Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
  • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
  • B07C1/00—Measures preceding sorting according to destination
  • B07C1/02—Forming articles into a stream; Arranging articles in a stream, e.g. spacing, orientating
  • B07C1/04—Forming a stream from a bulk; Controlling the stream, e.g. spacing the articles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
  • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
  • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
  • B65H29/38—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by movable piling or advancing arms, frames, plates, or like members with which the articles are maintained in face contact
  • B65H29/40—Members rotated about an axis perpendicular to direction of article movement, e.g. star-wheels formed by S-shaped members
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
  • B65H29/58—Article switches or diverters
  • B65H29/60—Article switches or diverters diverting the stream into alternative paths
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
  • B65H31/04—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates
  • B65H31/06—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled on edge
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
  • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
  • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
  • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
  • B65H2301/4214—Forming a pile of articles on edge
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
  • B65H2404/60—Other elements in face contact with handled material
  • B65H2404/65—Other elements in face contact with handled material rotating around an axis parallel to face of material and perpendicular to transport direction, e.g. star wheel
  • B65H2404/652—Other elements in face contact with handled material rotating around an axis parallel to face of material and perpendicular to transport direction, e.g. star wheel having two elements diametrically opposed
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2406/00—Means using fluid
  • B65H2406/10—Means using fluid made only for exhausting gaseous medium
  • B65H2406/12—Means using fluid made only for exhausting gaseous medium producing gas blast
  • B65H2406/122—Nozzles
• • 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
• • 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
  • B65H2511/22—Distance
• • 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
• • 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
  • B65H2511/414—Identification of mode of operation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
  • B65H2513/20—Acceleration or deceleration
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
  • B65H2513/40—Movement
  • B65H2513/42—Route, path
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2557/00—Means for control not provided for in groups B65H2551/00 - B65H2555/00
  • B65H2557/20—Calculating means; Controlling methods
  • B65H2557/23—Recording or storing data
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
  • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
  • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
  • B65H2701/1916—Envelopes and articles of mail

Definitions

• the invention relates generally to a machine for sorting flat objects having heterogeneous physical characteristics, the sorting machine comprising at least one sorting outlet equipped with a stacker capable of stacking flat objects on edge in a zone of stacking, the stacker being controlled by a control / control unit according to at least one unstacking program setting predetermined operating parameters of the stacker such as in particular the pitch between the flat objects, the speed of conveying flat objects.
• the invention also relates to a method for sorting flat objects having heterogeneous physical characteristics in which the flat objects are stacked on edge in a stacking zone according to predetermined operating parameters such as in particular the pitch between the flat objects, the speed of conveying flat objects.
• a flat object designates in particular, but not exclusively, a postal item.
• Postal items which can be sorted and stacked by means of the sorting machine, may have variable dimensions, but also variable mechanical characteristics, particularly as regards their rigidity.
• These postal items can be, among others, a simple letter, a magazine, an envelope with or without window, a newspaper, or a catalog presented in a plastic envelope or paper, with or without bellows.
• a flat objects sorting machine comprises a feed inlet with a magazine, as well as a destacker for serially setting edge flat objects. The latter are then generally conveyed to an acquisition system, then sent to aligned sorting outlets. next to each other.
• each sorting outlet is equipped with a stacker capable of stacking on edge, on a stacking zone, the flat objects.
• the stacker comprises a stacking area of variable dimensions, allowing the reception of flat objects accumulating in a pile.
• This stacking zone is delimited by a movable retaining element under the effect of the accumulation of flat objects.
• the stacking zone is further defined by a jogging edge, against which the flat objects abut.
• a rotary actuator is set in motion upon the arrival of each flat object in the direction of the stacking zone to accompany the stacking of flat objects.
• sorting machines dedicated to the format of flat objects to be treated.
• predetermined formats such as the "letter” format for flat objects of small dimensions, the "flat” format for large flat objects.
• closed folds such as letters
• open folds such as some magazines.
• Flat objects can also be in different materials such as for example paper, plastic.
• the sorting machines are set so that their operating parameters are optimally adapted to a predetermined type of flat objects (format, nature, material). These settings of the functional parameters allow the sorting machines to achieve high sorting yields.
• the sorting machines are no longer dedicated to a predetermined type of flat objects and must be compatible with several types of flat objects.
• the sorting machines are set according to median operating parameters compatible with the different types of flat objects.
• these median operating parameters while they may be optimal for a type of flat objects, are not optimal for flat objects. other, which generally results in lower yields of the sorting machine compared to the use of dedicated sorting machines.
