EP2905756A1 - Parcel processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A packet processing device (1) comprises an input device (11) for inputting packets (3) into a memory space (100) and a memory device (2) arranged in the memory space for storing input packets (3). It is provided that the storage device (2) has a flexible receiving element (22) which is suspended on two holding devices (20, 21) such that the receiving element (22) with a portion (220) between the holding devices (20, 21) for receiving packages (3) input via the input means (11) on the portion (220), at least one of the holding means (20, 21) for adjusting the length (L) of the between the holding means (20, 21). extended portion (220) is adjustable. In this way, a packet processing device is provided which enables a simple storage of packets in a small space under high packing density.

Description

The invention relates to a packet processing device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a packet processing device comprises an input device for inputting packets into a memory space of the packet processing device. In the memory space, a memory device is arranged, which serves to store input packets. From the storage space, the packets can then be output for further processing, for example for onward transport.

Such a packet processing device is nowadays used, for example, in a so-called packing station and is used for processing parcels to be sent by mail. About such a packet processing device, a user can give up one or more packages. A postal service provider can then remove the packages from the package processing facility and transport them for further shipment.

There is a need for a packet processing device that enables storage of packets in a small package space with high packing density. moreover When entering packets, it is intended to reliably prevent damage to the packets as a result of entry and entry into the storage device.

From the WO 2006/080851 A2 is - in another technical field - a bottle return device with a receptacle in the form of an adjustable band known. The device is used to take back empties in the form of bottles and is insofar - especially in terms of weight and size of the male Guts - entirely different requirements than a packet processing device that must be designed for processing and storage of large, heavy packages. In addition, there is the additional difficulty in package processing facilities of the type in question that packages basically can differ greatly in shape, size and weight.

From the DE 10 2012 009 306 A1 a bottle return device with an adjustable bottom for receiving empties in the form of bottles is known.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a packet processing device which enables a simple storage of packets in a small space under high packing density.

This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the storage device has a flexible receiving element which is suspended on two holding devices in such a way that the receiving element extends with a section between the holding devices to receive packages entered on the section via the input device, wherein at least one of the holding devices for adjusting the length of the between the holding devices extended portion is adjustable.

The present invention is based on the idea of using as a memory element in a memory device for storing packets a flexible receiving element, which may be configured, for example, as a limber longitudinally extended band element. The receiving element is suspended between two holding devices and extends with a portion between these holding devices. Characterized in that at least one of the holding means is adjustable, can the length of this section is adjusted and over the size of a storage volume of the storage device, which is determined by the length of the extended between the Halteeirrichtungen section set.

The receiving element is preferably limp. This is to be understood that the receiving element has a low modulus of elasticity and therefore is easily deformed even at low force.

By adjusting at least one of the holding devices, the length of the section of the receiving element which extends between the holding devices can thus be adjusted. Increasing the length of the section results in a larger storage volume. If the length of the section is reduced, however, results in a smaller storage volume.

If the receiving element is configured as a slender longitudinally stretched band element, then the shape of the receiving element can adapt in a flexible manner to the packages located on the receiving element. The receiving element thus forms a receptacle in which one or more packages can be received, wherein the depth of the receptacle is determined by the length of the extending between the holding means portion of the receiving element.

The adjustability of at least one of the holding devices also makes it possible to set a drop height of an input packet when input via the input device so that damage to the packet can be reliably prevented. By suitably adjusting the length of the section between the holding devices, the receiving element can be approximated to the input device arranged above the receiving element, so that a package entered via the input device falls onto the receiving element only from a comparatively small drop height and thus can not be destroyed.

By the adjustability of the length of the section, a removal height for the removal of packages from the storage device can be set advantageously by the position and height of packages on the receiving element is changed by adjusting the length of the portion of the receiving element between the holding devices. This allows the removal of heavy, large packages in a relatively comfortable way.

On the receiving element packages can be added side by side and stacked. This results in the possibility for an advantageous, high packing density of the packages on the receiving element.

One or both of the holding devices may for example be equipped with a rotatable winding shaft, on which the receiving element is wound at least in sections. The winding shaft is rotatable about an associated axis of rotation and can be rotated for winding or unwinding of the arranged on the winding shaft receiving element to change in this way the length of the extended between the holding means portion of the receiving element.

Each winding shaft can be driven for example by its own drive motor, so that the winding shafts can be rotated independently. If both holding devices are adjustable and each have a winding shaft, then each winding shaft can be twisted for itself. This allows - by adjusting a winding shaft or by mutually coordinated adjustment of both winding shafts - a change in the length of the extending between the holding means portion of the receiving element. But this also allows - by coordinated, uniform movement of the winding shafts - a displacement of the receiving element without length change of the section by the receiving element on a winding shaft and is unwound from the other winding shaft in a uniform manner.

