EP0428416B1 - Sorting device, especially for sorting out packages in sorting centres resorts - Google Patents

Sorting device, especially for sorting out packages in sorting centres resorts Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0428416B1
EP0428416B1 EP90402374A EP90402374A EP0428416B1 EP 0428416 B1 EP0428416 B1 EP 0428416B1 EP 90402374 A EP90402374 A EP 90402374A EP 90402374 A EP90402374 A EP 90402374A EP 0428416 B1 EP0428416 B1 EP 0428416B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plate
sorting machine
sorting
machine according
package
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP90402374A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0428416A1 (en
Inventor
Noel Benoit
Gérard Hilaire
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GROUPE M.S.M.
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GROUPE MSM
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Publication of EP0428416A1 publication Critical patent/EP0428416A1/en
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    • 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
    • B07C3/003—Destination control; Electro-mechanical or electro- magnetic delay memories
    • B07C3/005—Destination control; Electro-mechanical or electro- magnetic delay memories the transport holders of objects being provided with means for storing the destination signals
    • 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
    • B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • B07C3/08—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors
    • B07C3/082—In which the objects are carried by transport holders and the transport holders form part of the conveyor belts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sorting machine, in particular for sorting parcels in sorting centers comprising a loop circulation path, loading devices in which parcels are loaded on trays, for destinations corresponding to the address of each package, connected by the path of circulation of the trays, to a receiving device, to several stores which each receive the packages from the corresponding address, as well as a return path.
  • package used in the description generally designates a product, preferably, but not limited to, of a reduced weight and bulk, such as, for example, documents, magazines, mail.
  • Such a "package” has a destination address and sorting is done according to this address.
  • address must also be taken in the general sense and not be limited to a "postal address”.
  • sorting machines already exist in multiple embodiments such as those described in documents US-A-4 688 678 and FR-A-2 387 697.
  • the disadvantage of these sorting machines is either their complexity or their lack of flexibility, or even at the limit of their sorting speed.
  • the present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and proposes to create a sorting machine whose throughput can be significantly increased compared to existing machines.
  • the invention relates to a sorting machine of the above type, characterized by the circulation path consisting of drive means interspersed with separators which return the trays circulating in the circulation path at a certain step, the loading devices being distributed along the circulation path, always directly downstream of a separator, and each comprising a tray coding device capable of carrying out a destination code of the loaded package and able to detect beforehand that the tray was empty, the trays comprising coding means for receiving the destination coding at the level of a loading device and allowing the reading of the code at the entry of a receiving device to control the unloading of the tray and the sending of the package to the store corresponding to its destination.
  • the invention does away with the concept of "entry” and “exit” from the traffic path, or the principles of outward and return paths to distribute the devices or stations of introduction and reception, along of the whole loop we increase the characteristics of the machine without having to increase either the number of people who serve it or the number of trays.
  • the reception device or devices are also distributed along the circulation path; these receiving devices are placed under the plane of circulation of the trays, also according to the organization of the sorting machine, the path of circulation of the trays can it be contained in a horizontal plane or make ascents or descents so that the All the feeding devices and the receiving devices can be located in the same plane.
  • the coding and reading devices are located inside the loop formed by the endless circulation path. This arrangement not only frees the outside of the loop, but also makes it possible to free the side of the corresponding plate at loading.
  • the plate consists of a relatively low rebound and a relatively high rebound respectively on the outside and on the inside of the circulation path, as well as a relatively high rear rebound and the inside rebound comprises coding means, as well as a cleat protruding from the bottom and intended to cooperate with a controlled stop, situated at the level of the unloading device.
  • the means for coding the rebound of the plate consist of a coding pad receiving the address of the package placed in the plate and a notch which makes it possible to detect the front of the plate to determine the distance which separates the front of this tray from the back of the tray which precedes it directly, at the unloading device.
  • the plate comprises at least one damping pad at the front to absorb the shock between two plates without rebound and the bottom of the plate comprises guide rollers.
  • the tray thus brings together in a simple way, all the means necessary for its decentralized use, management being done at the level of the introduction and reception devices.
  • the loading device consists of a loader arranged transversely to the path of travel of the trays as well as at least one loading station placed in the extension of the loader or perpendicular to it to receive the package (M) and transfer them in a controlled manner to the loader, the latter automatically ensuring the transfer of the parcel in an empty tray.
  • the separation of the loader and the loading station makes it possible to better automate the loading of the trays since the parcel, after the introduction of the address code can remain on standby in the loading station until the release of the loader, the latter having himself waited until an empty board appeared.
  • This advantage is even more perceptible in the case of a charger powered by two loading stations: the management of the loading device then prevents the packages from the two stations from being transferred simultaneously to loading.
  • this management of the loading or introduction device enables the address of the parcel to be assured with certainty to the tray which will receive the parcel, even if there is a wait.
  • the tray After coding the tray, it becomes the address support for the package: it travels completely independently on the circulation path; depending on the congestion of the path and the receiving devices, it may make one or more turns of the path without the address carried by the platform being affected.
  • This allows decentralized management in complete security; this simplifies installation, makes it possible to use a central computer, less powerful (for the same result) and above all it makes it possible to modify the distribution of the loading devices along the path, to increase or decrease the number thereof. (that is to say, leave one or more workstations without operator) without this requiring intervention in terms of machine computing.
  • the charger of the charging device is constituted by an endless belt provided with at least one group of two sleepers by defining a location, this conveyor being driven by a motor and a clutch controlled so that the groups of sleepers are always placed to define a location for receiving packages, and the clutch controlling the intermittent movement of the conveyor to ensure the transfer of the package from the loader to the tray.
  • the loading station is constituted by a belt conveyor.
  • the loader conveyor is bordered by two rails and on one side by a longitudinal cleat.
  • the receiving device consists of several stores which themselves are composed of trays or cells, superimposed, placed below the circulation path, and of controlled deflectors associated respectively with the trays to come in the chute through which the packages descend (M) to divert each package to its destination bins or cells, a retractable stop placed in the circulation path to meet the cleat of the tray to be unloaded, as well as a reading means for read the plate coding means and order the implementation of the retractable stop and the deflectors.
  • the retractable stop is actuated by an electromagnet, controlled and of adjustable stroke.
  • the installation comprises a three-dimensional mini stacker crane evolving inside the sorting ring-1 to evacuate the full bins in the stores and replace them with empty ones (case of sorting in bins or boxes).
  • This device does not exist in the case of sorting in containers, these items are swapped by wire-guided carriages for example.
  • the sorting machine is made up of a circulation path 1 formed by drive means such as straight conveyors 2, 3, 4 and pitching or separating means such as curved elements 5, 7 or the rectilinear element 6.
  • drive means such as straight conveyors 2, 3, 4
  • pitching or separating means such as curved elements 5, 7 or the rectilinear element 6.
  • loading devices 8, 9, 10 which, seen in the direction of circulation on the path, 1, are always find downstream of a pitching device 5, 6, 7, opposite a straight conveyor 2, 3, 4.
  • the machine also includes at least one reception station 11.
  • the "folds or packages” are transferred from the loading devices 8, 9, 10 onto vehicles or trays 12 traveling along the path 1.
  • the contents of the tray are discharged into the receiving device 11 which has several receptacles associated with destinations and each receiving the packages corresponding to its destination.
  • the plates 12 circulate independently along the path 1, that is to say without there being any link between the different plates. However, in the event of congestion or for any reason, a plate can be braked or accelerated and the other plates come to join behind it, without rebound.
  • the trays 12 each carry the destination code of the package they are transporting. This code remains retained by the tray as long as the package has not been unloaded.
  • the code corresponding to the package loaded in the tray is entered by a coding device 13, 14, 15 provided at each loading device 8, 9, 10, each coding device having previously detected that the tray was empty .
  • a reading means 16 provided in the receiving device 11 controls the opening of the store as a function of the destination address read from the plate 12.
  • the reading device 16 is at a sufficient distance from the point of evacuation of the contents of the tray (in the direction of travel of the trays along the circulation path), so that the switching or opening orders of the stores can be made , before the parcel is expelled from the tray to arrive in the destination receptacle.
  • the sorting machine operates according to a decentralized management of the functions of loading and unloading of packages, allowing the machine to work at very high speeds.
  • the platforms traveling on the path are independent and the address carried by the loaded platforms is permanent. This inscription remains maintained on the tray even in the event of machine failure, as long as the contents of the tray have not been unloaded. When the content has been downloaded, the coding is deleted.
  • the centralized management station 17 is connected to the various coders 13, 14, 15, and decoder 16. This central station 17 receives all the information and in particular statistical information making it possible to know at all times the operating state of the machine sorting, or cumulative information such as the number of packages sorted per unit of time or during a certain period.
  • the system 17 can also receive quantified information concerning the destination addresses of the package, so as to take it into account in the management of the receiving device 11; this makes it possible to provide larger receptacles or a frequency of intervention at the receptacle level (for their replacement) in the reception device 11 according to the quantities of products to be sorted.
  • the curve element 5, 7 corresponds to the embodiment described in patent FR 88 11 117; and in particular, the curve allows a gradual deceleration to prevent the transient passage of the fast conveyor element 2, 3, 4, at the curve 5, 7 the packages shift towards the front of the tray and fall.
  • the belt conveyors 2, 3, 4 can be conveyors with two or more belts, in particular conveyors made from a beam such as that described in patent FR 86 04 974.
  • the plates circulate in the machine at a relatively high speed of the order of 90 m / min.
  • These trays are intended to be loaded automatically by a loading device which will have detected that the tray is empty.
  • the evacuation of the tray is also automatic; it is done once the identity of the tray, that is to say above all the address of the package it is transporting, has been detected upstream of the receiving device.
  • the sorting machine according to the invention offers very great flexibility in installing the loading and unloading devices; the order of these devices is relatively unimportant provided that the loading devices are each time downstream of a separating element, at the entrance of a belt conveyor which ensures the recovery of the products.
  • Figure 1A shows a variant of the sorting machine of Figure 1.
  • the parts of the machine identical to that of Figure 1 have the same references and the description will not be repeated.
  • This variant comprises a mini-stacker circulating on a raceway 401, itself placed between the traffic paths 2, 3, 4 of the machine and which exchanges the full and empty bins by an inlet / outlet 402 formed by superimposed conveyors or other means of evacuating full bins and introduction of empty bins.
  • the mini-stacker crane comprises two superposed telescopic forks.
  • a plate such as the plate 12 in FIG. 1 will be described below in detail using FIG. 2.
  • the vehicle or platform used to transport a parcel along the circulation path, between a loading device and the receiving device associated with it, has a non-symmetrical structure, since in the sorting machine, all the loading devices 8 , 9, 10 are located outside the curve defined by traffic path 1.
  • the plate consists of a bottom 100 carrying on the lateral side located outside along the travel path, a relatively low rebound 101 and along the opposite side, a relatively high rebound 102.
  • the rear side of the plate is closed by a rear rebound 103 preferably having the same height as the internal rebound 102.
  • the internal rebound 102 comprises, since it has the largest dimensions and is located on the internal side of the loop, a notch 104 for locating the front end of a plate and behind this indentation, a coding pad 105 which receives information such as that relating to the address of the parcel, information which is read by the reading device 16 to control the receiving device as a function of the destination address of the parcel transported by the corresponding tray.
  • the lateral rebound 101 situated on the side of the introduction of the package (arrow B) thus constitutes the opening of the plate.
  • the front side 106 is completely open in the extension of the bottom 100.
  • the plate also includes one or two damping pads 107, 108 to absorb the shock between two plates in the event of jamming and causes the accumulation of the plates without rebound.
  • the two lateral edges 109, 110 constitute the guiding border of the plates, this border having a particular shape to avoid nose-up.
  • the edge is presented as a rectangular step which is introduced under the lateral guidance of the circulation paths. This prevents tilting which could occur when stopping on a stop or as a result of a significant accumulation of chainrings.
  • the lower part of the bottom 100 under the sides constitutes the rolling or sliding zone 111, 112 and at the rear end, a cleat 113 is provided.
  • the direction of travel of the plate 12 has been indicated here as in FIG. 1 by the arrow A the direction or direction of introduction of the packages into the plate is indicated by the arrow B.
  • the positioning of the loading devices is such that the transported packages also called flat packages or more simply "flat", pass without difficulty over the rebound 108; this bounce 108 nevertheless constitutes a means of retaining the package on the platform when the platform makes a turn at a certain speed, for example in the curved separators 5, 7.
  • the bottom of the plate is externally provided with guide rollers 114, 115.
  • FIG. 3 is a very simplified perspective view of a loading device, showing part of the circulation path and a tray located in front of the loading device.
  • This loading device is an exemplary embodiment of a device shown schematically under the references 8, 9, 10 in FIG. 1.
  • This loading device is at two positions; in more detail, it consists of a loader 201 arranged perpendicular to the circulation path 1 shown by the two conveyor belts 1A, 1B on which there is a plate 12.
  • loading stations 202, 203 are identical and the controls are placed in the same way so that the personnel can pass indifferently from one station to another, without having to modify their ergonometric habits.
  • the loader 201 consists of a belt conveyor 204, of relatively short length passing over two cylinders 205, 206 of which at least one is motor (for example the cylinder 206).
  • the engine 208 drives the cylinder 206 via a clutch 209. The drive is done intermittently, depending on the order; the the route taken by the conveyor is half a turn each time.
  • the outer face of the conveyor 204 carries two cleats 210, 211, 212, 213. These two groups of cleats have the same function.
  • the front cleat 211 serves as a front stop and the cleat 210 serves as a rear stop.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B to prevent the air circulation (arrows P, Q (FIG. 3A) thus generated from disturbing the trajectory during the expulsion of the parcel 81, especially if it is a relatively parcel light and of large surface area like a fold, two deflectors are provided, one 214 above the gap separating the magazine outlet 201 and the other 221 located at the end of the shipment at the level of the arrival in the tray 12. The fold, even projected very quickly, cannot therefore fly away, but it follows arrow B to arrive in tray 12.
  • the services 202, 203 are also each constituted by an endless band, the movement of which is controlled by the corresponding user of the machine. This movement also corresponds to a rotation preferably of a half turn of the conveyor or more generally of the rotation necessary for the transfer of the package, from the service 202, 203 to the conveyor 204.
  • the people who are in the workstations near the services 202, 203 receive a set of packages (folds, missives, newspapers) to be introduced into the machine. They take a package each time, read the address and put that address in memory. Then they place the package on the corresponding service 202, 203. The address associated with this package is stored and when the package is transferred to a tray, this tray will receive the inscription of the address of the package it contains.
  • packages folds, missives, newspapers
  • the output of the packages is detected by two light barriers 215, 216 verifying that a package has indeed been transferred from the service 202, 203 to the conveyor 204.
  • the conveyor 204 comprises at a certain distance from the edges, two side rails 217, 218 which laterally delimit the conveyor.
  • a longitudinal cleat 219 is provided which prevents a package from being accidentally thrown by the service 202 beyond the conveyor belt 204.
  • the whole of the device 201 is covered by a cover to close the protective and working surfaces, leaving a respective opening in line with the services 202, 203.
  • a coding device 220, 221 formed for example by a keyboard for entering into the installation, the address of the package placed on the trolley.
  • Figure 4 shows an example of a device of reception which is associated with a stop device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the receiving device 300 constitutes a store and is made up of several trays or cells 301, 302, 303 placed below the plane of the circulation path 1 (the circulation takes place in the direction of the arrow A) in which the plates circulate 12.
  • the removable trays 301-303 are for example supported by angles 304. On the other hand the cells are fixed and the packages which arrive there are extracted manually.
  • the reception device comprises, as has already been indicated above, a reader 16, 305 which is located upstream or at the entrance of the device in the direction of circulation A of the trays and packages. Behind this reading device 305 there is a controlled stop 306 (described in detail below with the aid of FIGS. 5 and 6) which is put in place to meet the cleat 113 of the plate 12 when the reader 305 has read on the coding pad 105 that the plate 12 contained a package.
  • the reading device 305 has also read the destination address of the package M to order this address accordingly, the deflector 309 among the deflectors 307, 308, 309 associated respectively with the tanks 301, 302, 303 and which corresponds to the address of destination of package M.
  • This deflector 309 then blocks the chute 310 of the receiving device, to deflect the package M and pass it through the bin 303. If the address had been that corresponding to the bin 301, the deflector 307 would thus have been set up in the groove 310 to divert package 306 to bin 301. The same would have been true for a package intended for bin 302 (installation of deflector 308).
  • the ejection of the package M with respect to the plate 12 is effected by the effect of the inertia or of the speed acquired by the package M, the plate 12 being retained by its stop 113 which meets the retractable stop device 306.
  • the retractable stop 306 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is constituted by a part mounted in an articulated manner around an axis 320 carried by a support 321. This part is also connected on a joint 322, to a connecting rod 323, itself connected to the rod 324 of an electromagnet 325. The other end of the rod 324 of the electromagnet 325 comes against an adjustable stop 326, also carried by the support 321.
  • the stop 306 also includes a shoe 327 on its face meeting the cleat 113 of the plate 112.
  • the stop 306 does not include a shoe; the cleat 113 of the plate 112 is then provided with a pad.
  • This variant offers the advantage of making it possible to have plates of different mass on the sorting ring since the adaptation of the pad makes it possible to obtain the same rebound of the plates on the stop by plates of different mass.
  • the retractable stopper pivots in the direction of the arrows D and E ( Figures 5, 6) to move to the active position, or to the rest position.
  • the electromagnet 325 is preferably supplied, depending on the detection made by the reader 305.
  • the stop is arranged transversely to the direction of passage A of the plates 12.
  • the face of the stop 307 which meets the stopper 113 of the plates is provided with an elastic block on the one hand to absorb the shock with the cleat 113 and on the other hand to cause, because of its elasticity, the recoil of the plate 112 to allow the movement of the stop 306 back.
  • the electromagnet 325 an electromagnet of low power, therefore of low inertia, that is to say rapid, whose withdrawal control is done in a timed manner, after the bouncing of the plate 12, loaded, that the stop 306 has just Stop.
  • the coding is done manually, by reading the address on the parcel, then entering this address for example in the form of the postal code in the machine, using coding devices 320, 321.
  • this coding can also be done by voice, on the fly, by reading a bar code, pattern recognition, or the like depending on the use made of the sorting machine.
  • a tray 12 passes in front of the reader 305, the latter detects the information (address) written on the pad 105.
  • a proximity detector also detects the notch 104 of the tray which follows the tray whose pad 105 has been read . This information is stored to process the follower plate.
  • the internal cavity of the tray 112 is lined with a covering preferably of shock-absorbing foam, the upper surface of which has a slippery texture so as to reduce the noise and improve the sliding characteristics for the evacuation of the package.
  • the sorting machine according to the invention can be applied to sorting a wide variety of "packages", either in postal sorting centers, or in the mail service of a large company; the invention may also apply to the distribution of parts in a business, courier, mail order business, or the like.

