Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
  • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
  • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
  • B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
  • B07C3/08—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method of scheduling the objects of at least one round of factor according to the order of the successive delivery points of the tour, and a corresponding machine.
• folds are generally classified into two categories, small format letters, hereinafter referred to as PF folds, and large format flat objects hereinafter referred to as GF folds.
• the PF folds and the GF folds of different rounds are sorted separately by tour, possibly by means of sorters specific to each type of format.
• the GF and PF folds composing each tour must then be scheduled according to the order of the delivery points of the tour.
• a sorted tour is an alternation of PF and GF folds, the GF folds frequently acting as interleaves between the points of handover and facilitating identification during the distribution.
• this scheduling is done manually by the factors, in two passes.
• the purpose of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, by proposing a solution which aims to reduce the processing times for the scheduling of factor rounds.
• the present invention provides a method for scheduling objects of at least one Factor tour according to the order of successive delivery points of the tour, said objects comprising large format folds GF and small folds PF, characterized in that it comprises- a step of unstacking a batch in series of folds GF and a set of folds PF of a turn from unstacking means, the unstacking of a batch in series being preferably carried out parallel to the unstacking in series of the other batch, via separate unstacking means a step of identifying the points of delivery of each parcel folded in series, by reading and memorizing at least the postal address and possibly the name of the recipient,
• a step of evacuating the folds of said boxes preferably by simultaneous transfer of all the folds on conveying means.
• the set of GF and PF fold points is initially identified. of a tour. This identification of all the folds makes it possible to optimize their scheduling in successive boxes, each box possibly corresponding to one or more points of delivery.
• the scheduling step will be performed so as to minimize the number of sorting boxes used, to minimize the processing time, while respecting a maximum filling rate of the boxes.
• the method according to the invention comprises a step of measuring the thickness of each fold, said scheduling step being performed as a function of the thickness of the folds measured.
• the dynamic storage step consists in storing the PF folds and the GF folds in separate storage means, the scheduling step being carried out by parallel transfer of the GF folds and PF folds into the sorting boxes, the transfer of the folds GF preferably being carried out by the top of the sorting boxes, and that of the folds PF by a lateral side of the sorting boxes.
• the subject of the present invention is also a scheduling machine for carrying out the process described above, characterized in that it comprises unstacking means capable of stacking a series of GF folds and a batch of PF plies in series. a tour, identification means able to retrieve information relating to the mailing address of the envelopes, and possibly the name of the recipient, the means of dynamic storage of the folds GF and PF able to store all the folds GF and PF of a tour at the exit of the unstacking means and to deliver the folds in a set of successive sorting boxes, and suitable control means
• said dynamic storage means comprise a bucket carousel comprising buckets adapted to receive at least the set of folds GF of a turn by their open upper face, each bucket comprising a bottom hatch operable by said control unit for the gravity transfer of folds of said bucket into one of the sorting boxes distributed in at least one row below the bucket carousel.
• the dynamic storage means comprise a belt conveyor capable of storing the batch of folds PF of a turn, said conveyor belt comprising a downstream section, extending along the sorting boxes, equipped with a switching system operable by the control unit for the transfer of folds in the sorting boxes.
• each sorting box comprises two compartments separated by an intermediate partition, an open upper face for loading GF folds from above in a first compartment from the cup carousel, an open lateral face for the transfer of folds PF by the side into a second compartment from the conveyor belt.
• the sorting boxes comprising separate compartments, one for the PF folds and the other for the GF folds, whose entries are distinct but the common exit, makes it possible to collect folds GF and PF at a single location, in now these separate flows to prevent them from colliding during the sequencing phase, the merger being done only at the time of the evacuation of the folds.
• the sorting boxes are advantageously provided with a deflector at their open upper face and / or their open lateral face.
• the cup carousel is provided for the dynamic storage of PF and GF folds.
• the bucket carousel comprises first buckets intended to receive folds GF, and second buckets, of smaller dimensions than the first buckets, intended to receive folds PF.
• the carousel comprises for example an alternation of first buckets and second buckets of smaller width, the first buckets being separated by two second buckets.
