KR20080093154A - Sorting installation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sorting installation (10) for sorting items, having a holder (12) which is open at the front, having at least one sorting compartment (14) in the holder for accommodating sorted items, and having at least one partition element for subdividing the sorting compartment. The invention provides for at least one sorting compartment to comprise a drawer (18), which can be pulled out of the holder at least partially in a pulling-out direction, and for at least one partition element to be configured as a separator (20, 21, 22) which is arranged parallel to the pulling-out direction, is not fixed to the drawer and, when the drawer is moved out in the pulling-out direction, does not move along therewith, in which case, once it has been moved out, the drawer is no longer subdivided by the at least one separator.

Description

Sorting Equipment {SORTING INSTALLATION}

The present invention relates to an article to be classified, in particular, having a front open holder, at least one sorting compartment in the holder for storing sorted articles, and at least one splitting member for dividing the sorting section into sub-partitions. A sorting facility for sorting mail.

Sorting facilities are especially used for sorting mail. For example, known installations include shelf carcasses with shelf partitioned horizontal dividers forming a sorting compartment. The individual dividing sections are divided by fixed partition walls, thereby forming individual subdivisions which are opened forward.

For example, when classifying mail items, individual subdivisions have individual delivery areas associated with them. The user sorts the mail in unordered order into subdivisions according to the delivery area. After completing the sorting, the user takes out the postal items from each subdivision and places them in the order of delivery area, for example in his postal bag or other transport unit. Mail which has already been sorted in this way can be taken out of the transport unit in order of delivery area and delivered in that order.

The size of the individual subdivisions is preset to be fixed by a fixed partition member. However, the amount of mail for different delivery areas is generally different, so that it may occur that the amount of mail in a given delivery area does not fit into a subdivision prepared for that area.

In the case of mail being removed from individual sub compartments and placed in a transport unit or a postal bag, the user must empty the compartments one by one and put the mail contained therein into the post bag or transport unit. Thus, each subdivision requires a separate approach step.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting facility which enables a simple but time-saving sorting. This object is met by a sorting facility having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments.

In the sorting facility according to the invention, at least one sorting compartment has a pull-out drawer which can be at least partly withdrawn from the holder, for example on telescopic rails. In order to prevent it from falling when pulling out a sliding drawer, the stop is provided to define a withdrawal limit.

The sorting facility according to the invention preferably comprises at least one sorting section having a sliding drawer which opens forward. If a plurality of sorting sections are provided, it is advantageous for all of these sorting sections to have a sliding drawer configured according to the invention. However, it is also possible for embodiments in which the individual sorting sections do not have a sliding drawer, in which the individual sorting sections are not configured according to the invention. The term "classification compartment", unless otherwise stated, will be understood below as a classification compartment having a sliding drawer constructed in accordance with the present invention.

At least one dividing member provided for the dividing of the sorting compartment with the sliding drawer is configured as a separating plate arranged parallel to the withdrawal direction of the sliding drawer, which is fixedly connected to the sliding drawer. It does not move together when withdrawing the sliding drawer in the withdrawal direction so that the sliding drawer is no longer divided by at least one separating plate after withdrawing. Thus, while the sliding drawer forming the sorting compartment is not pulled out, it is divided into individual sub-parts by the separating plate, while the separating plate does not move together when the sliding drawer is withdrawn, so that the partitioning is not possible. It disappears during the withdrawal process. Thus, the sliding drawer forming the sorting compartment is no longer divided in the pulled out state.

This function will be described in relation to the classification of mail items. The user sorts the mail into the sliding drawer divided by the separator while the sliding drawer is divided by the separator. For example, individual subdivisions formed by dividers may be associated with individual postal delivery areas. After fully sorting the amount of mail, the user withdraws the sliding drawer forward. The divider does not move with such withdrawal movements, so that the division into subdivisions disappears. However, the mail is placed in the sliding drawer in order of delivery area. The user can then push the mails together in one direction to remove them from the sliding drawer in one working step and put them in the mail bag or transport unit.

Thus, taking sorted articles out of the sliding drawer is much less time intensive than having to empty a large number of individual compartments.

The present invention is particularly suitable for classifying mail items according to, for example, the delivery area of the deliveryman. However, the present invention can advantageously be used for all sorting processes that must be further processed in the order in which they are divided after dividing the articles to be sorted.

The invention has been found to be particularly effective when a plurality of separator plates constructed in accordance with the invention are provided in the sorting compartment.

