EP1919636B1 - Method for sorting objects, and sorting plant for carrying out said method - Google Patents

Method for sorting objects, and sorting plant for carrying out said method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1919636B1
EP1919636B1 EP06778097A EP06778097A EP1919636B1 EP 1919636 B1 EP1919636 B1 EP 1919636B1 EP 06778097 A EP06778097 A EP 06778097A EP 06778097 A EP06778097 A EP 06778097A EP 1919636 B1 EP1919636 B1 EP 1919636B1
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Prior art keywords
receptacle
sorting
empty
output
transport device
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EP06778097A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1919636A1 (en
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Walter Rosenbaum
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Siemens AG
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Siemens AG
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/008—Means for collecting objects, e.g. containers for sorted mail items
    • 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 for sorting articles, in particular mail pieces, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a sorting system for performing this method, such as from EP-A-1 243 349 known.
  • the sorting plants have a transport device which conveys the abandoned articles to be sorted according to predetermined sorting criteria (in particular address) by means of a transport device to one of several outlets of the sorting plant. At least one container is set up at the respective outlet, which receives the object guided there and optionally collects further articles with the same sorting criteria.
  • sorting system can be used in principle simple linear conveyor lines with switches or push-offs to the individual outputs.
  • sorters that are designed, for example, as a tilt tray sorter or, in particular, as a crossbelt sorter are customary as sorting systems.
  • Corresponding plants are for example from the US Pat. No. 6,478,138 B1 , of the EP 0 811 567 B1 or the US 6,662,20 known.
  • Such sorting plants usually have a transport device for the articles to be sorted that endlessly revolves in a horizontal plane. This means that a discontinued item can also circulate repeatedly if necessary.
  • sorters that have a circulating transport device, but which rotates in a vertical plane, so that a transport of objects is possible only in the horizontal sections of the circulation.
  • a sorting system for letters known, which are sorted into postal containers.
  • This system has an automatic conveyor system for the delivery of empty post containers and discharge of filled post containers, which is completely independent from the transport system for the individual letters.
  • Object of the present invention is to develop a method and an apparatus of the generic type such that the manual and the plant technical effort for the supply of empty containers to the outputs of a sorting plant is minimized.
  • the transport device for the objects to be sorted is also used for the supply of the required empty containers to the outputs, where a whole or partially filled with objects container is or was.
  • the empty container feeder is a functional part of the transport device for the items to be sorted.
  • the sorting is carried out by means of an endlessly circulating sorting device, more precisely with an endlessly circulating transport device of the sorting system, in which the transported articles or empty containers can, if necessary, also execute multiple circulations. It is advantageous if regularly one or more empty containers are in circulation of the sorting device. In this case, namely, an empty container can be made available again very quickly, at an exit at which a completely or partially filled container is removed. It only has to be ensured that in the time between the removal of the filled container and the installation of the empty container no items to be sorted reach this exit.
  • the supply of empty containers can be conveniently carried out so that the container is discharged via the transport device of the sorting system directly to the output to which the empty container is to be placed.
  • each output is set up so that a transport of an empty container through this exit is possible.
  • a group of outputs is formed, of which only one is set up for the transport of empty containers.
  • the other outputs of this group should of course be as close as possible in the immediate vicinity of this one output so that, for example, by an operator empty containers seized and at adjacent outputs, where they are needed each, can be placed.
  • the empty containers are conveniently kept in an empty container storage and transported from this via an empty container conveyor to the transport device of the sorting system.
  • the empty container feeder consists in this case, starting from the empty container store from this empty container conveyor and the already existing transport device of the sorting system.
  • the latter advantageously has separate feed points for packages and / or flax ends and / or bundles in a known manner.
  • the transport device of the sorting system can be designed as a linear conveyor line, the outputs of which are controlled via switches or pushers, it is preferred in the present invention to form the transport device as a sorter, as a sorter with endless circulating funding opportunity for the each abandoned items and empty containers.
  • the tilt tray technique can in principle be used; however, preferably sorters with cross belt sorters are used.
  • the outputs of the sorting system are expediently designed as slides. These can also be double slips, the conveyor strands are selectively controlled via a switch, so that the output can be split into two sub-outputs, each with a separate container for the items to be sorted. Of course, it is also possible in principle to provide more than two sub-outputs and containers.
  • the transport device 2 has a closed circulation lying in a horizontal plane for the items to be sorted, which are not shown.
  • This endless circulation is essentially stadium-shaped in the present case, but may also have any other self-contained form.
  • On one of the two longitudinal sides of the circulation of the transport device 2 there are several points of delivery for the items to be sorted. These places differ according to the Type of these items. In the present case, these are two delivery points 6 for packages, two delivery points 7 for flats and one delivery point 8 for bundles.
  • a container 4 is placed in each case, of which in the schematic illustration, however, only a single is reproduced.
  • the discontinued at the posting points 6, 7, 8, not shown objects are received and transported according to the predetermined sorting criteria.
  • an empty container 4 ' of which several (in the present case four empty containers 4') are simultaneously in circulation of the transport device.
  • the present invention solves the problem with extremely simple means, since it is limited practically to the modified use of already existing plant parts of the sorting system.
  • the used for the transport of objects to be sorted transport device is only additionally for the transport and the provision of empty containers at each site used.
  • a supply of empty containers is secured virtually without an additional investment, with an immediate replacement of a transported away filled container is guaranteed.

