EP2316580B1 - Device and method for processing objects of different dimensions - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for processing flat objects of different dimensions, in particular flat mail items.

In US 5,505,440 a "culler-facer-canceller" for mailings is described. Mailings of different formats are poured onto a "feed hopper 13". A "feed conveyor 17" transports the mailpieces to a "thickness selecting unit 19". Mail items whose respective thickness is in a desired range reach a "conveyor 21". The remaining mail items arrive at a "reject unit 23". A "flats ejector 25" has a "trough conveyor 27" which erects mailpieces, these mail items being transported on the "conveyor 21". Several selectors 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d sort out mailpieces having a dimension "width" outside of a target range. An "aligning unit 33" aligns the mailpieces. The remaining mail items are transported from a "transport path 35" to a "buffer 37". A "vacuum chamber 39" in the "buffer 37" causes the mail items to leave the "buffer 37" one after the other. The mail reaches a "shingler conveyor 41". The "shingler conveyor 41" checks whether two postal items overlap during transport, for which several "length measuring sensors 99" are used. Overlapping mail items are transported back to the "flats ejector 25". Non-overlapping mail items reach a "first reader 53" and a "second reader 59", which detect franking marks on the mailpieces. A "canceling unit 63" canceled postage indicia.

In DE 1054015 A An arrangement for sorting flat mail items is described. The arrangement has a container 2 and a spirally wound conveying path 3a, on which the container 2 can be transported. Mail items of different formats are poured into the container 2 and are transported away from the conveying path 3a. Narrow mail leaves through slots 4 in the outer wall of the conveying path 3a and arrive in a conveying channel 3b. In the conveying channel 3b, postal items are erected by an inclined bottom surface. The larger mailings, z. B. packages, remain in the conveyor 3a and leave the arrangement by a tangentially expiring route 5. The narrow mail items in the conveyor channel 5b are transported to devices 6, 7, where the mail items are sorted by size and height. Smaller mail items reach the channels 8, 9, while larger mail items remain in the channel 10. The channels 5, 8, 9, 10 lead to different processing facilities. Thus, the slots 4 and the devices 6, 7 function as format separators.

In DE 19612525 A1 There is described a device which rejects too high flat objects from a stream of objects. The flat objects are transported upright in a transport channel 1, wherein several objects can partially overlap. A first extraction stage has two bands 2, which are guided obliquely upwards and a chute 5. The two bands 2 pull out too high a mail item from the transport channel 1. The non-withdrawn mail items are deflected over a deflection 4 arcuately 180 ° and transported to a merge 3. Mail items, which are pulled out from the first extraction stage, reach a secondary channel 7. On this secondary channel 7, the mailpieces reach a second extraction stage and a third extraction stage. There are mail items that are actually too large, separated from upright and entrained normal broadcasts. The normal shipments reach the merge 3.

In US 6,715,755 B2 a device is described which actively aligns a mail item at its lower edges and while the direction in which the mailpiece are transported to z. B. 90 degrees changes. Several first rollers are rotatable about axes of rotation, which lie in a vertical plane and z. B. 45 degrees are inclined to the vertical. These first rollers change the transport direction of the mail item. Several other rollers are rotatable about horizontal axes of rotation and press the mail piece on a horizontal conveyor belt.

In US 6,186,312 B1 a device is described which transports a stream of mailpieces and thereby turns the transported mail items from a lying to a standing position. For this purpose, an underfloor conveyor belt transports the mail items to a guide plate, and during further transport, the guide plate sets up the mailpieces.

In DE 10148226 C1 and DE 10038690 C1 Devices for separating flat mail items according to thickness classes are described. In DE 1774625 A A device is described which sorts sheet-shaped articles in terms of size and weight.

In the DE 10148226 C1 described device has a cascade of individual separation devices. Each stage has two conveyor belts each, which are both inclined downwards and form a V. Between these conveyor belts, a gap occurs. A mail item either falls through the gap or is transported away from the two conveyor belts of the stage.

In the DE 10038690 C1 described device is used to separate mail items according to formats, so to sift mail. This device has a rotating drum. Slats in the lateral surface of the drum define several slots. The width of the slots is changeable. Inside the drum are two membranes. Mail is prevented by the two membranes to perform a free fall through the entire drum.

In DE 19612525 C2 and DE 102004037420 B3 Transport channels for transporting mailpieces are described.

The invention has for its object to provide an arrangement and a method for transporting flat objects to a plurality of parallel processing devices, in which each processing device can process each objects of a class format and it is ensured that each item arrives at the appropriate processing device without a Format-separating device for the screening of objects by means of slots o. Ä. Is required.

The object is achieved by an arrangement having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

The solution according to the invention can produce flat objects, e.g. flat mail, paper sheets, banknotes or cards with data storage to separate. Each flat object extends in an object plane.

There are at least two format classes for the objects. Every object belongs to a format class on its own because of a physical property.

• eine Fördereinrichtung,
• eine Vereinzelungsvorrichtung,
• eine Format-Trenneinrichtung und
• pro vorgegebener Formatklasse jeweils mindestens eine Verarbeitungseinrichtung.

The arrangement comprises:

• a conveyor,
• a separating device,
• a format separator and
• at least one processing device per given format class.

Each class format processor is capable of processing flat objects of this format class.

The arrangement is capable of transporting articles which are to be processed and which have been poured onto the conveyor along a conveying path to the separating device and from the separating device to the format separating device. This conveyor track may comprise straight or curved sections. Seen in the respective transport direction, in which the objects are transported via the conveyor track, the separating device is located upstream of the format separating device.

The separating device is able to separate and transport flat objects. By separating a stream is generated with a sequence of spaced-apart objects, which leaves the separating device. Seen perpendicular to the transport direction, in which the objects are transported away from the separating device, two objects do not overlap after separation. Rather, a gap always occurs between two successive objects of the sequence.

The arrangement is capable of transporting separated objects from the separating device to the format separating device.

The format separator may divide flat objects into item classes depending on their dimensions such that all items of an item set belong to the same format class.

The arrangement is capable of transporting all articles of an article quantity as a stream of upright, mutually spaced objects to at least one processing device. This processing device is designed for processing objects of this format class.

The processing device is able to process the objects transported to it.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to process articles of both format classes. For each format class, a processing device is provided in each case. This embodiment avoids the need to sort out articles of a format class, so that these sorted objects can not be processed at all.

