EP3046687B1 - Postal sorting equipment having a feeder with two superimposed levels - Google Patents

Postal sorting equipment having a feeder with two superimposed levels Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3046687B1
EP3046687B1 EP14755857.1A EP14755857A EP3046687B1 EP 3046687 B1 EP3046687 B1 EP 3046687B1 EP 14755857 A EP14755857 A EP 14755857A EP 3046687 B1 EP3046687 B1 EP 3046687B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tray
deck portion
stack
mailpieces
edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP14755857.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3046687A1 (en
Inventor
François Madar
Arnaud Caron
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Solystic SAS
Original Assignee
Solystic SAS
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP3046687A1 publication Critical patent/EP3046687A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3046687B1 publication Critical patent/EP3046687B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
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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
    • B07C1/025—Devices for the temporary stacking of objects provided with a stacking and destacking device (interstack device)
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/02—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge
    • B65H1/025—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles on edge with controlled positively-acting mechanical devices for advancing the pile to present the articles to the separating device
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/30—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for replenishing the pile during continuous separation of articles therefrom
    • 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
    • B65H2301/422—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles
    • B65H2301/4225—Handling piles, sets or stacks of articles in or on special supports
    • B65H2301/42254—Boxes; Cassettes; Containers
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/78—Mailing systems

