EP2260950B1 - Method and device for regulated transport of objects - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transporting objects, in particular postal items, to a processing device using at least one buffer device with a plurality of buffer modules connected in series.

An apparatus having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method having the features of the preamble of claim 12 are made DE 3444335 A1 known.

Fig. 8 of DE 3444335 A1 shows a separating device that separates upright mail pieces. This separating device has a separator with a plurality of driver elements ("take-off belts 20") and a retaining element ("scraper 14"). The mailpieces are transported to a singler on a feeder which has the form of a U-shaped transport channel. This feeder comprises an underfloor conveyor belt 36 and two side walls. The one side wall is formed by an endless conveyor belt 34, which is guided around two vertical axes. The other side wall also comprises such an endless conveyor belt 43 and downstream of a guide member 41 which is resiliently mounted rotatably about a vertical axis. A switch 43 then turns off a downstream feed unit when the thickness of the stack between the endless conveyor belt 34 and the baffle 41 reaches a predetermined thickness limit. The guide element 41 is part of a storage unit 38. FIG. 10 shows a modification in which the one side wall passes through the endless conveyor belt 34 with a support wall 58 and the other side wall through a succession of rollers 52, 55, 73, 74, 75 is formed, wherein the rollers are resiliently mounted and are deflected by a thick stack. If a roller 52, 55, 73, 74,75 deflected beyond a predetermined amount addition, so will a switch 60, which temporarily stops the supply of additional mail.

In DE 1081832 B an intermediate stacker for flat objects is described. The objects should be transported to a distribution machine. A feed trough F_z transports the articles to a feed switch W_z. This diverter directs the items to an entry stacker St_e. An intermediate conveyor Z_ü conveys objects from the input stacker St_e to an output stacker St_a in such a way that the two stackers St_e, St_a are filled uniformly. In one embodiment, the two stackers St_e, St_a are arranged one above the other. In another embodiment, these two stackers are arranged side by side. An additional einzustapelnder object is stacked in both embodiments of the same page in a stacker St_e, St_a and withdrawn again. Two level sensors in the form of two feeler lever contacts F1, F2 respectively measure the event that the thickness of the stack in a stacker St_e, St_a reaches a certain thickness.

In EP 1348653 A1 a device for palletizing packages of printed products is described. A collecting station 4 has three stacking devices 5, 6, 7. The collecting station 4 forms packages 1. A palletizer 8 deposits packages on a pallet 9. Each stacking device 5, 6, 7 each has a lift device 10.

Fig. 2 from EP 0429118 B1 shows an arrangement with a plurality of memory devices connected in parallel. Each memory device has a plurality of memory modules connected in series. A "main feed track 1" transports mailpieces to the storage devices, a "main discharge track 8" transports mailpieces away from the storage units.

Fig. 1 from US 5,577,596 shows an arrangement for processing mailpieces. This arrangement has four input stations ("input stations 1a - 1d") and a plurality of output units ("output positions 3a, 3b"). The input stations 1a-1d are connected via a transport device 5 to the output units 3a, 3b. The transport device 5 has a plurality of individual transport elements 23, 105, 11, 113, 121, 123, which are pivotable in a plurality of positions. This creates a large number of possible paths.

• mit einer "infeed function", in dem weitere Postsendungen dem Stapel zugeführt werden,
• mit einer "extraction function", in der Postsendungen vom Stapel abgezogen werden, oder
• mit einer "halt function", in der das Speichermodul deaktiviert ist, betrieben.

In US 2008/0000814 A1 An arrangement with three parallel memory modules will be described. A feeder transports flat and upright mailpieces on a feed transport path to the memory modules. From this feed transport path, three feed paths branch off to the three memory modules. In each memory module, a stack of flat mail items is formed in each case. The growing pile moves a so-called cutting knife. An underfloor conveyor belt shifts the stack to the cutting knife. An additional mail item is transported on the feed path to the stack and withdrawn in the opposite direction from this stack, according to the principle "Last In - First Out" (LIFO). Here, the cutting knife presses on the stack. Each memory module is optional

• with an "infeed function" in which further mailpieces are fed to the stack,
• with an "extraction function" in which mailpieces are removed from the stack, or
• with a "halt function", in which the memory module is deactivated operated.

In US 2009/0102908 A1 a transport device is described with several parallel transport routes. This transport device is used for example in a printer or copier and transports paper sheets. Flat objects are transported, each flat object being temporarily sandwiched between two endless conveyor belts which pass around rollers with horizontal axes of rotation are. The transported objects are distributed on the transport paths. The transport path is operated in either "normal mode" or "standby mode", depending on properties of an item in the transport path and environmental conditions. In "standby mode", the article remains in the transport path for a predetermined period of time, e.g. B. so that a print on the object can dry.

In EP 429118 B1 a buffer device is described which connects a supply device with a removal device. The buffer device comprises a plurality of parallel buffer modules arranged, for. B. storage pockets for flat mail. For example, the buffer device comprises twelve buffer modules, which are arranged in a matrix-like arrangement in three rows, each with four buffer modules. It is monitored when which item is moved to which buffer module and is removed again from it.

In US 6,107,579 there is described a device that weighs mail while the mail is being transported. A feeder transports mailpieces into a branching device. This branching device splits the mailpieces into several parallel transport paths. In each transport path is a scale that weighs the transported in this transport path mail. All transport paths lead to the same removal facility. This arrangement causes the mailpieces to be transported without slippage and yet the weighing does not reduce throughput, although each individual scale has a lower throughput than the feeder device and the removal device.

In US 5,577,596 a device is described which distributes objects to several outputs. Such a device can be z. B. to sort mail items. In the embodiment, the sorting system has four inputs ("input stations") and many sorting outputs ("output positions"). The inputs and outputs are connected via a variety of transport units. Each transport unit is mounted on a turntable and thereby rotatably mounted about a vertical axis of rotation. Furthermore, each transport unit comprises two endless conveyor belts, which are able to pinch an upright postal item between them. A transport unit is able to transfer a mail item to a subsequent transport unit. Because the transport units are rotatably mounted, in each case at least one transport path can be established from each input to each output.

