WO2012076645A1

WO2012076645A1 - Container with a rotary device, and method of rotation

Info

Publication number: WO2012076645A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/072182
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolf-Stephan Wilke; Armin Zimmermann
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2010-12-09
Filing date: 2011-12-08
Publication date: 2012-06-14
Also published as: EP2648989A1; US20130247523A1; DE102010062688A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container with a rotary device for rotating an article in the container, in particular a stack of flat items of mail. The container (Beh) comprises a base (Bo), a supporting side wall (Abs-Sw) and at least one further side wall (Sw-geg). The rotary device comprises a first sheet-like retaining element (HE.1) and a second sheet-like retaining element (HE.2). These two retaining elements (HE.1, HE.2) are connected mechanically to one another. In a filling position of the rotary device, the first retaining element (HE.1) rests on the supporting side wall (Abs-Sw), and the second retaining element (HE.2) is located on the base (Bo). In a raising position of the rotary device, the first retaining element (HE.1) is located on the base (Bo). An article (St) located in the container (Beh) then rests on the first retaining element (HE.1). An article (St) can be moved into the container (Beh) when the rotary device is located in the filling position. The rotary device is then transferred into the raising position, this action rotating the article (St) in the container (Beh).

Description

description

The invention relates to a container with a rotating device for rotating an article in the container, in particular a stack of flat mailpieces, as well as a method for rotating an article in a container. A container having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method having the features of the preamble of claim 9 are known from US 4,671,505.

No. 4,671,505 describes a sorting device with a plurality of containers. Each container has one each

"Tray inlet 17" This "tray inlet 17" is capable of holding and turning flat objects.

In US 7,766,171 B2, a "storage tray" described WEL more items of mail from a sorting outlet a sorting take can. The sorting system has a Karus ^¬ sell 20 with pockets ( "buckets 18") and a plurality of "storage trays 30 'under the sorting outlets ("Sorting outlets") cf. Fig. 3. Each container 30 has four side walls 32. On the bottom 38 of the container 30 are a "landing wall 34" and ei ^¬ ne "jogging wall 36 'arranged. The "landing wall 34" is sloped at an acute angle against the ground 38. The "jogging wall 36" is sloped at an obtuse angle γ against the ground 38. The "jogging wall 36" has to a configuration a first segment 36 a, which is connected to the "lan ^¬ thing wall 34", to the second segment 36 b and a third segment 36 c, which rests at the upper end of a side wall 32. The second segment 36b is bent relative to the first Seg ^¬ element 36a, the third segment 36c relative to the second segment 36b. During sorting, a pocket 18 with a mail item 16 is moved to a position above the container 30. A stack of postal items is produced in the container 30, the postal items of the stationary rest on the "landing wall 34" and with their lower edges to the "jogging wall 36" abut. In one embodiment, 32 recesses ("hand holds 42") are embedded in two side walls to transport the container 30.

The invention has for its object to provide a container with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a Ver ^¬ drive with the features of the preamble of claim 9 be ^¬ which the use of a mechanically simple container and a rotating an object in the container with allow little effort.

The object is achieved by a container having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

The solution according to the container has

- a floor,

a turning device,

- a jacking side wall and

- At least one further side wall, preferably a plurality of further side walls.

The at least two side walls and the base enclose ei ^¬ NEN space for accommodating at least one article.

The rotary device includes

- A first planar retaining element

- A second flat retaining element

These two holding elements are mechanically connected to each other. Each planar holding element extends in each case a holding plane and is designed so that a ^¬ hold the object can not penetrate the planar retaining element. The turning device can be spent in a filling position. The container is then in a filling state. The two retaining elements define an area of the enclosed space. If the rotary device is in the filling position and thus the container is in the filling state, an object can be placed in the limited area of the enclosed space or otherwise spent.

The rotating device can be moved from the filling position to a righting position while the object is completely or at least partially in the enclosed space. By moving into the upright position, the container is moved from the filling state to a set-up state. The bottom and the side walls, in both the filling and erecting conditions, enclose a space in which the object is completely or at least partly located and in which the object is held.

Before turning, the turning device is in the filling position and the container is thereby in the filling state, and the object lies on the second holding element. The first support member is leaning against the support sidewall or otherwise supported by the support sidewall. The second retaining element lies on the ground or is otherwise supported by the ground.

The solution according to the container can be transferred by a train on the second holding element from the filling state in the Aufricht- state. The tension on the second holding element causes the second holding element to be displaced from the supporting

Sidewall is pulled away. The first holding element is mechanically connected to the second holding element and is therefore pulled along. The weight of the article pushes the first Hal ^¬ teelement down, and temporally overlapping with the train on the second holding element. Those two edges of the two holding elements in which the two holding elements are connected to each other ^¬ slide during transfer into the up-directional state via the bottom of the container. The second stop element is moved by the train from a horizontal position to a vertical or oblique position. The first holding element gets into a position in which the first holding element ^¬ lies on the floor. These position changes of the two holding elements help to transfer the container from the filling state to the erecting state and thereby to rotate the article in the container.

The according to the solution container and according to the solution Drehverfah- ren makes it possible to rotate an object with a smaller force than be ^¬ known containers and methods, which is located in the one room, which is enclosed by the at least two side walls and the floor. For turning, it is not necessary to grip the first holding element or the object itself. The rotation can be effected only by a train on the second holding element. It is not necessary for a worker or automatic handling machine to reach into the enclosed space to move the turning device from the filling position to the erecting position. Rather, the object is rotated by an operation that engages only outside of the enclosed space turn. This also allows a difficult-to-grasp object in the container rotate, z. B. a stack of flat objects or a deformable article or a smooth-surfaced article. Even in confined spaces, an object can be rotated in the container.

