EP2067536A1 - Sorting system for flat postal packages - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a process unit (90) for controlling common storage of a postal package (88) of a flow of mail item in a storage module (40a) i.e. last-in-first out module, from a group (46) of package outlets. The process unit controls discharging of commonly stored postal packages from another group (48) of package outlets. The groups of package outlets comprise the storage module, which is serially arranged between package inlets (52, 64) and the package outlets. Package flow (96, 98) from each package inlets to each package outlets takes place by the storage module. An independent claim is also included for a method for sorting flat postal packages.

Description

The invention relates to a sorting system for flat mailpieces with N ₁ ≥ 2, in particular N ₁ ≥ 3, parallel groups of memory modules for simultaneous storage of a plurality of mail, N ₂ ≥ 1 parallel mail feeds to a plurality of groups and N ₃ ≥ 2 parallel Broadcasts of each of a plurality of groups.

Flat postal items, such as letters, large letters, postcards, shrink-wrapped magazines and the like, are sorted in letter centers or large post offices in very large numbers according to their address and, possibly after a presort, stored in a variety of stacking compartments. The achievable fineness of the sorting is determined by the number of sorting passages and the number of stacking pockets in each sorting pass into which the mailpieces are distributed. In order to be able to sort a large quantity of mailpieces in a short time, a high throughput of the flat mailpieces through the sorting systems is desirable. The throughput depends on the transport speed of the mail items through the system and the distances between the mail items. Both parameters can not be increased beyond a certain level without considerable effort.

To further increase the throughput, it is known to parallelize broadcast streams. In this case, the mail items of, for example, two material inputs are separated into two mail streams, which are processed in parallel by two segments of the sorting system. Each segment is assigned an address range or sorting target range. In this way the throughput can be doubled. In order for each item of mail to be able to reach each stacking compartment of the two segments from both transmission streams, a presorting is necessary which corresponds to the mailpieces of both transmission streams their address distributed to the two segments of the sorting system. With such a presorting, the transmission streams penetrate, whereby no collisions may occur.

A system for collision-free penetration of three transmission streams is from DE 10 2004 056 696 B4 known. The broadcast streams are fed to a transport strand network having a plurality of crossing points so that each mail can be routed to those intersections where a collision is avoided. In order to keep a small distance of the shipments, some brake and acceleration modules are provided for the mailings in the braid.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting system for flat mailings, with which mailpieces can be presorted at a high throughput on two or more segments of a sorting system.

This object is achieved by a sorting system of the type mentioned, which according to the invention a process means for controlling a common storage of mailpieces of a shipment stream in memory modules of at least one group, in particular in memory modules of at least two groups, and at the same time a discharge of jointly stored mail from memory modules at least one other group. A low-crossing or intersection-free penetration of the broadcast streams can be achieved at high throughput through the sorting system.

All mailpieces can first be introduced according to their destination segment into a plurality of memory modules and stored there together, so that they then store together there. If one of the memory modules is full or results in a changeover time which is favorable due to other parameters, then further storage in the memory modules is terminated and the mailpieces are removed from the memory modules, advantageously at high speed, in order to produce a coherent mail stream at an operating speed and to generate a transmission cycle of the subsequent segments of the sorting system. Advantageously, each memory module is associated with only a single segment of the sorting system and is always only partially or completely emptied there. During emptying, it is expedient not to send the mail item to the memory module. The mail items are stored in this time in other memory modules from which preferably no mail items are removed during this time.

The sorting system can be part of a sorting system with a plurality of segments, each of which is fed by one-suitably only one-of the mailings with pre-sorted mailpieces. The mailpieces can be postal items of all kinds, the length and width of each being considerably greater than their thickness, e.g. by at least the factor 10. The groups expediently each comprise a plurality of memory modules, which are advantageously connected in parallel to each other in the groups. The memory modules are designed to receive a plurality of mailpieces, expediently at least ten, in particular at least 50, which can be stored in the memory module, in particular stacked on one another. A simultaneous storage of a plurality of mail items is understood to mean that the mail items are stored together or stored in the memory module and not only stored in succession for a brief moment and then again stored out before the next mail item is stored for a moment.