• the object of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages by providing a flat object sorting machine and method suitable for accommodating flat objects of various types while ensuring optimal sorting yields.
• the object of the invention is a machine for sorting flat articles having heterogeneous physical characteristics, this sorting machine comprising at least one sorting outlet equipped with a stacker capable of stacking flat objects on edge in a stacking zone, the stacker being controlled by a control / control unit according to at least one unstacking program setting predetermined operating parameters of the stacker such as in particular the pitch between the flat objects, the conveying speed of the objects plates, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of programs each assigned to a predefined type of flat objects having predetermined physical characteristics, in that it comprises means for determining the predetermined physical characteristics of each flat object arriving in the region. stacker, the control / control unit being arranged, after determination, to assign a predefined type of flat objects the flat object arriving in the stacker and to enable unstacking corresponding program for applying predetermined operating parameters during stacking of the flat object arriving.
• the idea underlying the invention is to determine the physical characteristics of each flat object before it arrives in the stacker and to use these physical characteristics to parameterize the stacker optimally according to the type of flat objects. to which the flat object arriving in the stacker belongs.
• the determination means comprise detection means provided upstream of the stacker and able to detect the predetermined characteristics of the flat object arriving in the stacker;
• the stacker comprises at least one retaining element capable of receiving the stacked flat objects and a rotary actuator able to stack the flat objects against the retaining element, the rotary actuator being coupled to a brushless motor controlled by the control / command unit according to the active unstacking program for activating at least one start time and speed profile accordingly;
• stacker comprises at least one rear flap provided upstream of the stacking zone, the rear flap being movable between a retracted position in which it is set back from the stacking zone so as not to interfere with the flat objects arriving in the stacking zone and an active position in which it is pivoted towards the stacking zone so as to press the rear of the flat object being stacked towards the stacking zone, the rearward flap being controlled by the control / command unit to move from its retracted to active positions according to the active unstacking program;
• the stacker comprises at least one blowing nozzle provided upstream of the stacking zone and adapted to send an air jet cutting the trajectory of the flat objects arriving in the stacking zone to tend to fold a pan open from the flat object to the flat object, the blowing nozzle being controlled by the control / command unit to send the jet of air according to the active unstacking program.
• the invention extends to a method for sorting flat objects having heterogeneous physical characteristics during which, by means of a stacker, flat objects are stacked on edge in a stacking zone according to predetermined operating parameters.
• predetermined operating parameters such as in particular the pitch or the gap between the flat objects, the conveying speed of the objects plates, characterized in that predefined types of flat objects having predetermined physical characteristics are predefined, in that upstream of the stacker, the physical characteristics of each flat object arriving in the stacker are determined by assigning a predefined type of flat objects to the incoming flat object and depending on the predefined type assigned, applying predetermined specific operating parameters when stacking the incoming flat object.
• the predetermined physical characteristics of the flat object arriving in the stacker are detected upstream of the stacker;
• a rotary actuator which is actuated by means of a brushless type motor which is controlled at least the start time and speed profile according to the predefined type of flat object determined;
• At least one rear-end flap is used which is arranged upstream of the stacking zone and which is moved between a retracted position in which it is set back from the zone of stacking so as not to interfere with the flat objects arriving in the stacking zone and an active position in which it is pivoted towards the stacking zone so as to press the rear of the flat object being stacked towards the stacking zone, the passage of the trailing edge shutter is controlled between its retracted and active positions according to the predefined type of detected flat object;
• At least one blowing nozzle is used upstream of the stacking zone to send an air jet cutting the trajectory of flat objects arriving in the stacking zone to tend to fold a open pan of the flat object towards the flat object, one controls the nozzle of blow according to the type of flat object detected.
• the flat objects sorting machine 100, 101 comprises a plurality of conveyor belts 10, 11, 12, 13 defining a main conveying direction symbolized by the arrow D1, and a plurality of secondary conveying directions of which only one is represented and symbolized by the arrow D2.
• the sorting machine 1 is thus able to transport the flat objects 100, 101 on edge, in nip between these conveyor belts 10, 1 1, 12, 13.
• Each secondary conveying direction D2 is separated from the main conveying direction D1, in a bifurcation, by a switching flap 2 adapted to pivot automatically to guide the flat objects 100, 101 towards one or other of the main conveying directions D1 and secondary D2, according to a predetermined sorting plane .
• Each secondary conveying direction D2 opens into a sorting outlet equipped with a stacker 3.