When rotating, the center of gravity of the object is often near the axis of rotation about which the object is rotated. Ins ^¬ particular in this case, thanks to the invention, only a small torque applied to spend the solution according to the rotary device from the filling position in the upright position. The weight of the rotating object to un ^¬ ports the rotary motion, instead counteract it. The rotation can be performed quickly. The object is always held during rotation in the container by at least one holding element, usually simultaneously by two holding elements. This reduces the risk that the item will fall over or disintegrate into its components, which could otherwise occur especially if the item is a stack of flat objects.

The invention saves the need for an operator or an automatic handling machine must grasp an object in lösungsgemä ^¬ SEN container directly to rotate it. This can often be difficult, for. B. because the object is fragile, is a stack of flat objects or directly on a Be ^¬ tenwand of the container leaning and hardly or no space between the object and this side wall. Not he ^¬ is necessary to reach between the object and a side wall. On the contrary, thanks to the invention, the object can be rotated by exerting a tensile force on the second retaining element, preferably approximately parallel to the retaining plane of the second retaining element. This tension is low compared to the weight of the object in Behäl ^¬ ter, in particular because the weight of the object facilitates rotation and not difficult. In order for For this train ^¬ practice, need neither a worker nor a handling robot into the container to grip.

The invention saves the need to take in waves or grooves in the jacking side wall in order to create cut-outs in order to create a space between a side wall and the object and thus to grip the rotating Gegens ^¬ tand. Avoiding creating a non-usable space on a side wall. Furthermore, it is not necessary thanks to the invention to admit recesses in the ground or in a side wall. This makes it easier to manufacture the container mechanically.

The solution according to the device avoids the need to use an object in the container according to the invention for the purpose of Having to squeeze together to hold the article medium of increased friction. This compression would require that a high force be exerted, which could damage the object.

Thanks to the invention, it is not necessary to admit openings in the bottom of the container through which an actuating element z. B. is pushed with pins, which then engages and rotates an object in the enclosed space through the floor.

Thanks to the invention, existing containers can be used without rotating devices. The rotary device according to the invention can be inserted or inserted into an already existing container. An already existing container does not need to be changed at all or only slightly to be able to effect the turning according to the solution. This advantage is particularly useful if many containers have already been procured and should continue to be used. This is z. This is often the case, for example, with postal service providers or logistics service providers or other hauliers, because hauliers do not want to change proven transport processes.

The invention provides no dimensions for the container used. On the contrary, the rotary device according to the invention can be adapted to objects to be rotated and / or to existing containers. Therefore, the solution according to the device z. B. adapt to existing sorting and transport vehicles without a plant or a vehicle abän ^{¬ have} to change countries.

Throughout the rotation, the object - or at least a substantial portion of the object - is in the enclosed space. This prevents the object from falling out of the container when it is rotated. The invention makes it unnecessary to remove the object from a container for the purpose of turning and to tilt it into another container or otherwise to spend it in this other container. Rather, the object remains in the same container during rotation and is thereafter in the same container. This reduces the risk that the item will be damaged when turning. Thanks to the invention, it is also unnecessary, sequentially various types of containers for transporting a zen einzuset- Gegens ^¬ tands, where the object is located in different positions. Thus, the invention saves containers as well as storage bins for unused containers and a reloading step.

The invention can be used to make a stack of flasks, e.g. As flat mail items to rotate.

These items can have different dimensions and un ^¬ terschiedliche bending stiffness and be connected not only by friction or mechanically with each other. Because the two holding elements support the stack when turning, the risk is reduced that the stack when turning from ^¬ each other.

The first flat holding element extending in a ^¬ ers th holding plane, the second flat support member in a second support plane. An angle always occurs between these two holding planes. In one embodiment, this angle is greater than or equal to 90 degrees when the rotating device is in the filling position. The angle is preferably equal to the angle between the bottom and the support sidewall. If the turning device is in the righting position

Position is, the angle between the two holding planes is preferably also greater than or equal to 90 degrees.

Preferably, the two flat retaining elements are hinged together. The distance between the support

Side wall and the opposite side wall is smaller than the extension of the two holding elements, when the two holding elements are in a position in which the two flächen- chigen holding elements lie in the same plane. This posi ^¬ on can not accept the two holding elements in the container, because the side walls prevent this. Because of the articulated connection, the first holding element can be rotated relative to the second holding element or pivoted in other ways. Even when the rotary device is transferred to the erecting position, the first retaining element contacts the supporting side wall, because the force of gravity causes the first retaining element to move downwards and thus against the support element.

Side wall presses. This embodiment reduces the risk that a holding element in the interior of the container verkan ^¬ tet. Furthermore, the embodiment reduces the risk that the first holding element is moved away from the supporting side wall and creates a gap between an article in the container and a side wall extending between the first holding element and the supporting side wall and through which an object in the container can fall down instead of being turned.

The articulated connection also reduces the mechanical stress between the two holding elements significantly compared to a rigid connection. A rigid connection could be damaged during rotation due to the weight of an object in the container.

It is also possible to rigidly connect the two holding elements together, for. B. so that the two holding elements - seen in a direction parallel to the ground - form a V. The angle between the legs of this V is preferably greater than 90 degrees. This configuration allows a particularly simple set ^¬ be mechanical structure. The two holding elements can be manufactured together in one piece. It is possible to connect the two rigidly connected holding elements in addition by a connecting element stable together.

