Sorting system combining three stacks of paper into one

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for Generating a total stack of distribution information with provided flat letters in predetermined Verteilreihen follow from several stacks in the same distribution order assorted consignments.

Particularly when the delivery point sequencing have increasingly presorted stack to a total stack be through the striking tool is discharged, are summarized. This pre-sorted batch to come to one of key accounts, uniform consignments as newspapers, magazines, Who label with the help of sort plans by post services are provided in the right Rei quence bring and the other from the postal service itself, at the appropriate sorting machines only in certain Time slots are available and so more zusammenzu comprehensive stack up.

This summary of the pre-sorted batch to a Ge carried samtstapel in the transition sequence of the postman so far mainly time-consuming manually, usually by the Delivery itself.

In DE 689 24 145 T2, although is a machine for assembling add documents from different stacks, but in each a stack contained only similar documents, described and inserting, in the compilation ge according to certain rules is performed. A joining gangfol gesortierten stacks of mail items according to the delivery point sequencing rules to egg nem gang follow assorted total stack is incorporated but not possible.

Furthermore, it was in accordance with DE 40 11 823 A1 an automatic Se lect and picking from diverse, and coding th goods known stored in unselected at the Goods desired goods identified and commissions be compiled. A joining gang follow stocked Program on a transitional follow-stocked overall stack is here with also not possible.

By using previously existing sorting machines would the Advantage of the previous sort in distribution order ver go lost, since the pre-sorted batch successively will give, the sorting does not matter.

The specified in the independent claims 1 and 17 He therefore making is an object, a device and to provide a method with which in a limited hours th distribution order presorted mail stack automatically shows a total stack in the same distribution order should be summarized.

The invention enables a cost effective and secure automatic summary of presorted mail stack to a total stack in the same distribution order.

In use of the sorting of each stack and the paral lel loading the means of transport, which the program the Stacking location for combining a total stack trans ported, this whole stack is quickly and efficiently, he testifies. The transport has a low-effort conti ously driven, revolving and in sections below shared conveyor line, with the so no gaps between Shipments can be generated. Because on the one hand while loading the Broadcast on the conveyor line must be understood that after each charged broadcast only programs for the same or may follow later Verteilhaltepunkt, on the other hand for high throughput to as few free Ab cuts should arise on the conveyor line, has a extensive knowledge of the composition of the single pile exist. Therefore, it is necessary, if this Knowledge is not already present in the stack as far as to look into necessary and the distribution information to it grasp. This is achieved in that after reading the distri linformationen the program in as many steps as necessary are cached.

If, according to claim 17, in the compilation of each batch obtained distribution information along with Stack and / or shipment identifiers to the total stack it transmitted generating device, so there are the necessary Distribution information and orders for all shipments known and for an optimal plan for charging the transportation teinrichtung is not a multi-level caching indispensable.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the Un dependent claims specified.

The throughput can be increased further in accordance with claim 2, in the extent permitted shipments in the sections on are stacked.

To parallelize and the fastest possible loading of Transport train, it is advantageous according to claim 3, also already broadcasts for the next Verteilhaltepunkt on to load the conveyor line, if it is ensured that between the portion with the last transmission of the current Verteilhaltepunktes and the first portion of the consignments gen of the next Verteilhaltepunktes all shipments the next Verteilhaltepunktes fit.

In order to achieve a high utilization of the conveyor strand, can according to claim 4 on the final program of the current Verteilhaltepunktes within the allowable Ge already total thickness events on the next Verteilhaltepunktes are stacked.

To minimize free sections on the conveyor continuously occur, it is low, according to claim 5, Shipments of the next to be loaded in Verteilhaltepunktes an empty, the last program of the current United some think point containing portion closest befindli chen section to load.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to Opposition 6 are all in compliance with the distribution order simultaneously loadable on the transport train shipments par allele loaded. This also serves the fast and Kompak th loading the transport train.

