EP2755778A1

EP2755778A1 - Sorting system and sorting method with two storage areas

Info

Publication number: EP2755778A1
Application number: EP12780162.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 2011-10-28
Filing date: 2012-10-24
Publication date: 2014-07-23
Also published as: DE102011085458A1; US9314822B2; WO2013060721A1; US20140291217A1; CN204276368U

Abstract

The invention relates to a sorting system and a sorting method for sorting objects according to a predetermined sorting feature, in particular, for sorting flat postal items according to their delivery addresses. The method in accordance with the solution has a first storage area (SB.1) and a second storage area (SB.2), each with a plurality of stores (Sp.1.1,..., Sp.2.1,...). At least one store (Sp.1.1, Sp.1.2,...) of the storage area (SB.1) comprises a store output (Ausg.1.1, Ausg.1.2,...) and an emptying transport path (E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2,...), which leads to a store (Sp.2.2, Sp.2.3,...) of the second storage area (SB.2). The value that the sorting feature takes on for each object to be sorted is measured for that object. A store (Sp.1.1,..., Sp.2.1,...) is selected on the basis of the sorting feature value. The object is transported to the selected store (Sp.1.1,..., Sp.2.1,...). In an emptying-optimised mode, only stores (Sp.1.1, Sp.1.2,...) of the first storage area (SB.1) are selected, and in a sorting destination-optimised mode, stores (Sp.2.1, Sp.2.2,...) of the second storage area (SB.2) are also selected. A store (Sp.1.1, Sp.1.2,...) with a store output (Ausg.1.1, Ausg.1.2,...) is emptied in an emptying-optimised mode by transporting objects in this store to a store (Sp.2.2, Sp.2.3,...) of the second storage area (SB.2) by means of the emptying transport path (E- Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2,...).

Description

description

Sorting system and sorting process with two storage areas

The invention relates to a sorting system and a sorting method for sorting in two modes and using two spatially separate storage areas, in particular for flat mail items. By means of the sorting system and by the sorting method, several items are sorted according to a predetermined sorting feature, in particular mailpieces according to their delivery addresses. No. 6,677,548 B2 describes a method and a device for sorting objects ("objects"). The objects are fed to a conveyor by means of a "loading station 2", cf. Fig. 1. A "first transfer section 9" connects the "loading station 2" with the "parking sections 7" of a block A. A "second transfer section 10" connects the "sections 7" of the block A with the "parking sections 8 "of a block B. A" discharge section 12 "connects the block B to a" discharge station 13 ". 3 shows an embodiment with a "buffer section 20." The "parking sections" of the block A are denoted by Al, A.2, ..., the "parking sections" of the block B are indicated by Bl, B.2, .... The "buffer section 20" has many "buffer disturbing parking sections 21" and a "return section 22". In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the "buffer section 20" is designed as a meander-shaped conveyor line ("closed circuit 23"). FIG. 5 shows how the sorting system of FIG. 1 sorts 16 different items in four sorting passes. In the first sorting pass, the eight items 1, 3, 5,... Are placed in the "parking section A1", the eight remaining items 2, 4, 6,... In the "parking section A.2". In the second sorting pass, the 16 objects are moved to the two "parking sections Bl, B.2", in the third sorting pass again to the "parking sections A1, A.2" and in the fourth sorting pass again into the "parking sections Bl, B.2" After the fourth sorting run, the desired order is produced in the "parking sections Bl, B.2". EP 1878511 A1 describes a sorting system and a sorting method in order to sort many mailpieces in two phases of a single sorting pass. In the exemplary embodiment, each mail item hangs on a clamp arrangement and is transported through the entire sorting system at this clamp arrangement. In the first phase, at least one batch sorting module 100 divides the incoming mailpieces into batches Fig. 1. Each "batch" consists of all mail items whose delivery addresses belong to the same group. In the second phase, at least one "address sorting module 200" successively sorts the "batches", wherein the "address sorting module 200" puts all the mailpieces of a "batch" in an order, cf. 2. An unsorted mail input path 105 transports the not yet sorted mailpieces to a sequence of, for example, three memories 112, namely the "batch storage 1", the "batch storage 2" and the "batch storage 3 ", past, cf. 1. Each diverter subsystem 110 leads from the path 105 to a memory 112. The diverter subsystems 110 distribute the mailpieces to the memories 112. From each memory 112, an output 114 leads to a third path / exit transport 111 ". The "address sorting module 200" receives the mailpieces of a "batch" by means of the path 111. A path 205 carries the mailpieces along a sequence of, for For example, there are 14 "address stations 215." Each "address station 215" is followed by a "diverter subsystem 210." Figure 3A shows an arrangement 300 having a plurality of "batch sorting modules" and a plurality of "address sorting modules 200" US 7,080,739 B2 describes a postal sorting machine 1 having two superimposed rows of memories 7. The upper row 6b is inclined to the lower tier - A conveyor device ("transfer structure 3") with two conveyor belts ("conveyors 9") located one above the other is located opposite the two rows 6a, 6b. The sorting system 1 performs two sorting passes (FIG. "2-pass sequencing") to sort mail items precisely on a "delivery round." In the first sorting pass, the mailpieces are distributed to the storages 7 and placed there in container 4. A "gangway 10" spends the mail filled container 4 from the memories 7 on the conveyor belts. 9

EP 0575032 A2 describes a "paper sheet handling apparatus." The "mail handling apparatus 1" of Fig. 1 has a "supply section 3", a "feeding section 4", a "transfer section 5", a "reading section 6 ", a plurality of sorting gates 7a, 7b,..., 7n" and a plurality of "regulating box groups 8a, 8b, 8n". Mail items are distributed depending on their delivery addresses to the "regulating box groups 8a, 8b, 8n." Several "collecting sections 9a, 9b,

9n "collects those mail items that are" discharged "from the" box groups 8a, 8b, 8n. "In addition," overflow-item-collecting sections 26a, 26b, ..., 26n "receive surplus mail from the" boxes 8a, 8n "on.

A "sorting gate 7r" discharges mail items into a "re-item-item-collecting section 9r". If the "sorting gate 7a" has ejected a mail item into the "box group 8a", this mail item enters a "sub-transfer passage 5a" and is transported past a sequence of "delivery gates 22a, 22b, 22h". Each "delivery gate 22a, 22b, ..., 22n" leads to a "regulating box 23a, 23b, 23n". Each such "box 23a, 23b, 23n" is emptied into the "collecting section 9a" by a "discharge member 24a, 24b, ..., 24n." WO 01/12347 A1 describes a sorting system and a sorting method In the example of FIG. 1, six items are to be sorted, with the order numbers of the items initially in the order of 5, 4, 7, 2, 1, 3, are ordered and the objects are supplied in the appropriate sequence via a feed conveyor line Z. Each item is transported on its own conveyed goods carrier. Each ordinal number has a binary representation, e.g. 5 has the binary representation 101. A first switch Wl distributes the objects depending on the last bit of the binary representation on two memory areas 21 and 22, so that all objects with odd order number in the memory area 22 and the remaining items in the memory area 21st A switch W21 downstream from the output of the memory area 21 distributes the objects depending on the second to last bit of the binary representation of the ordinal numbers on two subsequent memory sections 31 and 32. A switch W22 downstream of the output of the memory section 22 also distributes the objects depending on the next-to-last bit to the two following ones Memory paths 31 and 32. This continues until the objects reach the memory area 51 in the desired order. Fig. 2 shows an arrangement which realizes this method and is capable of sorting 16 objects. The switch WO divides the items depending on the highest bit on two preparation memories SPO1, SP02. In the memory SPOl thus enter the objects with the ordinal numbers 1 to 7. First, the memory SPOl is emptied, and the objects from SPOl are fed to the conveyor circuit 50. A switch W steers an object, depending on the last bit of the ordinal number, either into an inner bridging branch 50i or into an outer portion 50a of the conveyor circle 50. The articles then pass through further conveyor belts of the same design and arranged downstream in series.

In DE 10 2008 012 027 AI a sorting system is described. This sorting system has a pocket conveyor with several storage pockets and an output conveyor with several output containers. Two loading devices B1, B2 are able to fill the storage pockets with at least one object each. Each dispenser holds at least one item at a time. Two unloaders El, E2 allow make it possible to remove an item from a dispensing container. Each article is fed by a loading device Bl, B2 into a storage pocket and transported in the storage pocket until the storage pocket has reached a transfer area Ü. The object then comes out of the

Storage bag in an output container. In an input-optimized mode of the sorting system, both loading devices Bl, B2 and an unloading device El are activated. In a delivery-optimized mode, a loading device Bl and both unloading devices El, E2 are activated. This sorting system can be e.g. for sorting flat postal items.

