EP0645739A1 - Verfahren zum Frankieren von Gegenständen und automatisches Frankiersystem zum Durchführen des Verfahrens - Google Patents

Verfahren zum Frankieren von Gegenständen und automatisches Frankiersystem zum Durchführen des Verfahrens Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0645739A1
EP0645739A1 EP94401982A EP94401982A EP0645739A1 EP 0645739 A1 EP0645739 A1 EP 0645739A1 EP 94401982 A EP94401982 A EP 94401982A EP 94401982 A EP94401982 A EP 94401982A EP 0645739 A1 EP0645739 A1 EP 0645739A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
manipulator
objects
franking machine
scale
franking
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Withdrawn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
EP94401982A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Pierre Belly
Claude Martin
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.)
Secap SA
Original Assignee
Secap SA
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 Secap SA filed Critical Secap SA
Publication of EP0645739A1 publication Critical patent/EP0645739A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00314—Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
    • G07B2017/00322—Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/0037—Calculation of postage value
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00483—Batch processing of mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00701—Measuring the weight of mailpieces

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the automation of postage.
  • an automated franking system which comprises a balance and a franking machine connected to each other by means of a controller means capable of calculating the franking to be affixed to the object being 'be weighed and adjust the franking machine accordingly, the balance being inserted in a conveyor upstream of which there is an automatic letter feeder while downstream is another conveyor which brings the mail to the franking machine.
  • the invention aims to automate the franking of a plurality of objects which may be dissimilar, and in particular rectangular objects of the letter type which may have very diverse formats, thicknesses and masses.
  • the invention considerably extends the field of application of automatic franking, which becomes in particular possible for batches of mail as they are deposited at the post office counters, that is to say sorted by depending on the postal service requested, not on the dimensions of the objects.
  • the invention is, in general, simple, convenient and economical, and that it makes it possible to carry out automatic franking in a relatively short time and occupying a relatively small space.
  • the objects in stack are placed on the scale, and the manipulator takes the object from above.
  • the individual removal of objects by the manipulator is thus implemented in a particularly easy manner.
  • a balance arranged in a predetermined manner with respect to the franking machine, and provided with means for positioning the stack to place the latter on the balance in a predetermined manner.
  • Each object is thus placed on the scale in a predetermined positioning relative to the franking machine, which simplifies the implementation of the operations to be performed by the manipulator.
  • the path that it must make objects can thus be made particularly simple by providing that the positioning means materialize a first and a second perpendicular vertical planes along which there is respectively a longitudinal edge and a transverse edge of each object in the batch. ; and preferably said longitudinal edge which is arranged in said first plane is that intended to slide along a vertical guide wall of the franking machine, and said transverse edge which is arranged in said second plane is that provided for be at the front when the object passes through the franking machine.
  • the invention proposes an automated franking system, comprising a balance and a franking machine connected to each other; characterized in that it further comprises a manipulator connected to a controller means itself connected to the franking machine and to the scale, said controller means being adapted to iteratively control the execution of a set of operations in which the manipulator is controlled to take an individual object from the scale and transport it until it is supported by the franking machine, and in which this machine is controlled with regard to the franking to be affixed taking into account for the calculation thereof, the difference between the respective weights given by the scale before and after the object has been taken by the manipulator; whereby one can place on the balance a batch of objects all capable of passing through the franking machine, and obtain under the control of said controller means that these objects are franked one by one, automatically.
  • said controller means controls the manipulator so that it transports the object taken from the scale until it is placed on the franking machine in a waiting position and then, when this means has finished controlling the setting of the franking machine, it again controls the manipulator so that it brings said object to the starting position.
  • said manipulator has a gripping head for said objects comprising at least one pneumatic suction cup.
  • This type of gripping head is indeed particularly suitable for handling objects to be franked.
  • said manipulator comprises an articulated arm mounted on a base, and at the end of which is a gripping head for said objects.
  • This type of manipulator offers the advantage of having great flexibility in the paths it can take, and therefore allows a certain freedom in the relative positioning of the balance and of the franking machine.
  • the manipulator comprises a base, a yoke rotatably mounted on the base around a vertical axis thanks to a first motorized articulation, a first connecting rod rotatably mounted at a first end on the yoke around a horizontal axis thanks a second motorized articulation, a second connecting rod rotatably mounted at a first end on a second end of the first connecting rod about a horizontal axis by means of a third motorized articulation, and a gripping head mounted at a first end on a second end of the second connecting rod around a horizontal axis thanks to a fourth motorized articulation, this head comprising at a second end a gripping member mounted motorized to rotate about its axis of symmetry.
  • the illustrated automated franking system comprises a balance 1, a franking machine 2, and a manipulator 3 which are all connected to a controller means 4.