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  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Pretreatment Of Seeds And Plants (AREA)

Abstract

To sort objects, an object is transferred onto a transport device of a sorting plant, and conveyed in accordance with predetermined sort criteria from the transport device to one of a number of outputs of the sorting plant. At the output, the object is transferred to a receptacle assigned to the output. A receptacle is removed from the output as soon as a predetermined fill level has been reached, or no further objects are delivered to the output. An empty receptacle is replaced for the removed receptacle. The empty receptacle is directed via the transport device to the output.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Sortierung von Gegenständen, insbesondere von Poststücken, gemäß dem Gattungsbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1 sowie eine Sortieranlage zur Durchführung dieses Verfahrens, wie beispielsweise aus EP-A-1 243 349 bekannt.The invention relates to a method for sorting articles, in particular mail pieces, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a sorting system for performing this method, such as from EP-A-1 243 349 known.

Wenn Gegenstände in großer Anzahl sortiert werden müssen, wie dies insbesondere bei Poststücken in Form von Paketen, Flachsendungen (Zeitschriften, Prospekte usw.) oder Bündeln der Fall ist, dann werden hierzu häufig Einrichtungen verwendet, die weitgehend mechanisiert und automatisiert sind, so dass manuelle Tätigkeiten nur noch punktuell durchgeführt werden müssen. Die Sortieranlagen weisen eine Transporteinrichtung auf, die die aufgegebenen, zu sortierenden Gegenstände entsprechend vorgegebenen Sortierkriterien (insbesondere Adresse) mittels einer Transporteinrichtung zu einem von mehreren Ausgängen der Sortieranlage befördert. An dem jeweiligen Ausgang ist zumindest ein Behälter aufgestellt, der den dorthin geführten Gegenstand aufnimmt und gegebenenfalls noch weitere Gegenstände mit den gleichen Sortierkriterien sammelt. Am Ende eines Sortiervorgangs oder falls während eines Sortiervorgangs ein Behälter bereits einen entsprechend hohen Befüllungsgrad erreicht hat, werden diese Behälter jeweils abtransportiert und unverzüglich durch einen leeren Behälter ersetzt, damit der Sortiervorgang fortgesetzt oder ein neuer Sortiervorgang gestartet werden kann. Der Abtransport der ganz oder teilweise gefüllten Behälter kann selbstverständlich manuell oder aber auch mittels automatisierter Fördertechnik erfolgen. Die Bereitstellung leere Behälter kann selbstverständlich ebenfalls manuell vorgenommen werden. Es ist aber üblich, für die Zuführung zu den Aufstellplätzen der Behälter an den Ausgängen der Sortieranlage jeweils eine spezielle Fördervorrichtung vorzusehen, die einen entsprechenden Platzbedarf hat und einen nicht unerheblichen Investitionsaufwand erfordert.When articles have to be sorted in large numbers, as is the case with parcels, flats (journals, leaflets, etc.) or bundles, for example, devices that are largely mechanized and automated are often used, such as manual Activities only need to be carried out at specific points. The sorting plants have a transport device which conveys the abandoned articles to be sorted according to predetermined sorting criteria (in particular address) by means of a transport device to one of several outlets of the sorting plant. At least one container is set up at the respective outlet, which receives the object guided there and optionally collects further articles with the same sorting criteria. At the end of a sorting process or if during a sorting process a container has already reached a correspondingly high degree of filling, these containers are respectively transported away and immediately replaced by an empty container so that the sorting process can be continued or a new sorting process can be started. The removal of completely or partially filled containers can of course be done manually or by automated conveyor technology. The provision of empty containers can of course also be done manually. However, it is common for feeding too To provide the installation sites of the container at the outputs of the sorting system each have a special conveyor, which has a corresponding footprint and requires a significant investment.