The invention has for its object to provide a flexible sorting system and a flexible sorting method, which sort several items by means of a plurality of selectable memory for a given sorting feature and allow a rapid emptying of at least some of the selectable memory.

The object is achieved by a sorting system having the features of claim 1 and a sorting method having the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

The solution according sorting and the sorting method according to the solution make it possible to sort several objects according to a predetermined sorting feature. For each item to be sorted, the sorting feature takes one value each. It is possible that the sorting feature assumes the same value for different items to be sorted.

A sorting system with a first storage area and a second storage area is used. The first memory area is spatially separated from the second memory area. Each memory area contains several memories. Each memory is capable of accommodating several items to be sorted. Each store is from the other stores the same storage area is delimited. The sorting of the articles comprises the step of the sorting system dividing the articles to be sorted into these stores depending on their sorting feature values.

For each item to be sorted, the following steps are performed:

- A meter measures what value the default sorting feature for this item will take.

A selection unit automatically selects a memory for this object depending on the measured sorting feature value.

- The item is transported to this selected memory and ejected into this memory.

Each memory is later emptied, with the items removed from storage or otherwise removed from memory. At least one selectable memory of the first memory area includes a memory output and an emptying transport path. This evacuation transport path connects this memory output to at least one memory of the second memory area. An object to be sorted can be transported from this memory of the first memory area via the memory output and the emptying transport path of this memory into the memory of the second memory area. At least one selectable memory of the first memory area with a memory output is completely or at least partially emptied by transporting objects from this memory via the memory output and the emptying transport path into a memory of the second memory area.

According to the solution, the sorting system is optionally available in a sorting destination-optimized mode or in an emptying-optimized mode. operated mode. In sorting destination-optimized mode, the objects are divided into the memories of both memory areas depending on the measured sorting feature values. In sorting destination optimized mode, therefore, both storage areas are available for selection and for taking objects. It is of course possible that individual or even all memories of the first and / or the second memory area are not selected even when operating in the sorting destination optimized mode and therefore do not accommodate items to be sorted.

In emptying-optimized mode, on the other hand, only memories of the first memory area with one memory output and one emptying transport path are selected, but no memory of the second memory area and no memory without memory output. Each selectable memory of the first memory area, each having a memory output, is subsequently emptied via its emptying transport path by transporting the objects into a memory of the second memory area. In the emptying-optimized mode, the sorting system is designed to quickly empty the memories of the first memory area using the memory outputs. The invention eliminates the need for all the memories of the first memory area to be accessible from the outside to extract items from it. Furthermore, it is not necessary for all the memories of the first memory area to have to open into the same emptying transport path in order to empty the memories of the first memory area.

On the contrary, thanks to the invention, each memory of the first memory area with a memory output can be emptied into a memory of the second memory area. Different memories of the first memory area can be emptied into different memories of the second memory area, thus avoiding a mixing of objects becomes. Thanks to the invention, therefore, space is saved which would otherwise be required in order to provide a discharge transport path or to be able to access the storage from the outside. It is of course possible that individual or even all storage facilities are accessible from the outside. In this case, a memory with a memory output can be emptied both via the solution according to the discharge transport path and from the outside. It is also possible that a removal conveyor with a continuous discharge transport path is available to store the first

To empty storage area. Thanks to the invention, both can be realized, but not necessary.

Because the sorting system can be operated either in sorting destination-optimized mode or in emptying-optimized mode, a particularly flexible sorting system is provided. This advantage is achieved in particular in that at least one selectable memory of the first memory area has a memory output and an emptying transport path, preferably several or even all the memories of the first memory area. This memory with the emptying transport path can optionally be emptied from the outside or in that all or at least some objects in this memory are transported in solution via the associated memory output and the associated emptying transport path to a memory of the second memory area , This makes it possible to use the same solution sorting system optionally in a first operating mode in which this memory of the first memory area is emptied from outside or through a continuous transport path for several or even all memories of the first memory area, and in a second mode in which this memory is dumped into the memory of the second memory area. Furthermore, this memory can be emptied quickly by means of the memory output and the emptying transport path, even if the memory is poorly accessible from the outside. In the emptying-optimized mode, the items to be sorted are exclusively divided among the selectable memories of the first memory area. While the memories of the first memory area are filled with these objects, the memories of the second memory area are still available for a preceding sorting task and can be used, for example. B. empty while the memory of the first memory area are filled. The steps during the current sorting task to fill the memories of the first memory area and to empty the memories of the second memory area during the preceding sorting task can be performed overlapping in time, which saves time.

The solution according to the invention with the two modes makes it possible to use the same sorting system for the following two sorting tasks:

- for a sorting task where there are at most as many

different sorting feature values indicate how the two storage areas have total selectable storage, therefore the sorting facility operates in sorting destination optimized mode and sorts the items in a single sorting run, and

for a sorting task in which there are significantly more different sorting feature values than the sorting system has storage, for which reason a number of sorting runs are carried out successively ("n-pass sequencing") and the sorting system is operated in the emptying-optimized mode in order to store the memories be able to empty quickly so that they are then available for a subsequent sorting or a subsequent sorting task.

The same sorting system according to the invention can thus be used successively in two modes for two different sorting tasks. This is more economical and saves space

("Footprint") compared to an arrangement with two different sorting systems for the two sorting tasks. switch optimized mode to dump-optimized mode, and vice versa, from dump-optimized mode to sort-filter-optimized mode by changing the machine control and without making a mechanical remodeling.

In particular, when operating in the emptying-optimized mode, it is not necessary to have to access a memory of the first memory area with a memory output from the outside to discharge the memory. Rather, the memories with memory outputs are preferably automatically discharged by the objects are transported from these memories in at least one memory of the second memory area. This embodiment makes it possible to install the memories of the second memory area in optimum access height and access position for a processor or handling machine, while the first memory area and thus the memory with the memory outputs need be less accessible.

Preferably, in the emptying-optimized mode, a memory of the first memory area is emptied as soon as all the objects for which the selection unit has selected this memory have been transported in this memory and it is determined that the selection unit for no further item to be sorted this memory will select. As a result, this memory of the first memory area is emptied as quickly as possible and is available for other items to be sorted in another sorting process.

Preferably, in operation in the emptying-optimized mode, a memory of the first memory area is completely emptied by transporting all objects via the memory output and the emptying transport path into a memory of the second memory area. Preferably, the emptying is triggered by the event that all those objects store this memory of the first memory reached for which this memory has been selected, so that no further objects are to be transported in this memory of the first memory area. As a result of this embodiment, the emptied memory is available as early as possible for a subsequent sorting task, even if the current sorting task has not yet been completed.

In one embodiment, at least the memories of the second memory area are accessible from outside. In sorting destination-optimized mode, these memories are emptied from the outside. In a development of this embodiment, the memory of the first memory area are accessible from the outside. In sorting destination-optimized mode, all memories are emptied from the outside. In emptying-optimized mode, however, all memories of the first memory area are emptied by means of the memory outputs. The step of emptying a reservoir from the outside, in one embodiment, comprises the step of transferring those objects which have been discharged into this reservoir into a container or into a vehicle and transporting away this container or vehicle together with the objects.

In one embodiment, a removal conveyor transports those items that were previously discharged into a memory of the second storage area. In the emptying-optimized mode, these memories of the second memory area were previously filled by placing the items from the memories of the first memory area into the memories of the second memory area via the memory outputs and the emptying transport paths. In sorting destination-optimized mode, the selection unit has selected storage of the second storage area for some items, and the items are directly transported to the selected storage and discharged. The use of a removal conveyor saves the need to empty a memory from the outside. In a further development of this embodiment, each memory of the second memory area forms a portion of this removal conveyor. The selection unit therefore selects a section of the removal conveyor during sorting. Items are dumped into a memory of the second storage area by transferring these items onto or to or into the corresponding selected portion of the removal conveyor. Through this training, a transport from a memory of the second storage area to the removal conveyor is spared. Among the objects in or on or on the removal conveyor, an order is already established during sorting. The configuration with the sections of the removal conveyor device as a storage of the second storage area allows the following procedure: The removal conveyor is capable of transporting objects in a conveying direction. If a portion of the removal conveyor is filled, then all items are transported downstream from this filled section to the front. In one embodiment, in addition, the objects are transported forward in the filled section. As a result, a section becomes free downstream or upstream of the filled section.

