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EP1054741B1 - Installation for sorting flat mail articles - Google Patents

Installation for sorting flat mail articles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1054741B1
EP1054741B1 EP99913072A EP99913072A EP1054741B1 EP 1054741 B1 EP1054741 B1 EP 1054741B1 EP 99913072 A EP99913072 A EP 99913072A EP 99913072 A EP99913072 A EP 99913072A EP 1054741 B1 EP1054741 B1 EP 1054741B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
collecting
container
mail
arrangement
sorting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99913072A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1054741A1 (en
Inventor
Rudolf Schuster
Josef Romeder
Wolfgang Brixius
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
Siemens Corp
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
Siemens Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG, Siemens Corp filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP1054741A1 publication Critical patent/EP1054741A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1054741B1 publication Critical patent/EP1054741B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07CPOSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/008Means for collecting objects, e.g. containers for sorted mail items
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07CPOSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C1/00Measures preceding sorting according to destination
    • B07C1/02Forming articles into a stream; Arranging articles in a stream, e.g. spacing, orientating
    • B07C1/025Devices for the temporary stacking of objects provided with a stacking and destacking device (interstack device)
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00Pile receivers
    • B65H31/22Pile receivers removable or interchangeable

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a sorting system for flat Postage, especially for letters of different sizes and Thickness.
  • Such a device is e.g. by EP-C 0 708 691 known.
  • a sorting device described and illustrated at the endlessly revolving Sorting compartments several sorting lines parallel to each other run through.
  • Collection container for the sorted mail are located in the sorting section output stations.
  • the Sorting bins are provided with movable flaps that controllable opened via the associated collection containers can be, so that the postal matter down in the Can fall out.
  • a sorting system is known from WO 97/36806 A1 become, in which the mail is stacked in collection containers which is automatically moved into the Dispensing stations inserted and again after filling be taken out.
  • the automated Change device eliminates the manual operating effort for the container change in the delivery stations.
  • the Dispensing stations are located on a mobile buffer shelf from which the empty containers are removed by means of the robot and are inserted into the dispensing stations. The robot also removes the full containers from the dispensing stations and put them in the shelves.
  • US 5 503 399 A is another sorting system became known, in which the isolated mail to the Dispensing stations first in fixed collection compartments of the system is stacked. To the side and below these collecting compartments there are simple collection containers into which the Submit the collected postal items to a fan using a pusher becomes. The full collection containers are not closer to removed as described and replaced by empty.
  • the invention has for its object the sorting operations to facilitate and the manual effort in the sorting system to reduce.
  • the system-specific collection container can be in its Design optimal to the sorting, changing and Transport processes in the plant can be adapted without doing so to pay special attention to its external dimensions.
  • the operators' transport containers now do not need any sloping floor more so that the usable volume of such Container raised.
  • the system-specific collection containers are used immediately after emptying, whereby their total number compared to the total number of Transport container remains small.
  • the decanting station enables automatic decanting of the Postal items in the transport containers with the help of specific Aids that are optimally adapted to the transfer conditions can be, so that the postal matter in an orderly manner can be handed over.
  • the gripper according to claim 3 enables simple Design of the collection container. It can be constructive and in his movements are designed so that the mail with little interference in the transport container can be inserted.
  • the collecting container according to claim 4 favors the access of the Grab on the collected mail, with the top open slot-like frankings have access from the outside enable.
  • the bottom of the collecting container can in Cross section e.g. be comb-like, with between web-like elevations are formed in the depressions to whom the postal matter lies. But it is also possible that Floor in the manner of a pincushion to save material to train pin-like elevations.
  • the gripping fingers can so that they can be pushed freely under the mail and this in a packing without internal shifts from the Lift the collection container out and into the transport container deploy.
  • the tines form and the gripper fingers provide a stable frame for the mail item to be lifted. This makes it possible to use the tines and to keep the gripping fingers relatively slim so that the Wells and the channels formed accordingly flat and the corresponding wall thicknesses kept correspondingly small can be.
  • the Handle elements e.g. centrally on the front of the Collection containers are arranged.
  • the bottom of The ejection movement of the mail items on the sorting compartments is optimal customized.
  • the mail now slides against an edge in a defined manner and is held securely in this position.
  • the angle of inclination of the floor can e.g. up to 40 °, which makes the Collection container is correspondingly higher.
  • Figure 1 is a box-like open at the top Collection container 1 on two opposite one another End faces with handle-like handling means 2.
  • a longitudinal side wall 3 has vertical channels 3.
  • the side wall is on the opposite long side provided slot-like frankings 4 open at the top, which they from the top to a bottom 5 of the Extend collecting container 1.
  • the system-specific collection container is in one Dispensing station of a sorting system for letter-like flat items Postage can be used and from there to a decanting station Sorting system transportable.
  • the serve Handling means 2 the container change in and from the Dispensing stations by means of a not shown Changing device.
  • the transfer station shown here in the peripheral area of the System has a movable hand-like gripper 6, with whose help removed the postal matter from the collecting container 1 and in an empty one provided nearby Transport container 7 can be filled.
  • the gripper 6 has 4 foldable gripper fingers on the side of the frankings 8, which through the frankings 4 under the im Collecting container 1 located postal items can be pushed.
  • the gripper 6 is on the opposite side vertical flat tines provided in the Channels 3 of the opposite side wall to the bottom 5 can be pushed in.
  • the powered gripper fingers 8 can move to the lower ends of the tines 9 become and get hooked with these. In this position the Gripper a stable support frame for the one to be lifted out Postgut 10.
  • the gripper 6 can now over the neighboring Transport container 7 are moved and in this to Dip on. After that, the hooking on the ends the gripping finger 8 released; so that this under the burden of overlying postal items 10 when subsequently pulled out the gripper 6 from the transport container 7 down again swivel and release the inserted mail without this gets messy.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Sortieranlage für flaches Postgut, insbesondere für Briefe unterschiedlicher Größe und Dicke.The invention relates to a sorting system for flat Postage, especially for letters of different sizes and Thickness.