In US 3,633,733 a transport device with a feed device and a plurality of parallel transport paths is described. A classifier classifies the supplied items, e.g. B. according to their color. A diverter allocates delivered items to the transport paths, depending on the particular result provided by the classifier.

In US 4,299,379 a device for transporting mailpieces will be described. A system of endless conveyor belts transports the mailpieces upright along a transport path. A jogging module shakes upright mail during transport. This vibrator module includes several vibrating rollers embedded in the bottom of the transport path.

The invention has for its object to provide an apparatus with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method having the features of the preamble of claim 12, which allow the amount of the objects transported to the processing device to remain within a predetermined range, as long as the supply of articles by the supply device is sufficient and which avoids a start-stop operation.

The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

• eine Zuführ-Einrichtung,
• eine Puffer-Einrichtung und
• einen Regler.

The device according to the solution is able to transport objects to a processing device. The solution according to the device comprises

• a feeder device,
• a buffer device and
• a regulator.

The buffer device comprises at least two buffer modules connected in series.

The feeder is configured to transport articles to the buffer device. The buffer means is adapted to transport items such that the items transported from the delivery means to the buffer means pass sequentially through the buffer modules of the buffer means and thus to the processing means.

Each buffer module has one level sensor each. Each level sensor of a buffer module is configured to measure a measure of the current level of the buffer module.

The controller is configured to control the supply of articles to each buffer module using the measured level measurements such that the current level of the buffer module remains within a predetermined level range.

It is checked whether or not the measured fill level measure has reached a predetermined fill level intervention limit in a subsequent buffer module.

The previous buffer module transports items at a faster rate than the subsequent second buffer module at least as long as the measured level measurement in the subsequent buffer module remains below the level intervention barrier.

The transport speed of a previous buffer module is temporarily reduced when the measured level measurement in the subsequent buffer module has reached or exceeded the level intervention limit.

The solution according to the device and the method according to the solution make it possible to largely decouple the throughput of objects by the processing device from the throughput through the feeding device. The transport speed of the feeder can be controlled largely independently of the processing speed of the processing device. This is achieved in that the buffer device has at least two buffer modules connected in series and the transport speed of each buffer module can be regulated individually.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to keep the number of objects that reach the processing device in a predetermined range, largely independent of the throughput by the feeding device. This makes it possible to achieve a maximum throughput by the processing device. It is avoided that initially a backlog of objects in front of the processing device occurs and later the processing device "has nothing to do".

The solution makes it possible to realize a modular device. An additional buffer module can be added later, subsequently removing an existing buffer module.

Depending on the level of a buffer module, the supply of other objects is regulated in this buffer module. The level is the controlled variable whose value should be within a specified range. The supply amount with which objects are supplied to the buffer module is the manipulated variable. The fluctuating amount of articles fed into the feeder is a disturbance.

The transport speed of each buffer module can be changed continuously. This leads to lower mechanical loads on the components of the buffer module and also of the goods to be transported as a start-stop operation.

Thanks to the invention, the flow of objects is compressed to the processing device. Gaps between supplied items are closed, and the processing capacity of the processing equipment is better utilized.

In accordance with the present invention, a subsequent second buffer module transports items slower than a previous fast buffer module as long as the level in the subsequent second buffer module remains below a predetermined level-intervention threshold. This ensures that the objects in the subsequent second buffer module are packed more densely than in the preceding first buffer module and on the other hand it is ensured that the level in the subsequent second buffer module remains in the predetermined range.

Preferably, at least one buffer module may accommodate more articles by having at least one sidewall having a region that is movably disposed. This buffer module is preferably designed as a U-shaped transport channel. The supply of an item in the buffer module increases the width of the buffer module, the removal reduces this width.

This time variable width of the buffer module can be easily and easily measured with little effort, z. B. by mechanical or optical means. Therefore, in one embodiment, this width is used as the measure of the level of the buffer module.

Preferably, the buffer module has a return component with the movable sidewall portion. This return component reduces the width of the buffer module when an article is removed from this buffer module by acting on the Rückholkomponente on the sidewall area. Becomes conversely, an article is transported into this buffer module, the width of the buffer module is increased against the force of the return component.

This configuration causes objects in the buffer module to be pushed together by the side walls of the buffer module. Flat objects can be transported in approximately vertical position, which is often desired because the processing device processes perpendicular objects. Here are the flat objects on an edge. Thanks to this configuration, objects can be transported whose respective dimension varies from object to object perpendicular to the transport direction. In addition, objects can be transported so that the number of objects that are side by side, as seen in the direction of transport, varies over time. It is possible that the at least one buffer module with the movable side wall area has an underfloor conveyor belt. Preferably, a conveyor is embedded in the movable side wall, or the movable side wall is formed by the conveyor. The conveyor is pressed against the objects in the buffer module. Conversely, the supply of an item into the buffer module forces the conveyor against the transported items. As a result, a particularly good transport effect is achieved.

In the following the invention will be described with reference to an embodiment.

Fig. 1

die Puffer-Einrichtung des Ausführungsbeispiels mit Postsendungen von oben;

Fig. 2

die Puffer-Einrichtung von Fig. 1 ohne Postsendungen von oben;

Fig. 3

eine Ausführungsform der Vorschubrollen-Einheit;

Fig. 4

ein Puffer-Modul in Form eines Rüttel-Moduls;

Fig. 5

das Rüttel-Modul der Fig. 4 von oben.