To minimize the number of free sections of the transport strand should according to claim 7, the program for each a Verteilhaltepunkt in consecutive sections loading, if based on the composition the single stack is possible.

It is also advantageous, in the determination of the Transport distance to be loaded with the consignment shipments from the stacking means nearest Stapelaufnah me to begin according to claim 8, as these shipments Impact on the loads from the distant past Sta have pelaufnahmen.

To safely store the items on the conveyor line without ensuring loading of shipments, it is ge according to claim 9 advantageous loading speed of adjust transport speed and the charging time points agreed on the location of the sections.

For low-expenditure implementation of the latch can this according to claim 10 as a driven separately Trans port stretch run.

According to claim 11 it is advantageous, after the singulation equipment and before the latches respectively thicknesses DO measuring provide for the program, so that the On paying the maximum in a portion of the transport train loadable program in compliance with the maximum total thickness can be determined.

the shipments are advantageous according to claim 12 lying stacked and transported, whereby a low-effort gerä TE technical realization is possible.

For easy and robust implementation of the transport routes can ge according to claim 13 consisting of endless, over rollers led conveyor belts are constructed.

In order for the start-stop movements caching to verhin shifting of broadcasts on the conveyor belts countries, it is advantageous according to claim 14, which broadcasts by means of resilient pressure rollers to the conveyor belts to to press.

In this processing, the program located it is ent Speaking claim 15 advantageous batch record in the involve separating devices and subtracting to separate the lowermost program.

According to claim 16, the stacker has beneficial two stacking locations, wherein upon reaching a specified Filling degree of the respective other stacking point is driven. This is a stopping of the apparatus for forming the Ge samtstapels not necessary as mutually batch spot unloading and stacking location is filled.

The transfer of the distribution information of each stack of the places where the information has been determined to apparatus for producing an overall stack takes place after Claim 18 advantageously over data networks.

The identification of the distribution information and the program can according to claim 19 and 20, an identification code and / or the identified and coded address information included.

The invention is, in one embodiment explained in more detail.

Here, the drawing shows in

<b>Fig.</b> 1 is a schematic side view of the inven to the invention device

<b>Fig.</b> 2 and 3 the sort sequencer with 10 stacks of mail items partial in 12 time steps.

Again <b>Fig.</b> refer 1, transported a continuously driven transport device shipments from left lying to the right in the horizontal direction in a Stapelbehäl ter <b>10</b>In which it to form a stack in total fixed distribution order are stacked. The broadcast <b>8th</b> is in the movement from the Transporteinrich device on the top of the stack container <b>10</b> located Sen manure <b>9</b>, The transport device has a transport strand composed of a circulating endless conveyor belt <b>11</b> consists. This conveyor belt<b>11</b> is by means of driver <b>12</b> in uniform sections divided. In these sections who the broadcasts <b>5</b> loaded, whereby up to a specified Total thickness any other shipments <b>7</b> in a section on be transported today. To load the program<b>5</b> be can be found above the transport path corresponding A directions for each of the fixed distribution order assorted stacks <b>31</b>. <b>32</b>. <b>33</b>, Each stack<b>31</b>. <b>32</b>. <b>33</b> is in egg ne batch capture set, the program to be in are the position. The batch capture are so obliquely arranged so that the program of the stack on a prior the abutment wall <b>2</b> be aligned. In a still illustrative sequence, the stack <b>31</b>. <b>32</b>. <b>33</b> club isolated by the respective lowermost mission <b>3</b> the stack to egg ner feed <b>14</b> will go stripped. Thus, the un lowermost mission can be withdrawn, the front to impact wall <b>2</b> below a gap <b>4</b> , through which the Sen fertilize <b>5</b> to feed <b>14</b> reach. A se known trigger mechanism is not shown here. This can work for example in the start-stop operation the deduction belts with high coefficients of friction and lower pressure support and with known retention devices (Abstrei away) exist to prevent double deductions. The Zufüh storage facilities <b>14</b>, For example, of endless conveyor bands exist, each carrying the separated shipments <b>5</b> to Verteilinformationslesern <b>13</b>, Z. B. Barcodele fibers. With this information, the program will be the one assigned individual distribution stopping. This is done in egg ner controller not shown. After the Ver some information of the shipments were read, enter the shipments <b>5</b> on two-stage latch. These consist each consist of two successively arranged Transportstrec ken <b>15</b>. <b>16</b> - On rollers driven and guided Endlosbän of the -. Each transport route<b>15</b>. <b>16</b> is on the Steuerein direction controlled separately, so that the program <b>5</b> depending on Read result directly in a particular section of the Trans port band <b>11</b> can pass, or else in the first and / or the second transport path <b>15</b>. <b>16</b> any length in accordance with the distribution information and the Verteilreihen follow zwischengespeichert be able.

