EP2067536B1 - Sorting system and method for flat postal packages - Google Patents
Sorting system and method for flat postal packages Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2067536B1 EP2067536B1 EP08170826A EP08170826A EP2067536B1 EP 2067536 B1 EP2067536 B1 EP 2067536B1 EP 08170826 A EP08170826 A EP 08170826A EP 08170826 A EP08170826 A EP 08170826A EP 2067536 B1 EP2067536 B1 EP 2067536B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- group
- sorting system
- items
- memory modules
- 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
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
- B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
- B65H3/04—Endless-belt separators
- B65H3/045—Endless-belt separators for separating substantially vertically stacked articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/44—Simultaneously, alternately, or selectively separating articles from two or more piles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
- B65H3/54—Pressing or holding devices
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H31/00—Pile receivers
- B65H31/04—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates
- B65H31/06—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled on edge
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/02—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by belts or chains, e.g. between belts or chains
- B65H5/021—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by belts or chains, e.g. between belts or chains by belts
- B65H5/023—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by belts or chains, e.g. between belts or chains by belts between a pair of belts forming a transport nip
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/26—Duplicate, alternate, selective, or coacting feeds
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H83/00—Combinations of piling and depiling operations, e.g. performed simultaneously, of interest apart from the single operation of piling or depiling as such
- B65H83/02—Combinations of piling and depiling operations, e.g. performed simultaneously, of interest apart from the single operation of piling or depiling as such performed on the same pile or stack
- B65H83/025—Combinations of piling and depiling operations, e.g. performed simultaneously, of interest apart from the single operation of piling or depiling as such performed on the same pile or stack onto and from the same side of the pile or stack
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/10—Rollers
- B65H2404/15—Roller assembly, particular roller arrangement
- B65H2404/152—Arrangement of roller on a movable frame
- B65H2404/1521—Arrangement of roller on a movable frame rotating, pivoting or oscillating around an axis, e.g. parallel to the roller axis
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- 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 a sorting system for flat postal items with N 1 ⁇ 2, in particular N 1 ⁇ 3, parallel groups of memory modules for simultaneously storing a plurality of mailpieces, N 2 ⁇ 1 mail feeders, which are parallel at N> 1, each to a plurality of groups and N 3 ⁇ 2 parallel broadcast discharges 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- the throughput can be doubled.
- 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.
- some brake and acceleration modules for the mailings are provided in the braid.
- 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.
- 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 may 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 re-stored 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 process 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.
- 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 Zubringeratige Trenten 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 mail flow of the mailing feed or in the mailing streams of the mail feeders with respect to their destination mailing and may 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.
- 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.
- the joint storage of the mail items is a non-emptying storage and the removal of collectively stored postal items a non-accumulation aus untiln.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- all groups have the same number of memory modules, whereby all broadcast discharges can be operated evenly by one memory module of each group.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- each transmission transfer here is connected to only one memory module of each group in order to keep the number of crossing points small.
- a pre-sorting can be connected with a storage of mailpieces in one group and a simultaneous outdenting in the other group.
- 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.
- 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.
- a group can be used to exchange assignments from multiple consignments.
- the invention is also directed to a method for sorting flat mailpieces, wherein the mail items are distributed over N 2 ⁇ 1 mail feeders, which are parallel at N> 1 are, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 ,...
- 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.
- the Zutechnologyan horr 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.
- FIG. 2 the memory module 2 is shown in its trigger function.
- the support roller assembly 28 is in Wegschwenktem, 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 Zutechnologyanschlag 14 is moved in trigger function according to arrow 32 upwards and so the exhaust port 16 free.
- 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.
- a withdrawal pressure is set, which is indicated by the arrow 38.
- 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 Sendungsab Unit En 62, 74.
- a plurality of mailpieces 88 of two separating means 92, 94 are separated from a respective stack and introduced as mailing streams 96, 98 with a plurality of evenly arranged mailpieces 88 in the mail feeders 52, 64.
- mailing destinations of the mailpieces 88 are read, e.g. the addresses of the mail items 88.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- the first period ends and a second period begins.
- 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.
- 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.
- one of the memory modules 44a, 44b will then be filled, as in 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.
- the third operating mode in which the mailpieces 88 of the mail feeders 52, 64 are stored in the memory modules 40b, 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 the 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 be determined by a degree of filling of those memory modules 40a-44b which are 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.
- postal items 88 are sorted into two mail item deliveries 52, 64 in two mail item deliveries 52, 74.
- 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.
- FIG. 6 shows another sorting system with two mailing discharges 62, 74 but only one mailing feeder 52.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 consignment feeds plus 1.
- the connections of the consignments and discharges via feeder branches can be chosen the same in all embodiments as described in FIGS 3 to 5. Of course, other connections are possible.
- 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.
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Abstract
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Sortiersystem für flache Postsendungen mit N1 ≥ 2, insbesondere N1 ≥ 3, parallel geschalteten Gruppen von Speichermodulen zum gleichzeitigen Einlagern einer Vielzahl Postsendungen, N2 ≥ 1 Sendungszuführungen, die bei N > 1 parallel sind, zu jeweils einer Mehrzahl von Gruppen und N3 ≥ 2 parallele Sendungsabführungen von jeweils einer Mehrzahl von Gruppen.The invention relates to a sorting system for flat postal items with N 1 ≥ 2, in particular N 1 ≥ 3, parallel groups of memory modules for simultaneously storing a plurality of mailpieces, N 2 ≥ 1 mail feeders, which are parallel at N> 1, each to a plurality of groups and N 3 ≥ 2 parallel broadcast discharges each of a plurality of groups.
