EP4234112A1 - Method for loading a transport container and corresponding arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for loading a transport container (100), the method having the steps: a. Transporting a large number of objects (1) either with a first sorter (2) or with at least one second sorter (3) different from the first sorter (2) between a plurality of separate buffer locations (4), each of which is assigned at least one sorting destination; b. Sorting a first subset of the plurality of objects (1) with the first sorter (2) and a second subset of the plurality of objects (1) that differs from the first subset with the second sorter (3) according to at least one sorting destination on the buffer locations (4), c. Loading a transport container (100) with the sorted objects (1) of at least one of the buffer points (4), all of the objects (1) loaded from the buffer points (4) into the transport container (100) having the same sorting target, with at least a first of the at least two buffer points (4) when sorting the plurality of objects (1) exclusively with objects (1) from the first sorter (2) and at least one second of the at least two buffer points (4) when sorting the plurality of objects (1) exclusively with objects (1) is loaded by the second sorter (3). A corresponding arrangement will also be described.

Description

The invention is based on a method for loading a transport container, the method involving the transport of a large number of objects either with a first sorter, such as a horizontal sorter, or with a second sorter that is different from the first sorter, between a plurality of separate buffer locations, each of which at least one sorting target is assigned. The method also includes sorting a first subset of the plurality of objects using the first sorter and a second subset of the plurality of objects, which is different from the first subset, using the second sorter according to the at least one sorting target at the buffer locations. The method also includes loading a transport container with the sorted objects at at least one of the buffer locations, with all objects loaded from the buffer locations into the transport container originating from buffer locations to which the same sorting destination is assigned. In this case, a first of the at least two buffer locations is loaded exclusively with objects from the first sorter during the sorting of the multiplicity of objects. Such a method and a corresponding arrangement are from DE 10 2018 219 583 B4 known. Similar methods and arrangements also describe the DE 10 2016 208 866 A1 and the US 3,448,870A .

The methods known from the prior art have the disadvantage that when the transport container is loaded, the objects transferred from the buffer point to the transport container are loaded into the transport container in a random arrangement with respect to one another, so that a separation according to size, weight, volume and/or strength of the objects is not possible. However, the latter is for high utilization of the fillable volume of the transport container and for the gentle transport of sensitive objects.

It is therefore the object of the invention to propose a method for loading a transport container and a corresponding arrangement which enables the selective loading of the transport container with objects from a first sorter, for example a flat sorter, and/or at least one second sorter that is different from the first sorter .

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. The independent claim 13 relates to a corresponding arrangement. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

Accordingly, the method for loading a transport container provides that at least a first of the at least two buffer points when sorting the plurality of objects exclusively with objects from the first sorter, such as a flat sorter, and at least a second of the at least two buffer points when sorting the Variety of objects is loaded exclusively with objects from the second sorter, such as a hanging sorter, in particular a pocket sorter.

Accordingly, the invention is based on the idea that the objects are kept sorted in separate buffer locations before loading the transport container so that there is no mixing between the objects sorted by the first sorter and those sorted by the second sorter. This makes it possible that either only objects that come from one or the other sorter are loaded into the transport container during loading, or that a certain sequence is observed during loading of the transport container, in which, for example, the objects are first loaded into the transport container which come from a buffer point of the first sorter or the second sorter and are only loaded into the transport container from the other sorter in a further loading process.

Insofar as it is specified in the present invention that the first sorter and the second sorter differ from one another or are designed as different sorters, this only means that the first sorter and the second sorter as independently operable assemblies are formed. In particular, the first sorter and the second sorter do not necessarily have to have a different design. For example, both the first sorter and the second sorter can be a horizontal sorter, for example a crossbelt sorter, which can be operated independently of one another and only interact in the manner described above. In particular, however, the aim of the invention is to sort a large number of objects at buffer points that are separate from one another in order to reload them if necessary, for example in a specific order into the transport container, such as a roll container, which can also be achieved with a first and a second sorter, which are of identical design and are each designed as a lying sorter, for example.