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  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Discharge Of Articles From Conveyors (AREA)
  • Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

Sorting device characterised in that it comprises a closed-loop travelling path which is composed of driving means (2, 3, 4) which are intersected by separators (5, 6, 7) which reset the plates (12) travelling on the travelling path to a certain separation, the loading devices (8, 9, 10) being distributed along the travelling path (1), always directly downstream of a separator (5, 6, 7), the plates (12) comprising coding means in order to receive the destination coding at the position of a loading device (13, 14, 15; 8; 9; 10) and to permit the reading of the code at the entry of the receiving device (16, 17) in order to actuate the unloading from the plate (12) and the despatching of the package to the storage area corresponding to its destination. The invention relates to the general field of the sorting of documents, letters, packages, parts or the like. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne une machine de tri, notamment pour trier des colis dans des centres de tri comportant un chemin de circulation en boucle, des dispositifs de chargement dans lequel on charge des colis sur des plateaux, pour des destinations correspondant à l'adresse de chaque colis, relié par le chemin de circulation des plateaux, à un dispositif de réception, à plusieurs magasins qui reçoivent chacun les colis de l'adresse correspondant, ainsi qu'un chemin de retour.The present invention relates to a sorting machine, in particular for sorting parcels in sorting centers comprising a loop circulation path, loading devices in which parcels are loaded on trays, for destinations corresponding to the address of each package, connected by the path of circulation of the trays, to a receiving device, to several stores which each receive the packages from the corresponding address, as well as a return path.

