EP2210835B1 - Device for separating flat objects using balls - Google Patents

Device for separating flat objects using balls Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2210835B1
EP2210835B1 EP10150934A EP10150934A EP2210835B1 EP 2210835 B1 EP2210835 B1 EP 2210835B1 EP 10150934 A EP10150934 A EP 10150934A EP 10150934 A EP10150934 A EP 10150934A EP 2210835 B1 EP2210835 B1 EP 2210835B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
separator device
flexible bag
balls
mail items
flat articles
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.)
Active
Application number
EP10150934A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2210835A1 (en
Inventor
Laurent Farlotti
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Neopost Technologies SA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP2210835A1 publication Critical patent/EP2210835A1/en
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Publication of EP2210835B1 publication Critical patent/EP2210835B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
    • B65H3/52—Friction retainers acting on under or rear side of article being separated
    • B65H3/5207—Non-driven retainers, e.g. movable retainers being moved by the motion of the article
    • B65H3/523—Non-driven retainers, e.g. movable retainers being moved by the motion of the article the retainers positioned over articles separated from the bottom of the pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/04—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles substantially horizontally, e.g. for separation from top of pile
    • B65H1/06—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles substantially horizontally, e.g. for separation from top of pile for separation from bottom of pile
    • 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
    • B65H3/042—Endless-belt separators separating from the bottom of the pile
    • 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
    • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
    • B65H3/063—Rollers or like rotary separators separating from the bottom of pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/423—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile
    • B65H2301/4232—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile of horizontal or inclined articles, i.e. wherein articles support fully or in part the mass of other articles in the piles
    • B65H2301/42322—Depiling; Separating articles from a pile of horizontal or inclined articles, i.e. wherein articles support fully or in part the mass of other articles in the piles from bottom of the pile
    • 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 present invention relates to the field of mail processing and more particularly relates to a device for separating flat objects, such as mail items, used in a franking machine mail items.
  • the mail items are generally stacked with mail items of different sizes and weights and thicknesses more or less important, it is necessary to separate one by one to be able to affix a postage stamp.
  • this process of separation of mail items is very important to avoid duplicate passages that are highly detrimental because resulting in both a billing (weighing two items instead of one) of one of the two items of mail and a postage of the article below.
  • these separation devices are relatively complex with a die mechanism and springs whose adjustment is particularly difficult, especially when it comes to processing mail items at high rates, typically higher at 12,000 envelopes / hour. Indeed, it is necessary to adjust the arrangement, the angle of inclination and the pressure of the die and this regardless of the type of envelopes used, the format, thickness and weight of these envelopes. Indeed, for thin mail items, the force exerted on the die must be important to limit the number of double envelopes while it may be low for mail items of greater thickness. Now, the die being pressed against the mail piece by a compression spring to avoid these double passages, mail items of large thickness, especially those windows, may be damaged or torn.
  • the present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a device for separating flat objects such as mail items to separate one by one flat objects from a stack of flat objects and carry them downstream , characterized in that it comprises at least one flexible bag provided with balls cooperating with at least one drive member for, by its deformation during this transport downstream, separate one by one the flat objects.
  • said flexible bag has a parallelepipedal shape trapezoidal section and it may comprise several compartments.
  • Said flexible bag may be made of a technical textile material such as nylon.
  • said beads have a diameter of less than 10 mm and are made of a material chosen from one of the following: metal, glass, elastomer.
  • said drive member comprises at least one series of motorized rollers or at least one motorized belt.
  • the present invention also relates to a mailing machine mailing machine feeder comprising a mailpiece separating device as mentioned above.
