EP1868740B1 - Systeme de traitement du courrier - Google Patents

Systeme de traitement du courrier Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1868740B1
EP1868740B1 EP06710599A EP06710599A EP1868740B1 EP 1868740 B1 EP1868740 B1 EP 1868740B1 EP 06710599 A EP06710599 A EP 06710599A EP 06710599 A EP06710599 A EP 06710599A EP 1868740 B1 EP1868740 B1 EP 1868740B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
buffer
sorting
conveyor
pockets
output
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
EP06710599A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1868740A1 (fr
Inventor
Peter Berdelle-Hilge
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
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Siemens AG
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP1868740A1 publication Critical patent/EP1868740A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1868740B1 publication Critical patent/EP1868740B1/fr
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/30—Arrangements for removing completed piles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/4226—Delivering, advancing piles
    • B65H2301/42264—Delivering, advancing piles by moving the surface supporting the lowermost article of the pile, e.g. conveyor, carriage
    • 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
    • B65H2404/23—Belts with auxiliary handling means
    • B65H2404/232—Blade, plate, finger
    • 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
    • B65H2404/264—Arrangement of side-by-side belts
    • 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 generally to a system for processing mailpieces, and more particularly to a device for sorting flat mailings according to a definable sequence of recipient addresses associated with delivery points.
  • Postal distribution centers process millions of postal items daily to prepare them for delivery to individual recipient addresses.
  • the term "mailing" includes letters, magazines and journals, book broadcasts and other flat mailings.
  • a mail processing system at a mail distribution center sorts the mailpieces.
  • One task of the postman is to arrange the mailpieces in the order of their delivery in order to achieve efficient delivery.
  • a mail processing system is highly automated to handle the number of daily mailings.
  • the mail processing system may include a system that processes the mailpieces and packages them for delivery points and shuffles those volumes (also called DPP system, where DPP stands for Delivery Point Packaging).
  • the processing includes, among other functions, the separation of the mailpieces, the reading of their recipient addresses, the grouping and the sequence sorting according to their recipient addresses.
  • Such mail processing systems should generally work efficiently and reliably while avoiding excessive use of mail to avoid damaging or minimally damaging the mail.
  • a solution has been found for sorting mailpieces in a particular order (EP 820 818A1 ), which uses a cache, which consists of pockets or similar elements, each of which can record a broadcast and deliver it to a control command in the actual storage compartment again.
  • a cache which consists of pockets or similar elements, each of which can record a broadcast and deliver it to a control command in the actual storage compartment again.
  • first all to be classified programs are housed in any order in the pockets of the cache. Then the items are removed from the pockets of the buffer and transferred to the storage compartments that they are in the latter in the order to be produced.
  • Each shipment has its own storage.
  • the sorting is done with two rounds of the pockets of the cache, one round for filling the pockets, another for emptying the pockets.
  • a device for example WO-A-2004/071680 known.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a device for sorting flat broadcasts according to a definable sequence of the delivery addresses associated with the recipient addresses, in which the broadcasts are processed efficiently and with increased throughput. This is done u. a. in that the items of mail are singled and read only once and placed in the specified sequence by means of circulating buffers, whereby the effort for removing the items is reduced and other items or items can be additionally included.
  • an output conveying device which moves relative thereto at a relative speed is arranged below a contiguous part of the intermediate store designated as a covering area for receiving the items from the intermediate store for the further transport of the items to a stacking unit.
  • the transport speed of the output conveyor is tuned to the transport speed of the buffer so that each portion of the output conveyor has passed through each memory location of the buffer at least once during its movement along the coverage area and the transmissions from the memory locations of the buffer be emptied onto the output conveyor according to the read recipient addresses so that they leave the output conveyor in the stacking device in the specified sequence of recipient addresses.
  • the device has at least one output.
  • a buffer memory device for receiving the read mailings is advantageously arranged between the reading device (s) and the intermediate buffer.
  • the read programs are loaded in each case in the loading station for the buffer memory in the buffer pockets, which deliver the programs in at least one output to empty storage locations of the sorting buffer and which can be coupled in a further advantageous embodiment of a circulating, endless conveyor and decoupled from the conveyor , During transfer, the buffer pockets of the buffer memory device are coupled to the conveyor and the transferring buffer memory runs in the same direction at the same speed positioned to the storage location to be loaded.