• each sorting box is formed by a hatch, the hatches being operable by the control unit once the set of folds of a tour scheduled in the sorting boxes to transfer by gravity folds of the tour on an evacuation conveyor disposed below said sorting boxes.
• the pleats will be tiles on the upper strand of a belt conveyor.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a scheduling machine according to the invention
• FIG. 2 represents an enlarged perspective view of a sorting box of the machine of FIG.
• FIG. 3 represents a partial schematic side view of the machine illustrating the transfer of folds GF from the bucket carousel to the sorting boxes
• FIG. 4 represents a partial schematic view from above of the machine illustrating the transfer of the folds PF to the sorting boxes
• FIGS. 5a to 5C show partial schematic side views of the machine, illustrating the transfer of folds of the sorting boxes on the evacuation conveyor;
• FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the storage system, dynamic machine for PF folds
• FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively show partial schematic side and top views of a machine according to a second embodiment, illustrating the transfer of GF folds and PF folds from the bucket carousel to the sorting boxes;
• Figure 9 schematically shows a side view of a carousel cups according to a variant of the second embodiment of the machine; and, Figure 10 shows a partial schematic side view of the machine according to the second embodiment, illustrating the transfer of the folds of the sorting boxes on the discharge conveyor;
• the machine 1 comprises a first unstacker 2 for the folds GF placed above the buckets 31 of a bucket carousel 3.
• the unstacker is equipped with an injection system for injecting one by one the folds in the cups.
• the unstacker also includes an identification system for reading at least the mailing address of each GF fold, as well as a system for measuring the thickness of the GF folds.
• the bucket carousel which is the dynamic storage means GF folds, comprises at least as many buckets as there are folds GF in a tour.
• the buckets are open on the top for their loading, and their bottom is constituted by a retractable hatch.
• the carousel comprises modular bins 32 provided with intermediate partitions 33, each tray defining three buckets of the same dimensions. Each bucket is wide and deep enough to admit a GF fold.
• the hatch is formed of a flap 34 articulated along the lower edge of its rear wall.
• the carousel is able to rotate at a substantially constant speed, for example in the clockwise direction as illustrated by the arrow Fl.
• a set of sorting compartments 4, double compartment, is arranged in two parallel rows below the carousel, vis-à-vis the two parallel rectilinear portions of the carousel cups.
• each box 4 is formed of a parallelepipedal box 40 comprising an open upper face 41, defining the so-called upper opening of the box, a front wall 42a, a rear wall 42b, two small sides or side walls 43a , b and a bottom 44 that can open.
• the interior of the tray is separated into a front compartment 45a and a rear compartment 45b by an intermediate wall 46 extending between the two short sides, and obliquely from the upper rear edge 421b to the bottom of the box.
• the intermediate wall is for example disposed substantially equidistant from the lower front and rear edges.
• the boxes are oriented in the direction of the fall of the folds GF to facilitate the introduction.
• the boxes are thus slightly inclined, in the opposite direction to the direction of movement F1 of the buckets, or rising towards the rear.
• a deflector 47 extends from the upper rear edge 421b into the front compartment provided for loading from above the GF folds. Because of the reduced height of the folds PF, we benefit in the part greater than the full width of the box to ensure the filling of the front compartment with folds GF.
• the narrowed lower part of the front compartment limits the buckling problems of the soft folds.
• the outer side wall 43a is provided with a vertical side opening 48 opening on the rear compartment 45b for the loading of the folds PF, as described below.
• This opening is disposed substantially along the intermediate wall.
• the intermediate wall 146 extends from the underside of the reflector 147 to the bottom of the box, parallel to the front and rear walls.
• the intermediate wall is arranged to form a front compartment 145a of greater width than that of the rear compartment 145b.
• the lateral opening extends over the entire lateral side of the rear compartment.
• the bottom of each box consists of a retractable hatch, formed by a flap 441 mounted articulated along the lower rear edge of the box.
• the machine comprises a second unstacker 5 adapted for serializing a stack of folds PF.