According to the solution, objects are initially separated so that a stream of objects spaced apart from one another, which can belong to different format classes, leaves the separating device in a random order. The objects are first separated and separated only after the separation according to the at least two format classes. Separating already isolated objects is easier and less prone to jams than format separation with a drum or similar elements. The danger is reduced that an item will be damaged during format separation.

Because the articles are separated after singulation, better methods of measuring the articles can be used than with prior art devices. Such surveying is required to determine which format class an item belongs to. Again, this format class determination is required to transport each item to a suitable processing facility. For example, an object can be measured by generating and evaluating an image of the object. Or the object is measured by means of light barriers. For still overlapping objects, such a survey would be difficult and error-prone.

Furthermore, an object can be weighed after separation. This allows the articles to be additionally divided depending on the weight on the at least two processing devices.

Preferably, the articles are transported permanently collected after separation. This makes it possible at any time to determine the current location of each item, for which the transport speed is determined, which achieves a conveyor of the device. If necessary, the permanently gripped object can be turned or turned around.

Preferably, the arrangement additionally comprises a straightening device. This erecting device is arranged upstream of the separating device. The conveyor is capable of transporting flat objects which have been dumped onto the conveyor to the erecting device. The erecting device is capable of transporting flat objects which have been transported to the erecting device and thereby erecting them so that the flat objects stand on one edge after erecting each.

This embodiment makes it possible to transport exclusively upright objects to the separating device and to separate the separating device of erected objects. The items to be separated stand on one edge each. As a result, gravity already causes the objects to be aligned at their lower edges. This facilitates the singulation. This effect is achieved thanks to the erecting device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the erector performs a mitstrom-setting up of the objects. Preferably, the erecting device has only an underfloor conveyor belt as a single moving part and otherwise stationary components. This leads to low wear, low energy consumption and low maintenance requirements.

In one embodiment, an alignment device is disposed downstream of the erecting device and upstream of the singulating device. This alignment device aligns the flat objects on an edge, e.g. B. on the longest edge. The aligned objects reach the separating device. This embodiment improves the separation because the objects which reach the separating device are not only erected but additionally aligned objects.

Preferably, the format separator comprises a feed transport path, a switch, and one pathway transport path for each subsequent processing device. This embodiment causes a lower mechanical load than a format-separating device with a drum or with slots. It also makes it possible to transport the objects permanently clamped and thus determine the respective location of each item. An already generated distance between the objects is retained. A sequence of objects is preserved. This configuration and these effects are made possible because the format separator is located downstream of the singulator.

In one embodiment, the separating device comprises at least two separating singers operating in parallel. A stream of articles reaching the singulation device is split into a single stream per singler. This division can be z. B. so that each individual stream contains the same number of items, eg. B. in two parallel singlers the first, the third, the fifth, etc. object in the first single stream and the second, fourth, sixth, etc. object is passed into the second single stream. The parallel processing by two parallel separators increases the throughput. It is not necessary to separate the objects according to format classes before the objects reach the separating device.

Figur 1

eine Ausführungsform der Aufrichtvorrichtung mit einem "Wasserfall" in Seitenansicht;

Figur 2

eine Ausführungsform der Aufrichtvorrichtung mit zwei Aufrichtstufen und je einem Aufrichtblech pro Aufrichtstufe in Seitenansicht;

Figur 3

die Ausführungsform von Figur 2 in einer Ansicht von vorne;

Figur 4

eine Ausführungsform der Aufrichtvorrichtung mit zwei Aufrichtstufen und jeweils einem Aufricht-Förderband pro Aufrichtstufe in Seitenansicht;

Figur 5

eine Ausführungsform der Aufrichtvorrichtung mit einem in sich gebogenen Förderband;

Figur 6

den Wasserfall von Figur 1 und einen Transportkanal in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Figur 7

die Ausführungsform von Figur 6 mit einem zusätzlichen Trennblech;

Figur 8

eine Ausgestaltung der Ausrichtvorrichtung;

Figur 9

einen Vereinzeler mit einem Transportelement und einem Rückhalteelement in Draufsicht;

Figur 10

schematisch die gesamte Vorrichtung in der Ausführungsform mit den Aufrichtstufen in Draufsicht;

Figur 11

schematisch die gesamte Vorrichtung in der Ausführungsform mit dem Wasserfall in Draufsicht.

In the following the invention will be described with reference to an embodiment. Showing:

FIG. 1

an embodiment of the erector with a "waterfall" in side view;

FIG. 2

an embodiment of the erector with two Aufrichtstufen and one Aufrichtblech per Aufrichtstufe in side view;

FIG. 3

the embodiment of FIG. 2 in a view from the front;

FIG. 4

an embodiment of the erecting device with two Aufrichtstufen and one Aufricht conveyor belt per Aufrichtstufe in side view;

FIG. 5

an embodiment of the erector with a curved conveyor belt;

FIG. 6

the waterfall of FIG. 1 and a transport channel in perspective view;

FIG. 7

the embodiment of FIG. 6 with an additional separating plate;

FIG. 8

an embodiment of the alignment device;

FIG. 9

a separator with a transport element and a retaining element in plan view;

FIG. 10

schematically the entire device in the embodiment with the Aufrichtstufen in plan view;

FIG. 11

schematically the entire device in the embodiment with the waterfall in plan view.

In the exemplary embodiment, the solution according to the device and the method according to the solution are used to process flat mail (standard letters, large letters, postcards, catalogs, ...).

The mailpieces are processed by a sorting system with the aim of sorting the mailpieces depending on their respective delivery address. For this purpose, it is necessary to decipher the delivery address of each mail item and to eject the mail item as a function of the delivery address into a sorting end point of the sorting system. The solution according to the device of the embodiment is used to separate the mail items to align and orient that these subsequent steps can be performed.

At the beginning of processing, the flat objects are poured onto an endless conveyor belt of a feeder. This endless conveyor belt is hereinafter referred to as "feed conveyor belt". The feed conveyor is guided around at least two rollers. The rollers are mounted on horizontal shafts. At least one shaft is rotated, whereby the feed conveyor belt rotates in a transport direction. As a result, the feed conveyor belt can transport objects in a horizontal conveying plane in this transport direction. The other roles are designed as rollers.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of the page. Shown are the feed conveyor belt 20, which is guided around the two rollers R1 and R2, an inclined conveyor belt 1 and a transport channel Tk. The feed conveyor belt 20 transports mail items in the transport direction T.

