EP2041008B1 - Method for feeding a device for picking from a stack items sent in the post - Google Patents

Method for feeding a device for picking from a stack items sent in the post Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2041008B1
EP2041008B1 EP07766118A EP07766118A EP2041008B1 EP 2041008 B1 EP2041008 B1 EP 2041008B1 EP 07766118 A EP07766118 A EP 07766118A EP 07766118 A EP07766118 A EP 07766118A EP 2041008 B1 EP2041008 B1 EP 2041008B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
movement
paddle
pallet
certain direction
items
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
EP07766118A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2041008A1 (en
Inventor
Patrick Hours
Bernard Constant
Jean-Marc Teluob
Patrick Tetaz
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.)
Solystic SAS
Original Assignee
Solystic SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Solystic SAS filed Critical Solystic SAS
Publication of EP2041008A1 publication Critical patent/EP2041008A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2041008B1 publication Critical patent/EP2041008B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/30—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for replenishing the pile during continuous separation of articles therefrom
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/02—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge
    • B65H1/025—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge with controlled positively-acting mechanical devices for advancing the pile to present the articles to the separating device
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
    • B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
    • B65H2405/12—Parts to be handled by user
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
    • B65H2601/50—Diminishing, minimizing or reducing
    • B65H2601/52—Diminishing, minimizing or reducing entities relating to handling machine
    • B65H2601/521—Noise
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
    • B65H2701/1916—Envelopes and articles of mail

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of unstacking flat objects arranged in stack on edge, for example postal items, checks or banknotes, coupons, books, etc ...
  • the invention more particularly relates to a method for supplying flat objects with a flat objects unstacking device comprising a feed magazine in which flat objects arranged on edge and constituting a current stack of flat objects are moved in a certain direction. moving by a first pallet to an unstacking face of the unstacking device to be serialized.
  • a first pallet moving by a first pallet to an unstacking face of the unstacking device to be serialized.
  • at the rear of said first pallet is formed in said certain direction of displacement a second stack of flat objects disposed on edge using a second pallet mounted movable in said certain direction and manipulated said first and second pallets for reconstitute at the front of the first pallet according to said certain direction of movement the current stack of flat objects on edge with the flat objects on the edge of the second pile of flat objects.
  • the unstacking device is more particularly a device by which the first flat object of the current stack of flat objects which is in contact with the unstacking face is ejected in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the flat objects in the magazine. feeding so that the flat objects are serialized on singing one behind the other.
  • the invention applies more particularly to the processing of large format postal items commonly called "flats" but can also be used for the processing of letters for example in a postal sorting machine.
  • postal items to be sorted are generally brought to the entrance of the machine in bins where they are stored in pile on edge or flat (that is to say in packets).
  • a tray filled with postal items is inverted on a worktop and an operator collects mail packages to store them in the feed magazine of a destacker of the sorting machine.
  • the sorting machine unstacker feed magazines have a so-called dynamic mailpiece storage area in that it consists of a horizontal conveyor belt (an endless conveyor belt extending horizontally) and a conveyor belt.
  • movable paddle driven by a motor to move synchronously or not synchronized with the treadmill to push a current stack of mail items to be unstacked to the unstacker unstacking face.
  • the pallet In general the pallet extends in a slightly inclined vertical plane to support the stack of postal items.
  • the role of the operator is therefore to reconstruct the current stack of mail items that is pushed by the pallet.
  • Another manipulation is to constitute at the rear of the motorized pallet a stack of mail items waiting.
  • this stack of pending mail items is sufficiently supplied, the operator enters and moves the pallet to merge the mail items of the standby stack and the current stack.
  • This manipulation is complicated by the fact that during the formation of the pile of postal objects waiting, the operator must at the same time follow the movement of the pallet, which is in continuous movement with the conveyor belt.
  • US 5,829,742 another feeder store layout for unstacker postal sorting machine.
  • a food store 101 shown on the figure 14 which comprises a conveyor belt 102 constituting the dynamic storage surface and two movable pallets 103, 104 spaced longitudinally from one another in the direction D of movement of the pallets.
  • These two pallets comprise a first pallet 103 which faces the depilatory face of a destacker 105 and which pushes the current stack 106 of postal items and a second pallet 104 arranged behind the first pallet 103 in the direction D of moving postal items to the unstacking side.
  • the two pallets are motorized in a synchronized manner and their displacement is synchronously linked to the movement of the conveyor belt 102 constituting the dynamic storage surface.
  • the space left free between the two mobile pallets serves as a reserve area for the constitution of a stack of pending mail items 107.
  • the handling of the items of mail consists of the operator, after having constituted the pile of waiting mailpieces 107 between the two movable pallets 104, 103, to lift the first pallet 103 to pass between the second pallet 104 and the stack of mailpieces pending 107 so that the current stack 106 and the stack waiting 107 are merged.
  • the operator grabs the second pallet to move it backwards so as to release again a space between the two pallets constituting the reserve area.
  • Patent document is still known US 4,052,052 a device for grouping stacks of sheets and introducing them into a book binding machine using motorized conveyors and inserts pushed by paddles coupled with springs. Such a device is too complex to be implemented in a postal sorting machine.
  • Patent applications are also known EP 1 322 538 and EP 1 322 537 trolleys that can be coupled to an unstacking system of a postal sorting machine to feed mail.
  • These trolleys comprise two longitudinal guides arranged on either side of the mailpieces on edge, a longitudinal guide supporting two pallets for gripping a stack of postal items and the other longitudinal guide carrying a pallet intended to pass behind this pile of mailpieces. mailings to push it to the unstacking system after lifting the other two pallets.
  • Such devices involve the manipulation of three different pallets.
  • these pallets are arranged on either side of the storage magazine, which makes their handling inconvenient.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a method for facilitating the introduction of postal items on the sorting machine and to design an ergonomic food store allowing an operator to introduce postal items in a postal sorting machine as quickly as possible with limited effort.
  • the first and second pallets can be advantageously moved with one hand.
  • the second pallet serves as a support for forming a new pile of flat objects, and more particularly of postal items or large formats, to be attached to the current stack being unstacked.
  • the constitution of this new stack of postal items, for example on a static storage surface, is easy and the combination of the two batteries can be performed by a simple gesture.
  • the invention also extends to a device for unstacking flat objects
  • a device for unstacking flat objects comprising a flat objects supply magazine with a first motorized pallet mounted on a longitudinal edge of the magazine and able to move in a certain direction of movement towards a unstacking side, a second pallet movably mounted on said edge of the magazine to be moved according to said certain direction of displacement, said second pallet being disposed at the rear of said first pallet according to said certain direction of movement, characterized in that said second pallet is freely movably mounted on said edge of the magazine and in that the magazine comprises a first flat-on-edge storage surface which is static and a second flat-on-edge storage surface which is dynamic and which is arranged between the first static storage surface and the unstacking face and that said second pallet is suitable to be moved in a direction opposite to said certain direction of movement of the dynamic storage surface to the static storage surface to a means for blocking the free movement of the second pallet.
  • the device according to the invention simplifies and greatly facilitates the handling of the operator for the introduction of postal items in the machine so that the operator is less tired and the machine performance is improved.
  • the figure 1 partially illustrates a postal sorting machine 1 with a feed store designed ergonomically, that is to say to facilitate the introduction of postal items in the sorting machine by the operator and improve the efficiency.
  • the sorting machine 1 has from left to right on the figure 1 a tray display 2, a feed magazine 3 with a static storage surface 4 and a dynamic storage surface 5, and an unstacking system or device 6.
  • a tray display 2 a feed magazine 3 with a static storage surface 4 and a dynamic storage surface 5, and an unstacking system or device 6.
  • an unstacking system or device 6 we will later use for the sake of simplicity the relative terms of forward or backward movement, as well as relative terms of positioning in front of or behind, these terms being understood in the direction of movement of the mail items on the feed magazine, represented by the arrow D, the front located on the side of the unstacking system 6 and the rear side of the tray display 2.
  • the dynamic storage surface 5 comprises a conveyor belt 7 moving horizontally horizontally in the direction of displacement D towards an unstacking face of the unstacking system 6 and a first motorized moving pallet 8 advancing above the conveyor belt 7 according to the direction of displacement D towards the face of the unstacking system 6.
  • the motorized movable pallet 8 comprises a flat front face facing the unstacking system 6 and is slightly inclined relative to the vertical, the distance between the front face of the the pallet 8 and the unstacking system 6 increasing with the height.
  • the motorized movable pallet 8 holds and pushes against the postal items against, while they advance on the conveyor belt towards the unstacking system.
  • the conveyor belt 7 and the movable pallet 8 have for example a common drive system which automatically manages their advance with servocontrol on unstacking of postal items, but can also be designed with individual drive systems dissociated to play on their respective travel speeds so that the postal items arrive as vertically as possible in front of the unstacking face.
  • a first stack 9 of mailpieces 9 held on edge against the front face of the motorized moving pallet 8 advances in front of the movable pallet 8 on the conveyor belt 7 towards the unstacking system 6.
  • the purpose of the invention consists in reconstitute as the simple way this stack of postal items arranged in front of the mobile pallet 8.
  • the first pallet 8 is more particularly illustrated in detail on the figure 9 .
  • a song 52 of the pallet 8 facing the operator is provided with a handle 11 to facilitate its grip and handling.
  • the motorized moving pallet 8 is mounted on a pantograph 12 allowing a vertical translation movement of the pallet 8.
  • the pallet 8 can thus be raised by the operator above postal items arranged on edge on the storage surface.
  • the pantograph 12 is coupled to the pallet at the edge opposite the handle 11 and is mounted outside the storage surface so as to leave the storage surface free when the pallet is raised.
  • a spring placed appropriately inside the pallet makes it possible to compensate for a part of the mass of the pallet in order to avoid excessive forces for the operator when lifting the pallet.
  • the pallet moving in a vertical translational movement, the grip of the handle 11 is easy and this handle remains close to the body of the operator permanently, thus limiting its efforts.
  • the pantograph is mounted on a rail 50 visible on the figure 8 disposed on a longitudinal edge of the feed magazine and extending in the direction of displacement D set back from the storage surface.
  • the pantograph 12, and therefore the pallet 8 can slide along the rail 50.
  • the rail 50 passes more particularly through a groove 51 equipped with a guide formed in the structure of the pantograph 12.
  • the clutch mechanism further comprises a unidirectional pinion which allows an additional manual movement forward of the pallet but prevents a rearward movement of the pallet, this for a good retention of the items by the exercise of a forward pressure on shipments.
  • a unidirectional pinion which allows an additional manual movement forward of the pallet but prevents a rearward movement of the pallet, this for a good retention of the items by the exercise of a forward pressure on shipments.
  • the clutch mechanism 54 visible on the figure 9 , more particularly consists of a rod 56 fixed on one of the branches of the pantograph 12 and driving in vertical translation a pinion 58 mounted on a unidirectional ball bearing depending on the movement of the branch of the pantograph.
  • the feed magazine further comprises a second pallet 13 arranged behind the first pallet 8 in the direction of displacement D.
  • This second pallet 13, substantially identical to the first pallet 8 is shown in more detail on the Figures 10 and 11 .
  • This second pallet 13 is mounted on a pantograph 14 allowing a vertical translational movement thereof, the pantograph 14 being itself mounted so as to slide on the same rail 50 as the pantograph 12.
  • the pantograph 14 does not include of the clutch mechanism so that the pallet 13 mounted on the pantograph 14 is not driven automatically forward when it is in the down position and can slide freely along the rail forward or backward according to the direction of displacement D by simple action of an operator manipulating the pallet by holding it by a handle 15 facing it, whether the pallet is in the up position or in the low position.
  • the pallet When the pallet is retracted as far as possible from the feed magazine, it is locked in position by means of a locking system or means and can be unlocked by the exercise of a forward force exerted by the operator .
  • This blocking system described below with reference to the figure 13 for example consists of a bent blade spring against which acts a stop 72 formed on the structure of the pantograph 14.
  • the pallet is then above the static storage surface 4, as visible on the figure 1 .
  • the static storage surface has a less adherent surface, that is to say perfectly slippery, and includes a verification space of the template of postal items and an accumulation space of postal items.
  • the surface of the accumulation space of mailpieces comprises locking notches 16.
  • a line 17 drawn on the surface in the direction of displacement D serves as a reference mark for verifying the length of mailpieces to be inserted into the machine when they abut against a vertical wall 18.
  • This vertical wall 18 has a particular height which serves as a reference for checking the height of postal items to be inserted into the machine.
  • the template verification space further comprises an insert 27 for verifying the thickness of the postal items.
  • a first pile 9 of postal mailings advance automatically on the conveyor belt 7 in front of the first pallet 8 in the lower position towards the unstacking system which serializes and sends one by one the mail items of the stack 9 inside of the sorting machine.
  • the second pallet 13 is retracted to the maximum on the feed magazine 5 in the low position and is therefore locked in the waiting position.
  • a tray containing postal items to be inserted in the machine is then brought into the tray display 2 and reversed on the side, opening in front of the ramp 19.
  • the operator who has both hands free, seizes a package of postal items he stands on edge on the space for the verification of the template of the postal items and aligns against the vertical wall 18, face perpendicular to the direction of movement D.
  • the operator locates the out-of-gauge mail items, this is at say the postal items which pass beyond the line 17 and / or the vertical wall 18, and eliminates them from the sorting machine by throwing them into a hopper 20.
  • This hopper 20 is disposed just behind the vertical wall 18 and comprises a slide that returns these off-size shipments into a recovery tank 21 disposed below the verification space of the template of postal items.
  • the recovery tank 21 out of jig shipments so arranged is easily accessible and manageable by the operator.
  • the pallet 13 remains in place without any intervention of the operator because it is blocked.
  • These locking notches 16 or anti-sag notches thus prevent postal items from collapsing on the static storage surface.
  • the material constituting the static storage surface must be very slippery to minimize the friction of the items sliding on it and thus the deterioration of postal items and efforts produced by the operator.
  • postal mail on edge pressing against a vertical wall will tend to collapse, the lower edge of the shipments resting on the slippery surface away from the vertical wall. This problem is particularly true when handling flexible and light mail items.
  • the slippery surface of the mailpiece accumulation space is notched to allow forward mail to slide and to prevent the lower edge of the postal items from recoiling when they are resting against the face.
  • the locking notches serving as stops or blocking the lower edges of postal items.
  • Different types of locking notches 16 may be used, based on the principle of fish scales or seal skins.
  • the locking notches are more particularly arranged in a matrix on the accumulation space of postal items.
  • these locking notches are constituted by several rows of semi-punctured, for example three, extending in the surface parallel to the direction of displacement D.
  • semi-punctured means a a sort of springboard formed in a metal sheet with a profile in the direction of displacement D in the shape of a right triangle, the front side being open.
  • Three rows of semi-punctured are used rather than a single row with longer semi-punctured ones to prevent the consignments from getting stuck in the openings of the semi-punctured ones, if these openings are sufficient for a postal item to be placed there. inserts.
  • the static storage surface is more particularly formed by an embossed sheet in order to limit the electrostatic interactions with the postal items.
  • the semi-punctured are more particularly made by stamping in this sheet, that is to say by tearing the surface and deformation of the sheet to form the inclined surface.
  • Such a method of manufacturing is particularly advantageous because it is simple and provides sharp notches, on which postal items can not slip backwards.
  • the semi-punctured have for example a height of 3 mm for a length in the direction of displacement of 30 to 40 mm. A height of 3 mm is sufficient to retain the lower edges of postal items and the sliding slope of the semi-punctured is low enough not to hinder the forward sliding of shipments.
  • the notches of the toothed surface therefore have a vertical profile in the direction of displacement D in the form of fish scales.
  • the toothed surface could be formed simply by a stepped plate, or stepped, down in the direction of displacement D.
  • a number of postal items then rest without any intervention by the operator against the rear face of the second pallet 13, on the static storage surface 4.
  • the immobility of the pallet in the locked position and the static storage surface , as well as the presence of locking notches facilitates the singing arrangement of postal items and more particularly their alignment against a vertical wall.
  • the force required to release is calculated to be slightly greater than the force exerted by postal shipments on edge pressing on the pallet and allow the formation of the second package of postal items without have to hand hold this second pallet.
  • a pad 60 is arranged under the second pallet to allow the move with less effort.
  • a junction device arranged on the pallets makes it possible to secure the two pallets when they are face-to-face, that is to say the front face of the second pallet against the rear face of the first pallet.
  • This junction device 61 is more particularly described with reference to the figure 12 .
  • a nipple 23, also visible on the figure 2 it is arranged on the front face of the second pallet 13.
  • This stud 23 has an upward hook-shaped end and is arranged to fit into an opening 62 arranged in the rear face of the first pallet 8 This opening is more particularly of oblong shape as visible on the figure 9 .
  • a small plate 64 is arranged inside the opening, in the upper part of the latter, so that when the two pallets are face-to-face and the operator lifts the second pallet, the hook of the nipple 23 comes catch the small plate 64 in the opening 62.
  • the two pallets 8, 13 are then secured and can be moved together in the air by handling only the second pallet 13 by the handle 15.
  • the handles 11 and 15 of the first and second pallets are vertically offset relative to one another. The operator can thus bring the second pallet against the first pallet by holding it by the handle 15 without being disturbed by the handle 11. It does not at any time need to release the handle 15 to perform the next step of securing and simultaneously lifting the two pallets 8, 13, as shown in FIG. figure 4 .
  • the operator continues to maintain forward pressure on the second stack of postal items 22 with his left hand placed behind the second stack and raises the second pallet by holding it by the handle 15.
  • the hook of the pin 23 then catches the small plate 64 in the opening, which secures the two pallets 8,13 in upright. By this simple gesture, the operator raises the two pallets above the postal items.
  • the operator then returns the two pallets 8, 13 in the lower position behind the second stack of postal items 22, as visible on the figure 5 , passing the two pallets secured above the second stack of postal items 22.
  • the two batteries 22,9 can be joined by action of the operator pushing with his left hand the second stack forward when the two pallets 8,13 are raised.
  • the first pallet resumes its automated advance and the hook of the stud 23 has released the small plate 64 in the opening 62 so that the two pallets 8, 13 are disengaged.
  • the operator can then back only the second pallet 13 by sliding it in the lower position, still holding it by the handle 15 with his right hand.
  • the two batteries 9.22 are united on the treadmill 7 bearing against the front face of the first pallet 8 and are automatically brought to the unstacking system 6.
  • the second pallet has been moved back by the operator to the locking system and is locked above the toothed surface.
  • the second pallet can be retracted and blocked out of the passage of postal items on the food store.
  • This configuration makes it possible to insert postal items into the machine using only the first pallet, as is known from the prior art.
  • the pantograph 14 is more particularly mounted on a hinge 24 so that the pallet can be moved in rotation from the retracted position to the working position and vice versa.
  • a cleat 25 makes it possible to block the second pallet in one position or in another.
  • the second pallet 13 is more particularly locked in the retracted position by insertion and rest of the lower edge of the pallet in a groove of a blocking support 66 as is visible on the figure 7 .
  • the figure 10 shows in greater detail the second pallet 13.
  • the pantograph 14 carrying the pallet 13 is mounted on a support structure 68 having a vertical hinge 24 around which the pantograph 14 and the pallet 13 can turn.
  • the pallet is locked in use position on the feed magazine by means of a catch 25 inserted inside a bore formed in the hinge element 24 carrying the pantograph 14.
  • the catch 25 is pushed and held inside said bore by means of a compression spring.
  • the support structure 68 further comprises a recess 70 in the direction of movement and within which is fixed the rail 50 so that the pallet slides along the rail.
  • the support structure 68 further includes a stop 72 extending vertically below the structure 68.
  • This stop 72 allows the blocking of the pallet above the static storage surface and more particularly just in front of the locking notches in the direction of travel.
  • the locking system 80 is constituted by an angled leaf spring 74 mounted on a frame 76 of the sorting machine and constrained by the stop 72 mounted on the movable support structure 68 of the pantograph 14.
  • the stop 72 is pressed against the front portion of the blade 74 so that the blade deviates from the passage and allows the stop which comes to lock between the rear portion of the blade and the frame.
  • Sufficient pressure must be exerted forward to separate the blade 74 from the passage of the stop 72 and release the pallet.
  • a damping system may further be provided to prevent the structure of the pallet 13 from striking too strongly against the frame 76.
  • the figure 11 shows in more detail the constitution of the pantograph 14 of the pallet 13.
  • the pantograph 14 consists of two bent branches 82 fixed on fixed hinges 84 each at one end in the pallet and at the other end on the structure 68.
  • Such a pantograph 14 allows a translational movement of the pallet 13 or more particularly a movement of the pallet with the lower edge of the pallet moving parallel to the surface of the feed magazine 3.
  • a compensation spring 86 is arranged between the two branches 82 of the pantograph 14 so as to load when the pallet is lowered and unloaded when the pallet is raised. This compensation spring partially compensates for the weight of the pallet so that the effort to be provided by the operator to lift the pallet is reduced.
  • the Figures 1 to 7 show a noise hood 26 disposed at the entrance of the unstacking system 6 to reduce the noise generated by unstacking postal items.
  • This hood is stretchable on the feed magazine 3 or retractable in the unstacking system 6.
  • a magnet is attached to the pantograph 12 of the first pallet 8 and attracts a metal element arranged in correspondence on the noise-reducing hood.
  • this first pallet couples to the noise-canceling hood by means of the magnet, pushing the hood into the unstacking system as it moves forward and pulls the hood over the system. unstacking when raised and retracted.
  • the noise hood will automatically come off the pallet when stretched to the maximum. Coupling the displacement of the noise hood to the displacement of the first pallet makes it possible to limit the noise due to unstacking as much as possible without the operator's particular intervention.
  • the front of the first palette (see figure 1 to 7 ) and the back side of the second pallet (see figure 10 ) comprises each of the sliding strips 10. These sliding strips 10 promote the sliding of the postal items supported directly against and therefore facilitates the lifting of the pallets 8,13 above the piles of postal items 9,22 during the represented on the figure 4 .
  • the pile end mailpiece pressed against the face of the pallet will not be raised with the lifting of the pallet, which could lead to disruptions in the order of introduction of shipments or difficulties in bringing the first and second stacks of mailings.
  • the rear face of the first pallet 8 is also provided with sliding strips 10 (see figure 9 ), this rear face can indeed be used when the first pallet is used alone, that is to say that the second pallet is retracted, to form a sending stack intended to be united with the sending stack arranged against the front face of the same pallet, by lifting this pallet.
  • the rear face of the second pallet is slightly inclined relative to the vertical, the bottom of this rear face being further away from the unstacking device than the top, contrary to this which is visible in the figures.
  • Such inclination facilitates the maintenance of postal items during the preparation phase of the second package of mail items on the space of accumulation of postal items or static notched storage area.
  • the motorization of the treadmill and the first motorized movable pallet can be dissociated to improve the disposition of postal items when they arrive in front of the unstacking face.
  • pallets releasing the passage on the feed magazine by a vertical translation movement but pallets can also be designed to be pulled by the operator in a horizontal translational movement. Pallets may also be designed to free the passage on the rotational feed magazine, as known from the patent document. US 5,829,742 .