Showing:

Fig. 1

the buffer device of the embodiment with mailpieces from above;

Fig. 2

the buffer device of Fig. 1 without mail from above;

Fig. 3

an embodiment of the feed roller unit;

Fig. 4

a buffer module in the form of a vibrator module;

Fig. 5

the jogging module of Fig. 4 from above.

In the exemplary embodiment, the invention is used to transport flat mail items (standard letters, large letters, catalogs, postcards and the like) to a singulator. This separator operates in the embodiment as the processing device.

Fig. 1 shows the buffer device of the embodiment with mailpieces from above. Fig. 2 shows the buffer device of Fig. 1 without mail from above.

An underfloor conveyor belt transports the flat mail items in a transport direction T to the singler. The underfloor conveyor belt consists in the embodiment of four underfloor conveyor belt units U-Z, U-1, U-2 and U-3.

During transport, the mailpieces are approximately vertical and on one edge and are transported in a U-shaped transport channel with two side walls. In the exemplary embodiment, the one side wall S of the transport channel is fixedly mounted and acts as a stationary guide device. The other side wall can be moved or rotated transversely or obliquely to the transport direction T, which will be described below. The stationary side wall S is z. B. formed by a horizontal guide device in the form of a fence or a guardrail.

The separator V is mounted in the embodiment in addition to an imaginary extension of the stationary side wall S of the transport channel, ie in alignment with this side wall. The separator V comprises at least two rollers, which are mounted on two vertical shafts and around which several endless conveyor belts are guided. In Fig. 1 an endless conveyor belt FV of the separator V is indicated.

The endless conveyor belts are thus arranged one above the other. One area of these endless conveyor belts forms approximately one level with the guide device. The conveyor belts are rotated so that they are rotated in this area in the transport direction T, preferably so that the mail items reach the singler without a jump in speed between the exit of the transport channel and the singler.

At the end of this transport channel is in the exemplary embodiment, a stop wall A, which extends transversely to the transport direction T and protrudes into the transport channel. The stop wall A is mounted opposite the separator. This creates between the transport channel located in the region of the stop wall A and the separator V a slot Schl.

At the stop wall A, a scraper Ab is attached. The upright mail items are transported against the stop wall A and aligned by the stop wall A at their - seen in the transport direction T - front edges. The mailpieces are also pressed by a movably mounted area SB-1, SB-2, SB-3 of a side wall against the opposite stationary side wall S in the form of the guide means and on the separator V to. The conveyor belts F-V,... Of the separator V each pull off a mail piece from the stack or heap of upright mailpieces. The scraper Ab and the stop wall A cause pre-separation of the mail piece. The separator V separates this mail item and thereby prevents double deductions, ie that several postal items are withdrawn at once and are transported away overlapping.

In Fig. 1 Several mail items are shown, which are aligned by the stop wall A to their - seen in the transport direction T - front edges. In addition, several mail items are indicated on the underfloor conveyor belt units U-1, U-2 and U-3.

• ein Zuführ-Modul Z-M mit der Unterflur-Förderband-Einheit U-Z,
• ein erstes Puffer-Modul P-1 mit der Unterflur-Förderband-Einheit U-1,
• ein zweites Puffer-Modul P-2 mit der Unterflur-Förderband-Einheit U-2,
• ein drittes Puffer-Modul P-3 mit der Unterflur-Förderband-Einheit U-3 und
• die Anschlagwand A mit dem Abstreifer Ab.

The transport channel is described in more detail below. In the exemplary embodiment, the transport channel comprises the following modules, which - as seen in the transport direction T - are arranged one behind the other in this order:

• a feed module ZM with the underfloor conveyor belt unit UZ,
• a first buffer module P-1 with the underfloor conveyor unit U-1,
• a second buffer module P-2 with the underfloor conveyor unit U-2,
• a third buffer module P-3 with the underfloor conveyor unit U-3 and
• the stop wall A with the scraper Ab.

It is possible to subsequently supplement another buffer module or to remove an existing buffer module in order to adapt the transport device to existing boundary conditions. Thanks to the invention, this flexible adaptation is possible quickly.

The series-connected buffer modules P-1, P-2, P-3, ... together form the buffer device in the sense of the claims. The feed module Z-M acts as a feeder and is designed as a module of the transport channel.

Both the feeder module Z-M and each buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 each comprise an underfloor conveyor belt unit U-1, U-2, U-3. If the modules P-1, P-2, P-3, Z-M are connected in series, a continuous underfloor conveyor belt is formed.

In one embodiment, both the feed module ZM and each buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 further each have a guide device unit, so that the modules connected in series form a continuous guide device. In another embodiment, the transport device comprises a continuous guide means, which does not belong to the modules P-1, P-2, P-3, ZM. The guide device has z. B. the shape of a fence or a guardrail.

Each buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 has in the exemplary embodiment a rocker S-1, S-2, S-3, which is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis of rotation D-1, D-2, D-3 is. This axis of rotation runs near the one end of the rocker S-1, S-2, S-3 through the rocker, so that a free end of the rocker is formed. This free end is the front end of the buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 as viewed in the transport direction T. A reset component RK-1, RK-2, RK-3, z. As a tension or compression spring or a gas-filled piston pushes the free end of the rocker to the stationary side wall S. A heap of mail in the buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 pushes against the force of the return component RK-1, RK-2, RK-3 on the movable side wall area SB-1, SB-2, SB -3 with the rocker S-1, S-2, S-3 and thereby rotates the movable side wall portion SB-1, SB-2, SB-3 away from the stationary side wall S. As a result, the transport channel is widened.

In Fig. 1 It is shown how the mail presses the wings S-1, S-2, S-3 away from the stationary side wall S. As in Fig. 2 can be seen, the reset component RK-1, RK-2, RK-3 is designed in each case as a tension spring and rotates the rocker S-1, S-2, S-3 about the rotation axis D-1, D-2, D- third

By the movable side wall portion SB-1, SB-2, SB-3 is rotated with the rocker S-1, S-2, S-3 about the rotation axis D-1, D-2, D-3, the Width of buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 changed. The conveyor belts F-1, F-2, F-3 on the rockers S-1, S-2, S-3 form a movably arranged area SB-1, SB-2, SB-3 of a side wall of the buffer module P. -1, P-2, P-3.