L'expression "colis" utilisée dans la description désigne de manière générale un produit, de préférence, mais de manière non limitative, d'un poids et d'un encombrement réduit comme par exemple des documents, des revues, du courrier.The expression "package" used in the description generally designates a product, preferably, but not limited to, of a reduced weight and bulk, such as, for example, documents, magazines, mail.

Un tel "colis" porte une adresse de destination et le tri se fait en fonction de cette adresse. Le terme "adresse" doit lui aussi être pris au sens général et non être limité à une "adresse postale".Such a "package" has a destination address and sorting is done according to this address. The term "address" must also be taken in the general sense and not be limited to a "postal address".

De telles machines de tri existent déjà sous de multiples formes de réalisation telles que celles décrites dans les documents US-A-4 688 678 et FR-A-2 387 697. L'inconvénient de ces machines de tri est soit leur complexité, soit leur absence de souplesse, soit encore à la limite de leur vitesse de tri.Such sorting machines already exist in multiple embodiments such as those described in documents US-A-4 688 678 and FR-A-2 387 697. The disadvantage of these sorting machines is either their complexity or their lack of flexibility, or even at the limit of their sorting speed.

En effet, même si l'on double ou triple le nombre de postes d'alimentation de la machine, le débit de la machine ne peut être augmenté.Even if you double or triple the number of machine feeding stations, the machine's throughput cannot be increased.

Cette limite inhérente aux machines connues, résulte de l'impossibilité qu'il y a d'augmenter statistiquement le pourcentage de remplissage des plateaux circulant dans la machine.This inherent limit in known machines results from the impossibility of statistically increasing the percentage of filling of the trays circulating in the machine.

La présente invention a pour but de remédier à ces inconvénients et se propose de créer une machine de tri dont le débit puisse être augmenté de manière significative par rapport aux machines existantes.The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and proposes to create a sorting machine whose throughput can be significantly increased compared to existing machines.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne une machine de tri du type ci-dessus, caractérisée par le chemin de circulation se composant de moyens d'entraînement entrecoupés par des séparateurs qui remettent les plateaux circulant dans le chemin de circulation à un certain pas, les dispositifs de chargement étant répartis le long du chemin de circulation, toujours directement en aval d'un séparateur, et comportant chacun un dispositif de codage de plateau apte à effectuer un code de destination du colis chargé et apte à préalablement détecter que le plateau était vide, les plateaux comportant des moyens de codage pour recevoir le codage de destination au niveau d'un dispositif de chargement et permettre la lecture du code à l'entrée d'un dispositif de réception pour commander le déchargement du plateau et l'envoi du colis vers le magasin correspondant à sa destination.To this end, the invention relates to a sorting machine of the above type, characterized by the circulation path consisting of drive means interspersed with separators which return the trays circulating in the circulation path at a certain step, the loading devices being distributed along the circulation path, always directly downstream of a separator, and each comprising a tray coding device capable of carrying out a destination code of the loaded package and able to detect beforehand that the tray was empty, the trays comprising coding means for receiving the destination coding at the level of a loading device and allowing the reading of the code at the entry of a receiving device to control the unloading of the tray and the sending of the package to the store corresponding to its destination.

Ainsi l'invention supprime le concept d'"entrée" et de "sortie" du chemin de circulation, ou les principes de chemin d'aller et de chemin de retour pour répartir les dispositifs ou postes d'introduction et de réception, le long de toute la boucle on augmente les caractéristiques de la machine sans avoir à augmenter ni le nombre de personnes qui le desservent, ni le nombre de plateaux.Thus the invention does away with the concept of "entry" and "exit" from the traffic path, or the principles of outward and return paths to distribute the devices or stations of introduction and reception, along of the whole loop we increase the characteristics of the machine without having to increase either the number of people who serve it or the number of trays.

En répartissant les dispositifs d'alimentation au lieu de les regrouper à l'"entrée" du chemin de circulation et de prévoir le ou les dispositifs de réception à la "sortie" (l'autre extrémité de la boucle) du chemin de circulation. L'invention dépasse ainsi la disposition antérieure qui correspond à un préjugé fortement ancré dans l'esprit des concepteurs des machines de tri.By distributing the feeding devices instead of grouping them at the "entrance" of the path traffic and to provide the receiving device (s) at the "exit" (the other end of the loop) of the circulation path. The invention thus goes beyond the previous provision which corresponds to a prejudice strongly rooted in the minds of the designers of sorting machines.

Le positionnement des dispositifs de chargement, en aval de chaque fois un séparateur, et à la répartition des dispositifs de chargement le long de la boucle formée par le chemin de circulation des plateaux, augmente de manière significative le coefficient statistique de remplissage des plateaux.The positioning of the loading devices, downstream of each time a separator, and the distribution of the loading devices along the loop formed by the path of circulation of the trays, significantly increases the statistical coefficient of filling of the trays.

Le ou les dispositifs de réception sont également répartis le long du chemin de circulation ; ces dispositifs de réception sont placés sous le plan de circulation des plateaux, aussi suivant l'organisation de la machine de tri, le chemin de circulation des plateaux peut-il être contenu dans un plan horizontal ou effectuer des montées ou des descentes pour que l'ensemble des dispositifs d'alimentation et les dispositifs de réception puissent être situés dans un même plan.The reception device or devices are also distributed along the circulation path; these receiving devices are placed under the plane of circulation of the trays, also according to the organization of the sorting machine, the path of circulation of the trays can it be contained in a horizontal plane or make ascents or descents so that the All the feeding devices and the receiving devices can be located in the same plane.

Il est toutefois préférable pour l'organisation et notamment pour l'évacuation des magasins des dispositifs de réception, que ces dispositifs de réception soient situés dans un autre plan que les dispositifs d'alimentation, pour permettre une circulation plus facile des engins de manutention des magasins.It is however preferable for the organization and in particular for the evacuation of the stores of the receiving devices, that these receiving devices are located in a different plane than the feeding devices, to allow easier circulation of the handling machines of the stores.

Suivant une autre caractéristique de l'invention les dispositifs de codage et de lecture se trouvent à l'intérieur de la boucle formée par le chemin de circulation sans fin. Non seulement cette disposition libère l'extérieur de la boucle, mais permet également de dégager le côté du plateau correspondant au chargement.According to another characteristic of the invention, the coding and reading devices are located inside the loop formed by the endless circulation path. This arrangement not only frees the outside of the loop, but also makes it possible to free the side of the corresponding plate at loading.

Suivant une autre caractéristique, le plateau se compose d'un rebond relativement bas et d'un rebond relativement haut respectivement du côté extérieur et du côté intérieur du chemin de circulation, ainsi que d'un rebond arrière relativement haut et le rebond intérieur comporte des moyens de codage, ainsi qu'un taquet dépassant du fond et destiné à coopérer avec une butée commandée, située au niveau du dispositif de déchargement.According to another characteristic, the plate consists of a relatively low rebound and a relatively high rebound respectively on the outside and on the inside of the circulation path, as well as a relatively high rear rebound and the inside rebound comprises coding means, as well as a cleat protruding from the bottom and intended to cooperate with a controlled stop, situated at the level of the unloading device.

Suivant une autre caractéristique, les moyens de codage du rebond du plateau sont constitués par un plot de codage recevant l'adresse du colis placé dans le plateau et d'une échancrure qui permet de détecter l'avant du plateau pour déterminer la distance qui sépare l'avant de ce plateau de l'arrière du plateau qui le précède directement, au niveau du dispositif de déchargement.According to another characteristic, the means for coding the rebound of the plate consist of a coding pad receiving the address of the package placed in the plate and a notch which makes it possible to detect the front of the plate to determine the distance which separates the front of this tray from the back of the tray which precedes it directly, at the unloading device.

Suivant une autre caractéristique, le plateau comporte au moins un patin d'amortissement à l'avant pour amortir le choc entre deux plateaux sans rebond et le fond du plateau comporte des galets de guidage.According to another characteristic, the plate comprises at least one damping pad at the front to absorb the shock between two plates without rebound and the bottom of the plate comprises guide rollers.

Le plateau réunit ainsi de manière simple, tous les moyens nécessaires à son utilisation décentralisée, la gestion se faisant au niveau des dispositifs d'introduction et de réception.The tray thus brings together in a simple way, all the means necessary for its decentralized use, management being done at the level of the introduction and reception devices.