Abstract

A method of feeding flat items, in particular postal items, into unstacker apparatus (6) for unstacking flat items, which apparatus includes a feed magazine (3) with first and second paddles (8, 13), in which method a first stack of flat items (9) are moved in front of the first paddle towards the unstacker apparatus, comprises the steps consisting in: forming the second stack of flat items (22) on edge behind the second paddle; moving the second stack of flat items on edge and the second paddle until a junction is obtained between said first and second paddles; and moving said first and second paddles together to behind the second stack of flat items. This method contributes to facilitating building up of the first stack of flat items for feeding the unstacker apparatus.

Description

L'invention concerne le domaine du dépilage d'objets plats disposés en pile sur chant, par exemple des envois postaux, des chèques ou billets de banque, des coupons, des livres, etc...The invention relates to the field of unstacking flat objects arranged in stack on edge, for example postal items, checks or banknotes, coupons, books, etc ...

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement une méthode pour alimenter en objets plats un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats comprenant un magasin d'alimentation dans lequel des objets plats disposés sur chant et constituant une pile courante d'objets plats sont déplacés selon une certaine direction de déplacement par une première palette vers une face de dépilage du dispositif de dépilage pour être sérialisés. Dans cette méthode, on constitue à l'arrière de ladite première palette selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement une seconde pile d'objets plats disposés sur chant en utilisant une seconde palette montée mobile selon ladite certaine direction et on manipule lesdites première et seconde palettes pour reconstituer à l'avant de la première palette selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement la pile courante d'objets plats sur chant avec les objets plats sur chant de la seconde pile d'objets plats.The invention more particularly relates to a method for supplying flat objects with a flat objects unstacking device comprising a feed magazine in which flat objects arranged on edge and constituting a current stack of flat objects are moved in a certain direction. moving by a first pallet to an unstacking face of the unstacking device to be serialized. In this method, at the rear of said first pallet is formed in said certain direction of displacement a second stack of flat objects disposed on edge using a second pallet mounted movable in said certain direction and manipulated said first and second pallets for reconstitute at the front of the first pallet according to said certain direction of movement the current stack of flat objects on edge with the flat objects on the edge of the second pile of flat objects.

Le dispositif de dépilage est plus particulièrement un dispositif par lequel le premier objet plat de la pile courante d'objets plats qui est en contact avec la face de dépilage est éjecté selon une direction perpendiculaire à la direction de déplacement des objets plats dans le magasin d'alimentation de sorte que les objets plats sont sérialisés sur chant les uns derrière les autres.The unstacking device is more particularly a device by which the first flat object of the current stack of flat objects which is in contact with the unstacking face is ejected in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the flat objects in the magazine. feeding so that the flat objects are serialized on singing one behind the other.

L'invention s'applique plus particulièrement au traitement d'envois postaux de grand format communément appelés « flats » mais peut également être utilisée pour le traitement de lettres par exemple dans une machine de tri postal.The invention applies more particularly to the processing of large format postal items commonly called "flats" but can also be used for the processing of letters for example in a postal sorting machine.

