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WO2002068305A1 - Empileur - Google Patents

Empileur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002068305A1
WO2002068305A1 PCT/US2002/006128 US0206128W WO02068305A1 WO 2002068305 A1 WO2002068305 A1 WO 2002068305A1 US 0206128 W US0206128 W US 0206128W WO 02068305 A1 WO02068305 A1 WO 02068305A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
belt
mailpieces
orientation
moving
stacking apparatus
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2002/006128
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas Gasser
Dan Ancliffe
Mitch Heeney
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.)
Hasler Inc
Original Assignee
Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Inc
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 Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Inc filed Critical Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Inc
Priority to EP02715013A priority Critical patent/EP1429985A4/fr
Publication of WO2002068305A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002068305A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/04—Endless-belt separators
    • B65H3/042—Endless-belt separators separating from the bottom of the pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16535—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions
    • B41J2/16544—Constructions for the positioning of wipers
    • B41J2/16547—Constructions for the positioning of wipers the wipers and caps or spittoons being on the same movable support
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
    • B65H1/08—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/16—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by contact of one face only with moving tapes, bands, or chains
    • B65H29/18—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by contact of one face only with moving tapes, bands, or chains and introducing into a pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/04—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates
    • B65H31/06—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled on edge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/10—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers by matrix printers
    • G06K15/102—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers by matrix printers using ink jet print heads
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/30—Orientation, displacement, position of the handled material
    • B65H2301/32—Orientation of handled material
    • B65H2301/321—Standing on edge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
    • B65H2301/4214—Forming a pile of articles on edge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
    • B65H2301/4214—Forming a pile of articles on edge
    • B65H2301/42144—Forming a pile of articles on edge by erecting articles from horizontal transport flushing with the supporting surface of the pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
    • B65H2405/30—Other features of supports for sheets
    • B65H2405/35—Means for moving support
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B65H2511/13—Thickness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/50—Occurence
    • B65H2511/51—Presence
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
    • B65H2513/40—Movement
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2555/00—Actuating means
    • B65H2555/10—Actuating means linear
    • B65H2555/13—Actuating means linear magnetic, e.g. induction motors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
    • B65H2601/30—Facilitating or easing
    • B65H2601/32—Facilitating or easing entities relating to handling machine
    • B65H2601/321—Access
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
    • B65H2701/1916—Envelopes and articles of mail
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/00024—Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/00024—Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
    • G07B2017/00048—Software architecture
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/00024—Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
    • G07B2017/00048—Software architecture
    • G07B2017/00056—Client-server
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00137—In a LAN
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00145—Communication details outside or between apparatus via the Internet
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00177—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a portable device, e.g. a card or a PCMCIA
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00241—Modular design
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00258—Electronic hardware aspects, e.g. type of circuits used
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00266—Man-machine interface on the apparatus
    • G07B2017/00274—Mechanical, e.g. keyboard
    • G07B2017/00282—Touch screen
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00266—Man-machine interface on the apparatus
    • G07B2017/00274—Mechanical, e.g. keyboard
    • G07B2017/0029—Soft buttons; buttons that can change function
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00314—Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
    • G07B2017/00322—Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/00427—Special accounting procedures, e.g. storing special information
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00491—Mail/envelope/insert handling system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00669—Sensing the position of mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00677—Keeping track of mailpieces inside apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00935—Passwords