  • An automatic mail supply module 12 typically comprises a feed zone formed essentially of a tray 14 for receiving a stack of mail items of different sizes and thicknesses and having first transport rollers 14A for driving these mail items downstream (and against a referencing wall 14B) at a separation zone having a separation device 16 in which these mail items are extracted one by one from the stack of mail items. Second transport rollers (not shown) are generally provided at the exit of this separation zone to convey one by one downstream the mail articles thus extracted.
  • Such an automatic feeder is for example illustrated in the European patent EP0 856 483 filed in the name of the plaintiff.
  • the device for separating mail items essentially comprises at least one flexible bag 18 provided with a plurality of balls 20 cooperating with a drive member for its deformation during this transport downstream, separate one by one the mail items.
  • the flexible bag which has a parallelepipedal shape trapezoidal section is held in position, at the horizontal plane forming the large base of the trapezium, by two suspension arms 22A, 22B extending transversely from a gantry 24. Note that this section trapezoidal allows to find the inclined shape of a conventional selection die.
  • the drive member is a simple motorized belt 26 taking almost the entire receiving surface of the mail items.
  • the lower portion of the flexible bag 18 (corresponding to the horizontal plane forming the small base of the trapezium) is in direct contact with the motorized belt.
  • the marbles are totally free of their movement within this flexible bag and their mobility allows some sort of continuous adaptation depending on the thickness of mail items.
  • these beads advantageously have a diameter of less than 10 mm and consist of a metal material, glass or elastomer of sufficient density to allow the separation of mail items.
  • the material constituting the flexible bag must have a coefficient of friction with the mail items lower than that existing between the latter and the belt 26, so as not to block the drive.
  • the bag may for example be made of a technical textile material such as nylon.
  • the transport member consists of three parallel series 28A, 28B, 28C of three motorized rollers and the flexible bag 18 is compartmentalized so that its lower part is not in direct contact with the motorized rollers and therefore subjected to friction ongoing.
  • the flexible bag comprises two compartments 18A, 18B held by three suspension arms 22A, 22B, 22C and whose lower parts each rest on the receiving surface 30 of the mail items, one between the first and second rolls of the three sets of rollers and the other between the second and third rolls of these three sets of rollers.
  • the first compartment that is in contact with the stack of mail item has a parallelepiped shape trapezoidal section while the second can have a simple rectangular section.
  • FIGS 3A and 3B show another example of compartmentalisation of the flexible bag with a drive member comprising two parallel motorized belts 32A, 32B.
  • the flexible bag comprises three compartments 18A, 18B, 18C held by four separation bars 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D arranged between the two suspension arms 22A, 22B and whose lower parts each rest on the receiving surface mail items between and on both sides motorized belts.
  • These compartments are independent of one another so as not to affect the separation power of each compartment so that the balls can not pass from one compartment to another.
  • the flexible bag not being in contact with the drive belts, wear due to permanent friction is limited.
  • the Figure 4A illustrates the separation device in its rest position before any separation.
  • the mail items 12 of different sizes and thicknesses are arranged on the motorized belt 26 and the flexible bag 22 rests on it. Note its trapezoidal section with the small base of the trapezium resting on the belt 26 and the large base of the trapezium maintained parallel by the suspension arms 22A, 22B.
  • the separation has begun and the mailpieces have advanced under the effect of the drive of the motorized belt 26, the one of the bottom having progressed the fastest because of the differential coefficients of friction existing between the belt and the articles of the conveyor belt.
  • mail As it moved, the mail item underneath deformed the flexible bag and slid underneath pushing the balls apart and facilitating separation with the next mail item.
  • the deformation of the bag is low and the movement of the balls is small while it is more important for items of greater thickness.
  • the thick articles are retained very effectively because of the high amount of energy required to move the beads. This energy takes time to be transferred from the training device to the bag, which facilitates the separation.
  • thin mail items require less energy but the separation takes place over a greater distance. And the retaining force increases with the length of the path due to the many points of contact with the balls so that these thin mail items are as well separated as the others.
  • a simple separation device compact and inexpensive because it has only very few components and especially does not require any adjustment unlike die devices of the prior art.
  • it can be implemented with different configurations of drive members, rollers or belts and the constitution of the flexible bag which may comprise one or more compartments arranged between or on these drive members is very flexible.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Cell Separators (AREA)