In a preferred embodiment, however, the first sorter and the second sorter may actually be of different types, for example the first sorter being a horizontal sorter and the second sorter being a hanging sorter. Optionally, at least one further sorter can be provided, which according to the above definition is different from the first and the second sorter.

If the first sorter and the second sorter are of different types, the type of the first and the second sorter can be selected according to the respective sorting ability of the sorter against the background of the objects to be sorted. For example, picking up and transporting round, rollable objects are unproblematic for sorting with a pocket sorter, but are not suitable for sorting with a crossbelt sorter. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the method can include the detection of at least one geometric and/or physical variable, such as a weight, a dimension or a geometry, of the objects to be sorted. The method may further include assigning an object to be sorted to the first sorter or the second sorter. The allocation can take place depending on the detected geometric and/or physical quantity and taking into account the transportability of the first and the second sorter. Assigning may include injecting the item from an item feeder into the first or second sorter. The at least one geometric and/or physical variable can be detected with at least one dimensioning-weighing system (DWS) system of the object feeder, the first sorter, or the second sorter.

For example, the second sorter can be a hanging sorter, such as a pocket sorter, in which objects are transported and sorted to buffer points that cannot be transported with the first sorter, such as a horizontal sorter, due to their dimensions, weight or another property or a would cause insufficient utilization of the first sorter if they were transported with the first sorter. For example, comparatively large and heavy objects can be sorted with a lying sorter, while comparatively light and small objects can be sorted with a hanging sorter. For example, it can be provided that, for optimal loading of the transport container, the large objects are first loaded into the transport container and then the small objects are loaded into the transport container. For this purpose, during loading, the buffer point in which the objects sorted by the first sorter, e.g an improved filling or volume utilization of the transport container can be expected, as when the transport container is subsequently filled with the smaller and lighter objects of the second sorter, at least a partial filling of the spaces between the larger objects of the first sorter, which were previously loaded into the transport container, can be expected.

Accordingly, transporting the objects with the first sorter can include, for example, transporting the objects with a flat sorter, for example a cross-belt sorter. Accordingly, transporting the objects with the second sorter can include, for example, transporting the objects with an overhead conveyor, such as a pocket sorter, and/or with a driverless transport vehicle (DTS).

During sorting, the second subset of objects can be loaded into the second buffer location by the driverless transport vehicle (AGV) or the overhead conveyor.

When loading the transport container, the driverless transport vehicle can either feed the second buffer point to the first buffer point, which has the same sorting destination, for the successive reloading of the buffer points into the transport container, and/or the second buffer point can be fed to a reloading device for emptying the second buffer point into a transport container, preferably after the first buffer point with the transfer device in the transport container been emptied or before the first buffer point is emptied into the transport container with the reloading device.

Sorting the items to the buffer locations may include depositing the items from the second sorter onto a conveyor belt. Consequently, the conveyor belt can take over the function of the buffer point. Thus, in particular, no trough-like buffer points are absolutely necessary, as is usual in the prior art.

The conveyor belt can be stopped for the sorting of the objects by the second sorter or driven at a reduced feed rate. Instead of propulsion at a reduced feed speed, an interval switching can also be provided, in which the conveyor belt is moved step by step at predetermined time intervals or after the conveyor belt has been loaded as a result of the sorting process.

For loading the transport container, the conveyor belt can be accelerated from a stopped state to a feed speed or further accelerated from a reduced feed speed state.

The objects placed on the conveyor belt can be fed to the transport container with the conveyor belt and loaded into the transport container. The conveyor belt can thus immediately take over the function of the buffer point as well as a device for loading the transport container.

The objects from the first buffer location and the objects from the second buffer location, to which the same sorting destination has been assigned, can be loaded into the same transport container during loading. For the reasons mentioned above, a preferred loading sequence of the buffer points can be maintained, for example to ensure that the objects originating from a first of the two sorters are arranged above or below the objects of the other sorter after loading within the transport container.