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus that is used for stacking sheets-like material, and more particularly, to an apparatus having particular use for stacking sheetlike material such as mailpieces e.g., envelopes, which apparatus can be used along with a postage meter (franking machine) in a mailing system for stacking the envelopes processed through the postage meter.
  • a postage meter franking machine
  • This conveyor moves the mail pieces along a feed path to a stacking location, at the end of which there is an upwardly angled wall which forms a ramp against which the mail pieces are stacked by the conveyor belt.
  • a relatively large pressure wheel is pivotally mounted over the conveyor belt at a point along the feed path which permits mail pieces ejected from a mailing machine or mail processing or handling machine to fall on the conveyor belt before passing under the pressure wheel, which rests on mail pieces with sufficient pressure to cause them to maintain effective feeding contact with the conveyor belt.
  • Still another problem generally encountered with many stacking machines used with mail processing equipment is that they do not stack thick mail pieces as effectively as they stack thin mail pieces because the greater stiffness of thick mail pieces makes it harder to urge these mail pieces under the pressure wheel and to push them up a ramp.
  • an apparatus for stacking a stream of moving sheet-like material comprising: a first moving belt positioned at a first level, the first belt adapted to receive sheet material lying in a first orientation and position the sheets downstream of the first belt in an overlapped condition; a second moving belt positioned at a level lower than the first belt and positioned whereby the sheets travel from an end position of the first belt down a step to the second belt; a first sensor positioned to sense break members in relation to the total thickness of the sheets on the first belt thereby causing an incremental movement of the first belt; a second sensor positioned in contiguous relation to the step and adapted to sense the sheet-like material as the sheets drop down the step to a second orientation thereby incrementally moving the sheet-like material according to the increasing number of sheets on the second belt as they are stacked thereon in the second orientation; and a movable back stop member adapted to be secured to the second belt, and further adapted to help support and stack
  • the stacking apparatus includes a first moving belt positioned at a first level, the first belt adapted to receive mailpieces lying in a first orientation and position the mailpieces downstream of the first belt; a second moving belt positioned at a level lower than the first belt and positioned whereby the mail travels from an end position of the first belt down a step to the second belt; a first sensor positioned to sense break members in relation to the total thickness of the mailpieces on the first belt thereby causing an incremental movement of the first relation belt; a second sensor positioned in contiguous relation to the step and adapted to sense the • mailpieces as the mailpieces drop down the step to a second orientation thereby incrementally moving the mailpieces according to the increasing number of mailpieces on the second belt as the mailpieces are stacked thereon in the
  • Still a further embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for stacking a stream of mailpieces within a mailing machine comprising the steps of positioning in a first orientation a plurality of mailpieces in an overlapped condition on a first moving belt; positioning on a second moving belt in a second orientation a plurality of mailpieces from the first moving belt, the second belt being positioned at a lower level than the first belt; stacking the mailpieces in the second orientation on the second belt while supporting the stack of mailpieces on the second belt in the second orientation; and controlling the movement of the second belt in relation to the thickness of the stack of mailpieces on the second belt.
  • Still a further embodiment of the present invention relates to a modular mailing system including a module for stacking a stream of moving mailpieces.
  • the stacking module includes the above-described features for a stacking apparatus as described hereinabove.
  • FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a stacking apparatus in accordance with the features of the present invention along with an apparatus which feeds sheet-like material to the stacker;
  • FIG. 2 is a side plan view of a portion of the stacking apparatus in accordance with the features of the present invention particularly illustrating the overlapping feeding arrangement of the sheets-like material;
  • FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a portion of the stacker apparatus in accordance with the features of the present invention particularly illustrating how the sheet's are supported by a support member on a second belt and how the orientation of the sheet members change from a first (primarily horizontal) orientation to a second (primarily vertical) orientation; and
  • FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the entire stacker apparatus in accordance with the features of the invention illustrating the positioning of the various motors and sensors used in conjunction with the stacking apparatus.
  • the stacker apparatus in accordance with the features of the present invention can be used for stacking any type of sheets-like material, such as for example, sheets of paper, sheets of thin plastic etc. which are being fed through some sort of sheet conveying system.
  • sheets of paper sheets of thin plastic etc. which are being fed through some sort of sheet conveying system.
  • this application shall describe a stacker apparatus that is used for stacking paper sheets in the form of mailpieces
  • the stacking apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention is comprised of two different levels of belt-type conveyors, i.e. a first belt conveyor 11 called the “landing belt” and a second belt type conveyor 12 called the “stacking belt", the second belt or stacking belt being positioned lower than the first belt conveyor 11.
  • a first belt conveyor 11 called the "landing belt”
  • a second belt type conveyor 12 called the "stacking belt”
  • the second belt or stacking belt being positioned lower than the first belt conveyor 11.
  • the end portion 13 of the first belt conveyor is in contiguous relation and slightly overlaps the beginning portion 14 of the second or "landing" belt 12.
  • mailpieces e.g. envelopes
  • first belt member 11 in a first orientation, or basically in a horizontal position.
  • envelopes 16 are fed seriatim from a mailing machine system 15 (see Fig. 1), and are positioned on belt 11 in an overlapped arrangement due to the interaction of break member 17 on the horizontally orientated envelopes.