The movably arranged area SB-1, SB-2, SB-3 with the guide unit of the buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 also constitutes a conveyor unit. The conveyor unit with the rocker S-1, S-2, S-3 is configured to transport mail items in the transport direction T. On each rocker S-1, S-2, S-3, two rollers are mounted in one embodiment. At least one endless conveyor belt F-1, F-2, F-3 is guided around these rollers or else two conveyor belts are vertically stacked one above the other. These conveyor belts F-1, F-2, F-3 are designed to transport mail items in the transport direction T.

In one embodiment, the conveyor belts F-1, F-2, F-3 are additionally guided on the rocker S-1, S-2, S-3 around a guide plate. The force of the return component RK-1, RK-2, RK-3 presses the baffle from the inside against the conveyor belt and causes a stiff mail item is pressed against the stationary side wall S. The baffle may be resiliently mounted.

A buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 may additionally have a feed roller unit VE, which is preferably embedded in the stationary side wall S. A mail piece is transported between the conveyor unit with the rocker arm S-3 in the movable side wall area SB-3 of the third buffer module P-3 and the feed roller unit VE and conveyed by the conveyor belt F-3 on the rocker arm S-3. 3 pressed against a feed roller VR of the feed roller unit VE.

The feed roller unit VE is preferably integrated into a side wall of the last buffer module-seen in the transport direction T.

• mindestens eine Vorschubrolle VR,
• einen Antriebsriemen V-Ri,
• eine Antriebsrolle V-Ro,
• eine weitere Rolle V-wRO,
• einen Antriebsmotor V-Mo,
• einen Ausleger V-Aus,
• eine Zugfeder V-F,
• einen Anschlag V-An und
• eine Halterung V-H.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the feed roller unit VE. The feed roller unit VE comprises in the embodiment of Fig. 3 following components:

• at least one feed roller VR,
• a drive belt V-Ri,
• a drive roller V-Ro,
• another role V-wRO,
• a drive motor V-Mo,
• a boom V-out,
• a tension spring VF,
• a stop V-An and
• a holder VH.

The feed roller VR is controlled by the subsequent processing device - here: by the separator V -. The feed roller VR causes, in cooperation with the stopper wall A, that those mail items in the transport channel, which are located near the stationary side wall, are pulled forward and the remaining mail items are retained by the stopper wall A. The movably arranged area SB-3 presses the mail items onto the feed roller VR. This embodiment causes the mail items to be aligned at their leading edges on the stop wall A and that the separator V better, d. H. isolated at a lower rate of double doubles.

The feed roller VR sits on a vertical shaft whose axis of rotation V-DR runs near the free end of the boom V-Aus by the boom V-off. The feed roller VR is rigidly connected to another roll V-wRO, which also sits on the shaft. A drive belt V-Ri is led around the further roll V-wro as well as around the drive roll V-Ro. The drive motor V-Mo rotates the drive roller V-Ro, and the drive belt V-Ri transmits the rotations of the drive motor to the further roller V-wRO and thus to the feed roller VR. The tension spring V-Z rotates the boom V-off with the feed roller VR into the transport channel and toward the mailpieces and causes the feed roller VR to be pressed against the mailpieces. The boom with the feed roller VR is rotatably connected to the bracket V-H, the drive motor V-Mo is fixedly connected to the bracket V-H.

The feed roller VR can also perform another function: if so many mail items have reached the separator V, that no further mail items are to be supplied, the feed roller VR stops. As a result, the supply of mail items in the separator V is interrupted.

Each buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 has a level sensor FS-1, FS-2, FS-3. In one embodiment, the fill level sensor FS-1, FS-2, FS-3 is arranged above the buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3. A camera takes pictures from the buffer module. An evaluation unit evaluates the images from this camera in order to measure the current width of the buffer module by image evaluation.

In a preferred embodiment, each level sensor FS-1, FS-2, FS-3, however, designed as a position sensor. The position sensor FS-1, FS-2, FS-3 of the buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 measures how thick is the stack of those mail items which are located between the movable sidewall area SB-. 1, SB-2, SB-3 with the conveyor belts F-1, F-2, F-3 and the stationary side wall S are located. Since the conveyor belts F-1, F-2, F-3 is pressed against the stationary side wall S, the distance between the - seen in the transport direction T - the front end of the conveyor belts F-1, F-2, F-3 the rocker S-1, S-2, S-3 and the stationary side wall S approximately equal to the thickness of the stack and approximately equal to the smallest width of the buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3.

The level sensor FS-1, FS-2, FS-3 in the form of a position sensor measures the position of the front end of the rocker relative to a reference point, eg. B. relative to the thickness sensor itself. This position sensor acts as a level sensor FS-1, FS-2, FS-3 of the buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3, and the measured distance, which is approximately equal to the thickness of the stack and thus is equal to the width of the transport channel, acts as the measure of the level.

Furthermore, each buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 in the exemplary embodiment in each case comprises a light barrier Li-1, Li-2, Li-3, which measures the entry of a mail item into the buffer module. The light barrier Li-1, Li-2, Li-3 is thus located - as seen in the transport direction T - near the rear end of the buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 or between this buffer module and the previous one buffer module.

The mail item interrupts the light beam emitted by a transmitter LS-1, LS-2, LS-3 of the light barrier Li-1, Li-2, Li-3. This transmitter LS-1, LS-2, LS-3 has the form of a light source. A receiver LE-1, LE-2, LE-3 in the form of a photoelectric detector measures whether a light beam emitted by the transmitter LS-1, LS-2, LS-3 is incident on the receiver LE-1, LE -2, LE-3 hits or not.