The method can further include separating the first and second subsets from the plurality of objects, the objects preferably being classified according to weight, size, Volume and / or strength are separated. The objects of the first subset can preferably be fed into the lying sorter and the objects of the second subset can be fed into the second sorter. For example, the objects can be separated with regard to their transportability with the horizontal sorter or with the second sorter, for example with a hanging sorter, an AGV or the like, in order to ensure optimal utilization of the sorter and/or preferred filling of the transport container either only with objects Which come from one or the other sorter, or to ensure a certain order of loading of the transport container if the first and the second buffer point are loaded into the transport container one after the other.

According to another aspect, an arrangement for loading a transport container is proposed, which is suitable for use in the method described above. The arrangement can have a lying sorter with a plurality of load handling devices, which are conveyed between a plurality of separate buffer locations, each of which is assigned at least one sorting destination. The arrangement can also have a second sorter, which is different from the lying sorter, with a plurality of load handling devices that are conveyed between the buffer points. The arrangement can also have a reloading device which is set up to empty at least one of the buffer points into a transport container, with the flat sorter and the second sorter each being set up to load objects into the buffer points according to the sorting destination. At least two of the buffer points should be assigned the same sorting destination, with at least a first buffer point being set up to be loaded only by the lying sorter, while at least a second buffer point being set up to be loaded only by the second sorter.

The second sorter can be a driverless transport vehicle (DTS) or an overhead conveyor, or have such a device. An AGV sorter is, for example, from the EP 3373232 B1 , the EP 3558551 B1 and the WO 2020140133 A2 known.

The driverless transport vehicle can be set up to supply the second buffer point to the reloading device for loading into the transport container.

One of the at least two buffer points, preferably the second buffer point, can be a conveyor belt, the conveyor belt preferably between a Acceptance point to which the lying sorter or second sorter is fed and the reloading device is guided.

The arrangement can have a separating device, with which a first subset of the objects for induction into the lying sorter and a second subset of the objects for induction into the second sorter are separated from the plurality of objects, the objects preferably according to weight, size, volume and/or strength are separated.

The present invention can be used in particular in the sorting of objects such as postal items, parcels or the like with different shapes, volumes and/or weights. Here it can be that the objects are delivered as shipments as in the CEP industry, although it is also possible that the objects come from a warehouse, for example from a high-bay warehouse, and with the help of the method described and the corresponding arrangement be removed and sorted. Due to the large variance of the objects to be transported and sorted in terms of shape, volume and/or weight, it is advantageous to inject the objects into at least one relevant sorting destination either on a flat sorter or a second sorter, for example a pocket sorter. Instead of the pocket sorter or in addition to the pocket sorter, a driverless transport vehicle (DTS) can also be provided for sorting objects that are unsuitable for transport on the lying sorter and/or in a hanging sorter according to a sorting objective. For example, these can be objects that are too large and/or too heavy for the horizontal sorter and otherwise unsuitable for bag sorting in a hanging sorter.

Figur 1

eine bespielhafte Ausführungsform eines Hängesorters mit automatischer Taschenentleerung und einer Umladevorrichtung;

Figur 2

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform eines Liegesorters und einer Umladevorrichtung;

Figur 3

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Sortieranordnung in schematischer Darstellung; und

Figur 4

eine weitere beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Sortieranordnung in schematischer Darstellung.

Further details of the invention are explained with reference to the figures below. It shows:

figure 1

an exemplary embodiment of a hanging sorter with automatic pocket emptying and a transfer device;

figure 2

an exemplary embodiment of a lying sorter and a transfer device;

figure 3

an exemplary embodiment of a sorting arrangement in a schematic representation; and

figure 4

a further exemplary embodiment of a sorting arrangement in a schematic representation.

At the in figure 1 shown embodiment, the second sorter 2 is designed as a hanging sorter, in particular as a pocket sorter. The pocket sorter has a multiplicity of parallel guide rails 8 of a hanging sorter, which are connected to one another in the manner of a sorting matrix via connecting profiles 9 at the ends. Load handling devices 7 designed as pockets can be fed to the sorting matrix via the end connection profiles 9 and introduced into one of the guide rails 8 via a switch 10 according to a sorting destination, which are fed to a buffer point 4 designed as a conveyor belt 6 . In addition to the conveyor belt 6, the buffer point 4 has an unloading station 11, with the aid of which the load-receiving means 7 are opened fully automatically and deposited on the conveyor belt 6 via a chute 12. The conveyor belt 6 can be driven continuously at a low feed rate or step by step. The conveyor belt 6 can also stand still while it is being loaded with objects by the second sorter (not shown).