  • the scale 1 is an electronic scale which is capable of delivering a signal representative of the weight it supports, which comprises a horizontal weighing plate 5 equipped with two vertical walls 6 and 7 perpendicular to one another, which each materialize a positioning plane along which there is respectively a longitudinal edge 8 and a transverse edge 9 of each of the objects of the lot 10 placed on the plate 5.
  • Each of these objects is of the letter type, that is to say that it is rectangular with a relatively small thickness, and we see that these objects have very variable formats.
  • the franking machine 2 is of the connectable type, and corresponds for example to that which is described in French patent application 93-04694. It comprises a feed plate 11 to which a small vertical guide wall 12 is connected, a part of the plate 11 being surmounted by a head 13 which contains a printing press with characters carried by wheels which can be controlled remotely so that the head 13 can frank the letter which passes under it with the value which has been transmitted to it by electrical signals.
  • the part of the plate 11 located to the left of the head 13 in the drawing makes it possible to correctly position the object by putting its longitudinal edge 8 against the wall 12, the object is then in a waiting position from which it push it towards the print head 13 while keeping the object applied to the plate 11 and to the wall 12, and when it reaches a starting position, it is supported by the drive means of the head 13 under which it passes while the postage which must be affixed to it is printed.
  • the manipulator 3 comprises a base 14, a yoke 15 rotatably mounted on the base 14 around the vertical axis UU 'by means of a motorized articulation, a connecting rod 16 rotatably mounted at one of its ends on the yoke 15 around from the horizontal axis VV 'thanks to a second motorized articulation, a second connecting rod 17 rotatably mounted at one of its ends on the second end of the connecting rod 16 around the horizontal axis XX' thanks to a third motorized articulation , and a gripping head 18 mounted at one of its ends on the second end of the connecting rod 17 around the horizontal axis ZZ 'thanks to a fourth motorized articulation, the other end of the head 18 comprising a member gripping 19 mounted motorized in rotation about its axis of symmetry Y-Y '.
  • the five aforementioned motorized rotating mounting elements all include a stepping electric motor (no shown) and it can be seen that the actuation of these, controlled by the controller means 4, makes it possible to move the head 18 in a volume centered around the axis U-U ', and to tilt and pivot at will this head.
  • the gripping member 19 is here a pneumatic suction cup, made of an elastic material and connected to a suction pump via a solenoid valve (not shown).
  • the electronic controller means 4 comprises an operator interface formed by a keyboard 20 and by an alphanumeric display 21, as well as a postal charges calculator, the logic control and sequencing circuits, and electronic management circuits making it possible to count letters. postage paid and, possibly, to record statistical data concerning the sums spent on postage.
  • the means 4 receives from the balance 1 signals representative of the weight which it measures, while it sends control orders to the machine 2 and the manipulator 3, the latter giving it in return of reporting signals relating to the fulfillment of these orders.
  • a stack is made up with the letters or objects to be franked and this stack is placed on the plate 5 by positioning it thanks to the walls 6 and 7.
  • the balance 1 then emits a signal representative of the weight of the battery placed on its plate 5, and the controller means 4 puts this weight in memory.
  • the operator enters the category of the tariff to be applied, and possibly an identification code concerning the batch of letters to be franked which has been deposited on the tray 5, and validates the start of the operations.
  • the manipulator 3 then moves his head to come and grab the letter which is at the top of the stack, and will then move it as shown in Figure 1 to bring it on the plate 11 by positioning its longitudinal edge 8 against the vertical wall 12, in the part of the plate 11 located to the left of the head 13, that is to say in a waiting position.
  • the controller means 4 transmits the signal corresponding to the result of this calculation to the franking machine, the latter sets its printing wheels if they are not already done, and when these operations are finished, it indicates it to the controller means 4 which then commands the manipulator 3 to push the letter so that it is supported by the print head 13.
  • the manipulator After having thus pushed the object, the manipulator is commanded to return to pick up the object located on top of the stack 10, and the set of operations previously described is repeated iteratively until the stack is exhausted, or the operator has interrupted the treatment.
  • the scale 1 is in a predetermined location relative to the machine 2, and the walls 6 and 7 allow the edges 8 and 9 of the objects to be arranged in a predetermined manner with respect to the scale, these are ultimately the edges 8 and 9 which are arranged in a predetermined manner with respect to the machine 2, so that it is relatively simple to control the manipulator 3 so that it brings the objects into the waiting position, that is to say - say with the edge 8 against the wall 12 and edge 9 facing the head 13.
  • the manipulator with articulated arm 3 is replaced by a simpler manipulator, with plunging head mounted on a carriage which slides parallel to the walls 6 and 12.
  • the walls 6 and 7 are removed, and the manipulator 3 is replaced by another manipulator which is suitable for cropping the letters.
  • a single suction cup 19 has been provided, but it is naturally possible, depending on the circumstances, to provide more than one, or to use another gripping member.
  • the illustrated system also allows the franking of objects which cannot pass through the franking machine 2, these objects are simply manipulated by hand by being placed on the scale 1, then by printing with the machine 2 a label that we stick on the object.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
EP94401982A 1993-09-27 1994-09-07 Verfahren zum Frankieren von Gegenständen und automatisches Frankiersystem zum Durchführen des Verfahrens Withdrawn EP0645739A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9311450A FR2710770B1 (fr) 1993-09-27 1993-09-27 Procédé pour affranchir des objets, et système d'affranchissement automatisé pour la mise en Óoeuvre de ce procédé.
FR9311450 1993-09-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0645739A1 true EP0645739A1 (de) 1995-03-29

