EP1087846B1

EP1087846B1 - Method and device for transferring flat mail items

Info

Publication number: EP1087846B1
Application number: EP99938194A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Walter Rosenbaum; Armin Zimmerman
Original assignee: Siemens AG; Siemens Corp
Current assignee: Siemens AG; Siemens Corp
Priority date: 1998-06-19
Filing date: 1999-06-14
Publication date: 2002-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-14
Also published as: WO1999067031A3; WO1999067031A2; DE19827456C2; DE19827456A1; EP1087846A2; DE59901073D1

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein Verfahren und eine Einrichtung zum Umladen von mit den Flachseiten aufeinandergestapelten flachen Sendungen aus einem ersten kastenförmigen Behälter in einen zweiten, oben offenen kastenförmigen Behälter.The invention relates to a method and a device for reloading stacked with the flat sides flat shipments from a first box-shaped Container into a second box-shaped container open at the top.

In Sendungssortieranlagen, z.B. für Großbriefe, werden die Sendungen häufig in kastenförmige Behälter liegend sortiert. Bei weiteren folgenden Verteilprozessen werden aber die Sendungen oft in Behältern stehend benötigt, um z.B. unkompliziert Sendungen oder Trennkarten manuell hinzuzufügen. Dieses Umladen erfolgte bisher rein manuell.In shipment sorting systems, e.g. for large letters, they will Consignments often sorted in box-shaped containers. In the subsequent distribution processes, however, the shipments often required standing in containers, e.g. uncomplicated Add shipments or separation cards manually. This So far, reloading has been done manually.

Der in den unabhängigen Ansprüchen 1 und 5 angegebenen Erfindung liegt deshalb die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren und eine Einrichtung zu schaffen, mit denen die mit den Flachseiten aufeinandergestapelten flachen Sendungen aus einem ersten kastenförmigen Behälter in einen zweiten oben offenen kastenförmigen Behälter in eine stehende Position umgeladen werden.The invention specified in independent claims 1 and 5 is therefore the task of a procedure and to create a facility with which those with the flat sides stacked flat items from a first box-shaped container in a second box-shaped open top Containers can be reloaded into a standing position.

Der erste Behälter ist seitlich zu öffnen und so gestaltet, daß er mit der zum Boden des zweiten Behälters gerichteten zu öffnenden Seite mindestens teilweise in den zweiten Behälter paßt. Der gefüllte erste Behälter wird mittels entsprechender Vorrichtungen so verfahren, daß er am Ende der Bewegung mit der zu öffnenden Seite in Richtung Boden des zweiten Behälters gerichtet in diesem steckt. The first container can be opened from the side and designed so that he is facing the bottom of the second container opening side at least partially in the second container fits. The filled first container is by means of appropriate Move devices so that at the end of the movement with the side to be opened towards the bottom of the second container directed into this.

Dabei wird während der Bewegung der Sendungsstapel so gesichert bzw. der erste Behälter so lageorientiert bewegt, daß die Sendungen im ersten Behälter verbleiben.In this way, the batch of mail items is secured during the movement or the first container is moved so that it is oriented the shipments remain in the first container.

Befinden sich die Sendungen in einer stehenden Position, wird die Seitenwand des ersten Behälters geöffnet, die Sendungen rutschen auf den Boden des ersten Behälters und der erste Behälter wird aus dem zweiten Behälter wieder entfernt.If the shipments are in a standing position, the side wall of the first container opened, the shipments slide to the bottom of the first container and the first container is removed from the second container.

Weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen sind in den Unteransprüchen dargestellt.Further advantageous embodiments are in the subclaims shown.