Abstract

The device (16) has a flexible bag (18) comprising balls (20) and co-operating with a motorized belt (26) for separating flat articles such as mailpieces (12), one-by-one by deformation of the bag while conveying the flat articles downstream. The bag has a parallelepiped shape with a trapezoid section, and includes two compartments maintained by first and second suspension arms (22A, 22B) and a third suspension arm. Each ball has a diameter less than 10 mm, where the ball is made of material e.g. metal, glass and elastomer. The flexible bag is made of a technical textile material i.e. nylon.

Description

Domaine de la techniqueField of the art

La présente invention se rapporte au domaine du traitement de courrier et elle concerne plus particulièrement un dispositif de séparation d'objets plats, tels que des articles de courrier, mis en oeuvre dans une machine à affranchir les articles de courrier.The present invention relates to the field of mail processing and more particularly relates to a device for separating flat objects, such as mail items, used in a franking machine mail items.

Art antérieurPrior art

Dans les machines à affranchir, les articles de courrier se présentent en général par pile avec des articles de courrier de formats et poids différents et d'épaisseurs plus ou moins importantes, qu'il est nécessaire de séparer un à un pour pouvoir y apposer une empreinte postale. Or, ce processus de séparation des articles de courrier est très important pour éviter les doubles passages qui sont forts préjudiciables car entraînant à la fois une sur facturation (pesée de deux articles au lieu d'un seul) de l'un des deux articles de courrier et un non affranchissement de l'article du dessous.In mailing machines, the mail items are generally stacked with mail items of different sizes and weights and thicknesses more or less important, it is necessary to separate one by one to be able to affix a postage stamp. However, this process of separation of mail items is very important to avoid duplicate passages that are highly detrimental because resulting in both a billing (weighing two items instead of one) of one of the two items of mail and a postage of the article below.

Aussi, dans les machines à affranchir actuelles, ces dispositifs de séparation sont relativement complexes avec un mécanisme à filière et ressorts dont le réglage est particulièrement délicat, notamment lorsqu'il s'agit de traiter des articles de courrier à des cadences élevées, typiquement supérieure à 12 000 enveloppes/heure. En effet, il est nécessaire de régler la disposition, l'angle d'inclinaison et la pression de la filière et cela quel que soit le type d'enveloppes utilisées, le format, l'épaisseur et le poids de ces enveloppes. En effet, pour les articles de courrier de faible épaisseur, l'effort exercé sur la filière doit être important pour limiter le nombre de doubles enveloppes alors qu'il peut être faible pour les articles de courrier de plus forte épaisseur. Or, la filière étant pressée contre l'article de courrier par un ressort de compression pour éviter ces doubles passages, les articles de courrier de forte épaisseur, et plus particulièrement ceux à fenêtres, risquent d'être endommagés ou déchirés.Also, in current franking machines, these separation devices are relatively complex with a die mechanism and springs whose adjustment is particularly difficult, especially when it comes to processing mail items at high rates, typically higher at 12,000 envelopes / hour. Indeed, it is necessary to adjust the arrangement, the angle of inclination and the pressure of the die and this regardless of the type of envelopes used, the format, thickness and weight of these envelopes. Indeed, for thin mail items, the force exerted on the die must be important to limit the number of double envelopes while it may be low for mail items of greater thickness. Now, the die being pressed against the mail piece by a compression spring to avoid these double passages, mail items of large thickness, especially those windows, may be damaged or torn.

Objet et définition de l'inventionObject and definition of the invention

La présente invention a pour but de pallier les inconvénients précités en proposant un dispositif de séparation d'objets plats tels que des articles de courrier pour séparer un à un les objets plats d'une pile d'objets plats et les transporter vers l'aval, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins un sac flexible muni de billes coopérant avec au moins un organe d'entraînement pour, par sa déformation lors de ce transport vers l'aval, séparer un à un les objets plats.The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a device for separating flat objects such as mail items to separate one by one flat objects from a stack of flat objects and carry them downstream , characterized in that it comprises at least one flexible bag provided with balls cooperating with at least one drive member for, by its deformation during this transport downstream, separate one by one the flat objects.

Par cette structure simplifiée, on obtient un effort de pression qui s'adapte continûment à l'épaisseur de ces différents objets plats. Lorsque ces objets sont des enveloppes, la qualité de séparation de ces enveloppes quelles soient fines ou épaisses est ainsi grandement améliorée.By this simplified structure, we obtain a pressure force that continuously adapts to the thickness of these different flat objects. When these objects are envelopes, the quality of separation of these envelopes which are thin or thick is thus greatly improved.

Avantageusement, ledit sac flexible présente une forme parallélépipédique à section trapézoïdale et il peut comporter plusieurs compartiments. Ledit sac flexible peut être réalisé dans un matériau textile technique tel que le nylon.Advantageously, said flexible bag has a parallelepipedal shape trapezoidal section and it may comprise several compartments. Said flexible bag may be made of a technical textile material such as nylon.