Dans une machine de tri postal, les envois postaux à trier sont généralement amenés à l'entrée de la machine dans des bacs où ils sont rangés en pile sur chant ou à plat (c'est-à-dire par paquets). Un bac rempli d'envois postaux est renversé sur un plan de travail et un opérateur prélève par paquets les envois postaux pour les stocker dans le magasin d'alimentation d'un dépileur de la machine de tri.In a postal sorting machine, postal items to be sorted are generally brought to the entrance of the machine in bins where they are stored in pile on edge or flat (that is to say in packets). A tray filled with postal items is inverted on a worktop and an operator collects mail packages to store them in the feed magazine of a destacker of the sorting machine.

Différentes méthodes sont utilisées pour manipuler ces paquets d'envois postaux dans le magasin d'alimentation, ces méthodes dépendant principalement de la configuration du magasin d'alimentation et des habitudes et préférences des opérateurs manipulant les envois postaux.Different methods are used to manipulate these packages of postal items in the food store, these methods mainly depending on the configuration of the food store and the habits and preferences of the operators handling the mail items.

Typiquement, les magasins d'alimentation des dépileurs de machine de tri comportent une surface de stockage des envois postaux dite dynamique en ce qu'elle est constituée d'un tapis roulant horizontal (une bande de convoyage sans fin s'étendant horizontalement) et une palette mobile entraînée par un moteur pour se déplacer de manière synchronisée ou non avec le tapis roulant afin de pousser une pile courante d'envois postaux à dépiler vers la face de dépilage du dépileur.Typically, the sorting machine unstacker feed magazines have a so-called dynamic mailpiece storage area in that it consists of a horizontal conveyor belt (an endless conveyor belt extending horizontally) and a conveyor belt. movable paddle driven by a motor to move synchronously or not synchronized with the treadmill to push a current stack of mail items to be unstacked to the unstacker unstacking face.

En général la palette s'étend dans un plan vertical légèrement incliné pour soutenir la pile d'envois postaux.In general the pallet extends in a slightly inclined vertical plane to support the stack of postal items.

Le rôle de l'opérateur est donc de reconstituer la pile courante d'envois postaux qui est poussée par la palette.The role of the operator is therefore to reconstruct the current stack of mail items that is pushed by the pallet.

Pour effectuer cette opération il peut être possible pour un opérateur de manipuler la palette pour libérer un espace libre entre la palette et la pile courante d'envois postaux en cours de dépilage tout en se saisissant d'un nouveau paquet d'envois postaux pour disposer ces envois sur chant dans l'espace laissé libre. Cette opération de manipulation s'avère peu pratique voir difficile à réaliser car l'opérateur doit à la fois veiller à soutenir et pousser la pile courante d'envois postaux d'une main et de l'autre main se saisir d'un paquet d'envois postaux et amener ce paquet d'envois postaux devant la palette pour reconstituer la pile courante d'envois postaux. De ce fait, cette manipulation peut affecter le débit de traitement de la machine de tri.To perform this operation it may be possible for an operator to manipulate the pallet to free space between the pallet and the current stack of postal items being unstacked while seizing a new package of mail items to dispose of these shipments on song in the space left free. This manipulation operation proves impractical or difficult to achieve because the operator must both ensure support and push the current stack of postal items with one hand and the other hand grab a packet of mailings and bring this package of mailings in front of the pallet to restore the current stack of mailings. As a result, this manipulation can affect the processing speed of the sorting machine.

Une autre manipulation consiste à constituer à l'arrière de la palette motorisée une pile d'envois postaux en attente. Lorsque cette pile d'envois postaux en attente est suffisamment fournie, l'opérateur saisit et déplace la palette pour réaliser une fusion des envois postaux de la pile en attente et de la pile courante. Cette manipulation est compliquée du fait que pendant la constitution de la pile d'objets postaux en attente, l'opérateur doit en même temps suivre le déplacement de la palette, laquelle est en mouvement continu avec le tapis roulant.Another manipulation is to constitute at the rear of the motorized pallet a stack of mail items waiting. When this stack of pending mail items is sufficiently supplied, the operator enters and moves the pallet to merge the mail items of the standby stack and the current stack. This manipulation is complicated by the fact that during the formation of the pile of postal objects waiting, the operator must at the same time follow the movement of the pallet, which is in continuous movement with the conveyor belt.

Pour palier les inconvénients ci-dessus on connaît du document de brevet US 5 829 742 un autre agencement de magasin d'alimentation pour dépileur de machine de tri postal. Un tel magasin d'alimentation 101, représenté sur la figure 14 qui comporte un tapis roulant 102 constituant la surface de stockage dynamique et deux palettes mobiles 103, 104 espacées longitudinalement l'une de l'autre selon la direction D de déplacement des palettes. Ces deux palettes comprennent une première palette 103 qui fait face à la face de dépilage d'un dépileur 105 et qui pousse la pile courante 106 d'envois postaux et une seconde palette 104 disposée en arrière de la première palette 103 selon la direction D de déplacement des envois postaux vers la face de dépilage. Ces deux palettes sont motorisées de façon synchronisée et leur déplacement est lié de façon synchronisée également au déplacement du tapis roulant 102 constituant la surface de stockage dynamique. L'espace laissé libre entre les deux palettes mobiles sert de zone de réserve pour la constitution d'une pile d'envois postaux en attente 107. La manipulation des envois consiste dans ce cas pour l'opérateur, après avoir constitué la pile d'envois postaux en attente 107 entre les deux palettes mobiles 104,103, à soulever la première palette 103 pour la faire passer entre la seconde palette 104 et la pile d'envois postaux en attente 107 de sorte que la pile courante 106 et la pile en attente 107 sont fusionnées. L'opérateur saisit ensuite la seconde palette pour la déplacer vers l'arrière de façon à libérer de nouveau un espace entre les deux palettes constituant la zone de réserve. Bien qu'avec cet agencement, l'opérateur ait plus de facilité pour constituer la pile d'envois postaux en attente, la manipulation reste encore compliquée et fastidieuse du fait du déplacement permanent des palettes et donc de la pile en attente ce qui oblige l'opérateur à suivre ce déplacement. Par ailleurs, l'opérateur est obligé de se saisir des envois postaux et de les porter pour les amener dans la zone de réserve et ne peut les faire glisser du fait que la seconde palette se trouve sur le passage entre le bac contenant les envois et la zone de réserve. L'opérateur doit en outre simultanément concentrer ses efforts sur le maintien sur chant des envois postaux dans la zone de réserve.To overcome the above drawbacks patent document is known US 5,829,742 another feeder store layout for unstacker postal sorting machine. Such a food store 101, shown on the figure 14 which comprises a conveyor belt 102 constituting the dynamic storage surface and two movable pallets 103, 104 spaced longitudinally from one another in the direction D of movement of the pallets. These two pallets comprise a first pallet 103 which faces the depilatory face of a destacker 105 and which pushes the current stack 106 of postal items and a second pallet 104 arranged behind the first pallet 103 in the direction D of moving postal items to the unstacking side. These two pallets are motorized in a synchronized manner and their displacement is synchronously linked to the movement of the conveyor belt 102 constituting the dynamic storage surface. The space left free between the two mobile pallets serves as a reserve area for the constitution of a stack of pending mail items 107. In this case, the handling of the items of mail consists of the operator, after having constituted the pile of waiting mailpieces 107 between the two movable pallets 104, 103, to lift the first pallet 103 to pass between the second pallet 104 and the stack of mailpieces pending 107 so that the current stack 106 and the stack waiting 107 are merged. The operator then grabs the second pallet to move it backwards so as to release again a space between the two pallets constituting the reserve area. Although with this arrangement, the operator has more facility to constitute the pile of mailpieces waiting, the handling is still complicated and tedious because of the permanent movement of the pallets and thus the stack waiting which requires the operator to follow this move. In addition, the operator is obliged to seize the postal items and carry them to bring them into the reserve area and can not drag them because the second pallet is on the passage between the bin containing shipments and the reserve area. The operator must at the same time concentrate his efforts on keeping on edge the postal items in the reserve area.

On connaît encore du document de brevet US 4 052 052 un dispositif pour regrouper des piles de feuillets et les introduire dans une relieuse de livre à l'aide de convoyeurs motorisés et d'inserts poussés par des palettes couplées à des ressorts. Un tel dispositif est trop complexe pour être mis en oeuvre dans une machine de tri postal.Patent document is still known US 4,052,052 a device for grouping stacks of sheets and introducing them into a book binding machine using motorized conveyors and inserts pushed by paddles coupled with springs. Such a device is too complex to be implemented in a postal sorting machine.

On connaît également des demandes de brevet EP 1 322 538 et EP 1 322 537 des chariots qui peuvent être couplés à un système de dépilage d'une machine de tri postal pour l'alimenter en envois postaux. Ces chariots comportent deux guides longitudinaux disposés de part et d'autres des envois postaux sur chant, un guide longitudinal supportant deux palettes destinées à enserrer une pile d'envois postaux et l'autre guide longitudinal portant une palette destinée à passer derrière cette pile d'envois postaux afin de la pousser vers le système de dépilage après avoir soulevé les deux autres palettes. De tels dispositifs impliquent la manipulation de trois palettes différentes. De plus, ces palettes sont disposées de part et d'autre du magasin de stockage, ce qui rend leur manipulation incommode.Patent applications are also known EP 1 322 538 and EP 1 322 537 trolleys that can be coupled to an unstacking system of a postal sorting machine to feed mail. These trolleys comprise two longitudinal guides arranged on either side of the mailpieces on edge, a longitudinal guide supporting two pallets for gripping a stack of postal items and the other longitudinal guide carrying a pallet intended to pass behind this pile of mailpieces. mailings to push it to the unstacking system after lifting the other two pallets. Such devices involve the manipulation of three different pallets. In addition, these pallets are arranged on either side of the storage magazine, which makes their handling inconvenient.

On connaît encore du document US5829742 , une méthode pour alimenter un dispositif de dépilage d'envois postaux dans laquelle on soulève et on place une pile d'envois sur chant entre une première et une deuxième palette. Cette méthode implique une manipulation délicate des envois.We still know the document US5829742 , a method for feeding an unstacking device of postal items in which is raised and placed a stack of shipments on edge between a first and a second pallet. This method involves delicate handling of shipments.

Le but de l'invention est de proposer une méthode permettant de faciliter l'introduction des envois postaux sur la machine de tri et de concevoir un magasin d'alimentation ergonomique permettant à un opérateur d'introduire des envois postaux dans une machine de tri postal le plus rapidement possible avec des efforts restreints.The object of the invention is to provide a method for facilitating the introduction of postal items on the sorting machine and to design an ergonomic food store allowing an operator to introduce postal items in a postal sorting machine as quickly as possible with limited effort.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet une méthode pour alimenter en objets plats un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats comprenant un magasin d'alimentation dans lequel des objets plats disposés sur chant et constituant une pile courante d'objets plats sont déplacés selon une certaine direction de déplacement par une première palette vers une face de dépilage du dispositif de dépilage pour être sérialisés et dans lequel on constitue à l'arrière de ladite première palette selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement une seconde pile d'objets plats disposés sur chant en utilisant une seconde palette montée mobile selon ladite certaine direction et dans lequel on manipule lesdites première et seconde palettes pour reconstituer à l'avant de la première palette selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement la pile courante d'objets plats sur chant avec les objets plats sur chant de la second pile d'objets plats, caractérisée en ce que le magasin comprend une surface statique et une surface dynamique s'étendant selon la dite certaine direction, ladite surface dynamique étant disposée entre ladite surface statique et la face de dépilage, et en ce qu'elle comprend les étapes consistant à :

  • constituer la seconde pile d'objets plats sur chant sur la surface de stockage statique (4) à l'arrière de ladite seconde palette selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement ;
  • déplacer la seconde pile d'objets plats sur chant et la seconde palette vers la première palette selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement jusqu'à obtenir une jonction entre lesdites première et seconde palettes ;
  • déplacer ensemble lesdites première et seconde palettes à l'arrière de ladite seconde pile d'objets plats selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement ;
  • déplacer la pile courante d'objets plats au moyen de la première palette et de la surface de stockage dynamique.
For this purpose, the object of the invention is a method for supplying flat objects with a flat-object unstacking device comprising a feed magazine in which flat objects arranged on edge and constituting a current stack of flat objects are displaced. in a certain direction of movement by a first pallet towards an unstacking face of the unstacking device to be serialized and in which is constituted at the rear of said first pallet according to said certain direction of movement a second stack of flat objects arranged on singing using a second movable pallet mounted in said certain direction and wherein said first and second pallets are manipulated to reconstitute at the front of the first pallet along said certain direction of movement the current stack of flat objects on edge with the objects flat on the edge of the second pile of flat objects, characterized in that the store includes a static face and a dynamic surface extending along said certain direction, said dynamic surface being disposed between said surface static and the unstacking face, and in that it comprises the steps of:
  • forming the second pile of flat objects on edge on the static storage surface (4) at the rear of said second pallet according to said certain direction of movement;
  • moving the second pile of flat objects on edge and the second pallet towards the first pallet along said certain direction of movement until a junction between said first and second pallets;
  • moving said first and second pallets together at the rear of said second stack of flat objects along said certain direction of travel;
  • move the current stack of flat objects using the first pallet and the dynamic storage area.