Flache Postsendungen, wie Briefe, Großbriefe, Postkarten, eingeschweißte Zeitschriften und dergleichen, werden in Briefzentren oder großen Postämtern in sehr großer Zahl nach ihrer Adresse sortiert und, ggf. nach einer Vorsortierung, in einer Vielzahl von Stapelfächern abgelegt. Die erreichbare Feinheit der Sortierung ist durch die Anzahl der Sortiergänge und die Anzahl der Stapelfächer in jedem Sortiergang bestimmt, in die die Postsendungen verteilt werden. Um eine große Menge von Postsendungen in kurzer Zeit sortieren zu können, ist ein hoher Durchsatz der flachen Postsendungen durch die Sortieranlagen wünschenswert. Der Durchsatz ist abhängig von der Transportgeschwindigkeit der Postsendungen durch die Anlage und die Abstände zwischen den Postsendungen. Beide Parameter können nicht ohne erheblichen Aufwand über ein bestimmtes Maß gesteigert werden.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.
Zur weiteren Erhöhung des Durchsatzes ist es bekannt, Sendungsströme zu parallelisieren. Hierbei werden die Postsendungen von beispielsweise zwei Stoffeingaben in zwei Sendungsströme vereinzelt, die von zwei Segmenten der Sortieranlage parallel verarbeitet werden. Jedem Segment wird hierbei ein Adressbereich bzw. Sortierzielbereich zugeordnet. Auf diese Weise kann der Durchsatz verdoppelt werden. Damit jede Postsendung aus beiden Sendungsströmen jedes Stapelfach der beiden Segmente erreichen kann ist eine Vorsortierung notwendig, die die Postsendungen beider Sendungsströme entsprechend ihrer Adresse auf die beiden Segmente der Sortieranlage verteilt. Bei einer solchen Vorsortierung durchdringen sich die Sendungsströme, wobei es nicht zu Kollisionen kommen darf.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.
Ein System zur kollisionsfreien Durchdringung dreier Sendungsströme ist aus der
Es ist eine Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein Sortiersystem für flache Postsendungen anzugeben, mit dem Postsendungen mit einem hohen Durchsatz auf zwei oder mehr Segmente einer Sortieranlage vorsortiert werden können.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.
Diese Aufgabe wird durch ein Sortiersystem der eingangs genannten Art gelöst, das erfindungsgemäß ein Prozessmittel zur Steuerung eines gemeinsamen Einlagerns von Postsendungen eines Sendungsstroms in Speichermodule von mindestens einer Gruppe, insbesondere in Speichermodule von mindestens zwei Gruppen, und gleichzeitig eines Abführens von gemeinsam eingelagerten Postsendungen aus Speichermodulen mindestens einer anderen Gruppe umfasst. Es kann eine kreuzungsarme oder kreuzungsfreie Durchdringung der Sendungsströme erreicht werden bei hohem Durchsatz durch das Sortiersystem.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.
Alle Postsendungen können zunächst entsprechend ihrem Zielsegment in mehrere Speichermodule eingeführt und dort gemeinsam eingelagert werden, so dass sie also dort dann gemeinsam lagern. Ist eines der Speichermodule voll oder ergibt sich ein durch andere Parameter günstiger Umschaltzeitpunkt, so wird ein weiteres Einlagern in die Speichermodule beendet und die Postsendungen werden aus den Speichermodulen abgeführt, zweckmäßigerweise mit hoher Geschwindigkeit, um einen zusammenhängenden Sendungsstrom mit einer Arbeitsgeschwindigkeit und einem Sendungstakt der nachfolgenden Segmente der Sortieranlage zu erzeugen. Vorteilhafterweise ist jedes Speichermodul nur einem einzigen Segment der Sortieranlage zugeordnet und wird stets nur dorthinein vollständig oder teilweise entleert. Während des Entleerens wird dem Speichermodul zweckmäßigerweise keine Postsendung zugeführt. Die Postsendungen werden in dieser Zeit in andere Speichermodule abgelegt, aus denen während dieser Zeit vorzugsweise keine Postsendungen entnommen werden.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.
