EP1727626B1 - Process and device for sorting flat postal items - Google Patents

Process and device for sorting flat postal items Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1727626B1
EP1727626B1 EP05707163A EP05707163A EP1727626B1 EP 1727626 B1 EP1727626 B1 EP 1727626B1 EP 05707163 A EP05707163 A EP 05707163A EP 05707163 A EP05707163 A EP 05707163A EP 1727626 B1 EP1727626 B1 EP 1727626B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mail
items
transportation
sorting
gap
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP05707163A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1727626A1 (en
Inventor
Armin Zimmermann
Dirk-Udo Eisser
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 EP1727626A1 publication Critical patent/EP1727626A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1727626B1 publication Critical patent/EP1727626B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • B07C1/04—Forming a stream from a bulk; Controlling the stream, e.g. spacing 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
    • B65H43/00—Use of control, checking, or safety devices, e.g. automatic devices comprising an element for sensing a variable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/44—Moving, forwarding, guiding material
    • B65H2301/445—Moving, forwarding, guiding material stream of articles separated from each other
    • B65H2301/4452—Regulating space between separated 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
    • B65H2557/00—Means for control not provided for in groups B65H2551/00 - B65H2555/00
    • B65H2557/20—Calculating means; Controlling methods
    • B65H2557/24—Calculating methods; Mathematic models
    • B65H2557/242—Calculating methods; Mathematic models involving a particular data profile or curve
    • 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
    • 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 and a device for sorting flat items according to the preambles of claims 1 and 7.
  • the shipments are trapped at high speeds and small distances between each other between endless guide belts of a shroud system transported by a singulator to downstream modules, where they are read, processed and sorted.
  • the programs in the shroud system which is interrupted by switches, tape separation points, etc.
  • the programs due to different physical properties, such as friction coefficients, thickness, bending stiffness, different from the transport and thus depending on the sequence of mail move relative to each other the gaps change.
  • the gaps between the transmissions are then individually varied within the possibilities so that the excessively small gaps are increased to the minimum value at the expense of the subsequent larger gaps by slowing down the relevant transmission.
  • the sorting end points into two successively arranged segments and to vary the gaps individually as a function of the transport length to the segments.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a method and apparatus for sorting flat shipments, which can be increased without increasing the transport speed throughput sorting.
  • the object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 7.
  • the basic idea for the increase in throughput is, from the transmission current generated in the separating device with a uniform target gap, which is smaller than the required for the sorting end points at the machine end minimum gaps (gap for safe removal in the switches plus the maximum shift) and in the assignment of the read Destination addresses to the sorting end points is known to produce by means of a controllable gap changing device a broadcast stream with gaps between the broadcasts in dependence on the transport length to the associated sorting end of the respective program.
  • the gap created in the singulator must be reduced, and for shipments having destination addresses whose associated sorting end points are in the rear of the sorting end area, the gap created in the singulator must be increased.
  • the gap to be matched between each two broadcasts of different destination address corresponds to the gap for the program with the respective shorter transport length to the assigned sorting point, since after the discharge of this shipment in their Zielendstelle for front or subsequent broadcasting a large gap is created, whereby the average target gap of the singulator is smaller than the gap between the shipments to be sorted in the sorting sites with the longest transport routes.
  • the input variable for the gap adjustment is the gap required for the proper functioning of the points plus the displacement of the items relative to one another from the measured values as a function of the path length in the transport and points route.
  • the sorting end points can advantageously be combined to form segments and the statistical elevations can be carried out as a function of the largest transport lengths to the sorting end points of the respective segments.
  • the transmission current in the transport and switch route via one or more switches for very small minimum gaps on two or more transport and switch strands split with successively arranged sorting endpoints. This reduces the possible gap shift and thus the number of shipments to be rejected.
  • sorting plans such that the sorting end points for the heavily frequented destination addresses are located at the beginning of the transport and route route.
  • the gap changing device advantageously consists of two transport units in which the items are transported in a clamped manner, a first transport unit, which does not obstruct the transport of the items in the second transport unit, being arranged in front of the second transport unit with controllable speed.
  • the transport and switch route 2 is divided with the sorting 1 in two paths X and Y. As a result, the length of the transport and switch route 2 is reduced by half, so that the possible gap displacements are reduced.
  • the programs leave a separating device, not shown, with a certain gap and arrive via a reading device, also not shown, to a transport section 8 with a bypass of a gap changing device 4 as an abbreviation 9 with respect to the normal transport path 10.
  • the division into the different ways (to be forwarded programs are headed into the abbreviation) by means of a switch 11.
  • two controlled drivable transport units 6,7, an acceleration and Abbremsech 5 in which the shipments are transported clamped.
  • the first transportation unit 6, which does not obstruct the transport of the mail items in the second transport unit 7, is arranged, with which the mail items can be selectively moved in the mail flow (only to a slight extent to the front, unlimited to the rear). More details are DE 197 53 419 C1 refer to.
  • the programs are divided by means of a high-performance switch 3 for very small minimum gaps on the two transport and switch strands 2 according to the read target addresses and sorted into the associated sorting 1. In each case two adjacent terminals are combined to form a segment.
  • FIG 2 a gap shifting process is shown, with a shift forward can be done only slightly with V before, max .
  • the top row shows the incoming shipments with the corresponding shipment gaps.
  • the foremost consignment must be routed to the last sorting end segment L xm and all the following following consignments to the last sorting end segment L yn of the other transport and branch line Y according to its destination address. Since the so-called input gaps l A of the incoming shipments are smaller than the gaps required for the last segment and the previously determined in test runs, the items of mail need to be moved for magnification-fication of the gaps.
  • the lower row the relative position of the items to each other after the shift is shown.
  • the gap variation of the incoming transmissions is shown as in FIG. 2 using the abbreviation to increase the maximum displacement to the front.
  • the displacement possibilities can be fully utilized, ie the first transmission for the sorting end segment L yn is pushed so far forward that the gap for actuating the high-performance diverter 3 is just sufficient.
  • the arrows in the letter direction show the movement of the programs by the fixed amount by the abbreviation distance forward
  • the series of programs below indicates the subsequent shift of these transported via the abbreviations broadcasts to the rear, so that as a result, the transmission current shown below gives the required gaps.
  • a shipment discharge into a reject terminal must take place later, ie not as frequently.
  • the gap changing device Since the input gaps are not exactly the same due to different transmission properties, in the gap changing device superimposed with the gap change to adapt to the respective transport and switch route length required gap a correction of the different input gaps. If the consecutive transmissions of the transmission stream do not have to be routed to the same rear sorting end segment, which is the normal case, then there is usually enough displacement space that does not necessitate any ejection.

