EP2454178B1 - Device for unstacking flat objects that detects the path of unstacked objects - Google Patents

Device for unstacking flat objects that detects the path of unstacked objects Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2454178B1
EP2454178B1 EP10742202A EP10742202A EP2454178B1 EP 2454178 B1 EP2454178 B1 EP 2454178B1 EP 10742202 A EP10742202 A EP 10742202A EP 10742202 A EP10742202 A EP 10742202A EP 2454178 B1 EP2454178 B1 EP 2454178B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unstacking
retaining means
conveyor
unstacked
edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP10742202A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2454178A1 (en
Inventor
Agnès Philippe
Céline GUIGNARD
Hicham El Bernoussi
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Solystic SAS
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Solystic SAS
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Publication of EP2454178A1 publication Critical patent/EP2454178A1/en
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Publication of EP2454178B1 publication Critical patent/EP2454178B1/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
    • B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
    • B65H7/02—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
    • B65H7/06—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed
    • B65H7/12—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed responsive to double feed or separation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/02—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge
    • B65H1/025—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge with controlled positively-acting mechanical devices for advancing the pile to present the articles to the separating device
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
    • B65H3/54—Pressing or holding devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B65H2511/13—Thickness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/20—Location in space
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/40—Identification
    • B65H2511/413—Identification of image
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/50—Occurence
    • B65H2511/52—Defective operating conditions
    • B65H2511/524—Multiple articles, e.g. double feed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2515/00—Physical entities not provided for in groups B65H2511/00 or B65H2513/00
    • B65H2515/20—Volume; Volume flow
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2515/00—Physical entities not provided for in groups B65H2511/00 or B65H2513/00
    • B65H2515/30—Forces; Stresses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2553/00—Sensing or detecting means
    • B65H2553/40—Sensing or detecting means using optical, e.g. photographic, elements
    • B65H2553/42—Cameras

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of unstacking stacked flat objects, and in particular postal items such as letters or large format postal items such as magazines, to serialize and convey them in series in a conveyor.
  • Such a device for unstacking postal items is already known in which the retaining means is controlled to function systematically in response to the signal supplied by a passage sensor disposed at the entrance of the conveyor.
  • Such an arrangement has the disadvantage of curbing the movement of all shipments which affects the performance of the unstacking device.
  • systematic control of the retaining means it is possible to damage small items and not to properly separate the thicker shipments.
  • the object of the invention is to improve a device for unstacking flat objects, and in particular flat mailpieces, for the retaining means to be controlled more effectively in order to separate jointly unstuck mailings, it is in superposition, before they enter the conveyor. This makes it possible to present the shipments one by one at an optimal rate at the entrance of the conveyor.
  • each depilated object footprint of the lower edge of each object
  • optical means such as a linear camera, but one could consider other types of comb-shaped detector for example.
  • the trace of each depilated object can therefore reveal the presence of several objects moving together and the relative position of the items, and therefore this trace makes it possible to determine, in the case where two objects for example move together, which is in advance relative to each other in the unstacking direction. This determination makes it possible to better control the control of the retaining means with respect to a systematic control of the prior art. Tests have shown that only 60% of the situations of jointly moving consignments can be corrected by a conventional unstacking device in which the holding means is activated systematically.
  • an unstacking device 1 of flat mailpieces 2 comprising a magazine 3 in which the mailpieces 2 to be unstacked are arranged on edge stack in front of an unstacking plate 4 and against a bank of jogging 5 which is substantially perpendicular to the unstacking plate 4.
  • a drive means 6 for example a perforated belt cooperating with an unstacking solenoid valve, capable of driving the first load 2A of the stack 2 facing the unstacking plate 4 according to a some unstacking direction indicated by the arrow A, parallel to the unstacking plate 4 and perpendicular to the jogging edge 5.
  • unstacking device 1 further comprises a conveyor 7 here by clamping, shown here in the form of two motorized pulleys arranged in opposition and forming the input 7A of the conveyor.
  • Input 7A is generally referred to as the "pinch point" of the unstacker. It is disposed downstream of the unstacking plate 4 in the unstacking direction A.
  • a retaining means 8 for example a suction nozzle, and a detection device 9.
  • the retaining means 8 is arranged on one side of the path of the shipments in the direction A to exert on a face of a consignment moving between the jogging edge and the entrance of the conveyor a restraining force opposing the displacement. of this shipment in the unstacking direction A.
  • the unstacking device according to the invention may comprise for example two retaining means opposite to the unstacking direction A, that is to say say arranged on either side of the path of the shipments between the jogging edge and the entrance of the conveyor, or two or more retaining means aligned on the same side of the path of the shipments.
  • the detection device 9 comprises an optical device, here a linear camera 13 type "CCD" disposed under the path of the consignments between the jogging edge 5 and the input 7A.
  • the camera 13 is placed near the jogging edge 5 upstream of the retaining means 8 in the unstacking direction A so as to perform early detection of jointly moving items.
  • the linear camera 13 extends transversely to the unstacking direction A to capture an image of the trace of each depilated shipment moving between the jogging bank 5 (or the unstacking plate 4) and the entrance of the conveyor 7A.
  • the image can be in particular a digital image in multi-level gray (MNG).
  • MNG multi-level gray
  • the camera 13 instead of the camera 13, it could be used for example a tactile comb-type sensor sensitive to the weight of the shipment.
  • passage sensors 11, 12 may be provided, for example photocells each comprising a transmitter and a receiver.
  • a first sensor 11 is disposed at the jogging edge 5 to detect the front edge of each shipment as soon as it leaves the unstacking plate.
  • a second sensor 12 is disposed at the input 7A of the conveyor to detect the front edge of each shipment in the input 7A of the conveyor.
  • the optical device 9 which comprises the linear CCD type camera 13, accompanied by a suitable optic 14 and a lighting device 15 providing a light beam 15A, here constituted of a laser diode with a line generator.
  • the camera 13 has a field of vision width 13A oriented so that its axis 13B, or line of sight, perpendicular to the unstacking direction A, to enter the lower edge of each item.
  • the acquisition line of the camera 13 is therefore oriented substantially perpendicular to the edge of the sending 2A, in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the unstacking direction A, indicated by the arrow B on the figure 2 .
  • the camera 13 thus forms a continuous linear image as the sending, like the sending 2A, moves in front of the camera in the unstacking direction A.
  • the linear images acquired successively are juxtaposed in memory to form the image at two dimensions of the lower edge 2C of the item 2A.
  • the axis 15B of the illumination device 15 is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the axis 13B of the camera 13 and a separator beam 16 is provided to orient the illumination so as to align with the axis 13B of the camera 13.
  • the beam splitter 16 (a blade for example) is thus oriented both at approximately 45 ° to the 13B axis of the camera 13 and at about 45 ° with respect to the axis 15B of the lighting device 15 to deflect the light beam 15A.
  • the camera 13 thus acquires images of the transmission 2A through the beam splitter 16.
  • Such a lighting device 15 with beam splitter 16 makes it possible to increase the depth of field of the detection device 9 while improving the 2A sending lighting.
  • the camera 13 is preferably a linear sensor at 512 pixels and the resolution of the images acquired can be of the order of 16 pixels per millimeter (mm) in the direction B, which represents the limit possibility of discriminate a shipment 2A or a separation between two shipments less than 0.1 mm thick.
  • the acquisition frequency at a speed of about 2.4 m / s, leads to a resolution of about 4 pixels per mm or 4 lines per mm.
  • the camera 13 may be a matrix camera that directly acquires a two-dimensional image of the song of the item 2A.
  • the camera 13 can be positioned at a slot provided in the unstacker sole between the unstacking plate and the conveyor. It must be sufficiently far from the jogging edge 5 to avoid capturing the image of a shipment waiting to be unstacked in the magazine 3, but close enough to achieve real-time control of the holding means 8 through a unit.
  • the unit 10 is arranged to analyze the image of the trace of a shipment in order to detect the presence of several depilated shipments jointly, therefore to count the number of shipments and determine their relative position and, in the case where several items are detected, to control the retaining means 8.
  • FIGS. 3A to 3E are examples of multi-level gray images formed using the camera 13.
  • the image of the figure 3A reveals a single trace.
  • the image of the figure 3B reveals four traces and therefore the presence of several depilated shipments jointly.
  • the images of Figures 3C and 3D reveal two traces and thus again shipments unharvested jointly. Overall, we can distinguish four scenarios.
  • the sending is said of standard type or "S" if it is depilated alone ( figure 3A ).
  • the consignment is said to be non-standard or "nS" of positive type or "P” if the leading edge of the left-hand shipment in the conveying direction A is ahead of the front edge of the right-hand side, as can be seen on figure 3C ; and the sending is said to be "nS" of negative type or "N” if the leading edge of the right-hand delivery in the conveying direction A is ahead of the front edge of the left-hand delivery, as can be see him on the 3D figure .
  • the processing unit 10 is therefore arranged to determine, in the case of jointly unstuck items, the type of the item S, P, N or Pf and thus suitably control the holding means 8.
  • step 41 is therefore continuously formed MNG successive linear images of the lower edge of each shipment as soon as it is detected by the sensor 11 for example and as it is moved in the direction A.
  • the capture and analysis of the images of the song of the items may alternatively be limited to the duration of the unstacking cycle, that is, they are triggered at the same time as the activation. of the drive means 6, and stopped within a predetermined time after the deactivation of this drive means.
  • the time allocated to the processing of the images by the unit 10 to manage the information given by the trace of the depilated shipments may be less than at 10 milliseconds (ms) depending on the configuration of the unstacking device 1.
  • the unit 10 analyzes two-dimensional partial images containing a limited number of acquisition lines, for example here 32 lines which correspond to about 8 mm length of a depilated shipment. Each partial image thus comprises 32 lines and 512 columns of pixels MNG.
  • the analysis can also be done on partial images of 32 columns with a sliding window for example of 4 columns in 4 columns in order to have a recovery of the successive images and of refresh the analysis every 4 columns of image acquisition, that is to say, every millimeter of advanced shipments.
  • the two-dimensional partial image is constituted in memory at step 42 and is analyzed in step 43 to determine if several shipments are unstacked jointly and the number of shipments in the presence.
  • the current shipment (s) continues to move in direction A and it can be estimated that 2 acquisition lines are lost, which corresponds to a length of 0.5 mm of the trace of the consignment before a complete refresh of the partial image.
  • processing continues on a determination of the type of shipment S, or non-standard P, N or Pf at 44 to control the retaining means 45, taking into account where appropriate a history at 46 as described later.
  • Steps 43 and 44 are more detailed on the figure 6 .
  • a partial image is constructed in memory.
  • the image analysis consists of determining the number of visible items unstitched together in this image. For this, it exploits the fact that there is a space 18 more or less large between the traces of several shipments in the image, as visible on the Figure 5A .
  • step 62 To count at step 62 the number of transitions in an image, we first cut the image along the direction B into fixed-size bands 21 as visible on the image. Figure 5B . Then, the projection of the gray levels on each band 21 is calculated, that is to say that the average of the gray levels of the pixels per column of the image band MNG is calculated so that the lines of a band all have the same values after projection. In this way, the MNG image is smoothed, which makes the method of detecting the number of items in the presence less sensitive to noise. It will be understood that the width of the strips is judiciously chosen: a small bandwidth leads to a projection signal that is too noisy and subject to local variations.
  • a too wide band smooths the signal and attenuates the characteristic peaks of the bimodal distributions (dark / light zones).
  • a too wide band can induce the method in error in the case of a standard curve (see figure 3A , top of the mailing).
  • each band 21 the number of extremum in terms of gray levels that correspond to dark / light transitions.
  • Sc is generally between 0 for a single S dispatcher and 1 for two shipments. However, in practice, Sc may be greater than 1 in the case where three or more shipments have been unstacked together.
  • the score Sc is to be compared to the notion of degree of membership of the fuzzy subsets. Providing a fuzzy degree of membership at the output is a major advantage of this approach, since it makes it possible to switch from one consignment S to several jointly unstacked shipments in a continuous manner thus avoiding the threshold effects.
  • step 63 the items for which Sc is zero (step 63) are declared of type S at 64, and the items for which Sc is greater than a certain threshold ⁇ (step 65) are declared of type nS in 66 (that is to say all the items of which one is sure they are not type S).
  • step 65 the items for which Sc is between 0 and ⁇ (step 67) are equally likely to belong to one or the other type (S or nS).
  • This range of values of Sc is a zone of uncertainty of the method which corresponds to an ambiguous classification of the shipments in 68.
  • the threshold ⁇ is thus chosen to obtain a good compromise between the false directions of sorting (generated by the shipments of type nS detected as S-type shipments) and S-type shipments wrongly detected as nS shipments.
  • step 66 If the shipments have been reported as nS with a sufficiently reliable confidence level in step 66, the process proceeds to step 44 by a tagging algorithm to determine the positive, negative, or perfect type of the garbled shipments. jointly.
  • the tagging algorithm consists of step 69 extracting the left and right profiles of the sending in the MNG image, then analyzing these profiles to detect peaks.
  • a left profile Pg (i) of the current mail as being the set of first pixels having a gray level greater than a certain threshold ⁇ when we traverse each line of the image MNG from left to right in the direction B perpendicular to the conveying direction A as indicated on the figure 3C :
  • Pg i Low j / picture i j > ⁇
  • i and j are the coordinates of each pixel, i denoting the line position index and the column position index
  • image [i, j] is the value of the coordinate pixel (i, j) in the MNG image.
  • threshold ⁇ could be different for the definition of the left or right profile, for example to take account of shadow phenomena.
  • the tagging algorithm continues with the definition of left and right peaks in the profiles as local extremums of the respective functions
  • the decision history 46 allows the unit 10 to track the movement of shipments and to adjust the activation over time until the shipments are driven in the conveyor 7. For example, when shipments are tagged in type P or N from a first image, the following image will give a "Pf type" result corresponding to the place where the two items are superimposed without it being necessary to trigger the corresponding control of the retaining means 8.
  • the advantage achieved by the unstacking device 1 of the invention is twofold. On the one hand, the improper activation of the holding means 8 is minimized in the case of S-type shipments, thus reducing the risk of damaging the mail and improving the unloading device 1 flow. On the other hand, in case of non-standard sending, the activation of the holding means 8 at the appropriate time avoids the simultaneous training of several shipments in the conveyor 7.
  • step 45 the process loops back to step 61 for a new image (or image portion of 32 lines for example).
  • the device 100 comprises a magazine 103 in which the mailpieces 102 to be unstacked are arranged on edge stack in front of an unstacking plate 104 and against a jogging edge 105.
  • the unstacking device 100 comprises a nip conveyor 109 whose entry 109A or pinch point is shown here in the form of two opposing pulleys. Between the unstacking plate and the pinch point is arranged a drive 107 of the shipments 102 in a unstacking direction C.
  • the unstacking device 100 is here equipped with a detection device with two cameras 110 spaced in the unstacking direction C and intended to acquire images of the lower edge of the items 102.
  • two retaining means 111 are provided. successive arranged in alignment in the unstacking direction C. It could also provide several successive retaining means 111.
  • the two cameras 110 make it possible to follow in real time the action of the drive means 107 and the retaining means 111 and, depending on the result of this action, to carry out a command in time.
  • the real one of each holding means 111 through a data processing unit 112.
  • the two retaining means 111 can be selectively controlled in different ways to slow down or not a particular item .
  • the method according to the invention can integrate a measurement of the thickness of each item and / or the speed of movement of the items and / or the relative movement of the unstuck items jointly to determine the effectiveness of the retention of the items. and therefore their separation, and adjust the strength of the restraint if necessary.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne le domaine du dépilage des objets plats en pile, et en particulier les envois postaux tels que lettres ou envois postaux de grand format comme les magazines, pour les sérialiser et les transporter en série dans un convoyeur.The invention relates to the field of unstacking stacked flat objects, and in particular postal items such as letters or large format postal items such as magazines, to serialize and convey them in series in a conveyor.