The transport of consignments <b>5</b> from the second Trans port route <b>16</b> in a certain portion of itself bewe lowing conveyor belt <b>11</b> is performed so that the program <b>5</b> at handing over nearly the speed of Transportban of <b>11</b> exhibit. This Ausschleusbewegung is started, that broadcasts <b>5</b> are stored within the sections. The movements of the second transport path are therefore the Movement of the conveyor belt <b>11</b> synchronized. So that shipments <b>5</b> when not caching and carrying away slip, this can by spring-mounted rollers or bands on the transport routes <b>15</b>. <b>16</b> are pressed. The driver <b>12</b> and the machine geometry including Pinch rollers are designed so that the sections in the conveyor belt <b>11</b> several shipments <b>5</b> to a Festge rational overall thickness can be stacked. to Compliance with this condition, the thicknesses of the individual shipments <b>5</b> by thickness sensors, z. B. Lichtschrankenzei len measured. These measurements must for each Sen tion are performed when the individual stacks inhomogeneous , ie consist of shipments of different thicknesses. hand Come broadcasts <b>5</b> major customers of the distribution, ie many similar programs <b>5</b> succession, and who to these identical items <b>5</b> in each case a Sta pelaufnahme loaded, it is sufficient, the thickness measurement just for the respective first similar program <b>5</b> perform.

, Located at the end of the transport means, unspecified Stacking means shown, for example, from a two large guide rollers guided chain composed of plates with the dimensions of the largest and broadcasts at intervals to each other, in the greater than the length of the largest shipments Transport direction are to be constructed. The chain is on driven that a consignment always passed on a plate becomes. Between the pulleys below in Trans port directional moving chain parts are two stacks container. Every stack container is associated with a set up and down movable scraper. It is located at in Trans port direction rear end of the stack container. Is located on a plate to a broadcast and to this in the Subject Author fenden stack containers are stacked, so the Abstrei is fer moved downward. The program pushes against the plate continues to move and the mission falls within the Stapelbehäl ter. In order to ensure a secure stripping, the Plates grooves into which the tines of the bifurcated From streifers protrude. The two scrapers are so attached controls, that in each case one stack container is filled in and Meanwhile, the other stack container is changed, so that the machine does not have to be interrupted.

Important to the throughput of the apparatus is an optimal Transfer the program <b>5</b> the latch on the Trans port device that broadcasts the <b>5</b> for stacking location trans ported where the total stack is formed. It's open clear that the decision as to whether a particular program is conveyed on the transport device, is dependent the contents of the other stacks shots. The more you the contents of all stack images on the allocation each consignment <b>5</b> knows a Verteilhaltepunkt, the time economic, the program <b>5</b> the Transportein directional load. If this knowledge is herein are subject of the membered sorting process to form the individual pile known and were transferred to the control device, so must go identifying the broadcast <b>5</b> in Verteilinfor mationsleser <b>13</b> cached the consignment only once will. If this knowledge is a priori not present, it is necessary, as far as possible in each batch <b>31</b>. <b>32</b>. <b>33</b> "Look into it". In this example, therefore, a two selected multiple caching, that you know of any stack <b>31</b>. <b>32</b>. <b>33</b> the allocation of the next two programs <b>5</b> to the distribution stopping. This allows early decided on the transfer to the transport device will.