It is particularly advantageous that the sliding drawer is no longer divided in the drawn state and in this respect corresponds to a sliding drawer consisting of one sorting compartment. However, it is also possible to have a structure in which two or more sorting sections are provided for each sliding drawer, and the individual sorting sections are divided by the separating plate without the sliding drawer being pulled out but no longer divided after being pulled out. Thus, for example, it may be advantageous for safety reasons that the sliding drawer has a central wall fixed at its center and the sliding drawer has two sorting compartments at the left and right sides of the central wall. This partitioning of the sliding drawer into a plurality of sorting compartments also means that after the sliding drawer has been withdrawn and the division into the lower compartment has disappeared, if the undivided compartment is too large to handle its contents when it is withdrawn It may be reasonable for a very large sliding drawer in that it will be difficult.

Unlike the separator, such a central wall that moves with the withdrawal movement of the sliding drawer can also be made displaceable. For example, the central wall may be screwed in various positions of the sliding drawer as needed. Thus, the overall size of the sorting compartment can be adjusted to correspond to the normal volume of the postal bag. In addition, a plurality of central walls may be provided which are fixedly attached or attachable in the sliding drawer.

In order to prevent the separator plates from moving together during the withdrawal process of the sliding drawer, a guide or opening is advantageously arranged on the rear wall side of the sliding drawer when the sliding drawer is withdrawn. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the rear wall of the sliding drawer is provided with slots, the individual slots being configured to allow the separator plate to slide through them. In this regard, the number of guides or slots corresponds at least to the number of separators desired. The aspect in which a large number of guides or slots are provided at predetermined intervals so that the number and spacing of individual separators can be selected by selecting the guide or slot to be used is particularly flexible.

In another refinement of this embodiment, the guides or slots are dimensioned in which they guide the separator plate. For this purpose, in particular the lateral size of the guides or slots is chosen to substantially correspond to the thickness of the individual separator plates, but not to clamp them.

Guides or slots in the rear wall of the sliding drawer define the spatial size of the separators. The vertical alignment of the separator plates, ie the vertical alignment of the slots or guides, is particularly economical in terms of space. However, embodiments in which the guides or slots and even the separator plates are arranged at an angle are also possible.

In another advantageous development, the slots in the rear wall of the sliding drawer are provided outwards, for example in the rear wall of the sliding drawer, in particular a guide stub supporting the lateral support of the separator plate when the sliding drawer is pulled out. It may be provided. This guide stub additionally performs the function of stabilizing the slotted rear wall. Such stubs can be configured to increase the effective thickness of the rear wall, for example when the rear wall is a thin wall.

It is particularly preferred that the separator is made to be removable from the sorting facility. In this manner, the user can insert the separator plates in various numbers and at various intervals as needed and depending on the demand.

To ensure that the separator plate does not move with the withdrawal process of the sliding drawer, the separator plate can be connected to the holder or to an element fixedly connected to the holder. In the case of a releaseable separator, such a connection can also be released. This may be a problem for example of latch elements, magnetic connections or articulated connections. In particular, at least one separator plate has a hook disposed rearward in the withdrawal direction of the sliding drawer and cooperates with a retaining edge or retaining rod, which hook is fixedly connected to the holder, wherein the retaining edge or retaining rod is a sliding drawer Particular preference is given to embodiments in which they are aligned parallel to the rear wall of and are arranged at a height corresponding to the vertical position of the hooks of the separator plate in the inserted state of the separator plate. When the hook is caught by the retaining rod or the retaining edge, the separator cannot move in the withdrawal direction. When the sliding drawer is withdrawn, the hooks hold the divider at the retaining rod or retaining edge, such that the sliding drawer moves without the divider and the divider loses its splitting function. The retaining edge or retaining rod is preferably horizontally aligned and the opening of the hook of the separator plate faces downward. The hooking of the retaining edge or retaining rod is affected by or supported by the gravity of the separator.

Here, the term "hook" generally refers to an element having a cut-out to engage around a retaining rod or retaining edge.

Another particularly advantageous improvement of this embodiment is characterized in that the hook is chamfered or rounded on the outside thereof and / or the retaining rod or the retaining edge is chamfered or rounded on the side facing the sliding drawer. In this aspect, when the separator and the retaining rod or retaining edge move relative to each other, the hook slides at the retaining edge or retaining rod until the hook opening can engage around the retaining rod or retaining edge. In particular, in embodiments where the hook opening is downward, the separator plate falls downward, causing the hook to be caught on the retaining edge or retaining rod.