The flat mail pieces, which lie in a random arrangement on the feed conveyor 20, are transported to a sorting station AS. In this sorting station AS those items are sorted out of the stream of mail that can not be processed by machine. In the embodiment, the articles are sorted out by being taken from the feed conveyor 20. This sorting can be done by a worker or an automatic handling machine.

• Gegenstände, die keine Postsendungen sind und trotzdem auf das Zuführ-Förderband gelangen, z. B. weil sie in einen Briefkasten geworfen wurden,
• beschädigte Postsendungen und
• Postsendungen, die aufgrund ihrer Abmessungen von den vorhandenen Verarbeitungseinrichtungen nicht maschinell verarbeitbar sind.

Among the items to be sorted belong

• Items that are not mail and yet arrive on the feed conveyor, z. Because they were thrown into a mailbox,
• damaged mailpieces and
• Mail items which, due to their dimensions, can not be processed by the existing processing devices.

All other mail items transported the feed conveyor 20 to a righting device AV. The erecting device AV transports the mailpieces in a transport direction T and effects co-current placement in the embodiments described below.

In one embodiment, this erecting device AV comprises a plurality of erecting stages, which are connected in series. Each erecting step comprises one surface each. Each surface of a Aufrichtstufe is inclined about a horizontal axis of rotation. This horizontal axis of rotation runs parallel to the transport direction. Each surface is inclined to the horizontal such that the inclination angle of the surface of a erecting step is greater than the inclination angle of the preceding surface.

The mailpieces are transported one after the other over these areas of the erection stages. Because of the increasing angles of inclination of the surfaces, the transport through the cascade of the areas of the series erecting stages causes the mail items to be erected in stages.

In one embodiment, each erecting step additionally has a stop edge located at the lower end of the sloping inclined surface. The mail slides down the sloping surface and abuts with one edge against the stop edge.

In another embodiment, below the erecting device is an underfloor conveyor belt with a horizontal Conveying plane. The mail slips down the surface of each erecting stage and abuts with its respective lower edge on the underfloor conveyor belt. The underfloor conveyor transports the mail items from erecting stage to erecting stage.

The erecting stages are arranged relative to one another in such a way that each mail item can be transported in the transport direction from erecting stage to erecting stage without being hindered by a surface on the further transport. In one embodiment, the erecting steps are arranged such that two successive surfaces of the erecting steps partially overlap. In another embodiment, two consecutive surfaces do not overlap.

In one embodiment, the surfaces of stationary sheets are formed, and the mail items are passively placed by means of these sheets. The mailpieces are first transported by the infeed conveyor 20 and the underfloor conveyor 14, as well as by the kinetic energy that the infeed conveyor belt carries with the mailpieces. This embodiment requires the least amount of equipment. Because the underfloor conveyor 14 is the only element of the erecting device AV that is being moved, the wear and maintenance and power consumption are very low.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show an example of an embodiment with two Aufrichtstufen St.1, St.2 and one stationary sheet metal per Aufrichtstufe. Below the two erection stages St.1, St.2 is a horizontal underfloor conveyor belt 14, which is guided around two rollers R5, R6 around. The mail items are first transported over the first Aufrichtstufe St.1 and then on the second Aufrichtstufe St.2 away. The first erecting stage St.1 has a stationary metal sheet 10.1. The second Aufrichtstufe St.2 has a stationary sheet metal 10.2. Seen in the viewing direction of FIG. 3 , which is perpendicular to the transport direction T, is the sheet 10.1 in front of the sheet 10.2. The mail slip over the sheets 10.1, 10.2 on the underfloor conveyor belt 14. The transport direction T is perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3 ,

In an alternative embodiment, the surfaces of Aufrichtstufen St.1, St.2 are also formed by driven endless conveyor belts, of one endless conveyor belt per Aufrichtstufe. Each endless conveyor belt is guided around two rollers, which sit on two opposite to the horizontal inclined and parallel waves. The conveyor belts of the erection stages are called "erection conveyor belts".

FIG. 4 shows an example of this alternative embodiment, also with two Aufrichtstufen St.1, St.2. The first Aufrichtstufe St.1 has an obliquely arranged Aufricht conveyor belt 11.1, the second Aufrichtstufe St.2 an obliquely arranged Aufricht conveyor belt 11.2. The erecting conveyor belts 11.1, 11.2 adjoin one another so that mailpieces pass from the conveyor belt 11.1 to the subsequent conveyor belt 11.2.

In another embodiment, the righting device AV has a self-erecting conveyor belt, preferably in place of the erection steps St1, St.2. This turned erecting conveyor is also an endless conveyor belt, which is guided around two rollers. The two rollers sit on one shaft each. The shaft which adjoins the feeder is mounted horizontally. The other shaft, which adjoins the subsequent separating device, is arranged vertically. As a result, the righting conveyor belt is turned inside.

FIG. 5 shows this embodiment of the page. Shown are the feed conveyor belt 20, the underfloor conveyor belt 14 and the twisted upright conveyor belt 15. The underfloor conveyor belt 14 begins - seen in the transport direction T - behind the center of the Aufricht conveyor belt 15. The Aufricht conveyor belt 15th is around the horizontal roll R7 and around led the vertical roller R8 around. Preferably, the vertical roller R8 is driven, and the horizontal roller R7 is applied as a roller.

In a further embodiment, the erecting device AV comprises a horizontal or preferably oblique endless conveyor belt and a so-called waterfall. FIG. 1 shows this oblique endless conveyor belt. 1

The oblique endless conveyor belt 1 adjoins the feed conveyor belt 20. The oblique endless conveyor belt 1 transports mail items lying on the inclined conveyor belt 1 obliquely upwards on an inclined path. The oblique endless conveyor belt 1 is guided around an upper roller R3 and around a lower roller R4. This upper roller R3 sits on a horizontal and preferably driven shaft. The mail items lying on the oblique endless conveyor belt 1 are guided around the upper roller R3 and fall down an edge 4 of the waterfall.

In the exemplary embodiment, the mail items subsequently pass through a U-shaped transport channel Tk with two side walls 4, 5 and a further underfloor conveyor belt 6 as the bottom. This applies both when the erecting device has several erecting steps, and also when the erecting device comprises a waterfall.