Definitions

  • the invention relates to postal sorting equipment comprising a sorting machine in which letter-type mail items or other flat postal items are sorted according to one or more sorting passes, for example as during the preparation of the postman's tour. .
  • the mail items sorted in the sorting outlets of the machine according to a first sorting pass are then transported in storage bins to the feed inlet of the machine for a first sorting pass. new sorting pass.
  • the sorted mail items are retrieved in stack on edge in conventional four-sided crate-type storage bins and open on top. Storage bins loaded with mail items are stored in a precise order on cart-style transit shelves.
  • the unstacker operator then moves the carts loaded with bins to the feed inlet of the sorting machine.
  • the feed inlet of the sorting machine is provided with an unloading device with a feed magazine comprising a storage floor on which the mailpieces are placed in stack on edge.
  • the sole of the feed magazine may comprise a belt-type conveyor belt or several parallel belts to automatically move the stacked mail items to the unstacker.
  • the Unloader Operator picks the bins filled with mail items one by one, places each end of the store, picks the mail items out of the bin and places these mail items on the floor of the food store.
  • the mail items placed on the hearth are thus conveyed stack on edge by the conveyor belt for example to the unstacking device which serializes the mail items to perform the second sort pass.
  • the mail items directed to the sorting outlets are therefore stored again in storage bins.
  • the bins loaded with articles are then moved by the unstacking operator for example to an evacuation zone so that one or more factors can retrieve the sorted mail items and perform their tours.
  • the document US-2005/0077217 shows postal sorting equipment including a postal sorting machine with an unstacker and a food store in which mail items are stacked on edge to be unstacked by the unstacker.
  • the equipment further includes storage bins for storing the mail items and bringing them into the feed magazine with bins having grooves open on one side and means for inserting into a groove of the tray.
  • the document US 8,172,498 describes a device comprising a tray support rotatably mounted on a first axis, able to tilt the storage bin stored thereon.
  • a clamp type holding means is also rotatably mounted about a second axis, capable of retaining stacked mail items contained in the tray.
  • the device US 8,172,498 further comprises synchronization means for synchronizing the rotation of the tray support about the first axis with the rotation of the holding means, so that when the storage bin is inclined to be removed by an unstacker operator, the retaining means holds the stack of mail items to then be deposited on the sole.
  • the task of the Unstacking Operator is therefore here to remove the inclined tray from the tray support arm.
  • trolleys and storage bins especially when loaded with mail items, represent a significant weight to move for the operator, leading to high fatigue and a risk to his health.
  • the unstacking operator manually takes the storage bins one by one or on carts to a remote evacuation area of the sorting machine, tiring him more.
  • the object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks by proposing postal sorting equipment which minimizes container handling operations, which reduces the duration of the unloading of the bins in the input feed magazine of the machine. sorting and which also reduces the risk of bins being swapped between two sorting passes.
  • the subject of the invention is a postal sorting equipment comprising a postal sorting machine with an unstacking member and a feed magazine in which mail items are placed in stack on edge to be unstacked by the unstacker, the equipment also including storage bins for storing the mail items and bringing them into the feed magazine, characterized in that the feed store comprises a hearth with a first hearth portion and a second hearth portion, the first hearth portion extending above the second hearth portion, in that each tray comprises a bottom shaped to define an open groove on a front side of the tray and towards the top of the tray and on which the stacked mail items rest, and in that the first hearth portion is adapted to fit frontally into the groove of the tray so that when said container filled with stacked mail items rests on the second hearth portion, the mail items rest on said first hearth portion.
  • the idea underlying the invention is therefore to use storage bins having an open and grooved bottom shaped as a tray of a pallet transport goods with one or openings under the tray to receive the teeth of a front loading fork.
  • the second floor of the store is offset in height from the first floor of the store and the first floor of the store plays the role of the loading fork.
  • the first floor of the store therefore has a free end overhanging above the second floor of the store so that when a tray filled with stacked mail items is moved on the second floor towards the unstacking member , the first part of sole then inserts into the groove or grooves of the tray under the stack of mail items.
  • This stack of mail items can then be removed from the tray by a relative movement between the first sole portion and the second sole portion of the feed magazine.
  • the invention therefore allows an automatic and simple removal of mail items from a storage bin in the feed store of a postal sorting machine while keeping the mail items singing stack on the floor of the store.
  • the invention also extends to a method for loading a mail item supply store from a postal sorting machine with storage bins filled with stacked mail items, characterized in that comprises the step of frontally inserting a first floor portion of the store that overhangs a second floor portion of the store on which the tray rests, said mail items then resting on edge on the first floor portion.
  • a postal sorting equipment 1 comprising a sorting machine 2 for sorting mail items 3 in several sorting passes.
  • the postal sorting equipment according to the invention is for example designed to be used in postal sorting centers for the preparation of the postman's tour.
  • This postal sorting equipment also includes storage bins 4 for storing mail items 3. The bins loaded with mail or vacuum items are moved between different compartments of the sorting machine.
  • the sorting machine 2 comprises an unstacking member 5, for example of the perforated-belt and vacuum type, sorting outlets 6 and a magazine 7 for supplying mailpieces 3 comprising a storage floor 8, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 2 to 10 .
  • This sole is designed to receive bins 4 in which mail items 3 are stored in pile on edge.
  • the hearth 8 may comprise one or more parallel conveyor belts 9 for moving, once the tray 4 has been removed from the magazine, the mail pieces 3 on the edge of the stack towards the unstacking member, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 2 to 10 .
  • Two adjacent conveyor belts 9 are separated by flat and smooth surfaces so that the sole has a generally planar surface.
  • the unstacker 5 serializes the mail items 3 stored in the feed magazine 7 and the serialized mail items are conveyed by a sorting conveyor 11 which directs them to the sorting outlets 6 of the machine.
  • Postal sorting equipment 1 shown on the figure 1 also comprises a first conveyor 12 of trays 4 designed to transport the trays loaded with mail items 3 sorting outlets 6 to the feed magazine 7 at the entrance of the machine.
  • a second conveyor 13 of bins 4, partially represented on the Figures 2 to 10 , can also be added to the postal sorting equipment 1 to transport the empty bins from the feed magazine to the sorting outlets 6 of the machine.
  • the first and second conveyors 12 and 13 of trays may be conveyor belt conveyor type with a flat adherent surface.
  • the conveyors 12 and 13 may also be roller conveyor type or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the hearth 8 consists of a first part of sole 22 and a second sole portion 23 with the first hearth portion which has a free end projecting from the second hearth portion 23.
  • sole 22 and 23 are superimposed and offset in height by a few centimeters.
  • first sole portion 22 which is a lifting fork with several parallel teeth 25.
  • each tooth of the fork is provided with a conveyor belt.
  • the second hearth portion 23 is mounted vertically movable relative to the first hearth portion 22 to be moved between a first position where it is slightly below the first hearth portion and a second position lower than the first position.
  • the second hearth portion may also be pivotally mounted about an axis A1 so as to tilt during its movement between the first and second positions.
  • the lowering and pivoting movements of the second hearth portion 23 may be achieved by controlled motors to move the second hearth portion to a predefined speed.
  • the second sole portion 23 may comprise a tray displacement conveyor, not shown in the figures, for moving a storage bin towards the unstacking member when it occupies the first position, that is to say according to the feeding direction of the destacking member in mail articles, and also to the second conveyor 13 of trays, that is to say perpendicular to this direction of supply, when it occupies the second position.
  • a tray displacement conveyor not shown in the figures, for moving a storage bin towards the unstacking member when it occupies the first position, that is to say according to the feeding direction of the destacking member in mail articles, and also to the second conveyor 13 of trays, that is to say perpendicular to this direction of supply, when it occupies the second position.
  • This moving means may comprise a conveyor belt or any other moving means, for example by pushing, magnet or sliding.
  • Each storage bin 4 according to the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. figures 11 and 12 is a box normally open on the top to allow the loading of mail items 3 on edge in stack from the top of the tray.
  • Each storage tank 4 comprises a substantially rectangular bottom 26 and edges 27 or lateral side walls substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tray.
  • the bottom 26 of the storage bin is a bit like the tray of a cargo pallet with openings under the pallet tray.
  • the bottom of the tray has in particular one or more grooves 28, open towards the top of the tray and on a lateral side of the tray which form one or more openings into which the tooth or teeth of the first part of hearth 22 can be inserted.
  • the mail items 3 are thus stored on edge on the top of the grooves 28 constituting the bottom 26 of the tray 4 and transversely to these grooves 28 tray so that they are in height relative to the lower base of the tray.
  • the tooth or teeth 24, 25 of the first floor portion of the magazine are therefore adapted to fit into the groove or grooves 28 of the tray such as the teeth of a forklift in the openings of a transport pallet.
  • the tooth or teeth of the first sole portion 22 fit into the groove or grooves 28 of a tray while the base of the tray rests on the second sole portion, the first portion of the zone gradually inserting into the or the grooves of the tray as the tray is moved in the direction of feeding on the second sole portion 23.
  • Advancement of the tray on the second sole portion can be obtained as indicated above by a conveyor belt or the like.
  • the grooves 28 in the bottom of the tray extend in the direction of feeding when the tray rests on the second part of hearth.
  • Each groove has a front opening on the side of the tray that faces the unstacking member.
  • the first sole portion is inserted into the groove or grooves of the tray 4 under the lower edge of the mail items 3 stored in the tray.
  • the second hearth portion is lowered while the first hearth portion holds the mail items high.
  • the conveyor belt 9 or 9 of the first portion of hearth 22 are actuated to move stack on edge these items of mail to the unstacking member.
  • bins 4 can be provided with an inclined bottom as visible on the figures 11 and 12 .
  • a central groove 28 is bordered by two inclined ramps 29 which define the bottom of the tray on which the mail items.
  • the tray has three parallel grooves 28 on which the mail items are placed transversely.
  • the sole portion 22 may have three parallel teeth adapted to fit into the three grooves of the storage bins 4.
  • the grooves 28 are also open on the front side of the tray and the rear side of the tray so that the teeth of the first part of hearth can completely cross the tray 4 to better capture all the mail items stored in the tray.
  • the rear side of the tray has parallel slots allowing the teeth 24,25 to be cleared from the tray by lowering and pivoting the tray while the front side of the tray is substantially fully open.
  • the inclination of the bottom of the tray goes down to the split rear side of the tray so that after lowering the tray on the second part of sole, the stack of mail items is somehow combed and carried by the first part of hearth and this stack of mail article which faces the unstacking member is presented in a manner bent at the rear of the stack.
  • the slope of the bottom of the tray can be of the order of 10 °.
  • the unstacking operator with two pallets 32 for holding the stack articulated and movable along the first deck portion 22 in the direction of supply can therefore simultaneously store two stacks of mail items on the floor. 8 and then merge them into a single battery which bears against the unstacker as is known.
  • the bins 4 are preferably designed to be stackable and include gripping handles 30 on two opposite lateral sides 27 for empty handling for example and hollow handles 30 at the base of the front and back side of the container. bin for handling the tray loaded with mail items.
  • pins 31 which serve to wedge another tray stacked on it.
  • the bins 4 according to the invention are in particular plastic bins formed by molding.
  • the handling of the unstacking operator is limited during the successive sorting passes, to the handling of pallets 32 for holding stack of mail items on the floor. 8 from the food store.
  • Such sorting equipment with this type of bin and food store can be well suited for sorting large format postal items or sorting mixed small and large mail items.