Landscapes

  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)

Abstract

According to the claimed process, postal items separated from a stack and forming a stream of postal items that follow one another in the longitudinal direction are guided on a transport and point section (2) to associated sorting terminals (1), according to determined target addresses. The average set gap between the postal items leaving the separation device is smaller than the gap between the postal items with the longest transport paths to the sorting terminals (1). The gaps between every two postal items are individually adjusted before the transport and point section (2) by means of a controllable gap adjustment device (4) as a function of the postal item with the shortest transport path to the associated sorting terminal (1), so as to correspond to a minimum gap which is previously determined by a statistical survey. During shifting of the postal items, those postal items that disturb gap adjustment are ejected.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Einrichtung zum Sortieren von flachen Sendungen nach den Oberbegriffen der Ansprüche 1 und 7.The invention relates to a method and a device for sorting flat items according to the preambles of claims 1 and 7.

In entsprechenden Sortieranlagen werden die Sendungen mit hohen Geschwindigkeiten und geringen Abständen untereinander zwischen endlosen Führungsbändern eines Deckbandsystems eingeklemmt von einer Vereinzelungseinrichtung zu nachgeordneten Modulen transportiert, wo sie gelesen, bearbeitet und sortiert werden. Während des Transports der Sendungen im Deckbandsystem, welches durch Weichen, Bandtrennstellen usw. unterbrochen ist, können sich die Sendungen infolge unterschiedlicher physikalischer Eigenschaften, wie u.a. Reibkoeffizienten, Dicke, Biegesteifigkeit, unterschiedlich zum Transportmittel und damit in Abhängigkeit von der Sendungsfolge relativ zueinander verschieben, wodurch sich die Lücken verändern. Durch die relativen Verschiebungen der Sendungen untereinander und damit verbunden die teilweise Verringerung der Lücken zwischen den Sendungen, die in erster Näherung eine lineare Funktion der unterschiedlichen Transportstreckenlängen (Weichenstrecke und/oder Deckbandstrecke) zu den jeweiligen Sortierendstellen darstellt, muss vor allem bei langen Sortiermaschinen mit vielen Sortierendstellen eine in der Vereinzelungseinrichtung eingestellte Solllücke gefahren werden, die einen hohen Prozentsatz der Verschiebungswahrscheinlichkeit zum Maschinenende hin und die notwendige Minimallücke zum störungsarmen Ausschleusen der Sendungen durch die Weichen beinhaltet. Da nur ein geringer Prozentsatz der Sendungen, resultierend aus extremen Verschiebungen der Sendungen zueinander, in Rejectendstellen ausgeschleust werden darf, wurden bisher in Abhängigkeit von der Maschinenlänge in den vereinzelungseinrichtungen relativ große, einheitliche Solllücken pro Maschine eingestellt, die ein sicheres Ausschleusen der Sendungen für alle Sortierendstellen gewährleisten, was einen reduzierten Durchsatz zur Folge hat.
In diesem Zusammenhang werden in der US 6 023 034 A ein Verfahren und eine Einrichtung zum Sortieren von flachen Sendungen beschrieben, bei denen in statistischen Erhebungen in Abhängigkeit von den Sortierendstellen die auftretenden maximalen Verschiebungen während des Transports zu den Sortierendstellen ermittelt werden. Durch eine steuerbare Lückenveränderungseinrichtung werden dann die Lücken zwischen den Sendungen im Rahmen der Möglichkeiten individuell so verändert, dass die zu kleinen Lücken zu Lasten der nachfolgenden größeren Lücken durch ein Abbremsen der betreffenden Sendung auf den Mindestwert vergrößert werden.
Aus der JP 2000-024 598 A ist es weiterhin bekannt, die Sortierendstellen zu zwei hintereinander angeordneten Segmenten zusammenzufassen und die Lücken individuell in Abhängigkeit von der Transportlänge zu den Segmenten zu verändern.In appropriate sorting the shipments are trapped at high speeds and small distances between each other between endless guide belts of a shroud system transported by a singulator to downstream modules, where they are read, processed and sorted. During the transport of the programs in the shroud system, which is interrupted by switches, tape separation points, etc., the programs due to different physical properties, such as friction coefficients, thickness, bending stiffness, different from the transport and thus depending on the sequence of mail move relative to each other the gaps change. Due to the relative displacements of the shipments with each other and associated with the partial reduction of the gaps between the programs, which represents a linear approximation of the different transport lengths (switch route and / or shroud section) to the respective sorting points, especially in long sorting machines with many Sorting points a set in the separating device target gap are driven, which includes a high percentage of the probability of displacement towards the machine end and the necessary minimum gap for low-noise rejection of the shipments through the switches. Since only a small percentage of shipments, resulting from extreme shifts of the programs to each other, may be discharged into Rejectendstellen, so far depending on the machine length in the separating devices relatively large, uniform target gaps were set per machine, the safe removal of the shipments for all Sorting points ensure what results in a reduced throughput.
In this context, in the US Pat. No. 6,023,034 a method and a device for sorting flat consignments are described in which are determined in statistical surveys in dependence on the sorting end points, the maximum shifts occurring during transport to the sorting end points. By means of a controllable gap changing device, the gaps between the transmissions are then individually varied within the possibilities so that the excessively small gaps are increased to the minimum value at the expense of the subsequent larger gaps by slowing down the relevant transmission.
From the JP 2000-024 598 A It is furthermore known to combine the sorting end points into two successively arranged segments and to vary the gaps individually as a function of the transport length to the segments.