This underfloor conveyor belt 6 may be the same as the underfloor conveyor belt 14 of the erecting device, i. H. the underfloor conveyor belt 6 = 14 extends over the entire length of the erecting device AV and the transport channel Tk. Of course, this continuous underfloor conveyor belt 6 = 14 can only be used if the erecting device AV and the transport channel Tk transport mailpieces in the same transport direction T. ,

In another embodiment, the erecting device AV and the transport channel Tk each have their own underfloor conveyor belt 14 and 6, respectively.

Preferably, the distance between the side walls 4, 5 of the transport channel Tk is so large that mail does not jam during transport and loosely abut each side wall 4, 5. This embodiment eliminates the need to provide the side walls 4, 5 also with a conveyor. In addition, this embodiment causes the mail items to be aligned at their lower edges. The U-shaped transport channel Tk transports the erected mailpieces. This applies both in the embodiment with the erection stages and in the embodiment with the waterfall. Because gravity pushes the mail on the horizontal underfloor conveyor belt. 6

In the embodiment with the erection stages St1, St.2, which have inclined surfaces, the feed conveyor belt 20, the Aufrichtstufen St.1, St.2 and the transport channel Tk are preferably arranged in a line one behind the other, so that the feed conveyor belt 20, the erecting St.1, St.2 and the transport channel Tk transport the mail items all in the same direction of transport T.

In the embodiment with the waterfall (edge 4), the transport channel Tk, on the other hand, transports the mail items in a transport direction T2 which is perpendicular to the transport direction T1 in which the oblique endless conveyor belt 1 transports the mail items up the inclined path. This transport direction T2 is perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 and perpendicular to the transport direction T of the erecting device AV.

The mail items fall down the edge 4 onto the underfloor conveyor belt 3 of the transport channel Tk and are transported away from the underfloor conveyor belt 3 in a transport direction T2 parallel to the object planes. The distance between the side walls 4, 5 of the transport channel Tk is smaller than the smallest dimension of a mail item in the object plane. This avoids that a mail piece lies flat on the underfloor conveyor belt 6 of the transport channel Tk and is no longer upright.

FIG. 6 shows schematically and in a perspective view of the waterfall with the edge 4, the other side wall 5 and the underfloor conveyor belt 6. Three mail items Ps3, Ps4, Ps5 just fall down the edge 4. Two further mail items Ps1, Ps2 are being transported straight from the oblique endless conveyor belt 1 in the transport direction T1 up the inclined path. The underfloor conveyor belt 6 of the transport channel Tk transports straight three mail items Ps6, Ps7, Ps8 in the transport direction T2. The side walls 4, 5 of the transport channel Tk are formed by stationary, bent sheets with smooth surfaces.

Each mail item is standing on an edge after straightening and is oriented approximately vertically. However, this edge may be a longitudinal edge or a transverse edge. Typically, a mail piece is rectangular but not square, and therefore has two left edges and two transverse edges shorter than the longitudinal edges. However, it is desired that all mail items are on their longitudinal edges before the mailpieces reach the following separating device VV. Therefore, each erected mail item now passes through an alignment device AusV, which rotates a mail piece when it stands on a transverse edge, so that the mail item after rotation stands on a longitudinal edge, while the alignment device AusV leaves a mail item already standing on the longitudinal edge in this position. The rotation is a rotation about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the object plane.

In one embodiment, the alignment device AusV has a Rüttelstrecke over which the mail items are routed. This vibrating section has several parallel rollers with eccentric elements. The mail items are guided over these rollers and at the same time supported laterally, whereby the upright standing mailpieces are rotated.

Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of the alignment AusV.

In this other embodiment, the AusVers AusV has a downhill sloping endless conveyor belt Fb-ab and an upwardly leading endless conveyor belt Fb-on. The downhill conveyor belt Fb-ab is arranged obliquely above and upstream of the upwardly conveying conveyor Fb-on that occurs between the downhill conveyor belt Fb-down and the upwardly conveying conveyor Fb-on a step St. The sloping conveyor belt Fb-ab preferably has a tilt angle of 20 degrees, the upwardly leading conveyor belt a smaller angle of inclination.

Each mail item first passes through the downhill conveyor belt Fb-ab, then drops down the step St and is subsequently transported by the upwardly leading conveyor belt Fb-up. In the transition from the downhill conveyor belt Fb-down to the upwardly leading conveyor belt Fb-on, the mail piece gets a jolt and endeavors to get into a position of minimal entropy. But this is just the position on the longitudinal edge. Again, it is prevented that a mail item tilts laterally.

In the exemplary embodiment, the mailpieces then reach a buffer device PE. This buffer device PE causes a uniform supply of mail to the subsequent separation device VV. Preferably, the buffer device PE is also designed as a transport channel with an underfloor conveyor belt.

Predetermined are a minimum and a maximum delivery rate of mail items to the separating device VV. The buffer device PE has a supply measuring device. This supply-measuring device measures at predetermined measuring times a parameter that depends on the actual supply rate of mail to the buffer device PE. For example, the measuring device measures the thickness of the mail piece or the total thickness of a plurality of overlapping mailpieces that reach the buffer device PE at each measuring time. For example, the stream of upright mailpieces directs a roll or a moveable sidewall perpendicular to the transport direction T off. The further this roll or movable side wall is deflected, the thicker is the stack of mail items that is being transported into the buffer device PE. The time course of this deflection is a measure of the supply rate in the buffer device PE.

Or the supply measuring device has a camera and evaluates an image of the mailpieces supplied in order to count how many mail items are just reaching the buffer device PE at the time of measurement.

The minimum feed rate sets a lower bound for the measured value of this parameter. The maximum feed rate defines an upper bound accordingly. If the feed meter measures a parameter value that is above the upper bound, then the supply of additional mail to the buffer PE is reduced, e.g. B. by the conveying speed of the underfloor conveyor belt 14 of the transport channel Tk is reduced, which reduces the feed rate. If the feed meter measures a parameter value that is below the lower bound, the feed rate is increased accordingly. The just described regulation of the supply of mail to the buffer device PE causes the supply rate of mail to the separating device VV always lies between the lower and the upper barrier.