Preferably, each retaining element is designed as a rigid element ^¬ . In one embodiment, the two holding elements are indeed mechanically but not connected to the container. More precisely, the two retaining elements are mechanically connected neither to a side wall nor to the ground. The two holding elements can therefore be removed from the empty container and inserted into an empty container. This embodiment makes it possible, without any further mechanical Ver ^¬ change an already existing empty container with bottom and side walls thereby to a solution according to container, that the two holding elements are placed in the empty container so that the rotary Einrich ^¬ produced thereby tion is in the filling position.

Seen in a viewing direction parallel to the ground and on the supporting side wall, the first holding element and / or the second holding element can be almost as wide as the ground or significantly narrower than the bottom, so that a gap between another side wall and the holding element is formed. This gap is preferably so narrow that an object to be rotated can not fall from the holding element down to the ground. The two holding elements can be the same width and long or different widths or different lengths.

In one embodiment, a spacer element is attached to the first holding element. If the rotating device is in the erecting position, the spacer element causes a distance between the bottom and the first holding element is established. Preferably, the spacer element is arranged so that the first holding element is inclined downwards, so that an object on the first Halteele ^¬ ment to slip on the second holding element. In one embodiment, the container additionally has a guide device. This guide device connects the first holding element with the supporting side wall and verhin ^¬ changed that the first holding element of the supporting side wall can be moved away. In particular, this Füh ^¬ estimation means prevents a train on the second support member causes the first retaining element is pulled away from the jacking side wall. This prevents that a gap between see the support side wall and the first support member ent ^¬ stands. With such a gap, when goods Be ^¬ container could fall down without being rotated.

Preferably, the guiding means results in an end of the ERS th holding element so that this end back along only a li ^¬-linear path and can be moved forth z. B. only up and down. The guide device has at least one stop which limits and preferably damps the movement of the holding element end at one end of the path.

Preferably, a Distanzsele ^¬ ment is attached to the first holding element. This spacer element causes, when the rotary device is in the erecting position, a distance between the bottom and the first holding element occurs and the first holding element is not flat on the ground due to the Distanzsele ^¬ ment. As a result, the first holding element can be gripped more easily in order to return to the filling position by pulling on the first holding element, the rotating device after removal of the rotated object. This makes it easier to spend the container after removal of the counter ^¬ tands again in the filling position that is pulled vertically or obliquely upwards on the first holding element. The spacer element is additionally designed as a damping element in an embodiment and is as pleasant arranged that the first holding element is located between the Gegens ^¬ tand and the spacer. As a result, the Ab ^¬ rest element attenuates the impact of the first support member on the floor during rotation. Also on the second holding element can be arranged at least one Abstandsele ^¬ ment, which establishes a distance between the second holding element and the ground when the rotating device is in the filling position. Preferably, the container has a locking element. The ^¬ ses locking member connecting the first holding member with the jacking side wall and prevents the rotation unit from being unintentionally transferred from the filling position to the erection position, even when being pulled on the second holding member. Only after a purposeful dearretieren of this locking element can the rotating device be transferred to the upright position. A detent this Arretierele- ments can be attached to the jacking side wall or on the first Halteele ^¬ element and engages in a corresponding From ^¬ saving on the first holding member or in said support side wall. In one embodiment, the second holding element is pivotally connected to a handle. In order to transfer the rotary device from the filling position to the erecting position, it is sufficient to pull on the handle, preferably approximately parallel to the holding plane of the second holding element. It is not necessary to touch a holding element itself. This ^{Ausgestal ¬} tion makes it possible to design the second holding element with a smooth surface and without a recess. The handle is preferably arranged so that the handle is always au ^¬ outside the enclosed space.

In one embodiment, the first Halteele ^¬ ment is accordingly provided with a further handle. A pull on this further handle causes after removal of an object from the container, the rotating device is moved from the Aufricht- position back to the filling position, without having to touch the first holding element.

In one embodiment, the container is open at the top, and an article can be transferred from above into the enclosed space when the container is in the filling position.

Is in condition and the turning device is in the filling position. In one embodiment, the container has a lateral opening, for. By continuing a sidewall. is left. The object can be spent by a horizontal movement in the enclosed space inside.

The side walls may be perpendicular to the floor or inclined, so that the container standing on the floor tapers downwards.

In one embodiment, two containers according to the invention can be stacked one above the other in such a way that one container is placed in the other container from above as the upper container. As a result, the two containers take up little space. However, this is in one embodiment only when the lower container is empty, ie no object is in the enclosed area, and its rotary device is in the filling position and the first holding element then leaning against the supporting side wall. The upper container is placed on the rotating device and then stands on the second holding element. On the other hand, if the turning device is in the righting position, the upper container can not be placed in the lower container. This embodiment allows rapid control of whether a Behäl ^¬ ter is in the filling state or not. It is also possible to put another container on a container according to the solution.

The container can be z. B. to use a sorting plant successively spends several flat objects in the Behäl ^¬ ter, while the container is in the filling state. The object planes of the flat objects are arranged parallel to the ground, and the flat ones

Objects form a stack in the container, wherein the stack lies on the floor and grows away from the ground when more Ge ^¬ objects are spent in the container. This stack is rotated by means of the rotary device according to the solution. After turning, the turning device is in the righting position and the container is in the erecting state. The flat objects lean against the first Hal ^¬ teelement and / or a side wall of the container and are on the bottom of the container. Is possible to search for a single Whether ^¬ ject in such twisted stack, to grasp and remove from the container or einzufü- also another flat object in the stack at a certain point gen.

It is also possible, conversely, to produce in the container a stack of upright flat objects while the container is in the filling state, e.g. B. by these objects are pushed horizontally on the bottom of the container and between the supporting side wall and the opposite side wall. The container is then placed in the erecting state, whereby the flat objects are transferred to a lying position.

