EP3820630B1 - Sorting system for parcels and method for sorting parcels - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sorting system for packages and a method for sorting packages in a sorting system.

In the context of this application, a package is to be understood as meaning any type of shippable object that can be transported by a logistics company. The term is therefore not limited to objects in box form.

WO 2018/115608 A1 discloses a facility for processing packets between loading points and delivery points that includes containers.

US 2013/0096713 A1 discloses a robotic system comprising a first loading part and a plurality of second loading parts for each sorting destination and a robot for sorting a plurality of articles.

WO-A-2017/021596 discloses a sorting system according to the preamble of claim 1 and a sorting method according to the preamble of claim 10.

The parcel sorting process in the parcel center (sorting system) has so far been a single-stage, linear process that separates and identifies the parcels, determines the destination in the parcel center according to the sorting depth and transports each parcel to this predetermined location and deposits it there. This fixes geometric specifications for the parcel center, which practically limits the number of possible sorting destinations.

In this process, the typical solution is sorting on one level, since the packages are mainly transported away by trucks that are waiting at the package exits (gates). The gate width therefore has a lower minimum of approx. 3 m. The number of sorting targets is directly related to this with the spatial extension of the sorting plant. Since the package traversing speed is limited to avoid damage to the packages, the turnaround frequency is directly related to the sorter size. The average filling level of the sorting system and thus the effectiveness also depend directly on it.

In today's systems, the space at the parcel drop-off point at the parcel exits is limited because it goes directly into the depth of the sorting system. Today, the trucks are therefore used as intermediate storage, ie the trucks are partially loaded several times in a row. Sorting within the truck according to the special properties of the parcels (weight, size, quality of service, etc.) is therefore not easily possible, as this would further delay the loading process. The large number of drop-off points (in many centers it is twice the number of physical sorting destinations) and thus parcel exits do not allow for economical, automatic loading.

The task is to make the sorting process in sorting plants more efficient and to enable better sorting according to the properties of the parcels (weight, size, quality of service, etc.).

• mindestens einen Paketeingang, der dazu eingerichtet ist, eine Vielzahl von zu sortierenden Paketen in die Sortieranlage aufzunehmen,
• mindestens einen Paketausgang, der dazu eingerichtet ist sortierte Pakete aus der Sortieranlage an externe Transportmittel abzugeben,
• einen Fördermechanismus, der dazu eingerichtet ist, die zu sortierenden Pakete vom Paketeingang in einen Sortierbereich der Sortieranlage zu transportieren, und

• wobei der Sortierbereich umfasst:
  • einen Sortiermechanismus, der dazu eingerichtet ist, die Vielzahl von Paketen gemäß zumindest einer paketbezogenen Sortierinformation zu sortieren und vom Fördermechanismus an zumindest einer Übergabestation der Sortieranlage zu entfernen,
  • primäre Zwischenspeicher, die dazu eingerichtet sind, jeweils mindestens ein vom Sortiermechanismus gemäß der zumindest einen paketbezogenen Sortierinformation sortiertes Paket aufzunehmen und zwischenzulagern,
• wobei die primären Zwischenspeicher dazu eingerichtet sind, in Abhängigkeit der zumindest einen Sortierinformation an die zumindest eine Übergabestation bewegt zu werden.

According to the invention, a sorting system for parcels is provided, comprising:

• at least one parcel entrance that is set up to receive a large number of parcels to be sorted in the sorting system,
• at least one parcel exit that is set up to deliver sorted parcels from the sorting system to external means of transport,
• a conveyor mechanism that is set up to transport the packages to be sorted from the package entrance into a sorting area of the sorting system, and

• where the sorting range includes:
  • a sorting mechanism that is set up to sort the large number of packages according to at least one piece of package-related sorting information and to remove them from the conveyor mechanism at at least one transfer station of the sorting system,
  • primary buffers that are set up to receive and temporarily store at least one packet sorted by the sorting mechanism according to the at least one packet-related sorting information,
• wherein the primary buffers are set up to be moved to the at least one transfer station as a function of the at least one piece of sorting information.