For this advantageous embodiment the following procedure can be carried out, for example. In the withdrawal state of the sliding drawer, the separator plate can be inserted into the sliding drawer, for example, in the desired number and at the desired spacing. These separator plates are for example held by guides or slots in the rear region of the sliding drawer. The sliding drawer is then pushed into the holder along with the separator. At the end of the push-in process, the hooks of the separator plate are struck on the retaining rod or the retaining edge, causing upward movement due to chamfering, at least in the rear region of the separator plate. As the sliding drawer is pushed further, the hook can engage around the retaining rod or retaining edge such that the lifted separator plate falls down to engage the retaining rod or retaining edge. Thus, the separator plate is firmly fixed in the withdrawal direction so that it can no longer move with the sliding drawer. The article to be sorted may be sorted in a lower compartment of the sliding drawer defined by the separator. After sorting the article to be sorted, the withdrawal of the sliding drawer can be made without moving the separators, so that the separators lose their separation function.

In order to support the separators, in particular to maintain the spatial orientation of the separators while the sliding drawer is being pulled out, a support is provided which is fixed to the holder of the sorting facility, and is separated in the support during the withdrawal of the sliding drawer. The plates are inserted. Preferred is a support provided with a slotted support mount for the separator. For example, this support may be provided in the retaining rod or retaining edge region of the embodiment, and the slots may be aligned in a direction corresponding to the desired spatial direction of the separator.

Another preferred refinement of this aspect provides that the support has an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the support mount for the separator plate. According to its structure, the adjustment mechanism functions to adjust the angular alignment of the slots of the support parallel to the slots of the rear wall of the sliding drawer, and / or adjust the slot position of the support relative to the slots of the rear wall of the sliding drawer. Function to set correctly.

For this purpose, for example, an adjusting screw can be provided which can move the entire slot of the support by several millimeters relative to the holder. In another embodiment that is simple to handle, the adjustment screw can be accessed from the side, for example by a bore in the side wall of the holder in the form of a carcass.

Particularly preferably, the individual separators in the sliding drawer are not held only by the guides or slots in the rear wall area of the sliding drawer during the sorting process, so that the separators are held tightly in multiple during the sorting process. To this end, in particular, each divider plate may be provided with a protrusion that engages with a corresponding protrusion mount in the sliding drawer when the sliding drawer is pushed in, while releasing from the protrusion mounting when withdrawing the sliding drawer.

In this way, in the state where the sliding drawer is put in, the separator plates can be additionally supported not only by the guides or slots in the rear area of the sliding drawer and optionally by the support present, but by the protrusions engaged with the protrusion mountings. . Thus, this ensures that the position of the separators also does not change if one of the lower compartments formed by the separators is overfilled.

To this end, particularly advantageously, the projections are provided at their lower edges in the front region of the divider in the withdrawal direction of the sliding drawer, and correspondingly the projection mountings are arranged at the front region in the withdrawal direction at the base of the sliding drawer. do.

In order to ensure that the protrusions of the at least one separator plate slide out unobstructed from the corresponding protrusion mount, another advantageous improvement is that the protrusions and / or the protrusion mounts are chamfered so that they slip off each other as they pull out the sliding drawer. do. Correspondingly, for example, the rearward facing edges of the projections provided at their lower edges in the front region of the separator plate may in particular be chamfered or rounded.

When at least one separator plate is held by both the protrusions accommodated in the protrusion mounting portion and the guides or slots on the rear side of the sliding drawer, the protrusions of the separator plate from the edge of the separator plate on the rear side in the withdrawal direction of the sliding drawer The distance is greater than the distance of the protrusion mount from the rear wall of the sliding drawer. In this way, when the protrusion of the at least one separator plate engages the protrusion mount with the sliding drawer pushed in, it ensures that the separator plate engages in a guide or slot on the rear side of the sliding drawer in the rear region. In this way the separator is reliably supported at at least two points.

A separator having such a structure can be used as follows. First, the sliding drawer is withdrawn. The separator plates are inserted at desired intervals and desired numbers, with each protrusion encased in the protrusion mount, and fitted in a guide or slot on the rear side of the sliding drawer. In this way, the sliding drawer to which the separator is fixed is pushed back into the holder.

The separator may be made in various ways, for example as a grid-like structure. Metal or plastic plates are particularly simple and comfortable to apply.

The at least one separator may be molded from various materials, for example metal or plastic. Separators are particularly simple and cost effective as injection molded plastic parts. In addition, the separator plates made of plastic have sufficient flexibility to have specific tolerances for overfilling of the subdivisions formed by these separator plates.

The invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, an embodiment according to the present invention for sorting mail is shown.