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

L'invention concerne un équipement de tri postal comprenant une machine de tri dans laquelle des articles de courrier de type lettres ou autres objets postaux plats sont triés selon une ou plusieurs passes de tri, par exemple comme lors de la préparation de la tournée du facteur.The invention relates to postal sorting equipment comprising a sorting machine in which letter-type mail items or other flat postal items are sorted according to one or more sorting passes, for example as during the preparation of the postman's tour. .

Dans un processus de tri en plusieurs passes de tri, les articles de courrier triés dans les sorties de tri de la machine selon une première passe de tri sont transportés ensuite dans des bacs de stockage vers l'entrée d'alimentation de la machine pour une nouvelle passe de tri.In a sorting process in several sorting passes, the mail items sorted in the sorting outlets of the machine according to a first sorting pass are then transported in storage bins to the feed inlet of the machine for a first sorting pass. new sorting pass.

Technique antérieurePrior art

Actuellement pour la préparation d'une tournée du facteur les articles de courrier sont triés dans la machine de tri par exemple en deux passes de tri.Currently for the preparation of a postman tour the mail items are sorted into the sorting machine for example in two sorting passes.

A la fin de la première passe de tri, les articles de courrier triés sont récupérés en pile sur chant dans des bacs de stockage de type caisse classique à quatre côtés et ouverte sur le dessus. Les bacs de stockage chargés d'articles de courrier sont entreposés selon un ordre précis sur des étagères de transit de type chariot.At the end of the first sorting pass, the sorted mail items are retrieved in stack on edge in conventional four-sided crate-type storage bins and open on top. Storage bins loaded with mail items are stored in a precise order on cart-style transit shelves.

L'Opérateur de dépilage déplace alors les chariots chargés de bacs jusqu'à l'entrée d'alimentation de la machine de tri.The unstacker operator then moves the carts loaded with bins to the feed inlet of the sorting machine.

De manière générale, l'entrée d'alimentation de la machine de tri est pourvue d'un organe de dépilage avec magasin d'alimentation comprenant une sole de stockage sur laquelle les articles de courrier sont placés en pile sur chant.In general, the feed inlet of the sorting machine is provided with an unloading device with a feed magazine comprising a storage floor on which the mailpieces are placed in stack on edge.

La sole du magasin d'alimentation peut comporter une bande transporteuse de type tapis ou encore plusieurs courroies parallèles pour déplacer automatiquement les articles de courrier en pile sur chant jusqu'à l'organe de dépilage.The sole of the feed magazine may comprise a belt-type conveyor belt or several parallel belts to automatically move the stacked mail items to the unstacker.

Pour charger le magasin d'alimentation, l'Opérateur de dépilage prend un à un les bacs remplis d'articles de courrier, place chaque bac à une extrémité du magasin, prélève par poignée les articles de courrier hors du bac et dépose ces articles de courrier sur la sole du magasin d'alimentation.To load the feed magazine, the Unloader Operator picks the bins filled with mail items one by one, places each end of the store, picks the mail items out of the bin and places these mail items on the floor of the food store.

Il peut s'aider de palettes de retenue de pile mobiles le long du magasin pour retenir en pile les articles de courrier sur la sole du magasin en même temps qu'il dégage du magasin le bac vidé des articles de courrier pour le placer sur un chariot qui sera ensuite emmené vers les sorties de tri pour une nouvelle utilisation.He can use mobile stacking pallets along the store to hold stacked mail items on the floor of the store at the same time as he clears the magazine emptied tray of mail items to place it on a cart which will then be taken to the sorting outlets for a new use.

Dans le magasin, les articles de courrier placés sur la sole sont donc convoyés en pile sur chant par la bande transporteuse par exemple vers l'organe de dépilage qui sérialise les articles de courrier pour effectuer la deuxième passe de tri.In the store, the mail items placed on the hearth are thus conveyed stack on edge by the conveyor belt for example to the unstacking device which serializes the mail items to perform the second sort pass.

Les articles de courrier dirigés vers les sorties de tri sont donc stockés à nouveau dans des bacs de stockage.The mail items directed to the sorting outlets are therefore stored again in storage bins.

Les bacs chargés d'articles sont alors déplacés par l'Opérateur de dépilage par exemple jusqu'à une zone d'évacuation pour qu'un ou plusieurs facteurs puissent récupérer les articles de courrier triés et effectuer leurs tournées.The bins loaded with articles are then moved by the unstacking operator for example to an evacuation zone so that one or more factors can retrieve the sorted mail items and perform their tours.

Il existe des dispositifs pour faciliter le déchargement manuel des articles de courrier contenus dans les bacs de stockage sur la sole du magasin d'alimentation.There are devices to facilitate the manual unloading of mail items contained in the storage bins on the floor of the feed store.

Le document US-A-2005/0077217 montre un équipement de tri postal comprenant une machine de tri postal avec un organe de dépilage et un magasin d'alimentation dans lequel des articles de courrier sont placés en pile sur chant pour être dépilés par l'organe de dépilage. L'équipement comprend en outre des bacs de stockage pour stocker les articles de courrier et les amener dans le magasin d'alimentation avec des bacs ayant des rainures ouvertes sur un côté latéral et des moyens pour s'insérer dans une rainure du bac.The document US-2005/0077217 shows postal sorting equipment including a postal sorting machine with an unstacker and a food store in which mail items are stacked on edge to be unstacked by the unstacker. The equipment further includes storage bins for storing the mail items and bringing them into the feed magazine with bins having grooves open on one side and means for inserting into a groove of the tray.

Le document US 8,172,498 décrit quant à lui un dispositif comprenant un support de bac monté rotatif sur un premier axe, capable d'incliner le bac de stockage entreposé dessus. Un moyen de retenue de type pince est également monté en rotation autour d'un second axe, capable de retenir les articles de courrier en pile contenus dans le bac.The document US 8,172,498 describes a device comprising a tray support rotatably mounted on a first axis, able to tilt the storage bin stored thereon. A clamp type holding means is also rotatably mounted about a second axis, capable of retaining stacked mail items contained in the tray.

Le dispositif de US 8,172,498 comprend en outre un moyen de synchronisation pour synchroniser la rotation du support de bac autour du premier axe avec la rotation du moyen de retenue, de manière à ce que lorsque le bac de stockage est incliné pour pouvoir être retiré par un Opérateur de dépilage, le moyen de retenue retient la pile d'articles de courrier pour pouvoir ensuite la déposer sur la sole.The device US 8,172,498 further comprises synchronization means for synchronizing the rotation of the tray support about the first axis with the rotation of the holding means, so that when the storage bin is inclined to be removed by an unstacker operator, the retaining means holds the stack of mail items to then be deposited on the sole.