De préférence, lesdites billes présentent un diamètre inférieur à 10mm et sont réalisées en un matériau choisi parmi l'un des suivants : métal, verre, élastomère.Preferably, said beads have a diameter of less than 10 mm and are made of a material chosen from one of the following: metal, glass, elastomer.

Selon le mode de réalisation envisagé, ledit organe d'entraînement comporte au moins une série de rouleaux motorisés ou au moins une courroie motorisée.According to the embodiment envisaged, said drive member comprises at least one series of motorized rollers or at least one motorized belt.

La présente invention concerne également un alimenteur en articles de courrier pour machine à affranchir comportant un dispositif de séparation d'articles de courrier tel que précité.The present invention also relates to a mailing machine mailing machine feeder comprising a mailpiece separating device as mentioned above.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront mieux de la description suivante, faite à titre indicatif et non limitatif, en regard des dessins annexés, sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un alimenteur intégrant un dispositif de séparation d'articles de courrier selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 illustre un deuxième exemple de réalisation du dispositif de séparation d'articles de courrier pouvant être intégré à l'alimenteur de la figure 1,
  • les figures 3A et 3B sont des vues de face et de dessus d'un troisième exemple de réalisation du dispositif de séparation pouvant être intégré à l'alimenteur de la figure 1, et
  • les figures 4A et 4B sont des vues en coupe schématiques permettant d'illustrer le fonctionnement du dispositif de séparation selon l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following description, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • the figure 1 is a perspective view of a feeder incorporating a device for separating mail items according to the invention,
  • the figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the device for separating mail items that can be integrated into the feeder of the figure 1 ,
  • the Figures 3A and 3B are front and top views of a third embodiment of the separating device that can be integrated into the feeder of the figure 1 , and
  • the Figures 4A and 4B are schematic sectional views for illustrating the operation of the separation device according to the invention.

Description détaillée d'un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'inventionDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Un module 10 d'alimentation automatique en articles de courrier 12, tel que celui illustré à la figure 1, comporte classiquement une zone d'alimentation formée essentiellement d'un plateau 14 destiné à recevoir une pile d'articles de courrier de différentes tailles et épaisseurs et comportant des premiers rouleaux de transport 14A pour entraîner ces articles de courrier vers l'aval (et contre une paroi de mise en référence 14B) au niveau d'une zone de séparation comportant un dispositif de séparation 16 dans lequel ces articles de courrier sont extraits un par un de la pile d'articles de courrier. Des seconds rouleaux de transport (non représentés) sont en général prévus en sortie de cette zone de séparation pour convoyer un à un vers l'aval les articles de courrier ainsi extraits. Un tel alimenteur automatique est par exemple illustré dans le brevet européen EP0 856 483 déposée au nom de la demanderesse.An automatic mail supply module 12, such as that illustrated in FIG. figure 1 , typically comprises a feed zone formed essentially of a tray 14 for receiving a stack of mail items of different sizes and thicknesses and having first transport rollers 14A for driving these mail items downstream (and against a referencing wall 14B) at a separation zone having a separation device 16 in which these mail items are extracted one by one from the stack of mail items. Second transport rollers (not shown) are generally provided at the exit of this separation zone to convey one by one downstream the mail articles thus extracted. Such an automatic feeder is for example illustrated in the European patent EP0 856 483 filed in the name of the plaintiff.

Selon l'invention, le dispositif de séparation des articles de courrier comporte essentiellement au moins un sac flexible 18 muni d'une pluralité de billes 20 coopérant avec un organe d'entraînement pour, par sa déformation lors de ce transport vers l'aval, séparer un à un les articles de courrier. Le sac flexible qui présente une forme parallélépipédique à section trapézoïdale est maintenu en position, au niveau du plan horizontal formant la grande base du trapèze, par deux bras de suspension 22A, 22B s'étendant transversalement depuis un portique 24. On notera que cette section trapézoïdale permet de retrouver la forme inclinée d'une filière de sélection classique.According to the invention, the device for separating mail items essentially comprises at least one flexible bag 18 provided with a plurality of balls 20 cooperating with a drive member for its deformation during this transport downstream, separate one by one the mail items. The flexible bag which has a parallelepipedal shape trapezoidal section is held in position, at the horizontal plane forming the large base of the trapezium, by two suspension arms 22A, 22B extending transversely from a gantry 24. Note that this section trapezoidal allows to find the inclined shape of a conventional selection die.