In one embodiment, at least one container according to the invention belongs to an arrangement which furthermore comprises an image recording device and an image evaluation unit. The image pickup device generates at least one ^¬ rechnerauswertbares image from the container, wherein the imaging direction is preferably approximately parallel to the plane of the container bottom extends. The image evaluation unit evaluates the ^¬ rechnerauswertbare image from the container au ^¬ matically and automatically decides whether the container is currently located in the filling state or the erecting condition. To make this decision, is ge ^¬ checked whether a sufficiently large part of the container extends upwardly through a side wall or a lateral silhouette of the container - then the container is not in the filling state - or such a component does not protrude - Then the container is in the filling state. It is possible to additionally produce a recording from above in an imaging ^¬ direction, which is perpendicular to the ground.

The decision is z. B. used to fill only those containers that are currently in the filling state, and to other containers auszuschleusen. This prevents an item from being placed in a container that is not currently in the fill state. In the following the invention will be described with reference to a Ausführungsbei ^¬ game. Showing:

1 shows the container according to the invention of the exemplary embodiment with the rotary device in the filling position, wherein further mail items are transferred from above into the container,

2 shows the completely filled container with the rotating device in the filling position, the handle on the second holding element has already been rotated and the locking element will be dearre ^¬ in the next moment,

3 shows the container with the rotating device at the transition from the filling position to the erecting position, wherein the locking element is dearretiert and a pulling movement is exerted on the handle,

Fig. 4 shows the container at a later moment during the

Transition of the turning device into the righting position,

Fig. 5 shows the container with the rotating device in the Aufricht position, the mail items of the stack are erected in the container and the first holding ^¬ element lies on the ground and the second element rests on the opposite side wall.

In the exemplary embodiment according to the solution several containers are used to transport flat mailpieces (standard letters, large ^¬ letters, postcards, catalogs, etc.). The mail items are sorted by a sorting system in accordance with a predetermined sorting feature and ver ^¬ divides the container. This sorting feature is usually the Zustellad ^¬ resse, to which a mail item is to be transported, or a delivery region to which this delivery address belongs.

The sorting system has several sorting outputs. For each mail item is measured or otherwise determined what value does the sorting feature for this mailing ^¬ . Depending on the ascertained sorting feature value, a sorting output for the mailpiece is selected. The mail item is ejected into the selected sorting output. In the selected sorting exit, the mail item slides from above or also in a vertical movement into a container according to the solution. A container filled to a predetermined barrier with mailpieces to be sorted is replaced by an empty container.

The sorting system is fed to a plurality of containers which are in a filling state described below, ie the respective rotating device is in a filling position. A measuring device checks whether every supplied container is actually in the filling state and is empty. For example, an image capture device generates at least one computer-accessible image of the container from the side. An image evaluation unit evaluates this image and checks whether a retaining element protrudes beyond the upper edge of a side wall of the container or not. If, it is discovered that a retaining element projecting beyond the top edge, then ent ^¬ eliminated in that the container is not located in the filling state, and is transported to a processing station, for example. B. by a conveyor belt transports the container there. In the processing station, the rotating device of this container is manually or automatically brought to the filling position. In order to check whether a container is actually empty, in one embodiment a computer-evaluable image of the container is generated from above, and it is automatically checked whether an object can be seen on the floor in the image.

The sorting system spends in each container, which is in the filling state, in each case a plurality of postal items ^¬ shipments that the mail items are horizontal in the container after the transfer. The respective object level ^¬ each of the flat mail item thus extends horizontally and therefore parallel to the bottom of the container. The side walls of the container limit after filling ei ^¬ ne movement of the flat mail items in their respective object levels. The stack is at the bottom of the container so that the center of gravity of the container is low. As a result, the filled container is safe when he z. B. is transported in a transport vehicle, and can not tip over.

At a later time, an agent, e.g. a mail carrier, are enabled to search for individual mail items in this container and to remove each mail item found from the container, for example all mail items for a particular recipient. In order to make this possible, it is desired that the mail items are in a vertical or obliquely inclined position in the container, ie not in the lying position. The stack will then "snap through" quickly, so the mail will need to be rotated and moved to this vertical or oblique position, and the stacked mail should be rotated so that the mail can not be damaged or kinked when it is rotated.

Furthermore, the same container should be used both during the sorting ^¬ as well as during the subsequent processing by the processor, so saved a ^¬ step, in which stacked mail items are transferred from one container to another container and rotated during reloading. It is not necessary to have to use a handling ^machine for erecting the mailpieces. Thanks to the invention, these three goals are achieved. The solution according to the container has in the embodiment

- a rectangular floor,

- At least three, preferably four side walls, which are firmly connected to the ground, and

- up an opening.

The floor and sidewalls enclose a space for receiving a stack of mailpieces. Fig. 1 shows a container according to the solution with the rotating device in the filling position. Shown is Be ^¬ container Beh, which stands on the flat edition Aufl. This container Beh has the following components:

- a bottom Bo, which is perpendicular to the plane of

Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 is,

a support sidewall Abs-Sw with the upper edge OK-Abs,

- one of the jacking sidewall para-Sw opposing Be ^¬ tenwand Sw-geg with the upper edge OK geg,

- two more sidewalls, which in the drawing planes of

FIGS. 1 to 5 lie and of which only the top edge OK of a side wall is indicated,

a first holding element HE.1, which in FIG. 1 is flat against the supporting side wall Abs-Sw,

a second holding element HE.2, which lies flat on the bottom Bo in FIG. 1,

a mechanical joint Gel between the first holding element HE.l and the second holding element HE .2.

an actuating element BE with a handle Gri and a connecting element Verb,

a further mechanical joint Gel.l between the second holding element He .2 and the connecting element verb,

a spacer element Abs and

a locking element Arr.