Les première et seconde palettes peuvent être avantageusement déplacées avec une seule main. La seconde palette sert de support pour former une nouvelle pile d'objets plats, et plus particulièrement d'envois postaux ou de grands formats, à joindre à la pile courante en cours de dépilage. La constitution de cette nouvelle pile d'envois postaux, par exemple sur une surface de stockage statique, est aisée et le regroupement des deux piles peut être effectué par une gestuelle simple.The first and second pallets can be advantageously moved with one hand. The second pallet serves as a support for forming a new pile of flat objects, and more particularly of postal items or large formats, to be attached to the current stack being unstacked. The constitution of this new stack of postal items, for example on a static storage surface, is easy and the combination of the two batteries can be performed by a simple gesture.

Selon des modes de réalisation particuliers de l'invention :

  • lesdites première et seconde palettes sont déplacées ensemble à l'arrière de la seconde pile d'objets plats par un premier mouvement sensiblement perpendiculaire à ladite certaine direction de déplacement et ensuite par un second mouvement de translation selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement et enfin par un troisième mouvement sensiblement perpendiculaire à ladite certaine direction de déplacement mais en sens opposé au premier mouvement de translation ;
  • après le troisième mouvement de translation, la seconde palette est séparée de la première palette par un quatrième mouvement de translation selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement mais en sens opposé ;
  • la seconde palette est déplacée jusqu'à une butée disposée au niveau de ladite surface de stockage statique.
According to particular embodiments of the invention:
  • said first and second pallets are moved together at the rear of the second stack of flat objects by a first movement substantially perpendicular to said certain direction of movement and then by a second translational movement along said certain direction of travel and finally by a third movement substantially perpendicular to said certain direction of movement but in opposite direction to the first translational movement;
  • after the third translational movement, the second pallet is separated from the first pallet by a fourth translational movement along said certain direction of travel but in opposite directions;
  • the second pallet is moved to a stop disposed at said static storage surface.

L'invention s'étend également à un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats comprenant un magasin d'alimentation en objets plats avec une première palette motorisée montée sur un bord longitudinal du magasin et apte à se déplacer selon une certaine direction de déplacement vers une face de dépilage, une seconde palette montée mobile sur ledit bord du magasin pour être déplacée selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement, ladite seconde palette étant disposée à l'arrière de ladite première palette selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement, caractérisée en ce que ladite seconde palette est montée librement mobile sur ledit bord du magasin et en ce que le magasin comprend une première surface de stockage d'objets plats sur chant qui est statique et une seconde surface de stockage d'objets plats sur chant qui est dynamique et qui est disposée entre la première surface de stockage statique et la face de dépilage et en ce que ladite seconde palette est apte à être déplacée dans une direction opposée à ladite certaine direction de déplacement de la surface de stockage dynamique vers la surface de stockage statique jusqu'à un moyen de blocage du déplacement libre de la seconde palette.The invention also extends to a device for unstacking flat objects comprising a flat objects supply magazine with a first motorized pallet mounted on a longitudinal edge of the magazine and able to move in a certain direction of movement towards a unstacking side, a second pallet movably mounted on said edge of the magazine to be moved according to said certain direction of displacement, said second pallet being disposed at the rear of said first pallet according to said certain direction of movement, characterized in that said second pallet is freely movably mounted on said edge of the magazine and in that the magazine comprises a first flat-on-edge storage surface which is static and a second flat-on-edge storage surface which is dynamic and which is arranged between the first static storage surface and the unstacking face and that said second pallet is suitable to be moved in a direction opposite to said certain direction of movement of the dynamic storage surface to the static storage surface to a means for blocking the free movement of the second pallet.

Le dispositif de dépilage comprend en outre les particularités suivantes :

  • lesdites palettes sont montées de telle manière à être déplacées selon une direction perpendiculaire à ladite certaine direction de déplacement et il est prévu un dispositif de jonction qui solidarise lesdites première et seconde palettes lorsqu'elles sont déplacées ensemble face contre face selon ladite direction perpendiculaire à ladite certaine direction de déplacement ;
  • ledit dispositif de jonction est une ouverture formée dans la première palette et un téton disposé dans la seconde palette pour s'insérer dans ladite ouverture quand lesdites palettes sont face contre face
  • lesdites palettes sont montées sur le bord du magasin chacune par l'intermédiaire d'un pantographe correspondant s'étendant dans un plan sensiblement perpendiculaire à ladite certaine direction de déplacement.
  • la seconde palette est articulée sur le pantographe correspondant selon un axe de rotation perpendiculaire à ladite certaine direction de déplacement pour être escamotée hors du magasin ;
  • le moyen de blocage est activé à l'issue d'un déplacement de ladite seconde palette selon ladite certaine direction de déplacement ;
  • ladite surface de stockage statique est pourvue d'une surface crantée avec des crans de blocage, ces crans anti-retour étant plus particulièrement des semi-crevés disposés en plusieurs rangées parallèles;
  • les palettes sont munies chacune d'une poignée de manipulation, les poignées des palettes étant décalées selon une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire à ladite certaine direction de déplacement.
The unstacking device further comprises the following features:
  • said pallets are mounted so as to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to said certain direction of movement and there is provided a junction device which secures said first and second vanes when moved together face-to-face in said direction perpendicular to said certain direction of movement;
  • said connecting device is an opening formed in the first pallet and a stud disposed in the second pallet for insertion into said opening when said pallets are face-to-face
  • said pallets are mounted on the edge of the magazine each by means of a corresponding pantograph extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to said certain direction of movement.
  • the second pallet is articulated on the corresponding pantograph according to an axis of rotation perpendicular to said certain direction of movement to be retracted out of the store;
  • the blocking means is activated at the end of a displacement of said second pallet according to said certain direction of displacement;
  • said static storage surface is provided with a notched surface with locking notches, these non-return notches being more particularly semi-flattened arranged in several parallel rows;
  • the pallets are each provided with a handling handle, the handles of the pallets being offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to said certain direction of movement.

Le dispositif selon l'invention simplifie et facilite grandement les manipulations de l'opérateur pour l'introduction des envois postaux dans la machine de sorte que l'opérateur se fatigue moins et que le rendement de la machine est amélioré.The device according to the invention simplifies and greatly facilitates the handling of the operator for the introduction of postal items in the machine so that the operator is less tired and the machine performance is improved.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui suit et à l'examen des figures qui l'accompagnent. Cette description n'est donnée qu'à titre d'exemple indicatif et nullement limitatif de l'invention.

  • Les figures 1 à 6 sont des vues en perspective d'un magasin d'alimentation d'une machine de tri à différents stades d'avancement de la méthode selon l'invention.
  • La figure 7 est une vue en perspective du magasin d'alimentation de la machine de tri illustrée sur les figures précédentes avec la seconde palette en position escamotée.
  • La figure 8 est une vue schématique de dessus du magasin d'alimentation selon l'invention.
  • La figure 9 est une vue en perspective de derrière de la première palette.
  • La figure 10 est une vue en perspective de derrière de la seconde palette.
  • La figure 11 montre le pantographe et l'intérieur de la seconde palette.
  • La figure 12 est une représentation schématique du dispositif de jonction permettant de solidariser les palettes.
  • La figure 13 est une représentation schématique du moyen de blocage de la seconde palette.
  • La figure 14 montre de façon très schématique un magasin d'alimentation de l'art antérieur.
The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. This description is given as an indicative and non-limiting example of the invention.
  • The Figures 1 to 6 are perspective views of a feed magazine of a sorting machine at different stages of advancement of the method according to the invention.
  • The figure 7 is a perspective view of the feed magazine of the sorting machine illustrated in the preceding figures with the second pallet in the retracted position.
  • The figure 8 is a schematic view from above of the feed magazine according to the invention.
  • The figure 9 is a perspective view from behind of the first pallet.
  • The figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the second pallet.
  • The figure 11 shows the pantograph and the inside of the second pallet.
  • The figure 12 is a schematic representation of the junction device for securing the pallets.
  • The figure 13 is a schematic representation of the locking means of the second pallet.
  • The figure 14 shows very schematically a feed store of the prior art.

La figure 1 illustre partiellement une machine de tri postal 1 avec un magasin d'alimentation conçu de façon ergonomique, c'est à dire pour faciliter l'introduction d'envois postaux dans la machine de tri par l'opérateur et en améliorer le rendement.The figure 1 partially illustrates a postal sorting machine 1 with a feed store designed ergonomically, that is to say to facilitate the introduction of postal items in the sorting machine by the operator and improve the efficiency.

La machine de tri 1 comporte de gauche à droite sur la figure 1 un présentoir de bac 2, un magasin d'alimentation 3 avec une surface de stockage statique 4 et une surface de stockage dynamique 5, et un système ou dispositif de dépilage 6. Nous utiliserons par la suite pour des raisons de simplicité des termes relatifs de déplacement vers l'avant ou l'arrière, ainsi que des termes relatifs de positionnement devant ou derrière, ces termes s'entendant selon la direction de déplacement des envois postaux sur le magasin d'alimentation, représentée par la flèche D, l'avant se trouvant du coté du système de dépilage 6 et l'arrière du côté du présentoir de bac 2.The sorting machine 1 has from left to right on the figure 1 a tray display 2, a feed magazine 3 with a static storage surface 4 and a dynamic storage surface 5, and an unstacking system or device 6. We will later use for the sake of simplicity the relative terms of forward or backward movement, as well as relative terms of positioning in front of or behind, these terms being understood in the direction of movement of the mail items on the feed magazine, represented by the arrow D, the front located on the side of the unstacking system 6 and the rear side of the tray display 2.

La surface de stockage dynamique 5 comporte un tapis roulant 7 avançant à plat horizontalement selon la direction de déplacement D en direction d'une face de dépilage du système de dépilage 6 et une première palette mobile motorisée 8 avançant au-dessus du tapis roulant 7 selon la direction de déplacement D en direction de la face du système de dépilage 6. La palette mobile motorisée 8 comporte une face avant plane faisant face au système de dépilage 6 et est légèrement inclinée par rapport à la verticale, la distance entre la face avant de la palette 8 et le système de dépilage 6 augmentant avec la hauteur. La palette mobile motorisée 8 maintient et pousse sur chant les envois postaux reposant contre, pendant que ces derniers avancent sur le tapis roulant en direction du système de dépilage. Le tapis roulant 7 et la palette mobile 8 ont par exemple un système de motorisation commun qui gère de manière automatique leur avancée avec asservissement sur le dépilage des envois postaux, mais peuvent également être conçus avec des systèmes de motorisation individuels dissociés permettant de jouer sur leurs vitesses de déplacement respectives pour que les envois postaux arrivent le plus verticalement possible devant la face de dépilage. Comme visible sur la figure 1, une première pile 9 d'envois postaux 9 maintenus sur chant contre la face avant de la palette mobile motorisée 8 avance devant la palette mobile 8 sur le tapis roulant 7 en direction du système de dépilage 6. Le but de l'invention consiste à reconstituer au fur et à mesure de manière simple cette pile d'envois postaux disposée devant la palette mobile 8.The dynamic storage surface 5 comprises a conveyor belt 7 moving horizontally horizontally in the direction of displacement D towards an unstacking face of the unstacking system 6 and a first motorized moving pallet 8 advancing above the conveyor belt 7 according to the direction of displacement D towards the face of the unstacking system 6. The motorized movable pallet 8 comprises a flat front face facing the unstacking system 6 and is slightly inclined relative to the vertical, the distance between the front face of the the pallet 8 and the unstacking system 6 increasing with the height. The motorized movable pallet 8 holds and pushes against the postal items against, while they advance on the conveyor belt towards the unstacking system. The conveyor belt 7 and the movable pallet 8 have for example a common drive system which automatically manages their advance with servocontrol on unstacking of postal items, but can also be designed with individual drive systems dissociated to play on their respective travel speeds so that the postal items arrive as vertically as possible in front of the unstacking face. As visible on the figure 1 , a first stack 9 of mailpieces 9 held on edge against the front face of the motorized moving pallet 8 advances in front of the movable pallet 8 on the conveyor belt 7 towards the unstacking system 6. The purpose of the invention consists in reconstitute as the simple way this stack of postal items arranged in front of the mobile pallet 8.