Sur la figure 1, l'organe d'entraînement est une simple courroie motorisée 26 prenant la quasi-totalité de la surface de réception des articles de courrier. La partie inférieure du sac flexible 18 (correspondant au plan horizontal formant la petite base du trapèze) est en contact direct avec la courroie motorisée. Les billes sont totalement libres de leur mouvement à l'intérieur de ce sac flexible et leur mobilité permet en quelque sorte une adaptation continue en fonction de l'épaisseur des articles de courrier. Pour cela, ces billes présentent avantageusement un diamètre inférieur à 10 mm et sont constitués d'un matériau en métal, en verre ou en élastomère d'une densité suffisante pour permettre la séparation des articles de courrier. Bien entendu, le matériau constituant le sac flexible doit présenter un coefficient de friction avec les articles de courrier inférieur à celui existant entre ces derniers et la courroie 26, de façon à ne pas bloquer l'entrainement. Le sac peut par exemple être réalisé dans un matériau textile technique tel que le nylon.On the figure 1 , the drive member is a simple motorized belt 26 taking almost the entire receiving surface of the mail items. The lower portion of the flexible bag 18 (corresponding to the horizontal plane forming the small base of the trapezium) is in direct contact with the motorized belt. The marbles are totally free of their movement within this flexible bag and their mobility allows some sort of continuous adaptation depending on the thickness of mail items. For this, these beads advantageously have a diameter of less than 10 mm and consist of a metal material, glass or elastomer of sufficient density to allow the separation of mail items. Of course, the material constituting the flexible bag must have a coefficient of friction with the mail items lower than that existing between the latter and the belt 26, so as not to block the drive. The bag may for example be made of a technical textile material such as nylon.

Sur la figure 2, l'organe de transport est constitué de trois séries parallèles 28A, 28B, 28C de trois rouleaux motorisés et le sac flexible 18 est compartimenté de sorte que sa partie inférieure ne soit pas en contact direct avec les rouleaux motorisés et donc soumis à une friction continuelle. Plus particulièrement, le sac flexible comporte deux compartiments 18A, 18B maintenus par trois bras de suspension 22A, 22B, 22C et dont les parties inférieures reposent chacune sur la surface de réception 30 des articles de courrier, l'une entre les premiers et deuxièmes rouleaux des trois séries de rouleaux et l'autre entre les deuxièmes et troisièmes rouleaux de ces trois séries de rouleaux. Comme pour la configuration précédente, le premier compartiment qui est en contact avec la pile d'article de courrier présente une forme parallélépipédique à section trapézoïdale alors que le second peut présenter une simple section rectangulaire.On the figure 2 , the transport member consists of three parallel series 28A, 28B, 28C of three motorized rollers and the flexible bag 18 is compartmentalized so that its lower part is not in direct contact with the motorized rollers and therefore subjected to friction ongoing. More particularly, the flexible bag comprises two compartments 18A, 18B held by three suspension arms 22A, 22B, 22C and whose lower parts each rest on the receiving surface 30 of the mail items, one between the first and second rolls of the three sets of rollers and the other between the second and third rolls of these three sets of rollers. As for the previous configuration, the first compartment that is in contact with the stack of mail item has a parallelepiped shape trapezoidal section while the second can have a simple rectangular section.

