EP3556479A1 - Dispositif et procédé de tri dans un ordre de point de distribution - Google Patents

Dispositif et procédé de tri dans un ordre de point de distribution Download PDF

Info

Publication number: EP3556479A1
Authority: EP; European Patent Office
Prior art keywords: sorting; mail; feeders; delivery point; mail articles
Prior art date: 2018-04-17
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.): Granted

Application number

EP18167747.7A

Other languages

German (de)

English (en)

Other versions

EP3556479B1 (fr

Inventor

Peter Berdelle-Hilge

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.)

Koerber Supply Chain Logistics GmbH

Original Assignee

Siemens AG

Siemens 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.)

2018-04-17

Filing date

2018-04-17

Publication date

2019-10-23

2018-04-17 Application filed by Siemens AG, Siemens Corp filed Critical Siemens AG

2018-04-17 Priority to EP18167747.7A priority Critical patent/EP3556479B1/fr

2019-10-23 Publication of EP3556479A1 publication Critical patent/EP3556479A1/fr

2024-07-31 Application granted granted Critical

2024-07-31 Publication of EP3556479B1 publication Critical patent/EP3556479B1/fr

Status Active legal-status Critical Current

2038-04-17 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
- B07C1/02—Forming articles into a stream; Arranging articles in a stream, e.g. spacing, orientating
- 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
- B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
- B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution

Definitions

the present invention relates to a device and method for delivery point sorting.
the present invention relates to a device and a method for the production of a delivery point sequence which corresponds to the sequence of the mailboxes on the route of a mail carrier. Delivery point sorting establishes such a sequence.
a series of delivery point sorting methods for letters have been disclosed in the art which are based on the use of the RADIX method with two sorting passes using a feeder.
This method involves sorting mail with a delivery point sequence (delivery address code on the mail articles) by performing a first sorting pass to mail articles and a second sort pass to mail articles, where mail articles are supplied to the first sorting assembly, which identifies a sequence digit/variable; the mail articles are then conveyed to the second sorting assembly which identifies a further sequence digit/variable, and the mail articles are sorted in delivery point sequence.
the required number of sorting end points can be reduced, but at the same time, this increases the sorting period and/or correspondingly reduces the sorting throughput rate.
Mail is typically received in distribution centers or warehouses from two sources. Local mail which is to be delivered within the local area or to other distribution centers and out-of-area mail received from other distribution centers are the two sources. Mail which is to be delivered locally needs to ultimately be sorted to delivery point sequence, also known as carrier walk sequence. As in, the mail is sorted and arranged in the same order which the mail carrier travels while delivering mail articles. Delivery Bar Code Sequenced (DBCS) machines, which require two or more passes of the mail through the same sequence, are capable of achieving delivery point sequence for letter mail.
DBCS Delivery Bar Code Sequenced
the mail is passed through a letter sorting machine two times.
the first pass arranges the mail into groupings of addresses from the rather random order which the mail arrives.
the number of output bins of the sorting machine determines the number of address sequences used.
a sorting matrix will provide places to hold the mail in a sorted order.
the sorting matrix has a grouping of slots; each slot represents an address (or addresses) on the carrier's route.
a sorting matrix with a larger number of slots allows for a bigger mail carrier route (or more individual smaller mail carrier routes) to be processed at a time.
each address's mail would be sorted into a separate individual bin.
a letter sorting machine can process mail for more addresses then sorting bins by using grouping slots.
a first address' mail would go into the first bin, the second address' mail into the second bin, and so on until the tenth address' mail goes into the tenth bin. Then an eleventh address' mail would be placed into the first bin, the twelfth into the second bin and so on until the twentieth address' mail goes into the tenth bin.
the result would be bin 1 holding address' 1, 11, 21, 31 etc, bin 2 holding address' 2, 22, 32, etc.
first sorting pass After a first sorting pass, mail is usually moved from the letter sorting machine and loaded onto carts for storage and readied for a second pass. The first-pass sorted mail, while maintaining its order, will then be loaded for a second pass. The mail sorted into the first bin will be loaded first for the second pass and so on. This sequence must be maintained.
the mail from the first-pass' bin 1 is sorted with address 1 being sorted into bin 1, address 11 being sorted into bin 2, address 21 being sorted into bin 3, and so on until address 91 is sorted into bin 10.
the mail from the first-pass' bin 2 is sorted with address 2 being sorted into bin 1, address 12 into bin 2, address 22 into bin 3, and so on until address 92 Is sorted into bin 10.
bin 1 will contain the sequence of addresses 1-10
bin 2 will contain the sequence of addresses 11-20
bin 2 will contain the sequence of addresses 21-30, and so on. So at the conclusion of the second pass, the mail is in mail carrier route sequence.
the number of sorting passes could be increased in order to reduce the number of endpoints; however this would reduce the throughput rate of the machines.
the invention utilizes three sorting passes and two feeders for reducing sorting end points without sacrificing throughput rate. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the respective dependent claims. It should be noted that the features presented individually in the dependent claims can be combined in any technologically meaningful way and define additional embodiments of the invention. Moreover the features indicated in the claims are specified and explained in greater detail in the description, wherein further preferred embodiments of the invention are described.
the delivery point sorting device comprising:
a significant reduction in the number of sorting end points is achieved with the three sorting passes. This reduces the space, footprint, and cost requirement needed for the sorting device. It allows for a relatively high filling level of the containers at the end of the sorting passes, and a relatively short final emptying process of the system after the feeder of the last item of mail. Since the number of not-full containers before the final emptying process of the system is lower corresponding to the reduction in the sorting end points. There is also the added advantage of compensating, or even over-compensating, the additional time requirement for the third sorting pass by using a second feeder.
the delivery point sorting device further comprises a storage module (GCM or gap correction module) configured to store an item of mail for a specific time in a stationary state, where the storage module is arranged upstream of the merge module in a flow direction of the streams of mail articles.
GCM gap correction module
the converging apparatus is configured for simultaneous convergence of the streams of mail articles from the at least two feeders.
the converging apparatus is configured for non-simultaneous convergence of the streams of mail articles.
the additional time requirement of the three sorting passes is completely compensated when virtual machines are not used and simultaneous converging is used, since in the first two sorting passes two feeders can be used, and only one feeder can be used in the time critical third sorting pass.
the merge module is an active merge module, i.e. it merges two streams at the same time.
the delivery point sorting device further comprises at least two virtual machines, each with half of the number of said sorting endpoints.
the merge module is a passive merge module, i.e. it handles only one stream at the same time.
the method for delivery point sorting comprising:
a significant reduction in the number of sorting end points is achieved with the three sorting passes. This reduces the area and cost requirement needed for the sorting device. It allows for a relatively high filling level of the containers at the end of the sorting passes, and a relatively short final emptying process of the system after the last item of mail is fed. Since the number of non-full containers before the final emptying process of the system is lower corresponding to the reduction in the sorting end points. There is also the added advantage of compensating the additional time requirement for the third sorting pass by using a second feeder.