La première palette 8 est plus particulièrement illustrée en détails sur la figure 9. Un chant 52 de la palette 8 faisant face à l'opérateur est munie d'une poignée 11 pour faciliter sa préhension et sa manipulation. La palette mobile motorisée 8 est montée sur un pantographe 12 permettant un mouvement de translation verticale de la palette 8. La palette 8 peut ainsi être soulevée par l'opérateur au-dessus d'envois postaux disposés sur chant sur la surface de stockage. Le pantographe 12 est couplé à la palette au niveau du chant opposé à la poignée 11 et est monté en dehors de la surface de stockage de sorte à laisser libre la surface de stockage lorsque la palette est soulevée. Un ressort placé de manière appropriée à l'intérieur de la palette permet de compenser une partie de la masse de la palette pour éviter des efforts trop importants à l'opérateur lors du soulèvement de la palette. La palette se déplaçant selon un mouvement de translation verticale, la prise en main de la poignée 11 est facile et cette poignée reste proche du corps de l'opérateur en permanence, limitant ainsi ses efforts.The first pallet 8 is more particularly illustrated in detail on the figure 9 . A song 52 of the pallet 8 facing the operator is provided with a handle 11 to facilitate its grip and handling. The motorized moving pallet 8 is mounted on a pantograph 12 allowing a vertical translation movement of the pallet 8. The pallet 8 can thus be raised by the operator above postal items arranged on edge on the storage surface. The pantograph 12 is coupled to the pallet at the edge opposite the handle 11 and is mounted outside the storage surface so as to leave the storage surface free when the pallet is raised. A spring placed appropriately inside the pallet makes it possible to compensate for a part of the mass of the pallet in order to avoid excessive forces for the operator when lifting the pallet. The pallet moving in a vertical translational movement, the grip of the handle 11 is easy and this handle remains close to the body of the operator permanently, thus limiting its efforts.

Le pantographe est monté sur un rail 50 visible sur la figure 8 disposé sur un bord longitudinal du magasin d'alimentation et s'étendant selon la direction de déplacement D en retrait de la surface de stockage. Le pantographe 12, et par conséquent la palette 8, peuvent coulisser le long du rail 50. Le rail 50 traverse plus particulièrement une rainure 51 équipée d'un guidage formée dans la structure du pantographe 12. Lorsque la palette 8 est baissée, c'est à dire est en contact avec le tapis roulant 7, un mécanisme d'embrayage 54 couplé au pantographe 12 embraye l'ensemble pantographe/palette sur une chaîne motorisée avançant le long du rail, entraînant ainsi la palette vers l'avant. Le mécanisme d'embrayage comporte en outre un pignon unidirectionnel qui autorise un déplacement manuel supplémentaire vers l'avant de la palette mais empêche un déplacement vers l'arrière de la palette, ceci pour un bon maintien des envois par l'exercice d'une pression vers l'avant sur les envois. Lorsque la palette 8 est soulevée, le mécanisme d'embrayage 54 est débrayé de la chaîne motorisée et la palette 8 en position haute peut coulisser librement vers l'avant ou vers l'arrière le long du rail. Le mécanisme d'embrayage 54, visible sur la figure 9, est plus particulièrement constitué d'une tige 56 fixée sur une des branches du pantographe 12 et entraînant en translation verticale un pignon 58 monté sur un roulement à bille unidirectionnel en fonction du déplacement de la branche du pantographe. Lorsque la palette 8 est baissée, ladite branche du pantographe 12 est baissée, de sorte que le pignon 58 descend et vient s'engager sur une chaîne motorisée. Inversement, lorsque la palette est soulevée, le pignon monte et se désengage de la chaîne. Le roulement à bille unidirectionnel permet à l'opérateur de déplacer la palette vers l'avant lorsque la palette est en position basse.The pantograph is mounted on a rail 50 visible on the figure 8 disposed on a longitudinal edge of the feed magazine and extending in the direction of displacement D set back from the storage surface. The pantograph 12, and therefore the pallet 8, can slide along the rail 50. The rail 50 passes more particularly through a groove 51 equipped with a guide formed in the structure of the pantograph 12. When the pallet 8 is lowered, ie is in contact with the treadmill 7, a clutch mechanism 54 coupled to the pantograph 12 engages the pantograph / pallet assembly on a motorized chain advancing along the rail, thus driving the pallet forward. The clutch mechanism further comprises a unidirectional pinion which allows an additional manual movement forward of the pallet but prevents a rearward movement of the pallet, this for a good retention of the items by the exercise of a forward pressure on shipments. When the pallet 8 is raised, the clutch mechanism 54 is disengaged from the motorized chain and the pallet 8 in the up position can slide freely forward or backward along the rail. The clutch mechanism 54, visible on the figure 9 , more particularly consists of a rod 56 fixed on one of the branches of the pantograph 12 and driving in vertical translation a pinion 58 mounted on a unidirectional ball bearing depending on the movement of the branch of the pantograph. When the pallet 8 is lowered, said branch of the pantograph 12 is lowered, so that the pinion 58 descends and engages on a motorized chain. Conversely, when the pallet is raised, the pinion rises and disengages from the chain. The unidirectional ball bearing allows the operator to move the pallet forward when the pallet is in the down position.

Le magasin d'alimentation comporte en outre une seconde palette 13 disposée derrière la première palette 8 selon la direction de déplacement D. Cette seconde palette 13, sensiblement identique à la première palette 8 est montrée plus en détails sur les figures 10 et 11. Cette seconde palette 13 est montée sur un pantographe 14 permettant un mouvement de translation verticale de celle-ci, le pantographe 14 étant lui-même monté de manière à pouvoir coulisser sur le même rail 50 que le pantographe 12. Le pantographe 14 ne comporte pas de mécanisme d'embrayage de sorte que la palette 13 montée sur le pantographe 14 n'est pas entraînée automatiquement vers l'avant lorsqu'elle est en position basse et peut coulisser librement le long du rail vers l'avant ou l'arrière selon la direction de déplacement D par simple action d'un opérateur manipulant la palette en la tenant par une poignée 15 orientée vers lui, que la palette soit en position haute ou en position basse.The feed magazine further comprises a second pallet 13 arranged behind the first pallet 8 in the direction of displacement D. This second pallet 13, substantially identical to the first pallet 8 is shown in more detail on the Figures 10 and 11 . This second pallet 13 is mounted on a pantograph 14 allowing a vertical translational movement thereof, the pantograph 14 being itself mounted so as to slide on the same rail 50 as the pantograph 12. The pantograph 14 does not include of the clutch mechanism so that the pallet 13 mounted on the pantograph 14 is not driven automatically forward when it is in the down position and can slide freely along the rail forward or backward according to the direction of displacement D by simple action of an operator manipulating the pallet by holding it by a handle 15 facing it, whether the pallet is in the up position or in the low position.

Lorsque la palette est reculée au maximum sur le magasin d'alimentation, elle est bloquée en position au moyen d'un système ou moyen de blocage et peut être débloquée par l'exercice d'une force vers l'avant exercée par l'opérateur. Ce système de blocage décrit ci-après en référence à la figure 13 est par exemple constitué d'un ressort à lame coudée contre lequel vient agir une butée 72 formée sur la structure du pantographe 14. La palette se trouve alors au-dessus de la surface de stockage statique 4, comme visible sur la figure 1. La surface de stockage statique a une surface d'adhérence moindre, c'est à dire parfaitement glissante, et comprend un espace de vérification du gabarit des envois postaux et un espace d'accumulation d'envois postaux. La surface de l'espace d'accumulation d'envois postaux comporte des crans de blocage 16. Sur l'espace de vérification du gabarit des envois postaux, une ligne 17 tracée sur la surface selon la direction de déplacement D sert de repère pour vérifier la longueur des envois postaux à insérer dans la machine lorsque ceux-ci sont en butée contre une paroi verticale 18. Cette paroi verticale 18 a une hauteur particulière qui sert de repère pour vérifier la hauteur des envois postaux à insérer dans la machine. L'espace de vérification du gabarit comprend en outre un insert 27 pour vérifier l'épaisseur des envois postaux. Ces différents repères permettent d'éliminer les envois postaux hors gabarits, c'est à dire qui dépassent par exemple 260 mm de hauteur, 360 mm de longueur et 20 ou 32 mm d'épaisseur.When the pallet is retracted as far as possible from the feed magazine, it is locked in position by means of a locking system or means and can be unlocked by the exercise of a forward force exerted by the operator . This blocking system described below with reference to the figure 13 for example consists of a bent blade spring against which acts a stop 72 formed on the structure of the pantograph 14. The pallet is then above the static storage surface 4, as visible on the figure 1 . The static storage surface has a less adherent surface, that is to say perfectly slippery, and includes a verification space of the template of postal items and an accumulation space of postal items. The surface of the accumulation space of mailpieces comprises locking notches 16. On the checking space of the postal item template, a line 17 drawn on the surface in the direction of displacement D serves as a reference mark for verifying the length of mailpieces to be inserted into the machine when they abut against a vertical wall 18. This vertical wall 18 has a particular height which serves as a reference for checking the height of postal items to be inserted into the machine. The template verification space further comprises an insert 27 for verifying the thickness of the postal items. These different markers make it possible to eliminate mailings out of size, ie which for example exceed 260 mm in height, 360 mm in length and 20 or 32 mm in thickness.

Une rampe 19, spécialement adaptée pour faciliter le déversement et la mise sur chant sur la surface de stockage statique 4 d'envois postaux contenus dans un bac présenté sur le présentoir de bac 2, sert de jonction entre le présentoir de bac 2 et le magasin d'alimentation 3.A ramp 19, specially adapted to facilitate spilling and setting on the static storage surface 4 of postal items contained in a tray shown on the tray display 2, serves as a junction between the tray display 2 and the store supply 3.

D'autres détails de la machine de tri seront présentés ci-après au cours de la description des manipulations réalisées par l'opérateur pour introduire des envois postaux dans la machine de tri et suivies étape par étape en référence aux figures successives.Other details of the sorting machine will be presented hereinafter during the description of the manipulations performed by the operator to introduce postal items in the sorting machine and followed step by step with reference to the successive figures.

Comme visible sur la figure 1, une première pile 9 d'envois postaux sur chant avance automatiquement sur le tapis roulant 7 devant la première palette 8 en position basse en direction du système de dépilage qui sérialise et envoie un à un les envois postaux de la pile 9 à l'intérieur de la machine de tri. La seconde palette 13 est reculée au maximum sur le magasin d'alimentation 5 en position basse et est par conséquent bloquée en position d'attente.As visible on the figure 1 a first pile 9 of postal mailings advance automatically on the conveyor belt 7 in front of the first pallet 8 in the lower position towards the unstacking system which serializes and sends one by one the mail items of the stack 9 inside of the sorting machine. The second pallet 13 is retracted to the maximum on the feed magazine 5 in the low position and is therefore locked in the waiting position.

Un bac contenant des envois postaux à insérer dans la machine est alors amené dans le présentoir de bac 2 et renversé sur le côté, ouverture devant la rampe 19. L'opérateur, qui a les deux mains libres, saisit un paquet d'envois postaux qu'il dresse sur chant sur l'espace pour la vérification du gabarit des envois postaux et aligne contre la paroi verticale 18, face perpendiculaire à la direction de déplacement D. L'opérateur repère alors les envois postaux hors gabarit, c'est à dire les envois postaux qui passent au-delà de la ligne 17 et/ou de la paroi verticale 18, et les élimine du tri en machine en les jetant dans une trémie 20. Cette trémie 20 est disposée juste derrière la paroi verticale 18 et comporte un toboggan qui renvoie ces envois hors gabarit jusque dans un bac de récupération 21 disposé en dessous de l'espace de vérification du gabarit des envois postaux. Le bac de récupération 21 des envois hors gabarit ainsi disposé est facilement accessible et maniable par l'opérateur.A tray containing postal items to be inserted in the machine is then brought into the tray display 2 and reversed on the side, opening in front of the ramp 19. The operator, who has both hands free, seizes a package of postal items he stands on edge on the space for the verification of the template of the postal items and aligns against the vertical wall 18, face perpendicular to the direction of movement D. The operator then locates the out-of-gauge mail items, this is at say the postal items which pass beyond the line 17 and / or the vertical wall 18, and eliminates them from the sorting machine by throwing them into a hopper 20. This hopper 20 is disposed just behind the vertical wall 18 and comprises a slide that returns these off-size shipments into a recovery tank 21 disposed below the verification space of the template of postal items. The recovery tank 21 out of jig shipments so arranged is easily accessible and manageable by the operator.

L'opérateur fait alors glisser les envois postaux, toujours sur chant et face perpendiculaire à la direction de déplacement D, sur la surface de stockage statique jusqu'à ce qu'ils viennent appuyer contre la face arrière de la seconde palette 13. La palette 13 reste en place sans aucune intervention de l'opérateur du fait qu'elle est bloquée. Les envois postaux ont alors glissé vers l'avant sur les crans de blocage 16 et ces crans de blocage retiennent les bords inférieurs des envois postaux tendant naturellement à glisser en arrière. Ces crans de blocage 16 ou crans anti-affaissement empêchent ainsi les envois postaux de s'affaisser sur la surface de stockage statique.The operator then slips the postal items, always on edge and face perpendicular to the direction of travel D, on the static storage surface until they press against the rear face of the second pallet 13. The pallet 13 remains in place without any intervention of the operator because it is blocked. The postal items then slipped forwards on the locking notches 16 and these locking notches hold the lower edges of postal items naturally tending to slide back. These locking notches 16 or anti-sag notches thus prevent postal items from collapsing on the static storage surface.