Suivant une autre caractéristique, le dispositif de chargement se compose d'un chargeur disposé transversalement par rapport au chemin de défilement des plateaux ainsi que d'au moins un poste de chargement placé dans le prolongement du chargeur ou perpendiculairement à celui-ci pour recevoir les colis (M) et les transférer de manière commandée sur le chargeur, ce dernier assurant automatiquement le transfert du colis dans un plateau vide.According to another characteristic, the loading device consists of a loader arranged transversely to the path of travel of the trays as well as at least one loading station placed in the extension of the loader or perpendicular to it to receive the package (M) and transfer them in a controlled manner to the loader, the latter automatically ensuring the transfer of the parcel in an empty tray.

La séparation du chargeur et du poste de chargement permet de mieux automatiser le chargement des plateaux puisque le colis, après l'introduction du code d'adresse peut rester en attente dans le poste de chargement jusqu'à la libération du chargeur, ce dernier ayant lui-même attendu qu'un plateau vide se soit présenté.The separation of the loader and the loading station makes it possible to better automate the loading of the trays since the parcel, after the introduction of the address code can remain on standby in the loading station until the release of the loader, the latter having himself waited until an empty board appeared.

Cet avantage est encore plus perceptible dans le cas d'un chargeur alimenté par deux postes de chargement : la gestion du dispositif de chargement évite alors que les colis des deux postes ne soient transférés simultanément au chargement.This advantage is even more perceptible in the case of a charger powered by two loading stations: the management of the loading device then prevents the packages from the two stations from being transferred simultaneously to loading.

Enfin cette gestion du dispositif de chargement ou d'introduction permet d'assurer de manière certaine l'adresse du colis au plateau qui recevra le colis, même s'il y a une attente. Après le codage du plateau, ce dernier devient le support d'adresse du colis : il circule de manière totalement indépendant sur le chemin de circulation; suivant l'encombrement du chemin et des dispositifs de réception, il pourra faire un ou plusieurs tours du chemin sans que l'adresse portée par le plateau n'en soit affectée. Cela permet ainsi une gestion décentralisée en toute sécurité ; cela simplifie l'installation, permet d'utiliser un ordinateur central, moins puissant (pour le même résultat) et surtout cela permet de modifier la répartition des dispositifs de chargement le long du chemin, d'en augmenter ou d'en diminuer le nombre (c'est-à-dire laisser par exemple un ou plusieurs postes sans opérateur) sans que cela ne nécessite une intervention au niveau de l'informatique de la machine.Finally, this management of the loading or introduction device enables the address of the parcel to be assured with certainty to the tray which will receive the parcel, even if there is a wait. After coding the tray, it becomes the address support for the package: it travels completely independently on the circulation path; depending on the congestion of the path and the receiving devices, it may make one or more turns of the path without the address carried by the platform being affected. This allows decentralized management in complete security; this simplifies installation, makes it possible to use a central computer, less powerful (for the same result) and above all it makes it possible to modify the distribution of the loading devices along the path, to increase or decrease the number thereof. (that is to say, leave one or more workstations without operator) without this requiring intervention in terms of machine computing.

Suivant une caractéristique de l'invention, le chargeur du dispositif de chargement est constitué par une bande sans fin munie d'au moins un groupe de deux traverses en définissant un emplacement, ce convoyeur étant entraîné par un moteur et un embrayage commandé de manière que les groupes de traverses soient toujours placés pour définir un emplacement de réception de colis, et l'embrayage commandant le mouvement intermittent du convoyeur pour assurer le transfert du colis, du chargeur dans le plateau.According to a characteristic of the invention, the charger of the charging device is constituted by an endless belt provided with at least one group of two sleepers by defining a location, this conveyor being driven by a motor and a clutch controlled so that the groups of sleepers are always placed to define a location for receiving packages, and the clutch controlling the intermittent movement of the conveyor to ensure the transfer of the package from the loader to the tray.

De manière intéressante, le poste de chargement est constitué par un convoyeur à bande.Interestingly, the loading station is constituted by a belt conveyor.

Suivant une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le convoyeur du chargeur est bordé de deux lisses et d'un côté par un tasseau longitudinal.According to another characteristic of the invention, the loader conveyor is bordered by two rails and on one side by a longitudinal cleat.

Suivant une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le dispositif de réception se compose de plusieurs magasins qui eux-mêmes sont composés de bacs ou cellules, superposés, placés en-dessous du chemin de circulation, et de déflecteurs commandés associés respectivement aux bacs pour venir dans la goulotte par laquelle descendent les colis (M) pour dévier chaque colis vers ses bacs ou cellules de destination, une butée escamotable placée dans le chemin de circulation pour rencontrer le taquet du plateau à décharger, ainsi que d'un moyen de lecture pour lire les moyens de codage du plateau et commander la mise en oeuvre de la butée escamotable et des déflecteurs.According to another characteristic of the invention, the receiving device consists of several stores which themselves are composed of trays or cells, superimposed, placed below the circulation path, and of controlled deflectors associated respectively with the trays to come in the chute through which the packages descend (M) to divert each package to its destination bins or cells, a retractable stop placed in the circulation path to meet the cleat of the tray to be unloaded, as well as a reading means for read the plate coding means and order the implementation of the retractable stop and the deflectors.

Suivant une autre caractéristique de l'invention, la butée escamotable est actionnée par un électroaimant, commandé et de course réglable.According to another characteristic of the invention, the retractable stop is actuated by an electromagnet, controlled and of adjustable stroke.

Suivant une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'installation comporte un mini-transtockeur tridimensionnel évoluant à l'intérieur de l'anneau de tri-1 pour évacuer les bacs pleins dans les magasins et les remplacer par des vides (cas du tri en bacs ou caissettes).According to another characteristic of the invention, the installation comprises a three-dimensional mini stacker crane evolving inside the sorting ring-1 to evacuate the full bins in the stores and replace them with empty ones (case of sorting in bins or boxes).

Cet appareil n'existe pas dans le cas de tri en containers, ces denriers sont permuttés par des chariots filoguidés par exemple.This device does not exist in the case of sorting in containers, these items are swapped by wire-guided carriages for example.

La présente invention sera décrite de manière plus détaillée à l'aide d'un exemple de réalisation d'une machine de tri, représentée schématiquement aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en plan de la machine de tri ;
  • la figure 1A est une vue en plan de la machine de tri analogue à celle de la figure 1, mais dans le cas de bacs ou caissettes à échange automatique ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un plateau de la machine ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en perspective simplifiée d'un dispositif de chargement à deux postes ;
  • les figures 3A, 3B montrent la sortie du dispositif de chargement de la figure 3 sans déflecteur et avec des déflecteurs ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue de côté d'un dispositif de réception ;
  • les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues de face d'un plateau et d'un dispositif d'arrêt (butée) représentés respectivement en position escamotée et en position d'arrêt.
The present invention will be described in more detail with the aid of an exemplary embodiment of a sorting machine, shown schematically in the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of the sorting machine;
  • FIG. 1A is a plan view of the sorting machine similar to that of FIG. 1, but in the case of trays or boxes with automatic exchange;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of a machine tray;
  • Figure 3 is a simplified perspective view of a two-station loading device;
  • Figures 3A, 3B show the outlet of the loading device of Figure 3 without deflector and with deflectors;
  • Figure 4 is a side view of a receiving device;
  • Figures 5 and 6 are front views of a plate and a stop device (stop) shown respectively in the retracted position and in the stop position.

Selon la figure 1, la machine de tri se compose d'un chemin de circulation 1 formé de moyens d'entraînement tels que les convoyeurs rectilignes 2, 3, 4 et des moyens de mise au pas ou séparateurs tels que les éléments courbes 5, 7 ou l'élément rectiligne 6. Le long du chemin de circulation 1, il y a un certain nombre de dispositifs de chargement 8, 9, 10 qui, vus dans le sens de circulation sur le chemin, 1, se trouvent toujours en aval d'un dispositif de mise au pas 5, 6, 7, en regard d'un convoyeur rectiligne 2, 3, 4.According to FIG. 1, the sorting machine is made up of a circulation path 1 formed by drive means such as straight conveyors 2, 3, 4 and pitching or separating means such as curved elements 5, 7 or the rectilinear element 6. Along the circulation path 1, there are a number of loading devices 8, 9, 10 which, seen in the direction of circulation on the path, 1, are always find downstream of a pitching device 5, 6, 7, opposite a straight conveyor 2, 3, 4.

La machine comporte également au moins un poste de réception 11.The machine also includes at least one reception station 11.

Les "plis ou colis" sont transférés à partir des dispositifs de chargement 8, 9, 10 sur des véhicules ou plateaux 12 circulant le long du chemin 1. Le contenu du plateau est évacué dans le dispositif de réception 11 qui comporte plusieurs réceptacles associés à des destinations et recevant chacun les colis correspondant à sa destination.The "folds or packages" are transferred from the loading devices 8, 9, 10 onto vehicles or trays 12 traveling along the path 1. The contents of the tray are discharged into the receiving device 11 which has several receptacles associated with destinations and each receiving the packages corresponding to its destination.