The selection unit applies a modified sorting scheme in sort destination-optimized mode, e.g. For example, change the sorting schedule and eject items into the vacated portion instead of the filled portion. In the emptying-optimized mode, a memory of the first memory area can be emptied into the vacated section. This makes it possible to ensure that the sequence of objects in the removal conveyor still corresponds to a predetermined order among sorting feature values without the filled section causing a break. Preferably, there is at least between

an emptying transport path connecting a memory of the first memory area to a memory of the second memory area, and

a memory of the second memory area

a storage and transport component. In particular, when the sorting system is operated in the emptying-optimized mode, this storage and transport component is used as a physical memory extension of the memory of the second memory area. Items from the

Memories of the first memory area can be stored via the emptying transport path both in the memory of the second memory area and in the memory and transport component, so that more space is available. The storage and transport component therefore functions, in particular in the emptying-optimized mode, as a memory extension of the subsequent memory of the second memory area. This expansion of the memory is realized without having to change the sorting system mechanically or even manually during operation.

After items have been transferred directly (after selection) or via a memory of the first memory area to a memory of the second memory area, the memory and transport component is used as part of a removal conveyor with a continuous transport path to at least to empty a memory of the second memory area. The storage and transport component forms a section of this transport path. Objects from this memory of the second memory area are transported through the memory and transport component. In this mode, the storage and transport component functions as part of a transport facility for emptying the second storage area.

The design with the storage and transport component thus leads to an even more flexible sorting system. In one embodiment, at least one memory of the sorting system has an input, a memory output according to the invention and a memory transport path leading from the input to the memory output. The memory is operated in First-In / First-Out mode (FIFO) An item is transported into the memory through the input, transported through the memory during storage, and later through the memory output from memory This configuration allows a particularly simple mechanical structure of the memory space is less than other memories, and the control is simpler.A direction reversal is not required.

In a further development, each memory operates in FIFO mode. The sorting system additionally has a plurality of holding devices. Each article is placed in a fixture or otherwise temporarily connected to the fixture. This preferably takes place after it has been measured, which value the sorting feature assumes for this object. The article is transported in or on the fixture to the selected memory and transported through the entrance into the selected memory. In this case, the object remains in or on the holding device. The article in or on the holding device is transported out of the store through the store outlet without separating the article from the holding device. The holding device comprises z. As a bag, at least one clip or a hook. In an embodiment, the first storage area comprises a first continuous transport path having a plurality of mouth portions. Preferably, this first continuous transport path further includes branch points, for example, each with a switch. Each memory of the first memory area is a portion of this continuous transport path in which there is neither a junction parts nor a branch point. The second storage area includes a second continuous transport path having a plurality of mouth portions. Everyone _< -

1 D

Memory of the second memory area is a portion of this second continuous transport path in which no junction parts are located. An article is placed in a storage by the article is introduced by means of the mouth parts immediately upstream of the memory in the continuous transport path. This will cause all memory to work in FIFO mode. This embodiment allows a particularly simple implementation.

In one embodiment, the sorting system comprises a

Outward transport path that transports the items to be sorted to the two storage areas. Furthermore, each selectable memory of the sorting system leads in each case to an output transport path. Each output transport path begins at an exit of a forwarding switch and ends in the store. Each forwarding turnout has at least two outlets and is capable of directing an item to be sorted into either one exit or the other exit. In the one output, an output transport path starts to a memory of the first memory area. In the other output of the switch, an output transport path to a memory of the second memory area begins. A connection transport path leads to the entrance of this forwarding switch. This connection transport path preferably begins in a diverter diverter which is able to discharge items from the reject transport path.

This embodiment saves transport paths, in particular because the connection transport path can be used both for the first storage area and for the second storage area. This embodiment can be combined to save space with an embodiment in which the first memory area in a first level and the second memory area are in a second level. Preferably, the second level is below the first level. The first level may be above the grip level of an adult editor. This embodiment also leads to particularly short

Transport routes for the transport of objects. An item is transported to the connection transport path and transported to this memory via this connection transport path and via the output transport path of the selected memory. The connection transport paths and the output transport paths can be interpreted as short paths. Each connection transport path leads to at least one memory of the first memory area and to at least one memory of the second memory area. Therefore, only half as many connection transport paths as selectable storage are needed. It is not necessary to provide a direct connection to a selectable memory.

Preferably, all these connection transport paths are fed by a single outward transport path. This one outfeed transport path only needs to be as long as the longest dimension of a storage area, but can still feed both storage areas.

The configuration with the connection transport paths and the output transport paths makes it possible to provide a sorting system without a passing point, without a return route and without any other mechanism which would make it possible to change the order among items to be sorted. The continuous discharge transport path can also be implemented without such a mechanism.

In one embodiment, the first storage area is arranged in an upper level, the second storage area in a lower level. The or each evacuation transport path leads from the upper level down to the lower level. It is also possible that the first memory area and the second

Storage area in a plane and there "back to back" are arranged. 7

In one embodiment, those memories of the first memory area, each having a memory output and an emptying transport path, are emptied into pairwise different memories of the second memory area. Each evacuation transport path thus leads to a different memory of the second memory area. As a result, each memory of the first memory area can be emptied independently of any other memory of the first memory area.

In another embodiment, two drainage transport paths lead to the same memory of the second storage area. For example, a Y arrangement is provided which begins in the two memory outputs of these two memories of the first memory area and leads to this memory of the second memory area. This embodiment saves memory of the second memory area, because the two memories of the first memory area can be emptied into the same memory of the second memory area until this memory of the second memory area is completely filled.

In one embodiment, the sorting system comprises at least one further memory or another output unit for objects. In this output unit, an object to be sorted arrives when the measuring device could not or could not measure the sorting feature value of this object within a predetermined period of time. Preferably, an object to be sorted also enters this output unit if no selectable memory is available, eg. For example, because the memory provided for the sorting feature value of this article is filled or defective. In one embodiment, the sorting feature is a physical parameter, such as a dimension, volume, weight, texture, or color. In a further embodiment, multiple items types and each item type acts as a possible sort feature value. In a further embodiment, each article is provided with a respective identification of a destination to which this object is to be transported. Each destination mark acts as a sort feature value.

In one embodiment, each article is provided with a unique machine-readable identifier ("identifier"), eg with an "ID code". In a database, a data record is stored for each object, which comprises this identifier as well as the measured or predetermined value which the predetermined sorting feature assumes for this article. The sorter reads the identifier on the item and directs a query with this identifier to the database, and returns the sorting feature value.

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

1 shows a logistics network with three sorting centers for mailpieces;

Fig. 2 shows schematically several components of the solution according to the invention

Sorting system, including three each of the first memory area and the second memory area;

3 shows a holding device in the form of a pocket for a flat postal item;

Fig. 4 the sorting system of Fig. 2 in the sortierziel

optimized mode and in the status "fill";

Fig. 5 the sorting system of Fig. 2 in sortierziel

optimized mode and in the status "emptying"

Fig. 6 the sorting system of Fig. 2 in the emptying

optimized mode and in the status "fill"; 7 shows the sorting system of FIG. 2 in the emptying-optimized mode and in the status "emptying".

In the exemplary embodiment, the sorting system according to the invention is used to sort flat mail items (standard letters, large letters, postcards, magazines and the like). For each mail item is given to which destination (recipient and postal address or geo-coordinates) this mail item is to be transported. Either the mailpiece is provided with an identification of this destination point. Or a computer-evaluable list with destination points is transmitted to a data processing system, and non-addressed and similar mail items are transported to the sorting system according to the solution. The sorting system then assigns each non-addressed similar mail item in each case to a destination point from the destination list. Or the mail item is provided with a unique machine-readable identifier ("identifier"), and a coding of the destination item is stored together with this unique identifier in a database.

In the exemplary embodiment, each mail item passes through at least twice a sorting system on its way from the place of delivery to the predetermined destination point. An exception is possible for mailings to a recipient of many postal items as well as for non-machine-capable mail items. As a rule, the mail item is subjected to a departure sorting during the first pass through a sorting system and to an incoming sorting on the second pass. It is possible for a postal item to pass through the same sorting system twice in succession, namely the first time in a departure sorting and the second time in the case of an incoming sorting.