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats comprenant :

  • un magasin dans lequel les objets plats à dépiler sont disposés sur chant en pile face à une plaque de dépilage et contre une rive de taquage, la plaque de dépilage étant agencée pour séparer un premier objet de la pile des autres objets de la pile et l'entraîner selon une certaine direction de dépilage sensiblement perpendiculaire à la rive de taquage,
  • un convoyeur apte à convoyer en série sur chant des objets dépilés, le convoyeur ayant une entrée disposée en aval de la rive de taquage par rapport à la direction de dépilage,
  • un moyen de retenue disposé sensiblement entre la rive de taquage et l'entrée du convoyeur et qui est commandé pour exercer sur une face d'un objet se déplaçant selon la direction de dépilage entre la rive de taquage et l'entrée du convoyeur une force de retenue, par exemple une force de friction ou une force d'aspiration, s'opposant au déplacement de cet objet selon cette direction de dépilage.
The invention more particularly relates to a device for unstacking flat objects comprising:
  • a magazine in which the flat objects to be unstacked are arranged on edge stack in front of an unstacking plate and against a jogging edge, the unstacking plate being arranged to separate a first object from the stack of other objects of the stack and the train in a certain unstacking direction substantially perpendicular to the jogging edge,
  • a conveyor capable of conveying serially on edge of the unstacked objects, the conveyor having an inlet disposed downstream of the jogging edge with respect to the unstacking direction,
  • a retaining means disposed substantially between the jogging edge and the entrance of the conveyor and which is controlled to exert on one face of an object moving in the unstacking direction between the jogging edge and the entrance of the conveyor a force retaining, for example a friction force or a suction force, opposing the displacement of this object in this unstacking direction.

On connaît déjà un tel dispositif de dépilage d'envois postaux dans lequel le moyen de retenue est commandé pour fonctionner de façon systématique en réponse au signal fourni par un capteur de passage disposé à l'entrée du convoyeur. Un tel agencement a pour inconvénient de freiner le déplacement de tous les envois ce qui nuit aux performances du dispositif de dépilage. De plus, avec une commande systématique du moyen de retenue, on peut arriver à endommager des envois de faible épaisseur et à ne pas séparer correctement des envois de plus forte épaisseur.Such a device for unstacking postal items is already known in which the retaining means is controlled to function systematically in response to the signal supplied by a passage sensor disposed at the entrance of the conveyor. Such an arrangement has the disadvantage of curbing the movement of all shipments which affects the performance of the unstacking device. In addition, with systematic control of the retaining means, it is possible to damage small items and not to properly separate the thicker shipments.