This is also achieved by measuring the feed-measuring device at the input of the buffer device, and the mailpieces are then transported through the buffer device PE and along a further transport path before they reach the separating device VV, which still requires time.

The mail items now reach upright standing the separating device VV, in the embodiment by the mail items are transported in a transport direction parallel to their subject levels. The singulator VV generates a stream of upright and spaced mailpieces. In one embodiment, the same gap occurs between in each case two successive mailpieces, even with varying lengths of the mailpieces. This stream of mail leaves the separating device.

• ein angetriebenes Transportelement,
• ein nicht angetriebenes Rückhalteelement und
• ein angetriebenes Vorziehelement.

The separating device VV comprises at least one separator. In the embodiment, the or each singler has

• a powered transport element,
• a non-driven retaining element and
• a powered puller.

The transport element has z. B. several stacked endless conveyor belts, which are guided around several vertical rollers around. The retaining element has z. B. several superimposed retention components. The transport element moves at a relative speed relative to the retaining element, for. B. because the retaining element consists only of stationary components. The frictional force between the transport element and a mail item is greater than the frictional force between the retaining element and the mail item, and this frictional force in turn is greater than the frictional force between a plurality of mutually adhering mailpieces. As a result, the transport element and the retaining element cause two overlapping mailpieces to be pulled apart.

Preferably, a suction chamber sucks in air and generates a negative pressure. This negative pressure sucks mail items to the transport element and increases the frictional force.

The Vorziehelement consists z. B. from two driven transport rollers that rotate in the opposite direction and at the same speed. As soon as the front edge of a mail item reaches the pre-drawing element, the pre-drawing element detects the mail item, for example by the transport rollers gripping the mail item between them. The transport element and the retaining element are or are stopped and hold back another mail item that partially overlaps with the first mailpiece. The drawing element pulls the leading mail item out of the gap between the transport element and the retaining element. Once this process is completed and the trailing edge has passed the puller, the transport element is restarted. The separator therefore works in a start-stop mode.

• das Transportelement 29, das mehrere senkrecht übereinander angeordnete Endlos-Förderbänder umfasst,
• drei Rollen 30, 31, 32, um welche die Endlos-Förderbänder des Transportelements 29 herum geführt sind,
• ein Antriebsmotor 16 für die Rolle 32,
• ein Vorziehelement 3 mit zwei Transportrollen 3.1, 3.2,
• eine Saugkammer 30,
• ein ortsfestes Rückhalteelement 2 und
• zwei Druckfedern 28.1, 28.2, die das Rückhalteelement 2 auf das Transportelement 29 zu drücken.

FIG. 9 shows schematically in plan view a separator of the separating device VV. Are shown

• the transport element 29, which comprises a plurality of vertically arranged endless conveyor belts,
• three rollers 30, 31, 32 around which the endless conveyor belts of the transport element 29 are guided,
• a drive motor 16 for the roller 32,
• a pre-drawing element 3 with two transport rollers 3.1, 3.2,
• a suction chamber 30,
• a stationary retaining element 2 and
• two compression springs 28.1, 28.2, which press the retaining element 2 onto the transport element 29.

The roller 32 is driven. The other two rollers 30, 31 are designed as rollers.

In one embodiment, the separating device VV has two singers connected in series. The subsequent second singler singles those mail items that the previous first singler did not singulate.

For example, the second separator has a double-deduction detection device that checks whether an object that is transported through the second separator consists of a single item of mail or of several overlapping items of mail. The following second Separator works preferably only in the start-stop operation, when the double deduction detection device has detected in the second separator several objects that partially overlap.

In another embodiment, the separating device VV has two singers connected in parallel. The two parallel singler are preferably of similar construction, and each singler is able to singulate the same at least two format classes. By using two parallel singler, the throughput is doubled by the singulator VV. It is not necessary to separate the mailpieces according to their formats before the mailpieces reach the parallel singler. Each separator leaves a stream of upright and spaced mailpieces.

By connecting two similar separators in parallel, twice the throughput can be achieved with a single separator.

So that the two separator can work in parallel, the stream of mail, which is transported upright to the separating device VV, decomposed into two streams, which are transported in parallel to each one singler. In one embodiment, a separating element in the form of a guide plate is located in the transport channel Tk. This separator breaks the stream of mail into two streams. The separating element is arranged so that the separating element divides the falling mailpieces into two streams with approximately the same number of mailpieces.

In the embodiment with the waterfall (edge 4), the separating element is preferably located at the point in the transport channel Tk at which the mail falls down the edge 4 and impinges on the underfloor conveyor belt 6. The separator decomposes the stream of falling mail into two parallel streams. Not required, already on this place to separate the mail items according to their formats.

In FIG. 7 For example, a transport channel Tk with such a dividing partition 12 is shown. Each mail item ends up falling down either between the side wall 4 and the partition wall 12 or between the side wall 5 and the partition wall 12.

The stream of spaced mailpieces is transported to a format measuring device FM. This format measuring device FM approximately measures the dimension of each mail item. Because the format measuring device is arranged downstream of the separating device VV, individual mailpieces reach the format measuring device FM. As a result, the measurement of the mail items becomes much simpler and less error prone than if the format measuring device FM were arranged in front of the separating device VV.

In one embodiment, the format measuring device FM comprises two cameras. The one camera generates at least a first image of a mail item from a first imaging direction. This first imaging direction is perpendicular to the object plane of the mail item, that is also perpendicular to the transport direction T, in which the mailpiece is transported. By evaluating this first image, the length and height of this mailpiece are measured. The other camera generates at least a second image of the mail item from a second imaging direction, which is perpendicular to the first imaging direction and in the transport direction T and lies in the object plane. By evaluating this second image, the thickness of the mail piece is measured.

An underfloor conveyor belt of the format measuring device FM transports the mail past the cameras. Side walls support the erected mailpieces. It is also possible that in each case two endless conveyor belts pinch a mail item temporarily between them.

Another embodiment saves the first camera which generates images from an imaging direction perpendicular to the transport direction T. The length and the height of each mail item are measured by means of light barriers. Each photocell has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits a light beam, which either hits the receiver or is interrupted by a mail item, because the mail item is located between transmitter and receiver.