Eine derartige Einrichtung ist z.B. durch die EP-C 0 708 691 bekannt geworden. Darin ist eine Sortiereinrichtung beschrieben und dargestellt, bei der endlos umlaufende Sortierfächer mehrere zueinander parallele Sortierstrecken durchlaufen. Sammelbehälter für das sortierte Postgut befinden sich in Ausgabestationen der Sortierstrecken. Die Sortierfächer sind mit beweglichen Klappen versehen, die steuerbar über den zugehörigen Sammelbehältern geöffnet werden können, so daß das Postgut nach unten in den Sammelbehälter herausfallen kann.Such a device is e.g. by EP-C 0 708 691 known. Inside is a sorting device described and illustrated at the endlessly revolving Sorting compartments several sorting lines parallel to each other run through. Collection container for the sorted mail are located in the sorting section output stations. The Sorting bins are provided with movable flaps that controllable opened via the associated collection containers can be, so that the postal matter down in the Can fall out.

Bisher war es üblich, den vollen Behälter manuell auf eine Förderstrecke aufzusetzen und durch einen leeren Behälter zu ersetzen. Die vollen Behälter wurden auf der Förderstrecke zu einer peripheren Abholstation transportiert, von wo aus sie z.B. zu anderen Sortieranlagen des Betreibers versandt wurden. Es ist üblich, derartige Sammelbehälter mit schrägen Böden auszubilden, um den Einwurf des Postguts aus den Sortierfächern zu erleichtern. Die Neigung dieser Böden ist allerdings relativ flach, um das Transportvolumen des Behälters möglichst groß zu halten.So far, it was common to manually put the full container on a Set up conveyor line and through an empty container replace. The full containers were closed on the conveyor line a peripheral pick-up station, from where it is transported e.g. sent to the operator's other sorting systems were. It is common to have such collecting containers with inclined Form floors so that the mail can be thrown out of the To facilitate sorting bins. The slope of these floors is however relatively flat to the transport volume of the To keep the container as large as possible.

Durch die WO 97/36806 A1 ist eine Sortieranlage bekannt geworden, bei der das Postgut in Sammelbehältern gestapelt wird, die mittels eines Roboters automatisch in die Ausgabestationen eingesetzt und nach dem Befüllen wieder herausgenommen werden. Durch die automatisierte Wechseleinrichtung entfällt der manuelle Bedienaufwand für den Behälterwechsel in den Ausgabestationen. Neben den Ausgabestationen befindet sich fahrbares Pufferregal, aus denen mittels des Roboters die leeren Behälter entnommen und in die Ausgabestationen eingesetzt werden. Der Roboter entnimmt ebenso die vollen Behälter aus den Ausgabestationen und setzt sie in die Regalfächer ein.A sorting system is known from WO 97/36806 A1 become, in which the mail is stacked in collection containers which is automatically moved into the Dispensing stations inserted and again after filling be taken out. Through the automated Change device eliminates the manual operating effort for the container change in the delivery stations. In addition to the Dispensing stations are located on a mobile buffer shelf from which the empty containers are removed by means of the robot and are inserted into the dispensing stations. The robot also removes the full containers from the dispensing stations and put them in the shelves.