  • the envelopes 16 are received on belt 11 from a mailing machine system 15.
  • Mailing machine system 15 could be, for example, a modular mailing system, and the envelopes could be directly received on belt 11 from a mailing machine module where the envelope has been processed by a moistener and sealed, and is now ready to be stacked for further processing.
  • the envelopes are received from mailing machine system 15 and placed in an overlap position on the first conveyor belt 11 (see Figs. 1 and 2) .
  • the mailing machine system 15 feeds the envelopes 16 out onto the belt conveyor machine 11 at a relatively fast pace in sequential, serial fashion, i.e. in seriatim so that the envelopes are oriented in a substantially horizontal position on belt 11.
  • Mailing machine system 15 does not feed envelopes 16 in an overlapped condition but this occurs due to break member 17 and the speed of belt 11.
  • the primary purpose of the first belt conveyor 11 and brake member 17 is to slow down the speed of the traveling envelopes 16 and place the envelopes in an overlapped arrangement, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1-3.
  • First belt conveyor 11 is positioned below the conveyor (not shown) within mailing machine system 15.
  • Brake member 17 is positioned over first conveyor belt 11 as clearly shown in Fig. 2.
  • Brake member 17 is preferably formed of a plurality of stiff spring loaded finger members with a roller at the end laying on belt 11 (e.g. plastic fingers) that function to stop the movement of envelopes 16 and position the envelopes so that they lie in an overlapped arrangement on belt 11 as shown in Fig. 2.
  • First conveyor belt 11 moves in an incremental fashion to accomplish the overlapped arrangement of the envelopes on belt 11.
  • brake member 17 is first hit by the fast moving envelope 16 as it exits the mailing machine system 15 and the leading edge of each envelope drops down on conveyor belt 11 in a substantially horizontal position.
  • a signal is sent from the mailing machine system 15 (e.g. from a feeder module in a modular mailing system) to the drive system for belt 11 as each envelope 16 is forwarded to belt 11.
  • the drive system for belt 11 receives such a signal it moves one increment ahead.
  • This type of incremental movement by belt 11 produces the overlapped arrangement for a series of envelopes 16.
  • Brake member 17 is preferably made of stiff plastic fingers with a roller on their end laying on belt 11 and is formed of, for example, three stiff plastic finger elements in the same row.
  • the end 18 of the brake member 17 have a roller to them as illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the bottom portion of break member 17 is laying on the first belt conveyor 11.
  • the brake member 17 also includes a limit switch as specifically illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • the function of the limit switch is to detect when the thickness of the envelope is very large. When this occurs the limit switch sends a signal to the first conveyor belt 11 to increase the speed of belt 11 and get the thick envelopes out of the brake area quickly. This is done to prevent the mailing machine system 15, which is in the process of continuously feeding envelopes 16 onto first conveyor 11, from being jammed up.
  • the first conveyor belt 11 should always have the envelopes placed thereon in an overlapped fashion prior to the envelopes being transferred to the second belt 12.
  • the brake member 17 can be switched to a 90-degree orientation assuming that the conveyor's orientation relative to the mailing machine system is switched 90 degrees.
  • the screws that hold the brake in the frame must be undone and the brake physically attached at a 90- degree orientation.
  • a control mechanism for the overall control of the overlapped stack of envelopes being carried by the first conveyor 11 to a backstop support member 20 located on and secured to the second conveyor belt 12 (see Fig. 3) .
  • a backstop support member 20 located on and secured to the second conveyor belt 12 (see Fig. 3) .
  • the stack of envelopes 16 against the backstop 20 gets thicker and smaller wheel 21 against the stack of envelopes (see Fig. 4) moves clockwise, and furthermore when the back stop 20 gets to a certain position, signals are conveyed to the second conveyor belt 12 to move incrementally.
  • Fig. 4 also shows the location of various sensors and motor control sensors that are used in the system.
  • the larger wheel 22 keeps track of very thick envelopes being carried by the first conveyor belt 11 and with its sensor can instruct the second conveyor belt 12 to move incrementally for the thicker envelopes.
  • a trip sensor 33 which is built in above the step between belts 11 and 12, detects envelopes as they drop. Sensors 33 causes stepper motor 34 to turn on and incrementally move the stack of now vertically positioned envelopes 16 away from the step area until the sensor is not longer triggered and the movement of belt 12 stops. Movement of belt 12 causes movement of back plate 20 since back plate 20 is secured to belt 12. There is approximately a 50 m.m step down distance from the first conveyor belt 11 to the second conveyor belt 12. The step (drop) from the first conveyor 11 to the second conveyor 12 can be as small as possible so long as the bottom portions 16A of envelope 16 keep together against back stop 20. As illustrated in Fig.
  • envelopes 16 enter the mail stream from a mailing system designated by arrow 29.
  • the envelopes could be directly from a postage meter, a feeding device or an addressing system.
  • the envelops are positioned substantially horizontally and move long until they turn towards a substantially vertical position and drop on to the second conveyor belt 12.
  • Conveyor belt 11 advances each time an envelope 16 arrives from the mail stream.
  • the distance of a the advance depends upon the envelope length, (the envelope length information generally comes from a Feeder device) and the thickness of the arriving envelope.
  • back plate 20 is in a secure locked position onto conveyor belt 12, it has the option of being able to be moved by hand to reset the position of the back plate.
  • a 0% sensor indication that no envelopes are being supported on conveyor belt 12
  • a 75% full sensor indicating that 75% of conveyor belt is being used, i.e. stacked with envelopes
  • a 95% full sensor indicating that 95% of conveyor belt 12 is being used i.e. stacked with envelopes
  • the 75% and 95% full sensors (31 and 32) are movable according to user needs.
  • the sensors employed in the system described herein can be optical, mechanical or electrical sensors.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)
  • Delivering By Means Of Belts And Rollers (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