  • devices for loading with further items to be distributed to the respective recipient addresses are arranged on the portions assigned to the recipient addresses via the parts of the output conveyor outside the coverage area.
  • sensors for measuring the mailing thicknesses are provided. If the total height of the consignments assigned to a delivery point exceeds a limit value, the adjacent areas can also be loaded with consignments of the same delivery point as required.
  • the shipment volumes must lie one above the other in the fixed sequence of the delivery points in the sections of the output conveyor.
  • the exit conveyor under a part of the buffer in a U-shape.
  • the buffer and / or the buffer memory have at least one loading and unloading station for the additional removal of mail items from the storage locations according to certain sorting criteria outside the coverage area. This makes it possible in addition to sorting, also separating shipments according to certain criteria.
  • both devices can be nested in one another, whereby the required footprint is almost halved compared to a separate lineup.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of a system for sorting mail.
  • the overview presents the basic processes and the functional relationships within the system. These processes and relationships are in FIG. 1 by function blocks for processing unaddressed items ADS, a large letter processing (Flats) FS, a letter processing LS and a packing function PS illustrated.
  • ADS unaddressed items
  • Flats large letter processing
  • LS letter processing
  • PS packing function PS
  • the system may include other functional blocks, such as for reading and recognizing address fields.
  • the division into these function blocks is here to simplify the description, and the functions in a concrete embodiment may be differently divided or functions may be shared. A detailed description of some embodiments and their structural components follows.
  • the function block for processing unaddressed items ADS processes mailings that are delivered by different major customers directly to the mail distribution center. For example, the advertising mailings of a major customer can be delivered on pallets.
  • the ADS function block processes the batches into batches, with each batch to be processed containing the mailings of various major customers. At the end of processing, for each postman, e.g. a large number of commercials of major customer A and a large number of commercials of large customer B have been isolated and introduced according to the recipient addresses in the further processing.
  • the function block of the large letter processing FS sorts flat large letters according to the order of their delivery. This includes, among other things, the reading of recipient addresses, the loading of the large letters on a device for organizing and the actual sorting process. At the end of the processing, the large letters for each post office floor have been indexed according to their recipient addresses and merged with the unaddressed items per delivery point.
  • the function block of the letter processing LS also sorts smaller letters according to the order of their delivery. Also to this processing belongs u.a. reading the recipient's addresses or an identification code applied in previous processing, loading on a device for sorting and the actual sorting process. At the end of the processing, the letters for each post office floor have been placed in the order of passage according to their recipient addresses and merged with the unaddressed items and the large letters per delivery point.
  • the functional block of the packaging PS packages the sorted consignments per delivery point, for example with a plastic film wrapping. Each package volume of a delivery point packaged in this way is allocated to the respective postman in the sequence of his delivery route in containers.
  • Sorting each shipment type places different demands on the system, for example, in terms of throughput. Characteristic of the in FIG. 1 illustrated system is that it can be used for sorting different types of shipments. Depending on the version, the system allows these items to be sorted separately, then combined and packed per delivery point.
  • the functional block of the large-scale processing FS is in FIG. 2 - FIG. 8 described in more detail.
  • the mail items 4 are first in a known manner in a singulator 1 isolated from a pile. Then, the receiver addresses of the programs 4 are recorded and determined in a reading device, not shown. The read programs 4 are then passed to a buffer memory device 2. There, each shipment 4 is transported via a loading station in, for example, a circulating buffer bag 3, these buffer bags 3 can advantageously be coupled to the loading again controlled to a rotating conveyor and can be decoupled controlled by the conveyor and the transfer to the buffer in the coupled state can be done.
  • the mailings 4 from each separating device 1 are transported into the buffer bags 3 via a separate loading station.
  • the buffer bags 3 can be opened in a controlled manner down to deliver the mail items 4 to empty storage locations, for example, pockets 6 of another circulating intermediate storage 5. Here, the pockets 6 are firmly connected to the rotating conveyor.
  • the buffer 5 has a plurality of storage locations into which the mailings 4 can be transferred.
  • the storage locations can be configured as pockets 6, sorting compartments or other such carrier elements.
  • the following are the storage locations without limitation of Protected area referred to as pockets 6.