In an advantageous embodiment, the holding devices along a horizontal direction - reference is made to a proper installation and use of the packet processing device - spaced from each other. The horizontal direction is directed horizontally to a vertical direction corresponding to the direction of gravity. The holding devices are thus arranged in the horizontal direction at a distance from each other and clamp between the receiving element. From above, packages can reach the receiving element and are held on the receiving element for storage.

At least one of the holding devices is adjustable to change the length of the portion of the receiving element between the holding devices. This makes it possible to change the position of the packages on the receiving element by shortening the length of the portion of the receiving element extended between the holding devices to lift the packages and to reduce the length of the packages between the containers Holding means extended portion of the receiving element can be increased. In addition, it may be provided that one or both of the holding devices are also translationally adjustable along an adjustment direction directed parallel to the horizontal direction, so that the positions of the holding devices can also be set in a translatory manner. By translational adjustment of one or both holding devices, the receiving element as a whole translational - even without changing the length of between the holding devices extended portion of the receiving element - are adjusted, so that the position of the receiving element as a whole translationally along the horizontal direction - for example, for easy, convenient removal of packages can be adapted via a designated removal opening of the packet processing device.

A translational change in position of the receiving element is possible by movement of one or both of the holding devices along the translational adjustment direction. If both holding devices are moved uniformly and rectilinearly, there results a change in position of the receiving element in a translatory direction without the height of the receptacle created by the preferably pliable receiving element being changed. If only one holding device is moved or if both holding devices are moved opposite to one another, for example, the distance between the holding devices changes in the horizontal direction, which is also accompanied by a change in the depth of the receiving container provided by the receiving element.

The input device is preferably arranged, viewed along a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction, above the portion of the receiving element which extends between the holding devices. An input via the input device package thus falls from the input device to the receiving element and is caught by this. In this case, by adjusting the position of the receiving element and the length of the portion of the receiving element extending between the holding devices, the drop height of the packet from the input device to the receiving element can be adjusted so that damage to the package upon dispensing can be reliably prevented.

The input device may for example have a drawer, via which a package can be introduced into the storage space. At the drawer, for example, a flap device may be formed, which, when the drawer with a packet arranged thereon in the storage space of the Packet processing device is introduced, opens downwards, so that the package falls from the drawer onto the receiving element.

In order to control the adjustment of one or both holding devices, a sensor device may be provided which is designed to detect a packing height of packages located on the receiving element and to generate a sensor signal as a function of the packing height. The sensor signal can be supplied to a control device which evaluates the sensor signal and, depending on the evaluation, actuates one or both holding devices for changing the position of the receiving element or for changing the length of the section of the receiving element extending between the holding devices. The sensor device can be designed, for example, as an optical sensor, for example as a light barrier, wherein basically also other types of sensor devices are conceivable and possible.

If, for example, the sensor device detects that comparatively many packages are stored on the receiving element and the packing height of the packets exceeds a predetermined packing level (ie a defined height in the storage space of the packet processing device up to which packets are to be stacked at maximum), the length of the between the holding means extended portion of the receiving element can be increased in order to increase in this way the depth of the receptacle provided by the receiving container. The packing height of the packets in the memory space of the packet processing device can thus be set so that it does not exceed an allowable packing level.

Fig. 1A

eine Vorderansicht einer Paketverarbeitungseinrichtung;

Fig. 1B

eine Seitenansicht der Paketverarbeitungseinrichtung betrachtet in Pfeilrichtung P gemäß Fig.1A;

Fig. 2

eine Rückansicht der Paketverarbeitungseinrichtung bei entfernter Rückwand;

Fig. 3A

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Paketverarbeitungseinrichtung, mit aufgezogener Schublade einer Eingabeeinrichtung;

Fig. 3B

eine Seitenansicht der Paketverarbeitungseinrichtung betrachtet in Pfeilrichtung P gemäß Fig. 3A;

Fig. 4A

eine Vorderansicht einer Paketverarbeitungseinrichtung zusammen mit weiteren Modulen einer Packstation; und

Fig. 4B

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß Fig. 4A.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1A

a front view of a packet processing device;

Fig. 1B

a side view of the packet processing device considered in the direction of arrow P according to 1A ;

Fig. 2

a rear view of the packet processing device with the rear wall removed;

Fig. 3A

a perspective view of the packet processing device, with mounted drawer of an input device;

Fig. 3B

a side view of the packet processing device considered in the direction of arrow P according to Fig. 3A ;

Fig. 4A

a front view of a packet processing device together with other modules of a packing station; and

Fig. 4B

a perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 4A ,

Fig. 1A . 1B to 3A . 3B show views of an embodiment of a packet processing device 1, which is designed for inputting and storing packets to be entered by a user 3 and is for example part of a packing station.