Nach den Ansprüchen 2 und 3 wird nur mit dem ersten Behälter eine Schwenkbewegung um 90° ausgeführt. Da gemäß Anspruch 2 der erste Behälter oben offen ist, muß während der Schwenkbewegung diese Öffnung verschlossen werden, damit die Sendungen im Behälter verbleiben. Entsprechend Anspruch 3 werden die Sendungen nur durch die seitliche Öffnung im Behälter be- und entladen, so daß ein zusätzlicher Verschlußmechanismus nicht notwendig ist.According to claims 2 and 3, only with the first container a pivoting movement of 90 ° is carried out. Since according to claim 2 the first container is open at the top, must be during the swiveling movement this opening will be closed to allow the shipments remain in the container. According to claim 3, the Shipments only through the side opening in the container and unloaded so that an additional locking mechanism does not necessary is.

Nach dem Anspruch 4 ist der erste Behälter ebenfalls oben offen, ein zusätzliches Verschließen während der Schwenkbewegung erfolgt aber nicht. Um ein ungewolltes Herausfallen der Sendungen aus dem ersten Behälter zu vermeiden, wird zuerst der leere zweite Behälter zum ersten Behälter um ca. 90° geschwenkt und seitlich über den ersten Behälter gestülpt. Die zu öffnende Seite des ersten Behälters ist dabei zum Boden des zweiten Behälters gerichtet. Anschließend werden beide Behälter gemeinsam in die Ausgangsstellung des zweiten Behälters geschwenkt, so daß ein Herausfallen der Sendungen aus dem ersten Behälter verhindert wird. Nach Öffnen der Seitenklappe rutschen die Sendungen in stehender Position in den zweiten Behälter. Danach wird der erste Behälter zurückgeschwenkt und die seitliche Öffnung wird wieder geschlossen.
Die weiteren Unteransprüche 6 bis 8 kennzeichnen entsprechende, die geschilderten Abläufe realisierende Einrichtungen zum Umladen.According to claim 4, the first container is also open at the top, but there is no additional closing during the pivoting movement. In order to prevent the mail items from accidentally falling out of the first container, the empty second container is first pivoted to the first container by approximately 90 ° and placed over the side of the first container. The side of the first container to be opened is directed towards the bottom of the second container. The two containers are then pivoted together into the starting position of the second container, so that the mail items are prevented from falling out of the first container. After opening the side flap, the items slide into the second container in a standing position. Then the first container is swung back and the side opening is closed again.
The further subclaims 6 to 8 identify corresponding devices for reloading which implement the processes described.

Gemäß der Ausgestaltung nach Anspruch 9 werden die gefüllten zweiten Behälter mittels einer dritten Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung in eine Entladeposition und im leeren Zustand wieder zurück in die zweite Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung bzw. in die Haltevorrichtung geschwenkt.
Damit das gemeinsame Schwenken der ersten und zweiten Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtungen sicher und unkompliziert durchgeführt werden kann, weisen diese gemäß Anspruch 10 Verriegelungsmittel auf.According to the embodiment according to claim 9, the filled second containers are pivoted by means of a third holding and swiveling device into an unloading position and in the empty state back into the second holding and swiveling device or into the holding device.
So that the joint pivoting of the first and second holding and pivoting devices can be carried out safely and easily, they have locking means according to claim 10.

In einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung gemäß Anspruch 11 werden die Behälter in den Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtungen so schräg gelagert, daß die Sendungsstapel stets zu einer Ekke hin ausgerichtet werden.In a further advantageous embodiment according to claim 11 the containers in the holding and pivoting devices stored so inclined that the batch of mail always to an Ekke to be aligned.

Im folgenden wird die Erfindung in Ausführungsbeispielen anhand der Zeichnungen näher erläutert.
Dabei zeigen

FIG 1 bis 7: aufeinanderfolgende Phasen des automatischen Umladeprozesses mit oben offenen ersten Behälter und Schwenkbewegungen beider Behälter
FIG 8 bis 10: aufeinanderfolgende Phasen des automatischen Umladeprozesses mit oben offenen ersten Behälter und Schwenkbewegungen nur des ersten Behälters

The invention is explained in more detail below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.
Show