  • the storage locations can be loaded and unloaded.
  • the buffer and the buffer bags 3 run in the same direction.
  • the orders of the shipments 4 according to the agreed sequence of delivery points takes place by the shipments 4 controlled by opening the pockets bottom of the pockets 6 down on a counter to the buffer 5 with its upper tower rotating, divided into at least logical sections output conveyor 7 fall.
  • the output conveyor 7 is arranged in U-shaped plan below the buffer, d. H. the buffer 5 is longer than the output conveyor 7.
  • the transport speeds are coordinated so that each section 8 of the output conveyor 7 has passed through each pocket 6 of the buffer 5 once during its movement along the overlap area with the buffer 5. It is possible to load a plurality of consignments 4 in a section 8 up to a maximum overall height, in which safe transport and safe stacking behavior (see FIG.
  • the output conveyor 7 can also be pre-occupied by further sorting or input devices for all or special receivers with broadcasts.
  • a stacking device for receiving the stacked items 4 in the specified sequence in container 9.
  • a device for portioning can be arranged, in which the consistencies of a delivery point before stacked in bags and bags or provided with banderoles or small flags.
  • the mail items 4 can be stacked in the container 9 in an upright or lying position.
  • the mail items 4 are loaded on the exit conveyor 7 so that they leave it in the appropriate sequence. If consignments 4 of different, but adjacent delivery points loaded in a section 8, they must be in the specified sequence of delivery points on top of each other, but then can not be packed per delivery point.
  • the consignments 4 (5) located in the buffer 5 FIG. 5a ) should place in a container in order from top to bottom blue, red, green, purple according to 5g be filed.
  • Latch 5 and output conveyor 7 move in opposite directions.
  • the mail marked purple is deposited in a section of the exit conveyor 7 (FIG. FIG. 5b ). If then the program 4 marked green is above this section, it is stored on the program lilac ( FIG. 5c ) and the shipment 4 marked blue runs past this section because it is the last shipment in sequence and will be unloaded into the following section ( FIG. 5d ).
  • the consignment has reached the red section with the two consignments purple, green and is unloaded as the highest consignment. This was done on condition that the previously measured transmission thicknesses allow the filing of the three broadcasts into one section. Subsequently In the stacking device, the mail items 4 are stacked in the desired order in a container ( FIG. 5f ).
  • the buffer 5 can pass through two levels.
  • the non-overlapping the output conveyor 7 part of the latch 5 is foldable about a horizontal axis above or below the overlapping part:
  • the latch 5 has in principle the course of a lying eight, which was folded in its node and is included there by the buffer memory device 2 ,
  • the actuators for opening the pockets 6 of the buffer 5 can be arranged stationary with constant synchronization between buffer 5 and output conveyor 7. A folding can also be done horizontally.
  • FIG. 6 In order to keep the system as compact as possible FIG. 6 at the level transition, a 540 ° deflection over the interior of the system.
  • outputs 10 of the buffer memory device 2 for loading the pockets 6, unloading stations 11 for the additional removal of mail items 4 from the pockets 6 according to certain sorting criteria, a loading station 12 for loading the buffer bags with the items from the singulator 1 and an output 13 of the buffer memory device 2 for discharging separated programs.
  • both installations A and B can be folded as shown in FIG FIG. 7 represented, are merged into each other, which then in a system, the additional level of the cache 5 above the level of the buffer memory device 2 and in the other system below the level of the buffer memory device 2 is located. As a result, only a small footprint is needed.
  • FIG. 8 schematically shows a further embodiment, which provides an increased throughput, but still requires a minimum footprint.
  • This embodiment has more than one output conveyor 7 and thus more than one output.
  • An output conveyor 7 can be designed as a transport path or as a closed transport loop with individual sections 8 (section conveyor) or a plurality of jointly transported carrier elements (trays, trays). At its end (or exit), each output conveyor 7 is coupled, for example, to a container 9.
  • a device for portioning can also be arranged in this embodiment, in which the associated consignments of a delivery point are packaged before being stacked in bags and bags or provided with banderoles or small flags.
  • the throughput is increased in proportion to the number of output conveyor 7, for example, it is doubled in the embodiment shown here.
  • the output conveyors 7 are arranged one above the other on two levels, wherein in FIG. 8 the upper one is # 2 and the lower one is # 1.