Preferably, a plurality of light barriers are mounted one above the other. Each upright transported postal item interrupts at least the light beam of the lowermost photocell. The transport speed of the mail item is regulated or measured and is thus known. It is also measured how long a mail item interrupts the light beam from the lowermost light barrier. The product of the transport speed and the measured duration of the interruption provides the length of the mailpiece. The height of the item of mail lies between the height at which the highest still-interrupted photocell is located and the height at which the lowest uninterrupted photocell is located. The light barriers are arranged so that the height ranges which can be distinguished are sufficient to determine the respective format class of the mail item.

There are at least two format classes, eg. For example, the format class of the standard letters (eg up to DIN C5 or "US letters") and the format class of the large letters (eg greater than DIN C5 or "US flats"). An evaluation and control unit evaluates the at least two images of each mail item and automatically decides, depending on the measured dimensions, which format class each mail item belongs to.

The separated and measured mail items are transported to a branching device Verzw. This branching device Verzw functions in the embodiment together with the format measuring device FM as the format separating device.

In this branching device Verzw the U-shaped transport channel Tk opens. For at least one transport path from the branching device Verzw performs per given format class. Because the branching device distributes occasional mail to different formats, it can be realized by a simpler structure than if it were not required to separate individual mailpieces according to formats. The risk is less that a jam occurs due to jammed mail.

In the exemplary embodiment, the mail items are transported without slip from the separating device VV to the branching device Verzw. For example, each clamp two endless conveyor belts a piece of mail temporarily between them. These two endless conveyor belts ("cover bands", "pinch belts") are guided around several rollers. These rollers sit on vertical shafts, of which preferably exactly one shaft per endless conveyor belt is driven. Because no slippage occurs and because the transport speed with which the mail item is transported to the branching device is measured or controlled, the evaluation and control unit "knows" when that mail item reaches which point in the branching device Verzw.

The branching device Verzw has several points. The evaluation and control unit controls the switches so that each mail item is routed in the transport path which is assigned to the format class of this mail item. For example, a main transport path through the branching device forces and assigns the format class for standard letters. For each other format class a transport path is ever provided, which branches off in a switch from the main transport path.

• Die Postsendungen werden aufgestellt, wozu der Schritt gehört, die Postsendungen so zu orientieren, dass die Oberflächen mit den Zustelladressen alle zur selben Seite zeigen und die Zustelladressen aufrecht stehend gezeigt werden.
• Freimachungsvermerke auf den Postsendungen werden analysiert und entwertet.
• Die Postsendungen werden gewogen.
• Mindestens ein Abbild von der Postsendung wird dergestalt erzeugt, dass das Abbild eine hohe Auflösung aufweist und eine Zustelladresse zeigt. Die Postsendung ist mit dieser Zustelladresse versehen und soll an diese Zustelladresse transportiert werden.

The transport path for a format class transports the mailpieces of this format class upright and at a distance from each other to a processing device. This processing device is able to process mailpieces of this format class. For example, this processing device performs at least some of the following steps through:

• The mailpieces are set up, including the step of orienting the mailpieces so that the surfaces with the delivery addresses all point to the same page and the delivery addresses are shown standing upright.
• Postage indicia on the postal items are analyzed and canceled.
• The mailpieces are weighed.
• At least one image of the mailpiece is generated such that the image has a high resolution and displays a delivery address. The mailpiece is provided with this delivery address and should be transported to this delivery address.

• Die jeweilige Zustelladresse auf den Postsendungen wird entziffert. Hierfür wird das Abbild ausgewertet, indem der Bereich mit der Zustelladresse ("region of interest") ermittelt und die Zustelladresse entziffert wird. Das Ergebnis der Entzifferung wird automatisch mit Einträgen in einer Adress-Datenbank verglichen, in welcher gültige Zustelladressen abgespeichert sind.
• Gesucht wird nach Vorausverfügungen ("endorsements") und Zustellervermerke auf den Postsendungen, und ggf. werden diese ausgewertet.
• Eine Sortierinformation wird auf die Postsendung gedruckt, z. B. in Form eines Strichmusters.
• Abhängig von der Sortierinformation wird die Postsendung in eine Sortierendstelle ausgeschleust. Beispielsweise wird in jeder Sortierendstelle jeweils ein Stapel von Postsendungen erzeugt.

Preferably, two computer-analyzable images are generated from two sides of the upright postal item. By evaluating the images, it is decided on which side of the mailpiece the delivery address is located and whether the delivery address is shown standing upright or upside down. If necessary, the mail item is rotated with a twisted conveyor belt and / or a "head station". Such a "head station" is for example off DE 431 5053 C2 as well as out DE 434 5160 C2 known.

• The respective delivery address on the mailpieces is deciphered. For this purpose, the image is evaluated by determining the area with the delivery address ("region of interest") and deciphering the delivery address. The result of the decipherment is automatically compared with entries in an address database in which valid delivery addresses are stored.
• We are looking for advance orders ("endorsements") and delivery notes on the postal items, and if necessary, these will be evaluated.
• Sorting information is printed on the mailpiece, e.g. B. in the form of a bar pattern.
• Depending on the sorting information, the mail item is ejected into a sorting end location. For example, a stack of mail items is generated in each sorting end.

In the exemplary embodiment, two format classes are distinguished. Therefore, there are a standard letter processing unit VE-S and a large-size-mail processing unit VE-G.

So far, the embodiment has been described that the mail items are divided into the format classes immediately after the singulation. Other configurations can also be realized.

In one embodiment, the separated mailpieces are initially oriented. From each side of the upright postal item, a computer-analyzable image is made in each case. By evaluating the two images, it is decided on which side the delivery address is located and whether the delivery address is shown standing upright or upside down. Subsequently, a high-resolution camera generates an image of each mail item which shows the upright delivery address. The camera is designed in such a way that the camera can produce an image of the delivery address of each mail item, irrespective of the format class the item of mail belongs to.

The configuration of the further processing devices depends on which processing device is located upstream and which processing device downstream of the format separator FM, Verzw. For example, a scale only weighs large letters, so it is arranged after the format separator FM, Verzw. For example, those printers that invalidate indicia and print sorting information are placed in front of the format separator.

In another embodiment, only standard letters are automatically sorted, large letters, however, sorted by hand. The camera only needs to be designed to produce a high resolution image of each standard letter. The camera and other processing means are located upstream of the format separator. The scattered, erected and aligned large letters, on the other hand, are routed directly to special sorting centers.

