[go: up one dir, main page]

EP1820575B1 - Postal dispatch sorting method with tray sequence - Google Patents

Postal dispatch sorting method with tray sequence Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1820575B1
EP1820575B1 EP20070101900 EP07101900A EP1820575B1 EP 1820575 B1 EP1820575 B1 EP 1820575B1 EP 20070101900 EP20070101900 EP 20070101900 EP 07101900 A EP07101900 A EP 07101900A EP 1820575 B1 EP1820575 B1 EP 1820575B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sorting
conveyor
trays
evacuation
bins
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP20070101900
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1820575A1 (en
Inventor
Jean Rieu
Karim Kara
François Madar
Eric Moullard
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.)
Solystic SAS
Original Assignee
Solystic SAS
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 Solystic SAS filed Critical Solystic SAS
Publication of EP1820575A1 publication Critical patent/EP1820575A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1820575B1 publication Critical patent/EP1820575B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/008—Means for collecting objects, e.g. containers for sorted mail items

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of sorting postal items in a postal sorting machine equipped with an automatic container handling system which brings empty trays into sorting outlets of the machine and which transfers full bins from the outlets.
  • sorting device on an evacuation conveyor which extends along the sorting outlets and which is extended by a recirculating conveyor, said recirculation conveyor bringing the bins in line from the evacuation conveyor to an inlet of the machine.
  • the method according to the invention is more particularly intended for the preparation of factor rounds in several passes.
  • a sorting machine for preparing factor rounds comprises one or more rows of sorting outlets juxtaposed and / or superimposed.
  • the patent document US-2004/0016623 discloses an automatic bin handling system that enables a full or partially filled bin to be transferred from each sorting outlet to an extended bin conveyor by a recirculating conveyor bringing the bins back in line from the evacuation conveyor to a conveyor input of the machine and which allows to replace in each sorting outlet the tray that has been transferred by a vacuum tray arranged on standby, for example on a conveyor of empty trays, facing this sorting outlet.
  • the conveyor of full bins is composed of a set of independent conveyors assigned respectively to sorting outlets so as to organize the sequencing of the full bins as they are replaced by empty bins.
  • the document US-2003/01141226 discloses a sequencing system of full bins which is intended to receive a stream of bins from a sorting machine and reorder them in a certain order so that they can be represented at the input of the machine for a next sort pass shipments.
  • This sequencing system is very complicated and expensive.
  • Patent document is also known US-2005/0252836 a sequencing system of full bins comprising a random input accumulator which accumulates the full bins as and when they arrive and orders them in sequence for a reintroduction sorting machine.
  • This sequencing system is very complicated and expensive.
  • the object of the invention is to propose a method for sorting postal items in a postal sorting machine as indicated above according to which two bins can be managed per sorting outlet. during a sorting pass using a sorting outlet bins evacuation conveyor which may be a conventional belt conveyor for sequencing the bins for a reintroduction of postal items in the machine.
  • the idea underlying the invention is therefore based on a particular control of the tray handling system and conveyors to orderly bring and store in parallel storage bins on a recirculating conveyor with two lines serving storage medium and recover two by two the bins arriving from end to end of the two lines of the recirculation conveyor.
  • the method according to the invention it is possible to simply use two bins per sorting outlet while maintaining the order of the bins at the output of the machine, for example with the object of bringing them to a device insertion of the postal items in the machine to make another sort pass.
  • the bins of the first and second lines of the recirculation conveyor are passed to a switching conveyor to form a sequence of bins alternating a first bin from the first line and a second bin. from the second line.
  • the first and second lines of the recirculation conveyor more particularly have contiguous ends at which the infeed conveyor extends. Evacuation tanks can still be performed manually at these contiguous ends.
  • the sorting machine comprises two rows of juxtaposed and / or superimposed sorting outlets, each provided with an evacuation conveyor, and the first trays of the two rows of outlets are interwoven. sorting before bringing them to the first line of the recirculation conveyor, the second bins of the rows of sorting outlets are interspersed before bringing them to the second line of the recirculation conveyor, then the first and second bins from a row of sorting outlets to a first outflow path and the first and second bins from the other row of sorting outlets to a second outflow path. More particularly, the two rows of sorting outlets can be arranged on either side of the machine.
  • the method according to the invention can be easily implemented on existing sorting machines.
  • the invention also extends to a postal sorting machine characterized in that it is arranged to implement the method described above and in that it comprises an evacuation conveyor in the form of a conveyor belt.
  • the invention applies more particularly to a "sequencing" sorting in several sorting passes for the preparation of factor turnings on a bucket carousel sorting machine.
  • postal items are introduced into a storage device (warehouse) and unstacking which puts in series the postal items arranged in stack at the entrance of the machine to present them one by one on edge in a device of automatic address recognition by OCR.
  • Each shipment is then loaded into a bucket of a bucket carousel that travels over sorting outlets of the machine to distribute the shipments in storage bins provided in these sorting outlets.
  • Each sorting outlet of this machine can be equipped with a removable tray.
  • the sorting machine 1 comprises a row of sorting outlets 2 along which extend adjacently in front of, a discharge conveyor 3 of full containers commonly called "Full Tray Conveyor” or “FTC” which can be a conveyor to motorized belt, and behind an empty tray supply conveyor 4.
  • FTC Full Container
  • S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 are represented in these figures but the machines used for implement the invention include a much larger number of sorting outlets.
  • a recirculating conveyor which may be for example conveyor belts.
  • Known sorting machines already include a single row recirculation conveyor which is more commonly known as "Full Tray Recirculation System” or "FTRS”. This recirculation conveyor is used to bring the bins containing sorted items during a sorting pass from the evacuation conveyor to the machine entrance in order to perform a new sorting pass with these items, or to a box of the box. evacuation and storage bins.
  • the first and second lines 6, 7 extend more particularly parallel to one another between the discharge end of the evacuation conveyor 3 and respectively of the first and second evacuation ends 8, 9 which are contiguous.
  • a switching conveyor device 10 is disposed in the extension of the discharge ends 8, 9 of the recirculation conveyor. This switching conveyor device 10 makes it possible to bring the bins coming from the first and second lines of the recirculation conveyor onto the same conveying path.
  • the method according to the invention makes it possible to sort with two bins per sorting outlet in the machine described above.
  • a first empty bin 11 is disposed in each of the sorting outlets 2 of the machine and a second empty bin 12 is disposed on the empty bin conveyor opposite each of the sorting outlets 2.
  • the bins are marked with the algebraic number of the sorting outlet to which they are assigned followed by the index A for the first bins 11 and the index B for the second bins 12.
  • the postal items sorted in successive sorting outlets must be removed from the machine in a successive manner to maintain the sorting sequence between the postal items, that is to say that the bins (1A, 1B) used in the first sorting outlet (S1) must be evacuated before the bins (2A, 2B) used in the second sorting outlet (S2) and so on until the bins (5A, 5B) of the last and fifth output sorting (S5) and that the order between the first and second bins (xA and xB) used in each sorting outlet must also be retained.
  • the invention is based on the fact of bringing back the bins at the entrance of the machine for a subsequent sorting pass respecting the order of the bins for unstacking postal items during this subsequent sorting pass.
  • the position of the bins 11,12 in the machine represented on the figure 1 corresponds to the preparation of the machine before the beginning of the sorting process and is consistent with the first step 20 of the sorting method according to the invention illustrated by the block diagram of the figure 3 .
  • a first empty tray 11 is in each sorting outlet.
  • the evacuation conveyor 3 and the empty trough conveyor 4 are arranged on either side of a row of sorting outlets so that a simple system (not shown) for automatic handling of trays equipping each outlet of sorting can be controlled to move an empty bin of the empty bin conveyor 4 into the sorting outlet in question (which faces the empty bin) and a bin of this sorting outlet on the evacuation conveyor 3.
  • Second empty bin can but are not necessarily permanently positioned next to the first sorting outlets. Moving these empty bins can be handled by the automatic bin handling system.
  • a machine control / control unit programmed to implement the method according to the invention checks in step 23 whether this current item is the last item sent to sort and so the sort process is complete. If the sorting process is not completed, the control / command unit orders the sorting of the subsequent postal item to the current item and at the same time checks in step 24 if the box in which is deposited the current mailing is a first ferry and if it is full.