Upon request, one of the conveyor belts 6, to which a desired sorting destination has been assigned, can be driven to transport the objects lying on it onto a discharge conveyor 12, which adjoins the conveyor belts 6 at the end and transversely thereto, from which the objects are then transported in a reloading device 5 can be transported for loading a transport container. Alternatively, the transfer device 5 can also be a bagging device.

The buffer points 4 of the lying sorter 2 can be connected to the reloading device 5 via the same discharge conveyor 12 or via a separate discharge conveyor. A flat sorter 2 with buffer points 4 arranged along its longitudinal direction is in figure 2 shown. For example, while in the pocket sorter figure 1 small and light objects, for example small and light shipments in the CEP area, can be transported and sorted, the lying sorter, for example a crossbelt sorter, can be set up to transport large and heavy objects that are not suitable for being transported in the pocket sorter and to be sorted. Not shown, however It is also conceivable that a third sorter is provided for objects that cannot be transported with either the pocket sorter or the flat sorter, for example particularly large, heavy and/or bulky objects that cannot be processed reliably even on the individual load handling devices 7 of the crossbelt sorter can. This third type of sorter can be a driverless transport vehicle (AGV), for example. The driverless transport vehicle can have a receiving container for objects into which, for example at an object receiving station, the aforementioned objects that cannot be transported either with the lying sorter or with the pocket sorter are loaded automatically or manually into the container of the AGVS.

If it is ensured that the buffer points 4 filled by the lying sorter 2 are not the same buffer points 4 that are also filled by the second sorter 2, in particular a pocket sorter, even if the objects sorted by the two sorter types 2 have the same sorting destination, for example a transport destination in the CEP area, it can be ensured that when the transport container 100 is loaded, the objects from the lying sorter 2 can be loaded into the transport container 100 independently of the objects of the second sorter 2. This can be used in particular to optimize the filling of the transport container 100 and, for example, it can be assumed that smaller objects fill gaps between larger objects that are already present in the transport container 100 if they are subsequently filled into the transport container 100, i.e. after the larger objects .

It can also be provided that if soft objects, for example foil bags in the CEP area, are first loaded into the transport container 100 by a second sorter 2, these are compressed when the transport container is subsequently loaded with heavy packages and thus more objects are loaded into the transport container 100 can be accommodated.

The figure 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sorting arrangement in which the second sorter 3 has an overhead conveyor 5 . The overhead conveyor 5 has an automatic pocket emptying device 14, via which the objects fed from the overhead conveyor 5 to the pocket emptying 14 are automatically unloaded from load handling devices 7 of the overhead conveyor 5 designed as pockets. Trained as bags load handling devices 7 are from the automatic Pocket emptying 14 discharged in separate buffer locations 4 and thereby sorted. The sorting or unloading of the load-carrying means 7 into the separate buffer locations 4 can take place according to at least one sorting destination. For example, the objects can be sorted to the buffer locations 4 according to size, weight, strength, or according to a higher-level criterion, for example according to a sorting destination, such as a shipping address.

The sorting arrangement has a cross-belt sorter as the first sorter 2 . Alternatively, a driverless transport system (DTS) or any other sorter can be provided. The objects to be sorted are also sorted by the first sorter 2 into separate buffer locations 4 according to a sorting destination. In particular, it is provided that the buffer points 4 into which the overhead conveyor 5 sorts are different from the buffer points 4 into which the overhead conveyor 5 deposits the objects 1 sorted by it. Objects 1 that have been sorted by the overhead conveyor 5 and/or objects that have been sorted by the cross-belt sorter can be fed to the roll container loading 14 by selectively ejecting the objects 1 that have been sorted to the buffer locations 4 .