The consignment feeders can each be connected to a separating means assigned to it alone. They can have branches to all memory modules to which they are connected. The consignments can be connected to one segment of the sorting system, in particular only a single segment of the sorting system, so that they are emptied in an emptying until a complete emptying only in one segment, in particular always be emptied into one segment only. The consignments are expediently different from all mail feeders at all points, so that no transport path for mail items is at the same time a mail feed to a memory module and a mail transfer from the memory module or from another memory module. Advantageously, the consignments are connected only via memory modules with the consignment feeders. The consignments and discharges are means of transport, for example in the form of a single transport strand, for transporting the mail to the memory modules or away from them. From the consignments and discharges Zubringerabzweigungen can branch off to the memory modules, for example in the form of transport lines between the consignments and transfers and the memory modules. The consignments are conveniently connected to all groups for the purpose of consignment transport.

The process means may comprise one or more electronic data processing units and is expediently provided for controlling a common storage of all mail items of a mail stream, in particular from all mail feeds in memory modules and prepared accordingly.

The mailpieces may be mixed in the shipment stream of the mailing feed or in the mailing streams of the mailing feeders with regard to their destination mailing discharge and can be sorted by the sorting system into the mailings. The sorting can be carried out by dividing the mailpieces into the individual memory modules of each group, so that the mailpieces within the groups are already sorted. For this purpose, each mailing feed is expediently connected to all the memory modules of at least one group for the purpose of transporting the mailpieces, so that a corresponding sorting of the mailpieces onto the memory modules can take place.

A shipment stream expediently consists of a multiplicity of mailpieces, in particular of over 20 mailpieces transported in succession. The stream of mail can be a stream of uniform mailing density, in which the mailpieces are transported one behind the other with a gap between them in a predetermined size range and in particular at a uniform speed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the joint storage of the mail items is a non-emptying storage and the removal of collectively stored postal items a non-accumulation ausspeichern. The mail can be stored without interference and removed again. A non-spill-free storage is understood to mean that mail items of the mail flow are stored in a memory module, ie the mailpieces are stored in the memory module, without mailings being removed from the memory module again during the storing process. While the shipment stream is stored in the memory module, expediently no mail item is removed or stored out of the memory module. Conversely, a non-memory-out storage is understood to mean that while a shipment stream is being stored out of a storage module, that the mailpieces of the shipment stream are removed from the storage module, no further mail item is stored in the storage module, advantageously also not introduced into the storage module.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the memory modules are last-in-first-out modules, that is to say those memory modules in which the last stored mail item is first again stored out of a plurality of mailpieces, ie it is removed from the memory module. Many postal items can be loaded and unloaded quickly, reliably and inexpensively.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, all groups have the same number of memory modules, whereby all broadcast discharges can be operated evenly by one memory module of each group. In particular, for this purpose, the number of memory modules per group is equal to the number of broadcast discharges.

A simple and error-prone storing of mail items on the way from a mailing to a mailing removal can be achieved if between a mailing and a mailing removal serially always, so in the entire sorting system, only one memory module is arranged.

A further embodiment variant of the invention provides that the memory modules are connected to the mail feeders and mailing discharges in such a way that it is possible to pass from each mail feeder to each mail transfer by means of two memory modules, possibly also by more memory modules, which are expediently arranged parallel to one another. Thus, mail can be stored with any start and end point, ie from any mailing to any mailing removal, while other mail items are stored with the same start and end point from the parallel memory module and transported to the destination.

The number of potentially error-prone crossing points of transport lines can be kept low if a first group is connected to only one of the mail feeders, a second group to only one of the other mail feeders and a third group to both mail feeders.

With the same advantage, a feeder branch to the third group is expediently arranged after a feeder branch to the first group and a further feeder branch to the third group is arranged before a feeder branch to the second group.

If the third group is arranged spatially between the first and the second group, then the sorting system can be made compact.

Pre-sorting of the mailpieces into the memory modules can be done easily if each mailout is connected to at least one memory module of each group. Advantageously, each transmission transfer here is connected to only one memory module of each group in order to keep the number of crossing points small.

If each mailing feeder is connected to all the memory modules of at least two groups, then a pre-sorting can be connected with a storage of mailpieces in one group and a simultaneous outdenting in the other group.