Das Sortiersystem kann Teil einer Sortieranlage mit mehreren Segmenten sein, die jeweils von einer - zweckmäßigerweise von nur einer - der Sendungsabführungen mit vorsortierten Postsendungen gespeist werden. Die Postsendungen können Postgut aller Art sein, deren Länge und Breite jeweils erheblich größer ist als deren Dicke, z.B. um mindestens den Faktor 10. Die Gruppen umfassen zweckmäßigerweise jeweils mehrere Speichermodule, die vorteilhafterweise in den Gruppen jeweils zueinander parallel geschaltet sind. Die Speichermodule sind zur Aufnahme einer Vielzahl von Postsendungen ausgelegt, zweckmäßigerweise mindestens zehn, insbesondere mindestens 50, die im Speichermodul gespeichert werden können, insbesondere aufeinander gestapelt. Unter einem gleichzeitigen Einlagern einer Vielzahl Postsendungen wird verstanden, dass die Postsendungen alle zusammen gelagert bzw. gespeichert im Speichermodul vorliegen und nicht nur jeweils hintereinander für einen kurzen Moment gespeichert und dann wieder ausgespeichert werden, bevor die nächste Postsendung für einen Moment eingespeichert wird.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 may be postal items of all kinds, the length and width of each being considerably greater than their thickness, e.g. by at least the
Die Sendungszuführungen können jeweils mit einem ihr allein zugeordneten Vereinzelungsmittel verbunden sein. Sie können Abzweigungen zu allen Speichermodulen aufweisen, mit denen sie verbunden sind. Die Sendungsabführungen können mit jeweils einem Segment der Sortieranlage, insbesondere nur einem einzigen Segment der Sortieranlage, verbunden sein, so dass sie bei einem Entleervorgang bis zu einer vollständigen Entleerung nur in ein Segment hinein entleert werden, insbesondere stets nur in ein Segment hinein entleert werden. Die Sendungsabführungen sind zweckmäßigerweise an allen Stellen von allen Sendungszuführungen verschieden, so dass keine Transportstrecke für Postsendungen gleichzeitig eine Sendungszuführung zu einem Speichermodul und eine Sendungsabführung von dem Speichermodul oder von einem anderen Speichermodul ist. Vorteilhafterweise sind die Sendungsabführungen nur über Speichermodule mit den Sendungszuführungen verbunden. Die Sendungszu- und abführungen sind Transportmittel, z.B. in Form jeweils eines einzigen Transportstrangs, zum Transport der Postsendungen zu den Speichermodulen bzw. von diesen weg. Von den Sendungszu- und abführungen können Zubringerabzweigungen zu den Speichermodulen abzweigen, z.B. in Form von Transportsträngen zwischen den Sendungszu- und Abführungen und den Speichermodulen. Die Sendungsabführungen sind zweckmäßigerweise mit allen Gruppen zum Zweck des Sendungstransports verbunden.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 process 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.
Das Prozessmittel kann eine oder mehrere elektronische Datenverarbeitungseinheiten umfassen und ist zweckmäßigerweise zur Steuerung eines gemeinsamen Einlagerns aller Postsendungen eines Sendungsstroms, insbesondere aus allen Sendungszuführungen in Speichermodule vorgesehen und entsprechend vorbereitet.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.
Die Postsendungen können in dem Sendungsstrom der Sendungszuführung bzw. in den Sendungsströmen der Sendungszuführungen hinsichtlich ihrer Ziel-Sendungsabführung gemischt vorliegen und können durch das Sortiersystem in die Sendungsabführungen sortiert werden. Die Sortierung kann durch eine Aufteilung der Postsendungen in die einzelnen Speichermodule jeder Gruppe erfolgen, so dass die Postsendungen innerhalb der Gruppen bereits sortiert vorliegen. Hierzu ist jede Sendungszuführung zweckmäßigerweise mit allen Speichermodulen zumindest einer Gruppe zwecks Transport der Postsendungen verbunden, so dass eine entsprechende Sortierung der Postsendungen auf die Speichermodule erfolgen kann.The mailpieces may be mixed in the mail flow of the mailing feed or in the mailing streams of the mail feeders with respect to their destination mailing and may 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.
Ein Sendungsstrom besteht zweckmäßigerweise aus einer Vielzahl von Postsendungen, insbesondere aus über 20 hintereinander transportierten Postsendungen. Der Sendungsstrom kann ein Strom gleichmäßiger Sendungsdichte sein, in dem die Postsendungen hintereinander weg mit einer Lücke zwischen sich in einem vorgegebenen Größenbereich und insbesondere mit gleichmäßiger Geschwindigkeit transportiert werden.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 einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist das gemeinsame Einlagern der Postsendungen ein ausspeicherfreies Einspeichern und das Abführen von gemeinsam eingelagerten Postsendungen ein einspeicherfreies Ausspeichern. Die Postsendungen können störunanfällig eingelagert und wieder abgeführt werden. Unter einem ausspeicherfreien Einspeichern wird verstanden, dass Postsendungen des Sendungsstroms in ein Speichermodul eingespeichert werden, die Postsendungen also im Speichermodul abgelegt werden, ohne dass während des Einspeicherns Postsendungen aus diesem Sendungsstrom wieder aus dem Speichermodul abgeführt werden. Während der Sendungsstrom in das Speichermodul eingelagert wird, wird zweckmäßigerweise überhaupt keine Postsendung aus dem Speichermodul entfernt bzw. ausgespeichert. Umgekehrt wird unter einem einspeicherfreien Ausspeichern verstanden, dass während ein Sendungsstrom aus einem Speichermodul ausgespeichert wird, die Postsendungen des Sendungsstroms also aus dem Speichermodul abgeführt werden, keine weitere Postsendung in dem Speichermodul abgelegt wird, zweckmäßigerweise auch nicht in das Speichermodul eingeführt wird.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 einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausführungsform der Erfindung sind die Speichermodule last-in-first-out-Module, also solche Speichermodule, in denen die zuletzt eingespeicherte Postsendung von einer Vielzahl von Postsendungen zuerst wieder ausgespeichert wird, also aus dem Speichermodul abgeführt wird. Es können viele Postsendungen schnell, zuverlässig und kostengünstig ein- und ausgespeichert werden.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.
Gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung weisen alle Gruppen die gleiche Anzahl von Speichermodulen auf, wodurch alle Sendungsabführungen gleichmäßig von jeweils einem Speichermodul jeder Gruppe bedient werden können. Insbesondere ist hierzu die Anzahl der Speichermodule pro Gruppe gleich der Anzahl der Sendungsabführungen.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.
Ein einfaches und fehlerunanfälliges Speichern von Postsendungen auf dem Weg von einer Sendungszuführung zu einer Sendungsabführung kann erreicht werden, wenn zwischen einer Sendungszuführung und einer Sendungsabführung seriell stets, also im gesamten Sortiersystem, nur ein Speichermodul angeordnet ist.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.
Eine weitere Ausführungsvariante der Erfindung sieht vor, dass die Speichermodule so mit den Sendungszuführungen und Sendungsabführungen verbunden sind, dass ein Durchlauf von jeder Sendungszuführung zu jeder Sendungsabführung durch zwei Speichermodule möglich ist, gegebenenfalls auch durch mehr Speichermodule, die zweckmäßigerweise parallel zueinander angeordnet sind. So können Postsendungen mit irgendeinem Startund Zielpunkt, also von irgendeiner Sendungszuführung zu irgendeiner Sendungsabführung, abgespeichert werden, während weitere Postsendungen mit dem gleichen Start- und Zielpunkt aus dem parallelen Speichermodul ausgespeichert und zum Ziel transportiert werden.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, mailpieces with any start and finish point, ie from any mailing to any mailing removal, be stored while other mail items are stored with the same start and end point from the parallel memory module and transported to the destination.
Die Zahl von potentiell fehleranfälligen Kreuzungspunkten von Transportsträngen kann gering gehalten bleiben, wenn eine erste Gruppe mit nur einer der Sendungszuführungen, eine zweite Gruppe mit nur einer der anderen Sendungszuführungen und eine dritte Gruppe mit beiden Sendungszuführungen verbunden ist.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.
Mit gleichem Vorteil ist eine Zubringerabzweigung zur dritten Gruppe zweckmäßigerweise nach einer Zubringerabzweigung zur ersten Gruppe angeordnet und eine weitere Zubringerabzweigung zur dritten Gruppe ist vor einer Zubringerabzweigung zur zweiten Gruppe angeordnet.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.
Ist die dritte Gruppe räumlich zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Gruppe angeordnet, so kann das Sortiersystem kompakt gestaltet werden.If the third group is arranged spatially between the first and the second group, then the sorting system can be made compact.
Eine Vorsortierung der Postsendungen in die Speichermodule kann einfach erfolgen, wenn jede Sendungsabführung mit zumindest einem Speichermodul jeder Gruppe verbunden ist. Vorteilhafterweise ist jede Sendungsabführung hierbei mit nur einem Speichermodul jeder Gruppe verbunden, um die Zahl der Kreuzungspunkte gering zu halten.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.
Ist jede Sendungszuführung mit allen Speichermodulen aus zumindest zwei Gruppen verbunden, so kann eine Vorsortierung mit einem Einspeichern von Postsendungen in einer Gruppe und einem gleichzeitigen Ausspeichern in der anderen Gruppe verbunden werden.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.
Grundsätzlich weisen die Gruppen so viele Speichermodule auf, wie Sendungsabführungen vorhanden sind, wodurch jeder Sendungsabführung - und damit jedem Anlagensegment - ein Speichermodul pro Gruppe zugewiesen werden kann. Es sind jedoch auch andere Konstellationen möglich, z.B. weitere Speichermodule pro Gruppe, so dass der Gruppe weitere Aufgaben zugeteilt werden können. Die Anzahl N1 der Gruppen ist vorteilhafterweise um eins größer als die Anzahl N2 der parallelen Sendungszuführungen, so dass jederzeit jeder Sendungszuführung eine Gruppe zum Einspeichern zugeordnet werden kann und eine weitere Gruppe zum Ausspeichern verwendet werden kann. Außerdem kann eine Gruppe zur Wechselbelegung aus mehreren Sendungszuführungen verwendet werden.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.
Die Erfindung ist außerdem gerichtet auf ein Verfahren zum Sortieren von flachen Postsendungen, bei dem die Postsendungen über N2 ≥ 1 Sendungszuführungen, die bei N > 1 parallel sind, zu N1 ≥ 2 parallel geschalteten Gruppen von Speichermodulen zum gleichzeitigen Einlagern oder Zwischenspeichern einer Vielzahl von Postsendungen und von dort in N3 ≥ 2 parallele Sendungsabführungen geführt werden. Es wird vorgeschlagen, dass Postsendungen aus einem Sendungsstrom, insbesondere aus allen Sendungszuführungen, in Speichermodulen von mindestens einer Gruppe gemeinsam gelagert und gleichzeitig Postsendungen aus Speichermodulen aus mindestens einer anderen Gruppe abgeführt werden. Postsendungen können mit hohem Durchsatz und mit geringer Kollisionsgefahr vorsortiert werden.The invention is also directed to a method for sorting flat mailpieces, wherein the mail items are distributed over N 2 ≥ 1 mail feeders, which are parallel at N> 1 are, 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.
