Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090032369 | DEVICE TO TRANSPORT STAPELS OF FLATS - Disclosed is a device for conveying a stack of flat objects, in particular a stack of mail items, in a conveyance direction. The conveyor device comprises a base face, a side wall, which is perpendicular to the base face, a base face conveyor facility let into the base face and a side wall conveyor facility let into the side wall. The side wall is divided into two partial side walls. The rear partial side wall—viewed in the conveyance direction—is offset outward in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction in relation to the front partial side wall. The side wall conveyor facility is let into the rear partial side wall. The base face conveyor facility is embodied to exert a force on the objects, which moves the objects toward the side wall conveyor facility. | 02-05-2009 |
20090050541 | Post Processing System and Method - An apparatus for arranging flat mail items into a sequence of delivery points has a singling device having a device for determining address information located on the mail items. A temporary storage device has pouches that open downward and are connected to a circulating conveying device. The mail items are transportable from a read device to one pouch-loading station. Output conveyors accept the mail items from the pouches and transport the mail items to a stacking device. Each output conveyor has segments and moves relative to the temporary storage device. A part of an output conveyor is arranged beneath an overlapping area. A transporting speed and direction of an output conveyor are matched to a transporting speed and direction of the temporary storage device such that each segment of the output conveyor passes by each pouch of the temporary storage device at least once while moving along the overlapping area. | 02-26-2009 |
20090146364 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MERGING TWO FLOWS OF OBJECTS - A method for transporting and merging two flows of objects, in particular flat mail items, includes providing each of the two object flows with at least two respective objects. The two object flows follow one another in each respective transport path. One transport path merges into the other transport path. The two objects transported on the merging transport path are pushed over one another before reaching the merging point in such a manner that, when viewed in the transport direction, they overlap at least partially. The two objects are transported to a merging point in this overlapping state, infiltrated into the other transport path between the two objects transported on the other transport path and continue to be transported on the other transport path. | 06-11-2009 |
20090211952 | Method and Apparatus for Sorting Flat Objects in a Number of Sorting Passes - In a method and device for sorting a quantity of flat objects, especially of mail items, each object passes at least twice through a sorting system with a number of output devices. In each pass of an object the sorting system determines a destination identification of the object and discharges the object depending on the destination identification determined into one of the respective output devices. In the second sorting pass the sorting system groups all objects which are provided with identifications of the same destination into at least one stack such that each stack contains a number of objects and the objects of each stack at least partly overlap each other. The sorting system transports each stack formed in this manner to one of the output devices and discharges it into this output device. | 08-27-2009 |
20090218261 | Method and Device for Sorting Objects - An apparatus and a method for sorting objects. The apparatus has an input conveyor, an output conveyor, two loading devices, two unloading devices and a drive. Each loading device is configured to fill the input conveyor with at least one object. Each unloading device enables an object to be removed from the output conveyor. The apparatus can be switched between an input optimized mode and an output optimized mode. In the input optimized mode, both loading devices and one unloading device are activated. The apparatus guides the input conveyor past both loading devices and the output conveyor past the activated unloading device. In the output optimized mode, one loading device and both unloading devices are activated. The apparatus guides the input conveyor past the activated loading device and the output conveyor past the two unloading devices. | 09-03-2009 |
20090236251 | Device for Emptying an Open-Topped Mail Item Container and Mail Item Container - A device for emptying a mail item container that is open at the top and serves for transporting mail items. The mail item container has sidewalls and a container underside. The device has a lifting device for moving the mail items relative to the sidewalls. In order to enable postal articles, such as, for example, letter mail items, to be emptied from a mail item container in an ergonomically favorable and efficient manner without adversely affecting its mechanical stability to too great an extent, it is proposed that the lifting device is provided for passing through the underside of the container. | 09-24-2009 |
20090255778 | APPARATUS FOR, AND METHOD OF, TRANSPORTING ARTICLES VIA CROSSING TRANSPORTING PATHS - An apparatus and a method are provided for transporting articles via crossing transporting paths. The apparatus contains two processing configurations, a pre-handling configuration, a connecting system, for each processing configuration a respective exit transporting path, for each pre-handling configuration a respective entry transporting path, and for each entry transporting path a respective return path with a start and an end. The return-path start is connected to the associated entry transporting path. The return-path end is connected to at least one of the entry transporting paths. These connections are configured such that the return-path start is disposed downstream of the connecting system and the return-path end is disposed upstream of the connecting system. | 10-15-2009 |