Basically, the groups have as many memory modules as there are program discharges, whereby each shipment transfer - and thus each plant segment - a memory module can be assigned per group. However, other constellations are possible, for example, more memory modules per group, so that the group can be assigned more tasks. The number N _{1 of} the groups is advantageously one greater than the number N _{2 of} the parallel mail feeders, so that at any time each mailing can be assigned a group for storing and another group can be used for the purpose of storing. In addition, a group can be used to exchange assignments from multiple consignments.

The invention is also directed to a method for sorting flat postal items, in which the mailpieces are distributed over N ₂ ≥ 1 parallel mail feeds to N ₁ ≥ 2 parallel groups of memory modules for simultaneous Storage or caching a variety of mail and from there into N ₃ ≥ 2 parallel broadcast discharges are performed. It is proposed that mail items from a mail stream, in particular from all mail feeds, be stored together in memory modules of at least one group and at the same time mail items are removed from memory modules from at least one other group. Mail can be pre-sorted with high throughput and low risk of collision.

All necessary control steps for this purpose, also for further described details of the invention, can be initiated by the processing means, which is then prepared accordingly.

Mail items of a mail stream from a mail feed are advantageously always introduced and stored in parallel in at least two memory modules and mail items are removed in parallel from at least two further memory modules so that the mailings can be loaded with a uniform mail stream of high mail density.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a shipment stream from a mail feed is stored in first memory modules of a group in a first period and in a subsequent period, a mail stream from the mail feed is stored in second memory modules of another group and at the same time mail is removed from the first memory modules , The memory modules can be alternately filled and emptied, and a broadcast stream of uniform density can be produced in a mailing discharge.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawings.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a top view of a memory module in insertion function,

FIG. 2

a view of the memory module FIG. 1 in trigger function,

FIG. 3

a sorting system with three groups each having two memory modules, from which mailpieces are removed from the right-hand two memory modules and postal items are stored in the remaining memory modules,

FIG. 4

the three groups out FIG. 2 from which the middle two memory modules are stored and stored in the remaining memory modules

FIG. 5

the three groups out FIG. 2 from which the left two memory modules are stored and stored in the remaining memory modules and

FIG. 6

another sorting system with two groups each with two memory modules.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a memory module 2 is shown in a schematic representation, in FIG FIG. 1 in an introductory function, and in FIG. 2 in a trigger function. The memory module 2 is a last-in-first-out module in which the last-introduced mail item is executed first. It comprises a memory area 4, in which mailpieces P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ ,... P _n-1 are currently stored. In the illustration shown, the mail item P _{n will be} the next mail item transferred to the storage area 4. It is fed between two feed belts 6, 8 to the storage module 2 in the conveying direction 10 and then taken over by a roller conveyor 12. The roller conveyor 12 is driven in a controlled manner and conveys the mailpieces P ₁ , P ₂ ,... P _n-1 to a feed stop 14, whereby the mailpieces P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ ,... P _n-1 then based on its front and lower edge in a well-defined position in the storage area 4 are located. The Zuführanschlag 14 blocked in the in FIG. 1 shown position also has a vent opening 16, which - as indicated by an arrow 18 - is led to just before the roller conveyor 12.

For the mail items P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ ,... P _n , it makes sense if they are brought into contact with the roll band 12 with a certain supply pressure. To set this Zuführandrucks a separating blade 20 and a bottom flange 22 are provided, which are very finely adjustable in the insertion of the memory module 2 in the stacking direction - ie the direction in which the stack in the storage area 4 increases - according to arrows 24, 26 are movable. By means of the separating knife 20, the Zuführandruck is generated in anti-parallel to the stacking direction on the roller conveyor 12.

The memory module 2 also has a support roller assembly 28, which in the in FIG. 1 shown insertion function is pivoted to an inactive state, and in the pivoting direction 30 ( FIG. 2 ) can be pivoted to its active state.