La tâche de l'Opérateur de dépilage se résume donc ici à retirer le bac incliné du support de bac à bout de bras.The task of the Unstacking Operator is therefore here to remove the inclined tray from the tray support arm.

De manière générale, la plupart des opérations de déplacement de bacs de stockage ou de chariots sont effectuées par un Opérateur de manière entièrement manuelle.In general, most of the operations of moving storage bins or trolleys are performed by an Operator entirely manually.

Or, les chariots et bacs de stockage, notamment lorsqu'ils sont chargés en articles de courrier, représentent un poids important à déplacer pour l'Opérateur, induisant une forte fatigue et un risque pour sa santé.However, trolleys and storage bins, especially when loaded with mail items, represent a significant weight to move for the operator, leading to high fatigue and a risk to his health.

De plus, l'accumulation de chariots nécessaires à la réalisation du tri en machine représente une place non négligeable utilisée à proximité de la machine de tri. Il existe également un risque que des bacs soient intervertis durant le stockage temporaire sur le chariot, ce qui a pour effet d'introduire un dysfonctionnement dans la préparation de la tournée du facteur.In addition, the accumulation of trolleys necessary for performing sorting machine represents a significant place used near the sorting machine. There is also a risk that bins will be interchanged during temporary storage on the carriage, which has the effect of introducing a malfunction in the preparation of the postman's tour.

Par ailleurs, à la fin des passes de tri, l'Opérateur de dépilage emmène manuellement les bacs de stockage un par un ou sur des chariots vers une zone d'évacuation distante de la machine de tri, le fatiguant davantage.Furthermore, at the end of the sorting passes, the unstacking operator manually takes the storage bins one by one or on carts to a remote evacuation area of the sorting machine, tiring him more.

Exposé de l'inventionPresentation of the invention

Le but de la présente invention est de remédier aux inconvénients ci-dessus en proposant un équipement de tri postal qui minimise les opérations de manutention des bacs, qui diminue la durée du déchargement des bacs dans le magasin d'alimentation en entrée de la machine de tri et qui réduit aussi les risques que des bacs soient intervertis entre deux passes de tri.The object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks by proposing postal sorting equipment which minimizes container handling operations, which reduces the duration of the unloading of the bins in the input feed magazine of the machine. sorting and which also reduces the risk of bins being swapped between two sorting passes.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un équipement de tri postal comprenant une machine de tri postal avec un organe de dépilage et un magasin d'alimentation dans lequel des articles de courrier sont placés en pile sur chant pour être dépilés par l'organe de dépilage, l'équipement comprenant aussi des bacs de stockage pour stocker les articles de courrier et les amener dans le magasin d'alimentation,
caractérisé en ce que le magasin d'alimentation comprend une sole avec une première partie de sole et une seconde partie de sole, la première partie de sole s'étendant en surplomb au dessus de la seconde partie de sole,
en ce que chaque bac comprend un fond conformé pour définir une rainure ouverte sur un côté frontal du bac et vers le haut du bac et sur laquelle reposent les articles de courrier en pile sur chant,
et en ce que la première partie de sole est conçue pour s'insérer frontalement dans la rainure du bac de telle sorte que quand ledit bac rempli d'articles de courrier en pile sur chant repose sur la seconde partie de sole, les articles de courrier reposent sur ladite première partie de sole.For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a postal sorting equipment comprising a postal sorting machine with an unstacking member and a feed magazine in which mail items are placed in stack on edge to be unstacked by the unstacker, the equipment also including storage bins for storing the mail items and bringing them into the feed magazine,
characterized in that the feed store comprises a hearth with a first hearth portion and a second hearth portion, the first hearth portion extending above the second hearth portion,
in that each tray comprises a bottom shaped to define an open groove on a front side of the tray and towards the top of the tray and on which the stacked mail items rest,
and in that the first hearth portion is adapted to fit frontally into the groove of the tray so that when said container filled with stacked mail items rests on the second hearth portion, the mail items rest on said first hearth portion.

L'idée à la base de l'invention est donc d'utiliser des bacs de stockage ayant un fond ouvert et rainuré conformé comme un plateau d'une palette de transport de marchandises avec une ou des ouvertures sous le plateau pour recevoir les dents d'une fourche de chargement frontal.The idea underlying the invention is therefore to use storage bins having an open and grooved bottom shaped as a tray of a pallet transport goods with one or openings under the tray to receive the teeth of a front loading fork.

La seconde sole du magasin est donc décalée en hauteur de la première sole du magasin et la première sole du magasin joue le rôle de la fourche de chargement.The second floor of the store is offset in height from the first floor of the store and the first floor of the store plays the role of the loading fork.

La première sole du magasin a donc une extrémité libre en surplomb au dessus de la seconde sole du magasin de sorte que quand un bac rempli d'articles de courrier en pile sur chant est déplacé sur la seconde sole en direction de l'organe de dépilage, la première partie de sole s'insère alors dans la ou les rainures du bac sous la pile d'articles de courrier.The first floor of the store therefore has a free end overhanging above the second floor of the store so that when a tray filled with stacked mail items is moved on the second floor towards the unstacking member , the first part of sole then inserts into the groove or grooves of the tray under the stack of mail items.

Cette pile d'articles de courrier peut alors être prélevée du bac par un déplacement relatif entre la première partie de sole et la seconde partie de sole du magasin d'alimentation.This stack of mail items can then be removed from the tray by a relative movement between the first sole portion and the second sole portion of the feed magazine.

L'invention permet donc un retrait automatique et simple des articles de courrier d'un bac de stockage dans le magasin d'alimentation d'une machine de tri postal tout en conservant les articles de courrier sur chant en pile sur la sole du magasin.The invention therefore allows an automatic and simple removal of mail items from a storage bin in the feed store of a postal sorting machine while keeping the mail items singing stack on the floor of the store.