Weiterhin ist aus WO-A-01/09018 bekannt, dass bei Vorhandensein einer unter der Mindestlücke zwischen zwei Sendung liegenden Ist-Lücke mittels einer steuerbaren Lückenveränderungsvorrichtung die Lücken zwischen zwei Sendungen verändert wird, und zur Schaffung des notwendigen Platzes zum Verschieben der Sendungen im jeweiligen Sendungsstrom für die Veränderung der Lücken zwischen jeweils zwei Sendungen in der Transport- und Weichenstrecke individuell entsprechend der Mindestlücke störende Sendungen aus diesem Sendungsstrom ausgeschleust werden.Furthermore, it is off WO-A-01/09018 It is known that in the presence of an existing under the minimum gap between two transmission actual gap by means of a controllable gap changing device, the gaps between two broadcasts is changed, and to provide the necessary space for moving the broadcasts in the respective broadcast stream for changing the gaps between two broadcasts in the transport and route route, individual items corresponding to the minimum gap are rejected from this shipment stream.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren und eine Einrichtung zum Sortieren von flachen Sendungen zu schaffen, mit denen ohne Erhöhung der Transportgeschwindigkeit der Durchsatz Sortieranlagen erhöht werden kann.The invention has for its object to provide a method and apparatus for sorting flat shipments, which can be increased without increasing the transport speed throughput sorting.

Erfindungsgemäß wird die Aufgabe durch die Merkmale der Ansprüche 1 und 7 gelöst.
Der Grundgedanke zur Durchsatzsteigerung besteht darin, aus dem in der Vereinzelungseinrichtung erzeugten Sendungsstrom mit einer einheitlichen Solllücke, die kleiner ist als die für die Sortierendstellen am Maschinenende benötigten Mindestlücken (Lücke zum sicheren Ausschleusen in den Weichen zuzüglich der Maximalverschiebung) und bei dem die Zuordnung der gelesenen Zieladressen zu den Sortierendstellen bekannt ist, mittels einer steuerbaren Lückenveränderungsvorrichtung einen Sendungsstrom mit Lücken zwischen den Sendungen in Abhängigkeit von der Transportlänge bis zur zugeordneten Sortierendstelle der jeweiligen Sendung zu erzeugen. Das bedeutet: für Sendungen mit Zieladressen, deren zugeordnete Sortierendstellen sich im vorderen Teil des Sortierendstellenbereiches befinden, muss die in der Vereinzelungseinrichtung erzeugte Lücke verringert und für Sendungen mit Zieladressen, deren zugeordnete Sortierendstellen sich im hinteren Teil des Sortierendstellenbereiches befinden, muss die in der Vereinzelungseinrichtung erzeugte Lücke vergrößert werden. Die anzupassende Lücke zwischen jeweils zwei Sendungen unterschiedlicher Zieladresse entspricht dabei der Lücke für die Sendung mit der jeweils kürzeren Transportlänge zur zugeordneten Sortierendstelle, da nach dem Ausschleusen dieser Sendung in ihre Zielendstelle zur vorderen oder nachfolgenden Sendung eine große Lücke entsteht, wodurch die durchschnittliche Solllücke der Vereinzelungseinrichtung kleiner als die Lücke zwischen den Sendungen ist, die in die Sortierendstellen mit den längsten Transportwegen zu sortieren sind. Eingangsgröße für die Lückenanpassung ist die für die ordnungsgemäße Funktion der Weichen notwendige Lücke zuzüglich der aus Messwerten ermittelte Verschiebung der Sendungen zueinander in Abhängigkeit von der Weglänge in der Transport- und Weichenstrecke.According to the invention the object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 7.
The basic idea for the increase in throughput is, from the transmission current generated in the separating device with a uniform target gap, which is smaller than the required for the sorting end points at the machine end minimum gaps (gap for safe removal in the switches plus the maximum shift) and in the assignment of the read Destination addresses to the sorting end points is known to produce by means of a controllable gap changing device a broadcast stream with gaps between the broadcasts in dependence on the transport length to the associated sorting end of the respective program. This means: For programs with destination addresses whose assigned sorting end points are In the front part of the sorting end area, the gap created in the singulator must be reduced, and for shipments having destination addresses whose associated sorting end points are in the rear of the sorting end area, the gap created in the singulator must be increased. The gap to be matched between each two broadcasts of different destination address corresponds to the gap for the program with the respective shorter transport length to the assigned sorting point, since after the discharge of this shipment in their Zielendstelle for front or subsequent broadcasting a large gap is created, whereby the average target gap of the singulator is smaller than the gap between the shipments to be sorted in the sorting sites with the longest transport routes. The input variable for the gap adjustment is the gap required for the proper functioning of the points plus the displacement of the items relative to one another from the measured values as a function of the path length in the transport and points route.

Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen der Erfindung dargelegt.
So ist es vorteilhaft, wenn die durchschnittliche Solllücke zwischen den Sendungen, welche die Vereinzelungseinrichtung verlassen, größer ist als die Mindestlücke zwischen den Sendungen für die Sortierendstellen mit den kürzesten Transportwegen.Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the subclaims of the invention.
Thus, it is advantageous if the average desired gap between the mail items leaving the singling device is greater than the minimum gap between the mail items for the sorting end points with the shortest transport paths.

Um den Steuerungsaufwand zu reduzieren, können die Sortierendstellen vorteilhaft zu Segmenten zusammengefasst und die statistischen Erhebungen in Abhängigkeit von den größten Transportlängen zu den Sortierendstellen der jeweiligen Segmente durchgeführt werden.In order to reduce the control effort, the sorting end points can advantageously be combined to form segments and the statistical elevations can be carried out as a function of the largest transport lengths to the sorting end points of the respective segments.

Vorteilhaft ist es auch, den Sendungsstrom in der Transport- und Weichenstrecke über eine oder mehr Weichen für sehr geringe Mindestlücken auf zwei oder mehr Transport- und Weichenstränge mit hintereinander angeordneten Sortierendstellen aufzuteilen. Dadurch wird die mögliche Lückenverschiebung und damit die Anzahl der auszuschleusenden Sendungen reduziert.It is also advantageous, the transmission current in the transport and switch route via one or more switches for very small minimum gaps on two or more transport and switch strands split with successively arranged sorting endpoints. This reduces the possible gap shift and thus the number of shipments to be rejected.

Es ist weiterhin vorteilhaft, die Sortierpläne so zu gestalten, dass sich die Sortierendstellen für die stark frequentierten Zieladressen am Beginn der Transport- und Weichenstrecke befinden.It is also advantageous to design the sorting plans such that the sorting end points for the heavily frequented destination addresses are located at the beginning of the transport and route route.

Wenn ein Pulk von Sendungen für den hinteren Endstellenbereich ankommt, wofür nicht sämtliche Lücken vergrößert werden können, ist es vorteilhaft, jeweils dann eine nachfolgende Sendung in eine am Anfang des Sortierendstellenbereiches befindliche Rejectendstelle auszuschleusen, wenn aufgrund der Verschiebung der vorherigen Sendung die Lücke zwischen beiden Sendungen kleiner als die durch die Transportlängen zu den Sortierendstellen bestimmte zulässige Mindestlücke werden würde.When a burst of transmissions for the rear end station area arrives, for which not all gaps can be increased, it is advantageous to then eject a subsequent transmission to a reject end located at the beginning of the sorting end region, if the gap between the two transmissions due to the shift of the previous transmission would be smaller than the permissible minimum gap determined by the transport lengths to the sorting endpoints.

Die Lückenveränderungsvorrichtung besteht vorteilhaft aus zwei Transporteinheiten, in denen die Sendungen geklemmt transportiert werden, wobei vor der zweiten Transporteinheit mit steuerbarer Geschwindigkeit eine erste, den Transport der Sendungen in der zweiten Transporteinheit nicht behindernde Transporteinheit angeordnet ist.The gap changing device advantageously consists of two transport units in which the items are transported in a clamped manner, a first transport unit, which does not obstruct the transport of the items in the second transport unit, being arranged in front of the second transport unit with controllable speed.

Da in obiger Lückenveränderungsvorrichtung das Verschieben der Sendungen nach vorn in Transportrichtung sehr begrenzt ist, besteht die vorteilhafte Möglichkeit, eine bestimmte Anzahl von Sendungen vorher wahlweise über eine Abkürzungstransportstrecke zu transportieren. Dadurch erfolgt gegenüber den anderen Sendungen eine definierte Verschiebung dieser Sendungen nach vorn, die anschließend durch oben beschriebene Lückenveränderungsvorrichtung mit den erforderlichen Lücken positioniert werden.Since in the above gap changing device, the shifting of the shipments forward in the transport direction is very limited, there is the advantageous possibility of previously transporting a certain number of programs either via a short cut transport route. This results in a defined displacement of these programs forward relative to the other programs, which are then positioned by the above-described gap changing device with the required gaps.