  • the filling level of the sorting outlet bins is continuously monitored and in the method according to the invention, the control of the filling level of the bins in the sorting outlets is preferably carried out on the basis of a measurement of the thickness of each shipment made for example at the time of address recognition in the automatic address recognition device OCR.
  • the machine controls a bin change in this sorting outlet in step 25, ie controls the bin handling system of this sorting outlet to transfer the first full bin to the bin.
  • full container conveyor which is stationary and for loading in this sorting outlet a second empty container which is arranged on the conveyor of empty containers in front of this sorting outlet.
  • the movement of the bins in the sorting machine is stored in the machine and the control / command unit checks in step 26 from this stored information whether the first bin of each sorting outlet has been transferred to the conveyor. shutdown.
  • the control / command unit controls in step 27 the evacuation in order of the first bins disposed on the evacuation conveyor 3 to the first line 6 of the recirculation conveyor by starting and advancing these said 3.6 conveyors arranged in the extension of one another.
  • the control / command unit controls in step 28 a transfer of all the second bins to the conveyor of the bins. evacuation 3 at the stop.
  • the second bins follow each other on the evacuation conveyor in the same order as the sorting outlets of the machine, that is to say that the bin (1 B) precedes the bin (2B) which precedes the bins (3B), (4B) and (5B).
  • the control / command unit then controls in step 29 the evacuation in order of the second bins disposed on the evacuation conveyor 3 to the second line 7 of the recirculation conveyor by starting and advancing these said 3.7 conveyors arranged in the extension of one another.
  • the bins are then arranged on the lines 6,7 in the machine as shown on the figure 2 .
  • the first bins (1A) to (5A) are arranged in the order on the first line 6 and the second bins (1 B) to (5B) are arranged in order on the second line 7.
  • the lines of the recirculating conveyor are arranged in parallel side by side, the first and second bins coming from the same outlet are arranged side by side on their respective line.
  • At the respective contiguous discharge ends 8 and 9 of the first and second lines are the first and second bins from the first sorting outlet.
  • step 30 alternatively a first tank at the first discharge end 8 and a second tank at the second discharge end 9, this continuing to advance the bins on the recirculation conveyor 6.7 to the discharge ends 8, 9, until all the bins are evacuated.
  • the bins present on the first and second lines 6, 7 are evacuated alternately automatically by means of a switching conveyor system 10 which makes it possible to join two conveying paths in a single conveying path, this conveyor system to switch being disposed in the extension of the recirculation conveyor at the discharge ends 8,9.
  • bins thus sequenced on a single conveying path, are evacuated either towards the entrance of the machine so that the items are reintroduced into the machine for a new sorting pass, or to a storage place for shipments when for example the preparation of the tour of the postman is over.
  • FIG. 4 It is very schematically represented on the figure 4 another sorting machine 101 adapted to implement the method according to the invention.
  • This machine has two superimposed levels each having a bucket carousel, each bucket carousel flowing over two rows of sorting outlets, which are arranged on each of the faces of the sorting machine.
  • Such a sorting machine can be considered as a set of four independent virtual sorting machines, ie a virtual machine by level and by face or more simply by row of sorting output.
  • An evacuation conveyor of full tanks 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d flows in front of each row of sorting outlets.
  • each of the evacuation conveyors 103a-103d corresponds a destacker 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d.
  • the unstackers associated with rows of sorting outlets of the same level are close and lead to an automatic OCR address recognition device 114ab, 114cd.
  • the virtual machines are completely independent and four single-row recirculation conveyors connect the four evacuation conveyors to the four unstackers. With such an arrangement, it is only possible to sort a tray by sorting outlet if it is desired to use belt conveyor type conveyors and maintain a certain sequence between the bins.
  • the configuration of the machine is slightly modified by jointly connecting the two evacuation conveyors of the same level (respectively 103a, 103b and 103c, 103d) to a recirculation conveyor with two lines (respectively 106ab, 107ab and 106cd, 107cd) leading to the corresponding unstackers (respectively 113a, 113b and 113c, 113d) and a switching device (respectively 110ab and 110cd) is installed between the two lines of the recirculation conveyor near the stackers.
  • This switching device 110ab, 110cd allows the bins to pass from one line to another of the recirculation conveyor.
  • This is for example a conveyor belt disposed transversely to the lines of the recirculating conveyor which are parallel to each other and arranged to convey the trays in one direction or the other, from one line to another.
  • a known switching device 120 can be adapted and used on the machine 101 and for moving a tray 121 in two perpendicular directions indicated by the arrows 122,123.
  • the container can be driven in both directions along the direction 122 by means of motorized rollers 126 or can be driven in the direction 123 by means of conveyor belts 127 arranged in parallel between the rollers 126.
  • the conveyor belts 127 are mounted on a frame rising or falling so that these conveyor belts are or not in contact with the tray 121 to convey it or to let the motorized rollers 126 move it.
  • the method according to the invention is used in the following manner.
  • the process is the same for the two levels of the sorting machine and will therefore be described with reference to one of the levels.
  • the evacuation conveyors 103a, 103b When all the first bins of the two rows of sorting outlets arranged on both sides of the machine on the same level have been transferred to the evacuation conveyors 103a, 103b, they are brought, by intermingling them on the first line. 106ab of the recirculating conveyor.
  • the first bins arranged on the evacuation conveyor 103a and on the other evacuation conveyor 103b are for example brought alternately one by one on the first line 106ab, that is to say a first tray coming from a conveyor. 103a discharge, followed by a first tray from the other evacuation conveyor 103b.
  • the first bins are advanced to the referral device 110ab.
  • all the second bins are transferred to the evacuation conveyors 103a, 103b. These second bins are then brought to the second line 107ab of the recirculating conveyor, by mixing them in the same sequence between the bins as when the first bins were intermingled.
  • the second bins disposed on the evacuation conveyor 103a and on the other evacuation conveyor 103b are for example brought, as previously the first bins, alternately one by one on the second line 107ab.
  • the second bins are advanced to the switching device 110ab.
  • the tray sequence in reference to the sorting outlets from which they are derived is the same for the first bins on the first line as for the second bins on the second line.
  • the first and second bins coming from the same sorting outlet are at the same time respectively on the first and second lines in front of the switching device 110ab, they are therefore sent to the order one behind the other to the corresponding unstacker of this sorting outlet.
  • the two following bins on the first and second lines of the recirculation conveyor are switched in order to the other unstacker because from a sorting outlet disposed on the opposite side with respect to the sorting outlet of the bins that preceded them directly, and so on until you have reintroduced all shipments into the machine.
  • Devices 115 for identifying the trays for example by reading bar codes inscribed on the trays can be used to control the proper movement of the trays.
  • first bins are not necessarily full before the end of the sorting pass. These first bins will then have no second bin counterparts from the same sorting outlets. They are then not transferred to the evacuation conveyor because they are not full during the sorting pass but are for example transferred to the end of the sorting pass to keep the sequence between the first bins, before sending them. first bins to the first line.
  • the second bins of these sorting outlets are not necessarily transferred to the evacuation conveyor and then evacuated because they are empty.
  • the identification devices of the bins in relation to the control / control unit make it possible to maintain a correct sequence between the bins on the different lines of the recirculation conveyor.
  • a second ferry should have been sent on the second line, even if it does not exist, in order to respect the alternation between the bins coming from the different evacuation conveyors, or the way to intermingle the bins, so as to obtain a similar sequence on the two lines of the recirculation conveyor.
  • the non-existence of these second bins is also taken into account when the bins are separated at the switching device.
  • the first bins that are not full during the sorting pass can be transferred to the evacuation conveyor only at the same time as the second bins of the other sorting outlets and be sent to the second line of the conveyor. recirculation.
  • Intermingling means the orderly mixing of the bins from different recirculation conveyors to bring them in line or in line on a recirculation line. It is advantageous to alternate the trays coming from the two evacuation conveyors so that the flows of trays arriving at the different unstackers are identical.
  • the alternation on the lines of the recirculation conveyor between the bins coming from the different evacuation conveyors is however not necessarily regular, it must only be identical for the sequence of first bins and for the sequence of second bins.
  • the invention also extends to a method of sorting with three or more bins per sorting outlet using a recirculating conveyor with three or more lines.