Un dispositif de dépilage selon le preambule de la revendication 1 de la demande est divulgué par le document EP-A-1 837 296 An unstacking device according to the preamble of claim 1 of the application is disclosed by the document EP-A-1,837,296

Le but de l'invention est de perfectionner un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats, et en particulier d'envois postaux plats, pour que le moyen de retenue soit commandé de façon plus efficace afin de séparer des envois dépilés conjointement, c'est-à-dire en superposition, avant qu'ils n'entrent dans le convoyeur. Cela permet de présenter les envois un par un à une cadence optimale à l'entrée du convoyeur.The object of the invention is to improve a device for unstacking flat objects, and in particular flat mailpieces, for the retaining means to be controlled more effectively in order to separate jointly unstuck mailings, it is in superposition, before they enter the conveyor. This makes it possible to present the shipments one by one at an optimal rate at the entrance of the conveyor.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un dispositif de dépilage d'objets plats comprenant :

  • un magasin dans lequel les objets plats à dépiler sont disposés sur chant en pile face à une plaque de dépilage et contre une rive de taquage, la plaque de dépilage étant agencée pour séparer un premier objet de la pile des autres objets de la pile et l'entraîner selon une certaine direction de dépilage sensiblement perpendiculaire à la rive de taquage,
  • un convoyeur apte à convoyer en série sur chant des objets dépilés, le convoyeur ayant une entrée disposée en aval de la rive de taquage par rapport à la direction de dépilage,
  • un moyen de retenue disposé sensiblement entre la rive de taquage et l'entrée du convoyeur et qui est commandé pour exercer sur une face d'un objet se déplaçant selon la direction de dépilage entre la rive de taquage et l'entrée du convoyeur une force de retenue s'opposant au déplacement de cet objet selon cette direction de dépilage,
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre un dispositif de détection apte à saisir la trace de chaque objet dépilé en déplacement entre la rive de taquage et l'entrée du convoyeur et à analyser cette trace pour détecter la présence de plusieurs objets se déplaçant conjointement et sur la base de cette détection à commander ledit moyen de retenue pour séparer les objets se déplaçant conjointement.For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for unstacking flat objects comprising:
  • a magazine in which the flat objects to be unstacked are arranged on edge stack in front of an unstacking plate and against a jogging edge, the unstacking plate being arranged to separate a first object from the stack of other objects of the stack and the train in a certain unstacking direction substantially perpendicular to the jogging edge,
  • a conveyor capable of conveying serially on edge of the unstacked objects, the conveyor having an inlet disposed downstream of the jogging edge with respect to the unstacking direction,
  • a retaining means disposed substantially between the jogging edge and the entrance of the conveyor and which is controlled to exert on one face of an object moving in the unstacking direction between the jogging edge and the entrance of the conveyor a force restraint opposing the displacement of this object in this unstacking direction,
characterized in that it further comprises a detection device adapted to capture the trace of each depilated object moving between the jogging edge and the entrance of the conveyor and to analyze this trace to detect the presence of several objects moving together and on the basis of this detection to control said retaining means to separate the moving objects together.

La saisie de la trace de chaque objet dépilé (empreinte du chant inférieur de chaque objet) peut être réalisée par des moyens optiques comme une caméra linéaire, mais on pourrait envisager d'autres types de détecteur en forme de peigne par exemple. La trace de chaque objet dépilé peut donc révéler la présence de plusieurs objets se déplaçant conjointement ainsi que la position relative des envois, et par conséquent cette trace permet de déterminer, dans le cas où deux objets par exemple se déplacent conjointement, lequel est en avance par rapport à l'autre selon la direction de dépilage. Cette détermination permet de mieux contrôler la commande du moyen de retenue par rapport à une commande systématique de l'art antérieur. Des essais ont permis de révéler que 60% seulement des situations d'envois se déplaçant conjointement peuvent être corrigées par un dispositif de dépilage conventionnel dans lequel le moyen de retenue est activé systématiquement. Avec un tel dispositif de l'art antérieur, dans le cas d'envois dépilés conjointement, si l'envoi le plus en avant est celui qui est du côté du moyen de retenue (l'autre envoi le plus en arrière étant celui entraîné par la plaque de dépilage), l'action du moyen de retenue n'a aucun effet, l'envoi le plus en avant étant déjà entraîné par le convoyeur et ne peut donc plus être séparé de l'envoi le plus en arrière. Avec le dispositif de dépilage selon l'invention, on réalise une détection précoce des situations d'envois dépilés conjointement ce qui permet d'actionner le moyen de retenue avant que les envois arrivent dans l'entrée du convoyeur. Par ailleurs, on peut concevoir d'actionner différemment le moyen de retenue selon différentes configurations du dépilage d'envois. Cette détection précoce permet de traiter les 40% d'envois dépilés conjointement non gérés par un dispositif de dépilage de l'art antérieur.The capture of the trace of each depilated object (footprint of the lower edge of each object) can be achieved by optical means such as a linear camera, but one could consider other types of comb-shaped detector for example. The trace of each depilated object can therefore reveal the presence of several objects moving together and the relative position of the items, and therefore this trace makes it possible to determine, in the case where two objects for example move together, which is in advance relative to each other in the unstacking direction. This determination makes it possible to better control the control of the retaining means with respect to a systematic control of the prior art. Tests have shown that only 60% of the situations of jointly moving consignments can be corrected by a conventional unstacking device in which the holding means is activated systematically. With such a device of the prior art, in the case of jointly unstuck consignments, if the most forward sending is that which is on the side of the retaining means (the other most rearward sending being the one driven by the unstacking plate), the action of the retaining means has no effect, the most forward sending being already driven by the conveyor and therefore can no longer be separated from the most rearward shipment. With the unstacking device according to the invention, an early detection of the situations of unstaffed shipments is carried out jointly which makes it possible to actuate the retaining means before the items arrive in the entrance of the conveyor. Moreover, it is conceivable to actuate the retaining means differently according to different configurations of unstacking of items. This early detection makes it possible to process the 40% of unstuffed unstuffed mail items by an unstacking device of the prior art.

Un dispositif de dépilage selon l'invention peut présenter avantageusement les particularités suivantes :

  • il est prévu une caméra linéaire s'étendant transversalement à ladite direction de dépilage sous le trajet des objets dépilés entre la rive de taquage et l'entrée du convoyeur pour former une image de la trace des objets dépilés et une unité de traitement de données qui est agencée pour déterminer, en cas de détection de la présence d'au moins deux objets dépilés conjointement, lequel des deux objets est en avance par rapport à l'autre selon ladite direction de dépilage, et à partir de ladite détermination commander le moyen de retenue.
  • la caméra linéaire est disposée en amont du moyen de retenue par rapport à la direction de dépilage.
  • il est prévu un premier et un second moyen de retenue disposés en opposition par rapport à la direction de dépilage.
  • il est prévu un premier et éventuellement un second moyen de retenue disposés en alignement par rapport la direction de dépilage.
  • chaque moyen de retenue est un dispositif d'aspiration.
  • l'unité de traitement de données est agencée pour mesurer à partir de l'image l'épaisseur de chaque envoi dépilé, cette mesure servant à régler la force de retenue exercée par le moyen de retenue.
  • l'unité de traitement de données est agencée pour détecter à partir de l'image la présence d'une agrafe sur un envoi, cette détection servant à régler la force de retenue exercée par le moyen de retenue.
An unstacking device according to the invention may advantageously have the following particularities:
  • there is provided a linear camera extending transversely to said unstacking direction under the path of the objects stripped between the jogging edge and the entrance of the conveyor to form an image of the trace of the unstacked objects and a data processing unit which is arranged to determine, in case of detection of the presence of at least two coaxed objects jointly, which of the two objects is in advance relative to the other in said unstacking direction, and from said determination to control the means of detention.
  • the linear camera is disposed upstream of the retaining means with respect to the unstacking direction.
  • first and second holding means are provided in opposition to the unstacking direction.
  • there is provided a first and possibly a second retaining means arranged in alignment with respect to the unstacking direction.
  • each retaining means is a suction device.
  • the data processing unit is arranged to measure from the image the thickness of each mailpiece, this measurement being used to adjust the holding force exerted by the holding means.
  • the data processing unit is arranged to detect from the image the presence of a staple on a consignment, this detection serving to adjust the retaining force exerted by the retaining means.

L'invention sera maintenant décrite plus en détail et en référence aux dessins annexés qui en illustrent des exemples non limitatifs.