  • the buffer 5 has an upper part 5a which extends over a part of the upper output conveyor 7, and a lower part Part which extends over a part of the lower output conveyor 7.
  • a connecting part 5c connects the upper and lower output conveyors 7.
  • the connecting part 5c is designed in one embodiment in the form of a vertical transition.
  • This transition may in one embodiment be a space curve on which the pockets 6 of the buffer 5 move to move between the upper part 5a and the lower part 5b.
  • An embodiment of a space curve is in FIG. 9 shown and explained in more detail.
  • the output conveyors 7 may also be arranged side by side.
  • the buffer 5 also has parts which each extend over part of an output conveyor 7. The parts of the buffer 5 are also connected by a connecting part in this embodiment.
  • this embodiment generally enables increased throughput.
  • the embodiment also makes it possible to reduce the speed of the output conveyors 7, for example, in proportion to the number of output conveyors 7.
  • the throughput of each output conveyor 7 can thus match the maximum throughput of a subsequent packaging or stacking device be adapted, for example by means of a combination of throughput increase and speed reduction.
  • performance can be increased through the use of multiple exit conveyors.
  • One aspect of the present application relates to a required length-reduced transition of the cache from one level to another. As a result, two output conveyors can be arranged one above the other instead of side by side, resulting in a reduced area requirement.
  • the achievable performance of the sorting system is dependent on the degree of overlap between the buffer and the output conveyor. This degree of overlap is reduced by the length of the deflection, from which its importance for the performance of the system is derived.
  • the proposed reduced-length transition consists of a sequence of three plane curves, typically 90 °, and subsequent rotation of the support elements.
  • the carrier elements are pockets.
  • the incoming and outgoing route are parallel.
  • the first flat curve is around a vertical one Axis, followed by a plane curve about a horizontal axis.
  • the subsequent vertical movement of the bag is used to adapt the route to the height to be overcome. This is followed by a plane curve around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the first curve.
  • the transition is completed by a rotation of the bag by 90 ° about its direction of movement.
  • FIG. 9 the vertical transition of the cache is shown in more detail.
  • the black line 100 indicates the locations of the articulation points of the pockets on the traction means. The location of these articulation points allows minimal deflection radii for the pocket composite and therefore a minimized length for the plane transition.
  • FIG. 9 also shows the two routes 111 and 113 in the lower horizontal plane 102. The location of a second plane parallel to the plane 102 is determined by the arrow 104. The transition of each pocket conveyor line from one plane to the other takes place through a series of 90 ° curves.
  • the pockets are attached to the traction means in the area of the line 100 with respect to which the movement of the pockets is described.
  • the pockets initially make a 90 ° curve in the plane 102 as shown by arrow 106. Subsequently, another 90 ° curve is carried out, whereby the pockets are deflected from the first plane 102 into the second plane parallel thereto, represented by the arrow 108. The pocket then moves vertically until shortly before reaching the second horizontal plane, the it reaches 110 after another, third 90 ° deflection. Finally, a first 90 ° rotation 112 takes place about the direction of movement 130, in which they then continue. The second route 113 is performed equivalently in the opposite direction.
  • the described arrangement also advantageously allows the use of an annular buffer memory 122, see FIG. 10 , This is loaded at the point 123 and delivers the goods in two places 124 in the cache. The pockets between these two places need about half of their total cycle time.
  • FIGS. 11a-11c show the top view of various embodiments. While FIG 11a does not contain a buffer memory FIG. 11b one and FIG 11c two buffers on. In both cases, two transfer points from the buffer memory to the buffer are respectively realized to generate a "1 + 1" charging mode. All figures share the same numbering of elements.
  • FIG 12a - FIG 12c show the implementation of in FIG. 10 shown arrangements in a sorting system.
  • the scalability of the system is within the scope of conventional design measures and does not limit the scope of protection.
  • FIGS. 13a-13f illustrates another aspect of the in FIG. 1 illustrated system.
  • Caching-based machines are less suitable for processing letters, because compared to a shroud system (pinch-belt system), the transport takes place through a buffer with a significantly reduced throughput. Because of that a separate process unit for letters is proposed, which has two tasks to fulfill. One task is to sort the letters of a delivery point into a sort bin as the last thread sequencing subprocess. The second task is to deliver this letter volume per delivery point to the output conveyor system. This embodiment therefore relates to these two objects.