The conveyor units F-1, F-2, F-3 form the one side wall of the U-shaped transport channel, the guide means in the form of the stationary side wall S, the other side wall. The mailpieces are transported upright between conveyor units F-1, F-2, F-3 on the wings S-1, S-2, S-3 and the stationary side wall S. The conveyor units F-1, F-2, F-3 on the rockers S-1, S-2, S-3 are able to erect a tilting or laterally overturned mail piece again. For each conveyor units pushes a mail item in the transport channel against the guide means and spends or keeps the mailpiece in an upright position.

Each underfloor conveyor unit U-1, U-2, U-3 and the conveyor unit F-1, F-2, F-3 of each buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 are each a separate drive. This drive can be designed as one motor per unit or even so that an entire drive transmits its kinetic energy to each underfloor conveyor belt unit U-1, U-2, U-3 and each rocker. A controller controls the or each drive and is capable of causing each underfloor conveyor unit U-1, U-2, U-3 and each conveyor unit F-1, F-2, F-3 to carry mailpieces, respectively transported by a speed specified by the controller. The controller is operated with the measured values from the level sensors FS-1, FS-2, FS-2 and with the messages from the photoelectric sensors Li-1, Li-2, Li-3 supplies and processes these measured values and messages to generate positioning commands to the drives, which are then transmitted to the drives.

The separator V is able to achieve a certain throughput of mail per hour. The highest throughput achieved the separator V, when a uniform stream of mail reaches the separator V. However, the throughput of mailings by the feed module Z-M usually varies greatly over time and in an unpredictable manner, depending on the volume of mail. There may be gaps between mailings in the transport channel. The buffer modules P-1, P-2, P-3 cause that nevertheless a uniform stream of mail reaches the separator V.

The underfloor conveyor belt unit U-Z of the feed module Z-M moves at a speed v (0) and therefore transports mailpieces at the speed v (0). The underfloor conveyor belt unit U-1 of the first buffer module P-1 moves at a speed v (1) and transports mailpieces at the speed v (1). The underfloor conveyor unit U-2 of the second buffer module P-2 moves at a speed v (2) and transports mail items at the speed v (2). The underfloor conveyor unit U-3 of the third buffer module P-3 moves at a speed v (3) and transports mail items at the speed v (3).

All four speeds v (0), v (1), v (2) and v (3) are set by the controller to one value each. This value can vary over time. Preferably, a predetermined standard speed is set in each case. This standard speed remains constant until, due to a high level in the subsequent module or the processing device V, the speed is temporarily reduced. As a rule, v (0)> v (1)> v (2)> v (3), ie a negative speed jump is achieved from module to module. This has the effect that, at each transition from one module to a subsequent module, mailpieces-seen in the transport direction T--are pushed together so that the mailpieces completely or at least partially overlap. As a result, the stream of mailpieces is compressed, gaps between mailpieces are closed, and the processing capacity of the separator V is better utilized. Of course, this happens only until the stream of incoming mailings fully exploits the processing capacity of the singler.

The level in each buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 should not exceed a predetermined level limit. This barrier may be the same for all buffer modules or vary from buffer module to buffer module. This upper level barrier limits the predetermined range in the sense of the claims, in which the level should remain through the control. A buffer module is filled with mail by a preceding module in the transport direction T (previous buffer module or feed module Z-M) and in turn dispenses mailpieces to a subsequent module (subsequent buffer module or separator).

• Sobald der Füllstand des dritten und letzten Puffer-Moduls P-3 eine vorgegebenen Eingriffs-Füllstands-Schranke erreicht hat, der kleiner als die Füllstands-Schranke für das dritte Puffer-Modul P-3 ist, reduziert der Regler die Transportgeschwindigkeit v(2) des vorhergehenden zweiten Puffer-Moduls P-2. Dadurch werden weniger Postsendungen in das dritte Puffer-Modul P-3 transportiert.
• Sobald der Füllstand des dritten Puffer-Moduls P-3 die vorgegebene Schranke erreicht hat, werden die Unterflur-Förderband-Einheit U-2 und das Förderband F-2 auf der Schwinge S-2 des zweiten Puffer-Moduls P-2 nur noch solange gedreht, bis eine Postsendung die Lichtschranke Li-3 am Eingang des dritten Puffer-Moduls P-3 erreicht. Dann werden die Unterflur-Förderband-Einheit U-2 und das Förderband F-2 auf der Schwinge S-2 abgestoppt.

• Fällt umgekehrt der Füllstand im dritten Puffer-Modul P-3 unter eine vorgegebene unteren Füllstands-Grenze, so wird die Geschwindigkeit v(2) des zweiten Puffer-Moduls P-2 vergrößert, um dem Füllstand im dritten Puffer-Modul P-3 zu steigern.
• Das entsprechende gilt für das zweite Puffer-Modul P-2 und das erste Puffer-Modul P-1, und zwar vorzugsweise mit folgender Variation:
• Das erste Puffer-Modul P-1 wird dann gestoppt, wenn die Füllstände im zweiten Puffer-Modul P-2 und im dritten Puffer-Modul P-3 die jeweiligen Füllstands-Schranken erreicht haben, also das zweite Puffer-Modul P-2 und das dritte Puffer-Modul P-3 vollständig gefüllt sind.

The maximum processing speed of the separator V is predetermined. Therefore, the transport speed of a buffer module is regulated according to the following rule:

• As soon as the level of the third and last buffer module P-3 has reached a predetermined intervention level barrier, which is smaller than the level limit for the third buffer module P-3, the controller reduces the transport speed v (2). of the previous second buffer module P-2. As a result, fewer mail items are transported into the third buffer module P-3.
• As soon as the level of the third buffer module P-3 has reached the specified barrier, the underfloor belt conveyor unit will become U-2 and the conveyor belt F-2 on the rocker S-2 of the second buffer module P-2 only rotated until a mail item reaches the light barrier Li-3 at the input of the third buffer module P-3. Then, the underfloor conveyor belt unit U-2 and the conveyor belt F-2 are stopped on the swingarm S-2.