  • La figure 1 est une représentation en vue de dessus très schématique du dispositif de dépilage selon l'invention.
  • La figure 2 illustre un dispositif optique pour saisir la trace du chant inférieur des envois selon l'invention.
  • La figure 3A illustre une image multi-niveaux de gris d'un envoi seul obtenue par le dispositif de détection selon l'invention.
  • La figure 3B illustre une image multi-niveaux de gris de plusieurs envois dépilés conjointement obtenue par le dispositif de détection selon l'invention.
  • La figure 3C illustre une image multi-niveaux de gris de deux envois dont celui de gauche est en avance par rapport à celui de droite obtenue par le dispositif de détection selon l'invention.
  • La figure 3D illustre une image multi-niveaux de gris de deux envois dont celui de droite est en avance par rapport à celui de gauche obtenue par le dispositif de détection selon l'invention.
  • La figure 3E illustre une image multi-niveaux de gris de deux envois dont les deux fronts avant occupent la même abscisse obtenue par le dispositif de détection selon l'invention.
  • La figure 4 est un schéma fonctionnel illustrant le processus de détection selon l'invention.
  • La figure 5A illustre une autre image multi-niveaux de gris de deux envois obtenue par le dispositif de détection selon l'invention.
  • La figure 5B illustre une projection de l'image multi-niveaux de gris de la figure 5A.
  • La figure 6 est un schéma fonctionnel illustrant la commande du moyen de retenue selon l'invention.
  • La figure 7 est une vue de dessus très schématique d'un autre mode de réalisation du dispositif de dépilage selon l'invention.
The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate non-limiting examples thereof.
  • The figure 1 is a very schematic top view of the unstacking device according to the invention.
  • The figure 2 illustrates an optical device for capturing the trace of the lower edge of the shipments according to the invention.
  • The figure 3A illustrates a multi-level gray image of a single shipment obtained by the detection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 3B illustrates a multi-level gray image of several depilated shipments jointly obtained by the detection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 3C illustrates a multi-level gray image of two items of which the left one is ahead of the right one obtained by the detection device according to the invention.
  • The 3D figure illustrates a multi-level gray image of two shipments of which the one on the right is ahead of the one on the left obtained by the detection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 3E illustrates a multi-level gray image of two shipments whose two fronts before occupy the same abscissa obtained by the detection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the detection process according to the invention.
  • The Figure 5A illustrates another multi-level gray image of two items obtained by the detection device according to the invention.
  • The Figure 5B illustrates a projection of the multi-level gray image of the Figure 5A .
  • The figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating the control of the retaining means according to the invention.
  • The figure 7 is a very schematic top view of another embodiment of the unstacking device according to the invention.

Sur la figure 1, on a représenté, vu de dessus, un dispositif de dépilage 1 d'envois postaux plats 2 comprenant un magasin 3 dans lequel les envois postaux 2 à dépiler sont disposés sur chant en pile face à une plaque de dépilage 4 et contre une rive de taquage 5 qui est sensiblement perpendiculaire à la plaque de dépilage 4.On the figure 1 , seen from above, an unstacking device 1 of flat mailpieces 2 comprising a magazine 3 in which the mailpieces 2 to be unstacked are arranged on edge stack in front of an unstacking plate 4 and against a bank of jogging 5 which is substantially perpendicular to the unstacking plate 4.

Sur la plaque de dépilage 4 est disposé un moyen d'entrainement 6, par exemple une courroie perforée coopérant avec une électrovanne de dépilage, apte à entraîner le premier envoi 2A de la pile à dépiler 2 faisant face à la plaque de dépilage 4 selon une certaine direction de dépilage indiquée par la flèche A, parallèle à la plaque de dépilage 4 et perpendiculaire à la rive de taquage 5.On the unstacking plate 4 is arranged a drive means 6, for example a perforated belt cooperating with an unstacking solenoid valve, capable of driving the first load 2A of the stack 2 facing the unstacking plate 4 according to a some unstacking direction indicated by the arrow A, parallel to the unstacking plate 4 and perpendicular to the jogging edge 5.

Comme visible sur la figure 1, le dispositif de dépilage 1 comprend en outre un convoyeur 7 ici par pincement, représenté ici sous la forme de deux poulies motorisées disposées en opposition et formant l'entrée 7A du convoyeur. L'entrée 7A est en général appelée « point de pincement » du dispositif de dépilage. Elle est disposée en aval de la plaque de dépilage 4 selon la direction de dépilage A. Entre l'entrée 7A du convoyeur et la rive de taquage 5, dans la direction de dépilage A, il est prévu un moyen de retenue 8, par exemple une buse d'aspiration, et un dispositif de détection 9.As visible on the figure 1 , unstacking device 1 further comprises a conveyor 7 here by clamping, shown here in the form of two motorized pulleys arranged in opposition and forming the input 7A of the conveyor. Input 7A is generally referred to as the "pinch point" of the unstacker. It is disposed downstream of the unstacking plate 4 in the unstacking direction A. Between the conveyor inlet 7A and the staking edge 5, in the unstacking direction A, there is provided a retaining means 8, for example a suction nozzle, and a detection device 9.

Le moyen de retenue 8 est disposé d'un côté du trajet des envois selon la direction A pour exercer sur une face d'un envoi en déplacement entre la rive de taquage et l'entrée du convoyeur une force de retenue s'opposant au déplacement de cet envoi dans la direction de dépilage A. Comme on le verra par la suite, le dispositif de dépilage selon l'invention peut comprendre par exemple deux moyens de retenue opposés par rapport à la direction de dépilage A, c'est-à-dire disposés de part et d'autre du trajet des envois entre la rive de taquage et l'entrée du convoyeur, ou encore deux ou plusieurs moyens de retenue alignés d'un même côté du trajet des envois.The retaining means 8 is arranged on one side of the path of the shipments in the direction A to exert on a face of a consignment moving between the jogging edge and the entrance of the conveyor a restraining force opposing the displacement. of this shipment in the unstacking direction A. As will be seen later, the unstacking device according to the invention may comprise for example two retaining means opposite to the unstacking direction A, that is to say say arranged on either side of the path of the shipments between the jogging edge and the entrance of the conveyor, or two or more retaining means aligned on the same side of the path of the shipments.

Le dispositif de détection 9 comprend un dispositif optique, ici une caméra linéaire 13 type « CCD » disposée sous le trajet des envois entre la rive de taquage 5 et l'entrée 7A. De préférence, la caméra 13 est placée à proximité de la rive de taquage 5 en amont du moyen de retenue 8 selon la direction de dépilage A de telle façon à réaliser de façon précoce la détection d'envois se déplaçant conjointement. La caméra 13 linéaire s'étend transversalement à la direction de dépilage A pour saisir une image de la trace de chaque envoi dépilé en déplacement entre la rive de taquage 5 (ou la plaque de dépilage 4) et l'entrée du convoyeur 7A. L'image peut être en particulier une image numérique en multi niveaux de gris (MNG). Comme indiqué plus haut, à la place de la caméra 13, on pourrait utiliser par exemple un capteur de type peigne tactile sensible au poids de l'envoi.The detection device 9 comprises an optical device, here a linear camera 13 type "CCD" disposed under the path of the consignments between the jogging edge 5 and the input 7A. Preferably, the camera 13 is placed near the jogging edge 5 upstream of the retaining means 8 in the unstacking direction A so as to perform early detection of jointly moving items. The linear camera 13 extends transversely to the unstacking direction A to capture an image of the trace of each depilated shipment moving between the jogging bank 5 (or the unstacking plate 4) and the entrance of the conveyor 7A. The image can be in particular a digital image in multi-level gray (MNG). As indicated above, instead of the camera 13, it could be used for example a tactile comb-type sensor sensitive to the weight of the shipment.

Entre la plaque de dépilage 4 et le convoyeur 7, il peut être prévu des capteurs de passage 11, 12, par exemple des photocellules comportant chacune un émetteur et un récepteur. En particulier, un premier capteur 11 est disposé au niveau de la rive de taquage 5 pour détecter le front avant de chaque envoi dès qu'il sort de la plaque de dépilage. Un deuxième capteur 12 est disposé à l'entrée 7A du convoyeur pour détecter le front avant de chaque envoi se présentant dans l'entrée 7A du convoyeur.Between the unstacking plate 4 and the conveyor 7, passage sensors 11, 12 may be provided, for example photocells each comprising a transmitter and a receiver. In particular, a first sensor 11 is disposed at the jogging edge 5 to detect the front edge of each shipment as soon as it leaves the unstacking plate. A second sensor 12 is disposed at the input 7A of the conveyor to detect the front edge of each shipment in the input 7A of the conveyor.

On a représenté en détail sur la figure 2 le dispositif optique 9 qui comprend la caméra 13 type CCD linéaire, accompagnée d'une optique 14 adaptée et un dispositif d'éclairage 15 fournissant un faisceau lumineux 15A, constitué ici d'une diode Laser avec génératrice de ligne. La caméra 13 a une largeur de champ de vision 13A orientée de façon à ce que son axe 13B, ou ligne de visée, soit perpendiculaire à la direction de dépilage A, pour saisir le chant inférieur de chaque envoi. La ligne d'acquisition de la caméra 13 est donc orientée sensiblement perpendiculairement au chant de l'envoi 2A, dans une direction horizontale perpendiculaire à la direction de dépilage A, indiquée par la flèche B sur la figure 2. La caméra 13 forme donc une image linéaire en continu à mesure que l'envoi, comme l'envoi 2A, se déplace devant la caméra selon la direction de dépilage A. Les images linéaires acquises successivement sont juxtaposées en mémoire pour former l'image à deux dimensions du chant inférieur 2C de l'envoi 2A.It is represented in detail on the figure 2 the optical device 9 which comprises the linear CCD type camera 13, accompanied by a suitable optic 14 and a lighting device 15 providing a light beam 15A, here constituted of a laser diode with a line generator. The camera 13 has a field of vision width 13A oriented so that its axis 13B, or line of sight, perpendicular to the unstacking direction A, to enter the lower edge of each item. The acquisition line of the camera 13 is therefore oriented substantially perpendicular to the edge of the sending 2A, in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the unstacking direction A, indicated by the arrow B on the figure 2 . The camera 13 thus forms a continuous linear image as the sending, like the sending 2A, moves in front of the camera in the unstacking direction A. The linear images acquired successively are juxtaposed in memory to form the image at two dimensions of the lower edge 2C of the item 2A.