  • the output conveyors 7 serve not only to unify the mail items from the buffer 5 but also to unite with letters.
  • sorting compartments for letters are arranged above the intermediate storage 5 in such a way that an output conveyor 7 moves below the sorting compartments.
  • Each bin is assigned to a delivery point.
  • a loading device fills the sorting compartments for letters independently of and separately from the buffer 5.
  • the number of sorting compartments is selected such that the second or last pass of a multistage sorting process to the in FIGS. 13a-13f shown device can be transmitted.
  • the sorting compartments are emptied, in which their content is transferred to the moving under them output conveyor 7.
  • FIGS. 13a-13f show a schematic DPP system with two vertically arranged output conveyors.
  • This DPP system is based on a cache 5 as described above.
  • the DPP system has a group of bins on each of the two levels.
  • An output conveyor is located below each of the sorting compartments.
  • FIGS. 13a-13f illustrate another aspect of the in FIG. 1 illustrated system.
  • the subsystem described above is arranged to solve two objects, namely to fill separate sorting compartments for letters as part of a sorting process, wherein the mailings for a delivery point are allocated to a sorting bin, and the stacks per bin are transferred to an exit conveyer.
  • a wide group of bins is used for this. If there are two levels, each level is assigned a second group of bins.
  • the groups are alternately filled and unloaded, that is, while a group of bins is being filled, the associated alternative group of bins is dumped by handing over the letters to the exit conveyor.
  • FIGS. 13a-13f These groups are called Bin Set 1 and Bin Set 2.
  • Bin Set 1 and Bin Set 2 In these figures, for one level, the timing of the transfer to the exit conveyor 7 (ie, emptying the sorting compartments) and the filling of the sorting compartments exemplified. Above the illustrated bins are in FIGS. 13b-13f Lines are shown for the respective status of a set, showing the status of the first set (Status Bin Set 1) above the status of the second set (Status Bin Set 2).
  • FIGS. 13a-13f show in each case two alternately arranged sets of bins, which are designated here for description as red (R) and blue (B).
  • Each set of bins contains 30 bins labeled R1 - R30 and B1 - B30, respectively.
  • the sets are located above the exit conveyor 7 which moves from left to right.
  • the arrangement of the letter containers should take place in the direction of the letter transport in decreasing order (here from the left (R30, B30) to the right (R1, B1) decreasing).
  • Higher bin numbers are associated with higher delivery point numbers for groups of 30 delivery points.
  • FIG. 13a illustrated in line L1 below the output conveyor 7 whose position in which the contents of the sorting compartment R30 is transferred to the output conveyor 7.
  • the output conveyor 7 has moved to the right and was loaded with the contents of the bins R1 - R29, so that the content of 30 bins R1 - R30 is located on the output conveyor 7.
  • the first set is thus in the transfer status during a time of, for example, 22 seconds. When the transfer begins, all shipments assigned to this group of delivery points must have already been sorted into the bins.
  • the first set is then in the loading status, for example for 25 s.
  • FIG. 13d shows in line L3 that about 9 seconds after all the red bins R1 - R30 have been emptied, the blue bins B1 - B30 of the output conveyor 7 is started to be handed over. The blue containers are therefore in transfer status until all blue bins B1 - B30 are emptied (line L4).
  • FIG. 13e is that the second set afterwards in the loading status, for example, for 25 s.
  • FIGS. 13f-13g illustrate in lines L5, L6 that the in FIGS. 13a-13e Repeat the transfer operations of the two sets shown.
  • the time between two transfers is 39 seconds.
  • FIG. 13f and 13g also illustrate that in the illustrated embodiment, a pause in the separation module for letters may arise, for example, when the first set was loaded, the break is until the second set is started to load a few seconds, for example about 4-6 s.
  • this separation break does not reduce the throughput of the system, since this is due to the output conveyors.
  • the method described above allows a maximum time for refilling, i. for a given throughput of the output conveyor a maximum break of the singulation module.
  • This can be understood as a safety reserve in order to process also above-average shipment volumes per set.
  • the described embodiment is based on the use of only two sets of bins that are alternately filled and emptied.