• Conversely, if the level in the third buffer module P-3 falls below a predetermined lower level limit, the speed v (2) of the second buffer module P-2 is increased to the level in the third buffer module P-3 increase.
• The corresponding applies to the second buffer module P-2 and the first buffer module P-1, preferably with the following variation:
• The first buffer module P-1 is then stopped when the levels in the second buffer module P-2 and in the third buffer module P-3 have reached the respective level limits, ie the second buffer module P-2 and the third buffer module P-3 are completely filled.

In general, the endless conveyor belt F-1, F-2, F-3 on the rocker S-1, S-2, S-3 of a buffer module P-1, P-2, P-3 with the same Speed rotated as the underfloor conveyor belt unit U-1, U-2, U-3 of this buffer module. However, the controller can cause the endless conveyor belt F-1, F-2, F-3 on the rocker S-1, S-2, S-3 faster or slower than the underfloor conveyor unit U-1, U-2, U-3 U-1, U-2, U-3 is rotated. As a result, the dynamic pressure which the mail item generates in a buffer module towards the front of the separator V can be increased or decreased. In addition, thereby the level can be increased or decreased. It is even possible to control the endless conveyor belt F-1, F-2, F-3 on a rocker S-1, S-2, S-3 so that the conveyor belt runs backwards, creating a back pressure on subsequent mail items becomes.

Also, the feed roller VR can be rotated in the opposite direction and generate the back pressure.

In the embodiment described so far, all three buffer modules P-1, P-2, P-3 each have an underfloor conveyor belt unit U-1, U-2, U-3. In an alternative embodiment, at least one buffer module is additionally designed as a shaker module, preferably the last buffer module P-3 seen in the transport direction. Fig. 4 shows this shaking module RM from the side. Fig. 5 shows the jogging module of Fig. 4 from above.

In a rack of the Rütm module R-M several horizontal waves W-1, W-2, ... are inserted, which extend between the two side walls of the Rüttel module. On each shaft W-1, W-2, ... are each mounted a vibrating roller and a transfer roller. Or, on each of the shafts, one agitating roller and one transferring roller are mounted, and on the other shafts, a transporting roller and a transferring roller, respectively. The mail items are transported across the vibrating rollers and transport rollers. For example, always alternately a vibrating roller and a transport roller are arranged. In addition, the vibrating module R-M has several guide rollers FR-1, FR-2, ... and a drive roller ARo, which are also mounted on horizontal shafts.

In the example of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 on the shaft W-1 a transport roller R-1 is mounted, on the shaft W-2 a vibrating roller R-2, on the shaft W-3 a transport roller R-3, on the shaft W-2 a vibrating roller R-3, on the shaft W-4 a vibrating roller R-4 and on the shaft W-5 a transport roller R-5. On the shafts W-1, W-2, ... the transfer rollers Ü-1, Ü-2, ... are mounted.

A transfer means in the form of a continuous elastic conveyor belt FR is tightly guided around the drive roller AR, the transfer rollers Ü-1, Ü-2, ... and the guide rollers FR-1, FR-2, ... around. A drive motor AMo turns the drive roller ARo. This rotation causes the transfer rollers Ü-1, Ü-2, ... and the shafts W-1, W-2, ... on which these transfer rollers Ü-1, Ü-2, ... are mounted are rotated.

This in turn means that the transport rollers T-1, T-3, T-5 and vibrating rollers R-2, R-4 are rotated at the same speed. The transport rollers T-1, T-3, T-5 and Rüttelrollen R-2, R-4 are rotated so that they transport the upright mail items in the transport direction T to the separator V. Instead of a conveyor belt F-R, the transmission means may also take the form of a chain or a round belt or of timing belts or other suitable forms.

Each R-2, R-4 vibrating roller is in contact with a piece of mail that is transported across the R-2, R-4 vibrating roller. The vibrating roller R-2, R-4 is designed such that the distance of the area in contact with the object of the vibrating roller R-2, R-4 from the shaft W-2, W-4, to which the vibrating roller R- 2, R-4 is mounted, varies while the vibrating roller R-2, R-4 performs a full turn. This has the effect that at the time of each rotation of the roll, a mail item standing on the roll is raised and lowered at least once, with a corresponding configuration of the roll and length of the mail item also several times.

Preferably, each Rüttelrolle R-2, R-4 has a cross-sectional area in the form of an n-corner, z. A regular hexagon or octagon. Or, each shaker roller R-2, R-4 is mounted eccentrically on the respective shaft W-2, W-4 so that the rotation axis is not the center of the cross-sectional area and the shaker roller "eggs". It is possible to combine n-square and eccentric vibrating rollers in a vibrating module. It is also possible that an n-squared Rüttelrolle is additionally mounted eccentric.

The Rüttelrollen R-2, R-4 cause the mail pieces during transport on the singler stomp, that are moved up and down. This up and down movement depends on the speed of rotation of the vibrating rollers R-2, R-4 and on the transport speed with which the mailpieces over the vibrating rollers R-2, R-4 are transported away from. If the vibrating rollers R-2, R-4 are turned fast enough, the mail will be shaken. This causes the mailpieces to be loosened. The risk is reduced by the separator withdrawing several mail items at once (double deduction). In addition, the mail items are aligned at their lower edges. In addition, if necessary dirt particles are removed, which attach to the mail.

The transport rollers T-1, T-3, T-5, however, each comprise a cylinder which is mounted centrally on the shaft W-1, W-3, W-5.