Ces plateaux sont schématisés sur le chemin de circulation par quelques plateaux 12. En fait, un certain nombre de plateaux 12 indépendants les uns des autres circulent sur le chemin de circulation 1, à une vitesse constante, lorsqu'ils sont entraînés par les convoyeurs 2, 3, 4 ou encore ils sont ralentis lorsqu'ils parcourent les séparateurs courbes 5, 7 et le séparateur droit 6 pour être espacés correctement à la sortie de chacun des éléments 5, 6, 7, lorsqu'ils sont pris en charge par les convoyeurs 2, 3, 4. Les séparateurs 5, 7, 6 séparent les plateaux en les "égrenant" le long de leur chemin de circulation.These plates are shown diagrammatically on the circulation path by a few plates 12. In fact, a certain number of plates 12 independent of each other circulate on the circulation path 1, at a constant speed, when they are driven by the conveyors 2 , 3, 4 or they are slowed down when they pass through the curved separators 5, 7 and the straight separator 6 to be properly spaced at the exit of each of the elements 5, 6, 7, when they are supported by the conveyors 2, 3, 4. The separators 5, 7, 6 separate the plates by "shelling" them along their circulation path.

Les plateaux 12 circulent indépendamment le long du chemin 1, c'est-à-dire sans qu'il n'y ait de lien entre les différents plateaux. Toutefois, en cas d'encombrement ou pour une raison quelconque, un plateau peut être freiné où accéléré et les autres plateaux venir s'accoler derrière celui-ci, sans rebond.The plates 12 circulate independently along the path 1, that is to say without there being any link between the different plates. However, in the event of congestion or for any reason, a plate can be braked or accelerated and the other plates come to join behind it, without rebound.

Une telle retenue ne se produit toutefois que sur une partie du chemin de circulation, puisque la circulation des plateaux même regroupés fait que ceux-ci arrivent nécessairement sur un élément ou dispositif séparateur 5, 6, 7 qui les fait défiler séparément ou de manière regroupée, à une certaine vitesse de défilement inférieure à la vitesse de défilement sur les éléments de convoyeurs 2, 3, 4. En sortie des éléments séparateurs 5, 6, 7, les plateaux sont repris et accélérés de manière appropriée pour séparer chaque fois deux plateaux consécutifs.However, such restraint only occurs on part of the circulation path, since the circulation of the plates, even when grouped, means that they necessarily arrive on an element or device separator 5, 6, 7 which scrolls them separately or in a grouped fashion, at a certain scrolling speed lower than the scrolling speed on the conveyor elements 2, 3, 4. At the output of the separating elements 5, 6, 7, the trays are taken up and accelerated appropriately to separate two consecutive trays each time.

Ce n'est que lorsque les plateaux consécutifs sont séparés d'une distance suffisante que leur contenu, repéré par le système central de gestion 17 de la machine peut commander l'évacuation de leur contenu vers l'un des magasins du dispositif de réception 11, magasin correspondant de manière précise à la destination du colis placé dans le plateau 12.It is only when the consecutive trays are separated by a sufficient distance that their content, identified by the central management system 17 of the machine can control the evacuation of their content to one of the stores of the receiving device 11 , store corresponding precisely to the destination of the package placed in the tray 12.

La procédure évoquée ci-dessus est intéressante pour garantir la fiabilité du chargement. Par contre, le déchargement est indépendant de l'intervalle séparant deux plateaux. Même si deux plateaux se touchent au moment du déchargement du premier plateau, le second pourra être accéléré suffisamment pour se décharger lorsqu'il rencontrera la butée. Le fonctionnement de la machine sera donc totalement arythmique.The procedure mentioned above is interesting to guarantee the reliability of the load. On the other hand, the unloading is independent of the interval separating two trays. Even if two plates touch when unloading the first plate, the second can be accelerated enough to discharge when it meets the stop. The operation of the machine will therefore be completely arrhythmic.

Il convient de remarquer que les plateaux 12 portent chacun le code de destination du colis qu'ils transportent. Ce code reste conservé par le plateau aussi longtemps que le colis n'a pas été déchargé.It should be noted that the trays 12 each carry the destination code of the package they are transporting. This code remains retained by the tray as long as the package has not been unloaded.

L'inscription du code correspondant au colis chargé dans le plateau est effectué par un dispositif de codage 13, 14, 15 prévu au niveau de chaque dispositif de chargement 8, 9, 10, chaque dispositif de codage ayant préalablement détecté que le plateau était vide. Un moyen de lecture 16 prévu dans le dispositif de réception 11, commande l'ouverture du magasin en fonction de l'adresse de destination lue sur le plateau 12.The code corresponding to the package loaded in the tray is entered by a coding device 13, 14, 15 provided at each loading device 8, 9, 10, each coding device having previously detected that the tray was empty . A reading means 16 provided in the receiving device 11 controls the opening of the store as a function of the destination address read from the plate 12.

Le dispositif de lecture 16 est à une distance suffisante du point d'évacuation du contenu du plateau (dans le sens de défilement des plateaux suivant le chemin de circulation), pour que les commandes d'aiguillage ou d'ouverture des magasins puissent se faire, avant que le colis ne soit expulsé du plateau pour arriver dans le réceptacle de destination .The reading device 16 is at a sufficient distance from the point of evacuation of the contents of the tray (in the direction of travel of the trays along the circulation path), so that the switching or opening orders of the stores can be made , before the parcel is expelled from the tray to arrive in the destination receptacle.

Ainsi la machine de tri fonctionne suivant une gestion décentralisée des fonctions de chargement et de déchargement des colis, permettant à la machine de travailler à des vitesses très grandes.Thus the sorting machine operates according to a decentralized management of the functions of loading and unloading of packages, allowing the machine to work at very high speeds.

Les plateaux circulant sur le chemin sont indépendants et l'adresse que portent les plateaux chargés est permanente. Cette inscription reste maintenue sur le plateau même en cas de défaillance de la machine, aussi longtemps que le contenu du plateau n'a pas été déchargé. Lorsque le contenu a été déchargé, le codage est effacé.The platforms traveling on the path are independent and the address carried by the loaded platforms is permanent. This inscription remains maintained on the tray even in the event of machine failure, as long as the contents of the tray have not been unloaded. When the content has been downloaded, the coding is deleted.

Enfin, les accumulations de plateaux sont inévitables du fait de l'absence de liens physiques entre les plateaux. Cette accumulation peut se produire à n'importe quel endroit du chemin de circulation, sans que cette accumulation n'entraîne de conséquence sur la réception et la distribution des colis (car sans rebond).Finally, the accumulation of trays is inevitable due to the absence of physical links between the trays. This accumulation can occur anywhere on the circulation path, without this accumulation having any consequence on the reception and distribution of packages (because without rebound).

Le poste 17 de gestion centralisé est relié aux différents codeurs 13, 14, 15, et décodeur 16. Ce poste central 17 reçoit toutes les informations et notamment des informations à caractère statistique permettant de connaître à tout instant l'état de fonctionnement de la machine de tri, ou des informations cumulées telles que le nombre de colis triés par unité de temps ou pendant une certaine période. Le système 17 peut également recevoir des informations quantifiées concernant les adresses de destination des colis, de manière à en tenir compte dans la gestion du dispositif de réception 11 ; cela permet de prévoir des réceptacles plus grands ou une fréquence d'intervention au niveau des réceptacles (pour leur remplacement) dans le dispositif de réception 11 suivant les quantités de produits à trier.The centralized management station 17 is connected to the various coders 13, 14, 15, and decoder 16. This central station 17 receives all the information and in particular statistical information making it possible to know at all times the operating state of the machine sorting, or cumulative information such as the number of packages sorted per unit of time or during a certain period. The system 17 can also receive quantified information concerning the destination addresses of the package, so as to take it into account in the management of the receiving device 11; this makes it possible to provide larger receptacles or a frequency of intervention at the receptacle level (for their replacement) in the reception device 11 according to the quantities of products to be sorted.

De manière avantageuse l'élément de courbe 5, 7 correspond à la réalisation décrite au brevet FR 88 11 117 ; et en particulier, la courbe permet une décélération progressive pour éviter qu'au passage transitoire de l'élément de transporteur rapide 2, 3, 4, à la courbe 5, 7 les colis se décalent vers l'avant du plateau et tombent. Les convoyeurs à bande 2, 3, 4 peuvent être des convoyeurs à deux ou plusieurs bandes, en particulier des convoyeurs réalisés à partir d'une poutre telle que celle décrite au brevet FR 86 04 974.Advantageously, the curve element 5, 7 corresponds to the embodiment described in patent FR 88 11 117; and in particular, the curve allows a gradual deceleration to prevent the transient passage of the fast conveyor element 2, 3, 4, at the curve 5, 7 the packages shift towards the front of the tray and fall. The belt conveyors 2, 3, 4 can be conveyors with two or more belts, in particular conveyors made from a beam such as that described in patent FR 86 04 974.

Enfin, à titre d'exemple numérique, les plateaux circulent dans la machine à une vitesse relativement élevée de l'ordre de 90 m/mn. Ces plateaux sont destinés à être chargés automatiquement par un dispositif de chargement qui aura détecté que le plateau est vide. L'évacuation du plateau est aussi automatique ; elle se fait une fois que l'identité du plateau c'est-à-dire surtout l'adresse du colis qu'il transporte aura été détectée en amont du dispositif de réception.Finally, as a digital example, the plates circulate in the machine at a relatively high speed of the order of 90 m / min. These trays are intended to be loaded automatically by a loading device which will have detected that the tray is empty. The evacuation of the tray is also automatic; it is done once the identity of the tray, that is to say above all the address of the package it is transporting, has been detected upstream of the receiving device.

Il convient également de remarquer que la machine de tri selon l'invention offre une très grande souplesse d'implantation des dispositifs de chargement et de déchargement ; l'ordre de ces dispositifs a relativement peu d'importance à condition que les dispositifs de chargement soient chaque fois en aval d'un élément séparateur, à l'entrée d'un convoyeur à bande qui assure la reprise des produits.It should also be noted that the sorting machine according to the invention offers very great flexibility in installing the loading and unloading devices; the order of these devices is relatively unimportant provided that the loading devices are each time downstream of a separating element, at the entrance of a belt conveyor which ensures the recovery of the products.