Alle hierzu notwendigen Steuerschritte, auch zu weiteren beschriebenen Details der Erfindung, können vom Prozessmittel veranlasst werden, das dann entsprechend vorbereitet ist.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.
Vorteilhafterweise werden Postsendungen eines Sendungsstroms aus einer Sendungszuführung stets in mindestens zwei Speichermodule parallel eingeführt und dort eingelagert und Postsendungen aus mindestens zwei weiteren Speichermodulen parallel abgeführt, so dass die Sendungsabführungen mit einem gleichmäßigen Sendungsstrom hoher Sendungsdichte belegt werden können.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 einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausführungsform der Erfindung wird in einem ersten Zeitraum ein Sendungsstrom aus einer Sendungszuführung in erste Speichermodule einer Gruppe eingelagert und in einem nachfolgenden Zeitraum wird ein Sendungsstrom aus der Sendungszuführung in zweite Speichermodule einer anderen Gruppe eingelagert und gleichzeitig werden Postsendungen aus den ersten Speichermodulen abgeführt. Die Speichermodule können abwechselnd befüllt und entleert werden, und es kann in einer Sendungsabführung ein Sendungsstrom mit gleichmäßiger Dichte hergestellt werden.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.
Die Erfindung wird anhand von Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert, die in den Zeichnungen dargestellt sind.The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawings.
Es zeigen:
- FIG 1
- eine Aufsicht auf ein Speichermodul in Einführfunk- tion,
- FIG 2
- eine Aufsicht auf das Speichermodul aus
FIG 1 in Abzugsfunktion, - FIG 3
- ein Sortiersystem mit drei Gruppen mit je zwei Speichermodulen, von denen aus den rechten beiden Speichermodulen Postsendungen abgeführt und in die übrigen Speichermodule Postsendungen eingelagert werden,
- FIG 4
- die drei Gruppen aus
FIG 2 , von denen aus den mitt- leren beiden Speichermodulen ausgespeichert und in die übrigen Speichermodule eingespeichert wird - FIG 5
- die drei Gruppen aus
FIG 2 , von denen aus den lin- ken beiden Speichermodulen ausgespeichert und in die übrigen Speichermodule eingespeichert wird und - FIG 6
- ein anderes Sortiersystem mit zwei Gruppen mit je zwei Speichermodulen.
- FIG. 1
- a view of a memory module in Einführfunk- tion,
- 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 den FIGen 1 und 2 ist in schematischer Darstellung ein Speichermodul 2 gezeigt, in
Für die Postsendungen P1, P2, P3, ... Pn ist es sinnvoll, wenn sie mit einem gewissen Zuführandruck in Kontakt mit dem Rollband 12 gebracht werden. Zur Einstellung dieses Zuführandrucks sind ein Trennmesser 20 und ein Unterflurband 22 vorgesehen, die sehr fein regulierbar in der Einführfunktion des Speichermoduls 2 in der Einstapelrichtung - also die Richtung, in der der Stapel im Speicherbereich 4 ansteigt - gemäß Pfeilen 24, 26 bewegbar sind. Mittels des Trennmessers 20 wird der Zuführandruck antiparallel zur Einstapelrichtung auf das Rollband 12 erzeugt.For the mail items P 1 , P 2 , P 3 ,... P n , it makes sense if they are brought into contact with the
Das Speichermodul 2 weist außerdem eine Stützrollenanordnung 28 auf, die in der in
In
Um die zumindest weitgehend senkrechte Ausrichtung der im Speicherbereich 4 gelagerten Postsendungen auf bei fortschreitendem Entleeren des Speichermoduls 2 zuverlässig gewährleisten zu können, wird das Unterflurband 22 wie durch einen Pfeil angedeutet angetrieben und verschiebt so im Zusammenwirken mit dem vorgespannten Trennmesser 20 die im Speicherbereich 4 gelagerten Postsendungen.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
Ein Prozessmittel 90 in Form einer Datenverarbeitungsanlage ist signaltechnisch mit allen Speichermodulen 40a - 44b und mit nicht dargestellten Weichen verbunden, die einen Sendungstransport von den Sendungszuführungen 52, 64 zu den Speichermodulen 40a - 44b und von dort zu den Sendungsabführungen 62, 74 lenken.A processing means 90 in the form of a data processing system is signal technology with all
Während des Betriebs werden eine Vielzahl von Postsendungen 88 von zwei Vereinzelungsmitteln 92, 94 aus je einem Stapel vereinzelt und als Sendungsströme 96, 98 mit einer Vielzahl von gleichmäßig hintereinander angeordneten Postsendungen 88 in die Sendungszuführungen 52, 64 eingebracht. Mittels zweier nicht dargestellter Lesemittel werden Sendungsziele der Postsendungen 88 gelesen, z.B. die Adressen der Postsendungen 88. Anhand der Sendungsziele ordnet das Prozessmittel 90 die Postsendungen 88 den Segmenten 84, 86 bzw. den Sendungsabführungen 62, 74 als Transportziel für die Postsendungen 88 zu.During operation, a plurality of
Während eines ersten Zeitabschnitts werden Postsendungen 88 aus der ersten Sendungszuführung 52, denen das erste Segment 84 vom Prozessmittel 90 als Transportziel zugeordnet wurde, zum Speichermodul 40a geführt und dort abgelegt. Postsendungen 88 aus der ersten Sendungszuführung 52, denen das zweite Segment 86 vom Prozessmittel 90 als Transportziel zugeordnet wurde, werden zum Speichermodul 40b geführt und dort abgelegt. Postsendungen 88 aus der zweiten Sendungszuführung 64, denen das erste Segment 84 vom Prozessmittel 90 als Transportziel zugeordnet wurde, werden zum Speichermodul 44a geführt und dort abgelegt. Und Postsendungen 88 aus der zweiten Sendungszuführung 64, denen das zweite Segment 86 vom Prozessmittel 90 als Transportziel zugeordnet wurde, werden zum Speichermodul 44b geführt und dort abgelegt.During a first time segment,