The packet processing device 1 has an input device 11, via which a user can input one or more packets into a memory space 100 enclosed in a housing 10 of the packet processing device 1. From the storage space 100, the packets 3 can be removed for further transport via a separate from the input device 11 removal opening (not shown in the figures) again.

The input device 11 is formed in the illustrated embodiment by a drawer 111, which can be pulled out in an extension direction A and in which a user a package 3 (see Fig. 3A ) for input to the packet processing device 1 can insert. The drawer 111 can then be pushed against the extension direction A into the housing 10, so that a package 3 located in the drawer 111 is conveyed into the storage space 100.

The drawer 111 has at a bottom a flap means 110 which opens when the drawer 111 has reached a retracted position (see Fig. 2 ). As a result of the opened flap device 110, the packet 3 can thus fall out of the drawer 111 and reaches a storage device 2.

The storage device 2 is, considered along a vertical direction Y (directed parallel to the direction of gravity, in which the force of gravity at the intended Installation and use of the packet processing device 1 acts) arranged below the input device 11. The storage device 2 comprises a receiving element 22 in the form of a pliable, elongated strip element, which is clamped between two holding devices 20, 21 and held between the holding devices 20, 21. The holding devices 20, 21 each comprise a winding shaft 200, 210, on which the receiving element 22 is wound in sections and which in each case via an electric motor drive motor 201, 211 (in Fig. 2 not shown in detail) can be placed in a rotational movement to unwind the receiving element 22 from the winding shaft 200, 210 or from the winding shaft 200, 210.

The receiving element 22 extends with a section 220 between the holding devices 20, 21 and forms, together with housing walls of the housing 10 of the packet processing device 1, a receptacle in which packets inserted via the input device 11 can be collected and stored. The fact that the receiving element 22 is formed as a limp band element, it depends between the holding devices 20, 21 in a flexible, flexible manner and thus, when one or more packages reach the portion 220 of the receiving element 22, change in shape and thus adapt to a filling state.

By adjusting the winding shafts 200, 210 of the holding devices 20, 21, the length L of the section 220 of the receiving element 22 extended between the holding devices 20, 21 can be changed, in order in this way to reduce the depth T of the receptacle for the packages 3 formed by the receiving element 22 to vary. By shortening the length L of the section 220, the depth T can be reduced, but increased by increasing the length L of the section 220.

If the winding shafts 200, 210, for example, in the in Fig. 2 Driven in directions of rotation D1, D2 driven so reduces the length L of the portion 220 of the receiving element 22 between the holding means 20, 21, so that the depth T is reduced and the held in the receiving element 22 packets 3 are raised. In reverse rotation increases accordingly the depth T.

By altering the length L of the portion 220 of the receiving element 22 which extends between the holding devices 20, 21, the storage volume of the receiving container formed by the receiving element 22 can be determined, for example, as a function of Level, so of the packing height H of the stacked on the receiving element 22 packets 3, are changed. For example, if there are a few packages 3 on the receiving element 22, then the depth T can be set small and for this purpose the section 220 of the receiving element 22 can be shortened in its length L. In this way, an input via the input device 11 packet 3 falls from comparatively low drop height to the receiving element 22, so that the risk of damage to the package 3 is largely reduced. If, however, the receiving element 22 is filled with more and more packages 3, the depth T can be increased and for this purpose the length L of the portion 220 of the receiving element 22 can be extended, so that the capacity of the receiving container formed by the receiving element 22 is increased.

The control of the holding devices 20, 21 can take place, for example, via a control device 24 in cooperation with a sensor device 23. The sensor device 23 can be designed, for example, as an optical sensor device, for example as a light barrier. Depending on a packing height H, ie the height of the packages 3 stacked on the receiving element 22, the sensor device 23 can generate a sensor signal by, for example, outputting a suitable sensor signal if the packing height H exceeds a predetermined permissible packing level 230 in the storage space 100 (FIG the maximum allowable height of the packets 3 in the storage space 100 indicates and fixed with a view of the housing 10) exceeds. If this is the case, the control device 24 can control the holding devices 20, 21 to increase the depth T by lengthening the length L of the section 220 in order to lower the packages 3 in this way.

In addition to the rotatability of the winding shafts 200, 210, one or both of the holding devices 20, 21 can also be movable translationally along an adjustment direction V directed parallel to the horizontal direction X. In this way, it is possible to translationally adjust the position of the receiving element 22 with the packages 3 arranged therein in order, for example, to adapt the position of the receiving element 22 relative to a removal opening for a comfortable removal of the packets 3.