Als Sortieranlage können im Grundsatz einfache lineare Förderstrecken mit Weichen oder auch Abschiebern zu den einzelnen Ausgängen eingesetzt werden. Üblich sind als Sortieranlagen aber Sorter, die beispielsweise als Tilt Tray Sorter oder insbesondere als Crossbelt Sorter ausgebildet sind. Entsprechende Anlagen sind beispielsweise aus der US 6,478,138 B1 , der EP 0 811 567 B1 oder der US 6,662,20 bekannt. Solche Sortieranlagen weisen meistens eine in einer horizontalen Ebene endlos umlaufende Transporteinrichtung für die zu sortierenden Gegenstände auf. Das bedeutet, dass ein aufgegebener Gegenstand im Bedarfsfall auch wiederholt umlaufen kann. Es gibt allerdings auch Sorter, die zwar eine umlaufende Transporteinrichtung aufweisen, die allerdings in einer vertikalen Ebene umläuft, so dass ein Transport von Gegenständen nur in den horizontalen Abschnitten des Umlaufs möglich ist. Insofern verhält sich eine solche Anlage wie eine lineare Förderstrecke mit entsprechenden Weichen oder Abschiebern zur Sortierung von Gegenständen. Aus der US 6,561,339 B1 ist eine Sortieranlage für Briefe bekannt, die in Postbehälter einsortiert werden. Diese Anlage weist ein vom Transportsystem für die einzelnen Briefe völlig unabhängiges automatisches Fördersystem für die Zuführung von leeren Postbehältern und Abführung von gefüllten Postbehältern auf.As a sorting system can be used in principle simple linear conveyor lines with switches or push-offs to the individual outputs. However, sorters that are designed, for example, as a tilt tray sorter or, in particular, as a crossbelt sorter are customary as sorting systems. Corresponding plants are for example from the US Pat. No. 6,478,138 B1 , of the EP 0 811 567 B1 or the US 6,662,20 known. Such sorting plants usually have a transport device for the articles to be sorted that endlessly revolves in a horizontal plane. This means that a discontinued item can also circulate repeatedly if necessary. However, there are also sorters that have a circulating transport device, but which rotates in a vertical plane, so that a transport of objects is possible only in the horizontal sections of the circulation. In this respect, such a system behaves like a linear conveyor line with corresponding switches or push-offs for the sorting of objects. From the US 6,561,339 B1 is a sorting system for letters known, which are sorted into postal containers. This system has an automatic conveyor system for the delivery of empty post containers and discharge of filled post containers, which is completely independent from the transport system for the individual letters.

Eine Vorrichtung zur Entnahme von einzelnen Postbehältern aus einem Stapel übereinander gestapelter Postbehälter ist aus US 6,846,153 B2 bekannt.An apparatus for removing individual mail containers from a stack of stacked mail containers is off US 6,846,153 B2 known.

Schließlich befasst sich die US 2005/0002772 A1 mit einem Handhabungssystem für Postbehälter.Finally, the deals US 2005/0002772 A1 with a handling system for postal containers.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung der gattungsgemäßen Art dahingehend weiterzubilden, dass der manuelle und auch der anlagentechnische Aufwand für die Zuführung leerer Behälter zu den Ausgängen einer Sortieranlage möglichst gering ist.Object of the present invention is to develop a method and an apparatus of the generic type such that the manual and the plant technical effort for the supply of empty containers to the outputs of a sorting plant is minimized.