The sidewalls Abs-Sw, Sw-geg and each other sidewall shown are approximately perpendicular to the bottom Bo. Is Mög ^¬ Lich, that the container vessel upwards, that is from the soil Bo away, enlarged, that is, the side walls para-Sw, Sw-geg are inclined slightly outwards. In the exemplary embodiment, the two further side walls are longer than the smear side wall Abs-Sw and the opposite side wall

Sw-go, so that a pull in the longitudinal direction of the container causes the container is transferred to the erecting state. The bottom Bo and the side walls Abs-Sw, Sw-geg enclose an approximately parallelepiped-shaped space into which an object, in the exemplary embodiment in each case a stack of flat mailpieces, can spend. The mail items are transported from the sorting system either from above through the opening into the container Beh, wherein the mailings slide into the container Beh due to gravity. Or a side wall is omitted, and the mail items are transported through the omitted side wall into the container Beh and thereby transported horizontally.

The three or four side walls of the container Beh all reach up to the height of the top OK. A hook Hak is attached to the handle Gri. This hook Hak then prevents, when the container Beh is in the filling state that the Actu ^¬ tion element BE falls into the container Beh. Rather, the hook Hak holds the handle Gri on the opposite side wall Sw-geg firmly. In the exemplary embodiment, each holding element HE.l, HE .2 has the shape of a rigid rectangle. Preferably, each rigid rectangle has rounded edges and / or rounded corners to reduce the risk of injury or tilting.

The container Beh already contains a stack St. of horizontal postal items. These mail items are approximately aligned with the first holding element HE. Three further postal items, which form a stack St.2 are spent in the situation of Fig. 1 from above in a stacking direction SR in the container Beh. The also horizontally lying mail items of the stack St.2 slide vertically downwards in the stacking direction SR to the already in the container Beh stack St. l. The container Beh stands on the support Aufl. The two stacks St.l and St.2 together form a single stack in the container Beh. The bottom Bo is approximately rectangular, it can have rounded corners. As a result, two shorter side walls and two longer side walls are formed. The one shorter side ^¬ wall is connected to the rotating device described below and is therefore hereinafter referred to as the support side wall Abs-Sw, because it supports the first holding element He .1 from.

In one embodiment, a guide device, which in the exemplary embodiment comprises a rail and an upper and a lower stop, is embedded in this support side wall Abs-Sw. The two stops limit the rail and thus the movement of an object in the rail. The un ^¬ tere stop is located near the bottom Bo, the upper stopper near the upper edge OK-Abs in said support side wall para-Sw.

The container according to the solution Beh has a rotary device. This turning device includes:

the first planar retaining element HE.l,

the second flat holding element HE.2,

the articulated connection gel between the two holding elements HE.1 and HE.2,

- The further articulation Gel.l between the second holding element He .2 and the connecting element verb and

- The actuator BE with the handle Gri and the Ver ^¬ binding element verb.

The connecting element Verb connects the handle Gri articulated to the second holding element HE .2. The sum of the expansions of the two holding elements He.l, He .2 in the drawing planes of Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 is greater than the distance between the support side wall Abs-Sw and the opposite side wall Sw-Geg, that is greater than that Dimension of the bottom Bo in the drawing planes of FIG. 1 to FIG. 5.

Both between the handle Gri and the connecting element verb and between the connecting element verb and the second Holding element HE .2 each has a hinged connection. The two holding elements HE.l, HE .2 are articulated, in particular rotatable, connected to each other. The joint Gel between the two holding elements HE.l, HE .2 z. B. designed as a hinge. The further mechanical joint connection Gel.l ^¬ z. B. designed as a hinge. Both hinges Gel, Gel.l allow a rotation of the composites ^¬ nen elements about an axis of rotation, which is perpendicular to the Zei ^¬ chenebenen of Fig. 1 to Fig. 5. Seen in a viewing direction perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the two holding elements HE1, HE2 form a V. The angle between these legs HE1, HE2 of the V can be reduced thanks to Change joint gel. Also, the angle between the second holding element He .2 and the connecting element verb can be changed thanks to the other joint gel.l, against the force of a spring.

It is possible that a spring on the two holding elements HE.l, HE .2 acts and strives to increase the angle between the holding elements HE.l, HE .2 and thereby the two holding elements HE.l, HE .2 in a To bring position in which both holding elements HE.l, HE .2 extend in the same plane. However, because the two holding elements He.l, He .2 are located in the container Beh with the side walls Abs-Sw, Sw-geg, such a position of the holding elements He.l, He .2 is not possible. As a result, the first holding element HE.l is pressed against the supporting side wall Abs-Sw. A stack Postsen ^¬ compounds folds the two holding elements HE.l, HE .2 against the force of the spring together, and reduces the angle.

The first holding member HE.l has two edges which are perpendicular ^¬ right on the drawing layer of FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, namely in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a top edge and a bottom edge. Near the upper edge, the spacer Abs is connected to the first holding element HE. This upper edge ^¬ be found near the jacking sidewall para-Sw. In Fig. 1 it can be seen that the spacer Abs is attached to that surface of the first holding element HE.l, the Supporting sidewall Abs-Sw points out. It is possible that a management facility, for. B. a groove or rail, prevents the spacer Abs is moved laterally, that is perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 1 to Fig. 5.

The other, lower edge of the first holding element HE .1 is hingedly connected to the second holding element HE .2, more precisely with an edge of the second holding element HE .2. In the exemplary embodiment, there is a hinge gel between the lower edge of the first holding element HE .1 and the one edge of the second holding element HE .2. The second holding element HE .2 can thereby rotate relative to the first holding element HE .1. The spacer element Abs of the first holding element is designed such that the first holding element HE .1 can not only be moved up and down, but also relative to

Turn the support sidewall Abs-Sw.