Between the transport rollers T-1, T-3, T-5 and the vibrating rollers R-2, R-4 horizontal sliding plates GB-1, GB-2, ... are arranged with smooth surfaces. The upright mail items are transported via these sliding plates GB-1, GB-2, ... away. The slide plates GB-1, GB-2, ... prevent mail from snagging on a shaker roller R-2, R-4.

In order to further loosen the transported mailpieces, in one embodiment, air or another gas is blown from below against the mailpieces. In the sliding plates GB-1, GB-2, ... openings are recessed. A blower Gb generates blown air, which is blown through the openings vertically upwards and from below against the mailpieces. Preferably, the openings are the only exit openings of a chamber into which the fan blows air. The openings can be designed as nozzles.

In the example of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is located between the sliding plates GB-1 and GB-2 and between the sliding plates GB-4 and GB-5 each have an opening through which air is blown from below against the mailpieces. The outer walls of the chamber Ka are in Fig. 4 shown schematically. In Fig. 4 is indicated by arrows, where air enters the chamber Ka and where this air exits the chamber Ka again.

In one embodiment, the blower Gb blows a constant amount of air or other gas per unit of time into this chamber Ka, and through the outlet openings exits this constant amount per unit time. In another embodiment, the amount of gas that the blower Gb conducts per unit time to the chamber Ka, regulated. The controller controls the blower Gb accordingly. For example, this amount is controlled so that the amount varies in proportion to the transport speed with which the shaker module transports mail. The greater this transport speed, the greater the amount. In an embodiment where the shaker module R-M has a movable sidewall region, the amount is controlled proportionally by the varying width of the shaker module R-M.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

reference numeral importance A abutment wall From Scraper on the stop wall A AMo Drive motor of the vibrating module R-M ARo Drive roller of the vibrating module R-M D VR Rotary axis about which the feed roller VR is rotatably mounted F-1 Endless conveyor belt of the conveyor unit of the rocker S-1 F-2 Endless conveyor belt of the conveyor unit of the rocker S-2 F-3 Endless conveyor belt of the conveyor unit of the rocker S-3 FR-1, FR-2, ... Guide rollers around the the endless conveyor belt F-R of the vibrator module R-M is guided around FS-1 Level sensor of the first buffer module P-1 FS-2 Level sensor of the second buffer module P-2 FS-3 Level sensor of the third buffer module P-3 F-R Endless conveyor belt of the vibrating module R-M F-V Endless conveyor belt of the separator V GB-1, GB-2, ... Sliding plates of the vibrating module R-M gb Fan of Rüttel module R-M ka Chamber of the vibrator module R-M, into which the blower Gb blows air Li-1 Photocell of the first buffer module P-1 Li-2 Photocell of the second buffer module P-2 Li-3 Photocell of the third buffer module P-3 LE-1 Receiver of the light barrier Li-1 LE-2 Receiver of the light barrier Li-2 LE-3 Receiver of the light barrier Li-3 LS-1 Transmitter of the light barrier Li-1 LS-2 Transmitter of the light barrier Li-2 LS-3 Transmitter of the light barrier Li-3 P-1 first buffer module P-2 second buffer module P-3 third buffer module R-2, R-4 Vibrating rollers of the vibrating module R-M RK-1 Reset component of the sidewall area SB-1 of the first buffer module P-1 RK-2 Reset component of the sidewall area SB-2 of the second buffer module P-2 RK-3 Reset component of the sidewall area SB-3 of the third buffer module P-3 R-M Shaker module S stationary side wall of the transport channel S-1 Swing arm of the guide device unit of the first buffer module P-1 S-2 Swing arm of the guide device unit of the second buffer module P-2 S-3 Swing arm of the third buffer module P-3 guide device unit SB-1 movably arranged portion of a side wall of the first buffer module P-1 SB-2 movably arranged portion of a side wall of the second buffer module P-2 SB-3 movably arranged portion of a side wall of the third buffer module P-3 schl Slot between the separator V and the Ab-scraper Ab on the stop wall A T transport direction T-1, T-3, T-5 Transport rollers of the vibrator module U-1 Underfloor conveyor unit of the first buffer module P-1 U-2 Underfloor conveyor belt unit of the second buffer module P-2 U-3 Underfloor conveyor unit of the third buffer module P-3 U-Z Underfloor conveyor unit of feeder module Z-M Ü-1, Ü-2, ... Transfer rollers on the shafts W-1, W-2, ..., around which the endless conveyor belt F-R of the vibrating module R-M is guided V Processing device in the form of a separator VE Feed roller unit V-An Stop of the feed roller unit VE V-OFF Boom of feed roller unit VE V F Tension spring of the feed roller unit VE V-H Support for feed roller unit VE V-Mo Drive motor feed roller unit VE V-Ri Drive belt of the feed roller unit VE V-Ro Drive roller of feed roller unit VE V-WRO further role of the feed roller unit VE VR Feed roller of the feed roller unit VE v (0) Speed at which the Z-M feeder module transports mail v (1) Speed at which the first buffer module P-1 carries mail v (2) Speed with which the second buffer module P-2 transports mail v (3) Speed at which the third buffer module P-3 transports mail W-1, W-2, ... Waves of the vibrator module Z-M Feed module

Claims (12)