Les figures 3A et 3B montrent un autre exemple de compartimentage du sac flexible avec un organe d'entraînement comportant deux courroies motorisées parallèles 32A, 32B. Dans cette configuration, le sac flexible comporte trois compartiments 18A, 18B, 18C maintenus par quatre barres de séparation 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D disposées entre les deux bras de suspension 22A, 22B et dont les parties inférieures reposent chacune sur la surface de réception des articles de courrier entre et de part et d'autre des courroies motorisées. Ces compartiments sont indépendants l'un de l'autre pour ne pas affecter le pouvoir de séparation de chaque compartiment de sorte que les billes ne peuvent passer d'un compartiment à l'autre. En outre, le sac flexible n'étant pas en contact avec les courroies d'entraînement, l'usure liée à un frottement permanent est limitée.The Figures 3A and 3B show another example of compartmentalisation of the flexible bag with a drive member comprising two parallel motorized belts 32A, 32B. In this configuration, the flexible bag comprises three compartments 18A, 18B, 18C held by four separation bars 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D arranged between the two suspension arms 22A, 22B and whose lower parts each rest on the receiving surface mail items between and on both sides motorized belts. These compartments are independent of one another so as not to affect the separation power of each compartment so that the balls can not pass from one compartment to another. In addition, the flexible bag not being in contact with the drive belts, wear due to permanent friction is limited.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif de séparation selon l'invention est maintenant décrit en regard des schémas simplifiés des figures 4A et 4B. Contrairement à beaucoup de dispositifs de séparation de l'art antérieur, il n'est pas nécessaire de procéder à un tri préalable des articles de courrier en fonction de leur épaisseur, en plaçant les articles de courrier d'épaisseur faible ou standard au dessus, car avec le dispositif de séparation de l'invention, la pression sur les articles de courrier n'est pas fixé au préalable par un réglage prédéterminé mais dépend du poids des billes et est indépendant de la déformation du sac flexible.The operation of the separation device according to the invention is now described with reference to the simplified diagrams of the Figures 4A and 4B . Unlike many separation devices of the prior art, it is not necessary to pre-sort mail items according to their thickness, placing mail items of low or standard thickness above, because with the separation device of the invention, the pressure on the mail items is not fixed beforehand by a predetermined setting but depends on the weight of the balls and is independent of the deformation of the flexible bag.

La figure 4A illustre le dispositif de séparation dans sa position de repos avant toute séparation. Les articles de courrier 12 de différents formats et épaisseurs sont disposés sur la courroie motorisée 26 et le sac flexible 22 repose sur lui. On note sa section trapézoïdale avec la petite base du trapèze reposant sur la courroie 26 et la grande base de ce trapèze maintenue parallèlement par les bras de suspension 22A, 22B. Sur la figure 4B, la séparation a commencé et les articles de courrier ont avancé sous l'effet de l'entrainement de la courroie motorisée 26, celui du dessous ayant progressé le plus rapidement du fait du différentiel des coefficients de friction existant entre la courroie et les articles de courrier. Dans son déplacement, l'article de courrier du dessous a déformé le sac flexible et s'est glissé en dessous repoussant les billes et facilitant ainsi la séparation avec l'article de courrier suivant.The Figure 4A illustrates the separation device in its rest position before any separation. The mail items 12 of different sizes and thicknesses are arranged on the motorized belt 26 and the flexible bag 22 rests on it. Note its trapezoidal section with the small base of the trapezium resting on the belt 26 and the large base of the trapezium maintained parallel by the suspension arms 22A, 22B. On the Figure 4B , the separation has begun and the mailpieces have advanced under the effect of the drive of the motorized belt 26, the one of the bottom having progressed the fastest because of the differential coefficients of friction existing between the belt and the articles of the conveyor belt. mail. As it moved, the mail item underneath deformed the flexible bag and slid underneath pushing the balls apart and facilitating separation with the next mail item.

En effet, pour les articles de courrier de faible épaisseur, la déformation du sac est faible et le déplacement des billes est peu important alors qu'il est plus important pour des articles de plus forte épaisseur. Toutefois, les articles de forte épaisseur sont retenus très efficacement du fait de la quantité élevée d'énergie nécessaire pour déplacer les billes. Cette énergie demande du temps pour être transférée de l'organe d'entrainement au sac, ce qui facilite la séparation. Par contre, les articles de courrier de faible épaisseur demandent moins d'énergie mais la séparation s'effectue sur une distance plus importante. Et la force de retenue augmente avec la longueur du trajet du fait des nombreux points de contact avec les billes de sorte que ces articles de courrier de faible épaisseur sont aussi bien séparés que les autres.Indeed, for thin mail items, the deformation of the bag is low and the movement of the balls is small while it is more important for items of greater thickness. However, the thick articles are retained very effectively because of the high amount of energy required to move the beads. This energy takes time to be transferred from the training device to the bag, which facilitates the separation. On the other hand, thin mail items require less energy but the separation takes place over a greater distance. And the retaining force increases with the length of the path due to the many points of contact with the balls so that these thin mail items are as well separated as the others.