La figure 1A montre une variante de la machine de tri de la figure 1. Les parties de la machine identiques à celle de la figure 1 portent les mêmes références et la description ne sera pas reprise.Figure 1A shows a variant of the sorting machine of Figure 1. The parts of the machine identical to that of Figure 1 have the same references and the description will not be repeated.

Cette variante comporte un minitranstockeur circulant sur un chemin de roulement 401, lui-même placé entre les chemins de circulation 2, 3, 4 de la machine et qui échange les bacs pleins et vides par une entrée/sortie 402 formée par des convoyeurs superposés ou autres moyens d'évacuation des bacs pleins et introduction des bacs vides.This variant comprises a mini-stacker circulating on a raceway 401, itself placed between the traffic paths 2, 3, 4 of the machine and which exchanges the full and empty bins by an inlet / outlet 402 formed by superimposed conveyors or other means of evacuating full bins and introduction of empty bins.

De manière connue en soi, le minitranstockeur comporte deux fourches télescopiques superposées.In a manner known per se, the mini-stacker crane comprises two superposed telescopic forks.

Un plateau tel que le plateau 12 de la figure 1 sera décrit ci-après de manière détaillée à l'aide de la figure 2.A plate such as the plate 12 in FIG. 1 will be described below in detail using FIG. 2.

Le véhicule ou plateau servant à transporter un colis le long du chemin de circulation, entre un dispositif de chargement et le dispositif de réception qui lui est associé, présente une structure non symétrique, puisque dans la machine de tri, tous les dispositifs de chargement 8, 9, 10 sont situés à l'extérieur de la courbe définie par le chemin de circulation 1.The vehicle or platform used to transport a parcel along the circulation path, between a loading device and the receiving device associated with it, has a non-symmetrical structure, since in the sorting machine, all the loading devices 8 , 9, 10 are located outside the curve defined by traffic path 1.

Ainsi, le plateau se compose d'un fond 100 portant sur le côté latéral situé à l'extérieur selon le chemin de circulation, un rebond 101 relativement bas et le long du côté opposé, un rebond 102 relativement haut. Le côté arrière du plateau est fermé par un rebond arrière 103 ayant de préférence la même hauteur que le rebond intérieur 102.Thus, the plate consists of a bottom 100 carrying on the lateral side located outside along the travel path, a relatively low rebound 101 and along the opposite side, a relatively high rebound 102. The rear side of the plate is closed by a rear rebound 103 preferably having the same height as the internal rebound 102.

Le rebond intérieur 102 comporte, puisqu'il a les plus grandes dimensions et est situé du côté intérieur de la boucle, une échancrure 104 pour le repérage de l'extrémité avant d'un plateau et derrière cette échancrure, un plot de codage 105 qui reçoit les informations telles que celles relatives à l'adresse du colis, informations qui sont lues par le dispositif de lecture 16 pour commander le dispositif de réception en fonction de l'adresse de destination du colis transporté par le plateau correspondant.The internal rebound 102 comprises, since it has the largest dimensions and is located on the internal side of the loop, a notch 104 for locating the front end of a plate and behind this indentation, a coding pad 105 which receives information such as that relating to the address of the parcel, information which is read by the reading device 16 to control the receiving device as a function of the destination address of the parcel transported by the corresponding tray.

Le rebond latéral 101 situé du côté de l'introduction du colis (flèche B) constitue ainsi l'ouverture du plateau. Le côté avant 106 est complètement ouvert dans le prolongement du fond 100.The lateral rebound 101 situated on the side of the introduction of the package (arrow B) thus constitutes the opening of the plate. The front side 106 is completely open in the extension of the bottom 100.

A l'extrémité avant, le plateau comporte également un ou deux patins d'amortissement 107, 108 pour amortir le choc entre deux plateaux en cas de bourrage et provoque l'accumulation des plateaux sans rebond.At the front end, the plate also includes one or two damping pads 107, 108 to absorb the shock between two plates in the event of jamming and causes the accumulation of the plates without rebound.

Enfin, les deux bords latéraux 109, 110 constituent la bordure de guidage des plateaux, cette bordure ayant une forme particulière pour éviter le cabrage. Ainsi, le bord se présente comme un gradin rectangulaire qui s'introduit sous le guidage latéral des chemins de circulation. On évite le cabrage qui pourrait se produire lors de l'arrêt sur une butée ou par suite d'une accumulation importante de plateaux.Finally, the two lateral edges 109, 110 constitute the guiding border of the plates, this border having a particular shape to avoid nose-up. Thus, the edge is presented as a rectangular step which is introduced under the lateral guidance of the circulation paths. This prevents tilting which could occur when stopping on a stop or as a result of a significant accumulation of chainrings.

La partie inférieure du fond 100 sous les côtés constitue la zone de roulement ou de glissement 111, 112 et au niveau de l'extrémité arrière, il est prévu un taquet 113.The lower part of the bottom 100 under the sides constitutes the rolling or sliding zone 111, 112 and at the rear end, a cleat 113 is provided.

Le sens de défilement du plateau 12 a été indiqué ici comme à la figure 1 par la flèche A le sens ou direction d'introduction des colis dans le plateau est indiqué par la flèche B.The direction of travel of the plate 12 has been indicated here as in FIG. 1 by the arrow A the direction or direction of introduction of the packages into the plate is indicated by the arrow B.

Le positionnement des dispositifs de chargement est tel que les colis transportés appelés encore colis plats ou plus simplement "plats", passent sans difficulté par dessus le rebond 108 ; ce rebond 108 constitue néanmoins un moyen de retenue du colis sur le plateau lorsque le plateau effectue un virage à une certaine vitesse, par exemple dans les séparateurs courbes 5, 7.The positioning of the loading devices is such that the transported packages also called flat packages or more simply "flat", pass without difficulty over the rebound 108; this bounce 108 nevertheless constitutes a means of retaining the package on the platform when the platform makes a turn at a certain speed, for example in the curved separators 5, 7.

Il convient enfin de remarquer que le fond du plateau est muni extérieurement de galets de guidage 114, 115.Finally, it should be noted that the bottom of the plate is externally provided with guide rollers 114, 115.

La figure 3 est une vue en perspective très simplifiée d'un dispositif de chargement, montrant une partie du chemin de circulation ainsi qu'un plateau se trouvant en face du dispositif de chargement. Ce dispositif de chargement est un exemple de réalisation d'un dispositif représenté de manière schématique sous les références 8, 9, 10 à la figure 1.Figure 3 is a very simplified perspective view of a loading device, showing part of the circulation path and a tray located in front of the loading device. This loading device is an exemplary embodiment of a device shown schematically under the references 8, 9, 10 in FIG. 1.

Ce dispositif de chargement est à deux postes ; de manière plus détaillée, il se compose d'un chargeur 201 disposé perpendiculairement au chemin de circulation 1 figuré par les deux bandes de convoyeur 1A, 1B sur lesquelles se trouve un plateau 12.This loading device is at two positions; in more detail, it consists of a loader 201 arranged perpendicular to the circulation path 1 shown by the two conveyor belts 1A, 1B on which there is a plate 12.

En amont du chargeur 201, il y a un premier et un second poste de chargement 202, 203 disposés l'un dans le prolongement du chargeur 201, l'autre transversalement à celui-ci.Upstream of the charger 201, there is a first and a second loading station 202, 203 arranged one in the extension of the charger 201, the other transverse to the latter.

Ces postes de chargement 202, 203 sont identiques et les commandes sont placées de la même manière pour que le personnel puisse passer indifféremment d'un poste à l'autre, sans avoir à modifier ses habitudes ergonométriques.These loading stations 202, 203 are identical and the controls are placed in the same way so that the personnel can pass indifferently from one station to another, without having to modify their ergonometric habits.

De manière plus précise, le chargeur 201 se compose d'un convoyeur à bande 204, de longueur relativement faible passant sur deux cylindres 205, 206 dont l'un au moins est moteur (par exemple le cylindre 206). Le moteur 208 entraîne le cylindre 206 par l'intermédiaire d'un embrayage 209. L'entraînement se fait par intermittence, en fonction de la commande ; le parcours effectué par le convoyeur est chaque fois d'un demi-tour.More specifically, the loader 201 consists of a belt conveyor 204, of relatively short length passing over two cylinders 205, 206 of which at least one is motor (for example the cylinder 206). The engine 208 drives the cylinder 206 via a clutch 209. The drive is done intermittently, depending on the order; the the route taken by the conveyor is half a turn each time.

La face extérieure du convoyeur 204 porte deux tasseaux 210, 211, 212, 213. Ces deux groupes de tasseaux ont la même fonction. Le tasseau avant 211 sert de butée avant et le tasseau 210 sert de butée arrière.The outer face of the conveyor 204 carries two cleats 210, 211, 212, 213. These two groups of cleats have the same function. The front cleat 211 serves as a front stop and the cleat 210 serves as a rear stop.

Lorsqu'un colis est projeté sur le convoyeur à partir du poste 202 ou du poste 203, il se place automatiquement entre les deux tasseaux 210, 211 à l'arrêt. Puis la mise en oeuvre de l'embrayage 209 commande la rotation du cylindre 206 qui entraîne le convoyeur 204 d'un demi tour. Cette forte accélération provoque l'entraînement du colis par le tasseau pousseur 210 et son éjection, c'est-à-dire son transfert dans le plateau 12.When a package is projected onto the conveyor from station 202 or station 203, it is automatically placed between the two battens 210, 211 when stationary. Then the implementation of the clutch 209 controls the rotation of the cylinder 206 which drives the conveyor 204 by half a turn. This strong acceleration causes the package to be entrained by the pusher 210 and its ejection, that is to say its transfer into the plate 12.