Während des ersten Zeitraums füllen sich so die Speichermodule 40a, 40b und 44a, 44b mit Postsendungen 88 entsprechend deren statistischer Verteilung nach Sendungs- bzw. Transportziel und Dicke an. Der Füllungsgrad der Speichermodule 40a, 40b und 44a, 44b kann hierbei von dem Prozessmittel 90 mit Hilfe von Sensoren an den Speichermodulen 40a, 40b und 44a, 44b überwacht werden. Auch möglich ist die Abschätzung der Füllungsgrade der Speichermodule 40a, 40b und 44a, 44b durch die Anzahl der von den Vereinzelungsmitteln 92, 94 abgezogenen Postsendungen 88 durch das Prozessmittel.During the first period, the
Zu einem Zeitpunkt, zu dem die Speichermodule 40a, 40b einen vorbestimmten Füllungsgrad - gemessen oder abgeschätzt - erreicht haben, z.B. halbvoll sind, endet der erste Zeitraum und ein zweiter Zeitraum beginnt. In diesem zweiten Zeitraum werden die Postsendungen 88 aus der ersten Sendungszuführung 52 nicht mehr den Speichermodulen 40a, 40b der ersten Gruppe, sondern den Speichermodulen 42a, 42b der zweiten Gruppe 48 zugeführt, entsprechend ihrer Transportziele auf die Speichermodule 42a, 42b aufgeteilt. Gleichzeitig werden die Speichermodule 40a, 40b entleert, indem die in ihnen gelagerten Postsendungen 88 wie zu
Zu einem weiteren Zeitpunkt wird dann eines der Speichermodule 44a, 44b gefüllt sein, wie in
Zu diesem weiteren Zeitpunkt beginnt der dritte Betriebsmodus, in dem die Postsendungen 88 der Sendungszuführungen 52, 64 in die Speichermodule 40b, 40b, 42a, 42b der ersten beiden Gruppen 46, 48 eingespeichert werden und gleichzeitig die Postsendungen 88 aus den Speichermodulen 44a, 44b der dritten Gruppe 50 in die Sendungsabführungen 62, 74 ausgespeichert werden. Dieser Betriebsmodus ist in
Das Entleeren der Speichermodule 44a, 44b erfolgt etwa in der doppelten Geschwindigkeit wie das Befüllen der anderen Speichermodule 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, so dass die Speichermodule 44a, 44b geleert sind, wenn die Speichermodule 40a, 40b etwa halb gefüllt und die Speichermodule 42a, 42b in etwa gefüllt sind. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt, an dem die Speichermodule 44a, 44b entleert sind, schaltet das Prozessmittel 90 in den nächsten Betriebsmodus, in dem die Postsendungen 88 in die erste Gruppe 46 und dritte Gruppe 50 eingespeichert werden und die zunächst noch volle zweite Gruppe 48 entleert wird. Dieser Betriebsmodus ist in
Sind zu einem nächsten Zeitpunkt die Speichermodule 42a, 42b der zweiten Gruppe 48 entleert, so schaltet das Prozessmittel 90 in den wiederum nächsten Betriebsmodus, in dem in die Gruppen 48 und 50 eingespeichert und aus der dann vollen Gruppe 46 ausgespeichert wird, wie in
Auf diese Weise wird im Folgenden zwischen drei verschiedenen Betriebsmodi gewechselt, wobei die Umschaltzeitpunkte von den Befüllungsgraden der Speichermodule 40a - 44b abhängig gemacht werden, insbesondere vom Zeitpunkt des vollständigen Entleertseins derjenigen Speichermodule 40a - 44b, die gerade entleert werden. Der Umschaltzeitpunkt kann alternativ, zusätzlich und insbesondere in einer höheren Befehlshierarchie von einem Befüllungsgrad derjenigen Speichermodule 40a - 44b festgelegt werden, in die gerade eingespeichert wird. Ist z.B. eines von ihnen komplett gefüllt, so wird ein Umschalten der Betriebsmodi veranlasst auch wenn eines oder beide zu entleerende Speichermodule 40a - 44b noch nicht vollständig entleert sind.In this way, in the following between three different operating modes, wherein the switching times are made dependent on the filling levels of the
Die Zubringerabzweigungen 76, 80 kreuzen die Sendungszuführung 52 bzw. die Sendungsabführung 74, und die Zubringerabzweigungen 70, 72, 78, 80, 82 bilden Einmündungen mit den Sendungszu- und abführungen 52, 64, 62, 74. Eine Kollision von Postsendungen 88 an diesen Kreuzungen und Einmündungen kann jedoch sicher vermieden werden, da in dem oben beschriebenen Sortierprozess jeweils immer nur einer der sich kreuzenden oder einmündenden Transportpfade verwendet wird, unabhängig vom Umschaltzeitpunkt. Eine Zuführung von Postsendungen 88 von zwei Richtungen zu einer Kreuzung oder Einmündung muss nicht stattfinden.The
Die Speichermodule 40a - 44b werden paarweise vom Einstapelbetrieb zum Vereinzelungsbetrieb und umgekehrt umgeschaltet. Die Umschaltzeitpunkte können durch das Prozessmittel 90 in Abhängigkeit des möglichst gleichmäßigen Sendungsflusses in die Sendungsabführungen 62, 74 und der aktuellen Füllstände in den Speichermodulen 40a - 44b bestimmt werden.The
Bei dem in den FIGen 3 - 5 dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel werden in zwei Sendungszuführungen 52, 64 unsortiert vorliegende Postsendungen 88 in zwei Sendungsabführungen 62, 74 sortiert. Hierdurch kann nicht nur eine Vorsortierung mit einem hohen Durchsatz geschaffen werden, sondern auch ein gleichmäßiger Sendungsfluss in die beiden Segmente 84, 86 erreicht werden, weitgehend unabhängig von der Verteilung der Postsendungen 88 in den Sendungszuführungen 52, 64 nach Sendungs- bzw. Transportziel.In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-5,