The proposed new parcel sorting facility uses a two-stage process in which the route taken by each parcel is no longer dependent on the volume of parcel exits and many parcels are transported to a dynamically assigned position where they are deposited in a primary buffer. In the second stage, the sorted packages are transported via the primary intermediate storage to the respective final loading position at the individual package exits, with these loading positions being used dynamically for different destinations. If, for example, parcels are to be sorted for two different delivery areas, the primary buffer stores can be loaded until it is determined that enough parcels for an external means of transport (e.g. a truck) are temporarily stored for one delivery area. Then all primary buffers that have stored packages for this delivery area can drive together to the same package exit and the external means of transport can be loaded quickly. As soon as enough parcels for an external means of transport (e.g. a truck) for another delivery area have been temporarily stored, the same parcel output can be approached collectively by intermediate stores with parcels temporarily stored for this delivery area. The number of parcel exits can thus be significantly reduced and the time the truck spends at the parcel exits can also be drastically reduced. The number of sorting destinations (e.g. a series of zip codes) can be decoupled from the number of parcel exits.

The first part of the previous sorting process (separation, identification, determining the destination in the sorting system according to the sorting depth) can be retained. Sorting destinations (e.g. for associated delivery areas from Packages) that receive a high volume of packages are preferably assigned to the start of the sorting area. Thereafter, the dynamic placement of the primary buffers along the conveyor mechanism for the packages can take place. The conveyor mechanism can extend into the sorting area.

The primary buffers can be dynamically assigned to the sorting destinations according to the at least one packet-related sorting information of the identified packets. The package to be sorted and the primary buffer meet to receive the package when the package is removed from the conveyor mechanism by the sorting mechanism. Each primary cache can hold one or more packets.

• eine Zieladresse oder einen Teil davon (Postleitzahl, Straße, Straßenabschnitt etc.),
• ein Gewicht des Pakets,
• die Maße eines Pakets,
• einen Lieferungstyp (z. B. Standardversand, Expressversand, Lieferung am selben Tag etc.).

The package-related sorting information can include, for example:

• a destination address or part of it (zip code, street, street section, etc.),
• a weight of the package,
• the dimensions of a package,
• a delivery type (e.g. standard shipping, expedited shipping, same day delivery, etc.).

The package-related information can already be transmitted to the sorting system upon delivery of the respective package and/or can only be recognized by sensors in the sorting system.

The length of the sorting route in the sorting area results from the number of fixed sorting destinations (e.g. several postcodes) and the length of the flexible area, which results from the provisioning speed, the storage volume and the number of (mobile) primary buffers. The primary buffers must be able to temporarily store at least one (preferably several) complete parcel volume (e.g. a truck load) for a sorting area.

The sorting system can B. via a control unit always be informed about the state of charge and the number of available primary buffers (directory). Empty primary caches and full primary caches can be handled separately to increase efficiency.

It is also possible to specify the loading sequence of the individual primary buffers according to package-related sorting information, ie z. B. first loading large and/or heavy packages into a buffer and only then loading smaller and/or light packages onto it. A control unit and the sorting mechanism of the sorting system can be set up accordingly.

Loads for the external means of transport can be compiled from these packages in the primary buffers for a sorting destination (various package-related sorting information can be used for this), either when the volume is reached or when a time limit is reached. Then the primary buffers can be sequenced and transported further. Here they are either loaded (primary storage equal to transport storage), reloaded (primary storage not equal to transport storage) or loaded directly from the primary storage without further wrapping. Because packages now arrive qualified at the package exit, automated loading is a more economical setup. An automatic loading station, for example comprising a robotic arm or a freight crane, can therefore be installed at the outgoing mail. The number of packet exits required is reduced dramatically (in a ratio of 10:1) since the same packet exit can be used for different sorting destinations one after the other.

The sorting mechanism may include a cross belt sorter, a tilt tray sorter, and/or a shoe sorter.

The at least one transfer station can be integrated into the sorting mechanism or downstream of it. For example, a transfer station may include predefined locations on and adjacent to the conveyor mechanism where a package and a primary staging area may meet for delivery of the package. A transfer mechanism (comprising a gate, pusher, robotic arm, etc.) may then move the package to the primary staging area upon determining that both are present.

The automated placement of the primary buffers along the transport mechanism (conveyor line) in the sorting area can be solved using automated IT. Various control strategies are conceivable.

The solution according to the invention makes it possible to design the number of possible sorting destinations largely independently of the size of the building. Significantly more sorting destinations (>20) can be realized with the same sorting plant size. At the same time, the transport route for parcels is significantly reduced (to around 30%). This reduces energy requirements and investment costs.