In another embodiment, at least one flexible band is connected in a planar manner to both holding elements HE.1, HE.2. The longitudinal axis of this band is located in the drawing areas of ^FIGS . 1 to 5 and holds the two holding elements HE1, HE2 together so that a gap having a predetermined maximum width occurs between the two holding elements and the first holding element HE .l can be rotated relative to the second holding element HE .2. For example, the band in the manner of a U in two two-dimensional areas with each holding element HE.l, HE .2 is connected. In one embodiment, the band additionally forms a loop on which it is possible to pull. This loop acts as a handle of the rotary device. It is possible that several parallel bands are provided. The band or bands are preferably connected flat with two Halteele ^¬ elements HE.l, HE .2 and cause the articulated connection of these two holding elements HE.l, HE .2. The connecting element verb is movably connected by means of the further articulation ^¬ Gel.l connection with the other edge of the second holding member HE .2. The second holding element HE .2 is thus on one side of the other mechanical Articulated connection to the connecting element Verb and limited on the ^{¬ on} the other side of the articulated joint gel to the first holding element HE .1. The first holding element HE .1 is bounded on one side by this articulated joint gel. In an embodiment, which FIGS. 1 to 5 show, the other, upper in FIG. 1, leaves

Edge of the first holding element HE .1 move freely.

In an alternative embodiment, the container Beh additionally has a guide device with a rail. This guide device is embedded in the support side wall Abs-Sw. The guide device has an upper and a lower stop. The top stop is near the top edge of the OK-Abs, the bottom stop near the bottom Bo. A fastener of the first holding member HE .1 slides up and down in this rail, between the upper stop and the lower stop. The fastening element prevents the first retaining element HE .1 from being pulled away from the supporting side wall Abs-Sw or being displaced horizontally. If the container Beh is in the filling position, then the fastener is located at the top stop. During the transition from the filling position to the up position directing the fastener to slide in the Füh ^¬ estimation means down to the lower stop.

In this other Ausges ^¬ taltung the first holding element HE .1 has a fastener. This fastener is embedded in the rail of the guide device and can slide in this guide device up and down between the two stops back and forth. The guiding device and the fastening element prevent the first retaining element HE .1 from being pulled away from the supporting side wall Abs-Sw. In one embodiment, a locking element Arr on the first holding element HE.l prevents the first holding element HE .1 slipping unintentionally downwards. The Arr arresting element thus holds the first holding element HE.l in the uppermost possible Chen position on the support side wall Abs-Sw firmly. In Fig. 1, a hook-shaped locking body of the locking Arr is shown in the locked position. This locking body engages in a corresponding recess in the supporting side wall Abs-Sw.

The rotary device can be filled before filling into a filling position and transferred from this filling position after filling in an upright position. As a result, the container Beh is in a filling state before being filled and after being turned in a erecting state. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the container Beh has no guiding device, and the components of the rotating device are arranged in the filling position (see Fig. 1) as follows:

The free edge of the first holding element HE .1 with the Ab ^¬ stand element Abs is located near the upper edge OK-Abs of the support side wall Abs-Sw. The first holding device HE .1 is approximately parallel to the support side wall Abs-Sw ^¬ ordered, in such a way that the spacer Abs is top and the hinge gel between the first holding element HE .1 and the second holding element HE .2 close located on the floor Bo. The first holding element HE .1 leans against the supporting side wall Abs-Sw. In the support side wall Abs-Sw an opening Öff is recessed. The spacer and the para Ar ^¬ retierkörper of the locking member project through these Arr Publ ^¬ voltage Publ therethrough. The second holding element HE .2 is located on the bottom Bo of Be ^¬ container Beh. The connecting element verb to the handle Gri is on the floor Bo or leans against or lies on the opposite side wall Sw-gi, ie on the side wall which is the support side wall Abs-Sw opposite. In this filling position of the rotating device, the sorting system is able to spend flat mail items in a lying position in the container Beh. The mail items in the container Beh form a stack which on the second holding element HE .2 is located and is aligned on one side to the first holding element HE .1.

In the exemplary embodiment, the sorting system emits a signal as soon as it has ^discharged all the mailpieces that are to be brought into the container SENS. The container Beh is now filled. The stack of flat mail items in the container Beh acts in the embodiment as the ^¬ de object to rotate. The container Beh is removed in one embodiment of the sorting system and placed on the flat Auflageflä ^¬ che Aufl. The container Beh initially remains in the filling position.

Fig. 2 shows the filled container Beh with a stack St of lying mail. The stack St of Fig. 2 comprises the stacks St.I, St.2 of Fig. 1. It is shown that the handle Gri has now been placed in a vertical position in which it is possible to grip the handle Gri and to exercise a train movement. An arrow in the opening Öff indicates how the locking element Arr is deliberately dearretiert, namely by a rotational movement. In the exemplary embodiment, an agent pulls Gri on the handle and previously releases the arresting element Arr. Now the turning device is moved from the filling position to a righting position. For this purpose, the Arretierelement Arr is dearetiert in one embodiment. This ver ^¬ like in the configuration of the guiding means, the fastener of the first holding element HE .1 in the rail ne to slide downward.