Each sorting system is responsible for one area of responsibility. In the case of a disposal sorting system, a sorting system will divide all the mail items which are within the area of responsibility of this sorting to the areas of responsibility of the destinations. In N areas of responsibility, the sorting system thus sorts N different sorting destinations (sorting directions) when sorting outgoing goods. The mail items for the same area of responsibility are transported together to the sorting system for this area of responsibility.

The sorting system for the area of responsibility sorts the incoming postal items more accurately in the subsequent inbound sorting, eg For example, by areas of responsibility of the jurisdiction or even on delivery routes of the postal carriers ("facteurs"). In the exemplary embodiment, a sorting operation ("tree sort") is carried out in the input sorting, in which the amount of incoming mailpieces are divided into subsets in a first step and each subset is further subdivided and / or sorted in a subsequent second step. For example, for each delivery route, an order of delivery is given below the delivery points of this delivery route, and the mailpieces for this delivery route are processed according to this delivery route. ) sorted.

The same sorting system according to the solution is used successively in the exemplary embodiment for the outlet sorting and then for the input sorting. In the sort-out sorting system, the sorting system is operated in a sorting destination-optimized mode in order to have as many selectable storages as possible for different sorting destinations (areas of responsibility of sorting plants). In the departure sorting, at least as many memories of the sorting system are available for sorting outgoing mailpieces as different sorting destinations can be distinguished. In the incoming sorting system, the sorting system is operated in an emptying-optimized mode in order to empty the stores as quickly as possible after the processing of a subset of mailpieces in order to be able to rapidly process another subset. In the input sorting are to sort the incoming mailings have less memory available than sorting destinations.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a logistics network for transporting mail. Mail items from the three sender locations AO .1, AO .2, AO .3 shown are transported to the same outgoing sorting center Abg-Sz. A first solution sorting plant in the outgoing sorting center Abg-Sz carries out the disposal sorting and is operated here in sorting destination-optimized mode. This first sorting system divides the incoming mail items into incoming sorting centers, including the two input sorting centers In-Sz.l and In-Sz.2. The mail items to a responsible area are transported to this sorting system.

In both input sorting centers Input-Sz.l and Input-Sz.2, a sorting system according to the invention performs an input sorting operation and is operated in the emptying-optimized mode. The sorting system in the incoming sorting center Eing-Sz.l performs u. a. a sequence sorting on the two delivery routes ZR.l and ZR.2 with the delivery points ("de- livery points") DP .1.1, DP .1.2, ... or DP .2.1, DP .2.2, ... The sorting system in the incoming sorting center in-Sz.2 performs, among other things, a sequence sorting on the delivery route ZR.3 with the delivery points DP .3.1, DP .3.2,.

Fig. 2 shows schematically several components of the solution sorting plant. To be shown:

a camera Ka, which is able to generate computer-analyzable images of postal items which are transported in an upright position past the camera Ka,

a data processing image evaluation unit Bae, which is capable of evaluating the images from the camera Ka to decipher target point identifiers or identifiers in images of mailpieces, a data memory DSp in which at least one computer-evaluable sorting plan is stored per sorting task,

a selection unit AE which automatically selects a memory for each mail item depending on the decoded destination item identifier,

- A control unit SE, which receives signals from the selection unit AE and other components of the sorting system and u. a. controls the points of the sorting system and the drives of the transport paths,

a discharge transport path Aus-Tpf with a plurality of discharge points Aus-W.l arranged in a sequence,

Off-W.2,

an infeed station ES, which spends mailpieces in holding devices and introduces the holding devices with the mailpieces into the outfeed transport path Aus-Tpf,

an overflow memory Ü-Sp at the end of the discharge transport path Aus-Tpf,

a first memory area SB .1 and

a second memory area SB .2.

The first memory area SB .1 comprises a sequence Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2,... Of memories. The second memory area SB .2 comprises a sequence Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2,... Of memories. Each memory can each accommodate a plurality of holding devices with flat mailpieces. In one embodiment, all memories are the same. In another embodiment, a plurality of types of mail to be sorted are distinguished, and for each

Mailing type, there is one type of selectable storage. In this embodiment, it is determined what kind of a mail item to be sorted, and a suitable memory is selected, depending on the determined destination point and on the determined mailing type. In the exemplary embodiment, the sorting system comprises three superposed planes Eb.l, Eb.2, Eb.3, where Eb.l is the upper level, Eb.2 is the middle level and Eb.3 is the lower level. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view.

In the upper level Eb.l are

- the feed station ES,

- The discharge transport path Aus-Tpf with the Ausschleusweichen Aus-W.l, Aus-W.2, ... and

- the overflow storage Ü-Sp.

In the middle level Eb.2 are

- The memory Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2, ... of the first memory area SB .1 and

- the forwarding points W-W.l, W-W.2, ...

In the lower level Eb.3 are the memory Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2, ... of the second memory area SB .2.

The design with the superimposed layers saves floor space ("footprint").

In the data memory DSp, a computer-evaluable sorting plan is stored for each sorting run of a sorting task. If a sorting run is carried out during the outgoing sorting and a total of n sorting runs are carried out during the input sorting and subsequent order sorting, then sorting schedules are stored in the data memory DSp n + 1 on the same sorting system according to the solution. Exactly one sorting plan is currently activated - except when the sorting system is currently not being used due to maintenance or the like.

The data-processing selection unit AE can automatically generate a memory Sp .1.1 for each mail item,

Sp .2.1, ... to select. For selecting, the selection unit AE uses the sorting plan stored in the data memory DSp and currently activated on that of the image evaluation unit

Bae Deciphered Target Point Marking. Each sorting plan allocates a memory to each target point identification that occurs. This assigned memory is selected by the output dial AE automatically. It is possible that for several successive sorting or sorting different stored sorting plans are used and a sorting plan is activated. As a rule, the selection unit AE selects the same memory for a plurality of different mailpieces having different destination points, because significantly more mailpieces are to be sorted than the sorting system has different memories. The control unit SE receives from the selection unit AE for each mail item in each case a signal which memory the selection unit AE has selected for this mail item. A reference position of the mail item at an initial time is measured, e.g. B. by a light barrier determines when the leading edge of the mailpiece interrupts the light beam of this light barrier. The transport speed with which this item of mail is transported is also measured or predetermined. The control unit SE controls the diverter switches Aus-Wl, Aus-W.2, ... and the forwarding switches WW.l, WW.2, ... so that the mail item is transported to the selected memory.

Each memory Sp .1.1, Sp .2.1,... Has, in the exemplary embodiment, in each case a memory output Ausg .1.1,

Out2.1, .... The memory output Outm.m.n belongs to the memory Sp.m.n (m = 1, 2; n = 1, 2, ...) of the memory area SB.m. Each emptying transport path E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.2.1, .... begins in each memory output Ausg .1.1, Ausg .2.1,... One memory Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2,... . can be selected via the associated memory output Ausg .1.1, Ausg .1.2, ... and the associated emptying transport path E-Tpf.1.1,

E-Tpf.2.1, ... emptied by the mail items from the memory through the memory output transported through and transported away from the emptying transport path and transported to a memory of the second memory area SB .2. 5

To each memory Sp .1.1, Sp .2.1, ... introduces in each case

Output Transport Path A-Tpf.1.1, A-Tpf.2.1, .... Zum

Memory Sp.mn carries the output transport path A-Tpf.mn, and in the memory output Ausg.mn the emptying transport path E-Tpf.mn of the memory Sp.mn starts (m = 1,2; n = 1,2 , ...).

Each output transport path A-Tpf.1.1, A-Tpf.2.1, ... starts in an output of a forwarding switch WW.l, WW.2, ... in which one output of the forwarding switch W-Wn begins the output transport path A-Tpf. l.n to the memory Sp.l.n of the first memory area Sp .1, in the other output starts the output transport path A-Tpf.2. n (n = 1,2, ...) to the memory Sp .2 of the second memory area Sp .2. The output transport paths A-Tpf.1.1, A-Tpf.1.2, ... to the

Saving Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2,... Of the first memory area SB .1 are located in the middle level Eb.2. The output transport paths A-Tpf.2.1, A-Tpf.2.2, ... to the memories

Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2,... Of the second memory area SB .2 have a portion descending from the middle level Eb.2 to the lower level Eb.3, and in one embodiment each a subsequent portion in the lower level Eb.3. The connection transport path V-Tpf.n (n = 1, 2,...) Leads to the entrance of the forwarding switch W-. This connection transport path V-Tpf.n starts in an output of the diverter switch Aus-W.n. The diverter switches Aus-W.l, Aus-W.2, ... are arranged one behind the other in the discharge transport path Aus-Tpf.