Ferner ist durch die US 5 503 399 A eine andere Sortieranlage bekannt geworden, bei der das vereinzelte Postgut an den Ausgabestationen zunächst in festen Sammelfächern der Anlage gestapelt wird. Seitlich und unterhalb dieser Sammelfächer befinden sich einfache Sammelbehälter, in die das in den Fächern gesammelte Postgut mittels eines Schiebers übergeben wird. Die vollen Sammelbehälter werden in nicht näher beschriebener Weise entnommen und durch leere ersetzt.Furthermore, through US 5 503 399 A is another sorting system became known, in which the isolated mail to the Dispensing stations first in fixed collection compartments of the system is stacked. To the side and below these collecting compartments there are simple collection containers into which the Submit the collected postal items to a fan using a pusher becomes. The full collection containers are not closer to removed as described and replaced by empty.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, die Sortiervorgänge zu erleichtern und den manuellen Aufwand in der Sortieranlage zu verringern.The invention has for its object the sorting operations to facilitate and the manual effort in the sorting system to reduce.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Erfindung gemäß Anspruch 1 gelöst. Der anlagespezifische Sammelbehälter kann in seiner Ausgestaltung optimal an die Sortier-, Wechsel- und Transportvorgänge in der Anlage angepaßt werden, ohne dabei seine Außenabmessungen besonders achten zu müssen.This object is achieved by the invention according to claim 1 solved. The system-specific collection container can be in its Design optimal to the sorting, changing and Transport processes in the plant can be adapted without doing so to pay special attention to its external dimensions.

Die Transportbehälter der Betreiber benötigen nun keinen schrägen Boden mehr, so daß sich das nutzbare Volumen solcher Behälter erhöht. Die anlagenspezifischen Sammelbehälter werden unmittelbar nach dem Entleeren wieder verwendet, wodurch ihre Gesamtanzahl im Vergleich der Gesamtzahl der Transportbehälter gering bleibt.The operators' transport containers now do not need any sloping floor more so that the usable volume of such Container raised. The system-specific collection containers are used immediately after emptying, whereby their total number compared to the total number of Transport container remains small.

Durch die Anpassung des Behälters an die Betriebsbedingungen der Anlage ist es möglich, daß bei gleicher Aufnahmekapazität seine Außenabmessungen größer sind als die des entsprechenden Transportbehälters. Da der Sammelbehälter jedoch nicht weitertransportiert wird, ergeben sich daraus keine wirtschaftlichen Nachteile.By adapting the container to the operating conditions the system, it is possible that with the same absorption capacity its outer dimensions are larger than that of the corresponding one Transport container. However, since the collection container is not no further results from this economic disadvantages.

Die Umfüllstation ermöglicht das automatische Umfüllen des Postgutes in die Transportbehälter mit Hilfe von spezifischen Hilfsmitteln, die optimal an die Umfüllbedingungen angepaßt werden können, so daß das Postgut in geordneter Weise übergeben werden kann.The decanting station enables automatic decanting of the Postal items in the transport containers with the help of specific Aids that are optimally adapted to the transfer conditions can be, so that the postal matter in an orderly manner can be handed over.

Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind in den Ansprüchen 2 bis 7 gekennzeichnet:Advantageous developments of the invention are in the Claims 2 to 7 marked:

Durch den Sammelbehälter nach Anspruch 2 kann das Umfüllen in die Transportbehälter mit geringem Anlagenaufwand durchgeführt werden.Through the collection container according to claim 2, the decanting in the transport containers with little investment be performed.

Der Greifer nach Anspruch 3 ermöglicht eine einfache Gestaltung des Sammelbehälters. Er kann konstruktiv und in seinen Bewegungsabläufen so gestaltet werden, daß das Postgut mit geringen Störeinflüssen in die Transportbehälter eingelegt werden kann.The gripper according to claim 3 enables simple Design of the collection container. It can be constructive and in his movements are designed so that the mail with little interference in the transport container can be inserted.

