U.S. patent application number 10/933453 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for system and method for extracting articles from a slot.
This patent application is currently assigned to SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT. Invention is credited to Peter Berdelle-Hilge.
Application Number | 20070003396 10/933453 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34272846 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070003396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berdelle-Hilge; Peter |
January 4, 2007 |
System and method for extracting articles from a slot
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system and method for
laterally extracting articles from a slot. The slot may belong to a
DPP machine and housed within a DPP container. The present
invention includes an extraction device with moveable walls that
may be compressed and uncompressed a selectively width so as to
define a cavity of the select width. The extraction device is
inserted into the slot. The separator sheets are removed. The
extraction device walls are compressed so as to make room between
them and the slot walls. The separator sheets are reintroduced into
this room. The extraction device is then pushed forward, out of the
slot, and into a further processing element where the articles are
deposited. The slot is then returned to a start position behind the
slot. The extraction device includes an H-belt to facilitate
removal of the articles from the extraction device cavity.
Inventors: |
Berdelle-Hilge; Peter;
(Konstanz, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG;I-47, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
ALBISRIEDERSTRASSE 245
ZURICH
CH-8047
CH
|
Assignee: |
SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
MUNICH
DE
|
Family ID: |
34272846 |
Appl. No.: |
10/933453 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60499612 |
Sep 3, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/280 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B07C 1/00 20130101; B07C
5/36 20130101; B07C 3/008 20130101; B07C 3/082 20130101; B07C 3/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/280 |
International
Class: |
B65G 65/00 20060101
B65G065/00; B65G 1/00 20060101 B65G001/00 |
Claims
1. A method for laterally extracting at least one article from a
slot, said slot comprising opposing walls defining a slot cavity
for accommodating said at least one article, an open front and
back, and at least one separator sheet accommodated within said
cavity, comprising the steps of: inserting an extraction device
into said slot so as to accommodate said at least one article
within said extraction device, said extraction device comprising
opposing walls defining a device cavity for accommodating said at
least one article therein; removing said at least one separator
sheet; compressing said extraction device opposing side walls;
urging said extraction device through said open front; urging said
at least one article from said extraction device; and returning
said extraction device to a start position.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said opposing side
walls are laterally displaceable and said extraction device further
comprises means for laterally displacing said side walls.
3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising a web
running between said opposing side walls and arranged so as to
laterally displace in a direction of movement of said extraction
device.
4. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of inserting
said extraction device further comprises the step of laterally
displacing said side walls.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
separator sheet comprises an internal member and a displaceable
outer covering.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein step of removing said
at least one separator sheet further comprises the step of
displacing said outer covering.
7. The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of urging
said at least one article from said extraction device further
comprises the steps of displacing said web in a direction of said
urging such that said web contacts said at least one article and
effects said urging.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
expanding said extraction device side walls after said step of
returning said extraction device to a start position.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
article comprises at least one of mail, book, magazine, and compact
disk.
10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
reintroducing said at least one separator sheet into said slot.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
separator sheet comprises two separator sheets.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step
of inserting said separator sheets between said extraction device
side walls and said slot walls after said step of compressing said
extraction device opposing side walls.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein each of said two
separator sheets is inserted between a separate extraction device
side wall and a proximate slot wall and remain in position during
extraction device relocation.
14. A system for laterally extracting at least one article from a
slot, said slot comprising opposing walls defining a slot cavity
for accommodating said at least one article, an open front and
back, and at least one separator sheet accommodated within said
cavity, comprising: means for inserting an extraction device into
said slot so as to accommodate at least one article within said
extraction device, said extraction device comprising opposing walls
defining a device cavity for accommodating said at least one
article therein; means for removing said at least one separator
sheet; means for compressing said extraction device opposing side
walls; means for urging said extraction device through said open
front; means for urging said at least one article from said
extraction device; and means for returning said extraction device
to a start position.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said opposing side
walls are laterally displaceable and said extraction device further
comprises means for laterally displacing said side walls.
16. The system according to claim 15, further comprising a web
selectively running between said opposing side walls and arranged
so as to laterally displace with said side walls.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said means for
inserting said extraction device further comprises means for
laterally displacing said side walls.
18. The system according to claim 14, wherein said at least one
separator sheet comprises an internal member and a displaceable
outer covering.
19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said means for
removing said at least one separator sheet further comprises means
for displacing said outer covering.
20. The system according to claim 16, wherein said means for urging
said at least one article from said extraction device further
comprises means for moving said extraction device side walls so as
to cause said web to laterally displace in a direction of urging
thereby causing said at least one article to be urged in said
direction.