Each Ausschleus-soft Aus-Wl, Aus-W.2, ... has two outputs in the embodiment. In the one output begins a connection transport path V-Tpf .1, V-Tpf .2, ..., ie by means of this output, a mail item from the reject transport path Aus-Tpf is slotted open. The other output leaves a mail item in the outfeed transport path Aus-Tpf. The emptying transport paths E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2,... Of the storage of the first storage area SB .1 differ from the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.2.1, E-Tpf.2.2,. The memory of the second memory area SB .2 is as follows: Each emptying transport path E-Tpf.ln of a memory Sp.ln of the first memory area SB .1 leads from the memory output Ausg.ln to a junction part Ein.ln These mouth parts Ein.ln located in the emptying transport path E-Tpf.2.n the memory Sp.2.n. This emptying transport path E-Tpf.2.n begins in the memory output Ausg.2. n of the memory Sp.2.n and flows into the confluence parts Ein.2.n in the output transport path A-Tpf.2.n + 1. This embodiment enables a memory Sp.ln of the first memory area SB .1 via the memory output

Ausg.ln, the emptying transport path E-Tpf.ln, the Einmündungssteile Ein.ln, the emptying transport path E- Tpf.2.n, the Einmündungssteile Ein.2.n and the output transport path A-Tpf.2. n + 1 in the memory Sp.2.n + 1 of the second memory area SB .2 to empty (n = 1,2, ...).

The emptying transport paths E-Tpf.2.1, E-Tpf.2.2, ... and in each case a lying in the lower level Eb.3 section of the output transport paths A-Tpf.2.1, A-Tpf.2.2, ... together form a continuous removal path Ab-Tpf, via which the memories Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2,... of the second storage area SB .2 can be emptied. In this continuous removal path Ab-Tpf, the junction parts Ein.1.1 Ein.1.2, ... of the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.1.1, E-

Ppf.1.2, ... of the memories of the first memory area SB .1 and the junction parts Ein.2.1, Ein.2.2, ... of the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.2.1, E-Tpf.2.2, .. from the memories of the second memory area SB .2.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each output transport path A-Tpf.2.1, A-Tpf.2.2,... Of the second storage area SB .2 has a horizontal section in the lower one 7

Level Eb.3. In an alternative embodiment, this horizontal section is omitted, which leads to larger memories Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2,... Of the second memory area SB .2. The memory Sp.2.n + 1 then begins already in the Einmunungungssteile Ein.2.n (n = l, 2, ...).

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2,... Consist of the memory of the first memory area SB .1 exclusively of an obliquely sloping inclined section, that of the middle plane

Eb.2 leads down to the lower level Eb.3 and transported mail down. In another embodiment starts in the memory output Ausg .1.1, Ausg .1.2, ... a horizontal section, which merges into the sloping section.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each path leads from the out-Tpf transfer transport path (in the upper level Eb.l) to the continuous removal path Ab-Ppf (in the lower level Eb.3) through at least one memory Sp .2.1,

Sp .2.2, ... of the second memory area SB .2. In an alternative embodiment, the sorting system additionally has a bypass. This bypass is also a transport path and begins in the outward transport path behind the last Ausschleus-switch Off-Tpf, in the example of Fig. 2, ie behind the Ausschleus-switch Off-W.3. This bypass opens behind the last memory of the second storage area and behind the last Einmündungssteile in the continuous removal path Ab-Tpf. Via this bypass, a mail item can be ejected directly from the removal transport path Aus-Tpf into the continuous removal path Ab-Tpf.

In one embodiment, each mail item is transported by temporarily clamping the mail item between two opposite conveyor belts. These conveyor belts rotate at the same speed and transport the mailpieces, whereby the flat mail item is permanently conveyed in a vertical position. The sorting plant comprises a so-called shroud system ("Pinch belt system") with a sequence of in each case two mutually opposite conveyor belts and / or other counter-conveying elements, eg rollers Each storage unit of the sorting system picks up a stack of upright postal items The postal items of the stack completely or overlap This stack grows in a stacking direction with each stack of mail stacked in. A mailpiece is cached in that memory by adding the stack of mail at one end to the stack and then stacking it up Therefore, each memory has a singulator. The Vereinzeier can be arranged on the same side of the stack as the stacking point or on the opposite side. The memory works - depending on the arrangement of the singler - either according to the principle "last in / first out" (LIFO) or according to the principle "first in / first out" (FIFO). It is also possible to temporarily use a section of the conveying device with conveyor belts as a storage by the conveyor belts are temporarily not rotated. During this period, however, this section of the conveying device is not available for transporting mailpieces, as long as postal items are temporarily stored in it.

In a preferred embodiment, however, the sorting system has a plurality of holding devices ("holders", "escles"). Each holding device is able to hold at least one flat item of mail in each case. The holding device is z. B. configured as a bag into which a mail can be inserted from the side or from the top and later removed from this bag. It is also possible that the holding device has a flap at the bottom to deliver a mailing down when the flap is open. In another embodiment, the holding device comprises a bracket and a clip or two clips which hold the mail item in the manner of a trouser strap. The clips on the bracket can be opened and closed again.

Preferably, each holding device takes on only one mail item at a time. The fixtures are reused, d. H. the same holder successively receives different mail items.

Each holding device is preferably provided with a unique machine-readable identifier. It is stored, which mail item was spent in which fixture. By reading the identifier of a holding device, it is possible to determine which item of mail is currently located in which holding device. By determining where in the sorting system a holding device with a specific identifier is currently located, the current position of the mailpiece can be found.

3 shows by way of example a holding device Spt in the form of a storage pocket for a flat postal item Ps. This holding device Spt comprises

a holder Hai, on which a machine-readable identifier Ke-Sp is applied,

two side surfaces Sf.l, Sf.2,

two lateral boundary planes Sb.a, Sb.b,

- a flap Kl. Sp at the bottom of the storage bag Spt and

- Two coupling elements Kp .1, Kp .2 on the holder shark in

Form of two brackets. The two coupling elements Kp .1, Kp .2 hang on two schematically shown and arranged parallel guide rails Fs .1, Fs.2. In the embodiment shown, a flat postal item Ps is inserted laterally through the boundary plane Sb.b into the space between the two side surfaces Sf.l, Sf.2, the flap Kl. Sp is closed. The mail later slides with the flap open Kl. Sp down from the storage bag Spt. The holding devices are transported by a suitable transport device. For example, the holding devices are pulled on a chain. In the exemplary embodiment, the holding devices are designed without their own drive and therefore constructed mechanically simple. A stationary central drive moves a transmission means which moves the non-powered holding devices.

Preferably, each holding device is transported so that the side surfaces Sf.l, Sf.2 and thus the object level of a flat mail item in the holding device Spt are perpendicular to the transport direction, in which the filled holding device is transported, so that little space in the transport direction is needed. Both the

Out-Transport Path Out-Tpf as well as the forwarding transport paths, the output transport paths and the emptying transport paths are capable of transporting filled holding devices. In one embodiment, a single holding device is used, so that all holding devices are similar and each holding device is able to accommodate each mail item to be sorted.

Each memory of the two memory areas SB .1, SB .2 can each accommodate a plurality of holding devices. Preferably, each memory Sp.m.n has an input, a memory output Ausg.m.n and a transport path from the input to the memory output Ausg.m.n (m = 1, 2, m = 1, 2, ...). The memory operates according to the principle First-In / First-Out (FIFO). In one embodiment, each memory is a portion of a transport path. For example, the memories are Sp .1.1,

Sp .1.2, ... of the first memory area SB .1 sections of the output transport paths A-Tpf.1.1, A-Tpf.1.2, ..., and the memories Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2, ... of the second memory area SB .2 are portions of the continuous Abtransportpfads Ab-Tpf.

In one embodiment, located in front of the memories

Sp .2.2, Sp .2.3,... Of the second memory area SB .2 each have a memory and transport component SuT .2.2, SuT .2.3,. This storage and transport component SuT.2.n begins in the junction parts Ein.ln and ends in the input of the subsequent memory Sp.n (n = l, 2, ...) Each memory and

Transport component SuT .2.2, SuT .2.3, ... is used in sort destination-optimized mode as part of the output transport path A-

Tpf.2.2, A-Tpf.2.3, ... and used as part of the removal path Ab-Tpf. In dump-optimized mode and unloaded state, the storage and transport component becomes

SuT.2.n is used as an extension of the downstream memory Sp.2.n of the second memory area SB .2. Each storage and transport component SuT .2.2, SuT .2.3,... Functions in the exemplary embodiment in the sorting destination-optimized mode as the transport component and in the emptying-optimized mode as the storage component.