Um die möglichen Lückenverschiebungen zu reduzieren, ist es vorteilhaft, den Sendungsstrom in der Transport- und Weichenstrecke über eine oder mehr Weichen für sehr geringe Mindestlücken auf zwei oder mehr Transport- und Weichenstränge mit jeweils hintereinander angeordneten Sortierendstellen aufzuteilen.In order to reduce the possible gap displacements, it is advantageous to divide the shipment stream in the transport and switch route via one or more switches for very small minimum gaps on two or more transport and switch strands with each sorting points arranged one behind the other.

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

Dabei zeigen

FIG 1
eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Sortieranlage mit einer Lückenveränderungsvorrichtung und zwei Transport- und Weichensträngen,
FIG 2
eine Darstellung der Lückenverschiebungen, wenn mehrere Sendungen hintereinander in das letzte Sortierendstellensegment des X-Pfades zu sortieren sind bei nur geringer Verschiebemöglichkeit nach vorn,
FIG 3
eine Darstellung der Lückenverschiebungen, wenn mehrere Sendungen hintereinander in das letzte Sortierendstellensegment des X-Pfades zu sortieren sind bei erweiterter Verschiebemöglichkeit nach vorn.
Show
FIG. 1
a schematic plan view of a sorting system with a gap changing device and two transport and points strands,
FIG. 2
a representation of the gap displacements when several items are to be sorted in succession into the last sorting end segment of the X-path with only a slight possibility of shifting forward,
FIG. 3
a representation of the gap offsets when several programs are to be sorted one behind the other in the last sorting end segment of the X-path with extended forward displacement option.

Wie in FIG 1 dargestellt, ist die Transport- und Weichenstrecke 2 mit den Sortierendstellen 1 in zwei Pfade X und Y aufgeteilt. Dadurch wird die Länge der Transport- und Weichenstrecke 2 um die Hälfte reduziert, so dass die möglichen Lückenverschiebungen verringert werden.
Die Sendungen verlassen eine nicht dargestellte Vereinzelungseinrichtung mit einer bestimmten Lücke und gelangen über eine ebenfalls nicht dargestellte Leseeinrichtung zu einem Transportabschnitt 8 mit einem Bypass einer Lückenveränderungsvorrichtung 4 als Abkürzung 9 gegenüber dem normalen Transportweg 10. Die Aufteilung auf die unterschiedlichen Wege (zum vorschieben werden Sendungen in die Abkürzung geleitet) erfolgt mittels einer Weiche 11.
Anschließend folgen zwei gesteuert antreibbare Transporteinheiten 6,7, einer Beschleunigungs- und Abbremseinheit 5 in denen die Sendungen geklemmt transportiert werden. Vor der zweiten Transporteinheit 7 mit steuerbaren Geschwindigkeit ist die erste, den Transport der Sendungen in der zweiten Transporteinheit 7 nicht behindernde Transporteinheit 6 angeordnet, mit der die Sendungen gezielt im Sendungsstrom verschoben werden können (nur in geringem Maße nach vorn, unbegrenzt nach hinten).
Weitere Einzelheiten sind DE 197 53 419 C1 zu entnehmen. Danach werden die Sendungen mittels einer Hochleistungsweiche 3 für sehr geringe Mindestlücken auf die beiden Transport- und Weichenstränge 2 entsprechend der gelesenen Zieladressen aufgeteilt und in die zugeordneten Sortierendstellen 1 sortiert. Dabei sind jeweils zwei nebeneinander liegende Endstellen zu einem Segment zusammengefasst.As shown in FIG 1, the transport and switch route 2 is divided with the sorting 1 in two paths X and Y. As a result, the length of the transport and switch route 2 is reduced by half, so that the possible gap displacements are reduced.
The programs leave a separating device, not shown, with a certain gap and arrive via a reading device, also not shown, to a transport section 8 with a bypass of a gap changing device 4 as an abbreviation 9 with respect to the normal transport path 10. The division into the different ways (to be forwarded programs are headed into the abbreviation) by means of a switch 11.
Subsequently, two controlled drivable transport units 6,7, an acceleration and Abbremseinheit 5 in which the shipments are transported clamped. In front of the second transport unit 7 with controllable speed, the first transportation unit 6, which does not obstruct the transport of the mail items in the second transport unit 7, is arranged, with which the mail items can be selectively moved in the mail flow (only to a slight extent to the front, unlimited to the rear).
More details are DE 197 53 419 C1 refer to. Thereafter, the programs are divided by means of a high-performance switch 3 for very small minimum gaps on the two transport and switch strands 2 according to the read target addresses and sorted into the associated sorting 1. In each case two adjacent terminals are combined to form a segment.