Der Sammelbehälter nach Anspruch 4 begünstigt den Zugriff des Greifers auf das gesammelte Postgut, wobei die nach oben offenen schlitzartigen Freimachungen einen Zugriff von außen ermöglichen. Der Boden des Sammelbehälters kann im Querschnitt z.B. kammartig ausgebildet sein, wobei zwischen den Vertiefungen stegartige Erhöhungen ausgebildet sind, auf denen das Postgut aufliegt. Es ist aber auch möglich, den Boden in der Art eines Nadelkissens materialsparend mit stiftartigen Erhöhungen auszubilden. Die Greiffinger können damit ungehindert unter das Postgut geschoben werden und dieses in einem Packen ohne interne Verschiebungen aus dem Sammelbehälter herausheben und in den Transportbehälter einsetzen. The collecting container according to claim 4 favors the access of the Grab on the collected mail, with the top open slot-like frankings have access from the outside enable. The bottom of the collecting container can in Cross section e.g. be comb-like, with between web-like elevations are formed in the depressions to whom the postal matter lies. But it is also possible that Floor in the manner of a pincushion to save material to train pin-like elevations. The gripping fingers can so that they can be pushed freely under the mail and this in a packing without internal shifts from the Lift the collection container out and into the transport container deploy.

Durch die Weiterbildung durch Anspruch 5 bilden die Zinken und die Greiffinger einen stabilen Rahmen für das herauszuhebende Postgut. Dadurch ist es möglich, die Zinken und die Greiffinger relativ schlank zu halten, so daß die Vertiefungen und die Kanäle entsprechend flach ausgebildet und die entsprechenden Wanddicken entsprechend klein gehalten werden können.Through the further development of claim 5, the tines form and the gripper fingers provide a stable frame for the mail item to be lifted. This makes it possible to use the tines and to keep the gripping fingers relatively slim so that the Wells and the channels formed accordingly flat and the corresponding wall thicknesses kept correspondingly small can be.

Durch die Weiterbildung nach Anspruch 6 können die Griffelemente z.B. zentral an den Stirnseiten der Sammelbehälter angeordnet werden.Through the training according to claim 6, the Handle elements e.g. centrally on the front of the Collection containers are arranged.

Durch die Weiterbildung nach Anspruch 7 wird der Boden der Abwurfbewegung des Postgutes auf den Sortierfächern optimal angepaßt. Das Postgut rutscht nun definiert gegen eine Kante und wird in dieser Lage sicher gehalten. Der Neigungswinkel des Bodens kann z.B. bis zu 40° betragen, wodurch der Sammelbehälter entsprechend höher wird.By training according to claim 7, the bottom of The ejection movement of the mail items on the sorting compartments is optimal customized. The mail now slides against an edge in a defined manner and is held securely in this position. The angle of inclination of the floor can e.g. up to 40 °, which makes the Collection container is correspondingly higher.

Im folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand eines in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispieles näher erläutert.

Figur 1
zeigt perspektivisch einen Sammelbehälter, einen Greifer und einen Transportbehälter in einer Umfüllstation,
Figur 2
einen Schnitt durch den Sammelbehälter nach Figur 1 entlang der Linie II/II in Figur 3,
Figur 3
einen Schnitt durch den Sammelbehälter entlang der Linie III/III in Figur 2.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.
Figure 1
shows in perspective a collection container, a gripper and a transport container in a transfer station,
Figure 2
2 shows a section through the collecting container according to FIG. 1 along the line II / II in FIG. 3,
Figure 3
a section through the collection container along the line III / III in Figure 2.

Nach Figur 1 ist ein nach oben offener kastenartiger Sammelbehälter 1 auf zwei einander gegenüberliegenden Stirnseiten mit griffartigen Handhabungsmitteln 2 versehen. Eine längsseitige Seitenwand 3 weist senkrechte Kanäle 3 auf. Auf der gegenüberliegenden Längsseite ist die Seitenwand mit schlitzartigen nach oben offenen Freimachungen 4 versehen, die sie von der Oberseite bis zu einem Boden 5 des Sammelbehälters 1 erstrecken.According to Figure 1 is a box-like open at the top Collection container 1 on two opposite one another End faces with handle-like handling means 2. A longitudinal side wall 3 has vertical channels 3. The side wall is on the opposite long side provided slot-like frankings 4 open at the top, which they from the top to a bottom 5 of the Extend collecting container 1.