L'équipement de tri postal selon l'invention peut avantageusement présenter les particularités suivantes :

  • la seconde partie de sole est mobile verticalement par rapport à la première partie de sole et en particulier elle descend verticalement par rapport à la première partie de sole ;
  • la deuxième partie de sole est montée pivotante autour d'un axe et chaque bac de stockage a un fond incliné ce qui permet un meilleur déchargement des articles de courrier en pile sur chant sur la sole de stockage du magasin ;
  • il comprend un moyen de déplacement pour déplacer les bacs de la deuxième partie de sole vers un convoyeur de bacs, ce moyen de déplacement de bacs pouvant être de type convoyeur à bande ou convoyeur à rouleaux par exemple;
  • la première partie de sole du magasin peut être avantageusement munie d'une bande transporteuse pour déplacer en pile sur chant les articles de courrier vers l'organe de dépilage ;
  • la première partie de sole peut se présenter comme une fourche de chargement à plusieurs dents parallèles et chaque bac peut alors comporter plusieurs rainures correspondantes dans lesquelles s'engagent les dents de la fourche ;
  • on peut prévoir alors de munir une ou chaque dent de la fourche d'une bande transporteuse ;
  • le magasin peut être muni d'un système de retenue des articles de courrier en pile de type à doubles palettes mobiles pour déplacer en pile sur chant les articles de courrier stockés sur la première partie de sole.
The postal sorting equipment according to the invention may advantageously have the following particularities:
  • the second hearth portion is vertically movable relative to the first hearth portion and in particular it descends vertically with respect to the first hearth portion;
  • the second floor portion is pivotally mounted about an axis and each storage bin has an inclined bottom which allows better unloading mail items in stack on edge on the storage floor of the store;
  • it comprises a moving means for moving the trays of the second sole portion to a tray conveyor, this tray moving means may be of the conveyor belt type or roller conveyor for example;
  • the first floor portion of the store may advantageously be provided with a conveyor belt for moving stacked edge mail articles to the unstacking member;
  • the first sole portion may be a loading fork with several parallel teeth and each tray may then have a plurality of corresponding grooves in which engage the teeth of the fork;
  • it is then possible to provide one or each tooth of the fork of a conveyor belt;
  • the store may be equipped with a dual-pallet stack type mailpiece retainer for moving stack on edge the mail items stored on the first part of sole.

L'invention s'étend également à un procédé pour charger un magasin d'alimentation en articles de courrier d'une machine de tri postal avec des bacs de stockage remplis d'articles de courrier en pile sur chant, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend l'étape consistant à insérer frontalement une première partie de sole du magasin qui surplombe une seconde partie de sole du magasin sur laquelle le bac repose, lesdits articles de courrier reposant alors sur chant sur la première partie de sole.The invention also extends to a method for loading a mail item supply store from a postal sorting machine with storage bins filled with stacked mail items, characterized in that comprises the step of frontally inserting a first floor portion of the store that overhangs a second floor portion of the store on which the tray rests, said mail items then resting on edge on the first floor portion.

Le procédé de tri postal selon l'invention peut avantageusement encore présenter les particularités suivantes :

  • il comprend en outre une étape d'abaissement de la deuxième partie de sole par rapport à la première partie de sole pour évacuer le bac du magasin d'alimentation ;
  • il comprend en outre une étape de pivotement de la deuxième partie de sole du magasin ;
  • il comprend en outre une étape de déplacement de palettes de retenue de pile pendant le mouvement d'abaissement et de pivotement de la deuxième partie de sole pour maintenir en pile sur chant les articles de courrier sur la première partie de sole.
The postal sorting method according to the invention can advantageously still have the following particularities:
  • it further comprises a step of lowering the second hearth portion relative to the first hearth portion to evacuate the tray from the feed store;
  • it further comprises a pivoting step of the second floor portion of the store;
  • it further comprises a step of moving stack retaining pallets during the lowering and pivoting movement of the second hearth portion to maintain stacked edge mail items on the first hearth portion.

Présentation sommaire des dessinsBrief presentation of the drawings

La présente invention sera mieux comprise et d'autres avantages apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée des modes de réalisation pris à titre d'exemples nullement limitatifs et illustrés par les dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • La figure 1 est une vue schématique partielle en perspective d'une partie de l'équipement de tri postal selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • Les figures 2 à 10 sont des vues schématiques partielles en perspective du dispositif de dépilage avec des bacs de stockage chargés d'articles de courrier selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • La figure 11 est une vue schématique de côté d'un bord du bac de stockage chargé d'articles de courrier selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • La figure 12 est vue schématique en perspective du bac de stockage selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.
The present invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear on reading the detailed description of the embodiments taken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:
  • The figure 1 is a partial schematic perspective view of a portion of the postal sorting equipment according to one embodiment of the invention;
  • The Figures 2 to 10 are partial schematic perspective views of the unstacking device with storage bins loaded with mail items according to an embodiment of the invention;
  • The figure 11 is a schematic side view of an edge of the storage bin loaded with mail items according to one embodiment of the invention;
  • The figure 12 is schematic perspective view of the storage bin according to one embodiment of the invention.

Description des modes de réalisationDescription of the embodiments

Sur la figure 1, on a illustré une partie d'un équipement de tri postal 1 selon l'invention comprenant une machine de tri 2 pour trier des articles de courrier 3 en plusieurs passes de tri. L'équipement de tri postal selon l'invention est par exemple conçu pour être utilisé dans des centres de tri postaux pour la préparation de la tournée du facteur. Cet équipement de tri postal comprend également des bacs 4 de stockage pour stocker les articles de courrier 3. Les bacs chargés d'articles de courrier ou à vide sont déplacés entre différents compartiments de la machine de tri.On the figure 1 , there is illustrated a portion of a postal sorting equipment 1 according to the invention comprising a sorting machine 2 for sorting mail items 3 in several sorting passes. The postal sorting equipment according to the invention is for example designed to be used in postal sorting centers for the preparation of the postman's tour. This postal sorting equipment also includes storage bins 4 for storing mail items 3. The bins loaded with mail or vacuum items are moved between different compartments of the sorting machine.

La machine de tri 2 comprend un organe de dépilage 5 par exemple de type à courroie perforée et à dépression, des sorties de tri 6 et un magasin 7 d'alimentation en articles de courrier 3 comportant une sole 8 de stockage, comme illustré sur les figures 2 à 10. Cette sole est conçue pour réceptionner des bacs 4 dans lesquels des articles de courrier 3 sont stockés en pile sur chant.The sorting machine 2 comprises an unstacking member 5, for example of the perforated-belt and vacuum type, sorting outlets 6 and a magazine 7 for supplying mailpieces 3 comprising a storage floor 8, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 2 to 10 . This sole is designed to receive bins 4 in which mail items 3 are stored in pile on edge.

