EP0225288A2 - Dispositif de surveillance de l'épaisseur d'un objet - Google Patents

Dispositif de surveillance de l'épaisseur d'un objet Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0225288A2
EP0225288A2 EP86810537A EP86810537A EP0225288A2 EP 0225288 A2 EP0225288 A2 EP 0225288A2 EP 86810537 A EP86810537 A EP 86810537A EP 86810537 A EP86810537 A EP 86810537A EP 0225288 A2 EP0225288 A2 EP 0225288A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
thickness
envelopes
envelope
monitoring
differential transformer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP86810537A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0225288A3 (fr
Inventor
William R. Lile
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Opex Corp
Original Assignee
Opex Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Opex Corp filed Critical Opex Corp
Publication of EP0225288A2 publication Critical patent/EP0225288A2/fr
Publication of EP0225288A3 publication Critical patent/EP0225288A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C1/00—Measures preceding sorting according to destination
    • B07C1/10—Sorting according to size or flexibility
    • B07C1/16—Sorting according to thickness or stiffness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43M—BUREAU ACCESSORIES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B43M7/00—Devices for opening envelopes
    • B43M7/02—Devices for both opening envelopes and removing contents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an apparatus for monitoring the thickness of an object, an in particular, to the use of such an apparatus in connection with mail extraction equipment.
  • a variety of applications require the careful monitoring of an object in terms of thickness so as to properly regulate the equipment which is being used to handle such articles.
  • One such application involves the regulation of equipment which is presently conventionally used for the bulk processing of mail, particularly the bulk processing of mail for the extraction of contents.
  • Many facets of the mail extraction process call for monitoring of the envelopes being opened, in terms of thickness, either to make sure that the envelopes can be successfully processed through the apparatus, or to "outsort" envelopes which are not to be processed for any of a number of reasons (e.g., mail which is not to be opened by the operator for reasons of security, mail which is not be opened by the operator because of its lesser importance).
  • pre-sorting may be accomplished so as to make sure that only envelopes which are believed to contain invoices and checks for payment are immediately processed, leaving other envelopes of lesser importance for subsequent processing.
  • Such an operation may be accomplished by passing the envelopes which are to be opened through a sorting mechanism which monitors each envelope in terms of the thickness, whereupon envelopes of the desired thickness are passed through the sorting mechanism to the extraction apparatus, while all other envelopes are diverted from the processing stream.
  • a similar pre-sorting operation may be used to outsort mail which is not be handled by the operator for purposes of security.
  • the diverted envelopes are preferably delivered to a secured container or the like, while all other envelopes are passed through the sorting mechanism to the extraction apparatus.
  • the critical parameter to be monitored is thickness, i.e. the thickness of the envelope to be processed through the apparatus.
  • thickness i.e. the thickness of the envelope to be processed through the apparatus.
  • the decision as to whether or not to process an envelope will depend upon whether or not the envelope, together with its contents, is less than a desired thickness. The presumption is made that thicker envelopes do not contain the desired contents, and should not be processed.
  • the decision as to whether or not to process an envelope will depend upon whether or not the envelope, together with its contents, exceeds a desired thickness.
  • the thicker envelopes contain a credit card or the like, and should be diverted to the secured container.
  • the means which are used to monitor envelope thickness are pivotal in assuring that the mail extraction process proceeds in accordance with its desired parameters.
  • the difference in thickness between an envelope which is to be processed and an envelope which is not to be processed may be so small as to prevent reliable sorting by available mechanical sensing devices.
  • a thickness monitoring device wherein a linear variable differential transformer (hereinafter LVDT) device is operatively coupled with a pinch roller mechanism so that variations in thickness which are detected by means of the pinch roller mechanism are converted, by means of the LVDT device, to electrical signals which may be processed to yield an accurate indication of thickness. Such processed signals may then be used to control various machine functions in accordance with the thickness of the object which is passing through the pinch roller mechanism, as desired in a particular application.
  • LVDT linear variable differential transformer
  • Such a thickness monitoring device finds particular utility in connection with mail extraction equipment in that such a device enables the envelopes being processed to be accurately monitored so that the mail extraction operation can proceed in accordance with relatively specific performance parameters. Due to the improved sensitivity of the LVDT sensor, and the availability of subsequent signal processing, the thickness monitoring device of the present invention is sufficiently versatile to enable an accurate determination to be made as to the number of articles which are contained in the envelope, and whether the contents are in appropriate condition to proceed to extraction. For example, certain contents of the envelope may have been folded to mailing, or the contents may be attached together with clips or staples. The thickness monitoring device according to the present invention is sufficiently versatile to enable such conditions to be detected.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a thickness monitoring device 1 in operative association with an envelope sorting apparatus 10.