1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mail sorting application according to the present invention seen from the front side,

2 is a view showing an oblique view from the front of the sliding drawer of the embodiment according to the present invention,

Figure 3 is a view showing the oblique view from behind the sliding drawer of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the sliding drawer is inserted into the separator variously,

5 is a view showing a separator of an embodiment according to the present invention,

6 is a view showing another embodiment of the separator of the embodiment according to the present invention;

7 is a front view of the classification compartment of the embodiment according to the present invention,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detailed view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7;

9 is a detailed view of the sliding drawer of the embodiment shown in FIG.

10 (a) to 10 (c) is a view showing a moving process when the withdrawal of the sliding drawer of the embodiment according to the present invention,

11 is a view showing in detail while withdrawing the sliding drawer of the embodiment shown in FIG.

12 is a view showing a later point in time during the withdrawal in detail,

13 is a view showing a state in which the sliding drawer is drawn out in detail,

14 is a view showing the sorting facility according to the present invention seen from the rear without the rear wall,

15 is a view showing a support of an embodiment of the present invention,

16 is a view showing the detailed structure of the sorting facility according to the present invention seen from the rear in a state where the support is removed;

FIG. 17 is a view showing a support area viewed from the front in the sorting section of the sorting facility according to the present invention with the sliding drawer removed;

18 is a perspective view of a holder of an embodiment according to the present invention.

Elements of the same kind in the drawings are generally given the same reference numerals. Although a plurality of similar elements may be found in the figures, the reference numerals are not necessarily indicated for all of them.

1 shows a sorting facility 10 according to the invention. This sorting facility is provided with the holder 12 which consists of a carcass in which the some sorting divisions 14 and 16 are arrange | positioned. In the embodiment shown, the second sorting compartment 14 below is constructed in accordance with the invention. This sorting section is provided with the sliding drawer 18 shown in the drawing-out state in FIG. This drawer moves on telescopic rails (not shown) when withdrawn. The sorting section 14 constructed in accordance with the invention with a sliding drawer 18 is provided with a separator plate 20. The detailed structure and function of the separating plate 20 and the sliding drawer 18 of the sorting compartment 14 will be described in more detail below.

The sorting facility 10 shown in FIG. 1 has additional compartments 16, which are arranged on the shelf base 17 and do not have a sliding drawer. Therefore, these remaining sections 16 will not be shown in detail.

The entire sorting facility 10 is supported on the table 23 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown.

In addition, as described below , a postal item is disposed in the sliding drawer 18 at each sorting step and placed on the base of the sliding drawer 18. Thus, a shelf, such as that required in the form of a shelf 17 in the remaining sorting compartments 16 that is not constructed in accordance with the present invention, is not required below the sorting compartments constructed in accordance with the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the sliding drawer 18 is seen obliquely from the front. The sliding drawer has a base 24 and side walls 26 as well as a fixed center wall 28 in this embodiment. The rear wall 30 is provided with three slots provided with the reference | standard 32, for example. A protruding portion mounting portion 24 in the form of an opening is provided on the base 24 of the sliding drawer in the front area in the withdrawal direction 52. The distance of the protrusion mounting portion 34 from the rear wall 30 is indicated by reference numeral 35. A pullout handle 36 is provided in the pullout direction 52 in the lower side of the sliding drawer 18. The sliding drawer is open forward. The required stability can be achieved by elaborate shaping and pedestals in the base 24 of the sliding drawer 18.

3 is a view showing the same sliding drawer obliquely from the rear. In this figure in particular the slots 32 of the rear wall 30 have laterally delimited guide stubs 38 which stabilize the rear wall 30 and increase its effective thickness.

In FIG. 4, the detail view of the sliding drawer 18 in which the separator is inserted is shown. Three separator plates 20, 21 selected in different shapes to meet different needs are shown by way of example. Thus, the shape of the separator 21 simplifies access to, for example, postal matter in the lower compartment formed by two adjacent separators, while the separator 20 has high stability.

The separating plate has a protrusion in the front lower region, which is not visible in FIG. 4. For example, the shape of the protrusion 44 for the separator plate 20 is shown in FIG. 5. The separator 21 also has a corresponding protrusion. The protrusion 44 engages and engages in the protrusion mount 34. The rear edge of the separator plate protrudes through the slot 32 of the rear wall 30 of the sliding drawer 18. The distance 35 of the projection mounting portion 34 from the rear wall 30 is smaller than the distance 49 of the projection 44 from the rear edge 43 of the separating plate (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In this way it is ensured that the separator is prevented from tilting or sliding sideways in the sliding drawer.

5 and 6 show two exemplary embodiments for the separator plates 20, 22. The separator plate 20 is rounded in the front region, while the separator plate 22 is chamfered in the front region.