La sole 8 peut comprendre une ou plusieurs bandes transporteuses 9 parallèles pour déplacer, une fois le bac 4 retiré du magasin, les articles de courrier 3 sur chant en pile vers l'organe de dépilage, comme illustré sur les figures 2 à 10. Deux bandes transporteuses adjacentes 9 sont séparées par des surfaces planes 10 et lisses de sorte que la sole présente une surface globalement plane.The hearth 8 may comprise one or more parallel conveyor belts 9 for moving, once the tray 4 has been removed from the magazine, the mail pieces 3 on the edge of the stack towards the unstacking member, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 2 to 10 . Two adjacent conveyor belts 9 are separated by flat and smooth surfaces so that the sole has a generally planar surface.

L'organe de dépilage 5 sérialise les articles de courrier 3 stockés dans le magasin d'alimentation 7 et les articles de courrier sérialisés sont convoyés par un convoyeur de tri 11 qui les dirige vers des sorties de tri 6 de la machine.The unstacker 5 serializes the mail items 3 stored in the feed magazine 7 and the serialized mail items are conveyed by a sorting conveyor 11 which directs them to the sorting outlets 6 of the machine.

L'équipement de tri postal 1 représenté sur la figure 1, comprend également un premier convoyeur 12 de bacs 4 conçu pour transporter les bacs chargés en articles de courrier 3 des sorties de tri 6 vers le magasin d'alimentation 7 à l'entrée de la machine.Postal sorting equipment 1 shown on the figure 1 , also comprises a first conveyor 12 of trays 4 designed to transport the trays loaded with mail items 3 sorting outlets 6 to the feed magazine 7 at the entrance of the machine.

Un deuxième convoyeur 13 de bacs 4, partiellement représenté sur les figures 2 à 10, peut également être ajouté à l'équipement de tri postal 1 afin de transporter les bacs vides du magasin d'alimentation vers les sorties de tri 6 de la machine.A second conveyor 13 of bins 4, partially represented on the Figures 2 to 10 , can also be added to the postal sorting equipment 1 to transport the empty bins from the feed magazine to the sorting outlets 6 of the machine.

Les premier et second convoyeurs 12 et 13 de bacs peuvent être de type convoyeur à bande de convoyage avec une surface plate adhérente. Les convoyeurs 12 et 13 peuvent aussi être de type convoyeur à rouleaux ou analogue sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.The first and second conveyors 12 and 13 of trays may be conveyor belt conveyor type with a flat adherent surface. The conveyors 12 and 13 may also be roller conveyor type or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.

Selon l'invention, pour permettre le transfert automatique des articles de courrier d'un bac sur la sole 8 du magasin d'alimentation, il est prévu que la sole 8 se compose d'une première partie de sole 22 et d'une seconde partie de sole 23 avec la première partie de sole qui a une extrémité libre en surplomb par rapport à la seconde partie de sole 23.According to the invention, to allow the automatic transfer of mail items from a tray to the sole 8 of the feed magazine, it is expected that the hearth 8 consists of a first part of sole 22 and a second sole portion 23 with the first hearth portion which has a free end projecting from the second hearth portion 23.

Les deux parties de sole 22 et 23 sont donc superposées et décalées en hauteur de quelques centimètres.The two parts of sole 22 and 23 are superimposed and offset in height by a few centimeters.

Sur les figures 2 à 10, on a représenté une première partie de sole 22 qui se présente comme une fourche de levage à plusieurs dents parallèles 25. Ici chaque dent de la fourche est munie d'une bande transporteuse.On the Figures 2 to 10 , there is shown a first sole portion 22 which is a lifting fork with several parallel teeth 25. Here each tooth of the fork is provided with a conveyor belt.

La deuxième partie de sole 23 est montée mobile verticalement par rapport à la première partie de sole 22 pour être déplacée entre une première position où elle est légèrement en dessous de la première partie de sole et une deuxième position plus basse que la première position.The second hearth portion 23 is mounted vertically movable relative to the first hearth portion 22 to be moved between a first position where it is slightly below the first hearth portion and a second position lower than the first position.

La deuxième partie de sole peut également être montée pivotante autour d'un axe A1 de manière à s'incliner pendant son déplacement entre la première et la deuxième position.The second hearth portion may also be pivotally mounted about an axis A1 so as to tilt during its movement between the first and second positions.

Les mouvements d'abaissement et de pivotement de la seconde partie de sole 23 peuvent être obtenus à l'aide de moteurs commandés pour déplacer la seconde partie de sole à une vitesse prédéfinie.The lowering and pivoting movements of the second hearth portion 23 may be achieved by controlled motors to move the second hearth portion to a predefined speed.

La deuxième partie de sole 23 peut comprendre un convoyeur de déplacement de bac, non représenté sur les figures, permettant de déplacer un bac de stockage en direction de l'organe de dépilage quand elle occupe la première position, c'est à dire selon la direction d'alimentation de l'organe de dépilage en articles de courrier, et aussi vers le deuxième convoyeur 13 de bacs, c'est à dire perpendiculairement à cette direction d'alimentation, lorsqu'elle occupe la deuxième position.The second sole portion 23 may comprise a tray displacement conveyor, not shown in the figures, for moving a storage bin towards the unstacking member when it occupies the first position, that is to say according to the feeding direction of the destacking member in mail articles, and also to the second conveyor 13 of trays, that is to say perpendicular to this direction of supply, when it occupies the second position.

Ce moyen de déplacement peut comprendre une bande transporteuse ou tout autre moyen de déplacement, par exemple par poussée, aimant ou glissement.This moving means may comprise a conveyor belt or any other moving means, for example by pushing, magnet or sliding.

Chaque bac 4 de stockage selon l'invention, comme illustré sur les figures 11 et 12 est un caisson ouvert normalement sur le dessus pour permettre le chargement des articles de courrier 3 sur chant en pile depuis le dessus du bac.Each storage bin 4 according to the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. figures 11 and 12 is a box normally open on the top to allow the loading of mail items 3 on edge in stack from the top of the tray.

Chaque bac de stockage 4 selon l'invention comprend un fond 26 sensiblement rectangulaire et des bords 27 ou parois de côté latéral sensiblement perpendiculaires par rapport au fond du bac.Each storage tank 4 according to the invention comprises a substantially rectangular bottom 26 and edges 27 or lateral side walls substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tray.

Le fond 26 du bac de stockage se présente un peu comme le plateau d'une palette de transport de marchandise avec des ouvertures sous le plateau de la palette.The bottom 26 of the storage bin is a bit like the tray of a cargo pallet with openings under the pallet tray.