  • the thickness monitoring device 1 generally comprises a pinch roller assembly 2 which includes a stationary roller or series of rollers 3, and a moveable roller or series of rollers 4, which tangentially contact one another at the interface 5.
  • the number of stationary rollers 3 and moveable rollers 4 which are used in a particular application will depend upon the nature of the sorting which is to be accomplished, and the articles which are to be sorted.
  • a spring 6 is provided to urge the moveable rollers 4 into contact with the stationary rollers 3 so as to maintain the integrity of the interface 5 during operation of the thickness monitoring device 1.
  • a connecting rod 7 operatively connects the moveable rollers 4 with the pole or slug 8 of a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) device 9 so that movement of the rollers 4 with respect to the rollers 3 will cause reciprocation of the slug 8 within the LVDT device 9.
  • LVDT linear variable differential transformer
  • FIG. 1 illustrates use of the thickness monitoring device 1 in connection with an envelope sorting apparatus 10 such as is disclosed in U.S. patent application Serial No. 630,955, filed July 16, 1984, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
  • the thickness monitoring device 1 according to the present invention will find equal utility in connection with other envelope sorting devices, and well as other devices which can be used in the processing of envelopes. It is also to be understood that the thickness monitoring device 1 according to the present invention will find utility in connection with applications other than the processing of envelopes, which may call for the accurate monitoring of thicknesses in the course of their operation.
  • the envelope sorting apparatus 10 generally comprises an enclosure 11, the top 12 of which serves as a bin for receiving a series of envelopes for processing, and the interior 13 of which serves as a storage area for receiving envelopes which have been diverted from the stream of envelopes to be processed through the mail extraction device, as will be described more fully below.
  • a reciprocating suction cup 14 is provided to sequentially engage each of a series of envelopes positioned on the top 12 of the enclosure 11, and to withdraw the engaged envelope 15 from the series for eventual contact with a vertical guide 16. From this position, the envelope 15 proceeds downwardly as a consequence of gravity, entering a pinch roll assembly 2 wherein the stationary rollers 3 are operatively associated with the vertical guide 16 and the moveable rollers 4 are operatively associated with a pivot 17. In this manner, the envelope 15 is caused to proceed through the pinch roller assembly 2, preferably in response to rotation of the stationary rollers 3, eventually passing between the vertical guide 16 and a stationary guide 18 for delivery to a deflector 19.
  • Positioning of the deflector 19 is regulated by a connecting rod 20 which is reciprocated by a motor 21 in accordance with parameters which will be described more fully below. Consequently, the envelope 15 is capable of being monitored in terms of thickness as it is drawn through the pinch roller assembly 2 by rotation of the stationary rollers 3.
  • the deflector 19 is then capable of being regulated in accordance with the monitored thickness of the envelope 15 so that it assumes either of two positions including a first position at 22 which passes the envelope 15 to the mail extraction device (not shown) for subsequent processing, or a second position at 23 which diverts the envelope 15 from the normal processing stream, for storage in the interior 13 of the enclosure 11.
  • the interior 13 may be secured or unsecured, depending upon the nature of the envelopes which are being processed.
  • any of a number of mechanical expedients may be used to interface the pinch roller assembly 2 with the LVDT device 9.
  • this interface be accomplished by attaching the connecting rod 7 to the pivot 17 by means of a ball and socket joint 24, which is preferably attached to the uppermost end 25 of the pivot 17, near the moveable rollers 4.
  • a ball and socket joint 24 is preferred in that the amount of play between the pivot 17 and the connecting rod 7 can be kept to a minimum, particularly if the ball and socket joint 24 is formed of an appropriate (e.g. self-lubricating, resilient) plastic material.
  • the LVDT device 9 In operatively connecting the thickness monitoring device 1 and the envelope sorting apparatus 10, it is important for the LVDT device 9 to be kept as separated as possible from the other electrical components which are associated with the envelope sorting apparatus 10, to reduce noise and other deleterious effects. This is simply accomplished by lengthening the connecting rod 7 so that the LVDT device 9 is appropriately placed within the interior 13 of the enclosure 11, away from the electrical equipment which regulates its operation.