FIG. 10 shows schematically all the components of the device according to the invention in the embodiment with the erection stages. FIG. 11 shows schematically all components of the variant with the waterfall.

• eine Kamera K der Format-Messeinrichtung FM,
• eine Weiche W der Verzweigungseinrichtung Verzw,
• ein Zuführ-Transportpfad Z-Tpf,
• ein Wegführ-Transportpfad Tpf-S, der zu der Verarbeitungseinrichtung VE-S für Standardbriefe führt, und
• ein weiterer Wegführ-Transportpfad Tpf-G, der zu der Verarbeitungseinrichtung VE-G für Großbriefe führt.

The reference numerals in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 agree with the reference numerals in the preceding figures. Furthermore, in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 shown:

• a camera K of the format measuring device FM,
• a diverter W of the branching device Verzw,
• a feed transport path Z-Tpf,
• a routing transport path Tpf-S leading to the standard letter processing unit VE-S, and
• another routing transport path Tpf-G, which leads to the processing device VE-G for large letters.

The switch W is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis D-W.

The mailpieces are transported from the feed transport path Z-Tpf to the switch W. The switch W redirects each mail item either into the transport path Tpf-S or into the transport path Tpf-G. The transport path Tpf-S transports a mail item to the processing unit VE-S for standard letters. The transport path Tpf-G transports a mail item to the processing unit VE-G for large letters. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS reference numeral importance 1 oblique endless conveyor belt 2 stationary retaining element 3 Pulling element with transport rollers 3.1, 3.2 4, 5 Side walls of the transport channel Tk 6 Underfloor conveyor belt of transport channel Tk 10.1, 10.2 Stationary sheets of erecting stages St.1, St.2 11.1, 11.2 Raising conveyor belts of the Aufrichtstufen St.2, St.2 12 partition wall 14 Underfloor conveyor belt 15 Underfloor conveyor belt of the buffer device PE 16 movable side wall of the buffer device PE, belongs to the supply measuring device 20 Feed conveyor 28.1, 28.2 Compression springs of the retaining element 2 29 Transport element of the singler 30, 31, 32 Rolls around which the transport element is guided 33 suction chamber AS sorting station AusV alignment AV erecting DW Rotary axis about which the switch W is pivotally mounted Fb-down Descender AV Downward Continuous Conveyor Belt Fb-on Upward leading endless conveyor belt AV FM Format-measuring device PE buffer means R1, R2 Rolls around which the feed conveyor 20 is guided around R3, R4 Rolls around which the inclined conveyor belt 1 is guided around R7, R8 Rolls around which the Aufrichtförderband 15 is guided around R9, R10 Rolls around which the underfloor conveyor belt 6 is guided around St Stage, between the downwardly leading endless conveyor belt Fb-ab and the upwardly leading conveyor belt Fb-up St.1, St.2 ending step TPF S Transport path to processing facility VE-S TPF G Transport path to processing device VE-G VE-S Processing device for standard letters VE-G Processing device for large letters Verzw branching device VV separating device W Diverter of branching device Verzw Z-Tpf Feed transport path

Claims (19)

1. Arrangement for processing flat articles, wherein each flat article extends in an article plane,
   at least two format classes are specified,
   the arrangement comprises

   - a conveying device (20),

   - a separating apparatus (VV),

   - a format-splitting device (FM, Verzw), and

   - at least one processing device (VE-S, VE-G) per specified format class,

   each processing device (VE-S, VE-G) for a format class is configured for processing flat articles of said format class,
   the arrangement is configured to transport flat articles which have been tipped onto the conveying device (20) along a conveyor track to the separating apparatus (VV) and from the separating apparatus (VV) to the format-splitting device (FM, Verzw),
   the separating apparatus (VV) is arranged in said conveyor track and upstream of the format-splitting device (FM, Verzw),
   the separating apparatus (VV) is configured to separate flat articles and to transport said articles further such that a stream of upright, spaced-apart articles leaves the separating apparatus (VV),
   the arrangement is configured to transport separated articles from the separating apparatus (VV) to the format-splitting device (FM, Verzw),
   the format-splitting device (FM, Verzw) is configured to divide flat articles as a function of the dimensions thereof into article classes in such a manner that all of the articles of a set of articles belong to the same format class,
   the arrangement is configured to transport all of the articles of a set of articles in the form of a stream of upright, spaced-apart articles to in each case at least one processing device (VE-S, VE-G) which is configured to process articles of said format class, and
   the processing device (VE-S, VE-G) is configured to process the articles transported thereto.
2. Arrangement according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the arrangement additionally has an up-ending apparatus (AV),
   the separating apparatus (VV) is arranged downstream of the up-ending apparatus (AV),
   the arrangement is configured to transport flat articles which have been tipped onto the conveying device (20) along the conveyor track using the conveying device (20) to the up-ending apparatus (AV),
   the up-ending apparatus (AV) is configured to further transport the flat articles and, in the process, to upend said articles in such a manner that, after the up-ending operation, the flat articles each stand on an edge, and
   the arrangement is configured to transport up-ended articles along the conveyor track from the up-ending apparatus (AV) to the separating apparatus (VV).
3. Arrangement according to Claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the up-ending apparatus (AV) comprises at least two up-ending steps (St.1, St.2),
   the up-ending steps (St.1, St.2) are arranged one behind the other - as seen in a transport direction (T), each up-ending step (St.1, St.2) comprises a respective oblique plane,
   each oblique plane (10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2)

   - being rotated in relation to the horizontal about an axis of rotation parallel to the transport direction (T), and

   - having a greater angle of inclination in relation to the horizontal than the preceding oblique plane in the transport direction (T).
4. Arrangement according to Claim 3,
   characterized in that
   the up-ending apparatus (AV) additionally comprises an underfloor conveying device (14),
   the oblique plane of at least one up-ending step (St.1, St.2) is formed by a positionally fixed plate (10.1, 10.2), and
   the up-ending apparatus (AV) is configured in such a manner that flat articles slide over the positionally fixed plate (10.1, 10.2) and drop onto the underfloor conveying device (14).
5. Arrangement according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that
   the up-ending apparatus (AV) comprises