Afin d'augmenter la compacité du dispositif de détection 9 pour faciliter son intégration mécanique dans le dispositif de dépilage 1, l'axe 15B du dispositif d'éclairage 15 est orienté sensiblement perpendiculairement à l'axe 13B de la caméra 13 et un séparateur de faisceau 16 est prévu pour orienter l'éclairage de manière à l'aligner sur l'axe 13B de la caméra 13. Le séparateur de faisceau 16 (une lame par exemple) est donc orienté à la fois à environ 45° par rapport à l'axe 13B de la caméra 13 et à environ 45° par rapport à l'axe 15B du dispositif d'éclairage 15 pour dévier le faisceau lumineux 15A. La caméra 13 acquière donc des images de l'envoi 2A à travers le séparateur de faisceau 16. Un tel dispositif d'éclairage 15 avec séparateur de faisceau 16 permet d'augmenter la profondeur de champ du dispositif de détection 9 tout en améliorant l'éclairage de l'envoi 2A.In order to increase the compactness of the detection device 9 to facilitate its mechanical integration in the unstacking device 1, the axis 15B of the illumination device 15 is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the axis 13B of the camera 13 and a separator beam 16 is provided to orient the illumination so as to align with the axis 13B of the camera 13. The beam splitter 16 (a blade for example) is thus oriented both at approximately 45 ° to the 13B axis of the camera 13 and at about 45 ° with respect to the axis 15B of the lighting device 15 to deflect the light beam 15A. The camera 13 thus acquires images of the transmission 2A through the beam splitter 16. Such a lighting device 15 with beam splitter 16 makes it possible to increase the depth of field of the detection device 9 while improving the 2A sending lighting.

La caméra 13 est de préférence un capteur linéaire à 512 pixels et la résolution des images acquises peut être de l'ordre de 16 pixels par millimètre (mm) dans la direction B, ce qui représente la possibilité limite de discriminer un envoi 2A ou une séparation entre deux envois inférieure à 0,1 mm d'épaisseur. La fréquence d'acquisition, à la vitesse d'environ 2,4m/s, conduit à une résolution d'environ 4 pixels par mm ou 4 lignes par mm. En variante, la caméra 13 peut être une caméra matricielle qui acquiert directement une image à deux dimensions du chant de l'envoi 2A.The camera 13 is preferably a linear sensor at 512 pixels and the resolution of the images acquired can be of the order of 16 pixels per millimeter (mm) in the direction B, which represents the limit possibility of discriminate a shipment 2A or a separation between two shipments less than 0.1 mm thick. The acquisition frequency, at a speed of about 2.4 m / s, leads to a resolution of about 4 pixels per mm or 4 lines per mm. In a variant, the camera 13 may be a matrix camera that directly acquires a two-dimensional image of the song of the item 2A.

La caméra 13 peut être positionnée au niveau d'une fente prévue dans la sole du dépileur entre la plaque de dépilage et le convoyeur. Elle doit être suffisamment éloignée de la rive de taquage 5 pour éviter de saisir l'image d'un envoi en attente de dépilage dans le magasin 3, mais suffisamment proche pour réaliser une commande en temps réel du moyen de retenue 8 à travers une unité de traitement de données 10. Comme décrit par la suite, l'unité 10 est agencée pour analyser l'image de la trace d'un envoi afin de détecter la présence de plusieurs envois dépilés conjointement, donc de comptabiliser le nombre d'envois et de déterminer leur position relative et, dans le cas où plusieurs envois sont détectés, de commander le moyen de retenue 8.The camera 13 can be positioned at a slot provided in the unstacker sole between the unstacking plate and the conveyor. It must be sufficiently far from the jogging edge 5 to avoid capturing the image of a shipment waiting to be unstacked in the magazine 3, but close enough to achieve real-time control of the holding means 8 through a unit. As described below, the unit 10 is arranged to analyze the image of the trace of a shipment in order to detect the presence of several depilated shipments jointly, therefore to count the number of shipments and determine their relative position and, in the case where several items are detected, to control the retaining means 8.

Les figures 3A à 3E représentent des exemples d'images multi-niveaux de gris formées à l'aide de la caméra 13. L'image de la figure 3A révèle une seule trace. L'image de la figure 3B révèle quatre traces et donc la présence de plusieurs envois dépilés conjointement. Les images des figures 3C et 3D révèlent deux traces et donc encore des envois dépilés conjointement. Globalement, on peut distinguer quatre cas de figure. L'envoi est dit de type standard ou « S » s'il est dépilé seul (figure 3A). Lorsqu'au moins deux envois sont dépilés conjointement, l'envoi est dit non standard ou « nS » de type positif ou « P » si le front avant de l'envoi de gauche dans la direction de convoyage A est en avance par rapport au front avant de l'envoi de droite, comme on peut le voir sur la figure 3C ; et l'envoi est dit « nS » de type négatif ou « N » si le front avant de l'envoi de droite dans la direction de convoyage A est en avance par rapport au front avant de l'envoi de gauche, comme on peut le voir sur la figure 3D. Enfin, si les deux fronts avant des deux envois dépilés conjointement coïncident parfaitement (c'est-à-dire qu'ils ont la même abscisse suivant la direction de convoyage A), l'envoi est dit « nS » parfait ou « Pf », comme montré sur la figure 3E.The FIGS. 3A to 3E are examples of multi-level gray images formed using the camera 13. The image of the figure 3A reveals a single trace. The image of the figure 3B reveals four traces and therefore the presence of several depilated shipments jointly. The images of Figures 3C and 3D reveal two traces and thus again shipments unharvested jointly. Overall, we can distinguish four scenarios. The sending is said of standard type or "S" if it is depilated alone ( figure 3A ). When at least two shipments are unstacked jointly, the consignment is said to be non-standard or "nS" of positive type or "P" if the leading edge of the left-hand shipment in the conveying direction A is ahead of the front edge of the right-hand side, as can be seen on figure 3C ; and the sending is said to be "nS" of negative type or "N" if the leading edge of the right-hand delivery in the conveying direction A is ahead of the front edge of the left-hand delivery, as can be see him on the 3D figure . Finally, if the two fronts before the two depilated shipments jointly coincide perfectly (that is to say, they have the same abscissa in the direction of conveying A), the sending is said "nS" perfect or "Pf" , as shown on the figure 3E .

Dans le cas de configuration de dispositif de dépilage 1 présentée sur la figure 1, si les deux premiers envois de la pile 2 sont dépilés conjointement, le premier envoi de la pile sera alors positionné du côté gauche dans le sens de convoyage A et le second envoi du côté droit. On comprend que l'envoi de type positif correspond à la configuration où le front avant du premier envoi de la pile est en avance sur le front avant du second. C'est la configuration la plus fréquemment observée puisqu'elle représente environ 75% des envois non standard. Le moyen de retenu 8 a donc été placé du côté droit par rapport au sens de convoyage A pour retenir le second envoi, en retard dans la majorité des cas. On comprendra évidemment que dans une configuration de dispositif de dépilage symétrique par rapport à celle de la figure 1, l'envoi de type positif correspondrait alors à un envoi de droite en avance sur celui de gauche.In the case of unstacking device configuration 1 presented on the figure 1 if the first two shipments of stack 2 are unstacked together, the first shipment of the stack will then be positioned on the left side in conveying direction A and the second shipment on the right side. It is understood that the positive type sending corresponds to the configuration where the leading edge of the first shipment of the stack is ahead of the front edge of the second. This is the most common configuration since it accounts for about 75% of non-standard shipments. The holding means 8 has therefore been placed on the right side with respect to the conveying direction A to retain the second shipment, late in most cases. It will of course be understood that in an unstacking device configuration that is symmetrical with respect to that of the figure 1 , sending positive type would then correspond to a sending right ahead of the one on the left.

L'unité de traitement 10 est donc agencée pour déterminer, dans le cas d'envois dépilés conjointement, le type de l'envoi S, P, N ou Pf et donc commander de manière appropriée le moyen de retenue 8.The processing unit 10 is therefore arranged to determine, in the case of jointly unstuck items, the type of the item S, P, N or Pf and thus suitably control the holding means 8.

La figure 4 illustre cette commande du moyen de retenue 8. A l'étape 41 on forme donc en continu des images linéaires MNG successives du chant inférieur de chaque envoi dès qu'il est détecté par le capteur 11 par exemple et à mesure que celui-ci est déplacé dans la direction A. La saisie et l'analyse des images du chant des envois peuvent en variante être limitées à la durée du cycle de dépilage, c'est-à-dire qu'elles sont déclenchées en même temps que l'activation du moyen d'entraînement 6, et arrêtées dans un délai déterminé après la désactivation de ce moyen d'entraînement. Du fait de la vitesse élevée des envois dépilés (de l'ordre de 2,4 m/s), le temps alloué au traitement des images par l'unité 10 pour gérer l'information donnée par la trace des envois dépilés peut être inférieur à 10 millisecondes (ms) selon la configuration du dispositif de dépilage 1. Pour répondre à cette contrainte de temps réel, l'unité 10 analyse des images partielles en deux dimensions contenant un nombre limité de lignes d'acquisition, par exemple ici 32 lignes qui correspondent à environ une longueur de 8 mm d'un envoi dépilé. Chaque image partielle comprend donc 32 lignes et 512 colonnes de pixels MNG.The figure 4 illustrates this control of the retaining means 8. In step 41 is therefore continuously formed MNG successive linear images of the lower edge of each shipment as soon as it is detected by the sensor 11 for example and as it is moved in the direction A. The capture and analysis of the images of the song of the items may alternatively be limited to the duration of the unstacking cycle, that is, they are triggered at the same time as the activation. of the drive means 6, and stopped within a predetermined time after the deactivation of this drive means. Due to the high speed of depilated shipments (of the order of 2.4 m / s), the time allocated to the processing of the images by the unit 10 to manage the information given by the trace of the depilated shipments may be less than at 10 milliseconds (ms) depending on the configuration of the unstacking device 1. In order to meet this real-time constraint, the unit 10 analyzes two-dimensional partial images containing a limited number of acquisition lines, for example here 32 lines which correspond to about 8 mm length of a depilated shipment. Each partial image thus comprises 32 lines and 512 columns of pixels MNG.