  • the slug 8 is free to reciprocate according to changes in thickness which are sensed at the pinch roller assembly 2, responsive to reciprocation of the connecting rod 7. Consequently, the thickness of an envelope proceeding through the pinch roller assembly 2 is converted to an electrical signal which is developed at the output of the LVDT device 9.
  • Such an electrical signal is capable of being processed in accordance with the present invention by the circuit 26 which is illustrated in Figure 3.
  • an LVDT driver circuit 27 is operatively coupled to the LVDT device 9 so that reciprocation of the slug 8 within the LVDT device 9 responsive to reciprocation of the connecting rod 7 will provide an appropriate output at 28. This output is then applied to an LVDT signal conditioner 29, which places the output of the LVDT device 9 in proper condition for subsequent processing.
  • the LVDT device 9 is in essence a transformer wherein the primary and secondary windings of the transformer are variably coupled in accordance with positioning of the slug 8. Consequently, the LVDT device 9 is preferably driven with a sine wave, of appropriate frequency and amplitude to match the electrical characteristics of the LVDT device 9 selected for use. This signal is developed by the LVDT driver circuit 27, and serves to provide optimum performance in terms of sensitivity and speed.
  • the output 28 of the LVDT device 9 is generally not yet appropriate for subsequent processing. Consequently, the output 28 is subjected to conditioning by the LVDT signal conditioner 29.
  • the signals delivered from the LVDT device 9 will be small in amplitude, and will therefore have to be amplified.
  • the output 28 will be a full-wave rectified signal.
  • this signal will contain both a DC and an AC component, filtering of the signal is required so as to remove the non-DC components.
  • filters may be used in this regard, preferably an active two-pole low-pass filter.
  • the output 30 of the LVDT signal conditioner 29 will be a DC voltage which varies in proportion to the separation at the pinch roller assembly 2, and which is appropriate for subsequent processing as follows.
  • the output 30 is applied to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 31.
  • A/D analog-to-digital
  • Digital conversion is preferred in that the resulting signal can be processed by a software oriented system, which serves to improved both the accuracy and the versatility of the resulting system.
  • Such analog-to-digital conversion can proceed in either of two ways.
  • a D/A converter in combination with a software controlled routine known as successive approximation.
  • a microcontroller 32 which contains the necessary software routines.
  • the microcontroller 32 is also capable of containing software routines for controlling various machine functions, either responsive to the thickness monitoring device 1 or other control elements of the envelope sorting apparatus 10, or responsive to other portions of the mail extraction device with which it is associated.
  • Successive approximation in essence calls for interactive communication between the D/A converter and the associated software routines provided in the microcontroller 32 to develop an analog-to-digital conversion by iterative techniques.
  • the D/A converter receives a digital sequence from the microcontroller 32, which it converts to an analog signal.
  • This analog signal is compared to the DC output 30 of the LVDT device 9, and the digital sequence developed within the microcontroller 32 is accordingly increased or decreased. Successive comparisons are made until such time as the output of the microcontroller 32 compares with the output 30 of the LVDT device 9. At that time, the digital sequence residing in the microcontroller 32 is the digital representation of the analog output of the LVDT device 9.
  • This digital sequence is then available for subsequent processing in the other software routines which are present in the microcontroller 32 to regulate operation of the apparatus with which the thickness monitoring device 1 is a ssociated, in this case the envelope sorting apparatus 10. It will be understood that such an iterative process requires significantly more processing time than would a conventionally available A/D converter. However, this increase in processing time is well within the design limitations of an envelope sorting scheme, and can be accomplished at considerably less cost.
  • a scaling circuit 33 is provided which is operatively coupled to the LVDT signal conditioner 29.
  • the microcontroller 32 not only serves to provide the calculations which are necessary for the operation of the thickness monitoring device 1, but also to control other aspects of the apparatus with which the thickness monitoring device 1 is associated. Consequently, the thickness monitoring device 1, through the microcontroller 32, will have access to those signals which are used to interface the microcontroller 32 with the associated apparatus.
  • a number of sensors 34 will be provided to indicate the status of the envelopes as they progress along the transport path which conveys the envelopes through the apparatus. These position sensors 34 serve as a convenient means for indicating when the thickness monitoring device 1 is to commence operation.