In FIG. 2 the memory module 2 is shown in its trigger function. The support roller assembly 28 is in eingeschwenktem, active state and ensures that the next deducted mail item P _n is aligned in a plane that corresponds substantially to the plane defined by the roller conveyor 12 level and in the vicinity of the memory module 2 of the further conveying direction. The Zuführanschlag 14 is moved in trigger function according to arrow 32 upwards and so the exhaust port 16 free. In the FIG. 2 shown snapshot shows the mail piece P _{n + 1} , which is already fully withdrawn and transported in a take-off direction 34, and the mail piece P _n , the leading edge just passes through the discharge opening 16 and is held by a scraper 36 in contact with the roller belt 12. The scraper 36 supports the avoidance of double prints, since its friction coefficient acting on the roller belt 12 friction torque is tuned and with a double trigger retains the not in direct contact with the roller conveyor 12 stationary mailing. By means of the separating knife 20, a withdrawal pressure is set, which is indicated by the arrow 38.

In order to be able to reliably ensure the at least largely vertical orientation of the mail items stored in the storage area 4 as the emptying of the storage module 2 progresses, the underfloor belt 22 is driven as indicated by an arrow and displaces the mail items stored in the storage area 4 in cooperation with the prestressed severing knife 20 ,

FIG. 3 Figure 6 shows six memory modules 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b as shown in Figures 1 and 2, of which the memory modules 40a, 40b form a first group 46, the memory modules 42a, 42b form a second group 48 and the memory modules 44a 44b form a third group 50. The memory modules 40a, 40b are connected to a mail feeder 52 via feeder branches 54, 56 and via further feeder branches 58, 60 with a mailbox 62 and mailbox 74, respectively. The memory modules 44a, 44b are connected to a mail feeder 64 via feeder branches 66, 68 and via Feeder branches 70, 72 connected to the mailing removal 62 and the mailing removal 74, respectively. The memory modules 42a, 42b are connected via branching feeder branches 76, 78 respectively to both mail feeders 52, 64 and via infeed feeder branches 80, 82 with only the mailbox 62 and only the mailbox 74. The mailboxes 62, 74 are in turn each with a segment 84, 86 connected to a mail sorting system, so that mailpieces 88 are transported from the mailing removal 62 exclusively into the segment 84 and mailpieces 88 from the mailing removal 74 exclusively into the segment 86.

A processing means 90 in the form of a data processing system is signal technology with all memory modules 40a - 44b and connected to switches, not shown, which direct a consignment transport from the mail feeders 52, 64 to the memory modules 40a - 44b and from there to the Sendungsabführungen 62, 74.

During operation, a plurality of mailpieces 88 are separated from two separating means 92, 94 from a respective stack and introduced as mailing streams 96, 98 with a multiplicity of uniformly arranged mail items 88 into the mail feeders 52, 64. By means of two unillustrated reading means, mailing destinations of the mailpieces 88 are read, e.g. the addresses of the mail items 88. On the basis of the broadcast destinations, the processing means 90 assigns the mailpieces 88 to the segments 84, 86 or to the mailing discharges 62, 74 as a transport destination for the mailpieces 88.

During a first time segment, mail items 88 from the first mailing feeder 52, to which the first segment 84 has been assigned by the processing means 90 as a transport destination, are guided to the storage module 40a and stored there. Mailpieces 88 from the first mailing feeder 52, to which the second segment 86 has been assigned by the processing means 90 as a transport destination, are guided to the memory module 40b and stored there. Mail items 88 from the second mailing feeder 64, to which the first segment 84 has been assigned by the processing means 90 as a transport destination, are guided to the memory module 44a and stored there. And mailpieces 88 from the second mailing feeder 64, to which the second segment 86 has been assigned by the processing means 90 as a transport destination, are guided to the memory module 44b and stored there.

During the first period, the memory modules 40a, 40b and 44a, 44b fill up with mailpieces 88 according to their statistical distribution according to the destination and thickness of the transport. The degree of filling of the memory modules 40a, 40b and 44a, 44b can hereby be monitored by the processing means 90 with the aid of sensors on the memory modules 40a, 40b and 44a, 44b. Also possible is the estimation of the Filling levels of the memory modules 40a, 40b and 44a, 44b by the number of withdrawn from the separating means 92, 94 mailpieces 88 by the processing means.

At a time when the memory modules 40a, 40b have reached a predetermined degree of filling - measured or estimated - eg half full, the first period ends and a second period begins. In this second period of time, the mailpieces 88 from the first mailing feeder 52 are no longer supplied to the memory modules 40a, 40b of the first group but to the memory modules 42a, 42b of the second group 48, corresponding to their transport destinations to the memory modules 42a, 42b. At the same time, the memory modules 40a, 40b are emptied by the mailpieces 88 stored in them, such as FIG. 2 described isolated and the mailing discharges 62 and 74 are supplied for further transport into the segment 84 and 86, respectively.