Avec la présente invention, il est proposé un dispositif de séparation simple, compact et peu couteux car il ne comporte que très peu de composants et surtout ne nécessite aucun réglage au contraire des dispositifs à filière de l'art antérieur. En outre, il peut être mis en oeuvre avec différentes configurations d'organes d'entrainement, rouleaux ou courroies et la constitution du sac flexible qui peut comporter un ou plusieurs compartiments disposés entre ou sur ces organes d'entrainement est très souple.With the present invention, there is provided a simple separation device, compact and inexpensive because it has only very few components and especially does not require any adjustment unlike die devices of the prior art. In addition, it can be implemented with different configurations of drive members, rollers or belts and the constitution of the flexible bag which may comprise one or more compartments arranged between or on these drive members is very flexible.

On aura noté que si l'invention a été décrite préférentiellement en regard d'un alimenteur d'articles de courrier, il est clair que la présente invention peut trouver application dans la séparation de tout autre objet plat que des articles de courrier.It will be noted that while the invention has been described preferentially with respect to a mail piece feeder, it is clear that the present invention may find application in the separation of any other flat object than mail items.

Claims (10)

  1. A separator device for separating flat articles (12) one-by-one from a stack of flat articles and for conveying them downstream, characterized in that said separator device comprises at least one flexible bag (18; 18A, 18B, 18C) provided with a plurality of balls (20) and co-operating with a drive member (26; 28A, 28B, 28C; 32A, 32B) so that, by deforming while said flat articles are being conveyed downstream, it separates said flat articles one-by-one.
  2. A separator device according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible bag is in the shape of a block of trapezium-shaped section.
  3. A separator device according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible bag has a plurality of compartments (18A, 18B, 18C).
  4. A separator device according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible bag is made of a technical textile material such as nylon.
  5. A separator device according to claim 1, characterized in that said balls have a diameter of less than 10 mm.
  6. A separator device according to claim 5, characterized in that said balls are made of a material chosen from the following materials: metal; glass, and elastomer.
  7. A separator device according to claim 1, characterized in that said drive member comprises at least one series of motor-driven rollers (28A, 28B, 28C).
  8. A separator device according to claim 1, characterized in that said drive member comprises at least one motor-driven belt (26; 32A, 32B).
  9. A separator device according to claim 1, characterized in that said flat articles are mailpieces.
  10. A mailpiece feeder for a franking machine, comprising a mailpiece separator device according to claim 9.
EP10150934A 2009-01-22 2010-01-18 Device for separating flat objects using balls Active EP2210835B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0950377A FR2941221A1 (en) 2009-01-22 2009-01-22 DEVICE FOR SEPARATING BALLS FROM FLAT OBJECTS.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2210835A1 EP2210835A1 (en) 2010-07-28
EP2210835B1 true EP2210835B1 (en) 2011-11-23

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EP10150934A Active EP2210835B1 (en) 2009-01-22 2010-01-18 Device for separating flat objects using balls

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US (1) US8205871B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2210835B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE534598T1 (en)
FR (1) FR2941221A1 (en)

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JP7156045B2 (en) * 2019-01-11 2022-10-19 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Joint structure of steel plates for vehicles

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2701662A (en) * 1951-01-27 1955-02-08 Ernest H Woods Company Inc Envelope dispensing machine
JPS5944236B2 (en) * 1977-01-10 1984-10-27 健司 柘植 Wall-mounted holder
JP2818963B2 (en) * 1990-03-31 1998-10-30 東海ゴム工業株式会社 Rubber member for preventing double feed in paper feeder
JPH0445030A (en) * 1990-06-11 1992-02-14 Matsushita Graphic Commun Syst Inc Automatic paper feeder
DE9209615U1 (en) * 1992-07-17 1992-10-22 Mathias Baeuerle Gmbh, 7742 St Georgen, De
FR2759068B1 (en) * 1997-01-31 1999-04-23 Neopost Ind FEEDING DEVICE FOR MAIL ARTICLES
JP3715943B2 (en) * 2002-05-08 2005-11-16 キヤノン株式会社 Separating member, sheet feeding apparatus using the same, and image processing apparatus
US7303188B2 (en) * 2003-11-06 2007-12-04 James Malatesta Document separator
US7331576B2 (en) * 2004-05-03 2008-02-19 Zih Corp. Feeder device having increased media capacity and multiple media thickness feed capability and associated method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2941221A1 (en) 2010-07-23
ATE534598T1 (en) 2011-12-15
US8205871B2 (en) 2012-06-26
US20100183421A1 (en) 2010-07-22
EP2210835A1 (en) 2010-07-28

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