In FIG 2 wird ein Lückenverschiebungsprozess dargestellt, wobei eine Verschiebung nach vorn nur gering mit Vvor,max erfolgen kann. Die oberste Reihe zeigt die ankommenden Sendungen mit den entsprechenden Sendungslücken. Die vorderste Sendung muss entsprechend seiner Zieladresse in das letzte Sortierendstellensegment Lxm und alle dargestellten folgenden Sendungen in das letzte Sortierendstellensegment Lyn des anderen Transport- und Weichenstranges Y geleitet werden. Da die sogenannten Eingangslücken lEin der ankommenden Sendungen kleiner als die für das letzte Segment notwendigen und in Testläufen vorher ermittelten Lücken sind, müssen die Sendungen zur Vergrö-ßerung der Lücken verschoben werden.
In der unteren Reihe ist die relative Lage der Sendungen zueinander nach der Verschiebung dargestellt.
Da die vorderste Sendung in den X-Strang geleitet wird, entsteht für die nachfolgende Sendung eine größere für eine Verschiebung nach vorn nutzbare Lücke, die nur durch die zum sicheren Umschalten der Hochleistungsweiche 3 benötigte Lücke reduziert wird. Diese Verschiebemöglichkeit kann aber nicht vollständig genutzt werden, weil das Verschieben nach vorn auf den Wert Vvor,max begrenzt ist. Da die so entstandene Lücke zur nächstfolgenden Sendung für das letzte Sortiersegment Lyn größer als die erforderliche Lücke lerf ist, kann diese nächstfolgende Sendung ebenfalls noch nach vorn verschoben werden. Die Pfeile unter den Sendungen geben die Verschieberichtungen an. Die Verschiebungen der weiteren nachfolgenden Sendungen im Strom nach hinten können solange durchgeführt werden, bis bei der weiteren Verschiebung die Lücke kleiner als die für die Hochleistungsweiche 3 notwendige Lücke werden würde. Da dies nicht erlaubt ist, muss die Sendung, deren Verschiebung nicht mehr möglich ist, in eine Rejectendstelle vorzugsweise am Anfang der Weichenstrecke ausgeschleust werden. Infolge der entstandenen größeren Lücke kann die nach der größeren Lücke folgende Sendung wieder nach vorn verschoben werden usw.In Figure 2, a gap shifting process is shown, with a shift forward can be done only slightly with V before, max . The top row shows the incoming shipments with the corresponding shipment gaps. The foremost consignment must be routed to the last sorting end segment L xm and all the following following consignments to the last sorting end segment L yn of the other transport and branch line Y according to its destination address. Since the so-called input gaps l A of the incoming shipments are smaller than the gaps required for the last segment and the previously determined in test runs, the items of mail need to be moved for magnification-fication of the gaps.
In the lower row, the relative position of the items to each other after the shift is shown.
Since the foremost broadcast is routed in the X-strand, resulting for the subsequent broadcast a larger usable for a shift forward gap, only by the safe Switching the high-performance diverter 3 required gap is reduced. However, this shift possibility can not be fully utilized because the shift forward is limited to the value V before, max . Since the resulting gap to the next shipment for the last sorting segment L yn is greater than the required gap l erf , this next transmission can also be moved forward. The arrows below the shipments indicate the displacement directions. The shifts of the other subsequent transmissions in the stream to the rear can be carried out until the gap would be smaller than the gap required for the high-performance diverter 3 in the further shift. Since this is not allowed, the consignment whose displacement is no longer possible, must be discharged into a Rejectendstelle preferably at the beginning of the route route. As a result of the resulting larger gap following the larger gap following program can be moved forward again, etc.

In FIG 3 ist die Lückenveränderung der einlaufenden Sendungen wie in FIG 2 unter Verwendung der Abkürzung zur Vergrößerung der maximalen Verschiebung nach vorn dargestellt. Hierbei können die Verschiebemöglichkeiten voll ausgenutzt werden, d.h. die erste Sendung für das Sortierendstellensegment Lyn wird soweit nach vorn geschoben, dass die Lücke zum Betätigen der Hochleistungsweiche 3 gerade ausreicht. In der oberen Sendungsreihe zeigen die Pfeile in Brieflaufrichtung die Verschiebung der Sendungen um den festen Betrag durch die Abkürzungsstrecke nach vorn, die Sendungsreihe darunter gibt die anschließende Verschiebung dieser über die Abkürzung transportierten Sendungen nach hinten an, so dass sich im Ergebnis der unten dargestellte Sendungsstrom mit den erforderlichen Lücken ergibt. Wie zu erkennen, muss hierbei eine Sendungsausschleusung in eine Rejectendstelle später, d.h. nicht so häufig erfolgen. Da die Eingangslücken aufgrund unterschiedlicher Sendungseigenschaften nicht genau gleich sind, erfolgt in der Lückenveränderungsvorrichtung überlagert mit der Lückenänderung zur Anpassung an die für jeweilige Transport- und Weichenstreckenlänge benötigte Lücke eine Korrektur der unterschiedlichen Eingangslücken. Müssen die nacheinander folgenden Sendungen des Sendungsstromes nicht in das gleiche hintere Sortierendstellensegment geleitet werden, was der Normalfall ist, so ist meist genug Verschiebeplatz vorhanden, der kein Ausschleusen notwendig macht.In FIG. 3, the gap variation of the incoming transmissions is shown as in FIG. 2 using the abbreviation to increase the maximum displacement to the front. In this case, the displacement possibilities can be fully utilized, ie the first transmission for the sorting end segment L yn is pushed so far forward that the gap for actuating the high-performance diverter 3 is just sufficient. In the upper series of mail, the arrows in the letter direction show the movement of the programs by the fixed amount by the abbreviation distance forward, the series of programs below indicates the subsequent shift of these transported via the abbreviations broadcasts to the rear, so that as a result, the transmission current shown below gives the required gaps. As can be seen, in this case a shipment discharge into a reject terminal must take place later, ie not as frequently. Since the input gaps are not exactly the same due to different transmission properties, in the gap changing device superimposed with the gap change to adapt to the respective transport and switch route length required gap a correction of the different input gaps. If the consecutive transmissions of the transmission stream do not have to be routed to the same rear sorting end segment, which is the normal case, then there is usually enough displacement space that does not necessitate any ejection.