L'analyse peut également se faire sur des images partielles de 32 colonnes avec une fenêtre glissante par exemple de 4 colonnes en 4 colonnes afin d'avoir un recouvrement des images successives et de rafraîchir l'analyse toutes les 4 colonnes d'acquisition d'image, c'est-à-dire tous les millimètres d'avancée des envois.The analysis can also be done on partial images of 32 columns with a sliding window for example of 4 columns in 4 columns in order to have a recovery of the successive images and of refresh the analysis every 4 columns of image acquisition, that is to say, every millimeter of advanced shipments.

L'image partielle en deux dimensions est constituée en mémoire à l'étape 42 et est analysée à l'étape 43 pour déterminer si plusieurs envois sont dépilés conjointement et le nombre d'envois en présence. Pendant cette analyse, le ou les envois courants poursuivent leur déplacement selon la direction A et on peut estimer perdre 2 lignes d'acquisition, ce qui correspond à une longueur de 0,5 mm de la trace de l'envoi avant un rafraîchissement complet de l'image partielle. En cas de détection de plusieurs envois, le traitement se poursuit sur une détermination du type d'envoi S, ou non standard P, N ou Pf en 44 pour commander le moyen de retenue en 45 en tenant compte le cas échéant d'un historique en 46 comme décrit par la suite.The two-dimensional partial image is constituted in memory at step 42 and is analyzed in step 43 to determine if several shipments are unstacked jointly and the number of shipments in the presence. During this analysis, the current shipment (s) continues to move in direction A and it can be estimated that 2 acquisition lines are lost, which corresponds to a length of 0.5 mm of the trace of the consignment before a complete refresh of the partial image. In case of detection of several shipments, processing continues on a determination of the type of shipment S, or non-standard P, N or Pf at 44 to control the retaining means 45, taking into account where appropriate a history at 46 as described later.

Les étapes 43 et 44 sont plus détaillées sur la figure 6.Steps 43 and 44 are more detailed on the figure 6 .

A l'étape 61, une image partielle est construite en mémoire. L'analyse d'image consiste à déterminer le nombre d'envois visibles dépilés conjointement dans cette image. Pour cela, on exploite le fait qu'il existe un espace 18 plus ou moins grand entre les traces de plusieurs envois dans l'image, comme visible sur la figure 5A.In step 61, a partial image is constructed in memory. The image analysis consists of determining the number of visible items unstitched together in this image. For this, it exploits the fact that there is a space 18 more or less large between the traces of several shipments in the image, as visible on the Figure 5A .

Dans l'image, cela se traduit par une alternance de zones sombres 20 (les trace des envois) et de zones claires 19 (autour des envois et espace 18). Le nombre de transitions entre une zone sombre et une zone claire suivant la direction B est une caractéristique robuste permettant de déterminer le type des envois. On comprendra évidemment que selon la convention de dynamique d'image retenue, l'espace 18 pourrait inversement correspondre à une zone sombre et les envois à des zones claires.In the image, this results in an alternation of dark areas 20 (the trace of the items) and light areas 19 (around the items and space 18). The number of transitions between a dark area and a light area in the B direction is a robust feature for determining the type of shipments. It will of course be understood that according to Image dynamics convention retained, space 18 could inversely correspond to a dark area and send to clear areas.

Pour compter à l'étape 62 le nombre de transitions dans une image, on commence par découper l'image selon la direction B en bandes 21 de taille fixe comme visible sur la figure 5B. Puis, on calcule la projection des niveaux de gris sur chaque bande 21, c'est-à-dire qu'on calcule la moyenne des niveaux de gris des pixels par colonne de la bande d'image MNG de sorte que les lignes d'une bande ont toutes les mêmes valeurs après projection. De cette manière, on lisse l'image MNG ce qui rend la méthode de détection du nombre d'envois en présence moins sensible au bruit. On comprendra que la largeur des bandes est judicieusement choisie : une petite largeur de bande conduit à un signal de projection trop bruité et sujet aux variations locales. En revanche, une bande trop large lisse le signal et atténue les pics caractéristiques des distributions bimodales (zones sombres/claires). En outre, une bande trop large peut induire la méthode en erreur dans le cas d'un envoi standard courbe (voir figure 3A, haut de l'envoi).To count at step 62 the number of transitions in an image, we first cut the image along the direction B into fixed-size bands 21 as visible on the image. Figure 5B . Then, the projection of the gray levels on each band 21 is calculated, that is to say that the average of the gray levels of the pixels per column of the image band MNG is calculated so that the lines of a band all have the same values after projection. In this way, the MNG image is smoothed, which makes the method of detecting the number of items in the presence less sensitive to noise. It will be understood that the width of the strips is judiciously chosen: a small bandwidth leads to a projection signal that is too noisy and subject to local variations. On the other hand, a too wide band smooths the signal and attenuates the characteristic peaks of the bimodal distributions (dark / light zones). In addition, a too wide band can induce the method in error in the case of a standard curve (see figure 3A , top of the mailing).

On recherche ensuite pour chaque bande 21 le nombre d'extremum en terme de niveaux de gris qui correspondent aux transitions sombre/claire. Comme cela est connu, la recherche d'extremum peut d'abord consister en une recherche de maxima et minima locaux, ensuite si les maxima ou minima locaux sont peu différents ou trop proches, on les rejette, jusqu'à trouver un minima situé entre deux maxima pour la détection de deux envois. Puis, on effectue un calcul représentatif du nombre moyen Sc de transitions pour toute la portion d'image selon la relation suivante : Sc = nombre de transitions nombre de bandes - 1

Figure imgb0001
Then we search for each band 21 the number of extremum in terms of gray levels that correspond to dark / light transitions. As is known, the search for extremum can first consist of a search for local maxima and minima, then if the local maxima or minima are not very different or too close, they are rejected, until finding a minimum located between two maxima for detecting two shipments. Then, a calculation is made representative of the average number Sc of transitions for the entire image portion according to the following relationship: sc = number of transitions number of bands - 1
Figure imgb0001

On comprend que Sc est compris généralement entre 0 pour un envoi S dépilé seul et 1 pour deux envois. Cependant, en pratique, Sc peut être supérieur à 1 dans le cas où trois envois ou plus ont été dépilés conjointement. Le score Sc est à rapprocher à la notion de degré d'appartenance des sous-ensembles flous. Le fait de fournir en sortie un degré d'appartenance flou constitue un avantage majeur de cette approche, car il permet de passer d'un envoi S à plusieurs envois dépilés conjointement d'une façon continue évitant ainsi les effets de seuil.It is understood that Sc is generally between 0 for a single S dispatcher and 1 for two shipments. However, in practice, Sc may be greater than 1 in the case where three or more shipments have been unstacked together. The score Sc is to be compared to the notion of degree of membership of the fuzzy subsets. Providing a fuzzy degree of membership at the output is a major advantage of this approach, since it makes it possible to switch from one consignment S to several jointly unstacked shipments in a continuous manner thus avoiding the threshold effects.

A partir du nombre moyen Sc de transitions, on détermine d'abord pour un envoi courant dépilé qu'il appartient à l'une des deux catégories type S ou nS par simple seuillage sur le score Sc. Ainsi, les envois pour lesquels Sc est nul (étape 63) sont déclarés de type S en 64, et les envois pour lesquels Sc est supérieur à un certain seuil τ (étape 65) sont déclarés de type nS en 66 (c'est-à-dire tous les envois dont on est sûr qu'ils ne sont pas du type S). Les envois pour lesquels Sc est compris entre 0 et τ (étape 67) ont autant de chance d'appartenir à l'un ou l'autre type (S ou nS). Cette plage de valeurs de Sc est une zone d'incertitude de la méthode qui correspond à une classification ambiguë des envois en 68. Le seuil τ est donc choisi pour obtenir un bon compromis entre les fausses directions de tri (générées par les envois de type nS détectés comme des envois de type S) et les envois de type S détectés à tort comme des envois de type nS.From the average number Sc of transitions, it is first determined for a current parcel that it belongs to one of the two categories type S or nS by simple thresholding on the score Sc. Thus, the items for which Sc is zero (step 63) are declared of type S at 64, and the items for which Sc is greater than a certain threshold τ (step 65) are declared of type nS in 66 (that is to say all the items of which one is sure they are not type S). Shipments for which Sc is between 0 and τ (step 67) are equally likely to belong to one or the other type (S or nS). This range of values of Sc is a zone of uncertainty of the method which corresponds to an ambiguous classification of the shipments in 68. The threshold τ is thus chosen to obtain a good compromise between the false directions of sorting (generated by the shipments of type nS detected as S-type shipments) and S-type shipments wrongly detected as nS shipments.