Furthermore, the individual transfer decision rules explained.

The first as a transport route <b>15</b> realized Zwischenspei cherstufe behind the Verteilinformationsleser <b>13</b> becomes Buffer called A and the following as a transport route <b>16</b> realized latch stage of the program <b>5</b> on the conveyor belt <b>11</b> reach, buffer B.

Determining the transfer decisions in Sen applications of batch capture started, the Stapeleinrich direction is closest, as these broadcasts effects on the loads from the stacks lying in front shots ha ben. In general, shipments<b>5</b> for a particular Ver part breakpoint only in a portion of the conveyor belt <b>11</b> loaded when all shipments from the transport direction in each Weil upstream stack recordings for according to the Ver some sequence-previous distribution stops the respective have left latch, which in compliance with the distribution order shipments <b>5</b> up to a fixed Ge total thickness in the portions of the conveyor belt <b>11</b> übereinan be dergeladen. It can therefore both shipments<b>5</b> for the same Verteilhaltepunkt be superimposed load, as on the last broadcast of a particular Verteilhalte point program of the next in the distribution Ver some think point.

At the beginning of the sorting process all shipments <b>5</b> For the first in the distribution Verteilhaltepunkt paral lel from the buffers B to the still empty conveyor belt <b>11</b> ge load. Parallel loading, if possible, during the entire sorting process performed.

To empty sections of the conveyor belt <b>11</b> avoiding who the possible shipments <b>5</b> for a particular Ver Loading part breakpoint in a section from a section with programs <b>5</b> for the same Verteilhaltepunkt follows. Further, in appropriate conditions, shipments <b>5</b> for the next on the conveyor belt <b>11</b> to loading Verteilhaltepunkt transported in a section, of the last program of the previous Verteilhalte point section contained closest. Is due the information on the programs in the batch record clear how many sections of the conveyor belt <b>11</b> For this Benö applications of next to be loaded Verteilhaltepunktes be taken, as can already broadcasts <b>5</b> for in the Distribution order on next Verteilhaltepunkt in a lying in front section load.

Where several consignments for a Verteilhaltepunkt the conveyor belt <b>11</b> to load, then a prioritization of Program to alter the order. Prioritization he follows it so that the highest possible throughput for Order results.

In the following embodiments, a device with 10 Stack recordings and associated buffers A and B agreed.

The program for the Verteilhaltepunkt <b>1</b> are first to the conveyor belt <b>11</b> to load and be in stacking containers <b>10</b> to stacked bottom, the program for the Verteilhaltepunkt with the highest point to be loaded last and uppermost stacked.

In the illustrations, the first line shows the number of Pile Up, the numbers in the second line enter the Distribution stops of the buffer A to each Stapelauf acquisition located on broadcast, the numbers in the third Zei le the distribution stops of the buffer B to the respective Sta pelaufnahme located broadcast, the numbers in the fourth Line the contents of the currently at the outputs of buffer B located portions of the conveyor belt <b>11</b>, It signified . Tet x empty and example 3; 3; 2 means that in this section from bottom to top a program for the Verteilhaltepunkt <b>2</b> and two programs for Verteilhaltepunkt <b>3</b> one above the other were loaded. The conveyor belt<b>11</b> is from left to moves right. The prioritization of the program is based The following table explains. This chart shows a "Snapshot" during the sorting process.

<imgref idrefs="13/1" />Table 1

The program for the Verteilhaltepunkt <b>5</b> in the buffer A10 (Puf fer A for batch capture <b>10</b>) Prevents the transmission for Verteilhaltepunkt <b>6</b> in the buffer B1 to the transport tape <b>11</b> can be loaded. Only when egg in the buffer A10 is ne shipment for a Verteilhaltepunkt ≧ 6, the Program is loaded from the buffer B1.