At a further time, one of the memory modules 44a, 44b will then be filled, as in FIG FIG. 3 The other of the memory modules 44a, 44b will also be largely filled. The similarity of the fill levels of the two memory modules 44a, 44b depends on the distribution of the mailpieces 88 according to their transport destinations and on the capacity of the memory modules 44a, 44b. The larger their capacity, the more similar is their relative degree of filling according to the laws of statistics. Therefore, it is advantageous if the memory modules 40a-44b can hold as many mailpieces 88 as possible, for example a stack height of at least 500 mm.

At this additional time, the third operating mode begins, in which the mailpieces 88 of the mail feeders 52, 64 are stored in the memory modules 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b of the first two groups 46, 48 and at the same time the mailpieces 88 from the memory modules 44a, 44b of FIG third group 50 are stored in the broadcast discharges 62, 74. This operating mode is in FIG. 3 shown.

The emptying of the memory modules 44a, 44b takes place at approximately twice the speed as filling the other memory modules 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, so that the memory modules 44a, 44b are emptied when the memory modules 40a, 40b are approximately half full and the memory modules 42a , 42b are about filled. At this point in time, when the memory modules 44a, 44b are emptied, the processing means 90 switches to the next operating mode, in which the mailpieces 88 are stored in the first group 46 and third group 50 and the initially full second group 48 is emptied. This operating mode is in FIG. 4 shown.

If, at a next point in time, the memory modules 42a, 42b of the second group 48 have been emptied, then the processing means 90 switches to the next operating mode, in which groups 48 and 50 are stored and stored out of the then full group 46, as in FIG FIG. 5 is shown.

In this way, in the following between three different operating modes, wherein the switching times are made dependent on the filling levels of the memory modules 40a - 44b, in particular from the time of complete emptying of those memory modules 40a - 44b, which are being emptied. The switching time can alternatively, additionally and in particular in a higher command hierarchy be determined by a degree of filling of those memory modules 40a-44b in which data is currently being stored. Is e.g. one of them is completely filled, so a switching of the operating modes is caused even if one or both to be emptied memory modules 40a - 44b are not completely emptied.

The feeder branches 76, 80 intersect the mail feeder 52 and the mailbox 74, respectively, and the feeder branches 70, 72, 78, 80, 82 form interchanges with the mailer inlets and outlets 52, 64, 62, 74. A collision of mailpieces 88 thereon However, intersections and junctions can be safely avoided as described in the above Sorting process is always used only one of the intersecting or einmündenden transport paths, regardless of the switching time. Delivery of mailpieces 88 from two directions to an intersection or junction need not occur.

The memory modules 40a-44b are switched in pairs from the stacking operation to the singulation operation and vice versa. The switching times can be determined by the processing means 90 as a function of the most uniform possible flow of mail into the mailings 62, 74 and the current levels in the memory modules 40a - 44b.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, postal items 88 are sorted into two mail item deliveries 52, 64 in two mail item deliveries 52, 74. As a result, not only can pre-sorting be provided with a high throughput, but also a uniform delivery flow into the two segments 84, 86 can be achieved, largely independent of the distribution of the mailpieces 88 in the mail feeders 52, 64 according to the purpose of shipment or transport.

These advantages can also be achieved in other configurations. An example of another configuration is in FIG. 6 which shows another sorting system with two mailing discharges 62, 74 but only one mailing feeder 52. Correspondingly, the sorting system comprises only two groups 46, 48 of memory modules 40a, 40b and 42a, 42b, of which two are stored in the first group 46, 48 in two alternate modes of operation and simultaneously populated from the second group 46, 48 and vice versa. For this configuration, it is advantageous if the mailing feeder 52 permits the same mailing density per time as the two mailing outfeeds 62, 74 together, that is to say that the mailpieces 88 in the mailing feeder 52 are transported twice as fast as in the mailing discharges 62, 74 can be a high performance separating agent 100 be combined with the segments 84, 86 or a conventional separating means 92 with two low-cost and slow segments. The remaining details of this embodiment correspond to the details described for the embodiment of FIGS. 3-5.