It can be seen that the downwardly directed protrusion 44 has a nose-shaped extension facing forward. The edge 45 of the protrusion 44 at the rear in the withdrawal direction 52 of the sliding drawer 18 is chamfered. The distance of the protrusions 44 from the rear edge 43 of the separator is indicated at 49.

The hook 46 located at the rear edge of the separator plates 20, 22 has a hook opening 48 which opens downward, the outer part 47 being rounded.

The thickness of the embodiments of the separator shown is thinned upwards.

In FIG. 7, the sliding drawer 18 is seen from the front into the sorting section 14 while being pushed into the holder 12. Separator plate 20 is described below. It is held in the protrusion mount 34 and the slot 32 of the rear wall 30 in the sliding drawer.

8 shows the detailed structure of FIG. In this figure, in particular, the projection mounting part 34 is narrow in the area 40 disposed forward in the drawing direction 52, the dimension of which is selected such that the inserted separator is kept tight in the narrow area 40. can confirm.

The end face of the base 24 of the sliding drawer can be attached, for example, with a sign 42 representing a delivery area or representing a mailbox owner in the delivery area.

9 shows another view of the sliding drawer 18 in which the protrusion of the separator 20 is engaged in the protrusion mounting portion 34. In this figure, the sliding drawer 18 is drawn out in the withdrawal direction 52 in a small size approximately corresponding to the size of the nose of the protrusion 44. The protrusion 44 is still firmly fitted in the protrusion mount 34, but the nose-shaped extension no longer hangs in the narrow area 40 of the protrusion mount. For this purpose, the dimensions of the protrusion mount 34 are selected accordingly.

10 (a) to 10 (c) schematically show how the sliding drawer 18 and the separator 22 behave during the withdrawal process of the sliding drawer 18. As will be described below, the hook 46 of the separator plate 22 is caught by a retaining rod 50 which is spatially fixed. The side wall 26 disposed forward in the figure is shown transparently for better understanding, so that the separator plate 22 can be seen.

In FIG. 10 (a), the sliding type drawer 18 is shown being pushed in. In FIG. 10 (b), the sliding drawer 18 is drawn out halfway in the drawing direction 52. Although the protrusion 44 of the separator plate 22 shown in the position of FIG. 10 (a) protrudes through the protrusion mounting portion 34 of the base 24 of the sliding drawer 18, FIG. 10 (b) In the withdrawn state of about half, it is disposed on the base 24 of the sliding drawer 18. Thus, the separator plate 22 is tilted slightly.

The state in which the sliding drawer 18 is completely withdrawn is shown in FIG. 10 (c). The separator plate 22 no longer protrudes through the rear wall 30 of the sliding drawer 18 into the inner area of the drawer, so that the sliding drawer 18 is no longer divided by the separator 22. It will not be. The separator plate 22 is kept in a spatial alignment with respect to the sliding or slipping laterally by the guide support 38 of the rear wall 30.

11 to 13 show the withdrawal process shown in FIG. 10 starting from the state of FIG. 7 in a different perspective view. The state shown in FIG. 7 especially corresponds to FIG. 10 (a), while FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. 10 (b) and FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. 10 (c). 11 shows the sliding drawer 18 in such a way that the projection 44 slides out of the projection mounting portion 34 between the state shown in FIG. 10 (a) and the state shown in FIG. 10 (b). It shows the state which has already been withdrawn.

In FIG. 14, the sorting installation seen from the rear in the state which removed the rear wall of the holder 12 is shown. Here the sliding drawer 18 is pushed in while the separator 20 is held in the slot 32 of the rear wall 30 of the sliding drawer. It can be seen how the rear region of the separator plate 20 protrudes through the slot 32 of the rear wall 30. The support part 54 which has the support carrier 56 is provided in the area | region of the holding rod 50. As shown in FIG. Support carriers 58 are provided on the support carrier, between which support mounts in the form of slots 60 are located. The support extension 58 is disposed on the retaining rod 50 firmly mounted in the holder. The hook 46 of the separator plate 20 protrudes into the slot 60 so that the hook opening 48 retains the rod 50 as can be seen, for example, in FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (c). ) Around. When viewed from the rear, below the support 54, the lower region of the rear wall 30 and the base 24 of the sliding drawer 18 can be seen. In particular, the guide stub 38 surrounding the slot 35 of the rear wall 30 can also be seen in the lower region.