Der anlagenspezifische Sammelbehälter ist in eine Ausgabestation einer Sortieranlage für briefartiges flaches Postgut einsetzbar und von dort zu einer Umfüllstation der Sortieranlage transportierbar. Dabei dienen die Handhabungsmittel 2 den Behälterwechsel in und von den Ausgabestationen mittels einer nicht dargestellten Wechseleinrichtung.The system-specific collection container is in one Dispensing station of a sorting system for letter-like flat items Postage can be used and from there to a decanting station Sorting system transportable. The serve Handling means 2 the container change in and from the Dispensing stations by means of a not shown Changing device.

Die hier dargestellte Umfüllstation im peripheren Bereich der Anlage weist einen bewegbaren handartigen Greifer 6 auf, mit dessen Hilfe das Postgut aus dem Sammelbehälter 1 entnommen und in einen in der Nähe bereitgestellten leeren Transportbehälter 7 eingefüllt werden kann. Der Greifer 6 weist auf der Seite der Freimachungen 4 klappbare Greiffinger 8 auf, die durch die Freimachungen 4 hindurch unter das im Sammelbehälter 1 befindliche Postgut geschoben werden können. Auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite ist der Greifer 6 mit senkrecht stehenden flachen Zinken versehen, die in die Kanäle 3 der gegenüberliegenden Seitenwand bis zum Boden 5 hineingeschoben werden können. Die angetriebenen Greiffinger 8 können bis zu den unteren Enden der Zinken 9 verfahren werden und mit diesen verhaken. In dieser Stellung bildet der Greifer einen stabilen Tragrahmen für das herauszuhebende Postgut 10.The transfer station shown here in the peripheral area of the System has a movable hand-like gripper 6, with whose help removed the postal matter from the collecting container 1 and in an empty one provided nearby Transport container 7 can be filled. The gripper 6 has 4 foldable gripper fingers on the side of the frankings 8, which through the frankings 4 under the im Collecting container 1 located postal items can be pushed. The gripper 6 is on the opposite side vertical flat tines provided in the Channels 3 of the opposite side wall to the bottom 5 can be pushed in. The powered gripper fingers 8 can move to the lower ends of the tines 9 become and get hooked with these. In this position the Gripper a stable support frame for the one to be lifted out Postgut 10.

Der Greifer 6 kann nun über den benachbarten Transportbehälter 7 verfahren werden und in diesen bis zum Aufsetzen eintauchen. Danach wird die Verhakung an den Enden der Greiffinger 8 gelöst; so daß diese unter der Last des aufliegenden Postgutes 10 beim anschließenden Herausziehen des Greifers 6 aus dem Transportbehälter 7 wieder nach unten schwenken und das einliegende Postgut freigeben, ohne daß dieses in Unordnung gerät. The gripper 6 can now over the neighboring Transport container 7 are moved and in this to Dip on. After that, the hooking on the ends the gripping finger 8 released; so that this under the burden of overlying postal items 10 when subsequently pulled out the gripper 6 from the transport container 7 down again swivel and release the inserted mail without this gets messy.

In den Figuren 2 und 3 ist dargestellt, daß der Boden 5 von den Kanälen 3 aus bis zu den gegenüberliegenden Freimachungen 4 stark ansteigend geneigt ist. Sich in dieser Richtung erstreckende rinnenartige Vertiefungen 11 des Bodens 5 ergeben kammartige Erhöhungen, auf denen das Postgut aufliegen kann. Die Vertiefungen sind derart bemessen, daß die Greiffinger 8 unter dem Postgut hindurch bis zu den Kanälen 3 geschoben werden können, wo sie sich mit den Enden der Zinken 9 verhaken.In Figures 2 and 3 it is shown that the bottom 5 of the channels 3 from up to the opposite frankings 4 is inclined steeply increasing. Yourself in that direction extending groove-like depressions 11 of the base 5 result in comb-like increases on which the postal matter can rest. The depressions are dimensioned such that the gripper fingers 8 under the postal item through to the Channels 3 can be pushed where they end up hook the prongs 9.