Si les envois ont été déclarés de type nS avec un taux de confiance suffisamment fiable à l'étape 66, le procédé se poursuit à l'étape 44 par un algorithme d'étiquetage destiné à déterminer le type positif, négatif ou parfait des envois dépilés conjointement.If the shipments have been reported as nS with a sufficiently reliable confidence level in step 66, the process proceeds to step 44 by a tagging algorithm to determine the positive, negative, or perfect type of the garbled shipments. jointly.

L'algorithme d'étiquetage consiste à l'étape 69 à extraire des profils gauche et droit de l'envoi dans l'image MNG, puis à analyser ces profils pour détecter des pics. On définit un profil gauche Pg(i) de l'envoi courant comme étant l'ensemble des premiers pixels ayant un niveau de gris supérieur à un certain seuil σ lorsque l'on parcourt chaque ligne de l'image MNG de gauche à droite dans la direction B perpendiculaire à la direction de convoyage A comme indiqué sur la figure 3C : Pg i = Min j / image i j > σ

Figure imgb0002

où i et j sont les coordonnées de chaque pixel, i désignant l'index de position de ligne et j l'index de position de colonne, et image[i,j] est la valeur du pixel de coordonnées (i, j) dans l'image MNG.The tagging algorithm consists of step 69 extracting the left and right profiles of the sending in the MNG image, then analyzing these profiles to detect peaks. We define a left profile Pg (i) of the current mail as being the set of first pixels having a gray level greater than a certain threshold σ when we traverse each line of the image MNG from left to right in the direction B perpendicular to the conveying direction A as indicated on the figure 3C : Pg i = Low j / picture i j > σ
Figure imgb0002
where i and j are the coordinates of each pixel, i denoting the line position index and the column position index, and image [i, j] is the value of the coordinate pixel (i, j) in the MNG image.

De la même façon, on définit un profit droit Pd(i) comme étant l'ensemble des derniers pixels ayant un niveau de gris supérieur au seuil σ dans la direction B perpendiculaire à la direction de convoyage A comme indiqué sur la figure 3C : Pd i = Max j / image i j > σ .

Figure imgb0003
In the same way, a straight profit Pd (i) is defined as being the set of last pixels having a gray level higher than the threshold σ in the direction B perpendicular to the conveying direction A as indicated on FIG. figure 3C : Pd i = Max j / picture i j > σ .
Figure imgb0003

On comprendra que le seuil σ pourrait être différent pour la définition du profil gauche ou droit par exemple pour tenir compte des phénomènes d'ombre.It will be understood that the threshold σ could be different for the definition of the left or right profile, for example to take account of shadow phenomena.

L'algorithme d'étiquetage se poursuit par la définition de pics gauches et droits dans les profils comme étant des extremums locaux des fonctions respectives |Pg(i+1)-Pg(i)| pour le profil gauche et |Pd(i+1)-Pd(i)| pour le profil droit.The tagging algorithm continues with the definition of left and right peaks in the profiles as local extremums of the respective functions | Pg (i + 1) -Pg (i) | for the left profile and | Pd (i + 1) -Pd (i) | for the right profile.

Enfin, selon la présence ou l'absence de pics dans les profils, l'algorithme étiquette les envois de la manière suivante :

  • en cas de présence de pic sur le profil gauche, l'envoi est déclaré de type N à l'étape 72 (figure 3D) ;
  • en cas d'absence de pics, l'envoi est déclaré de type Pf à l'étape 71 (figure 3E) ;
  • en cas de présence de pic sur le profil droit, l'envoi est déclaré de type P à l'étape 70 (figure 3C).
Finally, depending on the presence or absence of peaks in the profiles, the algorithm labels the mailings as follows:
  • if there is a peak on the left profile, the sending is declared of type N in step 72 ( 3D figure );
  • in case of absence of peaks, the sending is declared as type Pf at step 71 ( figure 3E );
  • if there is a peak on the right profile, the sending is declared as type P in step 70 ( figure 3C ).

Puis, en fonction du résultat obtenu et en s'appuyant sur un historique des décisions antérieures 46, l'unité 10 active ou non à l'étape 45 le moyen de retenue 8 :

  • à l'étape 73, en cas d'envoi standard de type S (figure 3A), le moyen de retenue 8 (indiqué par la référence « MR » sur la figure 6) n'est pas activé ;
  • à l'étape 74, en cas d'un envoi de type P (figure 3C), le moyen de retenue 8 peut être activé, en fonction de l'épaisseur de l'envoi, soit avant, soit après que l'envoi 2A soit détecté par le capteur 12 au niveau du point de pincement 7A (indiqué par la référence « PP » sur la figure 6), c'est-à-dire que l'envoi le plus en avant (celui de gauche) est pincé par le convoyeur d'envois 7 et l'envoi de droite est retenu par le moyen de retenue 8, ce qui le sépare de l'envoi de gauche et évite un bourrage du convoyeur d'envois 7 ;
  • à l'étape 76, en cas d'un envoi de type N (figure 3D), le moyen de retenue 8 est activé avant que l'envoi 2A ne soit détecté par le capteur 12 au niveau du point de pincement 7A, c'est-à-dire que l'envoi le plus en avant (celui de droite) est retenu par le moyen de retenue 8, et l'envoi de gauche est dépilé et pincé par le convoyeur d'envois 7, ce qui sépare les deux envois et évite un bourrage du convoyeur d'envois 7 ;
  • à l'étape 75, en cas d'un envoi de type Pf (figure 3E), l'activation est la même que pour un envoi de type N, c'est-à-dire que le moyen de retenue 8 est activé avant que l'envoi 2A ne soit détecté par le capteur 12 au niveau du point de pincement 7A, c'est-à-dire que l'envoi de droite est retenu par le moyen de retenue 8, et l'envoi de gauche est pincé par le convoyeur d'envois 7;
  • à l'étape 77, en cas d'incertitude sur la classification d'envoi, le moyen de retenue 8 est activé systématiquement après que l'envoi ou les envois est/sont détecté(s) par le capteur 12 c'est-à-dire qu'il a/ils ont atteint le point de pincement 7A. Ceci correspond au mode de fonctionnement selon l'art antérieur du moyen de retenue 8.
Then, depending on the result obtained and based on a history of previous decisions 46, the unit 10 activates or not in step 45 the retaining means 8:
  • in step 73, in the case of standard sending of type S ( figure 3A ), the retaining means 8 (indicated by the reference "MR" on the figure 6 ) is not activated;
  • in step 74, in case of a P-type send ( figure 3C ), the retaining means 8 can be activated, depending on the thickness of the consignment, either before or after the sending 2A is detected by the sensor 12 at the pinch point 7A (indicated by the reference "PP" on the figure 6 ), that is to say that the most forward sending (the left) is pinched by the conveyor of items 7 and the right sending is retained by the retaining means 8, which separates it sending left and avoids a jam conveyor 7;
  • in step 76, in case of an N-type send ( 3D figure ), the retaining means 8 is activated before the sending 2A is detected by the sensor 12 at the pinch point 7A, that is to say that the most forward sending (the right one) is retained by the retaining means 8, and the left sending is depilated and pinched by the conveyor of items 7, which separates the two shipments and avoids a stuffing of the conveyor of items 7;
  • in step 75, in the case of a Pf ( figure 3E ), the activation is the same as for an N type sending, that is to say that the retaining means 8 is activated before the sending 2A is detected by the sensor 12 at the pinching point 7A, that is to say that the sending right is retained by the retaining means 8, and the left sending is pinched by the conveyor of items 7;
  • in step 77, in case of uncertainty on the sending classification, the retaining means 8 is activated systematically after the sending or the sending is / are detected (s) by the sensor 12 that is to say that he / she has reached the pinch point 7A. This corresponds to the operating mode according to the prior art of the retaining means 8.

L'historique des décisions 46 permet à l'unité 10 de suivre le déplacement des envois et d'adapter l'activation dans le temps jusqu'à ce que les envois soient entraînés dans le convoyeur 7. Par exemple, quand des envois sont étiquetés en type P ou N à partir d'une première image, l'image suivante donnera un résultat « type Pf » correspondant à l'endroit où les deux envois sont superposés sans qu'il soit nécessaire de déclencher la commande correspondante du moyen de retenue 8.The decision history 46 allows the unit 10 to track the movement of shipments and to adjust the activation over time until the shipments are driven in the conveyor 7. For example, when shipments are tagged in type P or N from a first image, the following image will give a "Pf type" result corresponding to the place where the two items are superimposed without it being necessary to trigger the corresponding control of the retaining means 8.

L'avantage atteint par le dispositif de dépilage 1 de l'invention est double. D'une part, on minimise l'activation à tort du moyen de retenue 8 dans le cas des envois de type S, réduisant ainsi le risque d'endommager le courrier et améliorant le débit du dispositif de dépilage 1. D'autre part, en cas d'envoi non standard, l'activation du moyen de retenue 8 au moment opportun permet d'éviter l'entraînement simultané de plusieurs envois dans le convoyeur 7.The advantage achieved by the unstacking device 1 of the invention is twofold. On the one hand, the improper activation of the holding means 8 is minimized in the case of S-type shipments, thus reducing the risk of damaging the mail and improving the unloading device 1 flow. On the other hand, in case of non-standard sending, the activation of the holding means 8 at the appropriate time avoids the simultaneous training of several shipments in the conveyor 7.

Sur la figure 6, on doit comprendre qu'après l'étape 45, le processus reboucle à l'étape 61 pour une nouvelle image (ou portion d'image de 32 lignes par exemple).On the figure 6 it should be understood that after step 45, the process loops back to step 61 for a new image (or image portion of 32 lines for example).