Gelöst wird diese Aufgabe bei einem gattungsgemäßen Verfahren mit den im kennzeichnenden Teil des Patentanspruchs 1 angegebenen Merkmalen. Eine Sortieranlage zu der Durchführung dieses Verfahrens weist die im Patentanspruch 5 angegebenen Merkmale auf. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen ergeben sich aus den abhängigen Unteransprüchen.This object is achieved in a generic method with the features specified in the characterizing part of patent claim 1. A sorting system for carrying out this method has the features specified in claim 5. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent subclaims.

Der Kern der vorliegenden Erfindung ist darin zu sehen, dass bei einer Sortieranlage, auf der das gattungsgemäße Verfahren durchgeführt wird, die Transporteinrichtung für die zu sortierenden Gegenstände gleichzeitig auch für die Zuführung der benötigten leeren Behälter zu den Ausgängen benutzt wird, an denen ein ganz oder teilweise mit Gegenständen befüllter Behälter abtransportiert wird oder wurde. Das bedeutet, dass die Leerbehälterzuführeinrichtung funktionaler Bestandteil der Transporteinrichtung für die zu sortierenden Gegenstände ist. Separate Fördereinrichtungen für die Zuführung von Leerbehältern, wie sie in heutigen Sortieranlagen üblicherweise vorhanden sind, werden durch die vorliegende Erfindung somit eingespart. Dies reduziert den Investitionsaufwand entsprechend, ohne dass etwa ein erhöhter manueller Aufwand ersatzweise getrieben werden muss.The essence of the present invention is to be seen in the fact that in a sorting system, on which the generic method is performed, the transport device for the objects to be sorted is also used for the supply of the required empty containers to the outputs, where a whole or partially filled with objects container is or was. This means that the empty container feeder is a functional part of the transport device for the items to be sorted. Separate conveyors for the supply of empty containers, as they are usually present in today's sorting plants are thus saved by the present invention. This reduces the capital expenditure accordingly, without the need for an increased manual effort, for example.

Vorzugsweise erfolgt die Sortierung mittels einer endlos umlaufenden Sortiereinrichtung, genauer gesagt mit einer endlos umlaufenden Transporteinrichtung der Sortieranlage, bei der die transportierten Gegenstände oder leeren Behälter im Bedarfsfall auch mehrfache Umläufe ausführen können. Vorteilhaft ist es, wenn regelmäßig ein oder mehrere leere Behälter sich im Umlauf der Sortiereinrichtung befinden. In diesem Fall kann nämlich sehr schnell ein leerer Behälter wieder bereitgestellt werden, an einem Ausgang, an dem ein ganz oder teilweise befüllter Behälter abtransportiert wird. Es muss lediglich dafür gesorgt werden, dass in der Zeit zwischen dem Abtransport des gefüllten Behälters und der Aufstellung des leeren Behälters keine zu sortierenden Gegenstände zu diesem Ausgang gelangen.Preferably, the sorting is carried out by means of an endlessly circulating sorting device, more precisely with an endlessly circulating transport device of the sorting system, in which the transported articles or empty containers can, if necessary, also execute multiple circulations. It is advantageous if regularly one or more empty containers are in circulation of the sorting device. In this case, namely, an empty container can be made available again very quickly, at an exit at which a completely or partially filled container is removed. It only has to be ensured that in the time between the removal of the filled container and the installation of the empty container no items to be sorted reach this exit.

Die Zuführung der leeren Behälter kann zweckmäßig so durchgeführt werden, dass der Behälter über die Transporteinrichtung der Sortieranlage unmittelbar an den Ausgang abgegeben wird, an den der leere Behälter aufgestellt werden soll. Alternativ ist es aber auch möglich, darauf zu verzichten, dass jeder Ausgang so eingerichtet wird, dass ein Transport eines leeren Behälters durch diesen Ausgang möglich ist. In einem solchen Fall wird jeweils eine Gruppe von Ausgängen gebildet, von denen lediglich einer auf den Transport leerer Behälter eingerichtet ist. Die anderen Ausgänge dieser Gruppe sollten dann selbstverständlich möglichst in unmittelbarer räumlicher Nähe zu diesem einen Ausgang liegen, damit beispielsweise durch einen Operator leere Behälter gegriffen und an benachbarten Ausgängen, wo sie jeweils benötigt werden, aufgestellt werden können.The supply of empty containers can be conveniently carried out so that the container is discharged via the transport device of the sorting system directly to the output to which the empty container is to be placed. Alternatively, it is also possible to dispense with the fact that each output is set up so that a transport of an empty container through this exit is possible. In such a case, a group of outputs is formed, of which only one is set up for the transport of empty containers. The other outputs of this group should of course be as close as possible in the immediate vicinity of this one output so that, for example, by an operator empty containers seized and at adjacent outputs, where they are needed each, can be placed.