21. The system according to claim 14, wherein said at least one
article comprises at least one of mail, book, magazine, and compact
disk.
22. The system according to claim 14, further comprising means for
reintroducing said at least one separator sheet into said slot.
23. The system according to claim 14, wherein said at least one
separator sheet comprises two separator sheets.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to provisional
patent application 60/499,612, filed on Sep. 3, 2003, which is
herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to the field of article
handling and more particularly to a system and method for
extracting articles from a slot. Articles as used throughout the
application is defined as at least one of mail, books, magazines
and the like. The articles are typically sorted by a delivery point
packaging machine (DPP). DPP machines are used to sort large
batches of articles into appropriate slots. The articles are fed
into the machine by feeders which also decode the article's
destination address and thickness. The DPP includes a plurality of
slots, stored in larger containers, for receiving articles
logically assigned to destination addresses. Once an article's
address is known (as will be the case when the article is fed into
the DPP) the article is routed to its respective slot. The slots
are stored in containers, themselves stored in a casing of a tower.
The tower may also include article transport and delivery means by
which the articles are physically transported to their respective
slots. After a batch of articles has been sorted into their
respective slots in accordance with a desired sequence (such as a
delivery route sequence), it becomes necessary to physically remove
or extract the articles from their slots and further process them.
Such further processing may include polywrapping, manual handling
and so forth. For such further processing and subsequent handling,
it is a requirement of article extraction that the sequence and
sorting order be preserved. The present invention is directed to
this application. While discussed with respect to DPP machines,
application of the present invention may be applied elsewhere as
envisioned by the skilled artisan.
[0003] Current systems for extracting articles axe cumbersome,
complicated, bully and present engineering challenges.
Additionally, extracting systems have not been effectively applied
to DPP and related sorting machines. Accordingly, a need exists in
the art for effective and cost efficient article extraction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is directed to a method for performing
article extraction from a slot. The invention is further directed
to a system for carrying out the above method. In the present
method, an extraction device is inserted into a slot containing
articles. The extraction device includes substantially parallel
opposing side walls defining a cavity therebetween. The side walls
are laterally displaceable, with respect to one another, thereby
selectively widening and narrowing the cavity. By way of the
insertion the articles are accommodated and held within the
extraction device's walls. The separator sheets are then removed
and reinserted outside the extraction device cavity. The extraction
device is now free to relocate and remove the articles from the
slot and deliver them to further processing. To facilitate
extraction of the articles from the extraction device, the latter
is equipped with an H-belt for providing a lateral force against
the articles. After article extraction, the extraction device is
brought back into its original stating position and the slot
readied to receive new articles. The extraction device walls and
separator walls include displaceable outer surfaces facilitating
insertion and extraction within the slot without disturbing the
articles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] These and other embodiments of the present invention will be
set out below in more detail with respect to the specification and
claims, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts. In the
figures:
[0006] FIGS. 1a-1i depict various stages of operation of the
present system; and
[0007] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart method of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] FIGS. 1a-1i depict operating steps of the present system.
FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of the present method. Both system and
method will be discussed with reference to all of the figures.
[0009] The slot 10 is depicted from above in FIGS. 1a-1i. As shown
in FIG. 1a, the slot includes an open back 12 and front 14 and a
closed bottom 16. The slot includes substantially parallel opposing
side walls 18 and 20 defining a cavity 22 therebetween. The side
walls may include a friction free function which in operation does
not resist insertion and removal items. The friction free function
may be a product of side wall surface composition or other means
known in the art.
[0010] Accommodated within cavity 22 are a plurality of articles 24
and two separator sheets 26 positioned between the articles 24 and
side walls 18 and 20. The separator sheets 26 may comprise inward
folded (towards one another) top and bottom ends 46a and 46b as
well as an internal frame or member about which the separator outer
covering or surface rotates and/or is otherwise displaceable (not
shown). The internal frame may run the length of the separator
sheet 26 or a portion thereof. The size and composition of the
internal frame and outer covering is a matter of design choice. In
operation, whenever the separator sheet 26 is insert or removed
from a cramped or confined location, one being where another item
is touching at least one of the separator outer covering surfaces,
the outer covering may displace about the internal frame so as to
prevent the transfer of force, due to friction, between the
separator sheet and item. By way of outer covering movement the
separator sheet may be removed from the cramped location and the
items abutting the separator sheet remain in position
undisturbed.