On a représenté sur la figure 7 un autre dispositif de dépilage 100 d'envois postaux plats 102. Le dispositif 100 comprend un magasin 103 dans lequel les envois postaux 102 à dépiler sont disposés sur chant en pile face à une plaque de dépilage 104 et contre une rive de taquage 105. En outre, le dispositif de dépilage 100 comprend un convoyeur d'envois 109 par pincement dont l'entrée 109A ou point de pincement est représentée ici sous la forme de deux poulies en opposition. Entre la plaque de dépilage et le point de pincement est disposé un moyen d'entrainement 107 des envois 102 dans une direction de dépilage C.We have shown on the figure 7 another unstacking device 100 of flat mailpieces 102. The device 100 comprises a magazine 103 in which the mailpieces 102 to be unstacked are arranged on edge stack in front of an unstacking plate 104 and against a jogging edge 105. furthermore, the unstacking device 100 comprises a nip conveyor 109 whose entry 109A or pinch point is shown here in the form of two opposing pulleys. Between the unstacking plate and the pinch point is arranged a drive 107 of the shipments 102 in a unstacking direction C.

Comme visible sur la figure 7, le dispositif de dépilage 100 est équipé ici d'un dispositif de détection à deux caméras 110 espacées selon la direction de dépilage C et destinées à acquérir des images du chant inférieur des envois 102. En outre, il est prévu deux moyens de retenue 111 successifs disposés en alignement selon la direction de dépilage C. On pourrait aussi prévoir plusieurs moyens de retenue 111 successifs.As visible on the figure 7 , the unstacking device 100 is here equipped with a detection device with two cameras 110 spaced in the unstacking direction C and intended to acquire images of the lower edge of the items 102. In addition, two retaining means 111 are provided. successive arranged in alignment in the unstacking direction C. It could also provide several successive retaining means 111.

Dans le cas du dispositif de dépilage 100, les deux caméras 110 permettent de suivre en temps réel l'action du moyen d'entrainement 107 et des moyens de retenue 111 et, en fonction du résultat de cette action, de réaliser une commande en temps réel de chaque moyen de retenue 111 à travers une unité de traitement de données 112. Par exemple, dans le cas où plusieurs envois sont dépilés conjointement, les deux moyens de retenue 111 peuvent être commandés sélectivement de façon différentes pour freiner ou non un envoi particulier.In the case of the unstacking device 100, the two cameras 110 make it possible to follow in real time the action of the drive means 107 and the retaining means 111 and, depending on the result of this action, to carry out a command in time. the real one of each holding means 111 through a data processing unit 112. For example, in the case where several items are unstacked jointly, the two retaining means 111 can be selectively controlled in different ways to slow down or not a particular item .

Il est entendu que la description des exemples de réalisation ci-dessus n'est nullement limitative de l'invention. On peut par exemple disposer deux ou plusieurs moyens de retenue 8 face à face, en opposition dans la direction de convoyage A, pour améliorer la retenue d'envois convoyés conjointement et l'organisation en succession des envois dans la direction de dépilage C.It is understood that the description of the embodiments above is not limiting of the invention. For example, it is possible to have two or more retaining means 8 facing each other, in opposition in the conveying direction A, to improve the retention of jointly conveyed items and the organization in succession of the items in the unstacking direction C.

De plus, le procédé selon l'invention peut intégrer une mesure de l'épaisseur de chaque envoi et/ou de la vitesse de déplacement des envois et/ou du mouvement relatif des envois dépilés conjointement pour déterminer l'efficacité de la retenue des envois et donc de leur séparation, et ajuster la force de la retenue le cas échéant. Ainsi, on peut régler la force de retenue appliquée sur les envois par le moyen de retenue pour tenir compte de la fragilité relative de chaque envoi.In addition, the method according to the invention can integrate a measurement of the thickness of each item and / or the speed of movement of the items and / or the relative movement of the unstuck items jointly to determine the effectiveness of the retention of the items. and therefore their separation, and adjust the strength of the restraint if necessary. Thus, it is possible to adjust the restraining force applied to the items by the retaining means to take account of the relative fragility of each item.

On peut aussi déterminer à partir des images MNG des envois la présence d'agrafe sur le chant d'un envoi, ce qui indique s'il s'agit d'un envoi ouvert (avec agrafe) ou fermé (sans agrafe), et qui permet de régler la force de retenue appliquée sur l'envoi pour éviter de détériorer les envois ouverts.It is also possible to determine from the MNG images of the items the presence of staple on the edge of a mailing, which indicates whether it is an open mail (with staple) or closed (without staple), and which allows the retention force applied to the shipment to be adjusted to avoid damaging open shipments.

Claims (10)

  1. An unstacker device (1; 100) for unstacking flat articles comprising:
    a magazine (3; 103) in which the flat articles (2; 102) to be unstacked are disposed on edge and in a stack facing an unstacking plate (4; 104) and against a jogging edge (5; 105), the unstacking plate (4; 104) being arranged to separate a first article (2A) of the stack from the other articles (2, 102) of the stack and to drive it in a certain unstacking direction (A; C) that is substantially perpendicular to the jogging edge (5; 105);
    a conveyor (7; 109) suitable for conveying the unstacked articles in series and on edge, the conveyor having an inlet (7A; 109A) disposed downstream from the jogging edge (5; 105) relative to the unstacking direction (A; C); and
    retaining means (8; 111) disposed substantially between the jogging edge (5; 105) and the inlet of the conveyor (7A; 109A) and that are actuated to exert on a face of an article (2A, 2B) moving in the unstacking direction (A; C) between the jogging edge (5; 105) and the inlet of the conveyor (7A; 109A) a retaining force opposing the movement of said article in the unstacking direction (A; C), characterized in that it further comprises a detector device (9, 10; 110, 112) suitable for sensing the trace of each unstacked article moving between the jogging edge (5; 105) and the inlet of the conveyor (7A; 109A) and for analyzing said trace so as to detect the presence of a plurality of articles moving together, and, on the basis of such detection, so as to actuate said retaining means (8; 111) for the purpose of separating the articles that are moving together.
  2. A device according to claim 1, comprising a linear array camera (9, 110) extending transversely to said unstacking direction under the path of the unstacked objects between the jogging edge (5; 105) and the inlet of the conveyor (7A; 109A) so as to form an image of the trace of each unstacked article, and a data-processing unit (10; 112) that is arranged so that, when the presence of at least two articles that have been unstacked together is detected, it determines which of the two articles is ahead of the other one in said unstacking direction (A; C), and, on the basis of this determination, it actuates the retaining means (8; 111).
  3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the linear camera is disposed upstream from the retaining means (8; 111) relative to the unstacking direction (A; C).
  4. An unstacker device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising first and second retaining means disposed in opposition to the unstacking direction.
  5. An unstacker device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, including first and second retaining means (111) disposed in alignment along the unstacking direction (C).
  6. An unstacker device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which device each retaining means (8; 111) is a suction device.
  7. A device according to claim 2, wherein the data-processing unit (10; 112) is arranged to measure the thickness of each unstacked mailpiece on the basis of the image, this measurement serving to adjust the retaining force exerted by the retaining means.
  8. A device according to claim 2, wherein the data-processing unit (10; 112) is arranged to detect the presence of a staple on a mailpiece on the basis of the image, this detection serving to adjust the retaining force exerted by the retaining means.
  9. A device according to claim 2, including a plurality of linear array cameras (110) spaced apart in said unstacking direction (C).
  10. A mail-handling machine including an unstacker device (1; 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
EP10742202A 2009-07-16 2010-07-05 Device for unstacking flat objects that detects the path of unstacked objects Not-in-force EP2454178B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0954931A FR2948109B1 (en) 2009-07-16 2009-07-16 DEVICE FOR DEPILING FLAT OBJECTS WITH DETECTION OF THE TRACE OF OBJECTS DEPILED
PCT/FR2010/051417 WO2011007077A1 (en) 2009-07-16 2010-07-05 Device for unstacking flat objects that detects the path of unstacked objects

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2454178A1 EP2454178A1 (en) 2012-05-23
EP2454178B1 true EP2454178B1 (en) 2013-03-06

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EP10742202A Not-in-force EP2454178B1 (en) 2009-07-16 2010-07-05 Device for unstacking flat objects that detects the path of unstacked objects

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US (1) US8764009B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2454178B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5456793B2 (en)
AU (1) AU2010272408B2 (en)
DK (1) DK2454178T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2948109B1 (en)
PT (1) PT2454178E (en)
RU (1) RU2482045C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2011007077A1 (en)

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US9056738B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2015-06-16 United States Postal Service Anti-rotation device and method of use
US9340377B2 (en) 2013-03-12 2016-05-17 United States Postal Service System and method of automatic feeder stack management

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US8764009B2 (en) 2014-07-01
WO2011007077A1 (en) 2011-01-20
JP2012516232A (en) 2012-07-19
EP2454178A1 (en) 2012-05-23
DK2454178T3 (en) 2013-05-06
US20110129324A1 (en) 2011-06-02
RU2011121869A (en) 2012-12-10
AU2010272408B2 (en) 2012-09-13
PT2454178E (en) 2013-05-10
RU2482045C2 (en) 2013-05-20
JP5456793B2 (en) 2014-04-02
FR2948109B1 (en) 2011-06-17
AU2010272408A1 (en) 2011-01-20
FR2948109A1 (en) 2011-01-21

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