It is also possible to realize different parcel volumes for different sorting destinations. In addition, the weight and dimensions of the parcels can be used as sorting criteria.

The storage size of the primary intermediate storage used per sorting target is flexible and only dependent on the real volume and the different packet-related sorting information used as a criterion. Primary caches of different sizes can also be used.

Due to the possibility of greatly increasing the number of sorting targets, a later sorting stage can be saved. This leads to shorter overall process times and thus to possible later delivery times of the parcels (e.g. makes same-day delivery easier).

The use of intermediate storage within the building also offers the possibility of e.g. B. to better control the climate of the buffer (higher sorting quality). For example, it is possible to cool packets for specific sorting targets in the primary caches.

In a preferred embodiment, the primary intermediate storage comprises driverless transport vehicles controlled by a control unit of the sorting system and/or a GridSorter ^© . The driverless transport vehicles can include modular temporary storage media in which the packages can be temporarily stored and the z. B. can be stored at a package exit or another buffer or removed from the driverless transport vehicle. The driverless transport vehicle can then be automatically supplied with a new, empty, modular temporary storage medium at another point in the sorting system. A GridSorter ^© can be integrated into the sorting mechanism and, for example, be placed in front of the driverless transport vehicles and thus serve as a buffer. At the same time, a GridSorter ^© allows several packages for the same sorting destination to be loaded into an automated guided vehicle, which reduces the time it spends in the sorting area. This increases the efficiency of the sorting system. A GridSorter ^© can also be combined with a transfer station, so that packages are first transferred to the GridSorter ^© in the sorting mechanism and buffered so that they can later be taken over by another, primary or secondary buffer.

In a preferred embodiment, the sorting system includes secondary buffers, the secondary buffers being set up for sorting To accept packets from the primary buffers and to store them until they are collected and transported to one or more packet outputs. On the one hand, the secondary buffers are used to increase the number of sorting targets, since a smaller number of primary buffers is required to serve a certain number of sorting targets. The secondary caches may have larger sub-volumes (cache media) than the primary caches. In the secondary buffers, for example, a load for a sorting target can be accumulated by the primary buffers until it is complete or a predetermined time has elapsed. After that, the packages can be transported together to a sorting destination.

In a further preferred embodiment, the secondary intermediate stores include a container freight station and/or a high-bay warehouse. These solutions are relatively inexpensive and volume efficient. At the same time, the number of primary temporary storage devices that tend to be more expensive (e.g. driverless transport vehicles) can be limited.

In a further embodiment, the primary buffers are set up to transport at least some of the sorted packets in a collected form to at least one packet output. This embodiment can also be used when there are secondary buffer stores, for example in the case of particularly urgent packages (express shipping, same-day delivery, etc.).

It is preferred if the primary buffers are set up to collect at least some of the sorted packets at the secondary buffers and to transport them to at least one packet output. In this embodiment, the primary buffers also serve as transport stores for aggregate transport of a package load to a package output from the secondary caching. The secondary intermediate storage media can be identical to the primary intermediate storage media, so for example a uniform modular system can be used within the sorting system.

In one embodiment, the secondary buffers are set up to transport at least some of the sorted packets in a collected form to at least one packet output.

It is therefore also possible for the secondary temporary storage media (freight containers, parcel collection boxes, etc.) to be transported to the respective parcel exit by a separate transport system. This can be, for example, a freight crane system and/or another conveyor mechanism (e.g. a conveyor belt).

It is preferred if the sorting system comprises at least one sensor which is set up to detect at least one item of sorting information relating to each package of the multiplicity of packages. One or more sensors, such as cameras, scanners, scales, etc., can be arranged in the sorting system, in particular in the sorting area, to detect the package-related sorting information. However, some or all of the package-related sorting information can also already be known when the packages are delivered to the sorting system and can be transmitted to the sorting system, in particular by automatic data transmission from a delivering means of transport.

In one embodiment, the sorting system is set up to have a portion of the temporarily stored parcels transported to at least one of the parcel exits in a collected manner in accordance with at least one parcel-related sorting information item.