[0011] FIG. 1a depicts an extraction device 30 behind slot 10 open
back 12. The extraction device 30 may be displaceable towards and
away from the slot as indicated by arrow 28. The extraction device
30 comprises two substantially parallel opposing walls 32 and 34
which define a cavity 42 therebetween. The walls 32 and 34 may
comprise similar structure to the separator sheets 26. As such, the
extraction device, via its walls 32 and 34, may be inserted into a
cramped location, such as the slot cavity 22, without displacing
items therein, such as articles 24. The extraction device further
includes a cross web 36 connected to side walls 32 and 34. When the
side walls 32 and 34 rotate about their internal frame, the cross
web 36 is made to displace along the length of the side walls. The
combination of the web 36 and side walls 32 and 34 in the shape of
an H and will therefore be referred to as an H belt. The web 36 is
selectively activated. The extraction device further includes side
wall displacement means 38 arranged to move the side walls 32 and
34 closer together and further apart. The extraction device is
depicted in its start location 40 with its side walls in a start
position. The materials of the extraction device are a matter if
design. The internal mechanics of the extraction device are also a
matter of design choice provide the above functionality is
maintained.
[0012] It is herein that the present method begins 50. Articles 24
have been sorted into slot 10 and two separator sheets 26 are
included within the slot accommodating the articles therein (52,
FIG. 2). The separator sheet are turned inward facilitating
accommodation of the articles 24 within slot 10.
[0013] In FIG. 1b, the extraction device 30 is inserted into slot
10 via the slot's open back 12. As a result of the insertion
motion, side walls 32, 34 compressed the separator sheets 26 and
articles 24 together (54, FIG. 2). Accommodated within extraction
device cavity 42 are the articles 24 and separator sheets 26.
[0014] In FIG. 1c, the back ends of the separator sheet 46a are
straightened rather than left internally inclined as depicted in
FIGS. 1a and 1b. Forward ends 46b remain inclined inward towards
one another as was the position upon insertion (56, FIG. 2).
[0015] In FIG. 1d, the separator sheets 26 are removed from the
slot via the slot front 14 (58, FIG. 2). The separator sheet ends
46a and 46b now incline outward from one another. The articles 24
are now accommodated within cavity 42 of extraction device 30.
[0016] In FIG. 1e, the extraction device side walls 32 and 34 are
compressed inward via displacement means 38 so as to make room for
the separator sheets 26 to be inserted between the side walls 32
and 34 and slot side walls 18 and 20 (60, FIG. 2). The separator
sheet ends 46a and 46b are straightened and the separator sheets
are reinserted between the respective side walls (62, FIG. 2).
[0017] In FIG. 1f, the extraction device 30 is brought through the
slot open front 14 and into another container 48 carrying the
articles 24 within its' cavity 42 (64, FIG. 2). The separator
sheets 26 remain in position within the slot 10. Container 48
represents further article processing which may include
polywrapping, manual handling and the like as set out above.
Lastly, the motion of the extraction device further straightens the
separator sheet ends 46b. The separator sheets or slot further
comprise means for maintaining the separator ends straightened.
[0018] In FIG. 1g, the extraction device 30 is reversed back into
and through the slot 10 through open front 14 (66, FIG. 2). As a
result of the rotation of the extraction device side walls 32 and
34, the web 36 moves forward with respect to the motion of the
extraction device side walls 32 and 34 and/or remains in place with
respect to the remaining elements of the figure. The web 36 assists
in maintaining the articles 24 within cavity 42.
[0019] In FIG. 1h, the extraction device is reversed through the
slot, the separator sheet ends now being flat facilitate passage of
the extraction device therethrough (68, FIG. 2). The reversing
action brings the web 36 back to its start location. The extraction
device side walls remain in a compressed position as was performed
and depicted in FIG. 1e. Alternatively, the web may remain in its
forward position (not shown).
[0020] In FIG. 1i, the back ends of the separator sheets 46a are
inclined inwards and the extraction device side walls 32 and 34 are
expanded outward to their start position (70, FIG. 2). The
extraction side walls are self adjusting or may be moved by other
means known in the art. At this point, the slot is available for
new articles and the method ends 72, FIG. 2.
[0021] The above mentioned actions are effected by means known in
the art to provide the motions and responses depicted above.
Specific devices to effect the above actions are a matter of design
choice conforming to the described conditions.
[0022] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications would be obvious to one skilled in the
art are intended to be included within the scope of the following
claims. Such modifications may include the number and location of
extraction devices to slots.
* * * * *