For example, upon request, a buffer point 4 of the overhead conveyor 5 and a buffer point 4 of the crossbelt sorter, which have the same sorting destination, can be transferred to the discharge conveyor 12 and fed one after the other to the roll container loading area 13, where the objects 1 of the two sorters 2, 3 are loaded one after the other in a roll container 100 are loaded. If, for example, it is intended that larger and heavier objects 1 are sorted with the first sorter 2, e.g . After the objects 1 sorted by the cross-belt sorter have been loaded into the roll containers 100, the comparatively smaller and lighter objects 1 sorted by the overhead conveyor 5 can be loaded into the same roll container 100—possibly immediately thereafter. If the buffer points 4 of the two sorters 2, 3, which have the same sorting destination, are unloaded onto the discharge conveyor 12 at the same time, the greater proximity in the feed direction of the discharge conveyor 12 of the cross-belt sorter to the roll container loading compared to the overhead conveyor 5 ensures that objects 1 from the Quergutsorter in the roll container 100 and only then the objects 1 are loaded from the overhead conveyor 5 in the roll container 100.

A conveyor belt 15 for (empty or partially filled) roll containers 100 is guided parallel to the first sorter 2 and the second sorter 3 at least in sections. This enables an embodiment in which the roll containers 100 can be loaded into the roll containers 100 by emptying the buffer points 4 . Alternatively it can be provided that the automatic bag unloading 14 sorts the unloaded objects 1 directly into the roll container 100 . For the loading of the roll container 100 with objects 1 of the first sorter 2 that have been pre-sorted to the buffer locations 4, provision can be made for the buffer locations 4 to be loaded either directly into the roll container 100, which are loaded via the conveyor belt 15 for roll containers 100 at the first sorter and the buffer locations 4 are guided past, or that the buffer points 4 loaded by the first sorter 2 are emptied onto a discharge conveyor 12, which transports the objects 1 sorted by the first sorter 2 to an automatic roll container loading station 13.

Deviating from the in figure 3 embodiment shown is in the case of FIG figure 4 shown embodiment that as buffer points 4 of the second sorter 3, in this case the hanging sorter 5, a plurality of separate conveyor belt buffers 4 are provided, on which the automatic bag emptying 14 deposits the objects 1 according to the sorting destination. During the sorting process, the conveyor belts 6 of the conveyor belt buffer 4 are stationary. On request, the conveyor belt 6 of the relevant conveyor belt buffer 4 can be driven in order to transfer the sorted objects 1 placed on it to a discharge conveyor 12 with which the objects 1 are fed to a roll container load 13 . The discharge conveyor 12 is also guided past a lying sorter 2 . The objects 1 to be sorted are sorted by the lying sorter 2 into intermediate buffers 4 that are separate from one another according to a sorting destination. The intermediate buffers can be designed as end points, for example as trough-like receiving elements. Upon request, the end points can be emptied selectively onto the discharge conveyor 12, so that the sorted objects 1 are fed from the relevant end point via the discharge conveyor 12 to the roll container loading 13.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential for the realization of the invention both individually and in any combination.

Reference list:

1

object

2

first sorter

3

second sorter

4

buffer point

5

overhead conveyor

6

conveyor belt

7

load handling equipment

8th

guide rail

9

connection profile

10

soft

11

unloading station

12

discharge conveyor

13

roll container loading

14

automatic pocket emptying

15

Conveyor belt for roll containers

100

transport container

Claims (17)