• mindestens einen Paketeingang, der eine Vielzahl von zu sortierenden Paketen in die Sortieranlage aufnimmt,
• einen Fördermechanismus, der die zu sortierenden Pakete vom Paketeingang in einen Sortierbereich der Sortieranlage transportiert, und

• wobei der Sortierbereich umfasst:
  • einen Sortiermechanismus, der die Vielzahl von Paketen gemäß zumindest einer paketbezogenen Sortierinformation sortiert und vom Fördermechanismus an zumindest einer Übergabestation der Sortieranlage entfernt,
  • primäre Zwischenspeicher, die jeweils mindestens ein vom Sortiermechanismus gemäß der zumindest einen paketbezogenen Sortierinformation sortiertes Paket aufnehmen und zwischenlagern,
• wobei die primären Zwischenspeicher in Abhängigkeit der zumindest einen Sortierinformation an die zumindest eine Übergabestation bewegt werden,
• wobei die sortierten Pakete über den mindestens einen Paketausgang aus der Sortieranlage an externe Transportmittel abgegeben werden.

The object according to the invention is also achieved by a method for sorting parcels in a sorting system, comprising:

• at least one parcel entrance, which accepts a large number of parcels to be sorted in the sorting system,
• a conveyor mechanism which transports the parcels to be sorted from the parcel entrance into a sorting area of the sorting system, and

• where the sorting range includes:
  • a sorting mechanism that sorts the plurality of packages according to at least one package-related sorting information and removes them from the conveyor mechanism at at least one transfer station of the sorting system,
  • primary buffers, each receiving and temporarily storing at least one packet sorted by the sorting mechanism according to the at least one packet-related sorting information,
• wherein the primary buffers are moved to the at least one transfer station depending on the at least one sorting information,
• wherein the sorted packages are delivered to external means of transport via the at least one package exit from the sorting system.

The advantages corresponding to the sorting system according to the invention result. In particular, the method according to the invention allows the number of possible sorting destinations to be configured largely independently of the size of the building of the sorting plant. Significantly more sorting destinations (>20) can be realized with the same sorting system size. At the same time, the transport route for parcels is significantly reduced (to around 30%). This reduces energy requirements and investment costs. It is also possible to realize different parcel volumes for different sorting destinations. In addition, the weight and dimensions of the parcels can be used as sorting criteria in the process. Even if it was already possible to determine this package-related sorting information, it was hardly possible to benefit from it without significantly increasing the loading due to the individual arrival of the packages at the loading point of the package exit delay. However, the method according to the invention allows the large and heavy packages to be delivered first to the respective package output.

The memory size of the primary intermediate memory used per sorting destination is flexible and only dependent on the real volume and the different package-related sorting information used as criteria, for example determined by sensors. Primary caches of different sizes can also be used. Due to the possibility of greatly increasing the number of sorting targets, a later sorting stage can be saved. This leads to shorter overall process times and thus possible later delivery times of the packages.

In one embodiment of the method, the primary buffer stores transport at least some of the sorted packets in a collected form to at least one packet output. This embodiment can also be used when there are secondary buffer stores, for example in the case of particularly urgent packages (express shipping, same-day delivery, etc.).

In a further embodiment of the method, the sorting system comprises secondary buffers, which accept the sorted packages from the primary buffers and store them until they are collected and transported further to one or more package outlets, with the secondary buffers transporting at least some of the sorted packages collected to at least one package outlet, and /or wherein the primary buffers collect at least some of the sorted packets collected at the secondary buffers and transport them to at least one packet output. In this embodiment, the primary buffers can also serve as transport buffers for aggregate transport of a packet load from the secondary buffers to a packet output. The secondary cache media can be identical to the be primary intermediate storage media, so it can be used within the sorting system, for example, a uniform modular system. It is also possible that the secondary intermediate storage media (freight containers, parcel collection boxes, etc.) are transported to the respective parcel exit by a separate transport system. This can be a freight crane system and/or a conveyor belt system, for example.

It is preferred if the sorting system transports a portion of the temporarily stored packages to at least one package output of the sorting system in a collected manner in accordance with at least one package-related sorting information item. The transport can take place via primary buffers and optionally via secondary buffers.

All features and embodiments disclosed with regard to the sorting system are also claimed with regard to the method and vice versa.

The properties, features and advantages of this invention described above, and the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in connection with the drawings. It shows:
The only figure is a schematic view of a sorting system according to the invention.

In the figure, a sorting system 1 according to the invention for packages 2 is shown. The sorting system 1 includes a package entrance 3 which is set up to receive a large number of packages 2 to be sorted in the sorting system 1 . The sorting system 1 includes at least one package output 4 (here three package outputs), which is set up to sorted packages 2 from the sorting system 1 to external ones Submit transport 5 (shown here in a non-limiting manner as a truck).