1 to 7: successive phases of the automatic reloading process with the first container open at the top and swiveling movements of both containers
8 to 10: successive phases of the automatic reloading process with the first container open at the top and swiveling movements of only the first container

In der Ausgangssituation gemäß FIG 1 ist ein in einer ersten Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung 7 befindlicher erster oben offener kastenförmiger Behälter 1 mit liegenden Sendungen gefüllt. Weiterhin ist eine zweite Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung 4 zur Aufnahme eines zweiten oben offenen kastenförmigen Behälters 2 vorhanden, wobei beide Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtungen 4,7 eine gemeinsame Drehachse aufweisen.In the initial situation according to FIG. 1, there is a first Holding and pivoting device 7 located first open at the top box-shaped container 1 filled with lying items. Furthermore, a second holding and swiveling device 4 for receiving a second box-shaped open at the top Container 2 available, both holding and pivoting devices 4.7 have a common axis of rotation.

Der zweite, oben offene, noch leere Behälter 2 befindet sich gemäß FIG 1 in einer dritten Schwenk- und Haltevorrichtung, bestehend aus einer Behälteraufnahme 5 und einer schwenkbaren Stange 3, beide über ein Gelenk 6 lösbar miteinander verbunden in solcher Lage, daß er bequem entladen werden kann.The second, still open, empty container 2 is located 1 in a third pivoting and holding device, consisting of a container holder 5 and a swivel Rod 3, both releasably connected to one another via a joint 6 in such a position that it can be easily unloaded.

Wie außerdem erkennbar, sind die Behälter 1,2 schräg gelagert, damit die Sendungsstapel ausgerichtet werden. Der Pfeil an der Stange 3 deutet an, daß in der ersten Phase der leere zweite Behälter 2 so im Kreisbogen geschwenkt wird, daß die Behälteraufnahme 5 mit dem Behälter 2 in der zweiten Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung 4 verriegelt wird, wie in der FIG 2 dargestellt. Gleichzeitig wird die Verbindung der Behälteraufnahme 5 mit dem Gelenk 6 gelöst. Anschließend wird die zweite Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung 4 mit dem Behälter 2 so nach rechts geschwenkt, daß der erste Behälter 1 in den zweiten Behälter 2 hineinragt, d.h. der zweite Behälter 2 wird über den ersten Behälter 1 gestülpt. Dabei ist die linke, zu öffnende Seite des ersten Behälters 1 zum Boden des zweiten Behälters 2 gerichtet. Weiterhin sind die beiden Behälter 1,2 so dimensioniert und die Schwenkbewegungen werden so ausgeführt, daß die Behälter 1,2 nicht miteinander kollidieren (FIG 3).As can also be seen, the containers 1, 2 are slanted, so that the batches of items are aligned. The arrow on the rod 3 indicates that in the first phase the empty second container 2 is pivoted in an arc so that the Container receptacle 5 with the container 2 in the second holding and swivel device 4 is locked, as in FIG. 2 shown. At the same time, the connection of the container holder 5 solved with the joint 6. Then the second holding and pivoting device 4 with the container 2 so pivoted to the right that the first container 1 in the second Container 2 protrudes, i.e. the second container 2 will slipped over the first container 1. The left one is too opening side of the first container 1 to the bottom of the second Container 2 directed. Furthermore, the two containers 1, 2 dimensioned and the swivel movements are carried out so that the containers 1, 2 do not collide with one another (FIG 3).

Nachdem beide Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtungen 4,7 miteinander verriegelt wurden, erfolgt ein gemeinsames Zurückschwenken in die Ausgangslage der zweiten Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung 4 (FIG 4). After both holding and swiveling devices 4.7 with each other locked, there is a common swing back in the starting position of the second holding and pivoting device 4 (FIG 4).