Family

ID=9451248

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94401982A Withdrawn EP0645739A1 (de) 1993-09-27 1994-09-07 Verfahren zum Frankieren von Gegenständen und automatisches Frankiersystem zum Durchführen des Verfahrens

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0645739A1 (de)
CA (1) CA2132687A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2710770B1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1603082A3 (de) * 2004-06-01 2007-12-12 Pitney Bowes Inc. Verfahren und System zum Verringern von Einzugs- und Gewichtungsfehlern in manuellen Transportpostsystemen
EP1519163A3 (de) * 2003-09-23 2009-09-02 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Faltbare Waagschale für eine Postwaage

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4366552A (en) * 1979-03-07 1982-12-28 Mitsuo Uchimura Postal charge processing system having a count of successive weight measuring operations
GB2195312A (en) * 1986-09-19 1988-04-07 Pitney Bowes Inc Feeding, weighing and metering mailpieces
FR2622559A1 (fr) * 1987-10-29 1989-05-05 Pitney Bowes Inc Systeme de machine d'expedition du courrier et dispositif de detection incorpore dans cette machine
DE3928850A1 (de) * 1989-08-31 1991-03-14 Siempelkamp Gmbh & Co Vorrichtung zum stapeln und entstapeln von tafelfoermigem gut
US5001648A (en) * 1989-10-18 1991-03-19 M.A.I.L. Code, Inc. Method and apparatus for a mail processing system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4366552A (en) * 1979-03-07 1982-12-28 Mitsuo Uchimura Postal charge processing system having a count of successive weight measuring operations
GB2195312A (en) * 1986-09-19 1988-04-07 Pitney Bowes Inc Feeding, weighing and metering mailpieces
FR2622559A1 (fr) * 1987-10-29 1989-05-05 Pitney Bowes Inc Systeme de machine d'expedition du courrier et dispositif de detection incorpore dans cette machine
DE3928850A1 (de) * 1989-08-31 1991-03-14 Siempelkamp Gmbh & Co Vorrichtung zum stapeln und entstapeln von tafelfoermigem gut
US5001648A (en) * 1989-10-18 1991-03-19 M.A.I.L. Code, Inc. Method and apparatus for a mail processing system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1519163A3 (de) * 2003-09-23 2009-09-02 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Faltbare Waagschale für eine Postwaage
EP1603082A3 (de) * 2004-06-01 2007-12-12 Pitney Bowes Inc. Verfahren und System zum Verringern von Einzugs- und Gewichtungsfehlern in manuellen Transportpostsystemen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2710770B1 (fr) 1995-12-29
CA2132687A1 (fr) 1995-03-28
FR2710770A1 (fr) 1995-04-07

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