An operator or an automatic handling machine pulls on the handle Gri of the actuating element BE. The handle Gri is waa ^¬ fair or obliquely upwards pulled away from the supporting side wall Abs- Sw. This pulling motion as well as the weight of the mail ^¬ broadcasts the stack St, which are in the container vessel, cause in the embodiment with the guiding means, that the fastening element of the first retaining element HE in .1 slides down the rail of the guide device. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the pull on the handle Gri, in conjunction with the high flexural rigidity of the two holding elements HE1, HE2, and the joint Gel between these two holding elements HE1, HE.2, that the first holding element HE.l slides down and the free edge of the first holding element HE.l slides here on the supporting side wall Abs-Sw along. The Abstandsele ^¬ ment Abs causes a distance between the first holding element HE.l and the support side wall Abs-Sw is generated. This spacer Abs slides along the supporting side wall Abs-Sw.

The joint Gel between the first holding element HE.l and the second holding element HE .2 slides over the bottom Bo of the container Beh away, so that the distance between ^¬ rule of the supporting side wall Abs-Sw and the joint gel increased. The joint gel is thus moved to the opposite side wall Sw-geg to. The stack St with the mail items continue to rest on the second support member and aligned HE .2 ^¬ on the first holding member HE.l.

The free edge of the second holding element HE .2 - this is the edge to which the connecting element verb is articulated - reaches the opposite side wall Sw-geg. By pulling on the handle Gri this free edge along the Be ^¬ tewand Sw-geg is pulled vertically or obliquely upwards. Since ^¬ device by the second retaining element HE .2 from the previously suited for horizontal position into an oblique position, and leans against the opposite side wall Sw-geg. The first holding element HE.l is entrained due to the hinge gel and passes from the initially vertical position in an oblique or approximately horizontal position near the bottom Bo.

Fig. 3 show the container Beh and the rotary device in the transition from the filling position to the righting position. The handle Gri is moved vertically or diagonally upwards into drawn by the arrow. The locking element Arr and the Ab ^¬ stand element Abs are slid out of the opening Öff. The first holding element HE .1 with the spacer Abs resting obliquely on the support side wall Abs-Sw. The second holding element HE .2 rests with one edge on the bottom Bo and leans with the other edge on the opposite side wall Sw-geg. Only the articulation gel touches the floor Bo. The angle between the surfaces of the two holding elements HE1, HE2 is now less than 90 degrees, while the angle in the filling position is greater than 90 degrees. The holding elements HE.l, HE .2 adapt to the geometry of the container Beh. The locking body of the locking Arr and the spacer Abs slide out of the opening Öff out.

4 shows a continuation of the transition from the filling position to the erecting position. The second holding element HE .2 has slid further to the right. The right edge of the second holding element HE.2 in FIG. 4, to which the connecting element Verb is fastened, has slid over the upper edge OK-geg of the opposite side wall Sw-geg. The first holding element HE.l has lost its contact with the support side wall Abs-Sw temporarily and turns un ^¬ th until the spacer Abs meets the bottom Bo. An arrow indicates this rotation. The stack St with the mail rests with the lower edges of the mail items on the first holding element HE.l, and the stack St leans on the second holding element HE .2. The angle between the surfaces of the two holding elements HE1, HE2 has increased again.

These movements of the two holding elements HE.l, HE .2 are finished at the latest when, in the embodiment with the guide device, the fastening element of the first holding element HE.l reaches the lower stop. In the Fully ^¬ staltung with the spacer par on the first holding member HE.l are the movements of the two holding elements HE.l, HE terminated .2 when the spacer par on the floor Bo incident. The stack St with the mail now stands on the oblique or approximately horizontal first holding element HE .1 and rests on the oblique second holding element HE .2. As a result, the mailpieces are almost erect.

Fig. 5 shows the container Beh and the rotating device in the erecting position. The spacer Abs has reached the bottom Bo. The first holding element HE .1 rests on the floor Bo. The spacing element Abs causes the first holding element HE .1 to be slightly inclined. This inclination makes it difficult for the rotated stack St to tip over. The second holding element HE .2 rests on the opposite side wall Sw-geg and is also held by the hinge gel with the first holding element HE .1. The connector Verb and the handle Gri are outside the container Beh and hang down. The mail items of the stack St are erected obliquely. In this attitude, it is possible to "finger" through the stack St and to search for a particular mail ^¬ tion in the stack St.

Reference sign list

Reference sign Meaning

Abs spacer element of the first holding element HE .1

Arr locking element of the first holding element HE .1

Overlay on which the container Beh stands

BE actuator with handle Gri and Verbin ^¬-making element verb

Abs-Sw support sidewall

Beh container

Bo bottom of the container Beh

Gel joint connection between the first holding element HE .1 and the second holding element HE .2

Gel .1 further mechanical articulation between the second holding element He .2 and the connection element verb

Gri handle of the actuator BE

Hak hook on the handle Gri

HE .1 first holding element

HE .2 second holding element

OK top of another side wall of the Behäl ^¬ ters Beh

OK-Abs Upper edge of the supporting side wall Abs-Sw

OK-geg top edge of the opposite side wall

Sw-geg

Opening in the support side wall Abs-Sw

SR stacking direction, in which flat mailpieces are transferred from above into the container Beh

St .1 already formed stack in the container Beh

St .2 Stack of postal items which are additionally filled into the container Beh

Sw-geg of the supporting side wall Abs-Sw opposite side wall of the container Beh

Verb connecting element of the actuating element BE

Claims

claims

1st container (Beh) with

a floor (Bo),

a support sidewall (Abs-Sw),

- At least one further side wall (Sw-geg) and

a rotating device (HE.l, HE.2, gel, Gel.l, BE), wherein the bottom (Bo) and the at least two side walls (Abs-Sw, Sw-geg) have a space for receiving at least one enclose object (St) and

the turning device (HE.l, HE.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE) is adapted to rotate an object (St) located in the enclosed space,

characterized in that

the turning device (HE.l, HE.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE)