La matière constitutive de la surface de stockage statique doit être très glissante pour diminuer au maximum les frottements des envois glissant dessus et ainsi la détérioration des envois postaux et les efforts produits par l'opérateur. Sur une surface glissante, des envois postaux sur chant en appui contre une paroi verticale auront tendance à s'affaisser, le bord inférieur des envois reposant sur la surface glissante s'éloignant de la paroi verticale. Ce problème se vérifie plus particulièrement lorsque l'on manipule des envois postaux souples et légers. Pour remédier à ce problème, la surface glissante de l'espace d'accumulation d'envois postaux est crantée pour permettre le glissement des envois postaux vers l'avant et empêcher le recul du bord inférieur des envois postaux lorsque ces derniers reposent contre la face arrière de la seconde palette, les crans de blocage servant de butées ou bloquant les bords inférieurs des envois postaux. Différents types de crans de blocage 16 peuvent être utilisés, reposant sur le principe des écailles de poisson ou des peaux de phoques. Les crans de blocage sont plus particulièrement disposés en matrice sur l'espace d'accumulation d'envois postaux.The material constituting the static storage surface must be very slippery to minimize the friction of the items sliding on it and thus the deterioration of postal items and efforts produced by the operator. On a slippery surface, postal mail on edge pressing against a vertical wall will tend to collapse, the lower edge of the shipments resting on the slippery surface away from the vertical wall. This problem is particularly true when handling flexible and light mail items. To remedy this problem, the slippery surface of the mailpiece accumulation space is notched to allow forward mail to slide and to prevent the lower edge of the postal items from recoiling when they are resting against the face. rear of the second pallet, the locking notches serving as stops or blocking the lower edges of postal items. Different types of locking notches 16 may be used, based on the principle of fish scales or seal skins. The locking notches are more particularly arranged in a matrix on the accumulation space of postal items.

Selon le mode de réalisation particulier représenté sur les figures, ces crans de blocage sont constitués par plusieurs rangées de semi-crevés, par exemple trois, s'étendant dans la surface parallèlement à la direction de déplacement D. Par semi-crevé on entend une sorte de tremplin formé dans une tôle avec un profil selon la direction de déplacement D en forme de triangle rectangle, le côté avant étant ouvert. On utilise trois rangées de semi-crevés plutôt qu'une unique rangée avec des semi-crevés plus longs pour éviter que les envois se coincent dans les ouvertures des semi-crevés, si ces ouvertures sont suffisantes pour qu'un envoi postal s'y insère. Sur les figures 1 à 7, chaque rangée comporte sept semi-crevés.According to the particular embodiment shown in the figures, these locking notches are constituted by several rows of semi-punctured, for example three, extending in the surface parallel to the direction of displacement D. By semi-punctured means a a sort of springboard formed in a metal sheet with a profile in the direction of displacement D in the shape of a right triangle, the front side being open. Three rows of semi-punctured are used rather than a single row with longer semi-punctured ones to prevent the consignments from getting stuck in the openings of the semi-punctured ones, if these openings are sufficient for a postal item to be placed there. inserts. On the Figures 1 to 7 each row has seven semi-flat.

La surface de stockage statique est plus particulièrement formée par une tôle gaufrée afin de limiter les interactions électrostatiques avec les envois postaux. Les semi-crevés sont plus particulièrement réalisés par emboutissage dans cette tôle, c'est à dire par déchirement de la surface et déformation de la tôle pour former la surface inclinée. Un tel procédé de fabrication est particulièrement avantageux du fait qu'il est simple et permet d'obtenir des crans à angle vif, sur lesquels les envois postaux ne peuvent pas glisser vers l'arrière. Les semi-crevés ont par exemple une hauteur de 3 mm pour une longueur selon la direction de déplacement de 30 à 40 mm. Une hauteur de 3 mm est suffisante pour retenir les bords inférieurs des envois postaux et la pente de glissement des semi-crevés est suffisamment faible pour ne pas gêner le glissement vers l'avant des envois. Les crans de la surface crantée ont par conséquent un profil vertical selon la direction de déplacement D en forme d'écailles de poisson.The static storage surface is more particularly formed by an embossed sheet in order to limit the electrostatic interactions with the postal items. The semi-punctured are more particularly made by stamping in this sheet, that is to say by tearing the surface and deformation of the sheet to form the inclined surface. Such a method of manufacturing is particularly advantageous because it is simple and provides sharp notches, on which postal items can not slip backwards. The semi-punctured have for example a height of 3 mm for a length in the direction of displacement of 30 to 40 mm. A height of 3 mm is sufficient to retain the lower edges of postal items and the sliding slope of the semi-punctured is low enough not to hinder the forward sliding of shipments. The notches of the toothed surface therefore have a vertical profile in the direction of displacement D in the form of fish scales.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention, la surface crantée pourrait être formée simplement par une platine en escalier, ou à gradins, descendant selon la direction de déplacement D.According to another embodiment of the invention, the toothed surface could be formed simply by a stepped plate, or stepped, down in the direction of displacement D.

Un certain nombre d'envois postaux repose alors sans aucune intervention de l'opérateur contre la face arrière de la seconde palette 13, sur la surface de stockage statique 4. L'immobilité de la palette en position bloquée et de la surface de stockage statique, ainsi que la présence de crans de blocage facilite l'arrangement sur chant des envois postaux et plus particulièrement leur alignement contre une paroi verticale.A number of postal items then rest without any intervention by the operator against the rear face of the second pallet 13, on the static storage surface 4. The immobility of the pallet in the locked position and the static storage surface , as well as the presence of locking notches facilitates the singing arrangement of postal items and more particularly their alignment against a vertical wall.

L'opérateur amène alors d'autres paquets d'envois postaux derrière les envois postaux reposant déjà contre la seconde palette jusqu'à avoir formé derrière la seconde palette, une seconde pile d'envois postaux 22 jugée suffisamment grande pour être réunie avec la première pile d'envois postaux 9 déjà en cours de dépilage. Cette configuration est montrée sur la figure 2.The operator then brings other packets of postal items behind the postal items already resting against the second pallet until having formed behind the second pallet, a second stack of postal items 22 judged sufficiently large to be united with the first one. stack of postal items 9 already being unstacked. This configuration is shown on the figure 2 .

Lorsque l'opérateur le juge nécessaire, il décide de réunir les première et seconde piles d'envois postaux 9,22. Ce jugement est assez subjectif et dépend des habitudes de l'opérateur, par exemple lorsque la première pile 9 s'est réduite de moitié.When the operator deems it necessary, he decides to gather the first and second piles of postal items 9.22. This judgment is quite subjective and depends on the habits of the operator, for example when the first pile 9 has been reduced by half.

L'opérateur saisit alors la seconde palette 13 par la poignée 15 avec sa main droite, place sa main gauche dernière la seconde pile d'envois postaux 22 et fait coulisser ensemble, c'est à dire les envois toujours en appui contre la face arrière de la palette, la seconde palette 13 et la seconde pile d'envois postaux 22 jusque derrière la première palette 8. L'opérateur libère la seconde palette du système de blocage en exerçant une force vers l'avant. La force nécessaire au déblocage est calculée pour être légèrement supérieure à la force exercée par des envois postaux sur chant en appui sur la palette et permettre la formation du second paquet d'envois postaux sans avoir à maintenir à la main cette seconde palette. Comme visible sur la figure 10, un patin 60 est agencé sous la seconde palette pour permettre de la déplacer avec un moindre effort.The operator then grasps the second pallet 13 by the handle 15 with his right hand, places his left hand last the second stack of postal items 22 and slides together, that is to say the shipments always bearing against the rear face of the pallet, the second pallet 13 and the second stack of postal items 22 to behind the first pallet 8. The operator releases the second pallet of the locking system by exerting a force forward. The force required to release is calculated to be slightly greater than the force exerted by postal shipments on edge pressing on the pallet and allow the formation of the second package of postal items without have to hand hold this second pallet. As visible on the figure 10 , a pad 60 is arranged under the second pallet to allow the move with less effort.

Un dispositif de jonction agencé sur les palettes permet de solidariser les deux palettes lorsque celles-ci sont face contre face, c'est à dire la face avant de la seconde palette contre la face arrière de la première palette. Ce dispositif de jonction 61 est plus particulièrement décrit en référence à la figure 12. Un téton 23, également visible sur la figure 2, est agencé sur la face avant de la seconde palette 13. Ce téton 23 comporte une extrémité en forme de crochet dirigé vers le haut et est agencé de manière à s'insérer dans une ouverture 62 agencé dans la face arrière de la première palette 8. Cette ouverture est plus particulièrement de forme oblongue comme visible sur la figure 9. Une petite plaque 64 est agencée à l'intérieur de l'ouverture, dans la partie supérieure de cette dernière, de sorte que lorsque les deux palettes sont face contre face et que l'opérateur soulève la seconde palette, le crochet du téton 23 vient attraper la petite plaque 64 dans l'ouverture 62. Les deux palettes 8,13 sont alors solidarisées et peuvent être déplacées ensemble en l'air en ne manipulant que la seconde palette 13 par la poignée 15.A junction device arranged on the pallets makes it possible to secure the two pallets when they are face-to-face, that is to say the front face of the second pallet against the rear face of the first pallet. This junction device 61 is more particularly described with reference to the figure 12 . A nipple 23, also visible on the figure 2 , it is arranged on the front face of the second pallet 13. This stud 23 has an upward hook-shaped end and is arranged to fit into an opening 62 arranged in the rear face of the first pallet 8 This opening is more particularly of oblong shape as visible on the figure 9 . A small plate 64 is arranged inside the opening, in the upper part of the latter, so that when the two pallets are face-to-face and the operator lifts the second pallet, the hook of the nipple 23 comes catch the small plate 64 in the opening 62. The two pallets 8, 13 are then secured and can be moved together in the air by handling only the second pallet 13 by the handle 15.

On a montré sur la figure 3, la seconde palette 13 avancée contre la face arrière de la première palette 8. La seconde pile d'envois postaux 22 a été poussée vers l'avant en même temps que la seconde palette 13, contre la face arrière de cette dernière. Le téton 23 s'est alors introduit à l'intérieur de l'ouverture 62. La seconde pile d'envois postaux 22, ainsi que la seconde palette se trouvent sur la surface de stockage dynamique 5 au-dessus du tapis roulant 7.We showed on the figure 3 the second pallet 13 advanced against the rear face of the first pallet 8. The second stack of postal items 22 was pushed forward simultaneously with the second pallet 13 against the rear face of the latter. The stud 23 has then been introduced inside the opening 62. The second stack of postal items 22, as well as the second pallet, are on the dynamic storage surface 5 above the conveyor belt 7.

Comme visible sur la figure 3, les poignées 11 et 15 des première et seconde palettes sont décalées verticalement l'une par rapport à l'autre. L'opérateur peut ainsi amener la seconde palette contre la première palette en la tenant par la poignée 15 sans être gêné par la poignée 11. Il n'a à aucun moment besoin de lâcher la poignée 15 pour effectuer l'étape suivante consistant à solidariser et à soulever simultanément les deux palettes 8,13, comme représenté sur la figure 4.As visible on the figure 3 the handles 11 and 15 of the first and second pallets are vertically offset relative to one another. The operator can thus bring the second pallet against the first pallet by holding it by the handle 15 without being disturbed by the handle 11. It does not at any time need to release the handle 15 to perform the next step of securing and simultaneously lifting the two pallets 8, 13, as shown in FIG. figure 4 .

L'opérateur continue de maintenir une pression vers l'avant sur la seconde pile d'envois postaux 22 avec sa main gauche placée derrière la seconde pile et soulève la seconde palette en la tenant par la poignée 15. Le crochet du téton 23 attrape alors la petite plaque 64 dans l'ouverture, ce qui solidarise en soulèvement les deux palettes 8,13. Par ce geste simple, l'opérateur soulève les deux palettes au-dessus des envois postaux.The operator continues to maintain forward pressure on the second stack of postal items 22 with his left hand placed behind the second stack and raises the second pallet by holding it by the handle 15. The hook of the pin 23 then catches the small plate 64 in the opening, which secures the two pallets 8,13 in upright. By this simple gesture, the operator raises the two pallets above the postal items.

L'opérateur ramène alors les deux palettes 8,13 en position basse derrière la seconde pile d'envois postaux 22, comme visible sur la figure 5, en passant les deux palettes solidarisées au-dessus de la seconde pile d'envois postaux 22.The operator then returns the two pallets 8, 13 in the lower position behind the second stack of postal items 22, as visible on the figure 5 , passing the two pallets secured above the second stack of postal items 22.

II pousse alors la seconde palette vers l'avant, toujours en la maintenant par sa poignée 15, et pousse par conséquent la première palette de manière à réunir et à pousser vers l'avant les deux piles d'envois postaux 9,22.He then pushes the second pallet forward, still holding it by its handle 15, and therefore pushes the first pallet so as to reunite and push forward the two stacks of postal items 9,22.

Selon une autre alternative, les deux piles 22,9 peuvent être réunies par action de l'opérateur poussant avec sa main gauche la seconde pile vers l'avant lorsque les deux palettes 8,13 sont soulevées.According to another alternative, the two batteries 22,9 can be joined by action of the operator pushing with his left hand the second stack forward when the two pallets 8,13 are raised.