Landscapes

  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé de tri d'envois postaux dans une machine de tri postal équipée d'un système de manutention automatique de bacs qui amène dans des sorties de tri de la machine des bacs vides et qui transfère des bacs pleins depuis les sorties de tri sur un convoyeur d'évacuation qui s'étend le long des sorties de tri et qui est prolongé par un convoyeur de recirculation, ledit convoyeur de recirculation ramenant les bacs en ligne depuis le convoyeur d'évacuation vers une entrée de la machine.The present invention relates to a method of sorting postal items in a postal sorting machine equipped with an automatic container handling system which brings empty trays into sorting outlets of the machine and which transfers full bins from the outlets. sorting device on an evacuation conveyor which extends along the sorting outlets and which is extended by a recirculating conveyor, said recirculation conveyor bringing the bins in line from the evacuation conveyor to an inlet of the machine.

Le procédé selon l'invention est plus particulièrement destiné à la préparation de tournées de facteur en plusieurs passes.The method according to the invention is more particularly intended for the preparation of factor rounds in several passes.

Typiquement, une machine de tri pour la préparation de tournées de facteur comprend une ou plusieurs rangées de sorties de tri juxtaposées et/ou superposées.Typically, a sorting machine for preparing factor rounds comprises one or more rows of sorting outlets juxtaposed and / or superimposed.

Pour préparer une tournée du facteur, il est nécessaire que les bacs pleins pendant ou à l'issue d'une passe de tri soient prélevés des sorties de tri selon un ordre relatif bien précis pour être représentés selon cet ordre en entrée de la machine pour effectuer une nouvelle passe de tri. On parle dans ce cas d'une opération dite de « sequencing ».To prepare a tour of the factor, it is necessary that the full bins during or after a sorting pass are taken from the sorting outlets in a specific relative order to be represented in this order at the input of the machine for perform a new sort pass. In this case, we speak of a so-called "sequencing" operation.

Traditionnellement, le remplacement d'un bac plein par un bac vide dans une sortie de tri et l'enlèvement du bac plein de la machine avec sa représentation en entrée de la machine se fait manuellement. Dans ce cas, il n'est pas possible de gérer plusieurs bacs par sortie de tri lors d'une passe de tri.Traditionally, the replacement of a full bin by an empty bin in a sorting outlet and the removal of the full bin of the machine with its representation at the entrance of the machine is done manually. In this case, it is not possible to manage several trays by sorting out during a sorting pass.

Le document de brevet US-2004/0016623 décrit un système de manutention automatique de bacs qui permet de transférer un bac plein ou partiellement plein depuis chaque sortie de tri sur un convoyeur d'évacuation de bacs prolongé par un convoyeur de recirculation ramenant les bacs en ligne depuis le convoyeur d'évacuation vers une entrée de la machine et qui permet de remplacer dans chaque sortie de tri le bac qui a été transféré par un bac vide disposé en attente, par exemple sur un convoyeur de bacs vides, face à cette sortie de tri. Avec ce système, il est possible de gérer plusieurs bacs par sortie de tri lors d'une passe de tri mais cela implique que le convoyeur de bacs pleins soit composé d'un ensemble de convoyeurs indépendants affectés respectivement aux sorties de tri de façon à organiser le séquencement des bacs pleins au fur et à mesure qu'ils sont remplacés par des bacs vides.The patent document US-2004/0016623 discloses an automatic bin handling system that enables a full or partially filled bin to be transferred from each sorting outlet to an extended bin conveyor by a recirculating conveyor bringing the bins back in line from the evacuation conveyor to a conveyor input of the machine and which allows to replace in each sorting outlet the tray that has been transferred by a vacuum tray arranged on standby, for example on a conveyor of empty trays, facing this sorting outlet. With this system, it is possible to manage several bins per sorting outlet during a sorting pass, but this implies that the conveyor of full bins is composed of a set of independent conveyors assigned respectively to sorting outlets so as to organize the sequencing of the full bins as they are replaced by empty bins.

Le document US-2003/01141226 décrit un système de séquencement de bacs pleins qui est destiné à recevoir un flot de bacs provenant d'une machine de tri et à les réorganiser selon un certain ordre pour qu'ils puissent être représentés en entrée de la machine pour une passe de tri suivante des envois. Ce système de séquencement est très compliqué et coûteux.The document US-2003/01141226 discloses a sequencing system of full bins which is intended to receive a stream of bins from a sorting machine and reorder them in a certain order so that they can be represented at the input of the machine for a next sort pass shipments. This sequencing system is very complicated and expensive.

On connaît également du document de brevet US-2005/0252836 un système de séquencement de bacs pleins comprenant un accumulateur à entrée aléatoire lequel accumule les bacs pleins au fur et à mesure de leur arrivée et les ordonne en séquence pour une réintroduction en machine de tri. Ce système de séquencement est très compliqué et coûteux.Le but de l'invention est de proposer un procédé de tri d'envois postaux dans une machine de tri postal telle qu'indiquée plus haut selon lequel on peut gérer deux bacs par sortie de tri lors d'une passe de tri en utilisant un convoyeur d'évacuation de bacs de sorties de tri qui peut être un convoyeur à bande classique pour séquencer les bacs en vue d'une réintroduction des envois postaux dans la machine.Patent document is also known US-2005/0252836 a sequencing system of full bins comprising a random input accumulator which accumulates the full bins as and when they arrive and orders them in sequence for a reintroduction sorting machine. This sequencing system is very complicated and expensive. The object of the invention is to propose a method for sorting postal items in a postal sorting machine as indicated above according to which two bins can be managed per sorting outlet. during a sorting pass using a sorting outlet bins evacuation conveyor which may be a conventional belt conveyor for sequencing the bins for a reintroduction of postal items in the machine.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un procédé de tri d'envois postaux dans une machine de tri postal équipée d'un système de manutention automatique de bacs qui amène dans des sorties de tri de la machine des bacs vides et qui transfère des bacs pleins depuis les sorties de tri sur un convoyeur d'évacuation qui s'étend le long des sorties de tri et qui est prolongé par un convoyeur de recirculation, ledit convoyeur de recirculation ramenant les bacs en ligne depuis le convoyeur d'évacuation vers une entrée de la machine caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes suivantes :

  • si on détecte qu'un premier bac d'une sortie de tri est plein, on commande le système de manutention automatique pour transférer ledit premier bac plein sur le convoyeur d'évacuation qui est maintenu à l'arrêt et pour amener un second bac vide dans cette sortie de tri,
  • on fait avancer le convoyeur d'évacuation pour amener en séquence les premiers bacs pleins des sorties de tri sur une première ligne du convoyeur de recirculation puis on arrête le convoyeur d'évacuation ;
  • on commande ensuite le système de manutention de bacs pour transférer les seconds bacs des sorties de tri sur le convoyeur d'évacuation qui est maintenu à l'arrêt et ensuite on fait avancer le convoyeur d'évacuation pour amener en séquence les seconds bacs de sorties des tri sur une seconde ligne du convoyeur de recirculation.
For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a method for sorting postal items in a postal sorting machine equipped with an automatic container handling system which brings empty trays into sorting outlets of the machine and which transfers full bins from the sorting outlets on an evacuation conveyor which extends along the sorting outlets and which is extended by a recirculation conveyor, said recirculation conveyor bringing the bins in line from the evacuation conveyor to an input of the machine characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
  • if it is detected that a first bin of a sorting outlet is full, it controls the automatic handling system to transfer said first full tank on the evacuation conveyor which is kept at a standstill and to bring a second empty tank in this sorting outlet,
  • the evacuation conveyor is advanced to sequentially bring the first full bins of the sorting outlets to a first line of the recirculation conveyor and then the evacuation conveyor is stopped;
  • the bins handling system is then commanded to transfer the second bins of the sorting outlets to the evacuation conveyor which is kept stationary and then the evacuation conveyor is advanced to bring the second bins of output in sequence. sorting on a second line of the recirculating conveyor.

L'idée à la base de l'invention repose donc sur une commande particulière du système de manutention de bacs et des convoyeurs afin d'amener et de stocker de manière ordonnée en parallèle des bacs de stockage sur un convoyeur de recirculation à deux lignes servant de support de stockage et de récupérer deux à deux les bacs arrivant de front en bout des deux lignes du convoyeur de recirculation. Avec le procédé selon l'invention, il est possible d'utiliser de manière simple deux bacs par sortie de tri tout en conservant l'ordre des bacs en sortie de la machine, avec par exemple pour objet de les amener jusqu'à un dispositif d'insertion des envois postaux dans la machine en vue de réaliser une autre passe de tri.The idea underlying the invention is therefore based on a particular control of the tray handling system and conveyors to orderly bring and store in parallel storage bins on a recirculating conveyor with two lines serving storage medium and recover two by two the bins arriving from end to end of the two lines of the recirculation conveyor. With the method according to the invention, it is possible to simply use two bins per sorting outlet while maintaining the order of the bins at the output of the machine, for example with the object of bringing them to a device insertion of the postal items in the machine to make another sort pass.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention, on fait passer les bacs des première et seconde lignes du convoyeur de recirculation vers un convoyeur à aiguillage pour constituer une séquence de bacs en alternant un premier bac provenant de la première ligne et un second bac provenant de la seconde ligne.According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the bins of the first and second lines of the recirculation conveyor are passed to a switching conveyor to form a sequence of bins alternating a first bin from the first line and a second bin. from the second line.

Les première et seconde lignes du convoyeur de recirculation ont plus particulièrement des extrémités contiguës au niveau desquelles s'étend le convoyeur à aiguillage. L'évacuation des bacs peut encore être réalisée manuellement au niveau de ces extrémités contiguës.The first and second lines of the recirculation conveyor more particularly have contiguous ends at which the infeed conveyor extends. Evacuation tanks can still be performed manually at these contiguous ends.