Diese Vorteile können auch in anderen Konfigurationen erreicht werden. Ein Beispiel für eine andere Konfiguration ist in
Auch weitere Konfigurationen sind vorteilhaft. Die Zahl der Speichermodule pro Gruppe entspricht grundsätzlich der Anzahl der Sendungsabführungen, wobei in jeder Gruppe je ein Speichermodul mit jeder Sendungsabführung verbunden ist. Und die Anzahl der Gruppen ist grundsätzlich gleich der Anzahl der Sendungszuführungen plus 1. Die Verbindungen der Sendungszuund Abführungen über Zubringerabzweigungen kann in allen Ausführungsbeispielen gleich gewählt werden wie zu den FIGen 3 bis 5 beschrieben. Selbstverständlich sind auch andere Verbindungen möglich.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 consignment feeds plus 1. The connections of the consignments and discharges via feeder branches can be chosen the same in all embodiments as described in FIGS 3 to 5. Of course, other connections are possible.
Beispielsweise können zwei Sendungszuführungen mit drei Sendungsabführungen kombiniert werden, wobei hierzu drei Gruppen mit je drei Speichermodulen vorhanden sind. In jedem Betriebsmodus wird in die Speichermodule zweier Gruppen eingespeichert und aus den Speichermodulen der dritten Gruppen ausgespeichert.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.
Ferner ist eine Konfiguration denkbar, in der drei Sendungszuführungen mit zwei Sendungsabführungen verbunden sind, nämlich durch vier Gruppen mit je zwei Speichermodulen. In den Betriebsmodi wird in drei Gruppen eingespeichert während aus den Speichermodulen der verbliebenen Gruppe ausgespeichert wird, in diesem Beispiel jedoch mit der dreifachen Einspeichergeschwindigkeit. 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)
- Sorting system for flat items of mail (P1 - Pn, 88) that has N1 ≥ 2 parallel-connected groups (46, 48, 50) of storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) for simultaneously storing a multiplicity of items of mail (P1 - Pn, 88), N2 ≥ 1 parallel mail feeders (52, 64) to in each case a multiplicity of groups (46, 48, 50), and N3 ≥ 2 parallel mail dischargers (62, 74) from in each case a multiplicity of groups (46, 48, 50),
characterised by a process means (90) for controlling a joint storing of items of mail (P1 - Pn, 88) from a stream of mail (96, 98) into storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) belonging to at least one group (46, 48, 50), and simultaneously controlling discharging of jointly deposited items of mail (P1 - Pn, 88) from storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) to at least one other group (46, 48, 50). - Sorting system according to claim 1
characterised in that the joint depositing of items of mail (P1 - Pn, 88) is a non-unstoring storing and the discharging of jointly deposited items of mail (P1 - Pn, 88) is a non-storing unstoring. - Sorting system according to claim 1 or 2
characterised in that the storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) are last-in-first-out modules. - Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims
characterised in that all groups (46, 48, 50) have the same number of storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b). - Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims
characterised in that the number of storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) in each group (46, 48, 50) is the same as the number of mail dischargers (62, 74). - Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims
characterised in that only one storage module (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) is serially always located between a mail feeder (52, 64) and a mail discharger (62, 764). - Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims
characterised in that the storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) are connected to the mail feeders (52, 64) and mail dischargers (62, 74) in such a way that a passage is possible from each mail feeder (52, 64) to each mail discharger (62, 74) through two storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b). - Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims
characterised 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). - Sorting system according to claim 8
characterised in that one feeder branch (76, 80) to the third group (48) is arranged behind a feeder branch (54, 56, 58, 60) to the first group (46) and another feeder branch (78, 82) to the third group (48) is arranged in front of a feeder branch (66, 68, 70, 72) to the second group (50). - Sorting system according to claim 8 or 9
characterised in that the third group (48) is arranged spatially between the first and second group (46, 50). - Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims
characterised in that each mail discharger (62, 74) is connected to at least one storage module (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) in each group (46, 48, 50). - Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims
characterised in that each mail discharger (62, 74) is connected to only one storage module (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) in each group (46, 48, 50). - Sorting system according to one of the preceding claims
characterised in that each mail feeder (52, 64) is connected to all storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) from at least two groups (46, 48, 50). - Method for sorting flat items of mail wherein said items (P1 - Pn, 88) are ducted via N2 ≥ 1 parallel mail feeders (52, 64) to N1 ≥ 2 parallel-connected groups (46, 48, 50) of storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) for simultaneously storing or buffering a multiplicity of items of mail (P1 - Pn, 88) and from there into N3 ≥ 2 parallel mail dischargers (62, 74),
characterised in that items of mail (P1 - Pn, 88) from a stream of mail are stored jointly in storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) belonging to at least one group (46, 48, 50) and items of mail (P1 - Pn, 88) are simultaneously discharged from storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) from at least one other group (46, 48, 50). - Method according to claim 14
characterised in that a stream of mail (96, 98) from a mail feeder (52, 64) is in a first period of time deposited in first storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) belonging to one group (46, 48, 50) and in an ensuing period of time a stream of mail (96, 98) from the mail feeder (52, 64) is deposited in second storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b) belonging to another group (46, 48, 50) (46, 48, 50) and items of mail (P1 - Pn, 88) are simultaneously discharged from the first storage modules (2, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b).
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DE102007058581A DE102007058581B4 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2007-12-05 | Sorting system for flat postal items |
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EP08170826A Not-in-force EP2067536B1 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2008-12-05 | Sorting system and method for flat postal packages |
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EP (1) | EP2067536B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE496707T1 (en) |
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DE102010007741A1 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2011-08-18 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, 80333 | Method and device for sorting objects by means of temporary storage |
DE102011085458A1 (en) * | 2011-10-28 | 2013-05-02 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Sorting plant and sorting process with two storage areas |
US10722920B2 (en) * | 2017-02-21 | 2020-07-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Device and method for delivery point sorting |
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DE2742802A1 (en) | 1977-09-23 | 1979-04-05 | Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag | Flat item sorting system - has transferring sorting unit to deflect items upstream of its inlet into transport channel |
JPS6122713Y2 (en) | 1978-11-09 | 1986-07-08 | ||
JPS5670886A (en) * | 1979-11-14 | 1981-06-13 | Nippon Electric Co | Sorter |
FR2555917B1 (en) | 1983-12-02 | 1988-01-15 | Hotchkiss Brandt Sogeme | IMPROVED THROUGHPUT SORTING MACHINE |
FR2587240B1 (en) | 1985-09-18 | 1989-05-05 | Hotchkiss Brandt Sogeme | INSTALLATION FOR INDEXING FLAT OBJECTS, IN PARTICULAR FOR POSTAL MAIL |
NL8902846A (en) * | 1989-11-17 | 1991-06-17 | Nederland Ptt | BUFFER AND BUFFER SYSTEM FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE OF FLAT OBJECTS SUCH AS LETTERS. |
US5119954A (en) * | 1990-03-29 | 1992-06-09 | Bell & Howell Company | Multi-pass sorting machine |
JP2647305B2 (en) * | 1992-06-19 | 1997-08-27 | 株式会社東芝 | Paper processing equipment |
EP0613730A3 (en) | 1993-03-01 | 1995-06-28 | Philips Nv | Sorting device with a field of transport units. |
US6054666A (en) * | 1995-08-30 | 2000-04-25 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Paper sheet matter sorting apparatus and paper sheet matter sorting method |
JPH09239325A (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 1997-09-16 | Hitachi Ltd | Method for rearranging and sorting postal item delivery order and apparatus therefor |
IT1285082B1 (en) * | 1996-05-03 | 1998-06-03 | Finmeccanica Spa | ACCUMULATION DEVICE FOR POSTAL OBJECTS. |
US6124561A (en) | 1997-10-31 | 2000-09-26 | Ncr Corporation | Parallel document buffer and method of buffering documents |
DE102004056696B4 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2006-08-31 | Siemens Ag | Device for pre-sorting of occasional narrow shipments |
US8013267B2 (en) | 2005-04-07 | 2011-09-06 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Macro sorting system and method |
DE102006030096A1 (en) | 2006-06-28 | 2008-01-03 | Siemens Ag | Sorting system with memory modules for flat mail pieces with load-in / first-out operation and improved address assignment |
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US8796576B2 (en) | 2014-08-05 |
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