Les deux palettes 8,13 étant en position basse, la première palette reprend son avancée automatisée et le crochet du téton 23 a relâché la petite plaque 64 dans l'ouverture 62 de sorte que les deux palettes 8,13 sont désolidarisées. L'opérateur peut alors reculer uniquement la seconde palette 13 en la faisant glisser en position basse, toujours en la tenant par la poignée 15 avec sa main droite.The two pallets 8, 13 being in the lower position, the first pallet resumes its automated advance and the hook of the stud 23 has released the small plate 64 in the opening 62 so that the two pallets 8, 13 are disengaged. The operator can then back only the second pallet 13 by sliding it in the lower position, still holding it by the handle 15 with his right hand.

Comme visible sur la figure 6, les deux piles 9,22 sont réunis sur le tapis roulant 7 en appui contre la face avant de la première palette 8 et sont amenés de manière automatique vers le système de dépilage 6. La seconde palette a été reculée par l'opérateur jusqu'au système de blocage et est bloquée au-dessus de la surface crantée.As visible on the figure 6 , the two batteries 9.22 are united on the treadmill 7 bearing against the front face of the first pallet 8 and are automatically brought to the unstacking system 6. The second pallet has been moved back by the operator to the locking system and is locked above the toothed surface.

On se retrouve sur la figure 6 dans la disposition de la figure 1. L'opérateur peut donc répéter les opérations décrites ci-dessus pour recharger en permanence la pile d'envois postaux se trouvant devant la première palette.We find ourselves on the figure 6 in the provision of the figure 1 . The operator can therefore repeat the operations described above to continuously recharge the stack of mail items in front of the first pallet.

Comme visible sur la figure 7, la seconde palette peut être escamotée et bloquée hors du passage des envois postaux sur le magasin d'alimentation. Cette configuration permet d'insérer les envois postaux dans la machine en utilisant seulement la première palette, comme cela est connu de l'art antérieur. Le pantographe 14 est plus particulièrement monté sur une charnière 24 de sorte que la palette peut être déplacée en rotation de la position escamotée à la position de travail et inversement. Un taquet 25 permet de bloquer la seconde palette dans une position ou dans une autre. La seconde palette 13 est plus particulièrement bloquée en position escamotée par insertion et repos du chant inférieur de la palette dans une gorge d'un support de blocage 66 comme cela est visible sur la figure 7.As visible on the figure 7 , the second pallet can be retracted and blocked out of the passage of postal items on the food store. This configuration makes it possible to insert postal items into the machine using only the first pallet, as is known from the prior art. The pantograph 14 is more particularly mounted on a hinge 24 so that the pallet can be moved in rotation from the retracted position to the working position and vice versa. A cleat 25 makes it possible to block the second pallet in one position or in another. The second pallet 13 is more particularly locked in the retracted position by insertion and rest of the lower edge of the pallet in a groove of a blocking support 66 as is visible on the figure 7 .

La figure 10 montre plus en détails la seconde palette 13. Le pantographe 14 portant la palette 13 est montée sur une structure de support 68 comportant une charnière 24 verticale autour de laquelle peuvent tourner le pantographe 14 et la palette 13. Sur la figure 10, la palette est bloquée en position d'utilisation sur le magasin d'alimentation au moyen d'un taquet 25 inséré à l'intérieur d'un alésage formé dans l'élément de la charnière 24 portant le pantographe 14. Le taquet 25 est poussé et maintenu à l'intérieur dudit alésage au moyen d'un ressort de compression. Pour amener et bloquer la palette en position escamotée, l'opérateur tire alors sur le taquet 25 pour libérer la charnière, fait pivoter la palette 13 de 90° autour de la charnière 24 et lâche le taquet. La structure de support 68 comprend en outre un évidement 70 selon la direction de déplacement et à l'intérieur duquel vient se fixer le rail 50 de sorte que la palette coulisse le long du rail. La structure de support 68 comporte en outre une butée 72 s'étendant verticalement en dessous de la structure 68.The figure 10 shows in greater detail the second pallet 13. The pantograph 14 carrying the pallet 13 is mounted on a support structure 68 having a vertical hinge 24 around which the pantograph 14 and the pallet 13 can turn. figure 10 , the pallet is locked in use position on the feed magazine by means of a catch 25 inserted inside a bore formed in the hinge element 24 carrying the pantograph 14. The catch 25 is pushed and held inside said bore by means of a compression spring. To bring and lock the pallet in the retracted position, the operator then pulls on the catch 25 to release the hinge, rotates the pallet 13 by 90 ° around the hinge 24 and releases the stopper. The support structure 68 further comprises a recess 70 in the direction of movement and within which is fixed the rail 50 so that the pallet slides along the rail. The support structure 68 further includes a stop 72 extending vertically below the structure 68.

Cette butée 72, visible de dessous sur la figure 13, permet le blocage de la palette au-dessus de la surface de stockage statique et plus particulièrement juste devant les crans de blocage selon la direction de déplacement. Le système de blocage 80 est constitué par un ressort à lame coudée 74 monté sur un bâti 76 de la machine de tri et contraint par la butée 72 montée sur la structure de support 68 mobile du pantographe 14. Lorsque la palette 13 est reculée, la butée 72 vient appuyer contre la portion avant de la lame 74 de sorte que cette lame s'écarte du passage et laisse passer la butée qui vient se bloquer entre la portion arrière de la lame et le bâti. Une pression suffisante doit être exercée vers l'avant pour écarter la lame 74 du passage de la butée 72 et libérer la palette. Un système d'amortissement peut en outre être prévu pour éviter que la structure de la palette 13 vienne heurter trop fortement contre le bâti 76.This stop 72, visible from below on the figure 13 , allows the blocking of the pallet above the static storage surface and more particularly just in front of the locking notches in the direction of travel. The locking system 80 is constituted by an angled leaf spring 74 mounted on a frame 76 of the sorting machine and constrained by the stop 72 mounted on the movable support structure 68 of the pantograph 14. When the pallet 13 is moved back, the stop 72 is pressed against the front portion of the blade 74 so that the blade deviates from the passage and allows the stop which comes to lock between the rear portion of the blade and the frame. Sufficient pressure must be exerted forward to separate the blade 74 from the passage of the stop 72 and release the pallet. A damping system may further be provided to prevent the structure of the pallet 13 from striking too strongly against the frame 76.

La figure 11 montre plus en détails la constitution du pantographe 14 de la palette 13. Le pantographe 14 est constitué des deux branches coudées 82 fixées sur des charnières fixes 84 chacune à une extrémité dans la palette et à l'autre extrémité sur la structure 68. Un tel pantographe 14 permet un mouvement de translation de la palette 13 ou plus particulièrement un déplacement de la palette avec le chant inférieur de la palette se déplaçant parallèlement à la surface du magasin d'alimentation 3. Un ressort de compensation 86 est agencé entre les deux branches 82 du pantographe 14 de telle manière à se charger lorsque la palette est abaissée et à se décharger lorsque la palette est soulevée. Ce ressort de compensation compense en partie le poids de la palette de sorte que l'effort à fournir par l'opérateur pour soulever la palette soit réduit.The figure 11 shows in more detail the constitution of the pantograph 14 of the pallet 13. The pantograph 14 consists of two bent branches 82 fixed on fixed hinges 84 each at one end in the pallet and at the other end on the structure 68. Such a pantograph 14 allows a translational movement of the pallet 13 or more particularly a movement of the pallet with the lower edge of the pallet moving parallel to the surface of the feed magazine 3. A compensation spring 86 is arranged between the two branches 82 of the pantograph 14 so as to load when the pallet is lowered and unloaded when the pallet is raised. This compensation spring partially compensates for the weight of the pallet so that the effort to be provided by the operator to lift the pallet is reduced.

Les figures 1 à 7 montrent un capot antibruit 26 disposé en entrée du système de dépilage 6 pour atténuer le bruit engendré par le dépilage des envois postaux. Ce capot est étirable sur le magasin d'alimentation 3 ou rétractable dans le système de dépilage 6. Un aimant est fixé sur le pantographe 12 de la première palette 8 et attire un élément métallique disposé en correspondance sur le capot antibruit. Lorsque la première palette avance suffisamment en direction du système de dépilage, cette première palette se couple au capot antibruit par l'intermédiaire de l'aimant, poussant le capot dans le système de dépilage lorsqu'elle avance et tirant le capot sur le système de dépilage lorsqu'elle est soulevée et reculée. Le capot antibruit se décroche automatiquement de la palette lorsqu'il est étiré au maximum. Le fait de coupler le déplacement du capot antibruit au déplacement de la première palette permet de limiter au maximum le bruit dû au dépilage sans intervention particulière de l'opérateur.The Figures 1 to 7 show a noise hood 26 disposed at the entrance of the unstacking system 6 to reduce the noise generated by unstacking postal items. This hood is stretchable on the feed magazine 3 or retractable in the unstacking system 6. A magnet is attached to the pantograph 12 of the first pallet 8 and attracts a metal element arranged in correspondence on the noise-reducing hood. When the first pallet advances sufficiently towards the unstacking system, this first pallet couples to the noise-canceling hood by means of the magnet, pushing the hood into the unstacking system as it moves forward and pulls the hood over the system. unstacking when raised and retracted. The noise hood will automatically come off the pallet when stretched to the maximum. Coupling the displacement of the noise hood to the displacement of the first pallet makes it possible to limit the noise due to unstacking as much as possible without the operator's particular intervention.

La face avant de la première palette (voir figure 1 à 7) ainsi que la face arrière de la seconde palette (voir figure 10) comporte chacune des bandes de glissement 10. Ces bandes de glissement 10 favorisent le glissement des envois postaux appuyés directement contre et par conséquent facilite le soulèvement des palettes 8,13 au-dessus des piles d'envois postaux 9,22 au cours de l'étape représentée sur la figure 4. L'envoi postal d'extrémité de pile appuyé contre la face de la palette ne sera pas soulevé avec le soulèvement de la palette, ce qui pourrait entraîner des perturbations dans l'ordre d'introduction des envois ou des difficultés pour réunir les premières et secondes piles d'envois.The front of the first palette (see figure 1 to 7 ) and the back side of the second pallet (see figure 10 ) comprises each of the sliding strips 10. These sliding strips 10 promote the sliding of the postal items supported directly against and therefore facilitates the lifting of the pallets 8,13 above the piles of postal items 9,22 during the represented on the figure 4 . The pile end mailpiece pressed against the face of the pallet will not be raised with the lifting of the pallet, which could lead to disruptions in the order of introduction of shipments or difficulties in bringing the first and second stacks of mailings.

Pour la même raison, la face arrière de la première palette 8 est également munie de bandes de glissement 10 (voir figure 9), cette face arrière pouvant en effet être utilisée lorsque la première palette est utilisée seule, c'est à dire que la seconde palette est escamotée, pour former une pile d'envoi destinée à être réunie avec la pile d'envoi disposée contre la face avant de cette même palette, par soulèvement de cette palette.For the same reason, the rear face of the first pallet 8 is also provided with sliding strips 10 (see figure 9 ), this rear face can indeed be used when the first pallet is used alone, that is to say that the second pallet is retracted, to form a sending stack intended to be united with the sending stack arranged against the front face of the same pallet, by lifting this pallet.

II est évident que l'invention n'est nullement limitée aux détails du mode de réalisation qui vient d'être décrit mais s'étend à toute variante évidente pour un homme de métier.It is obvious that the invention is in no way limited to the details of the embodiment which has just been described but extends to any variant that is obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Par exemple, selon un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention, la face arrière de la seconde palette est légèrement inclinée par rapport à la verticale, le bas de cette face arrière étant plus éloigné du dispositif de dépilage que le haut, contrairement à ce qui est visible sur les figures. Une telle inclinaison facilite le maintien des envois postaux pendant la phase de préparation du second paquet d'envois postaux sur l'espace d'accumulation d'envois postaux ou surface de stockage statique crantée.For example, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the rear face of the second pallet is slightly inclined relative to the vertical, the bottom of this rear face being further away from the unstacking device than the top, contrary to this which is visible in the figures. Such inclination facilitates the maintenance of postal items during the preparation phase of the second package of mail items on the space of accumulation of postal items or static notched storage area.

Par ailleurs, la motorisation du tapis roulant et de la première palette mobile motorisée peut être dissociée afin d'améliorer la disposition des envois postaux lorsqu'ils arrivent devant la face de dépilage.Furthermore, the motorization of the treadmill and the first motorized movable pallet can be dissociated to improve the disposition of postal items when they arrive in front of the unstacking face.

Enfin, le mode de réalisation décrit ci-dessus fait état de palettes libérant le passage sur le magasin d'alimentation par un mouvement de translation verticale mais des palettes peuvent également être conçues pour être tirées par l'opérateur selon un mouvement de translation horizontale. Des palettes peuvent également être conçues pour libérer le passage sur le magasin d'alimentation par rotation, comme cela est connu du document de brevet US 5 829 742 .Finally, the embodiment described above refers to pallets releasing the passage on the feed magazine by a vertical translation movement but pallets can also be designed to be pulled by the operator in a horizontal translational movement. Pallets may also be designed to free the passage on the rotational feed magazine, as known from the patent document. US 5,829,742 .