Le fond du bac présente en particulier une ou plusieurs rainures 28, ouvertes vers le haut du bac et sur un côté latéral du bac qui forment une ou des ouvertures dans lesquelles peuvent s'insérer la ou les dents de la première partie de sole 22. Les articles de courrier 3 sont ainsi stockés sur chant sur le dessus des rainures 28 constituant le fond 26 du bac 4 et transversalement à ces rainures 28 bac ce qui fait qu'ils sont en hauteur par rapport à la base inférieur du bac.The bottom of the tray has in particular one or more grooves 28, open towards the top of the tray and on a lateral side of the tray which form one or more openings into which the tooth or teeth of the first part of hearth 22 can be inserted. The mail items 3 are thus stored on edge on the top of the grooves 28 constituting the bottom 26 of the tray 4 and transversely to these grooves 28 tray so that they are in height relative to the lower base of the tray.

La ou les dents 24, 25 de la première partie de sole du magasin sont donc adaptées pour s'insérer dans la ou les rainures 28 du bac comme les dents d'une fourche d'élévateur dans les ouvertures d'une palette de transport.The tooth or teeth 24, 25 of the first floor portion of the magazine are therefore adapted to fit into the groove or grooves 28 of the tray such as the teeth of a forklift in the openings of a transport pallet.

La ou les dents de la première partie de sole 22 s'insèrent dans la ou les rainures 28 d'un bac alors que la base du bac repose sur la seconde partie de sole, la première partie de la zone s'insérant progressivement dans la ou les rainures du bac au fur et à mesure que le bac est déplacé suivant la direction d'alimentation sur la seconde partie de sole 23.The tooth or teeth of the first sole portion 22 fit into the groove or grooves 28 of a tray while the base of the tray rests on the second sole portion, the first portion of the zone gradually inserting into the or the grooves of the tray as the tray is moved in the direction of feeding on the second sole portion 23.

L'avancement du bac sur la seconde partie de sole peut être obtenu comme indiqué plus haut par une bande de convoyage ou analogue.Advancement of the tray on the second sole portion can be obtained as indicated above by a conveyor belt or the like.

Les rainures 28 dans la sole du bac s'étendent suivant la direction d'alimentation quand le bac repose sur la seconde partie de sole. Chaque rainure a une ouverture frontale sur le coté du bac qui fait face à l'organe de dépilage.The grooves 28 in the bottom of the tray extend in the direction of feeding when the tray rests on the second part of hearth. Each groove has a front opening on the side of the tray that faces the unstacking member.

La première partie de sole vient s'insérée dans la ou les rainures du bac 4 sous le chant inférieur des articles de courrier 3 stockés dans le bac.The first sole portion is inserted into the groove or grooves of the tray 4 under the lower edge of the mail items 3 stored in the tray.

Pour décharger le bac des articles de courrier, la seconde partie de sole est abaissée tandis que la première partie de sole retient les articles de courrier en hauteur. Quand le bac est complètement abaissé, la ou les bandes transporteuses 9 de la première partie de sole 22 sont actionnées pour déplacer en pile sur chant ces articles de courrier vers l'organe de dépilage.To unload the tray from the mail items, the second hearth portion is lowered while the first hearth portion holds the mail items high. When the tray is completely lowered, the conveyor belt 9 or 9 of the first portion of hearth 22 are actuated to move stack on edge these items of mail to the unstacking member.

Pour faciliter le maintien en pile sur chant des articles de courrier sur la première partie de sole, on peut prévoir des bacs 4 avec un fond incliné comme visible sur les figures 11 et 12. Sur ces figures, on voit qu'une rainure centrale 28 est bordée par deux rampes 29 inclinées qui définissent le fond du bac sur lequel reposent les articles de courrier. Ici le bac présente trois rainures parallèles 28 sur lesquelles les articles de courrier sont placés de manière transversale. Dans ce cas, la partie de sole 22 pourra présenter trois dents parallèles adaptées pour s'insérer dans les trois rainures des bacs de stockage 4.In order to make it easier to hold mail items on the first part of hearth in the edge stack, bins 4 can be provided with an inclined bottom as visible on the figures 11 and 12 . In these figures, we see that a central groove 28 is bordered by two inclined ramps 29 which define the bottom of the tray on which the mail items. Here the tray has three parallel grooves 28 on which the mail items are placed transversely. In this case, the sole portion 22 may have three parallel teeth adapted to fit into the three grooves of the storage bins 4.

Sur ces figures, en particulier sur la figure 12, les rainures 28 sont aussi débouchantes du côté frontal du bac et du côté arrière du bac si bien que les dents de la première partie de sole peuvent traverser complètement le bac 4 pour mieux saisir tous les articles de courrier stockés dans le bac.In these figures, especially on the figure 12 , the grooves 28 are also open on the front side of the tray and the rear side of the tray so that the teeth of the first part of hearth can completely cross the tray 4 to better capture all the mail items stored in the tray.

Le côté arrière du bac présente des fentes parallèles ce qui permet aux dents 24,25 d'être dégagées du bac par abaissement et pivotement du bac tandis que le côté frontal du bac est pratiquement complètement ouvert.The rear side of the tray has parallel slots allowing the teeth 24,25 to be cleared from the tray by lowering and pivoting the tray while the front side of the tray is substantially fully open.

Comme visible, l'inclinaison du fond du bac va en descendant vers le côté arrière fendu du bac de sorte qu'après abaissement du bac sur la seconde partie de sole, la pile d'articles de courrier est en quelque sorte peignée et portée par la première partie de sole et cette pile d'article de courrier qui fait face à l'organe de dépilage se présente de manière penchée à l'arrière de la pile. La pente du fond du bac peut être de l'ordre de 10°.As visible, the inclination of the bottom of the tray goes down to the split rear side of the tray so that after lowering the tray on the second part of sole, the stack of mail items is somehow combed and carried by the first part of hearth and this stack of mail article which faces the unstacking member is presented in a manner bent at the rear of the stack. The slope of the bottom of the tray can be of the order of 10 °.

On comprend que l'Opérateur de dépilage avec deux palettes 32 de retenue de pile articulées et déplaçables le long de la première partie de sole 22 suivant la direction d'alimentation peut donc stocker en même temps deux piles d'articles de courrier sur la sole 8 et ensuite les fusionner en une seule pile qui vient s'appuyer contre l'organe de dépilage comme cela est connu.It is understood that the unstacking operator with two pallets 32 for holding the stack articulated and movable along the first deck portion 22 in the direction of supply can therefore simultaneously store two stacks of mail items on the floor. 8 and then merge them into a single battery which bears against the unstacker as is known.