Die leeren Behälter werden zweckmäßigerweise in einem Leerbehälterlager vorgehalten und aus diesem über einen Leerbehälterförderer zur Transporteinrichtung der Sortieranlage befördert. Die Leerbehälterzuführeinrichtung besteht in diesem Fall also ausgehend vom Leerbehälterlager aus diesem Leerbehälterförderer und der ohnehin vorhandenen Transporteinrichtung der Sortieranlage. Letztere weist in bekannter Weise vorteilhaft separate Aufgabestellen für Pakete und/oder Flachsenden und/oder Bündel auf.The empty containers are conveniently kept in an empty container storage and transported from this via an empty container conveyor to the transport device of the sorting system. The empty container feeder consists in this case, starting from the empty container store from this empty container conveyor and the already existing transport device of the sorting system. The latter advantageously has separate feed points for packages and / or flax ends and / or bundles in a known manner.

Wenn gleich die Transporteinrichtung der Sortieranlage als lineare Förderstrecke ausgebildet sein kann, deren Ausgänge über Weichen oder Abschieber ansteuerbar sind, ist es im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung bevorzugt, die Transporteinrichtung als Sorter auszubilden, und zwar als Sorter mit endlos umlaufender Fördermöglichkeit für die jeweils aufgegebenen Gegenstände und leeren Behälter. Hinsichtlich der technischen Ausführung eines solchen Sorters kann grundsätzlich die Kippschalentechnik (Tilt Tray Sorter) eingesetzt werden; vorzugsweise werden jedoch Sorter mit Querbandtechnik (Crossbelt Sorter) verwendet.If equal to the transport device of the sorting system can be designed as a linear conveyor line, the outputs of which are controlled via switches or pushers, it is preferred in the present invention to form the transport device as a sorter, as a sorter with endless circulating funding opportunity for the each abandoned items and empty containers. With regard to the technical design of such a sorter, the tilt tray technique (Tilt Tray Sorter) can in principle be used; however, preferably sorters with cross belt sorters are used.

Die Ausgänge der Sortieranlage werden zweckmäßigerweise als Rutschen ausgeführt. Dabei kann es sich auch um Doppelrutschen handeln, deren Förderstränge über eine Weiche wahlweise ansteuerbar sind, so dass der Ausgang auf zwei Unterausgänge mit jeweils separatem Behälter für die zu sortierenden Gegenstände gesplittet werden kann. Selbstverständlich ist es grundsätzlich auch möglich, mehr als zwei Unterausgänge und Behälter vorzusehen.The outputs of the sorting system are expediently designed as slides. These can also be double slips, the conveyor strands are selectively controlled via a switch, so that the output can be split into two sub-outputs, each with a separate container for the items to be sorted. Of course, it is also possible in principle to provide more than two sub-outputs and containers.

Es empfiehlt sich, für die Steuerung der gesamten Anlage eine elektronische Steuerung vorzusehen, die ein Software-Programm aufweist, das darauf eingerichtet ist, die Zuführung weiterer Gegenstände zu einem Ausgang jeweils vorübergehend zu unterbrechen, wenn ein Behälter an diesem Ausgang hinreichend gefüllt ist, und dann den Abtransport dieses Behälters und die möglichst unverzügliche Zuführung eines der umlaufenden leeren Behälters zu veranlassen.It is advisable to provide an electronic control system for the entire system which has a software program designed to temporarily interrupt the supply of additional items to an outlet whenever a container at that outlet is sufficiently filled, and then to cause the removal of this container and the immediate possible delivery of one of the circulating empty container.

Anhand des in der einzigen Figur schematisch dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiels wird die Erfindung nachfolgend näher erläutert.With reference to the embodiment shown schematically in the single figure, the invention will be explained in more detail below.