  • FIGS. 14-15 illustrate another aspect of the in FIG. 1 illustrated system.
  • the presented sorting compartment includes the following characteristics for the additional transfer to the output conveyor.
  • the device consists of a shelf, which can fold down and thereby opens the bin. This floor can be driven in its fulcrum at the top by a resting on the top of the stack rocker arm and be resettable by a spring force.
  • the shelf is provided with a powered underfloor belt for active acceleration of the letter stack, supported by gravity.
  • a driven pulley on the top of the stack may assist in accelerating the stack.
  • the stacking tray may be inclined accordingly. A corner alignment can be achieved by an additional inclination of the stacking tray.
  • the proposed solution makes it possible to automatically transfer a stack of letters to an exit conveyor situated below the stacking compartment. Due to the kinematic conditions, a larger angle of the stacking tray bottom advantageously arises during stack transfer than during the stacking process into the stacking compartment.
  • a follower lever 108 with a driving roller 110 rotates about the pivot point 114 as part of the crossover 106 according to the level in the stacking tray and the angle of the shelf.
  • the roller 110 located on the drag lever is provided with a frictional contact surface with respect to the letters, so that in the driven case the letters are accelerated become.
  • the roller drive 110 and the driven rotation of the finger lever are known in the art.
  • the stacker includes a bottom 116 having a bottom flange 118 which is driven by one or both pulleys.
  • the design is a choice of a designer.
  • the axis of a steering roller also serves as a fulcrum 120 of the bottom 116, by which this can pivot up and down.
  • the bin 100 further consists of a front wall 124 and a rear wall 122, between which the bottom is arranged. All three walls thus form the sorting compartment for receiving letters.
  • a conveying device which in one embodiment can consist of individual trays 126 with large letters already stored thereon and unaddressed items of mail.
  • the conveyor moves from left to right according to the indicated arrow 130.
  • the bin 100 is stationary, it is not moved. Its number depends on a chosen construction.
  • the object of the device described above is the delivery of letters 104 from their bin 100 to the conveyor 126 on which large letters and other mailings 128 may already be located for this delivery point.
  • FIG. 15 The process of merging is over FIG. 15 seen.
  • the bin bottom 116 is pivoted about its pivot point 120 down, so that a gap 132 between it and the front wall 124 is formed.
  • the underfloor belt 118 and the roller 110 are then driven in the same direction, so that the letters are deposited through the gap 132 on the shipments 128 of the conveyor below the sorting compartment.
  • FIG. 15 apparent the roller 110 rotates counterclockwise 136, while the underfloor belt 118 rotates clockwise 138.
  • the simultaneous movement of roller 110 and underfloor belt 118 accelerates the letters 104 from their sorting compartment 100 through the gap corresponding to the arrow 134.
  • the activation required for this purpose is known to the person skilled in the art.
  • WO 2005/025763 A1 be solved by generating sufficiently small batches with contiguous areas of delivery points. Characteristic of this process is that an initially separated shipment volume, which must be processed in one or more separate process steps, is minimized.
  • Another application of the invention disclosure describes an arrangement that requires only the reloading of a cache with the separated shipment volume, but not the re-separating the items. There is no known arrangement or machine in which not the entire shipment volume must be processed again. In addition, knowledge of the volume distribution over the delivery points is necessary in such a tree-sort method.
  • the proposed arrangement consists of two largely mirror-image machines accordingly FIG. 1 , which are arranged laterally offset from one another.
  • Each of the two machines corresponds to the system FIG. 1 , extended by a separating device and loading device of unaddressed Shipments to one or more output conveyors before the overlap area of latches and output conveyors.
  • the two machines 100 and 102 may be connected to each other via one or more conveyors in the area of the buffer 104 or reservoir 104, as described in more detail in FIG FIG. 16 shown.
  • the standalone link conveyor 106 logically connects the machine 102 to the machine 100 in the buffers 108a and 108b of both machines. In the non-hatched areas, the buffer 108a passes beneath other conveyors.
  • the connection conveyor is loaded in a region 110b from the buffer memory and a non-visible underlying region from the buffer of machine 102 and in the region 110b from the buffer memory of machine 102.
  • the connection conveyor is unloaded into the buffer 108a of machine 100 in region 110a.