Les bacs 4 sont conçus de préférence pour être empilables et comprendre des poignées de préhension 30 sur deux côtés latéraux opposés 27 pour une manipulation à vide par exemple et des poignées creuses 30 au niveau de la base du bac du côté frontal et du côté arrière du bac pour une manipulation du bac chargé en articles de courrier.The bins 4 are preferably designed to be stackable and include gripping handles 30 on two opposite lateral sides 27 for empty handling for example and hollow handles 30 at the base of the front and back side of the container. bin for handling the tray loaded with mail items.

Sur la figure 12, on a représenté dans les coins supérieurs du bac des ergots 31 qui servent au calage d'un autre bac empilé dessus.On the figure 12 in the upper corners of the tray are shown pins 31 which serve to wedge another tray stacked on it.

Les bacs 4 selon l'invention sont en particulier des bacs en matière plastique formés par moulage.The bins 4 according to the invention are in particular plastic bins formed by molding.

Avec l'équipement de tri postal 1 selon l'invention, la manutention de l'Opérateur de dépilage se trouve limitée au cours des passes successives de tri, à la manipulation de palettes 32 de retenue de pile d'articles de courrier sur la sole 8 du magasin d'alimentation.With the postal sorting equipment 1 according to the invention, the handling of the unstacking operator is limited during the successive sorting passes, to the handling of pallets 32 for holding stack of mail items on the floor. 8 from the food store.

Un tel équipement de tri avec ce type de bac et de magasin d'alimentation peut être bien adapté au tri d'objet postaux grand format ou au tri d'objets postaux mélangés petit et grand format.Such sorting equipment with this type of bin and food store can be well suited for sorting large format postal items or sorting mixed small and large mail items.

Il va de soi que la présente invention ne saurait être limitée à la description qui précède d'un de ses modes de réalisation, susceptibles de subir quelques modifications sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'inventionIt goes without saying that the present invention can not be limited to the foregoing description of one of its embodiments, which may undergo some modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

  1. Postal sorting equipment (1) comprising a sorting machine (2) with an unstacking member (5) and a feed magazine (7) in which mailpieces (3) are placed in a stack and on edge for unstacking by the unstacking member, the equipment further comprising storage trays (4) for storing mailpieces (3) and for bringing them into the feed magazine;
    said postal sorting equipment being characterized in that the feed magazine has a deck (8) with a first deck portion (22) and a second deck portion (23), the first deck portion extending in a such a manner as to be superposed above the second deck portion;
    in that each tray (4) has a bottom (26) shaped to define a groove (28) that is open to one side and to the top of the tray and on which the mailpieces stand in a stack and on edge; and
    in that the first deck portion (22) is designed to fit into the groove in the tray via the front so that when said tray filled with mailpieces in a stack and on edge is standing on the second deck portion (23), the mailpieces stand on said first deck portion.
  2. Postal sorting equipment (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second deck portion (23) is mounted to move vertically relative to the first deck portion (22).
  3. Postal sorting equipment (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second deck portion (23) is mounted to pivot about an axis (A1), and in that each storage tray has a sloping bottom.
  4. Postal sorting equipment (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises tray-moving means for moving the trays (4) from the second deck portion (23) towards a tray conveyor (13).
  5. Postal sorting equipment (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first deck portion (22) of the magazine is provided with a conveyor belt (9) for moving the mailpieces in a stack and on edge towards the unstacking member.
  6. Postal sorting equipment (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first deck portion (22) is in the form of a fork having a plurality of parallel prongs, and each tray is provided with a plurality of corresponding parallel grooves into which the prongs of the first deck portion (22) are engaged.
  7. Postal sorting equipment (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the magazine is provided with a system having two movably mounted stack-retaining paddles (32) for retaining the mailpieces in a stack and on edge on the first deck portion.
  8. A method of loading a feed magazine for feeding mailpieces to a postal sorting machine, the loading taking place with a storage tray (4) filled with mailpieces in a stack and on edge, said method being characterized in that it comprises a step consisting in inserting a first deck portion (22) of the magazine into the front of the storage tray, said first deck portion being superposed above a second deck portion (23) of the magazine, on which portion the tray stands, said mailpieces standing on edge on the first deck portion inserted into the tray.
  9. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a step of lowering the second deck portion relative to the first deck portion for removing the tray from the feed magazine.
  10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a step of pivoting the second deck portion of the magazine.
  11. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises a step of moving stack-retaining paddles (32) during the lowering and pivoting movement of the second deck portion so as to maintain the mailpieces in a stack and on edge on the first deck portion.
EP14755857.1A 2013-09-20 2014-07-10 Postal sorting equipment having a feeder with two superimposed levels Not-in-force EP3046687B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1359057A FR3010920B1 (en) 2013-09-20 2013-09-20 POSTAL SORTING EQUIPMENT HAVING A SUPPLY STORE WITH TWO SUPERIMPOSED SOILS.
PCT/FR2014/051780 WO2015040293A1 (en) 2013-09-20 2014-07-10 Mail sorting apparatus comprising a feed magazine with two superposed slider beds

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3046687A1 EP3046687A1 (en) 2016-07-27
EP3046687B1 true EP3046687B1 (en) 2017-11-29

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EP14755857.1A Not-in-force EP3046687B1 (en) 2013-09-20 2014-07-10 Postal sorting equipment having a feeder with two superimposed levels

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US (1) US9662681B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3046687B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3206340U (en)
CA (1) CA2924096C (en)
DK (1) DK3046687T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2659233T3 (en)
FR (1) FR3010920B1 (en)
NO (1) NO3046687T3 (en)
NZ (1) NZ718167A (en)
PT (1) PT3046687T (en)
WO (1) WO2015040293A1 (en)

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US20160256896A1 (en) 2016-09-08
DK3046687T3 (en) 2018-02-12
FR3010920A1 (en) 2015-03-27
WO2015040293A1 (en) 2015-03-26
US9662681B2 (en) 2017-05-30
JP3206340U (en) 2016-09-15
NO3046687T3 (en) 2018-04-28
CA2924096A1 (en) 2015-03-26
FR3010920B1 (en) 2015-09-04
ES2659233T3 (en) 2018-03-14
NZ718167A (en) 2017-02-24
CA2924096C (en) 2018-09-04
PT3046687T (en) 2018-02-23
EP3046687A1 (en) 2016-07-27

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