• the stacker 3 comprises a stacking zone 30 delimited by a retaining element 31 movable in translation along a rod 32.
• the retaining element 31 can thus be moved between a stack start position and a position of end of stack. During this movement, the position of the retaining element 31 is continuously adapted to the height of the stack of flat objects 100 formed in the stacking zone 30.
• retainer 31 is also coupled to return means (not shown) tending to return it to its stack start position.
• the stacker 3 further comprises a rotary actuator 4, of the bucket wheel type, rotatable about an axis A substantially perpendicular to the main conveying directions D1 and secondary D2.
• the rotary actuator 4 is placed in the path of the flat objects 101 arriving in the stacking zone 30 in the secondary direction D2.
• This rotary actuator 4 comprises a hub carried by the axis A and which extend two lugs 41, curved in opposite directions to that of the arrival of the flat objects 101 in the secondary conveying direction D2.
• the lugs 41 define slots 42 able to be successively, as the rotary actuator 4 rotates, facing the trajectory of the flat objects 101 arriving in the stacking zone 30 in the secondary direction D2.
• the rotary actuator 4 is coupled to a brushless type motor or permanent magnet motor on the rotor with rotor position sensor (not shown) whose starting instant and speed profile can be controlled by a control unit / command (not shown).
• This brushless type motor has for example a torque of at least about 7 Nm.
• the brushless type motor is thus able to start, accelerate, slow down and stop the rotary actuator 4 to adapt to the types of objects. 101 dishes arriving and stacking.
• the brushless type motor makes it possible to carry out these operations with rapid and frequent changes in the acceleration and / or the speed reference, without overheating, with excellent repeatability and precise compliance with the instructions.
• the brushless type motor thus allows different operating cycles depending in particular on the weight and dimensions of the flat objects 100, 101, while applying a resistant torque and / or adapted motor.
• flat objects 100, 101 of standard dimensions can thus be stacked at a standard speed of 4 m / s (80%), or at a lower speed of 3.5 m / s for flat objects 100 , 101 larger dimensions.
• the sorting machine 1 also comprises a rear end flap 5 provided upstream of the stacking zone 30, between the switching flap 2 and the rotary actuator 4.
• the rear flap 5 is provided on the same side as the rotary actuator 4 with respect to the trajectory of the flat objects 100, 101 and pivotally mounted about an axis B with respect to which it is movable between a retracted position (illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) and an active position (illustrated in Figure 3). In its retracted position, the rear flap 5 is set back from the trajectory of the flat objects 101 arriving in the secondary direction D2 and in particular of the stacking zone 30. Thus, it does not interfere with the flat objects 101 arriving in the stacking zone 30.
• the rear flap 5 In its active position, the rear flap 5 is pivoted towards the stacking zone 30, it intersects the trajectory of the flat objects 101 arriving in the secondary direction D2.
• the rear-end flap 5 is controlled by the control / command unit so as to move from its retracted position to its active position when the trailing edge of the flat object 101 arriving in the stacking zone 30 passes the 5.
• the rear-end flap 5 plates the flat object 101 arriving in the stacking zone 30 against the stack of flat objects 100 already formed in this same stacking zone 30.
• the role of the front flap rear 5 is to clear the rear edge of each flat object 101 of the conveyor belt 13 when the flat object 101 tends to remain aligned with the secondary path D2 and less flatten on the stack being formed.
• the sorting machine 1 also comprises a blowing nozzle 6 provided upstream of the stacking zone 30 between the rear flap 5 and the rotary actuator 4.
• the blast nozzle 6 is disposed on the other side of the trajectory of the flat objects 100, 101 with respect to the rear-end flap 5 and to the rotary actuator 4.
• the blast nozzle 6 is able to send an air jet cutting the trajectory of the flat objects 101 arriving in the zone This air jet tends to fold down any open pan of the flat object 101 arriving in the stacking zone 30, against its face. Indeed, it is common to encounter a defect of folding for some open flat objects 101, for example of the magazine type, whose cover page oriented side of the stacking zone 30 may tend to bend at the time of publication. stacking.
• the air jet makes it possible to keep the blanket closed or fold it down if it tends to open.
• the blast nozzle 6 is controlled by the control unit to be in the closed state (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3) without sending an air jet or in the open state (as illustrated in FIG. 2). ) to send a jet of air.
• This air jet is preferably oriented downstream and towards the stacking zone 30.