II est également possible de concevoir une surface de stockage statique dans laquelle les crans de blocage ne sont pas formés par emboutissage mais sont escamotables. Ainsi, en tournant une molette, l'opérateur pourra, selon ses besoins, faire sortir ou non des crans de blocage de la surface de stockage statique.It is also possible to design a static storage surface in which the locking notches are not formed by stamping but are retractable. Thus, by turning a wheel, the operator can, depending on his needs, out or not locking notches of the static storage surface.

Claims (27)

  1. A method of feeding flat items into unstacker apparatus (6) for unstacking flat items, which apparatus includes a feed magazine (3) in which the flat items disposed on edge and constituting a current stack of flat items (9) are moved in a certain direction of movement (D) by a first paddle (8) towards an unstacking face of the unstacker apparatus so as to be put in series, in which method a second paddle (13) mounted to move along the axis defined by said certain direction is used to form a second stack of flat items (22) disposed on edge behind said first paddle in the direction of movement, and in which method said first and second paddles are manipulated so as to build up in front of the first paddle, in said certain direction of movement, the current stack of flat items on edge together with the flat items on edge of the second stack of flat items, said method being characterized in that the magazine comprises a static surface and a dynamic surface that extend in said certain direction, said dynamic surface being disposed between said static surface and the unstacking face, and in that the method comprises the steps consisting in:
    - forming the second stack of flat items on edge on the static storage surface (4) behind said second paddle in said certain direction of movement;
    - moving the second stack of flat items on edge and the second paddle towards the first paddle in said certain direction of movement until the second paddle joins the first paddle;
    - moving said first and second paddles together to behind the second stack of flat items in said certain direction of movement; and
    - moving the current stack of flat items by means of the first paddle (8) and of the dynamic storage surface.
  2. A method according to claim 1, in which said first and second paddles are moved together to behind the second stack of flat items by means of a first movement that is substantially perpendicular to the axis defined by said certain direction of movement, and then by means of a second movement in translation along the axis defined by said certain direction of movement, and finally by means of a third movement substantially perpendicular to said axis defined by said certain direction of movement but in the opposite direction to the direction of said first movement.
  3. A method according to claim 2, in which, after the third movement, the second paddle is separated from the first paddle by a fourth movement in translation along said axis defined by said certain direction, but in the opposite direction.
  4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the first movement and the second movement are movements in substantially vertical translation.
  5. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the first movement and the second movement are movements in substantially horizontal translation.
  6. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the first movement and the second movement are movements in rotation in a substantially vertical plane.
  7. A method according to claim 3, in which the second paddle is moved to an abutment disposed at said static storage surface.
  8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the flat items are postal items.
  9. A method according to claim 8, in which the postal items are large-format items or "flats".
  10. Unstacker apparatus (6) for unstacking flat items, which apparatus includes a flat item feed magazine (3) with a motor-driven first paddle (8) mounted on a longitudinal edge of the magazine and suitable for moving in a certain direction of movement (D) towards an unstacking face, a second paddle (13) mounted to move on said edge of the magazine so as to be moved in said certain direction of movement, said second paddle being disposed behind said first paddle in said certain direction of displacement, said unstacker apparatus being characterized in that said second paddle is mounted to move freely on said edge of the magazine, and in that the magazine comprises a first storage surface (4) for storing flat items on edge that is static, and a second storage surface (5) for storing flat items on edge that is dynamic and that is disposed between the static first storage surface and the unstacking face, and in that said second paddle, when it is joined with the first paddle so that the two paddles are moved together, is suitable for being moved in a direction opposite from said certain direction of the movement from the dynamic storage surface towards the static storage surface to locking means (80) for preventing the second paddle from moving freely.
  11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which said paddles are mounted in a manner such that they can be moved in a direction that is perpendicular to said certain direction of movement, and in which junction apparatus (61) is provided that unites said first and second paddles when they are moved together, face against face, in said direction perpendicular to said certain direction of movement.
  12. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which said junction apparatus is constituted by an opening (62) formed in the first paddle (8) and by a lug (23) disposed in the second paddle (13) to be inserted into said opening when said paddles are face against face.
  13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, in which said paddles (8, 13) are mounted on the edge of the magazine, each via a corresponding pantograph (12, 14) extending in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to said certain direction of movement.
  14. Apparatus according to claim 13, in which the second paddle is hinged to the corresponding pantograph about an axis of rotation (24) that is perpendicular to said certain direction of movement so as to be retracted out of the magazine.
  15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 14, in which the locking means (80) are activated at the end of a movement of said second paddle along the axis defined by said certain direction of movement.
  16. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the locking means are constituted by a spring comprising a blade (74) provided with an L-bend, which spring is stressed by an abutment (72).
  17. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 16, in which said static storage surface is provided with a notched surface with notches for retaining the flat items (16).
  18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which the retaining notches are semi-punched-out recesses formed in a metal sheet and disposed in a plurality of parallel rows.
  19. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 18, in which the static storage surface includes a verification region provided with reference indicators (17, 18) defining a certain size of flat item.
  20. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which said reference identifiers (17, 18) are disposed on two mutually perpendicular surfaces of said static storage surface so as to make it possible to perform size verification on two dimensions of the flat items.
  21. Apparatus according to claim 19 to 20, in which a hopper (20) is provided for collecting the flat items that are over-size, which hopper is disposed beside said size verification region, said hopper being disposed so as to direct a flat item into a stowage space for stowage of a removable bin (21), disposed below said verification region.
  22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 21, provided with a slidably-mounted anti-noise cover (26) mounted to move along the axis defined by said displacement direction and surrounding said unstacking face, and in which apparatus coupling apparatus is provided for coupling together said cover and said first paddle (8), which coupling apparatus constrains said first paddle and said cover to move together.
  23. Apparatus according to claim 22, in which said coupling apparatus is constituted by magnetic coupling apparatus including a magnet.
  24. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 23, in which each of the paddles (8, 13) is provided with a respective manipulation handle (11, 15), the handles on the paddles being mutually offset in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to said direction of movement.
  25. Apparatus according to claim 13, in which each pantograph (14) is provided with a weight-compensating spring (86).
  26. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 25, in which the paddles are provided with slide strips (10).
  27. A machine for handling postal items (1), said machine being characterized in that it includes apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 26.
EP07766118A 2006-07-06 2007-05-30 Method for feeding a device for picking from a stack items sent in the post Not-in-force EP2041008B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0652832A FR2903393B1 (en) 2006-07-06 2006-07-06 METHOD FOR FEEDING A DEVICE FOR DEPILING POSTAL SHIPMENTS
PCT/FR2007/051351 WO2008003878A1 (en) 2006-07-06 2007-05-30 Method for feeding a device for picking from a stack items sent in the post

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2041008A1 EP2041008A1 (en) 2009-04-01
EP2041008B1 true EP2041008B1 (en) 2010-02-03

Family

ID=37684934

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07766118A Not-in-force EP2041008B1 (en) 2006-07-06 2007-05-30 Method for feeding a device for picking from a stack items sent in the post

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20090304489A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2041008B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101479174A (en)
AT (1) ATE457015T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2657486A1 (en)
DE (1) DE602007004671D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2339896T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2903393B1 (en)
NO (1) NO20085372L (en)
WO (1) WO2008003878A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3069791B1 (en) 2017-08-04 2019-08-16 Solystic INSTALLATION FOR SORTING MAIL PRODUCTS

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH587176A5 (en) * 1975-09-09 1977-04-29 Grapha Holding Ag
US4082262A (en) * 1977-02-14 1978-04-04 Halm Instrument Co., Inc. Feeder hopper for documents
US5342036A (en) * 1991-10-09 1994-08-30 Roll Systems, Inc. High capacity sheet feeders for high volume printers
US5713713A (en) * 1995-09-22 1998-02-03 Bell & Howell Postal Systems, Inc. Pivotal tray unloading apparatus
US5829742A (en) * 1996-02-21 1998-11-03 Bell & Howell Postal Systems Inc. In-feed magazine apparatus and method for loading documents
US6026967A (en) * 1997-01-30 2000-02-22 Electrocom Automation Method and apparatus for sorting flat articles
US5890712A (en) * 1997-04-10 1999-04-06 Ncr Corporation Document feeder tray
US6390756B1 (en) * 1997-10-29 2002-05-21 Siemens Dematic Postal Automation, L.P. Transfer of cartridges containing flat articles
US6354587B1 (en) * 2000-05-24 2002-03-12 Lockheed Corp Follower mechanism for flat article handling system
DE10048805C1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2001-09-13 Siemens Ag Postal article loading device for postal sorting plant has at least one stack receiver on chassis with stacking plate projecting beyond it
DE10048827C1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2001-09-13 Siemens Ag Postal article receiver for postal sorting plant has sending transporter track with short fixed first sector and long second sector on chassis
JP4679269B2 (en) * 2005-06-29 2011-04-27 株式会社東芝 Paper sheet feeder

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008003878A1 (en) 2008-01-10
CN101479174A (en) 2009-07-08
CA2657486A1 (en) 2008-01-10
FR2903393A1 (en) 2008-01-11
EP2041008A1 (en) 2009-04-01
ATE457015T1 (en) 2010-02-15
FR2903393B1 (en) 2010-08-20
NO20085372L (en) 2008-12-23
ES2339896T3 (en) 2010-05-26
US20090304489A1 (en) 2009-12-10
DE602007004671D1 (en) 2010-03-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2027892C (en) Storing and feeding facility for flat articles waiting to be unstacked
EP3070036B1 (en) Stacking device for flat objects stacked on edge and corresponding mail sorting machine
EP0122817B1 (en) Automatic feeding method and device for a machine treating flat objects
FR2499039A1 (en) DEVICE FOR INSERTING SHEET PACKETS INTO A WORKING MACHINE
EP3046687B1 (en) Postal sorting equipment having a feeder with two superimposed levels
EP2152439B2 (en) Telescopic bearing device for postal item storage trays
FR2625934A1 (en) SYSTEM FOR THE ROUTING OF STAMPED PARTS
EP3552720B1 (en) Mail sorting installation with a tray conveyor with retractable edge and shuttle robot for handling trays
FR2918604A1 (en) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PREPARING POSTERS
EP2041008B1 (en) Method for feeding a device for picking from a stack items sent in the post
EP0252936B1 (en) Device for separating packets of sheets, particularly paper, forming a pile
EP0559553B1 (en) Method for treating objects, particularly for automatic mail sorting machine
FR2472529A1 (en) Automatic system for bag preparation prior to filling - has vacuum grilles to open and position bag edges allowing telescopic rods to hold succeeding bag
EP0316247B1 (en) Machine for the automatic delivery of trays
FR2609458A1 (en) Machine for automatic de-stacking and conveying of components, such as, for example, sheet-metal blanks
EP3661664A1 (en) Device for feeding a magazine for unstacking mail items on-edge
EP0929488B1 (en) Device for palletising stacked quire bundles
FR2645774A1 (en) Improvement to devices for conveying and sorting flat heterogeneous objects
EP0645327A1 (en) Hopper for placing flat objects at disposal and separating device having such a hopper
BE504205A (en)
BE504461A (en)
FR2707895A1 (en) Station for manually coding flat objects
FR2644761A1 (en) Device for conveying small boxes

Legal Events

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

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20090119

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK RS

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 602007004671

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20100325

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2339896

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20100203

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

Ref country code: IS

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

Effective date: 20100603

Ref country code: LT

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

Effective date: 20100203

Ref country code: PT

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

Effective date: 20100603

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

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20100525

Year of fee payment: 4

Ref country code: FI

Payment date: 20100514

Year of fee payment: 4

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20100603

Year of fee payment: 4

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

Ref country code: LV

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

Effective date: 20100203

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20100203

Ref country code: PL

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

Effective date: 20100203

Ref country code: SI

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

Effective date: 20100203

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20100521

Year of fee payment: 4

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20100514

Year of fee payment: 4

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

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

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20100203

Ref country code: CY

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

Effective date: 20100203

Ref country code: EE

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

Effective date: 20100203

Ref country code: GR

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

Effective date: 20100504

Ref country code: RO

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

Effective date: 20100203

Ref country code: SE

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

Effective date: 20100203

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

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20100517

Year of fee payment: 4

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

Ref country code: SK

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

Effective date: 20100203

Ref country code: CZ

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

Effective date: 20100203

Ref country code: BG

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

Effective date: 20100503

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

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

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

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

Ref country code: MC

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

Effective date: 20100531

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20101104

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

Ref country code: DK

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

Effective date: 20100203

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

Ref country code: IT

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

Effective date: 20100203

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

Ref country code: MT

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

Effective date: 20100203

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: SOLYSTIC

Effective date: 20110531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: V1

Effective date: 20111201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20110530

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

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20110531

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20110531

Ref country code: FI

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

Effective date: 20110530

Ref country code: NL

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

Effective date: 20111201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20120131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602007004671

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20111201

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

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20110531

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

Ref country code: FR

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

Effective date: 20110531

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

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20110530

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20120717

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

Ref country code: ES

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

Effective date: 20110531

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

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20100530

Ref country code: HU

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

Effective date: 20100804

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

Ref country code: TR

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

Effective date: 20100203

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

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20111201