  • the microcontroller 32 Upon operation of the thickness monitoring device 1 as previously described, the microcontroller 32 is then in a position to control various aspects of the envelope processing apparatus by controlling the various motors 35 which are used to perform the mechanical functions of the extraction process. For example, in terms of the present discussion, such motor control may be used to regulate positioning of the deflector 19 by controlling operation of the motor 21. Consequently, the routing of an envelope either to the mail extraction device, or to separate storage, is automatically controlled in accordance with the measurements which are made at the pinch roller assembly 2 of the thickness monitoring device 1. Other operational controls are equally possible since the microcontroller 32 serves as a centralized means for controlling the entire extraction process.
  • the microcontroller 32 may be addressed to provide various diagnostic/calibration functions which are useful during set-up and servicing of the apparatus in its various modes.
  • a test/diagnostics circuit 36 is therefore provided which is operatively coupled to the microcontroller 32, and which is capable of interfacing with an operator or service technician by means of an appropriate display so as to provide the information which is needed for factory set-up, field service and/or operator diagnostics.
  • microprocessor-based thickness sensing is that more complicated sensing schemes are capable of being developed simply by varying the software, without attendant variations in hardware. This leads to a number of advantages regarding system versatility.
  • the microcontroller 32 by appropriately initializing the system, it is possible for the microcontroller 32 to establish a base line before each envelope is measured for thickness, as the series of envelopes are being processed. Since this will tend to account for mechanical variations and electrical drift, less expensive components may be used. Moreover, set-up of the system is greatly simplified, if not virtually eliminated. These enhancements are advantageously achieved by taking a thickness measurement just prior to the introduction of an envelope between the rollers 3,4, to establish a zero base line, and by accordingly initializing the microcontroller 32. Thickness measurement will then proceed as previously described, with this zero base line serving to account for system variations.
  • the microcontroller 32 is also capable of selectively monitoring thickness in accordance with a pre-established pattern, if desired. Selective monitoring permits an accurate measurement of thickness to be made by avoiding portions of the envelope which are characterized by special features such as envelope folds, seams or glue lines. By proper strobing of the microcontroller 32, it is possible to make sure that thickness measurements only take place along the more predictable, planer portions of the envelope surface.
  • Figure 4 graphically illustrates several characteristic curves which are typically developed at the output 30 of the LVDT signal conditioner 29, in an exemplary operation of the thickness monitoring device 1 according to the present invention.
  • a sudden initial increase in output voltage occurs at 37, which corresponds to the leading edge of an envelope being drawn through the pinch roller assembly 2.
  • the system would preferably be initialized as previously described.
  • the output voltage proceeds to level off, at 38.
  • a number of different voltage levels are developed. These correspond to different thicknesses representative of the number of items contained in the envelope.
  • these levels correspond to a curve 39 which represents an envelope containing a single sheet of paper, a curve 40 which represents an envelope containing two sheets of paper, a curve 41 which represents an envelope containing three sheets of paper, and a curve 42 which represents an envelope containing four sheets of paper.
  • each of the curves 39, 40, 41, 42 departs from the relatively planar configuration at 38, and undergoes a sudden increase in voltage, at 44.
  • This region represents the passage of the closure flap of the envelope 15 through the pinch roller assembly 2. Thereafter, the trailing edge of the envelope 15 passes from the pinch roller assembly 2, at 45.
  • the thickness measurement system of the present invention is also capable of compound operations if desired. For example, after initializing the system, it may be desirable to perform a "gross" sorting operation, to outsort undersirable envelopes (e.g., those containing credit cards), and to thereafter make a thickness measurement in the region 38 of each envelope which will enable the microcontroller 32 to make a subsequent determination as to the number of articles contained in the envelope, to assist in further processing. Other variations are also clearly possible.
  • LVDT driver circuit 27 NE5520 LVDT device 9 - Model 100HR (Schaevitz) LVDT signal conditioner 29 - Op-amp OP01 A/D converter 31 - DAC08 (D/A Converter) and CMP01 (Comparator) Microcontroller 32 - 8748 (Microcontroller) and 8243 (I/O expander).
  • LVDT driver circuit 27 NE5520 LVDT device 9 - Model 100HR (Schaevitz) LVDT signal conditioner 29 - Op-amp OP01 A/D converter 31 - DAC08 (D/A Converter) and CMP01 (Comparator) Microcontroller 32 - 8748 (Microcontroller) and 8243 (I/O expander).