15 shows an embodiment of the support 54. Although FIG. 14 shows the support 54 as seen from the rear, the embodiment of FIG. 15 shows what is seen obliquely from the front. In this figure the support mount 62 can be particularly identified which allows the support 54 to be placed on the retaining rod 50. Reference numeral 63 denotes a screw bore, for example, in which adjustment screws can be provided to adjust the lateral position of the support 54 on the retaining rod 50. To this end, a corresponding adjusting screw is inserted into the screw bore 63, with the aid of which the support can be adjusted by pushing against the side wall of the holder, for example. In this way, the support is adjusted such that the slot 60 of the support 54 corresponds to the slot 32 of the sliding drawer 18.

In FIG. 16, the sorting installation was seen from the rear. In this figure, the support part 54 is removed, and it is possible to confirm that the hook 46 of the separator plate 20 and the retaining rod 50 cooperate. In this regard, it can be seen that the hook 46 is engaged around the retaining rod 50.

Fig. 17 shows what is seen from the front into the rear region of the sorting compartment made in accordance with the invention. This figure shows without the sliding drawer so that the cooperation of the support 54, the retaining rod 50 and the hook 46 of the separator plate 20 is clearly revealed. It can be seen that the support extension 58 lies in some way on the retaining rod 50. The separator plate 20 is located just before the retaining rod 50, ie just before the hook 46 enters the slot 60 and is caught around the retaining rod 50.

18 shows an embodiment of a holder constructed in accordance with the invention and configured for four sorting sections 14 arranged on top of each other. Screw bores 64 are each used to fasten the telescopic rails of the corresponding sliding drawer 18. The holes 66 are each used to receive the retaining rods 50 of the fractionation section. The opening for the holding rod of the uppermost sorting section is not visible.

Possible dimensions for the individual elements are described below but this should only be taken as an example.

The carcass 12 is, for example, about 50 cm or 100 cm wide and 35 cm deep. For example, the height may be about 130 cm for a holder capable of receiving four sorting compartments according to the invention arranged on top of each other as shown in FIG. 18.

The holding rod 50 made of steel, for example, has a diameter of 14 mm. The height of each retaining rod 50 in the holder 12 is selected in each case to correspond to the position of each cutout 48 of the hook of the divider in the sliding drawer.

The support 54 may be made of plastic.

The separator plate is formed from a plastic plate about 35 cm long and about 21 cm high. In the lower region, the separator has a thickness of 4 mm, which is thinned upwards as can also be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The sliding drawer 18 is similarly made of plastic and has a volume of, for example, 3500 cm 3.

The sorting facility according to the invention is assembled as follows. The retaining rod 50 is inserted into the retaining rod attaching portion 66 in the holder 12 as shown in FIG. The telescopic rail, not shown, is mounted to the screw bore 64 while supporting the sliding drawer 18, allowing the sliding drawer to be pulled forward to the stop. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the sliding drawer 18 is provided only in the second sorting compartment 14 from below.

The support 54 is mounted for each sliding drawer 18 or each retaining rod 50 with the support mount 62 disposed on the retaining rod 50. In this regard, the support 54 is supported against the rear wall of the holder 12, for example, so that it does not slip off the retaining rod 50. By means of an adjustment mechanism not shown in the figure using the screw bore 63 of the support 54 (see FIG. 15), the lateral position of the support 54 is such that the slot 60 of the support 54 is a sliding drawer ( 18 to correspond to the slot 32 of the rear wall 30. In this way, the tolerance of the telescopic rail supporting the sliding drawer 18 is offset. The adjustment screw inserted into the adjustment screw bore 63 of the support 54 can clamp the support 54 against, for example, the side wall of the holder 12.

You can use it like this: The user first selects the distance at which the separator plates 20, 21, 22 should be separated from each other. In this regard, the spacing of the individual separator plates 20, 21, 22 is chosen to roughly correspond approximately to the amount of mail in the respective delivery area, so that each subdivision associated with the delivery area may The amount of mail can be accommodated between the two separator plates. Thus, different subdivisions have different widths depending on the amount of typical mail in the delivery area associated with them, so that the dividers defining the compartments have different spacings. Subsequently, the user first performs the installation of the separator plates 20, 21, 22 in the sliding drawer 18. To this end, the sliding drawer 18 is withdrawn about 80% of the maximum extension range. By inserting the separator plates at the desired spacing, the protrusions 44 engage within the selected protrusion mounts 34 and the rear edges of the separator plates are guided into the corresponding slots of the rear wall 30 of the sliding drawer 18. The state shown in FIG. 4 is achieved. The separator plates 20, 21, 22 are tightly held by the protrusions 44 and the slots 32 in the protrusion mount 24. The sliding drawer 18 is then pushed back into the sorting compartment 14 and the separator plates 20, 21, 22 move rearward with the sliding drawer 18. At the end of this pushing process, the rounded outer portion 47 of the hook 46 hits the retaining rod 50. The outer portion 47 of the hook 46 slides upward on the retaining rod 50 until the hook opening 48 is disposed over the retaining rod 50. Subsequently, the separator plates 20, 21, 22 fall back down so that the hook 46 engages around the retaining rod 50 as can be seen, for example, in FIGS. 10 or 16. The hooks 46 of the separator plates 20, 21, 22 are then arranged in the slots 60 of the support 54 on the retaining rod 50 so that the separator plate no longer moves in the withdrawal direction 52. Becomes impossible.