Selon encore un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention, la machine de tri comporte deux rangées de sorties de tri juxtaposées et/ou superposées munies chacune d'un convoyeur d'évacuation, et on entremêle les premiers bacs des deux rangées de sorties de tri avant de les amener sur la première ligne du convoyeur de recirculation, on entremêle les seconds bacs des rangées de sorties de tri avant de les amener sur la seconde ligne du convoyeur de recirculation, puis on aiguille avec le convoyeur à aiguillage les premiers et seconds bacs provenant d'une rangée de sorties de tri vers une première voie d'évacuation et les premiers et seconds bacs provenant de l'autre rangée de sorties de tri vers une seconde voie d'évacuation. Plus particulièrement les deux rangées de sorties de tri peuvent être disposées de part et d'autre de la machine.According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the sorting machine comprises two rows of juxtaposed and / or superimposed sorting outlets, each provided with an evacuation conveyor, and the first trays of the two rows of outlets are interwoven. sorting before bringing them to the first line of the recirculation conveyor, the second bins of the rows of sorting outlets are interspersed before bringing them to the second line of the recirculation conveyor, then the first and second bins from a row of sorting outlets to a first outflow path and the first and second bins from the other row of sorting outlets to a second outflow path. More particularly, the two rows of sorting outlets can be arranged on either side of the machine.

Le procédé selon l'invention peut être mis en oeuvre facilement sur des machines de tri existantes.The method according to the invention can be easily implemented on existing sorting machines.

L'invention s'étend également à une machine de tri postal caractérisée en ce qu'elle est agencée pour mettre en oeuvre le procédé décrit ci-dessus et en ce qu'elle comprend un convoyeur d'évacuation sous la forme d'un convoyeur à bande.The invention also extends to a postal sorting machine characterized in that it is arranged to implement the method described above and in that it comprises an evacuation conveyor in the form of a conveyor belt.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui suit et à l'examen des figures qui l'accompagnent. Cette description n'est donnée qu'à titre d'exemple indicatif et nullement limitatif de l'invention.

  • Les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues de dessus très schématiques d'une machine de tri postal agencée pour mettre en oeuvre le procédé selon l'invention et illustrent le déplacement des bacs dans la machine avec le procédé selon l'invention.
  • La figure 3 est un synoptique montrant les différentes étapes du procédé de tri d'envois postaux selon l'invention.
  • La figure 4 est une vue de dessus très schématique d'une autre machine de tri postal à carrousel agencée pour mettre en oeuvre le procédé selon l'invention.
  • La figure 5 est une vue de dessus d'un dispositif d'aiguillage connu.
The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. This description is given as an indicative and non-limiting example of the invention.
  • The Figures 1 and 2 are very schematic top views of a postal sorting machine arranged to implement the method according to the invention and illustrate the movement of the bins in the machine with the method according to the invention.
  • The figure 3 is a block diagram showing the different steps of the method of sorting postal items according to the invention.
  • The figure 4 is a highly schematic top view of another postal sorting carousel machine arranged to implement the method according to the invention.
  • The figure 5 is a top view of a known switching device.

L'invention s'applique plus particulièrement à un tri « sequencing » en plusieurs passes de tri pour la préparation de tournées de facteur sur une machine de tri à carrousel à godets. Dans une telle machine, des envois postaux sont introduits dans un dispositif de stockage des envois (magasin) et de dépilage qui met en série les envois postaux disposés en pile en entrée de la machine pour les présenter un à un sur chant dans un dispositif de reconnaissance automatique d'adresse par OCR. Chaque envoi est ensuite chargé dans un godet d'un carrousel à godets qui circule au-dessus de sorties de tri de la machine pour distribuer les envois dans des bacs de stockage prévus dans ces sorties de tri. Chaque sortie de tri de cette machine peut être munie d'un bac amovible.The invention applies more particularly to a "sequencing" sorting in several sorting passes for the preparation of factor turnings on a bucket carousel sorting machine. In such a machine, postal items are introduced into a storage device (warehouse) and unstacking which puts in series the postal items arranged in stack at the entrance of the machine to present them one by one on edge in a device of automatic address recognition by OCR. Each shipment is then loaded into a bucket of a bucket carousel that travels over sorting outlets of the machine to distribute the shipments in storage bins provided in these sorting outlets. Each sorting outlet of this machine can be equipped with a removable tray.

Sur les figures 1 et 2, on a représenté partiellement une même machine de tri 1 selon l'invention à différents stades du procédé de tri selon l'invention. La machine de tri 1 comporte une rangée de sorties de tri 2 le long desquelles s'étendent de façon adjacente devant, un convoyeur d'évacuation 3 de bacs pleins appelé communément « Full Tray Conveyor » ou « FTC » qui peut être un convoyeur à bande motorisée, et derrière un convoyeur 4 d'approvisionnement en bac vide. Pour des raisons de clarté, seules cinq sorties de tri 2, identifiées respectivement par S1,S2,S3,S4 et S5, sont représentées sur ces figures mais les machines utilisées pour mettre en oeuvre l'invention comportent un nombre beaucoup plus important de sorties de tri.On the Figures 1 and 2 the same sorting machine 1 according to the invention is partially represented at different stages of the sorting process according to the invention. The sorting machine 1 comprises a row of sorting outlets 2 along which extend adjacently in front of, a discharge conveyor 3 of full containers commonly called "Full Tray Conveyor" or "FTC" which can be a conveyor to motorized belt, and behind an empty tray supply conveyor 4. For the sake of clarity, only five sorting outlets 2, identified respectively by S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5, are represented in these figures but the machines used for implement the invention include a much larger number of sorting outlets.

A une extrémité 5 d'évacuation des bacs du convoyeur d'évacuation 3 s'étendent une première 6 et une seconde 7 lignes d'un convoyeur de recirculation, qui peuvent être par exemple des convoyeurs à bande. Les machines de tri connues comportent déjà un convoyeur de recirculation à une ligne qui est plus communément appelé « Full Tray Recirculation System » ou « FTRS ». Ce convoyeur de recirculation sert à amener les bacs contenant des envois triés lors d'une passe de tri depuis le convoyeur d'évacuation vers l'entrée de la machine afin de réaliser une nouvelle passe de tri avec ces envois, ou vers une zone d'évacuation et de stockage des bacs.At one end 5 of evacuation conveyor bins 3 extend a first 6 and a second 7 lines of a recirculating conveyor, which may be for example conveyor belts. Known sorting machines already include a single row recirculation conveyor which is more commonly known as "Full Tray Recirculation System" or "FTRS". This recirculation conveyor is used to bring the bins containing sorted items during a sorting pass from the evacuation conveyor to the machine entrance in order to perform a new sorting pass with these items, or to a box of the box. evacuation and storage bins.

Les première et seconde lignes 6,7 s'étendent plus particulièrement parallèlement entre elles entre l'extrémité 5 d'évacuation du convoyeur d'évacuation 3 et respectivement des première et seconde extrémités d'évacuation 8,9 qui sont contiguës. Un dispositif 10 de convoyage à aiguillage est disposé dans le prolongement des extrémités d'évacuation 8,9 du convoyeur de recirculation. Ce dispositif 10 de convoyage à aiguillage permet d'amener sur une même voie de convoyage les bacs provenant des première et seconde lignes du convoyeur de recirculation.The first and second lines 6, 7 extend more particularly parallel to one another between the discharge end of the evacuation conveyor 3 and respectively of the first and second evacuation ends 8, 9 which are contiguous. A switching conveyor device 10 is disposed in the extension of the discharge ends 8, 9 of the recirculation conveyor. This switching conveyor device 10 makes it possible to bring the bins coming from the first and second lines of the recirculation conveyor onto the same conveying path.

Le procédé selon l'invention permet de réaliser un tri avec deux bacs par sortie de tri dans la machine décrite ci-dessus. Sur la figure 1, un premier bac vide 11 est disposé dans chacune des sorties de tri 2 de la machine et un second bac vide 12 est disposé sur le convoyeur de bac vide en face de chacune des sorties de tri 2. Les bacs sont repérés par le numéro algébrique de la sortie de tri auxquels ils sont affectés suivi de l'indice A pour les premiers bacs 11 et de l'indice B pour les seconds bacs 12.The method according to the invention makes it possible to sort with two bins per sorting outlet in the machine described above. On the figure 1 a first empty bin 11 is disposed in each of the sorting outlets 2 of the machine and a second empty bin 12 is disposed on the empty bin conveyor opposite each of the sorting outlets 2. The bins are marked with the algebraic number of the sorting outlet to which they are assigned followed by the index A for the first bins 11 and the index B for the second bins 12.