  • the two loading areas from the buffer (110b and invisible the second) are located immediately in front of the two loading stations 112a of the buffer of machine 102 through the buffer memory 108b.
  • the shipment volume which is not included in the batch size to be processed by the machine with a contiguous range of delivery points, can be automatically transferred to the buffer memory without an additional singulation process 108a another machine 100 are loaded. This shipment volume is then further processed on this machine 100.
  • the letter volume associated with this finishing process is automatically redirected from the letter 102 separating device of machine 102 to the letter processing system of machine 100 using a corresponding crossing unit.
  • the volume of unaddressed mail items associated with this further processing is no longer singled out by the corresponding machine 102 but by machine 100. For this reason, the two devices are arranged side by side.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates another aspect of the in FIG. 1 illustrated system.
  • FIG. 18 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an apparatus for sorting unaddressed broadcasts.
  • the device shown has a station in which the unaddressed broadcasts are generally supplied as a stack manually or by a loading device to the individual conveyor elements of the output conveyor 7. In a certain section of the output conveyor 7 is along this a number of dispensers are arranged to which the unaddressed items are transferred. In one embodiment, there may be 40 dispensers. If each postman is assigned an issuing office, the consignments can be pre-sorted to 40 postmen with this exit conveyor.
  • the individual dispensing stations can each be connected via a further active or passive transport system (eg conveyor belt or chute), which is arranged at right angles to the output conveyor 7, with corresponding containers for receiving the stacks or an area by correspondingly processing and packing these stacks for automatic separation become.
  • a further active or passive transport system eg conveyor belt or chute
  • the transfer to the delivery location takes place either almost vertically or almost horizontally. Depending on the version, the transfer can be carried out ballistically.
  • the unaddressed mailing stacks on the output conveyor 7 can be transferred horizontally by a controlled by a control mechanism mechanism in the respective issuing office or they are transferred vertically into an underlying issuing office. If the consignment stacks are located on individual trays or trays, the control device rotates, for example, in each case a carrier so that the consignment stack slips counter to the direction of movement of the carrier when it is above the desired dispensing point.
  • each type of commercial is assigned to a postman, i. each postman is e.g. a large number of commercials of major customer A and a variety of commercials of major customers B assigned.
  • the processing of unaddressed transmissions can be done in a device with an output ( FIG. 2 - FIG. 7 ) or with two outputs ( FIG. 8 ) be applied. It goes without saying that in a structure with two outputs also the sorting of the unaddressed transmissions with higher throughput or for more output points can take place.
  • the tray is tilted and the material slip by gravity from the tray into a target location.
  • the goods to be sorted can be fed to the tilting tray individually or as a stack.
  • consignment batches are collected on a tray conveyor and then fed to an extraction unit.
  • the shells are inclined in the conveying direction, so that an optimal stacking pattern (orientation along the bound side of the mailings) results when dropped from a Taschesorter.
  • tilt trays are unsuitable.
  • To the side tipping shells would lead to the significant deterioration of the stack image due to the undefined slip.
  • the main advantage of the present solution is the continuous, jerk-free and guided transfer of mailings and mailing stacks from one tray conveyor to another at high speed.

Landscapes

  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)
  • Hardware Redundancy (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Plant Substances (AREA)
  • Exchange Systems With Centralized Control (AREA)
  • Chemical And Physical Treatments For Wood And The Like (AREA)
  • Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
  • Transplanting Machines (AREA)
  • Debugging And Monitoring (AREA)
  • Financial Or Insurance-Related Operations Such As Payment And Settlement (AREA)
  • Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Steroid Compounds (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Installation pour ordonner des envois ( 4 ) dans un système de traitement du courrier, comprenant une installation pour relier deux accumulateurs ( 5 ) intermédiaires, qui a des moyens ( 106 ) de liaison de deux accumulateurs ( 5 ) intermédiaires de dispositif de tri voisins, caractérisée en ce que les moyens ( 106 ) de liaison relie les accumulateurs ( 5 ) intermédiaires dans la direction de traitement au-dessus de deux points de chargement et au-dessus de l'un des points de chargement d'un dispositif accumulateur d'entrée, et qui a des moyens de liaison de dispositifs d'accumulateurs d'entrée, les dispositifs accumulateurs d'entrée étant reliés par l'intermédiaire de boucles de liaison, et des poches des autres boucles de liaison étant reliées entre elles.