Claims (10)

  1. Method for sorting flat items of mail which, after being separated off from a stack, are fed as a stream of items of mail via a transportation and distribution section (2) to target addresses, correspondingly determined in succession in the longitudinal direction, into sorting endpoints (1) which are assigned to the target addresses, wherein, before the transportation and distribution section (2), the gaps between two items of mail in each case are changed by means of a controllable gap changing device (4), and wherein the minimum gaps between two items of mail for reliable expulsion of the items of mail into the sorting endpoints (1) are determined in statistical enquiries as a function of the transportation distances to the assigned sorting endpoints (1) and the maximum displacement of the items of mail with respect to one another which occur on the corresponding transportation distances, characterized in that
    - the average set point gap selected between the items of mail which leave the separation device is smaller than the minimum gap between the items of mail which are to be sorted into the sorting endpoints (1) with the longest transportation distances,
    - the gaps between two items of mail are changed by means of the controllable gap-changing device (4) as a function of the item of mail with the respective shorter transportation distance to the assigned sorting endpoint (1), and
    - in order to provide the necessary space for displacing the items of mail in the respective stream of items of mail in order to change the gaps between two respective items of mail in the transportation and distribution section (2), destructive items of mail are expelled from this stream of items of mail individually in accordance with the statistically determined minimum gap.
  2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the average set point gap between the items of mail which leave the separation device is greater than the minimum gap between the items of mail for the sorting endpoints (1) with the shortest transportation paths.
  3. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sorting endpoints (1) are combined to form segments, and the statistical enquiries are carried out as a function of the greatest transportation distances to the sorting endpoints of the respective segments.
  4. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that in order to expel the destructive items of mail, the stream of items of mail is divided in the transportation and distribution section (2) into two or more transportation and distribution lengths with sorting endpoints (1) arranged one behind the other, by means of one or more distributors (3) for very small minimum gaps.
  5. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sorting endpoints (1) for frequently occurring destination addresses are arranged at the start of the transportation and distribution section (2).
  6. Method according Claim 1, characterized in that in order to expel the destructive items of mail, in each case a subsequent item of mail is expelled into a reject endpoint which is located at the start of the sorting endpoint area, if, owing to the displacement of the previous item of mail, the gap between the two items of mail would become smaller than the permissible minimum gap which is determined by the distributors of the sorting endpoints (1).
  7. Device for sorting flat items of mail in a sorting machine having a separation device, a reading device, a transportation and distribution section (2), sorting and reject endpoints (1), a controllable gap-changing device (4) upstream of the transportation and distribution section (2) and a controller which ensures the operational sequence according to Claim 1.
  8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the gap-changing device (4) is composed of two transportation units (6, 7) which are driven in a controlled fashion and in which the items of mail are transported in a clamped fashion, wherein the first transportation unit (6) which does not impede the transportation of the items of mail in the second transportation unit (7) is arranged upstream of the second transportation unit (7) at a controllable speed.
  9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the gap-changing device (4) additionally has a shortcut transportation section (9) which is located upstream of the transportation units (6, 7) and in that the items of mail can be optionally fed into the short cut transportation section (9) via a distributor (11).
  10. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the stream of items of mail can be divided in the transportation and distribution section (2) into two or more transportation and distribution lengths with sorting endpoints (1) respectively arranged in succession, via one or more distributors (3) for very short minimum gaps.
EP05707163A 2004-03-13 2005-02-03 Process and device for sorting flat postal items Not-in-force EP1727626B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102004012378A DE102004012378B3 (en) 2004-03-13 2004-03-13 Method and device for sorting flat shipments
PCT/EP2005/001073 WO2005092524A1 (en) 2004-03-13 2005-02-03 Process and device for sorting flat postal items

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1727626A1 EP1727626A1 (en) 2006-12-06
EP1727626B1 true EP1727626B1 (en) 2008-01-23

Family

ID=34877607

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05707163A Not-in-force EP1727626B1 (en) 2004-03-13 2005-02-03 Process and device for sorting flat postal items

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US7687737B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1727626B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2007527787A (en)
CN (1) CN1929928A (en)
DE (2) DE102004012378B3 (en)
WO (1) WO2005092524A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012110412A1 (en) 2011-02-14 2012-08-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for sorting flat articles using gap alteration