The following describes how a mail item is transported to the selected memory. A stack of mailpieces is transported to a singulator of the sorting system, and the singler separates the mailpieces. A stream of spaced-apart mailpieces is transported out of the singling unit so that the article planes of the singulated mailpieces are vertical. For example, a singler processes a first singler a first type of mail and a second singler a second type of mail, the first type being, for example, the standard letters and the second type being the remaining flat mail, in particular the large letters.

The camera Ka records a computer-analyzable image of the mailpiece. This image shows the destination mark on the mailpiece. The image evaluation unit Bae deciphers this target point identification via "Optical Character Recognition" (OCR) or "Video Coding". The selection unit AE applies the stored and currently activated sorting plan and selects a currently selectable memory depending on the deciphered destination point identification Sp.mn for this mailing. In the embodiment with the holding devices, the mail item is now transferred to the holding device or temporarily connected to the holding device in other ways.

The mail item is fed from the infeed station ES into the outfeed transport path Aus-Tpf and transported to the selected memory Sp.m.n (m = 1, 2, n = 1, 2,...). In the embodiment with the holding devices, the feed station ES sends mailpieces into holding devices and feeds these holding devices, which are filled with mailpieces, into the outfeed transport path Aus-Ppf. It is possible that several feed stations work in parallel and feed parallel mailings or filled holding devices.

First, the case m = 1 is described, ie the case that the selection unit AE has selected for a mailpiece a memory Sp.l.n of the first memory area SB .1. The reject transport path Aus-Tpf transports the mail item to the diverter switch Aus-W.n. The outfeed switch Aus-Wn discharges the mail item from the outfeed transport path Aus-Tpf into the connection transport path V-Tpf .n. The connection transport path V-Tpf. n transports the mail item to the forwarding switch W-W.n. The forwarding switch W-W.n redirects the mail item into the output transport path A-Tpf.l.n. The output transport path A-Tpf.l.n transports the mail item to the selected memory Sp.l.n. The mail item is initially in the upper level Eb.l. The connection transport path V-Tpf. n directs the mail item down to the middle level Eb.2, in which the selected memory Sp.l.n is also located.

This procedure after selection of a memory Sp.ln of the first memory area SB .1 carries out the sorting system both in the sorting destination-optimized mode and in the emptying-optimized mode, that is to say both during the outlet sorting and during the input sorting. As described above, the sorting system is operated in sorting-destination-optimized mode during exit sorting and in the discharge-optimized mode during inbound sorting. In addition, the sorting system operates either in the status "filling" or in the status "emptying". Since both modes can be combined with both states, the same sorting system successively passes 2x2 = 4 operating states. In both modes, the sorting plant initially operates in the "loaded" state and loads those stores with mailpieces into holding devices which are available for selection by the selection unit AE in this sorting operation Filling the memory, ie when operating in the status "filling", the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.2.1, ... are also not needed and are therefore disabled. 2 shows the sorting system of the sorting destination optimized mode and the status "filling." Those components of the sorting system that are not used in this status and in this mode and status are shown in gray include the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.2.1 and the Einmündungssteilen Ein.1.1, Ein.1.2, ....

2 shows the sorting system of FIG. 2 in the emptying-optimized mode and in the status "filling." Those components of the sorting system which are not used for this sorting task in this status and in this mode and status are shown in gray. In addition to the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.2.1 and the junction points Ein.1.1, Ein.1.2, ... are also the memory Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2, ... of the second memory Area SB .2 is not needed in the situation of FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the memories of the second memory area SB.sub.2 are first completely emptied in the sorting destination-optimized mode and in the status "emptying." After this emptying, the entire removal path Ab-Tpf is present with all now empty memories of the second memory area SB In another embodiment, at least one memory Sp.ln of the first memory area SB .1 is emptied before all those memories of the second memory area SB .1 are emptied In this case, space must be available in the removal path Ab-Tpf for receiving the mail items from the memory Sp.ln. This space is provided between a junction part Ein.lm and a subsequent memory Sp.2.m + 1 if the memory Sp.2.m + 1 is not yet emptied.

In a third embodiment, at least one memory Sp.ln of the first memory area SB .1 is emptied after all those memories of the second memory area SB .2 have been emptied, which downstream of the junction parts Ein.ln in the Abtransportpfad Ab-Tpf lie. The case m = 2 will now be described, ie the case where the selection unit AE has selected a memory Sp.2.n of the second memory area SB .2. The memory Sp.2.n is located in the lower level Eb.3 and is selected only if the sorting system is operated in sorting-destination-optimized mode and the activated sorting plan assigns this memory Sp.2.n to the sorting feature value of the mailpiece. In sorting-destination-optimized mode, too, the selection unit AE selects, for a part of the mailpieces, memories of the first memory area SB .1.

The way of the mailing to the forwarding switch WW.n is the same as just described for the case m = 1. The forwarding switch WW.n directs the mailing but in 5

Case m = 2 in the output transport path A-Tpf.2.n further, which leads the mail item from the middle level Eb.2 down to the lower level Eb.3 and in the lower level Eb.3 weiterer to the selected memory Sp .2.n.

In sorting destination-optimized mode and in the status "filling", in one embodiment, the memories Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2,... Of the second memory area SB .2 are not used and are likewise deactivated or will be used for another sorting Also the output transport paths A-

Tpf.2.1, A-Tpf.2.2, ... to these deactivated memories of the second memory area SB .2 are themselves disabled.

As soon as all mail items to be sorted have been distributed to the stores, in both modes the sorting system is switched from the status "filling" to the status "emptying". First, the operation of the sorting system is described in sorting destination-optimized mode and in the status "emptying". 2 shows the sorting system of the sorting destination-optimized mode and the status "unloading." Those components of the sorting system that are not used in this status and in this mode and status for this sorting task are shown in gray all components which are arranged upstream of all memories to be emptied, including the output transport paths A-Tpf.1.1, A-Tpf.1.2,... to the memories of the first memory area SB .1 and also sections of output Transport paths A- Tpf.2.1, A-Tpf.2.2, ... to the memories of the second memory area SB .2.

Both the memories Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2,... Of the first memory area SB .1 and the memories Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2,... Of the second memory area SB .2 are filled with mailpieces and should now be emptied. All deletion transport paths E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.2.1, ... are activated when switching to the "emptying" mode, those sections of the output transport paths A-Tpf.2.2, A-Tpf.2.3, ... to the Save Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2,... Of the second storage area SB .2 remain activated in a junction

Start a.2.1, a.2.2, ... or lie in the lower level Eb.3. The output transport path A-Tpf.2.1 is not used in this mode and status. These sections as well as the activated emptying transport paths E-Tpf.2.1, E-Tpf.2.2, ... form a continuous removal path Ab-Tpf which lies in the lower level Eb.3 and only uses in sorting destination-optimized mode becomes. The storage and transport components SuT .2.2, SuT .2.3,... Also form part of the continuous removal path Ab-Tpf and are used as transport components.

In the status "emptying", all output transport paths A-Tpf.1.1,... To the memories Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2,... Of the first memory area SB .1, all switches Aus-Wl, Aus. W.2,

W-W.l, W-W.2, the outfeed transport path Aus-Tpf and those sections of the output transport paths A-Tpf.2.1, A-Tpf.2.2, which do not belong to the continuous removal path Ab-Tpf.

The memories Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2... Of the first memory area SB .1 are output via the memory outputs Out .1.1, Out .1.2 ... and the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf .1.2, ... emptied. These mail items arrive in the junction points Ein.1.1, Ein.1.2, ... in the continuous removal path Ab-Tpf. The memories Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2,... Of the second memory area SB .2 are provided via the memory outputs

Ausg .2.1, Ausg .2.2, ... deflated. The emptying transport paths E-Tpf.2.1, E-Tpf.2.2, ... belong to the continuous removal path Ab-Tpf.

All mail items from a memory reach through this type of emptying in such a way in the Abtransportpfad Ab-Tpf, that the mail items in the removal path Ab-Tpf are arranged directly behind one another, without getting mail from another memory in between. The distribution of the mail items to the storage already achieved is 7

so maintained. In one embodiment, first of all the memory is emptied into the removal path Ab-Tpf, so that the removal path Ab-Tpf receives all the mail items at once. Subsequently, the removal path Ab-Tpf is emptied. In another embodiment, individual memories are successively emptied into the removal path Ab-Tpf, and then repeatedly the removal path Ab-Tpf is emptied. It is possible that after each emptying of a memory then the Abtransportpfad Ab-Tpf is emptied. In this case, a predetermined emptying sequence can be observed under the memories.