Die Sendungen haben jetzt eine stehende Position, können aber nicht mehr aus dem ersten Behälter 1 herausfallen, da sie sich auch schon teilweise im zweiten Behälter 2 befinden und ein Umkippen bzw. Herausfallen zusätzlich durch eine örtlich feste Seitenwand verhindert wird. Dann wird die jetzt nach unten zeigende, zu öffnende Seitenwand, z.B. als zweiflügige Klappe 8 ausgeführt, des ersten Behälters 1 geöffnet, so daß die Sendungen, wie in FIG 5 dargestellt, auf den Boden des zweiten Behälters 2 rutschen. Der erste Behälter 1 darf also nur soweit in den zweiten Behälter ragen, daß genug Platz zum Öffnen der Klappe 8 vorhanden ist.The shipments now have a standing position, but can no longer fall out of the first container 1 because they are already partially in the second container 2 and a tipping or falling out additionally by a local fixed side wall is prevented. Then it will follow opening side wall, e.g. as a double leaf Flap 8 executed, the first container 1 opened so that the programs, as shown in FIG 5, on the bottom of the second container 2 slip. The first container 1 is therefore allowed protrude only so far into the second container that there is enough space for Opening the flap 8 is present.

Dieses Öffnen kann durch örtlich feste Betätigungselemente und Betätigungselemente an der Klappe kurz vor Ende der Rückschwenkbewegung ausgelöst werden.This opening can be done by locally fixed actuators and actuators on the flap shortly before the end of the pivoting movement to be triggered.

In der nächsten Phase wird die Verriegelung zwischen den beiden Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtungen 4,7 aufgehoben und die erste Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung 7 wird mit dem nun leeren ersten Behälter 1 in ihre Ausgangslage zurückgeschwenkt, wobei die Klappe 8 wieder geschlossen wird, sobald der Bereich der Sendungen verlassen wurde (FIG 6).In the next phase, the interlock between the two Holding and pivoting devices 4.7 canceled and the first holding and swiveling device 7 is now empty first container 1 pivoted back into its original position, wherein the flap 8 is closed again as soon as the area the programs were left (FIG 6).

In einer letzten Phase wird die Behälteraufnahme 5 von der zweiten Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung 4 entriegelt, die Stange 1 wird mit der Behälteraufnahme 5 über die Verriegelung des Gelenkes 6 verbunden und die dritte Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung schwenkt den gefüllten zweiten Behälter 2 in die Entladeposition. Währenddessen werden in den ersten Behälter 1 neue Sendungen liegend eingestapelt (FIG 7).In a final phase, the container receptacle 5 of the second holding and pivoting device 4 unlocked the rod 1 is with the container holder 5 via the lock of the joint 6 connected and the third holding and pivoting device pivots the filled second container 2 into the Unloading. Meanwhile, be in the first container 1 new consignments stacked horizontally (FIG 7).

In einer weiteren Ausführungsvariante gemäß der FIG 8-10 wird nur der erste, oben offene Behälter 1 mit der ersten Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung 7 geschwenkt. Der zweite Behälter 2 wird lösbar in einer nicht schwenkbaren Haltevorrichtung 10 gehalten. Damit auf das zusätzliche Schwenken des zweiten Behälters 2 zur Vermeidung des Herausfallens der Sendungen aus dem ersten Behälter 1 verzichtet werden kann, muß während des Schwenkens der erste Behälter 1 verschlossen werden. Dies geschieht mit Hilfe einer Verschlußvorrichtung der ersten Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung 7. Dabei wird ein beweglicher Dekkel 9 über die obere Behälteröffnung geschwenkt. Die übrigen Vorgänge laufen wie in dem eingangs beschriebenen Beispiel ab. Wird ein oben geschlossener, seitlich zu öffnender Behälter 1 eingesetzt (Beladung erfolgt über die seitliche Öffnung), so kann auf die Verschlußvorrichtung der ersten Halte- und Schwenkvorrichtung verzichtet werden.In a further embodiment variant according to FIGS. 8-10 only the first container 1 open at the top with the first holding and pivoting device 7 pivoted. The second container 2 becomes detachable in a non-pivoting holding device 10 held. With that on the additional swiveling of the second container 2 to prevent the programs from falling out the first container 1 can be dispensed with during the Swiveling the first container 1 are closed. this happens with the aid of a locking device of the first holding and swivel device 7. This is a movable cover 9 pivoted over the upper container opening. The remaining Processes run as in the example described at the beginning from. Becomes a container that is closed at the top and can be opened from the side 1 used (loading takes place via the side opening), the first holding device and swivel device can be dispensed with.