• This unstacker also equipped with a postal address identification system, is connected at the output to a dynamic storage system formed of a belt conveyor 6, conventionally called a delay line, of a length sufficient to accommodate it. all folds PF of the tour.
• the belt conveyor comprises a downstream section 61 around the two rows of cells 4. At this downstream section, the folds are for example conveyed in the direction F2 opposite to the moving direction F1 of the carousel, between the two. 60 belts of the conveyor, which are clamped between motorized rollers 66.
• this downstream part is equipped with a switching system, comprising at each box, a movable switching flap 64, combined to a fixed external baffle 65 interposed between the belts and the box to orient the folds PF in the rear compartment of the box by the lateral opening.
• a switching system comprising at each box, a movable switching flap 64, combined to a fixed external baffle 65 interposed between the belts and the box to orient the folds PF in the rear compartment of the box by the lateral opening.
• the rear compartment is provided with an inner baffle 148, integral with the box, disposed in the extension of the outer baffle 65 to limit the risk of collision with other PF folds already present in the box.
• the belt conveyor incorporates a PF curl tiling system.
• the conveyor comprises an upstream section 62 receiving the plies PF coming from the unstacker 5 and conveying the plies at a speed Vl, an intermediate section 63 conveying the plies at a speed V2, less than Vl, and said aforementioned downstream section 61 conveying the folds at a speed V3, greater than V2, possibly substantially equal to Vl.
• the output of the upstream section opens onto an inclined inlet portion 631 of the intermediate section.
• a fold PF arrives at the inclined inlet portion of the intermediate section, it is slowed down at the speed V2.
• the following fold at a higher speed Vl, catches up and comes to partially cover it.
• the fullness of the folds can thus be tiled at the intermediate section, which greatly reduces the size of the conveyor belt.
• the downstream section disposed in the extension of the intermediate section ensures the decontamination of all the folds for their scheduling.
• An evacuation conveyor belt 7, type of a treadmill is disposed below each row of boxes, to ensure the evacuation of the folds of said boxes.
• the machine further comprises a control unit which synchronizes the transfer of the folds of the unstackers 2, 5 to the belt conveyor 6 and the cups of the carousel 3, then to the sorting boxes according to the order of the tour, and finally to the evacuation conveyor 7.
• the unstacker identification and measurement systems are connected to said control unit.
• the control unit comprises a sorting computer program which receives as input the read mail addresses and the thickness measurements.
• Each identification system makes it possible to capture an image of the address face of the folds, which will subsequently be processed by an OCR character recognition software of the control unit to retrieve the postal address, and possibly the name of the address. nobody.
• the identification system makes it possible to read a bar code representative of the mailing address that has previously been printed on the folds during a previous processing step.
• the control unit includes a library referential files corresponding to different tours of a distribution office, the sorting program being able to order the folds of a tour by comparing the mailing addresses read and all the delivery points of the repository file of this tour.
• the GF folds and PF folds composing a tour arrive separately upstream of the machine according to the invention, in the form of stack of folds. Each stack is oriented towards the corresponding unstacker 2, 5 for serialization. During unstacking, each fold GF is introduced into a free cup 31 of the carousel passing under the injection system, the folds PF being inserted one after the other in the conveyor belt.
• control unit Parallel to the filling of the carousel and conveyor belt, the control unit recovers by character recognition, reading bar codes, or video coding, the mailing address of each fold . and, optionally, the name of the recipient, and the thickness of each fold by the optical reading identification system and the measurement system associated with each unstacker.
• the control unit references each fold by an unstacking order number and stores its postal address.
• the sorting program has at the input of the identification of all the folds of the tour.
• the program determines a serial number in the rotated for each fold based on the repository file of the tour, by comparing the mailing addresses read to the postal addresses of the referential file, the number -order of the fold being associated with its unstacking number.
• the program will then, depending on the unstacking numbers, namely according to the positioning of the GF folds in the buckets and PF folds in the conveyor belts one after the other, and according to the associated sequence numbers , assign a box to each fold and determine the order of the actions that will allow the folds PF and GF out of the buckets and the belt conveyor to the allocated boxes ' .