In the emptying-optimized mode and after switching to the status "filling", the memories Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2,... Of the second memory area SB .2 and the output transport paths to these memories are not needed In another embodiment, the memories of the second memory area SB .2 are still filled with mail items from a preceding sorting task and are emptied while the memories of the first memory area SB .1 are filled in overlapping with time.

The mode of operation in the emptying-optimized mode and in the status "emptying" is now described: As already explained, in the emptying-optimized mode and in the status "filling", only the memories of the first memory area SB .1 are filled. When switching to the "emptying" status, therefore, the memories of the second memory area SB .2 are empty and are available for being filled.

2 shows the sorting system of FIG. 2 in the emptying-optimized mode and in the status "emptying." Those components of the sorting system that are not used for this sorting task in this status and in this mode and status are shown in gray. The filled memories of the first memory area SB .1 are completely emptied by the mailpieces from the memory Sp.ln via the memory output Ausg.ln and the emptying transport path E-Tpf.ln in the memory Sp.2.n +1 are emptied (n = 1, 2, ...).

In the example of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in the emptying-optimized mode, the first memory Sp .2.1 of the second memory area SB .2 is not used, at least not in this sorting run. It is possible that due to a prior sorting run, there are still mailpieces in this first memory Sp .2.1.

In the emptying-optimized mode and in the status "emptying", the memory Sp .1.1 is emptied into the memory Sp .2.2, the memory Sp .1.2 is emptied into the memory Sp .2.3 in the example of Fig. 7. The memory Sp .1.3 is emptied into empties a memory Sp .2.4, not shown, of the second memory area SB .2, which lies downstream of the memory Sp .2.3.

In one embodiment of the emptying-optimized mode, all the memories of the first memory area SB .1 are emptied at once. In another embodiment, each memory Sp.l.n of the first memory area SB .1 is already emptied when it is determined that in this sorting process no further mail items are to be discharged into this memory Sp.l.n. As a result, the memory Sp.l.n is available as early as possible for a further, subsequent sorting process. The storage and transport components Su. 2.2, SuT .2.3,... Extend the respective following memory

Sp .2.2, Sp .2.3,... Of the second storage area SB .2 and therefore function as storage components in the emptying-optimized mode. In one embodiment, in the emptying-optimized mode and in the "emptying" state, the largest possible memory is used in the second memory area SB.sub.2. In this embodiment, each memory is Sp.ln of the first memory area SB .1 with a memory output is completely emptied into a memory of the second memory area SB .2, via the emptying transport path E-Tpf.ln, which in the mouth parts Ein.ln in the emptying transport path E- Tpf .2.n + 1 opens. The entire distance from the junction Ein.ln to the subsequent junction Ein.l.n + 1 of the next evacuation transport path E-Tpf.l.n + 1 is available to receive mail from the memory Sp.ln.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Reference sign Meaning

A-Tpf .1.1, output transport paths, lead to the SpeiA-Tpf .1.2, chern Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2, ... of the first memory area SB.l

A-Tpf .2.1, output transport paths, lead to the SpeiA-Tpf .2.2, chern Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2, ... of the second storage area SB .2

Ab-Tpf continuous removal path in the lower

Level Eb.3, in the sorting destination-optimized mode of the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.2.2, ... and the output transport paths A-Tpf.2.1, A-Tpf.2.2, .. the memory of the second memory area SB .2 is formed

Abg-Sz departure sorting center, in whose area of responsibility the sender locations AO .1, AO .2, AO .3 lie

AE selection unit, selects for each mail item in each case a memory Sp .1.1, Sp .2.1, ... from

AO .1, AO .2, ... sender address for mail items are in the area of responsibility of the departure sorting center Abg-Sz Out of discharge facility, one transports

Holding device with a mail item from the feed station ES to the selected memory Sp .1.1, ..., Sp .2.1, ...

Aus.1.1, memory outputs of the memory Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2, Ausg .1.2, ... ... of the first memory area SB .1

Out .2.1, memory outputs of the memory Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2, Ausg .2.2, ... ... of the second memory area SB .2

Off-Tpf Outbound Transport Path

Off-W.1, Out-pours, in the outward-transport path Aus-W.2, ... Aus-Ppf, send mail from the

Outfeed transport path Aus-Tpf into the connection transport paths V-Tpf.l, V-Tpf.2, ... off

Bae Image Evaluator, evaluates images of mail to decipher destination markings

DP .1.1, delivery points of the delivery route ZR.l

DP .1.2, ...

DP .2.1, delivery points of the delivery route ZR.2

DP .2.2, ...

DP .3.1, delivery points of the delivery route ZR.3

DP .3.2, ...

Eb.1 upper level of the rejection device Off, comprises the reject transport path Aus-Tpf and the diverter points Aus-W.1, Aus-W.2,

Eb.2 middle level of the discharge means Off, the memory Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2, ... of the first storage area SB .1, the output transport paths A-Tpf.1.1, A-Tpf.1.2 to these stores and the forwarding points W-Wl, WW.2, ... Eb.3 lower level of the discharge device Off, comprises the removal path Ab-Tpf with the memories Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2,... Of the second storage area Sp .2

E-Tpf .1.1, emptying transport paths for the memories E-Tpf .1.2, the first memory area SB .1, begin in the memory outputs Ausg .1.1, Ausg .1.2, ... and open in the junction parts on .1.1, Ein.1.2, ... in the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.2.1, E-Tpf.2.2, ...

E-Tpf .2.1, emptying transport paths for the memories E-Tpf .2.2, the second memory area SB .2, begin in the memory outputs Ausg .2.1, Ausg .2.2, ... and terminate in the junction parts

A.2.1, A.2.2, ... in the output transport paths A-Tpf.2.2, A-Tpf.2.3, ...

Ein.1.1, Ausmündungssteilen, in which the emptying Ein.1.2, ... transport paths E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2, ... in the emptying transport paths E-Tpf.2.1, E- Tpf .2.2 , ... flow

Ein.2.1, junction parts, in which the emptying A.2.2, ... Transport paths E-Tpf.2.1, E-Tpf.2.2, ... in the output transport paths A-Tpf.2.1, A- Tpf .2.2 , ... flow

Input-Sz .1 input sorting center, in whose area of responsibility the delivery points of the delivery routes ZR.l and ZR.2 are located

Entrance sz .2 Entrance sorting center, in whose area of responsibility the delivery points of the delivery route ZR.3 are located

ES feed station for feeding mailpieces into holders and filled holders in the discharge transport path Aus-Tpf

Fsl, Fs.2 parallel guide rails on which the feeders bag Spt hangs

Shark mount the storage bag Spt

Ke-Sp machine-readable identifier on the holder Hai

Kl. Sp flap at the bottom of the storage bag Spt

Kp .1, Kp .2 coupling elements of the storage pocket Spt in the form of two clamps

Ps flat mailing between the side surface

Sf.l, Sf.2 the storage bag Spt

SB.1 first memory area with the memories

Sp .1.1, Sp .1.2, is in the middle plane Eb.2

SB.2 second memory area with the memories

Sp .2.1, Sp .2.2, is in the lower level Eb .3

Sb. a, Sb. b lateral boundary planes between the side surfaces Sf.l, Sf.2 the storage pocket Spt

SE control unit

Sf.l, Sf.2 side surfaces of the storage bag Spt, hang on the holder shark

Sp .1.1, memory of the first memory area SB .1

Sp .1.2, ...

Sp .2.1, memory of the second memory area SB .2

Sp .2.2, ...

Spt holding device in the form of a storage pocket for the mail item Ps

Su .2.2, storage and transport components in the second Su .2.3 storage area SB .2

Ü-Sp overflow memory

V-Tpf .1, connection transport paths, connect the V-Tpf .2, ... divert-divert Aus-Wl, Aus-W.2, ... with the forwarding points WW.l, WW.2, ...