Claims

Method of transferring flat items of mail, which are stacked one upon the other by way of the flat sides, from a first box-like container (1) into a second box-like container (2), which is open at the top, characterized in that the first container (1) is to be opened laterally, the two containers (1, 2) are retained and displaced such that the first container (1) fits in the second container (2) and a side of the first container (1) which is to be opened is directed towards the base of the second container (2), it being the case that, until the two containers (1, 2) are fitted one inside the other, the first container (1) is displaced, and/or the items of mail in the first container (1) are retained during the displacement, such that they remain in the first container (1), and that side wall of the first container (1) which is to be opened is opened when the items of mail are located in an upright position, and that the first container (1) is then removed from the second container (2).
Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the filled first container (1), retained in a retaining and pivoting arrangement (7), is open at the top and, prior to a pivoting movement out of the starting position into the second container (2), the top opening of the first container (1) is closed by a closure arrangement (9) of the retaining and pivoting arrangement (7), then the pivoting movement through approximately 90° to the second container (2) is executed such that, at the end of the pivoting movement, the first container (1) and parts of the retaining and pivoting arrangement (7) project into the second container (2), the side wall (8) which is to be opened is directed downwards towards the base of the second container (2) and the items of mail are in an upright position, and that the side wall (8) is then opened and, once the items of mail are standing on the base of the second container (2), the first container (1) is pivoted back into the starting position, the top opening of the first container (1) is released again by the closure arrangement (9) and the open side wall (8) is closed again.
Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first container (1), which is filled via the open side wall (8) and retained in a retaining and pivoting arrangement (7), is closed at the top, and the retaining and pivoting arrangement (7) with the first container (1), following closure of the open side wall (8) of the first container (1), is pivoted through 90° such that, at the end of the pivoting movement, the first container (1) and parts of the retaining and pivoting arrangement (7) project into the second container (2), the side wall (8) which is to be opened is directed downwards towards the base of the second container (2) and the items of mail are in an upright position, and that the side wall (8) is then opened and, once the items of mail are standing on the base of the second container (2), the first container (1) pivots back into the starting position and the open side wall (8) is closed again.
Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that

the first container (1), which is open at the top and filled with horizontally lying items of mail, is retained in a first retaining and pivoting arrangement (7), and the empty second container (2) is retained, with the opening at the top, in a second retaining and pivoting arrangement (4),

the second retaining and pivoting arrangement (4) with the empty second container (2) is pivoted through approximately 90° in the direction of the first container (1) such that the second container (2) is fitted laterally over the first retained container (1) on the side which is to be opened,

the two retaining and pivoting arrangements (4, 7) with the containers (1, 2) are pivoted together into the starting position of the second container (2) with the result that, at the end of the pivoting movement, the items of mail are located in an upright position,

at the end of this pivoting movement, or shortly before the end thereof, the side wall (8) of the first container (1) is opened, with the result that the items of mail slide into an upright position on the base of the second container (2),

then the first container (1) is pivoted back into its starting position by way of the first retaining and pivoting arrangement (7).
Apparatus for transferring flat items of mail, which are stacked one upon the other by way of the flat sides, from a first box-like container (1) into a second box-like container (2), which is open at the top, characterized in that

the first container (1) is to be opened laterally,

the two containers (1, 2) are dimensioned, and are retained and displaceable by means of displacing and retaining arrangements (4, 7), such that, at the end of the displacing operation, the first container (1) fits, at least in part, in the second container (2) and a side (8) of the first container (1) which is to be opened is directed towards the base of the second container (2), it being the case that, until the two containers (1, 2) are fitted one inside the other, the first container (1) can be displaced, and/or the items of mail in the first container (1) are retained during the displacement, such that the items of mail remain in the first container (1),