Thus, the sorting section 14 is installed according to the specific needs of the user. The sub compartments are formed in particular so that their widths individually correspond to the amount of customary mail in the respective delivery area. In general, there is no need to change the position of the separator plate since the usual amount of mail does not change. However, the separator can be removed again by hand, optionally by releasing the engagement between the hook 46 and the retaining rod 50.

The mail can now be sorted with the sliding drawer fitted with the separator plate pushed in. Individual mails are arranged in individual subdivisions corresponding to the delivery area. After the mail has been completely sorted into the individual subdivisions, the sliding drawer 18 is withdrawn again from the withdrawal handle 36 in the withdrawal direction 52 up to the stop of the telescopic rail. The separator plates 20, 21, 22 remain caught in the retaining rod 50, reaching their maximum extension range of the sliding drawer 18 and completely losing their function as partition members. This can be seen in FIG. 10. The separator 22 shown in this figure is hung on the retaining rod 50 in FIG. 10 (a) and the sliding drawer has not yet been withdrawn, whereas in FIG. ), But the separating plate 22 is caught by the retaining rod 50. 10 (c) shows a state in which the sliding drawer 18 is completely pulled out and the separator 22 is no longer able to perform their splitting function in the sliding drawer 18. The separating plate 22 is prevented from falling down by the guide stub 38 and the upper end bent backward of the rear wall 30.

The withdrawal process is also shown in detail in the order of FIGS. 9 and 11-13 starting from the state of FIG. In FIG. 7 the protrusion 44 is still in the protrusion mount 34. In FIG. 9 the sliding drawer 18 is already withdrawn slightly so that the nose-shaped extension of the protrusion 44 is no longer hung in the protrusion mounting 34. In FIG. 11, when the sliding drawer is further pulled out in the drawing direction 52, the protrusion 44 of the separating plate 20 slides out of the protrusion mounting portion 34 so that the separating plate moves slightly upward in its front region. Showing how the inclined rear edge 45 of the protrusion 44 supports. In FIG. 12, the state corresponding to FIG. 10 (b) is shown. 13 shows the sliding drawer 18 in the fully drawn state. The separator plate 20 no longer extends into the sliding drawer 18 so that the sliding drawer 18 is now entirely undivided (except for the optionally provided central wall 28).

Now, the user can put his hand into the sliding drawer and push the sorted mails together to the side wall 26 or the central wall 28 of the sliding drawer 18. Between the sidewalls and the central wall 28, the whole mail associated with the sliding drawer can be taken out at once, for example in sorted form in a mailing bag.

Thus, the subdivisions of the sorting section with respect to the delivery area are individually emptied one by one each time so that the contents do not need to be placed in a postal bag. Thus, this sorting process, in particular the removal process from the sorting section, is substantially simplified, saving time to a considerable extent than for sorting sections without sliding drawers.

After removal, the withdrawal drawer 18 is pushed back into the sorting compartment 14 again, the separator plates 20, 21, 22 again take their splitting function, and the protrusions 44 of the separator plate have a sliding drawer ( It is caught in the projection mounting part 34 of the base 24 of 18). The sliding drawer 18 is returned to the state shown, for example, in FIG. The sorting facility is then ready for another sorting process.

This sorting facility is mechanically operated and therefore very inexpensive and robust.

<Drawing symbol>

10: sorting equipment

12: holder or carcass

14: classification compartment

16: classification compartment

17: shelf

18: sliding drawer

20, 21, 22: separator

23: table

24: base of sliding drawer

26: sidewall

28: center wall

30: rear wall of sliding drawer

32: slot on the rear wall

34: protrusion mounting portion

35: distance of the protrusion mounting portion from the rear wall of the sliding drawer

36: pull out handle

38: guide stub

40: narrow area of the projection mounting portion

42: marker

43: rear edge of separator

44: protrusion

45: chamfered edge of protrusion

46: hook

47: rounded outer part of hook

48: hook opening

49: spacing of protrusions from rear edge of separator

50: retaining rod

52: withdrawal direction

54 support

56 support carrier

58: support extension

60: slot

62: support mount

63: adjusting screw bore

64: screw bore

66: retaining rod mounting

Claims (15)