Selon un plan de tri préétabli, les envois postaux triés dans des sorties de tri successives doivent être évacués de la machine de manière successive pour conserver la séquence de tri entre les envois postaux, c'est à dire que les bacs (1A,1B) utilisés dans la première sortie de tri (S1) doivent être évacués avant les bacs (2A,2B) utilisés dans la seconde sortie de tri (S2) et ainsi de suite jusqu'aux bacs (5A,5B) de la dernière et cinquième sortie de tri (S5) et que l'ordre entre les premier et second bacs (xA et xB) utilisés dans chaque sortie de tri doit également être conservé. L'invention repose sur le fait de ramener les bacs en entrée de la machine pour une passe de tri subséquente en respectant l'ordre des bacs pour le dépilage des envois postaux lors de cette passe de tri subséquente.According to a pre-established sorting plan, the postal items sorted in successive sorting outlets must be removed from the machine in a successive manner to maintain the sorting sequence between the postal items, that is to say that the bins (1A, 1B) used in the first sorting outlet (S1) must be evacuated before the bins (2A, 2B) used in the second sorting outlet (S2) and so on until the bins (5A, 5B) of the last and fifth output sorting (S5) and that the order between the first and second bins (xA and xB) used in each sorting outlet must also be retained. The invention is based on the fact of bringing back the bins at the entrance of the machine for a subsequent sorting pass respecting the order of the bins for unstacking postal items during this subsequent sorting pass.

La position des bacs 11,12 dans la machine représentée sur la figure 1 correspond à la préparation de la machine avant le début du processus de tri et concorde avec la première étape 20 du procédé de tri selon l'invention illustré par le synoptique de la figure 3. Un premier bac 11 vide se trouve dans chaque sortie de tri. On voit sur la figure 1 que le convoyeur d'évacuation 3 et le convoyeur de bac vide 4 sont disposés de part et d'autre d'une rangée de sorties de tri de sorte qu'un système simple (non représenté) de manutention automatique de bacs équipant chaque sortie de tri peut être commandé pour déplacer un bac vide du convoyeur de bac vide 4 dans la sortie de tri considérée (qui fait face au bac vide) et un bac de cette sortie de tri sur le convoyeur d'évacuation 3. Des seconds bacs vides peuvent, mais ne sont pas obligatoirement positionnés en permanence en regard des premières sorties de tri. Le déplacement de ces bacs vides peut être géré par le système de manutention automatique des bacs.The position of the bins 11,12 in the machine represented on the figure 1 corresponds to the preparation of the machine before the beginning of the sorting process and is consistent with the first step 20 of the sorting method according to the invention illustrated by the block diagram of the figure 3 . A first empty tray 11 is in each sorting outlet. We see on the figure 1 that the evacuation conveyor 3 and the empty trough conveyor 4 are arranged on either side of a row of sorting outlets so that a simple system (not shown) for automatic handling of trays equipping each outlet of sorting can be controlled to move an empty bin of the empty bin conveyor 4 into the sorting outlet in question (which faces the empty bin) and a bin of this sorting outlet on the evacuation conveyor 3. Second empty bin can but are not necessarily permanently positioned next to the first sorting outlets. Moving these empty bins can be handled by the automatic bin handling system.

On commande alors à l'étape 21 de la figure 3 le démarrage du processus de tri et on introduit des envois postaux dans la machine. Les envois postaux sont dépilés et dirigés les uns après les autres chacun vers une sortie de tri appropriée en fonction du plan de tri et de leur adresse de destination.We then order at step 21 of the figure 3 starting the sorting process and introducing postal items into the machine. The postal items are unstacked and directed one after the other each to an appropriate sorting outlet according to the sorting plan and their destination address.

Après le tri d'un envoi postal courant à l'étape 22, une unité de contrôle/commande de la machine programmée pour mettre en oeuvre le procédé selon l'invention vérifie à l'étape 23 si cet envoi courant est le dernier envoi à trier et donc que le processus de tri est terminé. Si le processus de tri n'est pas terminé, l'unité de contrôle/commande commande le tri de l'envoi postal subséquent à l'envoi courant et dans un même temps vérifie à l'étape 24 si le bac dans lequel est déposé l'envoi postal courant est un premier bac et si ce dernier est plein.After the sorting of a postal item running at step 22, a machine control / control unit programmed to implement the method according to the invention checks in step 23 whether this current item is the last item sent to sort and so the sort process is complete. If the sorting process is not completed, the control / command unit orders the sorting of the subsequent postal item to the current item and at the same time checks in step 24 if the box in which is deposited the current mailing is a first ferry and if it is full.

Dans la machine de tri, le niveau de remplissage des bacs de sortie de tri est contrôlé de façon continue et dans le procédé selon l'invention, le contrôle du niveau de remplissage des bacs dans les sorties de tri est effectué de préférence sur la base d'une mesure de l'épaisseur de chaque envoi réalisée par exemple au moment de la reconnaissance d'adresse dans le dispositif de reconnaissance automatique d'adresse par OCR.In the sorting machine, the filling level of the sorting outlet bins is continuously monitored and in the method according to the invention, the control of the filling level of the bins in the sorting outlets is preferably carried out on the basis of a measurement of the thickness of each shipment made for example at the time of address recognition in the automatic address recognition device OCR.

Si un premier bac est plein, la machine commande un changement de bac dans cette sortie de tri à l'étape 25, c'est à dire commande le système de manutention de bac de cette sortie de tri pour transférer le premier bac plein sur le convoyeur de bacs pleins qui est à l'arrêt et pour charger dans cette sortie de tri un second bac vide qui est disposé sur le convoyeur de bacs vides en face de cette sortie de tri. Le déplacement des bacs dans la machine de tri est mémorisé dans la machine et l'unité de contrôle/commande vérifie à l'étape 26 à partir de ces informations mémorisées si le premier bac de chaque sortie de tri a été transféré sur le convoyeur à l'arrêt. Lorsque les premiers bacs de toutes les sorties de tri sont disposés sur le convoyeur à l'arrêt, ces premiers bacs se suivent dans le même ordre que les sorties de tri de la machine, c'est à dire que le premier bac (1A) de la première sortie de tri précède le premier bac (2A) de la seconde sortie de tri, et ce jusqu'au premier bac (5A) de la cinquième et dernière sortie de tri en référence à l'exemple des figures 1 et 2. L'unité de contrôle/commande commande alors à l'étape 27 l'évacuation en ordre des premiers bacs disposés sur le convoyeur d'évacuation 3 jusque sur la première ligne 6 du convoyeur de recirculation en mettant en marche et en faisant avancer ces dits convoyeurs 3,6 disposés dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre.If a first bin is full, the machine controls a bin change in this sorting outlet in step 25, ie controls the bin handling system of this sorting outlet to transfer the first full bin to the bin. full container conveyor which is stationary and for loading in this sorting outlet a second empty container which is arranged on the conveyor of empty containers in front of this sorting outlet. The movement of the bins in the sorting machine is stored in the machine and the control / command unit checks in step 26 from this stored information whether the first bin of each sorting outlet has been transferred to the conveyor. shutdown. When the first bins of all the sorting outlets are disposed on the conveyor stationary, these first bins follow each other in the same order as the sorting outlets of the machine, that is to say that the first bin (1A) of the first sorting outlet precedes the first bin (2A) of the second sorting outlet, and this up to the first bin (5A) of the fifth and last sorting outlet with reference to the example of Figures 1 and 2 . The control / command unit then controls in step 27 the evacuation in order of the first bins disposed on the evacuation conveyor 3 to the first line 6 of the recirculation conveyor by starting and advancing these said 3.6 conveyors arranged in the extension of one another.

Lorsque les premiers bacs ont été transférés sur la première ligne 6, le convoyeur d'évacuation 3 est mis à l'arrêt. Chaque sortie de tri comporte alors un second bac 12.When the first bins have been transferred to the first line 6, the evacuation conveyor 3 is stopped. Each sorting outlet then has a second bin 12.

A la fin de la passe de tri, lorsque tous les envois postaux ont été déposés dans les bacs (étape 23), l'unité de contrôle/commande commande à l'étape 28 un transfert de tous les seconds bacs jusque sur le convoyeur d'évacuation 3 à l'arrêt. Les seconds bacs se suivent sur le convoyeur d'évacuation dans le même ordre que les sorties de tri de la machine, c'est à dire que le bac (1 B) précède le bac (2B) qui précède les bacs (3B), (4B) et (5B). L'unité de contrôle/commande commande alors à l'étape 29 l'évacuation en ordre des seconds bacs disposés sur le convoyeur d'évacuation 3 jusque sur la seconde ligne 7 du convoyeur de recirculation en mettant en marche et en faisant avancer ces dits convoyeurs 3,7 disposés dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre.At the end of the sorting pass, when all the postal items have been deposited in the bins (step 23), the control / command unit controls in step 28 a transfer of all the second bins to the conveyor of the bins. evacuation 3 at the stop. The second bins follow each other on the evacuation conveyor in the same order as the sorting outlets of the machine, that is to say that the bin (1 B) precedes the bin (2B) which precedes the bins (3B), (4B) and (5B). The control / command unit then controls in step 29 the evacuation in order of the second bins disposed on the evacuation conveyor 3 to the second line 7 of the recirculation conveyor by starting and advancing these said 3.7 conveyors arranged in the extension of one another.