Im vorliegenden Fall handelt es sich um eine Sortieranlage 1, bei der die Transporteinrichtung 2 für die nicht dargestellten zu sortierenden Gegenstände einen in einer horizontalen Ebene liegenden geschlossenen Umlauf aufweist. Dieser endlose Umlauf ist im vorliegenden Fall im Wesentlichen stadionförmig ausgeführt, kann aber auch eine beliebige andere in sich geschlossene Form haben. An einer der beiden Längsseiten des Umlaufs der Transporteinrichtung 2 befinden sich mehrere Aufgabestellen für die zu sortierenden Gegenstände. Diese Aufgabestellen unterscheiden sich nach der Art dieser Gegenstände. Im vorliegenden Fall handelt es sich um zwei Aufgabestellen 6 für Pakete, zwei Aufgabestellen 7 für Flachsendungen (Flats) und eine Aufgabestelle 8 für Bündel.In the present case, it is a sorting system 1, in which the transport device 2 has a closed circulation lying in a horizontal plane for the items to be sorted, which are not shown. This endless circulation is essentially stadium-shaped in the present case, but may also have any other self-contained form. On one of the two longitudinal sides of the circulation of the transport device 2 there are several points of delivery for the items to be sorted. These places differ according to the Type of these items. In the present case, these are two delivery points 6 for packages, two delivery points 7 for flats and one delivery point 8 for bundles.

An der den Aufgabestellen 6, 7, 8 gegenüberliegenden Längsseite des Umlaufs der Transporteinrichtung 2 befindet sich eine Reihe von Ausgängen 3, die vorzugsweise in Form von Rutschen ausgeführt sind. An der Ausgangsseite jeder Rutsche ist jeweils ein Behälter 4 aufgestellt, von denen in der schematischen Darstellung allerdings nur ein einziger wiedergegeben ist. In diesen Behälter 4 werden die an den Aufgabestellen 6, 7, 8 aufgegebenen, nicht dargestellten Gegenstände entsprechend den vorgegebenen Sortierkriterien aufgenommen und abtransportiert. Sobald ein ganz oder teilweise befüllter Behälter 4 von einem Ausgang abtransportiert wird, wird er durch einen leeren Behälter 4' ersetzt, von denen beispielsweise mehrere (im vorliegenden Fall sind vier leere Behälter 4' gezeigt) gleichzeitig im Umlauf der Transporteinrichtung sind. Diese leeren Behälter 4' werden aus einem Behälterlager 9 entnommen und über einen Leerbehälterförderer 5 zur Transporteinrichtung 2 geführt. Da gleichzeitig mehrere Behälter im Umlauf sind, kann ein abtransportierter gefüllter Behälter sehr schnell durch einen leeren Behälter ersetzt werden. Es muss nämlich nicht der Zeitbedarf für den Transport aus dem Behälterlager zur jeweiligen Einsatzstelle aufgewandt werden, da sich bei der gezeigten Konstellation immer ein leerer Behälter bereits kurz vor der vorgesehenen Einsatzstelle am jeweiligen Ausgang 3 befindet.At the feed points 6, 7, 8 opposite longitudinal side of the circulation of the transport device 2 is a series of outputs 3, which are preferably designed in the form of slides. On the output side of each chute a container 4 is placed in each case, of which in the schematic illustration, however, only a single is reproduced. In this container 4, the discontinued at the posting points 6, 7, 8, not shown objects are received and transported according to the predetermined sorting criteria. As soon as a completely or partially filled container 4 is transported away from an exit, it is replaced by an empty container 4 ', of which several (in the present case four empty containers 4') are simultaneously in circulation of the transport device. These empty containers 4 'are removed from a container store 9 and fed via an empty container conveyor 5 to the transport device 2. Since several containers are in circulation at the same time, a filled container that has been transported away can be replaced very quickly by an empty container. It does not have to be expended the time required for the transport from the container storage to the respective application site, since in the constellation shown always an empty container is already located just before the intended application point at the respective output 3.