• the sorting machine 1 finally comprises detection means 7, for example a camera, a scale, a laser or any other suitable equipment, making it possible to detect predetermined physical characteristics of the flat objects 101 before their arrival in the stacker 3, for example the length, the height, the thickness, the weight, the rigidity, the material, the nature of the flat objects 101.
• detection means 7, schematically symbolized by a camera, are provided upstream of the stacker 3 and in particular upstream of the rear end flap 5, the blast nozzle 6 and the rotary actuator 4.
• the predetermined physical characteristics of the flat objects 101 arriving in the stacker 3 are obtained by means of storage means obtained during previous sorting passes.
• the sequence of flat objects 101 is known, prior to the sorting machine 1, and in particular the sequence of the predetermined characteristics of these flat objects 101.
• these predetermined characteristics could be detected during a preliminary sorting step and stored on any type of support such as for example a file, an RFID card.
• the determination means may consist of characteristic reading means previously recorded for a given sequence of flat objects to be stacked.
• the control / command unit uses these predetermined physical characteristics to control the operating parameters of the stacker 3 and more specifically those of the rear-end flap 5, the blast nozzle 6 and the rotary actuator 4.
• the sorting machine 1 comprises a plurality of programs each intended for a predetermined type of flat objects.
• the number of predefined types of flat objects depends on the targeted fineness of settings.
• Each predefined type of flat objects is associated with predetermined operating parameters optimized for this predefined type. It is thus possible to predefine combinations between predefined types and predefined operating parameters such as in the nonlimiting examples listed below.
• the operating parameters of the stacker 3 can of course be crossed differently to obtain a large number of other possible combinations of operating parameters.
• the method of sorting flat objects 100, 101, implemented by means of a sorting machine 1 as described above, is explained below.
• FIG. 1 some flat objects 100 have already been stacked in the stacking zone 30, gradually moving away the retaining element 31 of the rotary actuator 4.
• the next flat object 101 to be stacked is conveyed by the 10, 11, 12 conveyor belts and guided in the secondary direction D2 by means of the shutter 2.
• the rotary actuator 4 is in position to receive the flat object 101 in its slot 42 and guide during stacking .
• the blowing nozzle 6 is in the closed state and the rear flap 5 is in its retracted position.
• the physical characteristics of the flat object 101 are detected before it arrives in the stacker 3.
• the predetermined type is determined.
• the flat object 101 has progressed towards the stacking zone 30 and is located beyond the detection means 7. It is at the height of the rear flap 5 still in its retracted position engaged in the slot 42 of the rotary actuator 4.
• the rotary actuator 4 is controlled to start at a start time Td1 -3 and according to a speed profile PV1 -5 adapted.
• the blowing nozzle 6 is controlled by the control / command unit to pass, at the instant of blow Ts1, from its closed state to its open state to fold down a portion of the flat object 101 possibly ajar.
• the detecting means 7 are then able to detect the physical characteristics of the next flat object 101 before it arrives in the stacker 3.
• the flat object 101 is accompanied in its stack by the rotary actuator 4.
• the nozzle of FIG. 6 is blown by the control / command unit to be in the closed state, the detecting means 7 are able to detect the physical characteristics of the next flat object 101 and the rotary actuator 4 continues to be controlled according to the profile PV1 speed -5 adapted.
• the rear flap 5 is controlled by the control / command unit to pass, in a predetermined time Tp1 -2, from its retracted position to its active position to press the rear edge of the flat object 101 arriving in the zone d stacking on the stack of flat objects 100 already formed.
• the sorting machine 1 and the sorting method according to the invention thus make it possible to stack all types of flat objects 100, 101 reliably and efficiently, taking into account their differences in physical characteristics in order to apply optimal specific operating parameters. to ensure a good sorting efficiency of flat objects 100, 101.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
• Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
• Stacking Of Articles And Auxiliary Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=47143161

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Families Citing this family (8)

Family Cites Families (20)

• 2011
  • 2011-12-23 FR FR1162391A patent/FR2984774B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2012
  • 2012-10-09 EP EP12781380.6A patent/EP2794130B2/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2012-10-09 US US13/805,838 patent/US9539617B2/en active Active
  • 2012-10-09 CN CN201280058974.4A patent/CN103958081B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2012-10-09 PT PT127813806T patent/PT2794130E/pt unknown
  • 2012-10-09 DK DK12781380.6T patent/DK2794130T4/en active
  • 2012-10-09 JP JP2014548133A patent/JP6039685B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2012-10-09 WO PCT/FR2012/052291 patent/WO2013093250A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2012-10-09 AU AU2012356654A patent/AU2012356654B2/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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