Les bacs sont alors disposés sur les lignes 6,7 dans la machine comme représenté sur la figure 2. Les premiers bacs (1A) à (5A) sont disposés dans l'ordre sur la première ligne 6 et les seconds bacs (1 B) à (5B) sont disposés dans l'ordre sur la seconde ligne 7. Comme sur la figure 2, les lignes du convoyeur de recirculation sont disposées en parallèle côte à côte, les premier et second bacs provenant d'une même sortie sont disposés côte à côte sur leur ligne respective. Au niveau des extrémités d'évacuation contiguës respectives 8 et 9 des première et seconde lignes se trouvent les premier et second bacs provenant de la première sortie de tri. Pour recréer la séquence de bacs voulue, il suffit donc de prendre à l'étape 30 alternativement un premier bac au niveau de la première extrémité d'évacuation 8 puis un second bac au niveau de la seconde extrémité d'évacuation 9, ceci en continuant à faire avancer les bacs sur le convoyeur de recirculation 6,7 vers les extrémités d'évacuation 8,9, jusqu'à ce que tous les bacs soient évacués.The bins are then arranged on the lines 6,7 in the machine as shown on the figure 2 . The first bins (1A) to (5A) are arranged in the order on the first line 6 and the second bins (1 B) to (5B) are arranged in order on the second line 7. As on the figure 2 the lines of the recirculating conveyor are arranged in parallel side by side, the first and second bins coming from the same outlet are arranged side by side on their respective line. At the respective contiguous discharge ends 8 and 9 of the first and second lines are the first and second bins from the first sorting outlet. To recreate the desired sequence of tanks, it is therefore sufficient to take in step 30 alternatively a first tank at the first discharge end 8 and a second tank at the second discharge end 9, this continuing to advance the bins on the recirculation conveyor 6.7 to the discharge ends 8, 9, until all the bins are evacuated.

Sur la machine de tri 1 de la figure 2, les bacs présents sur les première et seconde lignes 6,7 sont évacués alternativement de manière automatique au moyen d'un système de convoyage à aiguillage 10 qui permet de réunir deux voies de convoyage en une seule voie de convoyage, ce système de convoyage à aiguillage étant disposé dans le prolongement du convoyeur de recirculation au niveau des extrémités d'évacuation 8,9.On the sorting machine 1 of the figure 2 the bins present on the first and second lines 6, 7 are evacuated alternately automatically by means of a switching conveyor system 10 which makes it possible to join two conveying paths in a single conveying path, this conveyor system to switch being disposed in the extension of the recirculation conveyor at the discharge ends 8,9.

Ces bacs, ainsi séquencés sur une unique voie de convoyage, sont évacués soit vers l'entrée de la machine pour que les envois soient réintroduits dans la machine pour une nouvelle passe de tri, soit vers un lieu de stockage des envois lorsque par exemple la préparation des tournées du facteur est terminée.These bins, thus sequenced on a single conveying path, are evacuated either towards the entrance of the machine so that the items are reintroduced into the machine for a new sorting pass, or to a storage place for shipments when for example the preparation of the tour of the postman is over.

On a représenté de manière très schématique sur la figure 4 une autre machine de tri 101 adaptée pour mettre en oeuvre le procédé selon l'invention. Cette machine présente deux niveaux superposés comportant chacun un carrousel à godets, chaque carrousel à godets circulant au dessus de deux rangées de sorties de tri, lesquelles sont disposées sur chacune des faces de la machine de tri. Une telle machine de tri peut être considérée comme un ensemble de quatre machines de tri virtuelles indépendantes, c'est à dire une machine virtuelle par niveau et par face ou plus simplement par rangée de sortie de tri. Un convoyeur d'évacuation de bacs pleins 103a,103b,103c,103d circule devant chacune des rangées de sorties de tri. A la fin par exemple d'une première passe de tri lors d'un tri en plusieurs passes de tri, les envois postaux triés dans des bacs issus d'une même rangée des sorties de tri doivent être réintroduits ensemble dans la machine de tri. Ainsi, à chacun des convoyeurs d'évacuation 103a-103d correspond un dépileur 113a,113b,113c,113d. Les dépileurs associés aux rangées de sorties de tri d'un même niveau sont proches et débouchent sur un dispositif de reconnaissance automatique d'adresse par OCR commun 114ab, 114cd.It is very schematically represented on the figure 4 another sorting machine 101 adapted to implement the method according to the invention. This machine has two superimposed levels each having a bucket carousel, each bucket carousel flowing over two rows of sorting outlets, which are arranged on each of the faces of the sorting machine. Such a sorting machine can be considered as a set of four independent virtual sorting machines, ie a virtual machine by level and by face or more simply by row of sorting output. An evacuation conveyor of full tanks 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d flows in front of each row of sorting outlets. At the end, for example, of a first sorting pass during a sorting in several sorting passes, the postal items sorted in bins coming from a same row of sorting outlets must be reintroduced together in the sorting machine. Thus, to each of the evacuation conveyors 103a-103d corresponds a destacker 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d. The unstackers associated with rows of sorting outlets of the same level are close and lead to an automatic OCR address recognition device 114ab, 114cd.

Dans l'art antérieur, les machines virtuelles sont totalement indépendantes et quatre convoyeurs de recirculation à une ligne relient les quatre convoyeurs d'évacuation aux quatre dépileurs. Avec un tel agencement, il est uniquement possible de trier un bac par sortie de tri si l'on souhaite utiliser des convoyeurs d'évacuation de type convoyeur à bande et conserver une certaine séquence entre les bacs.In the prior art, the virtual machines are completely independent and four single-row recirculation conveyors connect the four evacuation conveyors to the four unstackers. With such an arrangement, it is only possible to sort a tray by sorting outlet if it is desired to use belt conveyor type conveyors and maintain a certain sequence between the bins.

Pour mettre en oeuvre le procédé selon l'invention, on modifie légèrement la configuration de la machine en reliant conjointement les deux convoyeurs d'évacuation d'un même niveau (respectivement 103a,103b et 103c,103d) à un convoyeur de recirculation à deux lignes (respectivement 106ab,107ab et 106cd,107cd) menant aux dépileurs correspondants (respectivement 113a,113b et 113c,113d) et on installe un dispositif d'aiguillage (respectivement 110ab et 110cd) entre les deux lignes du convoyeur de recirculation à proximité des dépileurs. Ce dispositif d'aiguillage 110ab,110cd permet de faire passer les bacs d'une ligne à l'autre du convoyeur de recirculation. Il s'agit par exemple d'un tapis de convoyage disposé transversalement aux lignes du convoyeur de recirculation qui sont parallèles entre elles et agencé pour convoyer les bacs dans un sens ou dans l'autre, d'une ligne à l'autre.To implement the method according to the invention, the configuration of the machine is slightly modified by jointly connecting the two evacuation conveyors of the same level (respectively 103a, 103b and 103c, 103d) to a recirculation conveyor with two lines (respectively 106ab, 107ab and 106cd, 107cd) leading to the corresponding unstackers (respectively 113a, 113b and 113c, 113d) and a switching device (respectively 110ab and 110cd) is installed between the two lines of the recirculation conveyor near the stackers. This switching device 110ab, 110cd allows the bins to pass from one line to another of the recirculation conveyor. This is for example a conveyor belt disposed transversely to the lines of the recirculating conveyor which are parallel to each other and arranged to convey the trays in one direction or the other, from one line to another.

On a représenté sur la figure 5 un dispositif d'aiguillage 120 connu pouvant être adapté et utilisé sur la machine 101 et permettant de déplacer un bac 121 suivant deux directions perpendiculaires indiquées par les flèches 122,123. Au niveau de l'intersection entre deux convoyeurs perpendiculaires 124,125 à rouleaux motorisés le bac peut être entraîné dans les deux sens suivant la direction 122 au moyen de rouleaux motorisés 126 ou peut être entraîné suivant la direction 123 au moyen de bandes de convoyage 127 disposées parallèlement entre des rouleaux 126. Les bandes de convoyage 127 sont montées sur un châssis montant ou s'abaissant de manière que ces bandes de convoyage soient ou non en contact avec le bac 121 pour le convoyer ou pour laisser les rouleaux motorisés 126 le déplacer.We have shown on the figure 5 a known switching device 120 can be adapted and used on the machine 101 and for moving a tray 121 in two perpendicular directions indicated by the arrows 122,123. At the intersection between two perpendicular conveyors 124,125 with motorized rollers the container can be driven in both directions along the direction 122 by means of motorized rollers 126 or can be driven in the direction 123 by means of conveyor belts 127 arranged in parallel between the rollers 126. The conveyor belts 127 are mounted on a frame rising or falling so that these conveyor belts are or not in contact with the tray 121 to convey it or to let the motorized rollers 126 move it.