Die vorliegende Erfindung löst die gestellte Aufgabe mit äußerst einfachen Mitteln, da sie sich praktisch auf die modifizierte Nutzung ohnehin vorhandener Anlagenteile der Sortieranlage beschränkt. Die für den Transport von zu sortierenden Gegenständen genutzte Transporteinrichtung wird lediglich zusätzlich auch für den Transport und die Bereitstellung leerer Behälter am jeweiligen Einsatzort herangezogen. Somit ist praktisch ohne einen zusätzlichen Anlagenaufwand eine Versorgung mit Leerbehältern gesichert, wobei ein unverzüglicher Ersatz eines abtransportierten gefüllten Behälters gewährleistet ist.The present invention solves the problem with extremely simple means, since it is limited practically to the modified use of already existing plant parts of the sorting system. The used for the transport of objects to be sorted transport device is only additionally for the transport and the provision of empty containers at each site used. Thus, a supply of empty containers is secured virtually without an additional investment, with an immediate replacement of a transported away filled container is guaranteed.

Claims (16)

  1. Method for sorting objects, especially items of mail which are injected onto the transport device (2) of a sorting plant (1) and in accordance with predetermined sort criteria are conveyed from the transport device (2) to one of a number of outputs (3) of the sorting plant (1) and at said outputs fill a receptacle (4) assigned to the respective output (3), with completely or partly filled receptacles (4) during or at the end of a sorting process, as soon as they have reached a predetermined fill level or if no further objects are delivered to the respective output (3) during the respective sorting process, being conveyed away and replaced by an empty receptacle (4') ,
    characterized in that
    at least one empty receptacle (4') replacing the conveyed-away filled receptacle (4) is directed via the transport device (2) for the objects to be sorted to one of the outputs of which the filled receptacle (4) assigned to this output has been conveyed away.
  2. Method according to Claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the sorting is carried out by means of an endlessly circulating sorting device (1) and that one or more empty receptacles (4') are regularly circulating on the sorting device (1).
  3. Method according to one of Claims 1 - 2,
    characterized in that
    an empty receptacle (4') is delivered in each case to precisely the output (3) at which a completely or partly filled receptacle (4) has been conveyed away.
  4. Method according to one of Claims 1 - 2,
    characterized in that
    within a group of outputs (3) one output is provided in each case at which empty receptacles (4') are output and subsequently carried by an operator to an output of this group at which a filled receptacle (4) has been conveyed away.
  5. Sorting plant for carrying out the method according to Claim 1,
    with a transport device (2) for the objects to be transported, with the transport device (2) featuring at least one injection point (6, 7, 8) for the objects and a number of outputs (3), at which at least one receptacle (4) is able to be placed in each case for accepting the objects sorted to the respective output (3), and with an empty receptacle delivery facility for delivering an empty receptacle (4') to an output (3) at which a completely or partly filled receptacle (4) has just been conveyed away,
    characterized in that
    the empty receptacle delivery facility is a functional part of the transport device (2) for the objects to be sorted.
  6. Sorting plant according to Claim 5,
    characterized in that
    an empty receptacle store (9) for empty receptacles (4') and an empty receptacle conveyor (5) are provided, with which empty receptacles (4') from the empty receptacle store (9) are able to be injected onto the transport device (2) of the sorting plant (1).
  7. Sorting plant according to one of Claims 5 - 6,
    characterized in that
    separate injection points (6, 7, 8) are provided for packages and/or flats and/or bundles.
  8. Sorting plant according to one of Claims 5 - 7,
    characterized in that
    the transport device (2) is embodied as a sorter.
  9. Sorting plant according to one of Claims 5 - 8,
    characterized in that
    the transport device (2) is a linear conveyor run, especially a conveyor run of which the outputs are controllable via switches or pushing-off means.
  10. Sorting plant according to Claim 8,
    characterized in that
    the sorter is embodied as a transport device (2) which can convey the objects and empty receptacles (4') injected in each case in an endless circuit.
  11. Sorting plant according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the sorter is a tilt tray sorter (2).
  12. Sorting plant according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the sorter is a crossbelt sorter.
  13. Sorting plant according to one of Claims 5 - 12,
    characterized in that
    the outputs (3) are embodied as slides.
  14. Sorting plant according to one of Claims 5 - 13,
    characterized in that
    the outputs (3) are combined into groups and one output (3) of a group is embodied in each case for the output of empty receptacles (4') for the remaining outputs of this group.
  15. Sorting plant according to one of Claims 5 - 13,
    characterized in that
    all outputs (3) are embodied for the output of empty receptacles (4').
  16. Sorting plant according to one of Claims 5 - 15,
    characterized in that
    the sorting plant features an electronic control which possesses a stored program which is configured to temporarily interrupt the delivery of further objects to an output (3) in each case if a receptacle (4) at an output (3) is sufficiently filled and to instigate the conveying away of this receptacle (4) and the delivery of one of the circulating empty receptacles (4') .
EP06778097A 2005-08-05 2006-08-01 Method for sorting objects, and sorting plant for carrying out said method Not-in-force EP1919636B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102005036961A DE102005036961A1 (en) 2005-08-05 2005-08-05 Method for sorting articles and sorting plant for carrying out this method
PCT/EP2006/064888 WO2007017412A1 (en) 2005-08-05 2006-08-01 Method for sorting objects, and sorting plant for carrying out said method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1919636A1 EP1919636A1 (en) 2008-05-14
EP1919636B1 true EP1919636B1 (en) 2009-12-16

