschnitte der flexiblen Seitenbegrenzung (4) wie stehende Wellen mit den Sendun- gen (1,2) mitwandern.2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the side boundaries (4) is flexible and that from the known transport speed and a detected front and / or rear edge, the shipment length and the position of each shipment (1,2) during their transport can be determined by the conveyor channel (3) as a function of time and with this data the side boundaries (4) over the length of the conveyor channel (3) can be changed in their distances from each other for each shipment (1, 2) in such a way that the respective Consignment thicknesses and lengths adjusted side boundary sections of the flexible side boundary (4) such as standing waves with the consignments hiking (1,2).
3. Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von flachen Sendungen (1,2) auf eine Schmalseite mit einem u-förmigen Förderkanal (3) mit einem angetriebenen Unterflurband, in welchem die flachen Sendungen (1,2) hintereinander über eine festgelegte Strecke, auf einer Schmalseite stehend, ohne Klemmung transportiert werden, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h - eine Messeinrichtung (13) zur Ermittlung der Dicke der jeweiligen auszurichtenden Sendung (1,2), bevor diese den Förderkanal (3) erreicht hat, - einen an mindestens eine Seitenbegrenzung (4) angreifenden Verstellmechanismus (7,8,9,10) zum Verändern des Abstandes zwischen den Seitenbegrenzungen (4) oder zwischen Seitenbegrenzungsabschnitten des Förderkanals (3) entsprechend der jeweils gemessenen Sendungsdicke derart, dass die Sendung (1,2) am Ende des Förderkanals (3) aufgrund ihrer Schwerkraft auf der unteren Schmalseite ausgerichtet ist und der Abstand der Seitenbegrenzungen (4) des Förderkanals (3) von jeder Sendung (1,2) während ihres Transportes durch den Förderkanal (3) nur so groß ist, dass sie auch bei geringer Eigensteifigkeit nicht oder auch nicht teilweise in sich zusammenfällt.3. Device for aligning flat mail items (1,2) on a narrow side with a U-shaped conveying channel (3) with a driven underfloor belt, in which the flat mail items (1,2) one behind the other over a defined distance, standing on a narrow side , are transported without clamping, characterized by - a measuring device (13) for determining the thickness of the respective item (1, 2) to be aligned before it has reached the conveying channel (3), - an adjustment mechanism (7 , 8,9,10) for changing the distance between the side delimitations (4) or between side delimitation sections of the conveyor channel (3) in accordance with the measured mail item thickness in such a way that the mail item (1,2) at the end of the conveyor channel (3) due to its gravity is aligned on the lower narrow side and the distance of the side boundaries (4) of the conveyor channel (3) from each shipment (1,2) during it it is only so large that it is transported through the conveyor channel (3) that it does not collapse, or does not partially collapse, even with low inherent rigidity.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, dass als Seitenbegrenzungen (4) des Förderkanals (3) über Rollen (5,6) geführte, mit der glei- chen Geschwindigkeit wie das Unterflurband umlaufende, seitliche Transportbänder (4) vorgesehen sind.4. Apparatus according to claim 3, d a d u r c h g e k e n e z e i c h n e t that as side boundaries (4) of the conveyor channel (3) via rollers (5,6) guided, at the same speed as the underfloor belt, side conveyor belts (4) are provided.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, dass als Seitenbegrenzungen (4) des För- derkanals (3) angetriebene Rollen (5,6) vorgesehen sind, zwischen denen an den Lagerungen der Rollen (5,6) befestigte Leitbleche angebracht sind, wobei die Umfangsge- schwindigkeit dieser Rollen (5,6) der Transportgeschwindigkeit des Unterflurbandes entspricht.5. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that as side boundaries (4) of the conveyor channel (3) driven rollers (5,6) are provided, between which are attached to the bearings of the rollers (5,6) attached guide plates, wherein the circumferential speed of these rollers (5,6) corresponds to the transport speed of the underfloor belt.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, d a d u r c h g e k e n n - z e i c h n e t, dass der Verstellmechanismus (7,8,9,10) an jede Rollenlagerung mindestens eines Transportbands (4) angreift und so gesteuert ist, dass die seitlichen Transportbänder (4) in Abhängigkeit von der Sendungslänge und der Lage jeder Sendung (1,2) während ihres Transportes durch den Förderkanal (3) , die mit Hilfe der bekannten Transportgeschwindigkeit und einer detektierten Vorder- und/oder Hinterkante ermittelt werden, über die Länge des Förderkanals (3) in ihren Abständen zueinander für jede Sendung (3) so verändert werden, dass an die je- weiligen Sendungsdicken und -längen angepasste Transportbänderabschnitte wie stehende Wellen mit den Sendungen (1,2) mitwandern.6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism (7, 8, 9, 10) acts on each roller bearing of at least one conveyor belt (4) and is controlled in such a way that the lateral conveyor belts (4) depend on the length of the consignment and the position of each consignment (1, 2) during its transport through the conveyor channel (3), which are determined with the aid of the known transport speed and a detected front and / or rear edge, over the length of the conveyor channel (3) at their intervals from one another be changed for each shipment (3) in such a way that conveyor belt sections adapted to the respective shipment thicknesses and lengths move along with the shipments (1, 2) like standing waves.
7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, dass bei solchen Abständen zwischen den Sendungen (1,2), bei denen sich in dem Förderkanal (3) immer nur eine Sendung (1 oder 2) befindet, der Verstellmechanismus (7,8,9,10) so ausgeführt ist, dass jeweils alle verstellbaren Rollen (6) nur gemeinsam um den gleichen Betrag verstellbar sind. 7. The device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at such intervals between the mail items (1,2), in which there is always only one mail item (1 or 2) in the conveying channel (3), the adjusting mechanism (7, 8 , 9, 10) is designed such that all adjustable rollers (6) can only be adjusted together by the same amount.
EP04723186A 2003-05-02 2004-03-25 Method and device for orienting flat items of mail towards a narrow edge Expired - Lifetime EP1620210B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10319723A DE10319723B3 (en) 2003-05-02 2003-05-02 Aligning flat postal items on narrow side involves varying side boundary separation according to item thickness so item is aligned on lower narrow side at end of channel by gravity, does not collapse
PCT/EP2004/003147 WO2004096454A1 (en) 2003-05-02 2004-03-25 Method and device for orienting flat items of mail towards a narrow edge

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EP1620210A1 true EP1620210A1 (en) 2006-02-01
EP1620210B1 EP1620210B1 (en) 2008-05-14

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EP04723186A Expired - Lifetime EP1620210B1 (en) 2003-05-02 2004-03-25 Method and device for orienting flat items of mail towards a narrow edge

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US (1) US7344016B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1620210B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2006525109A (en)
CN (1) CN1784275A (en)
DE (2) DE10319723B3 (en)
WO (1) WO2004096454A1 (en)

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DE10319723B3 (en) 2004-09-16
CN1784275A (en) 2006-06-07
JP2006525109A (en) 2006-11-09
US20060249438A1 (en) 2006-11-09
DE502004007138D1 (en) 2008-06-26
EP1620210B1 (en) 2008-05-14
WO2004096454A1 (en) 2004-11-11
US7344016B2 (en) 2008-03-18

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