Method for loading a transport container (100), the method comprising the steps: a. transporting a large number of objects (1) either with a first sorter (2) or with at least one second sorter (3) different from the first sorter (2) between a plurality of separate buffer locations (4), each of which is assigned at least one sorting destination; b. Sorting a first subset of the plurality of objects (1) with the first sorter (2) and a second subset of the plurality of objects (1) that differs from the first subset with the second sorter (3) according to at least one sorting destination on the buffer locations (4), c. Loading a transport container (100) with the sorted objects (1) from at least one of the buffer locations (4), all objects (1) loaded from the buffer locations (4) into the transport container (100) having the same sorting destination, characterized in that at least a first of the at least two buffer points (4) when sorting the plurality of objects (1) exclusively with objects (1) from the first sorter (2) and at least a second of the at least two buffer points (4) when sorting of the plurality of objects (1) is loaded exclusively with objects (1) from the second sorter (3). Method according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the transporting of the objects (1) with the first and/or the second sorter (3), the transporting of the objects (1) with an overhead conveyor (5), with a driverless transport vehicle (FTS), or with a lying sorter. Method according to Claim 2, in which, during the sorting, the second subset of the objects (1) is loaded from the driverless transport vehicle (AGV) or the overhead conveyor (5) into the second buffer point (4). Method according to Claim 2 or 3, in which, during the loading of the transport container (100), the driverless transport vehicle (FTS) either a) feeding the second buffer point (4) to the first buffer point (4) having the same sorting destination for the sequential reloading of the buffer points (4) into the transport container (100), and/or b) feeding the second buffer point (4) to a reloading device (5) for emptying the second buffer point (4) into a transport container (100), preferably after the first buffer point (4) with the reloading device (5) into the transport container (100) was emptied or before the first buffer point (4) with the transfer device (5) is emptied into the transport container (100). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sorting of the objects (1) to the buffer locations (4) comprises the depositing of the objects (1) from the second sorter (3) onto a conveyor belt (6). Method according to Claim 5, in which the conveyor belt (6) for sorting the objects (1) is stopped by the second sorter (3) or is driven at a reduced feed speed. Method according to Claim 5 or 6, in which the conveyor belt (6) for loading the transport container (100) is accelerated from a stopped state to a feed speed or further accelerated from a state with a reduced feed speed. Method according to one of Claims 5 to 7, in which the objects (1) placed on the conveyor belt (6) are fed to the transport container (100) with the conveyor belt (6) and loaded into the transport container (100). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the objects (1) from the first buffer point (4) and the objects (1) from the second buffer point (4), which have been assigned the same sorting destination, when loaded into the same transport container (100) Loading. Method according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises separating the first and the second subset from the plurality of objects (1), the objects (1) preferably being separated according to weight, size, volume and/or strength, and the objects ( 1) of the first subset in the first sorter (2) and the objects (1) of the second subset are introduced into the second sorter (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which, when loading the transport container (100), the sorted objects (1) of a first of the buffer points (4) independently, preferably with a time offset, from the sorted objects (1) of a second of the buffer points (4) be loaded into the transport container (100). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which, when the transport container (100) is loaded, the sorted objects (1) from any selection from at least two of the buffer locations (4) are loaded into the transport container (100). Arrangement for loading a transport container (100), the arrangement having: - a first sorter (2) with a plurality of load handling devices (7) which are conveyed between a plurality of separate buffer points (4) to which at least one sorting destination is assigned in each case, - a second sorter (3) different from the first sorter (2) with a plurality of load handling devices (7) which are conveyed between the buffer points (4), - a reloading device (5) which is set up to empty at least one of the buffer points (4) into a transport container (100), wherein the first sorter (2) and the second sorter are each set up to load objects (1) into the buffer locations (4) according to the sorting destination, characterized in that at least two of the buffer locations (4) are assigned the same sorting destination, of which a first buffer point (4) is set up to be loaded only by the first sorter (2), and a second buffer point (4) is set up to be loaded only by the second sorter (3). Arrangement according to Claim 13, in which the second sorter has a driverless transport vehicle (AGV) or an overhead conveyor (5). Arrangement according to Claim 14, in which the driverless transport vehicle (AGV) is set up to feed the second buffer point (4) to the reloading device (5) for loading into the transport container (100). Arrangement according to one of Claims 13 to 15, in which one of the at least two buffer points (4), preferably the second buffer point, is a conveyor belt (6), the conveyor belt (6) preferably between an acceptance point which is the first sorter (2) or the second sorter (3) is supplied and the reloading device (5) is guided. Arrangement according to one of Claims 13 to 16, which further has a separating device, with which, from the plurality of objects (1), a first subset of the objects (1) for inward transfer into the first sorter (2) and a second subset of the objects (1 ) are separated for the introduction into the second sorter (3), the objects (1) preferably being separated according to weight, size, volume and/or strength.

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