By rectified, translational adjustment of the holding devices 20, 21, the receiving element 22 can be moved translationally without changing the depth T. By translational adjustment of only one holding device 20, 21 or by oppositely adjusting both holding devices 20, 21, the position of the Receiving element 22 are changed, which changes due to a change in distance along the horizontal direction X between the holding devices 20, 21 so that at the same time also the depth T of the receptacle 22 created by the receiving container.

Due to the design of the receiving element 22 as a limp band element packages 3 can be stored with high packing density in the packet processing device 1. In addition, by adjusting the depth T on the one hand set a drop height when entering a package 3 via the input device 11 and on the other hand, a removal height for a comfortable removal via a different from the input device 11 removal opening.

The packet processing device 1 may be part of a packing station system in which, as in FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrated, to the packet processing device 1 further modules 4, 5 are grown. The further modules 4, 5 may be designed, for example, for accepting packages by a user, without this being discussed in more detail in this text.

As a result of the design of the storage device 2 with a non-rigid receiving element 22, within the scope of such a packing station system, a corner region E, which would otherwise constitute a non-accessible and only badly usable dead space, can be used in an advantageous manner. Characterized in that the memory device 2 can hineinerstrecken in this corner E and by the rotational and translational adjustability of the holding devices 20, 21, the position of the receiving element 22 for a favorable insertion of packages 3 and also for a comfortable removal of packages 3 can be adjusted , The enclosed by the housing 10 interior can also be used in the corner E as a storage space 100, so that there is no dead space, which would not be functional usable.

Due to the adjustability of the receiving element 22, in this case the input device 11 with its drawer 111 can be located at a height on the packet processing device 1, which is easily accessible to a user, in particular a user whose mobility is limited. By adjusting the receiving element 22 by means of the holding devices 20, 21 in this case the drop height of an input packet 3 can be adjusted in a favorable manner depending on the level of the storage device 2.

The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can in principle be realized even in completely different types of embodiments.

In principle, the receiving element may be made of any material, for example a textile material or a rubber material, as long as it is ensured that the receiving element is sufficiently flexible, preferably limp. The receiving element may for example consist of a grid or mesh tape.

It is also conceivable to design the receiving element as a bag-like, even side walls exhibiting structure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Packet processing device

10

casing

100

storage space

101

opening

11

input device

110

Valve device

111

drawer

2

memory device

20, 21

holder

200, 210

winding shaft

201, 211

drive motor

22

Flexible slippery element (band)

220

section

23

sensor device

230

Pack level

24

control device

3

package

4, 5

module

A

extraction direction

D1, D2

direction of rotation

e

corner

H

Pack height

L

length

N

user

P

arrow

T

depth

V

adjustment

Claims (10)

Package processing device (1), with an input device (11) for inputting packets (3) into a memory space (100) and a memory device (2) arranged in the memory space for storing input packets (3),
characterized,
that the memory means (2) comprises a flexible receiving member (22) which is suspended on two holding devices (20, 21) such that the receiving member (22) having a portion (220) between the retaining means (20, 21), in order to receive packages (3) input via the input device (11) on the section (220), wherein at least one of the holding devices (20, 21) for adjusting the length (L) of the section (220, 21) extending between the holding devices (20, 21) ) is adjustable. Package processing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving element (22) is designed as a limp, longitudinally stretched band element. Package processing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the holding devices (20, 21) has a rotatable winding shaft (200, 210) for winding or unwinding the receiving element (22) arranged on the winding shaft (200, 210). having. Package processing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding devices (20, 21) along a horizontal direction (X) are spaced from each other. Package processing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the holding devices (20, 21) is translationally adjustable along an adjustment direction (V). Package processing device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the adjustment direction (V) is directed parallel to the horizontal direction (X). Package processing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input device (11), viewed along a vertical direction (Y), above the extending between the holding means (20, 21) extending portion (220) of the receiving element (22) , Package processing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input device (11) has a drawer (111), via which a package (3) can be introduced into the storage space (100) and which has a flap device (110), over which the package (3) on the portion (220) of the receiving element (22) can be ejected. Package processing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage device (2) has a sensor device (23) which is designed to detect a packing height (H) of packages (3) located on the receiving element (22) to generate a sensor signal as a function of the packing height (H). Package processing device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the storage device (2) has a control device (24), which is formed, depending on the packing height (H) at least one of the holding means (20, 21) for adjusting the length ( L) of the between the holding means (20, 21) extended portion (220) to control.

Images