  2. Installation suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle les poches sont reliées entre elles par l'intermédiaire d'une chaîne.
  3. Installation suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle les poches sont reliées entre elles par l'intermédiaire d'une système d'alimentation en énergie.
  4. Installation suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle les poches sont reliées entre elles par l'intermédiaire d'un système libre.
  5. Installation suivant la revendication 1 à 4, dans laquelle les boucles de poches sont reliées dans une direction.
  6. Installation suivant la revendication 1 à 4, dans laquelle les bouches de poches sont reliées dans deux directions.
EP06710599A 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme de traitement du courrier Not-in-force EP1868740B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US66324705P 2005-03-21 2005-03-21
PCT/IB2006/000690 WO2006100592A1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme et procede de traitement du courrier

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1868740A1 EP1868740A1 (fr) 2007-12-26
EP1868740B1 true EP1868740B1 (fr) 2009-09-30

Family

ID=36540230

Family Applications (6)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06727522A Not-in-force EP1861327B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Dispositif et procede de transfert de piles
EP06727498A Not-in-force EP1863599B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme et procede pour traiter des envois postaux
EP06727497A Not-in-force EP1863598B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme et procede de traitement du courrier
EP06710600A Not-in-force EP1863600B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme de traitement du courrier
EP06710599A Not-in-force EP1868740B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme de traitement du courrier
EP06727500A Not-in-force EP1868742B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme et procede de traitement de courrier

Family Applications Before (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06727522A Not-in-force EP1861327B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Dispositif et procede de transfert de piles
EP06727498A Not-in-force EP1863599B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme et procede pour traiter des envois postaux
EP06727497A Not-in-force EP1863598B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme et procede de traitement du courrier
EP06710600A Not-in-force EP1863600B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme de traitement du courrier

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06727500A Not-in-force EP1868742B1 (fr) 2005-03-21 2006-03-21 Systeme et procede de traitement de courrier

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (2) US7888616B2 (fr)
EP (6) EP1861327B1 (fr)
AT (6) ATE542609T1 (fr)
DE (4) DE502006004665D1 (fr)
DK (6) DK1863599T3 (fr)
WO (8) WO2006100600A2 (fr)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2006100594A1 (fr) 2006-09-28
EP1868742B1 (fr) 2009-08-26
DK1861327T3 (da) 2010-03-29
US7888616B2 (en) 2011-02-15
EP1863598A1 (fr) 2007-12-12
US20090050541A1 (en) 2009-02-26
EP1863599A1 (fr) 2007-12-12
EP1868740A1 (fr) 2007-12-26
DK1863599T3 (da) 2012-03-19
WO2006100592A1 (fr) 2006-09-28
DK1868742T3 (da) 2009-11-30
US20090060698A1 (en) 2009-03-05
DK1863600T3 (da) 2010-01-11
WO2006100601A1 (fr) 2006-09-28
EP1863599B1 (fr) 2011-11-30
EP1861327B1 (fr) 2009-12-02
DE502006004665D1 (de) 2009-10-08
EP1863600B1 (fr) 2009-09-16
DK1863598T3 (da) 2012-05-21
DE502006005512D1 (de) 2010-01-14
DK1868740T3 (da) 2009-12-21
WO2006100589A1 (fr) 2006-09-28
WO2006100604A1 (fr) 2006-09-28
ATE542609T1 (de) 2012-02-15
DE502006004861D1 (de) 2009-10-29
EP1863598B1 (fr) 2012-01-25
ATE444124T1 (de) 2009-10-15
ATE450466T1 (de) 2009-12-15
EP1863600A1 (fr) 2007-12-12
WO2006100598A1 (fr) 2006-09-28
WO2006100599A1 (fr) 2006-09-28
EP1868742A1 (fr) 2007-12-26
US8127917B2 (en) 2012-03-06
DE502006004976D1 (de) 2009-11-12
WO2006100600A3 (fr) 2007-01-04
WO2006100600A2 (fr) 2006-09-28
EP1861327A1 (fr) 2007-12-05
ATE440678T1 (de) 2009-09-15
ATE442916T1 (de) 2009-10-15
ATE535316T1 (de) 2011-12-15

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