Selonles figures 3A et 3B, pour éviter que la circulation d'air (flèches P, Q (figure 3A) ainsi engendrée ne perturbe la trajectoire lors de l'expulsion du colis 81, surtout s'il s'agit d'un colis relativement léger et de surface importante comme un pli, il est prévu deux déflecteurs, l'un 214 au-dessus de l'intervalle séparant la sortie du chargeur 201 et l'autre 221 situé en bout du chargement au niveau de l'arrivée dans le plateau 12. Le pli, même projeté très rapidement, ne peut donc s'envoler, mais il suit la flèche B pour arriver dans le plateau 12.According to FIGS. 3A and 3B, to prevent the air circulation (arrows P, Q (FIG. 3A) thus generated from disturbing the trajectory during the expulsion of the parcel 81, especially if it is a relatively parcel light and of large surface area like a fold, two deflectors are provided, one 214 above the gap separating the magazine outlet 201 and the other 221 located at the end of the shipment at the level of the arrival in the tray 12. The fold, even projected very quickly, cannot therefore fly away, but it follows arrow B to arrive in tray 12.

Les dessertes 202, 203 sont également constituées chacune par une bande sans fin, dont le mouvement est commandé par l'utilisateur correspondant de la machine. Ce mouvement correspond également à une rotation de préférence d'un demi tour de convoyeur ou plus généralement de la rotation nécessaire au transfert du colis, de la desserte 202, 203 sur le convoyeur 204.The services 202, 203 are also each constituted by an endless band, the movement of which is controlled by the corresponding user of the machine. This movement also corresponds to a rotation preferably of a half turn of the conveyor or more generally of the rotation necessary for the transfer of the package, from the service 202, 203 to the conveyor 204.

Les personnes qui se trouvent dans les postes de travail près des dessertes 202, 203 reçoivent un ensemble de colis (plis, missives, journaux) à introduire dans la machine. Ils prennent à chaque fois un colis, lisent l'adresse et mettent cette adresse en mémoire. Puis ils placent le colis sur la desserte 202, 203 correspondante. L'adresse associée à ce colis est mise en mémoire et lorsque le colis sera transféré à un plateau, ce plateau recevra l'inscription de l'adresse du colis qu'il contient.The people who are in the workstations near the services 202, 203 receive a set of packages (folds, missives, newspapers) to be introduced into the machine. They take a package each time, read the address and put that address in memory. Then they place the package on the corresponding service 202, 203. The address associated with this package is stored and when the package is transferred to a tray, this tray will receive the inscription of the address of the package it contains.

Pour réaliser l'imbrication des colis provenant respectivement des dessertes 202, 203, la sortie des colis est détectée par deux barrières lumineuses 215, 216 vérifiant qu'un colis est bien transféré de la desserte 202, 203 sur le convoyeur 204.In order to nest the packages coming respectively from the services 202, 203, the output of the packages is detected by two light barriers 215, 216 verifying that a package has indeed been transferred from the service 202, 203 to the conveyor 204.

Enfin, on remarque que le convoyeur 204 comporte à une certaine distance des bords, deux lisses latérales 217, 218 qui délimitent latéralement le convoyeur. Du côté en regard du poste transversal correspondant à la desserte 202, il est prévu un tasseau longitudinal 219 qui évite qu'un colis ne soit accidentellement projeté par la desserte 202 au-delà du convoyeur à bande 204.Finally, it is noted that the conveyor 204 comprises at a certain distance from the edges, two side rails 217, 218 which laterally delimit the conveyor. On the opposite side of the transverse station corresponding to the service 202, a longitudinal cleat 219 is provided which prevents a package from being accidentally thrown by the service 202 beyond the conveyor belt 204.

Un tel moyen n'est pas nécessaire et ne serait pas possible pour la direction correspondant à la desserte 203.Such a means is not necessary and would not be possible for the direction corresponding to the service 203.

L'ensemble du dispositif 201 est recouvert par un capot pour fermer des surfaces de protection et de travail, laissant une ouverture respective au droit des dessertes 202, 203. Au niveau de chaque poste de travail, devant chaque desserte 202, 203 il y a un dispositif de codage 220, 221 formé par exemple par un clavier pour introduire dans l'installation, l'adresse du colis placé sur la desserte.The whole of the device 201 is covered by a cover to close the protective and working surfaces, leaving a respective opening in line with the services 202, 203. At each work station, in front of each service 202, 203 there are a coding device 220, 221 formed for example by a keyboard for entering into the installation, the address of the package placed on the trolley.

La figure 4 montre un exemple de dispositif de réception auquel est associé un dispositif de butée représenté aux figures 5 et 6.Figure 4 shows an example of a device of reception which is associated with a stop device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Le dispositif de réception 300 constitue un magasin et se compose de plusieurs bacs ou cellules 301, 302, 303 placés en-dessous du plan du chemin de circulation 1 (la circulation se fait dans le sens de la flèche A) dans lequel circulent les plateaux 12.The receiving device 300 constitutes a store and is made up of several trays or cells 301, 302, 303 placed below the plane of the circulation path 1 (the circulation takes place in the direction of the arrow A) in which the plates circulate 12.

Les bacs 301-303 extractibles sont par exemple supportés par des cornières 304. Par contre les cellules sont fixes et les colis qui y arrivent sont extraits manuellement.The removable trays 301-303 are for example supported by angles 304. On the other hand the cells are fixed and the packages which arrive there are extracted manually.

Le dispositif de réception comporte comme cela a déjà été indiqué ci-dessus, un lecteur 16, 305 qui se trouve en amont ou à l'entrée du dispositif dans le sens de circulation A des plateaux et des colis. Derrière ce dispositif de lecture 305 il y a une butée commandée 306 (décrite de manière détaillée ci-après à l'aide des figures 5 et 6) qui se met en place pour rencontrer le taquet 113 du plateau 12 lorsque le lecteur 305 a lu sur le plot de codage 105 que le plateau 12 contenait un colis. Le dispositif de lecture 305 a également lu l'adresse de destination du colis M pour commander en fonction cette adresse, le déflecteur 309 parmi les déflecteurs 307, 308, 309 associés respectivement aux bacs 301, 302, 303 et qui correspond à l'adresse de destination du colis M.The reception device comprises, as has already been indicated above, a reader 16, 305 which is located upstream or at the entrance of the device in the direction of circulation A of the trays and packages. Behind this reading device 305 there is a controlled stop 306 (described in detail below with the aid of FIGS. 5 and 6) which is put in place to meet the cleat 113 of the plate 12 when the reader 305 has read on the coding pad 105 that the plate 12 contained a package. The reading device 305 has also read the destination address of the package M to order this address accordingly, the deflector 309 among the deflectors 307, 308, 309 associated respectively with the tanks 301, 302, 303 and which corresponds to the address of destination of package M.

Ces magasins sont répartis tout le long de la machine exclusivement sous les convoyeurs 2, 3, 4 de la figure 1 pour constituer une machine à n directions.These stores are distributed all along the machine exclusively under the conveyors 2, 3, 4 of FIG. 1 to constitute a machine with n directions.

Ce déflecteur 309 vient alors barrer la goulotte 310 du dispositif de réception, pour dévier le colis M et le faire passer dans le bac 303. Si l'adresse avait été celle correspondant au bac 301, le déflecteur 307 se serait ainsi mis en place dans la goulette 310 pour dévier le colis 306 vers le bac 301. Il en eût été de même pour un colis destiné au bac 302 (mise en place du déflecteur 308).This deflector 309 then blocks the chute 310 of the receiving device, to deflect the package M and pass it through the bin 303. If the address had been that corresponding to the bin 301, the deflector 307 would thus have been set up in the groove 310 to divert package 306 to bin 301. The same would have been true for a package intended for bin 302 (installation of deflector 308).

L'éjection du colis M par rapport au plateau 12 se fait par l'effet de l'inertie ou de la vitesse acquise par le colis M, le plateau 12 étant retenu par sa butée 113 qui rencontre le dispositif à butée escamotable 306.The ejection of the package M with respect to the plate 12 is effected by the effect of the inertia or of the speed acquired by the package M, the plate 12 being retained by its stop 113 which meets the retractable stop device 306.

La butée escamotable 306 représentée aux figures 5 et 6, est constituée par une pièce montée de manière articulée autour d'un axe 320 porté par un support 321. Cette pièce est également reliée sur une articulation 322, à une bielle 323, elle-même reliée à la tige 324 d'un électroaimant 325. L'autre extrémité de la tige 324 de l'électroaimant 325 vient contre une butée réglable 326, également portée par le support 321.The retractable stop 306 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is constituted by a part mounted in an articulated manner around an axis 320 carried by a support 321. This part is also connected on a joint 322, to a connecting rod 323, itself connected to the rod 324 of an electromagnet 325. The other end of the rod 324 of the electromagnet 325 comes against an adjustable stop 326, also carried by the support 321.

La butée 306 comporte également un patin 327 sur sa face rencontrant le taquet 113 du plateau 112.The stop 306 also includes a shoe 327 on its face meeting the cleat 113 of the plate 112.

Suivant une variante, la butée 306 ne comporte pas de patin ; le taquet 113 du plateau 112 est alors muni d'un patin. Cette variante offre l'avantage de permettre d'avoir sur l'anneau de tri, des plateaux de masse différente puisque l'adaptation du patin permet d'obtenir le même rebond des plateaux sur la butée par des plateaux de masse différente.According to a variant, the stop 306 does not include a shoe; the cleat 113 of the plate 112 is then provided with a pad. This variant offers the advantage of making it possible to have plates of different mass on the sorting ring since the adaptation of the pad makes it possible to obtain the same rebound of the plates on the stop by plates of different mass.