the side wall (8) of the first container, fitted in the second container, which is to be opened can be opened by means of an opening mechanism when the items of mail are located in an upright position, and

it is possible to displace the displacing and retaining arrangement (7) with the first container (1) for removal from the second container (2).
Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the filled first container (1), retained in a retaining and pivoting arrangement (7), is open at the top, and the retaining and pivoting arrangement (7) has a closure arrangement (9) for closing the top opening of the first container (1) throughout the pivoting and transfer operation, and is designed such that, following the pivoting movement through approximately 90°, the first container (1) and parts of the retaining and pivoting arrangement (7) project into the second container (2), located in a retaining arrangement (10), and the side wall (8) of the first container (1) which is to be opened is directed downwards towards the base of the second container (2), and that, once the items of mail are standing on the base of the second container (2), following opening of the side wall (8) of the first container (1), the first container (1) is pivoted back into the starting position, the open side wall (8) is closed and the closure arrangement (9) releases the top opening of the first container (1), and the retaining arrangement (10) for the second container (2) or the second container (2) itself has actuating elements by means of which the opening mechanism of that side of the first container (1) which is to be opened is actuated during the penetration of said first container into the second container (2) and removal from the second container (2).
Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the first container (1), which is filled via the open side wall (8) and retained in a retaining and pivoting arrangement (7), is closed at the top, and the retaining and pivoting arrangement (7) is designed such that, following the pivoting movement through approximately 90° with the side wall (8) closed, the first container (1) and parts of the retaining and pivoting arrangement (7) project into the second container (2), located in a retaining arrangement (10), and the side wall (8) of the first container (1) which is to be opened is directed downwards towards the base of the second container (2), and that, once the items of mail are standing on the base of the second container (2), following opening of the side wall (8) of the first container (1), the first container (1) is pivoted back into the starting position and the open side wall (8) is closed, the retaining arrangement (10) for the second container (2) or the second container (2) itself having actuating elements by means of which the opening mechanism of the side wall (8) of the first container (1) which is to be opened is actuated during penetration of said first container into the second container (2) and removal from the second container (2).
Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the first container (1), which is open at the top and filled with horizontally lying items of mail, is retained in a first retaining and pivoting arrangement (7), and the second container (2), with the opening at the top, is retained releasably in a second retaining and pivoting arrangement (4), the second retaining and pivoting arrangement (4) with the empty second container (2) can be pivoted through approximately 90° towards the first container (1) such that the second container (2) is fitted laterally over the first retained container (1) on the side which is to be opened, then the two retaining and pivoting arrangements (4, 7) with the containers (1, 2) can be pivoted together into the starting position of the second container (2), with the result that, at the end of this pivoting movement, the items of mail are located in an upright position, there are provided for the subsequent opening and closure of the side wall (8) of the first container (1), at the starting position of the second container (2), actuating elements which are fixed in a stationary manner and are intended for actuating the opening mechanism for the side wall (8) of the first container (1) which is to be opened, and the first retaining and pivoting arrangement (7) can be pivoted back following transfer of the items of mail.
Apparatus according to Claims 5 and 8, characterized in that a third retaining and pivoting arrangement (3, 5) is provided for receiving the second filled container (2) from the second retaining and pivoting arrangement (4), for pivoting into an unloading position and for pivoting back the second empty container (2) and transferring it into the second retaining and pivoting arrangement (4).
Apparatus according to Claims 5 and 8, characterized in that the first and second retaining and pivoting arrangements (4, 7) have locking means for locking the two arrangements in relation to one another as they are pivoted together.
Apparatus according to Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the containers (1, 2) are mounted obliquely in the retaining and pivoting arrangements (4, 7, 3, 5) such that the mail stack is aligned in the direction of one corner.