The sorting system 1 also includes a conveyor mechanism 6 which is set up to transport the packages 2 to be sorted from the package entrance 3 into a sorting area 7 . The conveyor mechanism 6 here also includes a ring conveyor mechanism in the sorting area 7.

The sorting area 7 comprises at least one sensor 8 which is set up to detect at least one package-related sorting information item of each of the multiplicity of packages 2 . Alternatively or additionally, one or more package-related sorting information can be known beforehand and can already be transmitted to the sorting system 1 when the package 2 is delivered. The sensor or sensors 8 can also be arranged at other positions in the sorting system 1 .

• eine Zieladresse oder ein Teil davon (Postleitzahl, Straße, Straßenabschnitt etc.),
• ein Gewicht des Pakets 2,
• die Maße eines Pakets 2,
• einen Lieferungstyp (z. B. Standardversand, Expressversand, Lieferung am selben Tag etc.).

The package-related sorting information to be determined can include, for example:

• a destination address or part of it (zip code, street, street section, etc.),
• a package 2 weight,
• the dimensions of a package 2,
• a delivery type (e.g. standard shipping, expedited shipping, same day delivery, etc.).

One or more sensors 8 such as cameras, scanners, scales, etc. can be arranged in the sorting area 7 for this purpose. As indicated here, the sensor(s) 8 can be integrated into the conveyor mechanism 6 and/or arranged next to/above it.

The sorting area 7 also includes a sorting mechanism 9 (indicated here by way of example as a robot arm), which is set up to sort the plurality of packages 2 according to the at least one package-related sorting information and to remove them from the conveyor mechanism 6 at at least one transfer station and primary Buffers 10, 10A supply. The sorting mechanism 9 may comprise a cross belt sorter, a tilt tray sorter and/or a shoe sorter. However, the sorting mechanism 9 can also be partially or completely integrated into the conveying mechanism 6 .

The primary buffer stores 10, 10A are set up to receive and temporarily store at least one package 2 sorted by the sorting mechanism 9 according to the at least package-related sorting information.

The sorting system 1 is set up to have a portion of the temporarily stored packages 2 collected according to at least one package-related sorting information and transported to at least one of the package exits 4 .

The primary buffer stores 10, 10A here include driverless transport vehicles controlled by a control unit (not explicitly shown) of the sorting system 1. The driverless transport vehicles include modular intermediate storage media 11, in which the packages 2 can be temporarily stored and the z. B. can be stored at a package exit 4 or another buffer or removed from the driverless transport vehicle. The driverless transport vehicle can then automatically be supplied with a new, empty modular intermediate storage medium 11 at another point in the sorting system.

A GridSorter ^© can be integrated into the sorting mechanism 9 or the conveying mechanism 6, ie for example it can be placed in front of the driverless transport vehicles and thus serve as a buffer. At the same time, a GridSorter ^© also allows several packages 2 for the same sorting destination to be loaded into a driverless transport vehicle, which reduces its downtime. This increases the efficiency of sorting plant 1.

The sorting system 1 also includes secondary buffer stores 12 here. The secondary buffer stores 12 are set up to accept sorted packages 2 from the primary buffer stores 10, 10A and to store them until they are collected and transported further to one or more package exits 4. It is indicated here that two primary buffer stores 10A have each unloaded their modular buffer storage medium 11 into a secondary buffer store 12 . The modular intermediate storage media 11 can be identical to the modular intermediate storage media 13 of the secondary intermediate storage 12 (as indicated here) and/or differ from them.

The secondary intermediate storage 12 can comprise a container freight station and/or a high-bay warehouse. 1 shows secondary temporary storage 12 in the form of three high-bay warehouses, the use of the same temporary storage media 11, 13 being advantageous in this case. When using a container freight station, the secondary intermediate storage media 13 can be freight containers, for example, and can therefore differ from the intermediate storage media 11 of the primary intermediate storage 10, 10A.