Family

ID=36999828

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06778097A Not-in-force EP1919636B1 (en) 2005-08-05 2006-08-01 Method for sorting objects, and sorting plant for carrying out said method

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US8080758B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1919636B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE451975T1 (en)
DE (2) DE102005036961A1 (en)
DK (1) DK1919636T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2007017412A1 (en)

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US20110073534A1 (en) * 2009-09-28 2011-03-31 Niels Linge Sorting Installation and Method for Sorting Articles
ES2380038T3 (en) * 2009-11-27 2012-05-08 Psb Intralogistics Gmbh Device and procedure for order preparation
US9630786B1 (en) * 2016-03-25 2017-04-25 Karen Sue Svejkovsky Conveyor method and system for conveying and managing a food inventory
GB2568438B (en) * 2016-09-26 2022-04-20 Intelligrated Headquarters Llc Fully validated material handling with shuttle container delivery system
US10758943B1 (en) * 2019-04-25 2020-09-01 Siemens Logistics Llc Container-based material handling for automatic parcel sacking system
US11208272B2 (en) * 2019-06-27 2021-12-28 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Automated item sortation and container handling systems

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5419457A (en) 1993-08-30 1995-05-30 Electrocom Gard Ltd. System for sorting mail pieces on multiple levels and a method for performing the same
DE69511586T2 (en) 1994-09-06 1999-12-02 Mannesmann Ag Sorting system with cross belt
US6953906B2 (en) * 1999-08-02 2005-10-11 Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp. Delivery point sequencing mail sorting system with flat mail capability
ATE253414T1 (en) * 1999-08-13 2003-11-15 Siemens Ag AUTOMATIC CONTAINER HANDLING SYSTEM FOR A SORTER
US6478138B1 (en) 1999-10-04 2002-11-12 Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp. Double width crossbelt sorter
US6846153B2 (en) 2001-03-14 2005-01-25 Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp. Tray destacker
EP1243349A1 (en) * 2001-03-24 2002-09-25 Siemens Schweiz AG Method and apparatus for filling and automatically evacuating containers of sorted matter
EP1513624A1 (en) * 2002-05-07 2005-03-16 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Single pass sequencing assembly and method
JP3867967B2 (en) * 2002-06-10 2007-01-17 株式会社椿本チエイン Mail sorting device
DE10326495B8 (en) * 2003-06-10 2004-12-16 Deutsche Post Ag Method for processing mailpieces
US20050002772A1 (en) 2003-07-03 2005-01-06 Stone Robert L. Mail container handling system
US7329824B2 (en) * 2003-09-26 2008-02-12 First Data Corporation Mail processing system and method
JP4213024B2 (en) * 2003-11-27 2009-01-21 株式会社椿本チエイン Mail sorting / delivery equipment
US7669706B2 (en) * 2004-12-09 2010-03-02 Lockhead Martin Corporation Tray handling system and process

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US8080758B2 (en) 2011-12-20
DK1919636T3 (en) 2010-04-19
EP1919636A1 (en) 2008-05-14
DE502006005673D1 (en) 2010-01-28
US20090294250A1 (en) 2009-12-03
WO2007017412A1 (en) 2007-02-15
DE102005036961A1 (en) 2007-02-08
ATE451975T1 (en) 2010-01-15

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