   - a further conveying device (1) and

   - an edge (4),

   the further conveying device (1) is configured to transport flat articles to the edge (4), and
   the arrangement is configured in such a manner that the articles transported to the edge (4) drop off the edge (4)
   and, after dropping off, are in an approximately vertical position.
6. Arrangement according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that
   the arrangement additionally has an aligning apparatus (AusV),
   the aligning apparatus (AusV) is configured to align a flat, aligned and rectangular article into a position in which the article is aligned and stands on a longer edge, and
   the arrangement is configured

   - to transport up-ended articles from the up-ending apparatus (AV) to the aligning apparatus (AusV) and

   - to transport up-ended and aligned articles to the separating apparatus (VV).
7. Arrangement according to Claim 6,
   characterized in that
   the aligning apparatus (AusV)

   - comprises a downward conveying device (Fb-down) and

   - a conveying device leading upward (Fb-up),

   a step (St) occurs between said two conveying devices (Fb-down, Fb-up),
   the aligning apparatus (AusV) is configured in such a manner that

   - first of all the downward conveying device (Fb-down) transports the articles obliquely downward,

   - the articles drop off the step (St) and

   - the conveying device leading upward (Fb-up) subsequently transports the articles obliquely upward.
8. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that
   the format-splitting device (FM, Verzw) comprises

   - a feed transport path (Z-Tpf),

   - at least one distributing guide (W), and

   - one removal transport path (Tpf-S, Tpf-G) per processing device (VE-S, VE-G),

   each removal transport path (Tpf-S, Tpf-G) leads to a respective processing device (VE-S, VE-G),
   the format-splitting device (FM, Verzw) is configured to direct an article transported on the feed transport path (Z-Tpf) with the use of the at least one distributing guide (W) onto a removal transport path (Tpf-S, Tpf-G) which leads to a processing device (VE-S, VE-G) capable of processing said article.
9. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that
   the separating apparatus (VV) comprises at least two separators arranged in parallel,

   - the arrangement has a dividing component (12),

   the dividing component (12) is configured to divide up-ended articles during transport into one stream of articles transported upright per separator,
   the arrangement is configured to transport each stream to a respective separator, and
   each separator is configured to separate the articles transported to said separator.
10. Method for processing flat articles,
    wherein
    each flat article extends in an article plane,
    at least two format classes are specified,
    at least one processing device (VE-S, VE-G) is used for each format class, said processing device being configured to process flat articles of said format class, and
    the method comprises the following steps:

    - the flat articles are tipped onto a conveying device (20),

    - the articles tipped onto the conveying device (20) are transported to a separating apparatus (VV),

    - the separating apparatus (VV) separates the articles and transports said articles further such that a stream of upright, spaced-apart articles leaves the separating apparatus (VV),

    - the spaced-apart articles are transported to a format-splitting device (FM, Verzw) which is arranged downstream of the separating apparatus (VV),

    - the format-splitting device (FM, Verzw) divides the articles as a function of the dimensions thereof into sets of articles in such a manner that all of the articles of a set of articles belong to the same format class,

    - all of the articles of a set of articles are transported as a stream of upright, spaced-apart articles to a respective processing device (VE-S, VE-G) which is configured to process articles of said format class, and

    - each processing device (VE-S, VE-G) processes the articles transported thereto.
11. Method according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the method comprises the additional following steps:

    - the conveying device (20) transports the articles which have been tipped onto the conveying device (20) to an up-ending apparatus (AV),

    - the up-ending apparatus (AV) being arranged upstream of the separating apparatus (VV),

    - the up-ending apparatus (AV) transports the articles further and, in the process, up-ends said articles in such a manner that, after the up-ending operation, the articles each stand on an edge, and

    - the up-ended articles are transported to the separating apparatus (VV).
12. Method according to Claim 11,
    characterized in that
    during the up-ending of the articles, the up-ending apparatus (AV) carries out the following steps:

    the articles are transported away successively in a transport direction (T) via at least two oblique planes (10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2),

    each oblique plane (10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2)

    - being rotated in relation to the horizontal about an axis of rotation parallel to the transport direction (T), and

    - having a greater angle of inclination in relation to the horizontal than the preceding oblique plane in the transport direction (T).
13. Method according to Claim 11 or Claim 12,
    characterized in that
    during the up-ending of the articles, the up-ending apparatus (AV) carries out the following steps:

    - a further conveying device (1) transports the articles to an edge (4), and

    - the articles drop off the edge (4) in such a manner that, after dropping off, each article is in an upright position.
14. Method according to one of Claims 11 to 13,
    characterized in that
    the flat articles are rectangular,
    the flat articles which have been up-ended by the up-ending apparatus (AV) are transported to an aligning apparatus (AusV),
    the aligning apparatus (AusV) aligns the articles in such a manner that each up-ended and aligned article stands on a longer edge, and
    the up-ended and aligned articles are transported to the separating apparatus (VV).
15. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 14,
    characterized in that

    - the separating apparatus (VV) comprises at least two separators arranged in parallel,

    - the articles which have been tipped onto the conveying device (20) are divided during transport to the separating apparatus (VV) into one stream of articles transported upright per separator,

    - each stream is transported to a respective separator, and

    - each separator separates the articles transported to said separator.
16. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 15, characterized in that

    - the separating apparatus (VV) comprises at least two separators arranged in a row, and

    - each article passes through both separators.
17. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 16,
    characterized in that

    - a minimum and a maximum feed rate of articles to the separating apparatus (VV) are specified,

    - there is a buffer device (PE) between the up-ending apparatus (AV) and the separating apparatus (VV),

    - the up-ended articles are transported to the buffer device (PE) and are transported further by the buffer device (PE) to the separating apparatus (VV),
    a parameter for the actual feed rate of articles to the buffer device (PE) being measured,

    - the feed rate of articles (PE) to the separating apparatus (VV) is reduced if the measured parameter value lies above an upper limit which depends on the maximum feed rate, and

    - the feed rate of articles to the separating apparatus (VV) is increased if the measured parameter value lies below a lower limit which depends on the minimum feed rate.
18. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 17,
    characterized in that

    - at least one dimension of each article is measured after said article has passed through the separating apparatus (VV) ,

    - by evaluation of the at least one measuring result for the article, it is automatically decided to which of the specified format classes said article belongs, and the format-splitting device (FM, Verzw) uses the respective measuring result for each article when dividing the articles into the set of articles.
19. Method according to Claim 18,
    characterized in that

    - at least one image of each article is produced, and

    - the at least one dimension of the article is measured by evaluation of said image.

Images