A sorting facility for sorting goods to be classified, in particular mail items, A holder, preferably made as a carcass and open forwardly, At least one sorting compartment for receiving sorted articles in the holder, At least one partition member for dividing the at least one sorting section into subdivisions In the classification facility comprising: The at least one sorting compartment 14 comprises a sliding drawer 18 which is at least partially withdrawn in the withdrawal direction 52 from the holder 12 and which is open forwardly, The at least one splitting member consists of separator plates 20, 21, 22 arranged parallel to the withdrawal direction 52, which plates are not firmly connected to the sliding drawer 18. By not moving together in the withdrawal direction 52 when the drawer 18 is withdrawn, it is no longer divided by at least one separating plate 20, 21, 22 after the sliding drawer 18 is withdrawn. Classification equipment, characterized in that not to be. 2. The at least one sliding drawer (18) according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of guides, preferably by forming a plurality of slotted rear walls (30) in the rear region thereof, the respective guides or slots (32). ) Is a sorting facility, characterized in that the separation plate (20, 21, 22) is made to slide through. 3. The slot 32 of the rear wall 30 of the sliding drawer 18 is dimensioned such that they can guide the at least one separating plate 20, 21, 22. Sorting equipment. 4. The slot 32 of the rear wall 30 of the sliding drawer 18 according to claim 2 or 3 is guided to effectively increase the thickness of the rear wall 30 in these slot 32 regions. A sorting facility comprising a stub (38). 5. The sorting facility according to claim 1, wherein the at least one separator plate (20, 21, 22) can be removed. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The at least one separator plate 20, 21, 22 has a hook 46 at the edge which is arranged rearward in the sliding drawer 18, the hook opening 48 of which hook preferably Downwards, A horizontal retaining edge or retaining rod 50 aligned parallel to the rear wall 30 of the sliding drawer 18 is provided in the holder 12 to provide hooks 46 of the separator plates 20, 21, 22. Is arranged to be hooked, so that the separating plates (20, 21, 22) cannot be moved together with the sliding drawer (18) in the withdrawal direction (52) in the hooked state. 7. The hook 46 according to claim 6, wherein the hook 46 is rounded or chamfered at its outer side 47 and / or the retaining rod or retaining edge is rounded or chamfered at the side facing the sliding drawer 18, so that the hook The at least one separator plate 20, 21, 22 and the retaining rod 50 or the retaining edge move relative to each other until an opening 48 can engage around the retaining rod 50 or the retaining edge. Sorting equipment, characterized in that the hook (46) slips on the retaining edge or retaining rod (50). 8. A support (54) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a support (54) with at least one support mount (60), preferably in the form of a slot, is provided for the at least one separator. ) Is fixed relative to the holder 12, and the at least one support mount 60 holds the at least one separator plate 20, 21, 22 in a spatial orientation upon withdrawal movement of the sliding drawer 18. Classification equipment, characterized in that made to. 9. The spatial arrangement and / or spatial position of the separator plates 20, 21, 22 supported by the support in this way by adjusting the at least one support mount 60. Classification apparatus characterized in that it comprises a control mechanism configured to adjust the. 10. The at least one separator plate (20, 21, 22) has a protrusion (44), the protrusion having a corresponding protrusion mount in the sliding drawer (18). In cooperation with 34, the projection 44 is retained in the projection mounting portion 34 with the sliding drawer 18 pushed in, while the projection mounting portion 34 is pulled out when the sliding drawer 18 is withdrawn. A sorting facility, characterized in that freed. The projection 44 of the at least one separator plate 20, 21, 22 is the front of the separator plate 20, 21, 22 in the withdrawal direction 52 of the sliding drawer 18. Classification equipment, characterized in that provided in the region, preferably at its lower edge. The projection 44 and / or the corresponding projection mount of the at least one separator plate 20, 21, 22 chamfers and / or slides away from each other upon withdrawal of the sliding drawer 18. Or round paper. 13. The at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the edge 43 of the separating plates 20, 21, 22 is arranged rearward in the withdrawal direction 52 of the sliding drawer 18. The distance 49 of the protrusion 44 of one separator plate 20, 21, 22 is greater than the distance 35 of the protrusion mounting portion 34 from the rear barrier 30 of the sliding drawer 18. And at least one separating plate (20, 21, 22) is adapted to project through an opening or slot (32) in the rear wall (30) of the sliding drawer (18). 14. A sorting facility according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one separator plate (20, 21, 22) consists of an injection molded plastic part. A mail sorting apparatus for sorting mails, in particular letters, using the sorting facility according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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