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006027872A1 (en) * 2006-06-16 2007-12-27 Siemens Ag Process for the separation of goods
DE102006029816A1 (en) 2006-06-28 2008-01-03 Siemens Ag mail-sorting
DE102006044137B3 (en) * 2006-09-15 2008-02-14 Siemens Ag System e.g. for sorting plane post items with gap control to increase throughput, has two parallel winding storage modules each having storage area and import function for postal pieces received from post-piece in storage area
DE102006055947B3 (en) * 2006-11-24 2008-01-10 Siemens Ag Flat mail items sorting system has multiple sorting registers and memory module, which works at last-in or first-out principle, where memory module is attached to conveyor belt, by switch, which is present in front of switches
DE102008005540A1 (en) * 2007-07-18 2009-01-22 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for weighing mailpieces
FR2919598B1 (en) * 2007-08-02 2009-12-04 Solystic DEVICE FOR CONVEYING SHIPMENTS WITH DEDICATED RATE SUPPORT
DE102007062959A1 (en) 2007-12-21 2009-06-25 Siemens Ag Method and device for transporting flat postal items
US7999206B2 (en) * 2008-03-14 2011-08-16 Siemens Industry, Inc. Method and system for sorting of extended capability mail
DE102010010375A1 (en) 2010-03-05 2011-09-08 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for reversing direction during the transport of objects
FR2977814B1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2013-07-12 Solystic DEPILING DEVICE FOR FLAT OBJECT SORTING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR DISPOLVING FLAT OBJECTS
CN104058279B (en) * 2013-03-18 2016-10-05 株式会社东芝 Bill handling device
US10226794B2 (en) * 2017-07-18 2019-03-12 Intelligrated Headquarters, Llc Dynamic tray spacing

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19609068A1 (en) 1996-03-08 1997-09-11 Aeg Electrocom Gmbh Distribution system for flat objects
EP0916607B1 (en) * 1997-11-13 2002-10-02 Hitachi, Ltd. A paper sorting apparatus for sorting sheets of paper and articles
JP2000024598A (en) * 1998-07-14 2000-01-25 Hitachi Ltd Sheet treatment apparatus
DE19936369C1 (en) 1999-08-03 2000-10-19 Siemens Ag Letter gap correction method for automatic mail processing machine
US7301115B2 (en) * 2003-08-01 2007-11-27 Lockheed Martin Corporation System and method of identifying and sorting response services mail pieces in accordance with plural levels of refinement in order to enhance postal service revenue protection

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012110412A1 (en) 2011-02-14 2012-08-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for sorting flat articles using gap alteration

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1727626A1 (en) 2006-12-06
WO2005092524A1 (en) 2005-10-06
DE102004012378B3 (en) 2005-09-22
US7687737B2 (en) 2010-03-30
CN1929928A (en) 2007-03-14
DE502005002663D1 (en) 2008-03-13
JP2007527787A (en) 2007-10-04
US20070205143A1 (en) 2007-09-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1727626B1 (en) Process and device for sorting flat postal items
EP1509341B1 (en) Method and device for processing flat mailings
EP0918721B1 (en) Conveyor
DE4314832C1 (en) Stacking device for tabular goods
DE102004056696A1 (en) Device for pre-sorting of occasional narrow shipments
DE19936369C1 (en) Letter gap correction method for automatic mail processing machine
DE102007058581B4 (en) Sorting system for flat postal items
EP2945891B1 (en) Conveying device
EP1868931B1 (en) Grouping device
WO2003031299A1 (en) Method for processing flat products and device for carrying out said method
DE102007058580A1 (en) Method for sorting flat postal items
EP2743193A1 (en) Method and device for folding or turning over a slice or a portion of a sliced food product
EP3269670A1 (en) Method and device for forming advertising material compositions
EP3597430B1 (en) Device and method for selectively cross folding of sequentially printed sheets
EP3749598B1 (en) Conveyor for conveying food products and associated operating method
AT523333A1 (en) Sorting device and method
EP0785827B1 (en) Method of controlling a letter-sorting system
EP2110356B1 (en) Device and method of transporting sensitive goods over criss-crossing transport paths
EP2078569B1 (en) Method and device for sorting flat posted items by order of route
DE102006044137B3 (en) System e.g. for sorting plane post items with gap control to increase throughput, has two parallel winding storage modules each having storage area and import function for postal pieces received from post-piece in storage area
EP2017588A1 (en) Method and device for weighing postage items
DE102021129561A1 (en) Sorting unit for a sorting device and sorting device with at least two sorting units and sorting system with a sorting device and method for sorting flat mail items
DE102022126949A1 (en) Device for conveying and separating workpieces
DE102011082447B4 (en) Apparatus and method for merging goods
WO2001081219A1 (en) Method and device for forming piles of sheets consisting of one or more sheets

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20060727

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 502005002663

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20080313

Kind code of ref document: P

ET Fr: translation filed
GBV Gb: ep patent (uk) treated as always having been void in accordance with gb section 77(7)/1977 [no translation filed]
BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: IEMENS A.G.

Effective date: 20080228

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20081024

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080123

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080123

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20160420

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20170222

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 502005002663

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170901

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20181031

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180228