• the order of the folds in the boxes according to the order of the points of delivery is determined so as to minimize the number of boxes used, using only contiguous boxes, to minimize the processing time, while respecting a rate of maximum filling of the boxes.
• the program provides sequencing of the GF folds of the tour in a carousel turn.
• the sorting program will be careful not to exceed a certain filling rate of the boxes, in order to avoid the risk of jamming and to facilitate filling and evacuation.
• the same compartment may thus contain different points of delivery folds, to the extent that their relative positioning in the dynamic storage means allows.
• the reading of the name on each fold makes it possible to identify those which are in reshipment, as well as to organize the distribution according to the physical order of the mailboxes in the same building. Once the scheduling is determined, we launch the physical operation itself.
• the folds GF In the case of the folds GF, the carousel being always in motion, when a bucket containing a fold passes over the box determined by the sorting program for this fold, the bottom of the bucket is open and the fold GF falls by gravity in its specific compartment.
• the deflector at the top of the box prevents a GF fold to hit those already in place in the front compartment of the box.
• the plies PF are out of the buffer zone formed by the intermediate section of the conveyor belt and oriented towards the downstream section running around the rows of cells 4.
• the flap of switch 64 associated with the box is actuated to its active position to orient the fold PF via the deflector 65 to the rear compartment of the box.
• the treadmill 7 is moved, in the direction of movement of the carousel, as illustrated by the arrow F3. Since the folds still have their top taken in the bottom of the boxes 4, against a rear wall and / or the hatch in open position, this gradient of movement causes the curling of the folds and their movement towards an operator for the purpose of final evacuation. Once the tour is vacated, scheduling the next tour in the boxes.
• the machine is initially designed to process rounds composed on average of 1000 PF folds and 500 GF folds, with PF folds having lengths of 138 to 252 mm, widths of 88 to 178 mm, and thicknesses of 0.15 to 6 mm and GF folds having lengths of 138 to 360 mm, widths of 88 to 260 mm, and thicknesses of 0.5 to 20 mm.
• the machine according to the invention can of course be adapted to the number of rounds to be processed, types and the number of folds rounds.
• the machine includes a sufficient number of boxes to store all the folds of a tour.
• the scheduling machine makes it possible to process the mail of a tour in a single pass, that is to say by applying only one unstacking manipulation, which reduces the risk of errors in sorting and therefore wrong direction.
• Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment, wherein the machine 101 comprises a bucket carousel 103 for dynamic storage of both GF folds and PF folds.
• the machine comprises at least one unstacker for the GF folds and at least one unstacker for folds PF.
• the unstackers placed above the buckets 131, are equipped with an injection system for injecting one by one the folds, an identification system and a system for measuring the thickness of the folds.
• the carousel comprises at least as many buckets as there are folds in the tour, each bucket being intended to receive a single fold.
• the buckets are open on the top for their loading and their bottom is constituted by a retractable hatch formed of a hinged flap 134.
• Each box 204 comprises an open upper face 241, equipped with a deflector 24 ; 7, and a bottom 244 can be opened, formed by a hinged flap mounted along the bottom rear edge of the box.
• the carousel advantageously comprises specific buckets for each type of folds.
• the machine is intended for conventional tour processing comprising, on average, twice as many PF folds as GF folds, and comprises a carousel 203 alternating two narrow buckets 231a for PF folds, each of a width of 45 mm. , and a wide bucket 231b for GF folds, with a width of 90 mm.
• the machine preferably comprises at least two unstackers for each type of fold, equipped in particular with a rotary-type injector, to ensure flow rates into the machine. carousel of the order of 6 folds PF / s and 3 folds GF / s.
• a conveyor belt 107 is located under each row of boxes to ensure the evacuation of folds by opening - simultaneous bottom 244 boxes, as shown in Figure 10.

Landscapes

• Sorting Of Articles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=35727378

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (4)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2005
  • 2005-06-13 FR FR0505953A patent/FR2886872B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2006
  • 2006-06-12 WO PCT/FR2006/001324 patent/WO2006134261A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2006-06-12 EP EP06764773A patent/EP1904242A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events