  • LVDT driver circuit 27 - NE5520 LVDT device 9 - Model 100HR (Schaevitz) LVDT signal conditioner 29 - Op-amp OP01 A/D converter 31 - DAC08 (D/A Converter) and CMP01 (Compar

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  • Length Measuring Devices With Unspecified Measuring Means (AREA)
  • Controlling Sheets Or Webs (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)
EP86810537A 1985-11-27 1986-11-25 Dispositif de surveillance de l'épaisseur d'un objet Withdrawn EP0225288A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US80269085A 1985-11-27 1985-11-27
US802690 1985-11-27

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EP0225288A2 true EP0225288A2 (fr) 1987-06-10
EP0225288A3 EP0225288A3 (fr) 1988-03-30

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EP86810537A Withdrawn EP0225288A3 (fr) 1985-11-27 1986-11-25 Dispositif de surveillance de l'épaisseur d'un objet

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0376481A3 (en) * 1988-12-28 1990-10-03 Pitney Bowes, Inc. High-throughput mailing machine timing
EP0376496A3 (fr) * 1988-12-28 1992-12-02 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Dispositif de mesure de l'épaisseur du courrier
US5238123A (en) * 1992-04-10 1993-08-24 Agissar Corporation Automated thickness and length detecting and sorting system for envelopes
WO1994004378A1 (fr) * 1992-08-19 1994-03-03 The Technology Partnership Plc Appareil et procede de verification du contenu d'une enveloppe
EP0605065A1 (fr) * 1992-12-31 1994-07-06 Hadewe B.V. Méthode et appareil pour vérifier si des documents ont été séparés d'une enveloppe ouverte
WO1997031727A1 (fr) * 1996-02-28 1997-09-04 Grapha-Holding Ag Dispositif et procede pour le transfert selectif d'objets postaux
US5704246A (en) * 1993-10-20 1998-01-06 Bell & Howell Gmbh Device for measuring the thickness of objects to be handled in document-handling machines
US6135292A (en) * 1998-12-21 2000-10-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for presorting mail based on mail piece thickness

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2891667A (en) * 1954-08-17 1959-06-23 Nat Steel Corp Sheet classifiers
US3712468A (en) * 1971-02-24 1973-01-23 W Wenner Device which scans and detects for contents in a package
GB1506232A (en) * 1976-03-22 1978-04-05 Forth Instr Apparatus for measuring irregular thicknesses
US4353197A (en) * 1977-07-08 1982-10-12 Opex Corporation Content activated envelope extraction
US4378109A (en) * 1979-09-19 1983-03-29 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Device for detecting the thickness of a paper sheet
JPS5677709U (fr) * 1979-11-21 1981-06-24
EP0064523B1 (fr) * 1980-11-07 1986-07-23 De La Rue Systems Limited Dispositif pour detecter l'epaisseur de feuilles
ZA855343B (en) * 1984-07-16 1986-02-26 Opex Corp Envelope sorting apparatus

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0376481A3 (en) * 1988-12-28 1990-10-03 Pitney Bowes, Inc. High-throughput mailing machine timing
EP0376496A3 (fr) * 1988-12-28 1992-12-02 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Dispositif de mesure de l'épaisseur du courrier
EP0615213A3 (fr) * 1988-12-28 1994-11-02 Pitney Bowes Inc Procédé de traitement à grande vitesse de courrier sur une machine à affranchir.
EP0615212A3 (fr) * 1988-12-28 1994-11-02 Pitney Bowes Inc Méthode de traitement de courrier à grande vitesse.
US5238123A (en) * 1992-04-10 1993-08-24 Agissar Corporation Automated thickness and length detecting and sorting system for envelopes
WO1994004378A1 (fr) * 1992-08-19 1994-03-03 The Technology Partnership Plc Appareil et procede de verification du contenu d'une enveloppe
US5727692A (en) * 1992-08-19 1998-03-17 Stielow Gmbh & Co. Apparatus and method for checking an envelope for contents
US5655668A (en) * 1992-12-27 1997-08-12 Hadewe B.V. Method and apparatus for verifying whether documents have been separated from an opened envelope
EP0605065A1 (fr) * 1992-12-31 1994-07-06 Hadewe B.V. Méthode et appareil pour vérifier si des documents ont été séparés d'une enveloppe ouverte
US5704246A (en) * 1993-10-20 1998-01-06 Bell & Howell Gmbh Device for measuring the thickness of objects to be handled in document-handling machines
WO1997031727A1 (fr) * 1996-02-28 1997-09-04 Grapha-Holding Ag Dispositif et procede pour le transfert selectif d'objets postaux
US6135292A (en) * 1998-12-21 2000-10-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for presorting mail based on mail piece thickness

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