La butée escamotable pivote dans le sens des flèches D et E (figures 5, 6) pour se mettre en position active, ou en position de repos. L'électromaimant 325 est de préférence alimenté, en fonction de la détection faite par le lecteur 305.The retractable stopper pivots in the direction of the arrows D and E (Figures 5, 6) to move to the active position, or to the rest position. The electromagnet 325 is preferably supplied, depending on the detection made by the reader 305.

La butée est disposée transversalement par rapport au sens de passage A des plateaux 12. Comme déjà indiqué la face de la butée 307 qui rencontre le taquet 113 des plateaux est munie d'un bloc élastique pour d'une part amortir le choc avec le taquet 113 et d'autre part provoquer du fait de son élasticité, le recul du plateau 112 pour permettre le mouvement de retour de la butée 306. En effet, cela permet d'utiliser pour l'électromaimant 325 un électroaimant de faible puissance, donc de faible inertie, c'est-à-dire rapide, dont la commande de retrait se fait de manière temporisée, après le rebondissement du plateau 12, chargé, que la butée 306 vient d'arrêter.The stop is arranged transversely to the direction of passage A of the plates 12. As already indicated, the face of the stop 307 which meets the stopper 113 of the plates is provided with an elastic block on the one hand to absorb the shock with the cleat 113 and on the other hand to cause, because of its elasticity, the recoil of the plate 112 to allow the movement of the stop 306 back. Indeed, this makes it possible to use for the electromagnet 325 an electromagnet of low power, therefore of low inertia, that is to say rapid, whose withdrawal control is done in a timed manner, after the bouncing of the plate 12, loaded, that the stop 306 has just Stop.

Dans la description de l'exemple de réalisation de la machine de tri, ci-dessus, le codage est fait de façon manuelle, par lecture de l'adresse sur le colis, puis introduction de cette adresse par exemple sous la forme du code postal dans la machine, à l'aide des dispositifs de codage 320, 321.In the description of the exemplary embodiment of the sorting machine, above, the coding is done manually, by reading the address on the parcel, then entering this address for example in the form of the postal code in the machine, using coding devices 320, 321.

Toutefois, ce codage peut également se faire à la voix, à la volée, par une lecture d'un code-barre, une reconnaissance de forme, ou analogues suivant l'utilisation qui est faite de la machine de tri.However, this coding can also be done by voice, on the fly, by reading a bar code, pattern recognition, or the like depending on the use made of the sorting machine.

Lorsqu'un plateau 12 passe devant le lecteur 305, celui-ci détecte l'information (adresse) inscrite sur le plot 105. Un détecteur de proximité détecte également l'échancrure 104 du plateau qui suit le plateau dont le plot 105 a été lu. Ces informations sont stockées pour traiter le plateau suiveur.When a tray 12 passes in front of the reader 305, the latter detects the information (address) written on the pad 105. A proximity detector also detects the notch 104 of the tray which follows the tray whose pad 105 has been read . This information is stored to process the follower plate.

La cavité intérieure du plateau 112 est tapissée d'un revêtement de préférence en mousse amortissante, dont la surface supérieure présente une texture glissante de manière à diminuer le bruit et à améliorer les caractéristiques de glissement pour l'évacuation du colis.The internal cavity of the tray 112 is lined with a covering preferably of shock-absorbing foam, the upper surface of which has a slippery texture so as to reduce the noise and improve the sliding characteristics for the evacuation of the package.

La machine de tri selon l'invention peut s'appliquer au tri de "colis" les plus divers, soit dans les centres de tris postaux, soit au niveau du service de courrier d'une grande entreprise ; l'invention peut également s'appliquer à la distribution de pièces dans une entreprise, une messagerie, une entreprise de vente par correspondance, ou analogues.The sorting machine according to the invention can be applied to sorting a wide variety of "packages", either in postal sorting centers, or in the mail service of a large company; the invention may also apply to the distribution of parts in a business, courier, mail order business, or the like.

Claims (13)

  1. Sorting machine, in particular for sorting packages in sorting centres, comprising a circulating track in a loop, loading devices (8, 9, 10) in which the packages are loaded onto plates for destinations corresponding to the address on each package, connected, by the circulating track of plates, to a receiving device, to a plurality of magazines each of which receives parcels having the corresponding address, and to a return track, the sorting machine being characterised by the circulating track being comprised of entraining means (2, 3, 4) interspersed with separators (5, 6, 7) which return the plates (12) circulating in the circulating track to a certain pitch, the loading devices (8, 9, 10) being distributed along the circulation track (1), always directly downstream of a separator (5, 6, 7), and each comprising a device for coding the plate (13, 14, 15), which device is suitable for destination-coding the loaded package and for detecting, beforehand, whether the plate is empty, the plates (12) comprising coding means for receiving the destination coding in the vicinity of a loading device (13, 14, 15; 8, 9, 10), and for permitting the reading of the code at the entry to the reception device (16, 11) to control the unloading of the plate (12) and the dispatching of the package towards the feeding hopper corresponding to its destination.
  2. Sorting machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that the coding and reading devices are located inside the loop formed by the continuous circulation track (1).
  3. Sorting machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that the plate (12) is comprised of a relatively low edge (101) and a relatively high edge (102) of the exterior and the interior sides of the circulation track respectively, and of a relatively high rear edge (103), and the inner shoulder (102) comprises coding means (104, 105) and a catch (113) projecting beyond the base and intended to cooperate with a controlled abutment stop (306) located in the vicinity of the unloading device.
  4. Sorting machine according to Claim 3, characterised in that the coding means (104, 105) of the shoulder (102) of the plate (12) are comprised of a coding diagram (105) receiving the address of the package placed into the plate, and of a cut-out (104), which allows the detector in front of the plate to determine the distance which separates the front of this plate and the rear of the immediately preceding plate, in the vicinity of the unloading device.
  5. Sorting machine according to Claim 3, characterised in that the plate (12) comprises at least one damper skid (107, 108) at the front to muffle the shock between two plates without edges.
  6. Sorting machine according to Claim 3, characterised in that the base of the plate (100) comprises guide rollers (114, 115).
  7. Sorting machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that the loading device is comprised of a loader (201) disposed transversely in relation to the track (1, 1A, 1B) of the passing of the plates (12) and of at least one loading point (202, 203) located in the extension of the loader (201) or perpendicular thereto to receive the packages (M), and to transfer them, in a controlled manner, onto the loader (201), this latter ensuring, automatically, the transfer of the package to an empty plate.
  8. Sorting machine according to Claim 7, characterised in that the loader (201) of the loading device is comprised of a continuous belt provided with at least one group of two cross pieces (210, 211; 212, 213) defining a position, the conveyor being entrained by a motor (208) and a clutch (209) which is controlled in such a manner that the groups of crosspieces are always located to define a reception position for the packages, and the clutch controls the intermittent movement of the conveyor to ensure the transfer of the packages from the loader into the plate.
  9. Sorting machine according to Claim 7, characterised in that the loading point (202, 203) is comprised of a belt conveyor.
  10. Sorting machine according to Claim 9, characterised in that the conveyor (204) of the loader (201) is bordered by two rails (217, 218) and, at one side, by a longitudinal stake (219).
  11. Sorting machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that the reception device (300) is comprised of a plurality of feeding hoppers, themselves formed of several tubs or cells (301-303), stacked, located below the circulation track (1), and controlled deflectors (307-309) associated, respectively, with the tubs or cells (301-303) to pass into the chute (310) via which the packages (M) descend, to deflect each package towards the tub (301-303) of its destination, a retractable abutment stop (306) placed in the circulation track (1) to encounter the catch (113) of the plate (12) to be unloaded, and a reading means (305) to read the coding means (104, 105) of the plate (12) and to control the actuation of the retractable abutment stop (306) and the deflectors (307-309).
  12. Sorting machine according to Claim 11, characterised in that the retractable stop (306) is activated by an electromagnet (325), which is controlled and is of adjustable travel (326).
  13. Sorting machine according to Claim 11, characterised in that it comprises a "mini-transtocker" which moves between the circulation tracks (2, 3, 4) of the plate to ensure the exchange of the empty and full vats.
EP90402374A 1989-11-15 1990-08-28 Sorting device, especially for sorting out packages in sorting centres resorts Expired - Lifetime EP0428416B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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FR8914973A FR2654367B1 (en) 1989-11-15 1989-11-15 SORTING MACHINE, PARTICULARLY FOR SORTING PACKAGES IN SORTING CENTERS.
FR8914973 1989-11-15

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EP0428416A1 EP0428416A1 (en) 1991-05-22
EP0428416B1 true EP0428416B1 (en) 1994-07-20

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AT (1) ATE108706T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69010841T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2654367B1 (en)

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US7528339B2 (en) 2003-07-31 2009-05-05 Lockheed Martin Corporation Sequencing system and method of use
US7723633B2 (en) 2003-07-31 2010-05-25 Lockheed Martin Corporation Sequencing system and method of use
WO2020034943A1 (en) * 2018-08-16 2020-02-20 菜鸟智能物流控股有限公司 Sorting apparatus, sorting method, and sorting control device

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Publication number Publication date
DE69010841T2 (en) 1995-03-23
EP0428416A1 (en) 1991-05-22
FR2654367B1 (en) 1992-04-24
ATE108706T1 (en) 1994-08-15
FR2654367A1 (en) 1991-05-17
DE69010841D1 (en) 1994-08-25

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