In order to increase the throughput of the mission for the United part breakpoint <b>6</b> from the buffer B1 possible time to conveyor belt <b>11</b> can be charged, the transfer of Mission for the Verteilhaltepunkt <b>4</b> from the buffer B10 on the conveyor belt <b>11</b> the highest priority over the at whose broadcasts for Verteilhaltepunkt <b>4</b> in the buffers B. This transfer can be realized since the current Ab cut <b>7</b> of the conveyor belt <b>11</b> still room for mission is from the buffer B10. Therefore, the mission of the United part breakpoint <b>4</b> in buffer B9 not with the program for the same Verteilhaltepunkt under the buffer B7, but with the program combined with the buffer B5. This can ge compared to a non-prioritized variant the consignment for Verteilhaltepunkt <b>6</b> in buffer B1 two steps earlier in the Conveyor belt loading.

Based on the in <b>Fig.</b> 2 table shown is a Sortierab running as explained exemplified in time steps. this meansB2 buffer B for batch capture <b>2</b>A4 Buffer A for batch capture <b>4</b>C7 at the time considered under the buffer B of stack Up <b>7</b> befindlicher section of the Trans port band. The arrow points to the next on the conveyor ribbon to load consignment3; 3; 2 the lowest shipment is for Verteilhalte Point <b>2</b>, Above, there are two programs for the United part breakpoint <b>3</b>3p8 consignment for Verteilhaltepunkt <b>3</b> and priority <b>8th</b>. ie the consignment in B8 must as early as possible be transferred.EC handover condition (eject condition)

The stacking lines - batch capture and associated buffer with the highest priority are shown in bold and obliquely. The Stacking of the consignments the aggregate stack from below upward with increasing Verteilhaltepunktnummer. As from to identify previous versions, the whole stack can be formed as quickly as possible and without errors if pos lichst full information on the composition the stack in the stack record in terms of distributing hold points are present. This means that the number of SpeI cherstufen in the latches should be as large as possible te. Since this in turn increase the machine strong and ver would dear, it is favorable in terms of the number of Memory stages of the latch and the machine throughput rate to compromise. For this reason, the Composition of the batch over a longer period sta statistically evaluated. If due to the statistical Da is th unlikely that certain Stapelzusammensetzun gen occur so can taking into account these assumptions me program for a particular Verteilhaltepunkt on Transport means are loaded, although not is 100 percent certain that not one in a stack Shipment for a previously be deposited Verteilhaltepunkt lies. This variant may be useful if, for example, thereby the throughput by 20% with only 0.5% higher error rate can be increased.

In the formation of the individual stacks for batch record the information regarding the individual Sen expenses associated distribution stops are determined or already present in the formation. If this data is then to transfer the device to form the total stack, z. B. over data networks, the total stack due to the Knowledge of the composition of the individual stacks quickly with little equipment - it is just a stage caching necessary - be formed. So that the individual broadcasts the transmitted Verteilhalte points can be allocated, at least each stack must be provided with an identification code. In the About transmission of data, the stack ID mitübertra gen. Since the order of the program received in the stack remains, an identification of the individual programs is not absolutely necessary, but can be used for an additional Absiche tion carried out. The individual shipment can be effected by a sequential ID number in barcode form or by recognized identified and as a barcode applied distribution information will.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

<b>2</b>

abutment wall

<b>3</b>

lowermost broadcasts

<b>4</b>

gap

<b>5</b>

.

<b>7</b>

.

<b>8th</b>

.

<b>9</b>

shipments

<b>10</b>

stacking containers

<b>11</b>

conveyor belt

<b>12</b>

entrainment

<b>13</b>

Verteilinformationsleser

<b>14</b>

feed

<b>15</b>

.

<b>16</b>

Transport section (storage levels)

<b>31</b>

.

<b>32</b>

.

<b>33</b>

stack