1. Device for transporting objects to a processing system (V), wherein the device comprises

   - a feeding system (Z-M),

   - a buffer system and

   - a regulator,

   the buffer system comprises at least two buffer modules (P-1, P-2, P-3),
   the feeding system (Z-M) is designed for transporting objects to the buffer system, and
   the buffer system is designed for transporting objects to the processing system (V),
   the at least two buffer modules (P-1, P-2, P-3) of the buffer system are arranged in series,
   the buffer system is designed for transporting objects in such a way that the objects transported from the feeding system (Z-M) to the buffer system run through the buffer modules (P-1, P-2, P-3) of the buffer system one after the other,
   each buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) respectively has a filling level sensor (FS-1, FS-2, FS-3), wherein
   the device is designed such that the current filling level of each buffer module remains in a predetermined filling level range,
   characterized in that
   each filling level sensor (FS-1, FS-2, FS-3) of a buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) is designed for measuring a measure of the current filling level of the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3),
   the regulator is designed for regulating the feed of objects into each buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) using the measured filling level measures in such a way
   that the current filling level of the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) remains in the predetermined filling level range,
   wherein the device is designed such that
   the preceding buffer module (P-1, P-2) transports objects at a greater speed than the following buffer module (P-2, P-3) at least for as long
   as the measured filling level measure in the following buffer module (P-2, P-3) remains below the filling level intervention limit, and
   the regulator is designed
   for reducing the transporting speed of a preceding buffer module (P-1, P-2) for a time
   if the measured filling level measure in a following buffer module (P-2, P-3) reaches a predetermined filling level intervention limit.
2. Device according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   at least one buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) has an object sensor (Li-1, Li-2, Li-3),
   the object sensor (Li-1, Li-2, Li-3) is designed for generating an arrival message
   as soon as an object to be transported to the processing system reaches the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3), and
   the regulator is designed
   for stopping the feeding of objects into this buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3)
   whenever

   - the filling level measure of this buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) has reached the upper limit of the filling level range and

   - the arrival message has been generated.
3. Device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2,
   characterized in that
   at least one buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) is designed as a U-shaped transporting channel,
   the bottom and/or a side wall of the transporting channel has a conveying system (F-1, F-2, F-3, VE) and
   this conveying system (F-1, F-2, F-3) is designed
   for transporting objects to the processing system (V).
4. Device according to Claim 3,
   characterized in that
   the conveying system (VE) of at least one buffer module (P-3) comprises

   - a movably arranged arm (V-Aus) and

   - a driven advancing roller (VR)

   and
   the advancing roller (VR) is designed
   for transporting objects to the processing system (V).
5. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   at least one buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) has a side wall with a movably arranged side wall region (SB-1, SB-2, SB-3),
   this buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) is designed such that

   - the width of the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) is variable, wherein

   - the feeding of an object into the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) increases the width of the buffer module and

   - the transporting away of an object from the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) reduces the width of this buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3).
6. Device according to Claim 5,
   characterized in that
   the filling level sensor (FS-1, FS-2, FS-3) for this buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) is designed
   for measuring the width of the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) as it varies over time as a measure of the filling level.
7. Device according to Claim 5 or Claim 6,
   characterized in that
   the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) has a restoring component (RK-1, RK-2, RK-3) and
   the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) is designed such that

   - the feeding of an object into the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) increases the width thereof by moving the movable side-wall region (SB-1, SB-2, SB-3) against the force of the restoring component (RK-1, RK-2, RK-3) and

   - the transporting away of an object from the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) has the effect that the restoring component (RK-1, RK-2, RK-3) reduces the width of the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) by moving the movable side-wall region (SB-1, SB-2, SB-3).
8. Device according to one of Claims 5 to 7,
   characterized in that
   the movably arranged side-wall region (SB-1, SB-2, SB-3) has a conveying system (F-1, F-2, F-3) and
   this conveying system (F-1, F-2, F-3) is designed
   for transporting objects to the processing system (V).
9. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that
   at least one buffer module (P-3) has a bottom with a shaking system (R-2, R-4) and
   the shaking system (R-2, R-4) is designed
   for shaking through an object that is located in the buffer module (P-3).
10. Device according to Claim 9,
    characterized in that
    the shaking system comprises at least one rotatably mounted shaking roller (R-2, R-4),
    the shaking roller (R-2, R-4) is arranged such that an object transported over the bottom of the shaking system is in contact with the shaking roller (R-2, R-4) for a time,
    and
    the shaking roller (R-2, R-4) is designed such that
    the distance of the region of the shaking roller (R-2, R-4) that is in contact with the object from the axis of rotation (W-2, W-4) of the shaking roller (R-2, R-4) varies while the shaking roller (R-2, R-4) describes a full revolution,
    so that the rotation of the shaking roller (R-2, R-4) brings about an up and down movement of the transported object.
11. Device according to Claim 9 or Claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the shaking system has a blower (Gb) and
    the blower (Gb) is designed for blowing a gas from below against an object
    which is being transported over the bottom of the shaking system.
12. Method for transporting objects to a processing system
    using a buffer system with at least two buffer modules (P-1, P-2, P-3),
    wherein the method comprises the steps that

    - the objects are transported to the buffer system and

    - the buffer system transports objects to the processing system,

    wherein
    the at least two buffer modules (P-1, P-2, P-3) are arranged in series,
    the objects transported from the feeding system (Z-M) to the buffer system run through the buffer modules (P-1, P-2, P-3) of the buffer system one after the other, and
    the feeding of objects into each buffer module (P-1, P-2) is carried out in such a way
    that the current filling level remains in a predetermined filling level range,
    characterized in that
    a measure of the current filling level of the buffer module is respectively measured for each buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3),
    the feeding of objects into each buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) is regulated using the measured filling level measures in such a way
    that the current filling level of the buffer module (P-1, P-2, P-3) remains in the predetermined filling level range,
    it is checked whether the measured filling level measure in a following buffer module (P-2, P-3) has or has not reached a predetermined filling level intervention limit, and
    the preceding buffer module (P-1, P-2) transports objects at a greater speed than the following second buffer module (P-2, P-3) at least for as long
    as the measured filling level measure in the following buffer module (P-2, P-3) remains below the filling level intervention limit, and
    the transporting speed of a preceding buffer module (P-1, P-2) is reduced for a time
    if the measured filling level measure in the following buffer module (P-2, P-3) has reached or exceeded the filling level intervention limit.

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