Dans une telle machine 101, le procédé selon l'invention est utilisé de la manière suivante. Le procédé est le même pour les deux niveaux de la machine de tri et ne sera donc décrit qu'en référence à un des niveaux.In such a machine 101, the method according to the invention is used in the following manner. The process is the same for the two levels of the sorting machine and will therefore be described with reference to one of the levels.

On tri des envois postaux de la machine et lorsque le premier bac d'une sortie de tri est plein, on le transfère sur le convoyeur d'évacuation 103a ou 103b à l'arrêt disposé en regard de la sortie de tri et on charge un second bac vide dans cette sortie de tri. Lorsque tous les premiers bacs des deux rangées de sorties de tri disposées de part et d'autre de la machine sur le même niveau ont été transférés sur les convoyeurs d'évacuations 103a,103b, on les amène, en les entremêlant sur la première ligne 106ab du convoyeur de recirculation. Les premiers bacs disposés sur le convoyeur d'évacuation 103a et sur l'autre convoyeur d'évacuation 103b sont par exemple amenés alternativement un à un sur la première ligne 106ab, c'est à dire un premier bac provenant d'un convoyeur d'évacuation 103a, suivi d'un premier bac provenant de l'autre convoyeur d'évacuation 103b. Les premiers bacs sont avancés jusqu'au dispositif d'aiguillage 110ab.Sorting the postal items of the machine and when the first bin of a sorting outlet is full, it is transferred to the evacuation conveyor 103a or 103b at the stop disposed opposite the sorting outlet and load a second empty bin in this sorting outlet. When all the first bins of the two rows of sorting outlets arranged on both sides of the machine on the same level have been transferred to the evacuation conveyors 103a, 103b, they are brought, by intermingling them on the first line. 106ab of the recirculating conveyor. The first bins arranged on the evacuation conveyor 103a and on the other evacuation conveyor 103b are for example brought alternately one by one on the first line 106ab, that is to say a first tray coming from a conveyor. 103a discharge, followed by a first tray from the other evacuation conveyor 103b. The first bins are advanced to the referral device 110ab.

A l'issue de la passe de tri, on transfère tous les seconds bacs sur les convoyeurs d'évacuation 103a,103b. On amène ensuite, en les entremêlant, ces seconds bacs sur la seconde ligne 107ab du convoyeur de recirculation, en respectant la même séquence entre les bacs que lorsqu'on a entremêlé les premiers bacs. Les seconds bacs disposés sur le convoyeur d'évacuation 103a et sur l'autre convoyeur d'évacuation 103b sont par exemple amenés, comme précédemment les premiers bacs, alternativement un à un sur la seconde ligne 107ab. Les seconds bacs sont avancés jusqu'au dispositif d'aiguillage 110ab.At the end of the sorting pass, all the second bins are transferred to the evacuation conveyors 103a, 103b. These second bins are then brought to the second line 107ab of the recirculating conveyor, by mixing them in the same sequence between the bins as when the first bins were intermingled. The second bins disposed on the evacuation conveyor 103a and on the other evacuation conveyor 103b are for example brought, as previously the first bins, alternately one by one on the second line 107ab. The second bins are advanced to the switching device 110ab.

La séquence de bac en référence aux sorties de tri dont ils sont issus est la même pour les premiers bacs sur le première ligne que pour les seconds bacs sur la seconde ligne.The tray sequence in reference to the sorting outlets from which they are derived is the same for the first bins on the first line as for the second bins on the second line.

Il convient alors d'amener dans l'ordre les premiers et seconds bacs provenant d'une rangée de sorties de tri, c'est à dire d'un convoyeur d'évacuation 103a,103b, vers son dépileur 113a,113b correspondant.It is then necessary to bring into order the first and second bins coming from a row of sorting outlets, that is to say from an evacuation conveyor 103a, 103b, to its unstacker 113a, 113b corresponding.

Les premier et second bacs provenant d'une même sortie de tri se présentent en même temps sur respectivement les première et seconde lignes devant le dispositif d'aiguillage 110ab, ils sont donc envoyés dans l'ordre l'un derrière l'autre vers le dépileur correspondant de cette sortie de tri. Les deux bacs suivants sur les première et seconde lignes du convoyeur de recirculation sont aiguillés dans l'ordre vers l'autre dépileur car provenant d'une sortie de tri disposée sur la face opposée par rapport à la sortie de tri des bacs qui les précédaient directement, et ainsi de suite jusqu'à avoir réintroduit tous les envois dans la machine.The first and second bins coming from the same sorting outlet are at the same time respectively on the first and second lines in front of the switching device 110ab, they are therefore sent to the order one behind the other to the corresponding unstacker of this sorting outlet. The two following bins on the first and second lines of the recirculation conveyor are switched in order to the other unstacker because from a sorting outlet disposed on the opposite side with respect to the sorting outlet of the bins that preceded them directly, and so on until you have reintroduced all shipments into the machine.

Par rapport à l'exemple des figures 1 à 3, on a en outre entremêlé les bacs provenant de deux convoyeurs d'évacuation différents sur une même ligne puis séparé les bacs avec le dispositif d'aiguillage pour amener tous les bacs provenant d'un même convoyeur d'évacuation, et seulement ceux-ci jusqu'à une même destination.Compared to the example of Figures 1 to 3 the bins from two different evacuation conveyors were also intermingled on the same line and then separated the bins with the switching device to bring all the bins from the same evacuation conveyor, and only these to the same destination.

Des dispositifs 115 d'identification des bacs par exemple par lecture de codes à barres inscrits sur les bacs peuvent être utilisés pour contrôler le bon déplacement des bacs.Devices 115 for identifying the trays for example by reading bar codes inscribed on the trays can be used to control the proper movement of the trays.

Par ailleurs, les premiers bacs ne sont pas obligatoirement tous pleins avant la fin de la passe de tri. Ces premiers bacs n'auront alors pas d'homologues seconds bacs issus des mêmes sorties de tri. Ils ne sont alors pas transférés sur le convoyeur d'évacuation car ils ne sont pas pleins pendant la passe de tri mais sont par exemple transférés à la fin de la passe de tri pour conserver la séquence entre les premiers bacs, avant d'envoyer les premiers bacs vers la première ligne. Les seconds bacs de ces sorties de tri ne sont pas nécessairement transférés sur le convoyeur d'évacuation puis évacués car ils sont vides. Les dispositifs d'identification des bacs en relation avec l'unité de contrôle/commande permettent de maintenir une séquence correcte entre les bacs sur les différentes lignes du convoyeur de recirculation. En pratique, on tient compte du fait qu'un second bac aurait dû être envoyé sur la seconde ligne, même si il n'existe pas, afin de respecter l'alternance entre les bacs issus des différents convoyeurs d'évacuation, ou la manière d'entremêler les bacs, de sorte à obtenir une séquence similaire sur les deux lignes du convoyeur de recirculation. On tient également compte de la non existence de ces seconds bacs lorsqu'on sépare les bacs au niveau du dispositif d'aiguillage. Selon une autre alternative, les premiers bacs qui ne sont pas pleins pendant la passe de tri peuvent être transférés sur le convoyeur d'évacuation seulement en même temps que les seconds bacs des autres sorties de tri et être envoyés sur la seconde ligne du convoyeur de recirculation.In addition, the first bins are not necessarily full before the end of the sorting pass. These first bins will then have no second bin counterparts from the same sorting outlets. They are then not transferred to the evacuation conveyor because they are not full during the sorting pass but are for example transferred to the end of the sorting pass to keep the sequence between the first bins, before sending them. first bins to the first line. The second bins of these sorting outlets are not necessarily transferred to the evacuation conveyor and then evacuated because they are empty. The identification devices of the bins in relation to the control / control unit make it possible to maintain a correct sequence between the bins on the different lines of the recirculation conveyor. In practice, it is taken into account that a second ferry should have been sent on the second line, even if it does not exist, in order to respect the alternation between the bins coming from the different evacuation conveyors, or the way to intermingle the bins, so as to obtain a similar sequence on the two lines of the recirculation conveyor. The non-existence of these second bins is also taken into account when the bins are separated at the switching device. According to another alternative, the first bins that are not full during the sorting pass can be transferred to the evacuation conveyor only at the same time as the second bins of the other sorting outlets and be sent to the second line of the conveyor. recirculation.