Other configurations are also advantageous. The number of memory modules per group basically corresponds to the number of transmission discharges, wherein in each group one memory module is connected to each transmission discharge. And the number of groups is basically equal to the number of consignments plus 1. The connections of the consignments and transfers via feeder branches can be chosen the same in all embodiments as described in FIGS 3 to 5. Of course, other connections are possible.

For example, two consignments can be combined with three consignments, for this purpose, three groups, each with three memory modules are available. In each operating mode is stored in the memory modules of two groups and stored out of the memory modules of the third groups.

Furthermore, a configuration is conceivable in which three mail feeders are connected to two mailing outlets, namely by four groups each having two memory modules. In the operating modes is stored in three groups while is stored out of the memory modules of the remaining group, in this example, however, with the three times the storage speed.

Claims (15)

A flat mail sorting system (P ₁ -P _n , 88) comprising N ₁ ≥ 2 parallel groups (46, 48, 50) of memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) for concurrently storing a plurality Mail items (P ₁ - P _n , 88), N ₂ ≥ 1 parallel mail feeders (52, 64) to a plurality of groups (46, 48, 50) and N ₃ ≥ 2 parallel mailings (62, 74) of one each A plurality of groups (46, 48, 50), characterized by processing means (90) for controlling joint storage of mailpieces (P ₁ -P _n , 88) of a mail stream (96, 98) into memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) of at least one group (46, 48, 50) and at the same time a discharge of jointly stored mail items (P ₁ - P _n , 88) from memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a , 44b) at least one other group (46, 48, 50). Sorting system according to claim 1,
characterized in that the common storage of the mail items (P ₁ - P _n , 88) is a non-memory storage and the removal of jointly stored mail items (P ₁ - P _n , 88) is a non-memory ausspeichern. Sorting system according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) are last-in-first-out modules. Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that all the groups (46, 48, 50) have the same number of memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b). Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the number of memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) per group (46, 48, 50) is equal to the number of broadcast discharges (62, 74). Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that only one memory module (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) is arranged serially between a mail feeder (52, 64) and a mail transfer (62, 764). Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) are connected to the mail feeders (52, 64) and mailing outfeeds (62, 74) such that one pass of each mail feeder (52, 64) ) to each mail transfer (62, 74) by two storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) is possible. Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that a first group (46) is connected to only one of the mail feeders (52), a second group (50) to only one of the other mail feeders (64), and a third group (48) to both mail feeders (52, 64) is. Sorting system according to claim 8,
characterized in that a feeder branch (76, 80) to the third group (48) after a feeder branch (54, 56, 58, 60) to the first group (46) and a further feeder branch (78, 82) to the third group (48) before a feeder branch (66, 68, 70, 72) to the second group (50) is arranged. Sorting system according to claim 8 or 9,
characterized in that the third group (48) is spatially disposed between the first and second groups (46, 50). Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that each mailing transfer (62, 74) is connected to at least one storage module (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) of each group (46, 48, 50). Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that each mail transfer (62, 74) is connected to only one storage module (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) of each group (46, 48, 50). Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that each mail feeder (52, 64) is connected to all the memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) of at least two groups (46, 48, 50). Method for sorting flat postal items, in which the mailpieces (P _{1 -Pn} , 88) have N ₂ ≥ 1 parallel mail feeds (52, 64) to form N ₁ ≥ 2 groups (46, 48, 50) of memory modules (46, 48, 50) connected in parallel 2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) for simultaneously buffering a plurality of mailpieces (P ₁ - P _n , 88) and from there into N ₃ ≥ 2 parallel mailing discharges (62, 74) are guided,
characterized in that mail items (P ₁ - P _n , 88) from a mail stream in memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) of at least one group (46, 48, 50) stored together and at the same time mailings (P ₁ - P _n , 88) are discharged from memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) from at least one other group (46, 48, 50). Method according to claim 14,
characterized in that in a first period a broadcast stream (96, 98) from a mail feed (52, 64) into first memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) of a group (46, 48, 50) and, in a subsequent period, a mail stream (96, 98) from the mail feeder (52, 64) into second memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) of another group (46, 48, 50) ( 46, 48, 50) and at the same time mail items (P ₁ - P _n , 88) are removed from the first memory modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b).

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