20090272623 | Mail processing system and method of delivering articles to delivery locations therein - A mail processing system that delivers articles to delivery locations includes a predetermined number of casing towers arranged in parallel, wherein each casing tower has a plurality of slots to receive articles. A transport system is associated with the casing towers and configured to guide at least one transport vehicle loaded with an article along a delivery path towards a delivery location. At least one elevator device is coupled to the transport system and configured to receive the transport vehicle at a first level and to index the elevator device to move the transport vehicle from the first level to a second level, where the transport vehicle exits the elevator device to travel along the delivery path. | 11-05-2009 |
20100122942 | Multi-Machine Mail Sorting System - A sorting system for postal mail has a plurality of input sections capable of operating in parallel, each including a feeder that takes in mail pieces one at a time and a scanner that scans each mail piece for destination indicia. The system further includes a plurality of stackers each comprising at least one row of pockets in which mail is stacked, and a routing section or switch network effective to route mail in accordance with a sort scheme from any input section to any pocket of a stacker. The routing section uses diverts and merges so that mail can be conveyed to each stacker in accordance with a sort scheme implemented by a control system. | 05-20-2010 |
20100140053 | SPACE-SAVING SORTING PLANT AND METHOD FOR SORTING ARTICLES - A sorting plant and method for sorting articles, especially flat mail consignments, include a conveying device, a transfer mechanism and at least one reception device. A conveying transport mechanism of the conveying device transports an article along a conveyor track. The reception device has a plurality of reception components for at least one respective article and a reception transport mechanism. The reception transport mechanism moves the reception components along a reception component track and simultaneously brings one respective reception component of the reception device into a transfer position. The reception component track has a reception segment proceeding vertically or obliquely from the top downward. The transfer mechanism brings an article from the conveying device into one of the reception devices when the article is located at a transfer point on the conveyor track and when this reception component is located in a transfer position with respect to the transfer point. | 06-10-2010 |
20110113609 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR EXCHANGING A BATTERY IN A VEHICLE - A method and a device for exchanging a battery of a vehicle, in particular of an electric car. The battery is connected to the vehicle by way of at least one mechanical fastening element and one electrical connection element. The vehicle is brought into a position in relation to a lift table located below the vehicle. The lift table is raised. At least one imaging device connected to the lift table produces at least one vehicle image. The vehicle image shows the battery in the vehicle before removal. A decision of good or bad in relation to the current state of the element is taken in each case by evaluating the vehicle image(s) for each fastening element and each connection element. In one refinement, the vehicle image is displayed on a video display unit, and an input of a user relating to the vehicle image is acquired. | 05-19-2011 |
20110123309 | REPLACEMENT STATION FOR THE TRACTION BATTERIES OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES - A replacement station for the traction batteries of electric vehicles, preferably of passenger vehicles, which are arranged such that they can be replaced from underneath, alongside a vehicle axis in the direction of travel, in the floor area of the electric vehicle. In order to replace the traction battery, the electric vehicle is positioned, guided by tracks, above a hatch which is provided in the floor of the replacement station, and the traction battery is replaced through the hatch. In order to considerably minimize the total time required for completely automatic replacement of the traction battery without any disturbances, and to maintain a high safety standard in operation during the process, the track guidance guides at least those wheels which are arranged on one longitudinal side of the electric vehicle and in that, during track guidance, the electric vehicle is moved automatically by a controlled external drive, which acts on the electric vehicle. | 05-26-2011 |
20120103878 | SORTING INSTALLATION WITH A PLURALITY OF HOLDING APPARATUSES - A sorting installation and a sorting method sort articles, in particular flat mail items, via a plurality of holding apparatuses on the basis of a prescribed sorting feature. The sorting installation contains a plurality of sorting outputs, a loading station and a plurality of holding apparatuses. Each holding apparatus contains two side surfaces, and therefore an article can be placed between the two side surfaces. A respective recess is let into each side surface, and therefore the holding apparatus has a continuous opening. Two grippers can grip an article in the holding apparatus from both sides through the opening. For each article, it is measured what value the sorting feature assumes for the article. The article is put into a holding apparatus. The holding apparatuses with the articles are sorted. The article is removed again from the holding apparatus by the grippers. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103879 | SORTING INSTALLATION AND SORTING METHOD WITH A PLURALITY OF HOLDING APPARATUSES - A sorting installation and a sorting method sort articles, in particular flat mail items, by use of a plurality of holding apparatuses on a basis of a sorting feature. The sorting installation contains a plurality of sorting outputs, a loading station and a plurality of holding apparatuses. Each holding apparatus contains two side surfaces which are connected to each other by at least two connecting elements. Each connecting element contains two connecting components. The two connecting components are connected to each other in an articulated manner and are connected in an articulated and resilient manner to a side surface. For each article, it is measured what value the sorting feature assumes. An article is put into the space which is located between the side surfaces and the connecting element. The holding apparatuses with the articles are sorted. The article is removed again from the holding apparatus by the grippers. | 05-03-2012 |