Reference List

1

sorting plant

2

package

3

package receipt

4

packet output

5

Mode of Transport

6

conveyor mechanism

7

sorting area

8th

sensor

9

sorting mechanism

10

primary cache

10A

primary cache

11

cache medium

12

secondary cache

13

cache medium

Claims (13)

1. Sorting system (1) for parcels (2), comprising:

   - at least one parcel entry (3) which is specified to receive in the sorting system (1) a multiplicity of parcels (2) to be sorted;

   - at least one parcel exit (4) which is specified to deliver from the sorting system (1) sorted parcels (2) to external transport means (5);

   - a conveying mechanism (6) which is specified to transport the parcels (2) to be sorted from the parcel entry (3) into a sorting region (7) of the sorting system (1); and

   wherein the sorting region (7) comprises:

   - a sorting mechanism (9) which is specified to sort the multiplicity of parcels (2) according to at least one parcel-related item of sorting information, and to remove said parcels (2) from the conveying mechanism (6) to at least one transfer station of the sorting system;

   - primary temporary stores (10, 10A) which are specified to receive from the sorting mechanism (9) and temporarily store in each case at least one parcel (2) sorted according to the at least one parcel-related item of sorting information,

   characterized in that

   the primary temporary stores, as a function of the at least one parcel-related item of sorting information, are specified to be moved to the at least one transfer station.
2. Sorting system (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the primary temporary stores (10, 10A) comprise driverless transport vehicles controlled by a control unit of the sorting system (1) and/or a grid sorter.
3. Sorting system (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, furthermore comprising secondary temporary stores (12), wherein the secondary temporary stores (12) are specified to acquire sorted parcels (2) from the primary temporary stores (10, 10A) and to store said parcels (2) until conjointly transported onward to one or a plurality of parcel exits (4).
4. Sorting system (1) according to Claim 3, wherein the secondary temporary stores (12) comprise a container freight station and/or a high rack warehouse.
5. Sorting system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary temporary stores (10, 10A) are specified to transport at least part of the sorted parcels (2) collectively to at least one parcel exit (4).
6. Sorting system (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the primary temporary stores (10, 10A) are specified to collect at least part of the sorted parcels (2) collectively at the secondary temporary stores (12) and to transport said parcels (2) to at least one parcel exit (4).
7. Sorting system (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the secondary temporary stores (12) are specified to transport at least part of the sorted parcels (2) collectively to at least one parcel exit (4) .
8. Sorting system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one sensor (8) which is specified to detect at least one parcel-related item of sorting information of each of the multiplicity of parcels.
9. Sorting system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sorting system (1) is specified to permit in each case part of the temporarily stored parcels (2) to be collectively transported to at least one of the parcel exits (4) according to at least one parcel-related item of sorting information.
10. Method for sorting parcels (2) in a sorting system (1) comprising:

    - at least one parcel entry (3) which receives in the sorting system (1) a multiplicity of parcels (2) to be sorted;

    - a conveying mechanism (6) which transports the parcels (2) to be sorted from the parcel entry (3) into a sorting region (7) of the sorting system (1); and

    wherein the sorting region (7) comprises:

    - a sorting mechanism (9) which sorts the multiplicity of parcels (2) according to at least one parcel-related item of sorting information and removes said parcels (2) from the conveying mechanism (6) to at least one transfer station of the sorting system;

    - primary temporary stores (10, 10A) which receive and temporarily store in each case at least one parcel (2) sorted by the sorting mechanism (9) according to the at least one parcel-related item of sorting information,

    characterized in that

    the primary temporary stores, as a function of the at least one item of sorting information, are moved to the at least one transfer station;

    wherein the sorted parcels (2) by way of the at least one parcel exit (4) are delivered from the sorting system (1) to external transport means (5).
11. Method according to Claim 10, wherein the primary temporary stores (10, 10A) transport at least part of the sorted parcels (2) collectively to at least one parcel exit.
12. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the sorting system (1) comprises secondary temporary stores (12) which acquire sorted parcels (2) from the primary temporary stores (10, 10A) and store said parcels (2) until conjointly transported onward to one or a plurality of parcel exits (4);

    wherein the secondary temporary stores (12) transport at least part of the sorted parcels (2) collectively to at least one parcel exit (4); and/or

    wherein the primary temporary stores (10, 10A) collect at least part of the sorted parcels (2) collectively at the secondary temporary stores (12) and transport said parcels (2) to at least one parcel exit (4).
13. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the sorting system (1) transports in each case part of the temporarily stored parcels (2) collectively to at least one parcel exit (4) of the sorting system (1) according to at least one parcel-related item of sorting information.

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