Cet appareil, qui est destiné à empiler un flux d'objets postaux (16), comprend un premier convoyeur à bande (11), un second convoyeur à bande (12), un premier détecteur, (17), un second détecteur (30) et une butée de renvoi (20). L'orientation des objets postaux (16) sur le second convoyeur à bande (12) et différent de celle prévalant sur le premier convoyeur à bande (11).
PCT/US2002/006128 2001-02-23 2002-02-22 Empileur Ceased WO2002068305A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02715013A EP1429985A4 (fr) 2001-02-23 2002-02-22 Dispositif d'empilage

Applications Claiming Priority (16)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US27079601P 2001-02-23 2001-02-23
US60/270,796 2001-02-23
US27793101P 2001-03-22 2001-03-22
US27780601P 2001-03-22 2001-03-22
US27787301P 2001-03-22 2001-03-22
US27784101P 2001-03-22 2001-03-22
US27794601P 2001-03-22 2001-03-22
US60/277,873 2001-03-22
US60/277,806 2001-03-22
US60/277,931 2001-03-22
US60/277,946 2001-03-22
US60/277,841 2001-03-22
US33889201P 2001-11-05 2001-11-05
US60/338,892 2001-11-05
US10/081,277 US20020140162A1 (en) 2001-02-23 2002-02-21 Stacker
US10/081,277 2002-02-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002068305A1 true WO2002068305A1 (fr) 2002-09-06

Family

ID=27574585

Family Applications (1)

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PCT/US2002/006128 Ceased WO2002068305A1 (fr) 2001-02-23 2002-02-22 Empileur

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20020140162A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1429985A4 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002068305A1 (fr)

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US6776406B2 (en) * 2001-02-23 2004-08-17 Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc. Feeder and separator for separating and moving sheets from a stack of sheets
US6749194B2 (en) * 2001-12-05 2004-06-15 Lockheed Martin Corporation Drop pocket stack height and object count monitoring system and method
US20050017438A1 (en) * 2003-06-30 2005-01-27 Pitney Bowes Incorporated Apparatus and method for accumulating sheets
ITMI20061240A1 (it) * 2006-06-27 2007-12-28 Pierangelo Ranza Macchina singolarizzatrice per oggetti piatti e buste in carta o plastica,di diversa tipologia e dimensione.
EP2072433A1 (fr) * 2007-12-21 2009-06-24 Postmark Inc. Appareil pour le traitement de piles de feuilles
JP4492711B2 (ja) * 2008-02-13 2010-06-30 コニカミノルタビジネステクノロジーズ株式会社 用紙排出装置、後処理装置及び画像形成装置
US8181768B2 (en) * 2009-02-03 2012-05-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailpiece inserter adapted for one-sided operation (OSO) and input conveyor module therefor
JP5149228B2 (ja) * 2009-03-27 2013-02-20 デュプロ精工株式会社 スタッカ装置
FR2951847B1 (fr) 2009-10-28 2011-12-09 Neopost Technologies Dispositif de selection d'articles de courrier a doigts multiples pivotants.
US10957445B2 (en) 2017-10-05 2021-03-23 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Caregiver and staff information system
CN120534587B (zh) * 2025-05-29 2025-12-02 东莞市长发智能包装科技有限公司 卡牌厚度检测方法、卡牌厚度检测装置及自动包装产线

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US5186452A (en) * 1991-12-05 1993-02-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. Power stacking apparatus
US5201504A (en) * 1988-08-26 1993-04-13 Bell & Howell Company On-edge stacker
US5996992A (en) * 1995-05-05 1999-12-07 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Transfer device

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US3700232A (en) * 1971-03-25 1972-10-24 Eastman Kodak Co Sheet stacking apparatus

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US5996992A (en) * 1995-05-05 1999-12-07 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Transfer device

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Title
See also references of EP1429985A4 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1429985A1 (fr) 2004-06-23
US20020140162A1 (en) 2002-10-03
EP1429985A4 (fr) 2004-11-03

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