20120118797 | SORTING METHOD AND SORTING CONFIGURATION FOR SORTING TWO TYPES OF ARTICLES TO PRODUCE A SINGLE SUCCESSION - A sorting method and a sorting configuration for sorting two types of articles, particularly two types of flat mail items, on the basis of a prescribed order among the possible values of a prescribed sorting feature. The articles of the first type are sorted on the basis of the order and divided into sequences of sorted articles. A first supply and feed device in a sorting installation takes these sequences to holding apparatuses, so that each holding apparatus contains a respective sequence. A second supply and feed device takes the articles of the second article type to a respective holding apparatus. A transportation device produces a succession of sequences and articles of the second article type and transfers the succession to sorting outputs of the sorting installation. In the sorting outputs all articles have been sorted on the basis of the prescribed order. | 05-17-2012 |
20130134075 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SORTING OBJECTS BY MEANS OF INTERMEDIATE STORAGE UNITS - A method and a device sort objects, in particular flat postal items, by use of intermediate storage units. A feed transport unit transports the objects to a series of a multiple of intermediate storage units which are connected in parallel. Each object is transported into an intermediate storage unit in accordance with the respectively measured value of a sorting feature. Later, each intermediate storage unit is emptied, and a removal transport unit transports the objects away. Each intermediate storage unit is emptied at the latest when the last object in the series of objects transported in the feed transport unit has been transported into the intermediate storage unit or when the object has been transported past the feed connecting path to the intermediate storage unit. | 05-30-2013 |
20130248324 | TRANSPORT DEVICE AND TRANSPORT METHOD WHICH ROTATE A PLURALITY OF TRANSPORTED HOLDING DEVICES - A transport device transports articles by using a plurality of holding devices, in particular flat mail items in storage pockets. The transport device transports the holding devices along a guide device. The guide device contains a first rotary section and a following second rotary section. A holding device is rotated around a first axis of rotation during transportation along the first rotary section, and is rotated around a second axis of rotation during transportation along the second rotary section. Both axes of rotation stand perpendicularly with respect to the current transportation direction in which a holding device is transported, and are not parallel to each other, but stand e.g. perpendicularly on each other. An article can be placed into a space which is enclosed by at least two delimiting elements of the holding device. While the holding device containing the articles is transported along the two rotary sections, the article is aligned with the two delimiting elements of the holding device by the force of gravity. | 09-26-2013 |
20140214197 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SORTING BY MEANS OF A STORAGE REGION AND A SORTING REGION - Objects are sorted according to predetermined groups of sorting feature values. In particular, postal items are sorted according to groups of delivery addresses. A sorting system sorts the objects into a sequence so that all objects with sorting feature values belonging to the same predetermined value group are situated one directly behind another in this sequence. The sorting system has x1 storage subregions, x | 07-31-2014 |
20140284254 | SORTING PLANT AND SORTING METHOD WITH TWO TYPES OF SORTING TERMINALS - A sorting plant and a sorting method sort objects according to a predefined sort criterion. The sorting plant has a plurality of transfer sites, a plurality of upper pick-up units which can be swiveled into a pick-up position and into a park position, and a plurality of lower pick-up units. The upper pick-up units are arranged in such a manner that the upper pick-up units are located between the transfer sites and the lower pick-up units when the upper pick-up units are swiveled into the park position. For each object to be sorted, one pick-up unit is automatically selected regardless of the sorting criterion value of the object. The object is first moved to a transfer site and then into or onto the selected pick-up unit. | 09-25-2014 |
20140291217 | SORTING SYSTEM AND SORTING METHOD WITH TWO STORAGE AREAS - Objects are sorted according to a predetermined sorting feature. A first storage area and a second storage area each have a plurality of storage devices. A storage device of the first storage area has a storage device output and an emptying transport path, which leads to a storage device of the second storage area. The value that the sorting feature takes on for each object to be sorted is measured for that object. A storage device is selected on the basis of the sorting feature value. In an emptying-optimized mode, only storage devices of the first storage area are selected, and in a sorting destination-optimized mode, storage devices of the second storage area are also selected. A storage device with a store output is emptied in an emptying-optimized mode by transporting objects in this storage device to a storage device of the second storage area via the emptying transport path. | 10-02-2014 |