Par entremêler, on entend mélanger de manière ordonnée les bacs provenant de différents convoyeurs de recirculation pour les amener en file ou en ligne sur une ligne de recirculation. II est avantageux d'alterner les bacs provenant des deux convoyeurs d'évacuation de manière que les flux de bacs arrivant aux différents dépileurs soient identiques. L'alternance sur les lignes du convoyeur de recirculation entre les bacs provenant des différents convoyeurs d'évacuation n'est cependant pas obligatoirement régulière, elle doit seulement être identique pour la séquence de premiers bacs et pour la séquence de seconds bacs.Intermingling means the orderly mixing of the bins from different recirculation conveyors to bring them in line or in line on a recirculation line. It is advantageous to alternate the trays coming from the two evacuation conveyors so that the flows of trays arriving at the different unstackers are identical. The alternation on the lines of the recirculation conveyor between the bins coming from the different evacuation conveyors is however not necessarily regular, it must only be identical for the sequence of first bins and for the sequence of second bins.

L'invention s'étend également à un procédé avec lequel on réalise un tri avec trois bacs ou plus par sortie de tri en utilisant un convoyeur de recirculation à trois lignes ou plus.The invention also extends to a method of sorting with three or more bins per sorting outlet using a recirculating conveyor with three or more lines.

Ainsi, avec le procédé selon l'invention, il est possible de trier plusieurs bacs par sortie de tri au cours d'un tri « sequencing » en ne modifiant que légèrement la configuration d'une machine de tri existante et avec des moyens de convoyage simples et peu coûteux.Thus, with the method according to the invention, it is possible to sort several bins by sorting outlet during a "sequencing" sorting by only slightly modifying the configuration of an existing sorting machine and with conveying means simple and inexpensive.

Claims (4)

  1. A method for sorting postal items in several passes in a postal sorting machine (1) having sorting outlets (2) provided respectively with removable trays in which the sorted items are distributed during a sorting pass, the sorting machine being provided with an automatic tray handling system (11,12) controlled to automatically transfer a tray full of items from a sorting outlet on an evacuation conveyor (3) extending along the sorting outlets and continued with a recirculation conveyor (6,7) bringing the full trays in line back to an inlet of the machine for a subsequent sorting pass, characterised in that said machine has sorting outlets able to operate each with a first tray (1A-5A) and a second tray (1B-5B) and in that the method comprises the following steps :
    - during a sorting pass, monitoring (24) the fill level of the first trays respectively loaded in the sorting outlets and if a first tray of a sorting outlet is detected to be full, controlling (25) the handling system to automatically transfer this first full tray (1A) from said sorting outlet on the evacuation conveyor which is stopped and to load automatically in said sorting outlet a empty second tray (1 B), while information indicative of this transfer of the first tray for said sorting outlet are recorded in a memory of the sorting machine ;
    - checking (26) said transfer information to bring said first trays of all said sorting outlets on the stopped evacuation conveyor, while said first trays are following each other in the same order as the sorting outlets on the evacuation conveyor;
    - moving forward (27) said evacuation conveyor to evacuate in order all said first trays on a first line of the recirculation conveyor, then stopping the evacuation conveyor;
    - at the end of said sorting pass, controlling (28) the handling system to transfer said second trays loaded in said outlets respectively on the stopped evacuation conveyor, while said second trays are following each other on the evacuation conveyor in the same order as the sorting outlets;
    - moving forward (29) the evacuation conveyor to evacuate in order all said second trays on a second line of the recirculation conveyor.
  2. Method according to claim 1, comprising moving the trays of the first and second lines of the recirculation conveyor through a switch conveyor (10) to constitute (30) one only sequence of trays alternating a first tray coming from the first line and a second tray coming from the second line.
  3. Method according to claim 2 in a sorting machine (101) with two rows of juxtaposed and/or overlying sorting outlets each provided with an evacuation conveyor (103a,103b), comprising intermingling the first trays of the two rows of sorting outlets before bringing them on the first line (106ab) of the recirculation conveyor and intermingling the second trays of the rows of sorting outlets before bringing them on the second line (107ab) of the recirculation conveyor, and switching with the switch conveyor (110ab) the first and second trays coming from a row of sorting outlets toward a first evacuation track and the first and second trays coming from the other row of sorting outlets toward a second evacuation track.
  4. Method according to one of the previous claims, comprising utilising an evacuation band conveyor (3,103) to evacuate the trays.
EP20070101900 2006-02-20 2007-02-07 Postal dispatch sorting method with tray sequence Not-in-force EP1820575B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0650581A FR2897544A1 (en) 2006-02-20 2006-02-20 METHOD FOR SORTING POSTAL SHIPMENTS WITH BACk SEQUENCING

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1820575A1 EP1820575A1 (en) 2007-08-22
EP1820575B1 true EP1820575B1 (en) 2009-09-23

Family

ID=36940634

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20070101900 Not-in-force EP1820575B1 (en) 2006-02-20 2007-02-07 Postal dispatch sorting method with tray sequence

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1820575B1 (en)
DE (1) DE602007002507D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2334169T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2897544A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8504192B2 (en) 2007-12-13 2013-08-06 Solystic Method of sorting mailpieces by using a process for dynamically allocating sorting outlets
DE102008006753A1 (en) * 2008-01-30 2009-08-13 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device for sorting mailpieces
EP3254770A1 (en) * 2016-06-09 2017-12-13 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method of sorting flat articles with using intermediate mobile storage units
CN109127450A (en) * 2018-09-19 2019-01-04 深圳市景方盈科技有限公司 A kind of transformer automated sorting production line

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6953906B2 (en) * 1999-08-02 2005-10-11 Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp. Delivery point sequencing mail sorting system with flat mail capability
FR2886177B1 (en) * 2005-05-27 2007-06-29 Solystic Sas METHOD FOR SORTING POSTAL SHIPMENTS WITH BAG SEQUENCING ON A BANDWAY CONVEYOR

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2897544A1 (en) 2007-08-24
ES2334169T3 (en) 2010-03-05
EP1820575A1 (en) 2007-08-22
DE602007002507D1 (en) 2009-11-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2158144B1 (en) Automated system for preparing parcels
EP3256268B1 (en) Postal sorting machine having a feeding entry with a robotic arm and an inclined flat conveyor
EP2906366B1 (en) Method for procesing packages and according logistics centre
EP2210834B1 (en) Method and installation for grouping stackable products such as cases and others
EP3797882B1 (en) Installation for sorting postal parcels or packages
FR3035864A1 (en) LOT PACKAGING ARCHITECTURE WITH CONTROLLED POWER SUPPLY
FR2630412A1 (en) Method and container for automatic handling of handfuls of flat objects
EP2225049A2 (en) Method for sorting postal items using a process for sorting outputs dynamic allocation
FR3031047A1 (en) POSTAL SORTING MACHINE WITH POWER INPUT COMPRISING A ROBOTIC ARM AND A VERTICALLY MOBILE STORE
WO2018167437A1 (en) Production of batches of products for palletizing in layers
EP3828107B1 (en) An installation for sorting articles such as parcels or packets with a system for monitoring the positioning of the articles by outline detection
EP1820575B1 (en) Postal dispatch sorting method with tray sequence
EP1775241A1 (en) Method and device for the automatic palletizing of parcels, in particular for commissioning
FR2602181A1 (en) DEVICE FOR ASSEMBLING IN LIASES OF CONCURRING DOCUMENTS
EP1726371B1 (en) Process and machine for sorting postal items with sequencing of containers on a band conveyor
EP1707275B1 (en) Method of treating postal items with dynamic overflow
EP1618969B1 (en) Method for handling postal items for preparation and separation of postman's routes and according sorting apparatus
FR2998272A1 (en) Installation unit for transporting and laying down object e.g. fruit or vegetable, during packaging, has controller controlling first and second feed conveyors, and sensors detecting objects transported by first and/or second conveyer
EP1118556B1 (en) Automatic dispensing system for articles for commissioning one or several orders
EP0239447A1 (en) Invoicing equipment for loose goods
EP2731736B1 (en) Postal sorting machine and method for postal mailings and separators
FR2629803A1 (en) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACCUMULATING AND CONVEYING ARTICLES FOR PRESENTING SUCH ARTICLES AT A STATION FIXED IN A DETERMINED ARBITRARY ORDER
EP3941859A1 (en) Device for gathering products
FR3070681A1 (en) TRANSFERRING A BATCH OF PRODUCTS BETWEEN A TRAY AND THE TOP OF AT LEAST ONE PALLET
FR2736848A1 (en) Automatically packing sorted mail - using servo-controlled electromagnetically operated trap door for ejecting sorted mail onto conveyor

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20080222

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): BE DE ES FR GB NL

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE DE ES FR GB NL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 602007002507

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20091105

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2334169

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20100624

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 10

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20170221

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20170217

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20170216

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20170216

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20170216

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20170213

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602007002507

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20180301

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20180207

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20180228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20181031

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180301

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180901

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180207

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180228

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20190801

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180208