WW.1, forwarding points in which both the WW.2, ... output transport paths A-Tpf.1.1, A-Tpf.1.2 to the storage of the first storage area SB .1 and the output transport paths A-Tpf.2.1, A-Ppf.2.2 to the memories of the second storage area SB .2 start

ZR.l, ZR.2 Delivery routes in the delivery area of the infeed sorting center Eing-Sz.l

ZR.3 Delivery route in the area of responsibility of the incoming sorting center Input-Sz.2

Claims

claims

1. sorting system for sorting articles according to a predetermined sorting feature,

the sorting system

- a measuring device (Ka, Bae),

a selection unit (AE),

a discharge device (off),

a first memory area (SB.l) and

- a second memory area (SB.2)

having ,

wherein the first memory area (SB.l) is spatially separated from the second memory area (SB.2),

both the first memory area (SB.l) and the second memory area (SB.2) each have a plurality of memories

(Sp.1.1, Sp .2.1, ...),

each memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .2.1, ...) is designed to

- to record several items to be sorted and

- by removal and / or removal of

To dump objects,

wherein at least one memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2,...) of the first memory area (SB.l)

- Has a memory output (Ausg.1.1, Ausg .1.2, ...) and a discharge transport path (E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2, ...) and

- This emptying transport path (E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2, ...) the memory output (Ausg.1.1, Ausg .1.2, ...) of this memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2, ...) with a memory

(Sp.2.2, Sp .2.3, ...) of the second memory area (SB.2) connects,

the measuring device (Ka, Bae) is designed to measure, for an item to be sorted, what value the sorting feature assumes for that item,

the selection unit (AE) is designed to automatically set a value for an item to be sorted depending on the measured sorting feature value of this item Memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .2.1, ...) of the sorting system,

the discharge device (Aus) is designed to

to transport an object to be sorted up to the memory selected for this object (Sp.1.1, Sp .2.1,

- remove the object into this memory (Sp.1.1, ..., Sp .2.1, ...,

wherein the sorting system is operable in a depleted mode and also in a sort destination optimized mode,

the selection unit (AE) is designed, when operating the sorting system in emptying-optimized mode, for each item to be sorted, depending on the measured sorting feature value, a memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2,...) of the first storage area (SB.l) with a memory output to select

the discharge device (Aus) is designed to, when operating in the emptying-optimized mode each memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2, ...) with a memory output

(Ausg.1.1, Ausg .1.2, ...) by completely emptying that the reject device (Aus) the objects from this memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2, ...)

via the memory output (Ausg.1.1, Ausg .1.2, ...) and the emptying transport path (E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2, ...) the ses memory (Sp.1.1, Sp. 1.2, ...)

in a memory (Sp.2.2, Sp .2.3, ...) of the second memory area (SB.2) transported, and

the selection unit (AE) is configured to operate in the sorting destination optimized mode when selecting stores for items to be sorted

both memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2,...) of the first memory area (SB.l) and memory (Sp.2.1, Sp.2.2,...) of the second memory area (SB.2 ).

2. sorting system according to claim 1,

characterized in that at least one emptying transport path (E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2,...), which has a memory output (Ausg.1.1,

Ausg .1.2, ...) of a memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2, ...) of the first memory area (SB.l) with a memory

(Sp.2.2, Sp .2.3, ...) of the second memory area (SB.l),

into a storage and transport component (SuT.2.2, SuT .2.3, ...),

the discharge device (Aus) is configured for the storage and transport when emptying this memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2,...) of the first storage area (SB.l) during operation in the emptying-optimized mode Component (SuT.2.2, SuT .2.3,...) As an extension of this memory (Sp.2.2, Sp .2.3,...) Of the second memory area (SB.2), and

the discharge device (Aus) is further configured to emptying a memory (Sp.2.1, Sp.2.2, ...) of the second storage area (SB.2) at least one object by the storage and transport component (SuT.2.2, SuT .2.3, ...).

Sorting plant according to claim 1 or claim 2,

characterized in that

the sorting system has several controllable forwarding

Points (W-W.l, W-W.2, ...),

each forwarding switch (W-W.l, W-W.2, ...)

- Has an input and at least two outputs and

- is able to direct an item to be sorted either in the one output or in the other output, to each selectable memory (Sp.1.1, ..., Sp.2.1, ...) each have an output transport path (A-Tpf. 1.1, A-Tpf.2.1, ...), which begins in an output of a forwarding switch (WW.l, WW.2, ...), where

- In the one output of a forwarding switch (W-Wl, WW.2, ...) an output transport path (A-Tpf.1.1, A- Tpf.1.2, ...) to a selectable memory (Sp. 1.1

Sp .1.2, ...) of the first memory area (SB.l) begins, - In the other output of the forwarding switch (W-Wl, WW.2, ...) an output transport path (A-Tpf.2.1, A- Tpf.2.2, ...) to a selectable memory (Sp. 2.1

Sp .2.2, ...) of the second memory area (SB.2) starts and

- For each input of each forwarding switch (W-W.l, W- W.2, ...) in each case a connection transport path (V-Tpf .1, V-Tpf.2, ...) leads. 4. sorting system according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that

each memory (Sp.1.1, Sp.2.1, ...) is designed such that objects to be sorted can be transferred from this memory into a receiving unit,

the sorting system is designed to operate in the

Dump-optimized mode each memory (Sp.1.1, ..., Sp .1.2, ...) of the first memory area (SB.l) in each case a memory (Sp.2.1, Sp .2.2, ...) of the second storage area (SB.2), and

the sorting system is further configured so that during operation in the sorting destination-optimized mode, the objects are transferred from a memory (Sp.1.1, ..., Sp.2.1,...) into a receiving unit. 5. Sorting system according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that

the sorting system has a removal conveyor (Ab-Tpf),

the sorting system is designed to perform the step when emptying a memory (Sp.2.1, Sp .2.2,...) of the second memory area (SB.2),

that the removal conveyor (Ab-Tpf) removes these items. 6. sorting system according to claim 5,

characterized in that each selectable memory (Sp.2.1, Sp .2.2,...) of the second memory area (SB.2) forms in each case a section of the removal conveyor device (Ab-Tpf).

Sorting plant according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized in that

the sorting system comprises a plurality of holding devices, each holding device (Spt) is designed to receive and at least temporarily hold at least one object (Ps) to be sorted, and

the sorting system is designed to transport a holding device (Spt) with an item to be sorted (Ps) up to the storage (Sp.1.1, ..., Sp.2.1, ...) selected for this item (Ps).

Sorting method for sorting objects according to a predetermined sorting feature

using a sorting facility that

a first memory area (SB.l) and

comprises a second memory area (SB.2),

in which

- The first memory area (SB.l) is spatially separated from the second memory area (SB.2) and

both the first memory area (SB.l) and the second memory area (SB.2) each have a plurality of memories (Sp.1.1, Sp.2.1,...),

- a memory output (Ausg.1.1, Ausg .1.2, ...) and

a drainage transport path (E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2, ...)

having ,

for each item to be sorted, the steps are performed that

the value which the sorting feature assumes for this item is measured, - a memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .2.1, ...) is automatically selected depending on the measured sorting feature value,

- the object is transported up to the memory selected for this object (Sp.1.1, Sp .2.1, ...), and

- the object in this selected memory (Sp.1.1,

Sp .2.1, ...) is discharged,

whereby each memory selected for at least one object (Sp.1.1, Sp .2.1,...) is later emptied again,

the sorting system

at least partially in a depleted mode and

- at least partially in a sortierziel-optimized

mode

is operated,

when operating in drain-optimized mode

- For each item to be sorted, one more spice (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2, ...) of the first storage area

(SB.l) with a memory output (Ausg.1.1, Ausg .1.2, ...) is selected and

- Each selectable memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2, ...) of the first memory area (SB.l) with a memory output (Ausg.1.1, Ausg. 1.2, ...) is completely emptied by the objects from this memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2, ...) via the memory output (Ausg.1.1,

Ausg .1.2) and the emptying transport path (E-Tpf.1.1, E-Tpf.1.2, ...) of this memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2, ...) completely in a memory (Sp.2.2, Sp .2.3, ...) of the second memory area (SB.2) are transported, and

when operating in sorting destination optimized mode

- for at least one item to be sorted

Memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2, ...) of the first memory area (SB.l) with a memory output (Ausg.1.1, Ausg .1.2, ...) is selected and - For at least one other object to be sorted a memory (Sp.2.1, Sp .2.2, ...) of the second memory area (SB.2) is selected.

Sorting method according to claim 8,

characterized in that

during operation in the sorting destination optimized mode, each memory (Sp.1.1, Sp .1.2,...) of the first memory area (SB.l) and each memory (Sp.2.1, Sp .2.2, Memory area (SB.2) is emptied, that the objects from this memory (Sp.1.1, ..., Sp.2.1, ...) are spent in at least one recording unit.