- A first planar holding element (HE .1) and

- a second planar retaining element (HE.2)

includes

the two holding elements (HE.l, HE .2) are mechanically connected to one another,

the rotating device (HE.l, HE.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE) is displaceable into a filling position and thereby the container (Beh) can be set into a filling state,

when the turning device (HE.l, HE.2, gel, Gel.l, BE) is in the filling position,

the first holding element (HE. 1) rests against the supporting side wall (Abs-Sw),

- The second holding element (HE.2) on the floor (Bo) is located and

- The two holding elements (He.l, He .2) define an area within the enclosed space,

- wherein an object (St) can spend such in this Be ^¬ rich, that the object (St) on the second retaining element (HE.2) is located,

the turning device (HE.l, HE.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE) from the

Filling position in a Aufricht-position and thereby the container (Beh) from the filling state into a Aufricht- state can be transferred and when the turning device (HE.l, HE.2, gel, gel.l, BE) is in the erecting position,

- The first holding element (HE.l) on the floor (Bo) is located and

- An object located in the enclosed space (St) on the first holding element (HE.l) rests.

Container according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the rotary device (HE.l, HE.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE) additionally comprises an actuating element (BE),

the actuating element (BE) is mechanically connected to the second retaining element (HE.2) and

the container (Beh) is designed so that

a pull on the actuating element (BE)

- Causes a transfer of the container (Beh) from the filling position in the upright position.

A container according to claim 1 or claim 2,

characterized in that

- The rotating device (He.l, He.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE) has a hinged mechanical connection (gel) between the two holding elements (HE.l, HE .2) and

- The two holding elements (HE.l, HE .2) are pivotally connected to each other by means of this articulated connection (gel).

Container according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that

the container (Beh) additionally comprises a guide device and

the guide device mechanically connects the first holding element (HE.l) to the supporting side wall (Abs-Sw) in such a way that

- The first holding element (HE.l) parallel to the plane of the supporting side wall (Abs-Sw) on the floor (Bo) to and from the bottom (Bo) can be moved away and - The first holding element (HE.l) can be pivoted relative to the support side wall (Abs-Sw),

but a movement of the first holding element (HE.l) away from the supporting side wall (Abs-Sw) is prevented, wherein the stop the movement of the first holding element (HE.l) when transferring the rotating device (HE.l, HE.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE) in the erecting position parallel to the support side wall (Abs-Sw) on the ground (Bo) to be ^¬ limits.

5. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that

the turning device (HE.l, HE.2, gel, Gel.l, BE) comprises a spacing element (Abs),

- The spacer element (Abs) with the first holding element (HE.l) is connected and

when the turning device (HE.l, HE.2, gel,

Gel.l, BE) is in the erect position, the spacer element (Abs) is located between the first holding ^¬ element (HE.l) and the bottom (Bo).

6. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that

the container (Beh) has a locking element (Arr), the locking element (Arr) when the rotary device (HE.l, HE.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE) is in the filling position,

- The first holding element (HE.l) with the support side ^¬ wall (Abs-Sw) connects and

- prevents the turning device (HE.l, HE.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE) from being moved to the righting position.

7. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized in that

at least one further side wall (Sw-GEG) is attached ^¬ assigns, that an object (St) is located in the enclosed space between the supporting side wall (Abs-Sw) and the further side wall (Sw-geg), and

the container (Beh) is designed in such a way that

in that, when the turning device (HE.l, HE.2, gel, Gel.l, BE) is in the erecting position, the second holding element (HE.2) on the further side wall (Sw-geg) is supported by the other side wall (Sw-geg).

8. processing plant with

at least one container (Beh) according to one of claims 1 to 7,

- An ejection facility designed to do so

is to spend an item in the container (Beh),

- A transport device which is adapted to transport the container (Beh) to the discharge device, and

- au tomatically ^¬ to examine a test device which is adapted, if the rotation unit (HE.l, HE.2, gel, Gel.l, BE) of the container (container) during transport to Ausschleus- Device is in the filling position or not.

9. Method of Turning an Item (St)

using a container (Beh), the

- a floor (Bo),

a support sidewall (Abs-Sw),

- At least one further side wall (Sw-geg) and

- a rotating device (HE.l, HE.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE) comprises and

the method comprises the steps of

- The object (St) is spent in the space which is enclosed by the at least two side walls (Abs-Sw, Sw-geg) and the bottom (Bo), and

- the object (St) located in the enclosed space is turned, characterized in that

the turning device (HE.l, HE.2, Gel, Gel.l, BE)

- A first planar holding element (HE.l) and

- a second planar retaining element (HE.2)

includes,

the two holding elements (HE.l, HE .2) are mechanically connected to each other and

the method additionally comprises the steps of

- The rotary device (HE.l, HE.2, BE) in a filling position and thereby the container (Beh) in a filling

State is spent

- Wherein in the filling position, the second holding element (HE.2) on the floor (Bo) and the first Halteele ^¬ ment (HE.l) on the supporting side wall (Abs-Sw) leaning, - the object (St ) is placed in the enclosed space in such a way that the object (St) lies on the second holding element (HE.2),

- a tensile force on the second retaining element (HE.2) is out ^¬ exerts, wherein the direction of pulling vertically upwards or obliquely (from the jacking sidewall Abs

Sw) shows off, and

- By this pulling movement, the rotating device (HE.l,

HE.2, BE) from the filling position in an upright position and thereby the container (Beh) is brought from the filling state in a erecting state, wherein in the erect position

- The first holding element (HE.l) on the floor (Bo) is located and

- The object (St) on the first holding element (HE.l) is located.