Claims (7)

  1. Sorting installation with collecting containers (1) for separated flat items of mail (10),
    it being possible for the installation-specific collecting containers (1) to be inserted into delivery stations, and removed from there, by at least one automated changeover arrangement,
    the collecting containers (1) being provided with handling means (2) for the changeover arrangement and with auxiliary means for removing the items of mail,
    it being possible for the collecting containers to be transported to a peripheral arrangement (e.g. 6) of the sorting installation, and
    the sorting installation having a mechanized arrangement for emptying the collecting containers,
    characterized in that the filled collecting containers (1) can be positioned on a transporting section of the installation by means of the changeover arrangement and can be transported on said section to the peripheral arrangement, and
    in that the arrangement for emptying the collecting containers is assigned to the peripheral arrangement of the sorting installation and is designed as part of the transfer station in which the items of mail (10) can be removed from the collecting containers (1) and introduced into straightforward transporting containers (7).
  2. Sorting installation according to Claim 1,
    characterized in that the relatively high collecting container is smaller, in terms of its lateral dimensions, than the transporting container (7) and has a swing-action lockable base (5) which forms the auxiliary arrangement for removing the items of mail,
    in that the collecting container can be inserted into the transporting container (7) in the transfer station,
    in that the base (5) can be unlocked in the inserted position, and
    in that the collecting container can be lifted out of the transporting container (7) once the base (5) has been unlocked.
  3. Sorting installation according to Claim 1,
    characterized in that the transfer station has at least one hand-like gripper (6), which lifts all the items of mail (10) completely out of the collecting container (1) in the form of a stack and inserts them into the transporting container (7).
  4. Sorting installation according to Claim 3,
    characterized in that the box-like collecting container (1) is provided, in at least one of its side walls, with essentially vertically running slot-like clearances (4) for gripping fingers (8) of the gripper (6), and in that a base (5) of the collecting container (1) has depressions (11), extending in the gripping direction, for the gripping fingers, and
    in that the depressions (11) and the clearances (4) form the auxiliary arrangement.
  5. Sorting installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripper (6) has vertically downwardly projecting tines (9) and pivotably mounted gripping fingers (8), which can be pushed through the clearances (4) into the depressions (11) of the base (5),
    in that the side wall located opposite the slot-like clearances (4) is provided with vertically oriented groove-like channels (3) which are open in the direction of the items of mail (10) and into which the tines (9) can be pushed past the collected items of mail (10), and
    in that the ends of the gripping fingers (8) can be connected releasably, in particular hooked, to the ends of the tines (9).
  6. Sorting installation according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the handling means (2) for the changeover arrangement, said handling means being designed, in particular, as gripping elements, are formed on the transverse side walls of the collecting container (1) other than those affected by the transfer measures.
  7. Sorting installation according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sorting installation is provided with circulating sorting compartments from which the individual items of mail (10) can drop downwards into the collecting containers (1) at the associated delivery stations, and
    in that the collecting container (1) has an obliquely located base (5) which is inclined such that it slopes up at an angle of at least 15° in the drive direction of the sorting containers.
EP99913072A 1998-02-17 1999-02-16 Installation for sorting flat mail articles Expired - Lifetime EP1054741B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19806587 1998-02-17
DE19806587 1998-02-17
PCT/DE1999/000416 WO1999042225A1 (en) 1998-02-17 1999-02-16 Installation for sorting flat mail articles

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1054741A1 EP1054741A1 (en) 2000-11-29
EP1054741B1 true EP1054741B1 (en) 2002-05-02

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ID=7858044

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99913072A Expired - Lifetime EP1054741B1 (en) 1998-02-17 1999-02-16 Installation for sorting flat mail articles

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US6575306B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1054741B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1291120A (en)
DE (1) DE59901345D1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999042225A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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DE102006031120B3 (en) * 2006-07-05 2008-03-06 Siemens Ag mail containers
DE102007034947A1 (en) * 2007-07-26 2009-01-29 Siemens Ag Device for unloading a stack of flat objects

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10305847B3 (en) * 2003-02-12 2004-08-19 Siemens Ag Sorting device for mail has individual mail items loaded in storage pockets of circulated temporary store before transfer to open mail containers dependent on their destination addresses
US20060000752A1 (en) * 2003-03-28 2006-01-05 Northrop Grumman Corporation Stack correction system and method
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EP1054741A1 (en) 2000-11-29
CN1291120A (en) 2001-04-11
WO1999042225A1 (en) 1999-08-26
DE59901345D1 (en) 2002-06-06
US6575306B1 (en) 2003-06-10

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