the method for delivery point sorting further comprises, storing or delaying the mail articles in a storage module for a specific time in a stationary state between passes, where said storage module is arranged upstream of a merge module in a flow direction of said streams of mail articles.
the method for delivery point sorting further comprises simultaneously converging the stream of mail articles from the at least two feeders.
the method further comprises converging the stream of mail articles non-simultaneously.
the method for delivery point sorting further comprises, after the first sorting pass, dividing a volume of the mail articles from the first sorting pass into respectively equal parts between the two feeders at each sorting end point.
the method for delivery point sorting where after the second sorting pass, only one of the at least two feeders processes mail articles.
the method for delivery point sorting which further comprises providing two virtual machines each with half of the sorting endpoints.
the method further comprises preventing simultaneous converging of the stream of mail articles from the at least two feeders, and using one of the at least two feeders during a first sorting pass to serve both virtual machines.
the exemplary embodiments of the present application relate to a letter sorting system with four levels 101, 102, 103, 104 which are arranged one above the other with sorting end points, known as a stacker wall.
An elevator 14 distributes the streams of mail articles from the two feeders 1, 2 among the four levels using divert modules 15.
the elevator 14 is arranged downstream of the feeders 1, 2.
a storage module 18 is used in the two partial streams upstream of the merge module 16, which storage module 18 can store an item of mail for a specific time in a stationary state (GCM or gap correction module).
the present invention can be configured with or without the use of virtual machines, which are subdivisions of the sorting device into two component-machines.
the virtual machines are generally of the same size and are independent of one another.
the device When no virtual machines are used, the device must permit simultaneous convergence of the streams of mail articles from the feeders. When virtual machines are used, the device must not permit simultaneous convergence of the stream of mail articles if only one feeder is used in the first sorting pass; one feeder serves both virtual machines in this embodiment.
Figs. 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment representing a general arrangement with a device for the simultaneous convergence of two streams of items of mail from the feeders.
This embodiment allows for, arrangements without the use of virtual machines to be implemented, in the same way as the arrangement with virtual machines in which just one feeder serves all four levels of the stacker wall in the first sorting pass:
Fig. 1 shows the function of the convergence device is shown for simultaneous convergence; where the device has two feeders. Each of the two feeders feed mail articles into each of the four shown levels of the stacker wall.
the crossing functionality 3 is shown in the crossing streams of feeders 1 and 2.
Fig. 2 shows a convergence device according to the present invention for simultaneous convergence in the first, second, and third sorting passes where the device has two feeders.
the two lines from the feeders flow through the divert module, through the GCM, through the active merge module 16, finally into the stacker wall matrix.
the crossing of the streams is realized in the convergence apparatus 13 having an elevator module 14 with divert module 15, and merge modules 16.
the device for converging two streams of mail articles from the two feeders becomes necessary if the latter are to be loaded by the same conveyor device or devices at the sorting end points. This is the case generally in letter sorting machines such as in the Delivery Point Barcode Sorter (DBCS) but not generally in large-format letter sorting machines such as the Open Mail Handling System (OMS) with its two separate pocket rings.
DBCS Delivery Point Barcode Sorter
OMS Open Mail Handling System
the converging device must permit simultaneous convergence of the stream of items of mail of the two streams of items of mail from the feeders.
the volume of the items of mail from the first sorting pass must be divided into respectively equal parts between the two feeders in each sorting end point. Since this is generally not precisely possible owing to the container delivery unit to the feeders, when the volume of items of mail of one sorting end point are separated from the first sorting pass, generally one of the two feeders must wait for the other until it has finished its portion. As a result, this brings about a reduction in the overall throughput rate.
the three-stage sorting process means that unless virtual machines are formed the use of two feeders can take place only in the first and second sorting passes, while in the third sorting pass only one of the two feeders can be appropriately used. This is due to the fact that the sequence of the items of mail of the volume of the items of mail to be separated from the second sorting pass must not be changed in specific regions at each sorting end point. Accordingly, different volume portions cannot be separated at the same time.
the overall throughput rate over the entire delivery point sequencing process is as a result correspondingly reduced in the generally time-critical sorting passes after the first sorting pass, but is just as high as in a system with just one feeder and two sorting passes.
the converging device When two (or more) virtual machines are formed, the converging device must permit no simultaneous convergence of the stream of items of mail precisely if only one feeder is used (only) in the first sorting pass, which feeder then serves both virtual machines.
the overall throughput rate is therefore also reduced over the entire delivery point sequencing process, but the reduction relates to the generally not too time-critical first sorting pass, but is also precisely just as high here as in a system with just one feeder and two sorting passes.
Figs. 3-6 show the further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present invention, where a simultaneous convergence of the two streams of items of mail from the feeders is not necessary.
Fig. 3 shows the function of the convergence device without simultaneous convergence in the case of two feeders.
Fig. 4 shows the convergence device without simultaneous convergence necessary for the first, second, and third sorting passes in the case of two feeders.
the two lines from the feeder flow through the divert module, through the passive merge module, finally into the stacker wall matrix.
Fig. 5 shows the convergence device without simultaneous convergence during the first sorting pass in the case of two feeders.
the two lines from the feeder flow through the divert module, through the passive merge module, finally into the stacker wall with the two virtual machines.
Fig. 6 shows the convergence device without simultaneous convergence during the second and third sorting passes in the case of two feeders.

Landscapes

Sorting Of Articles (AREA)

EP18167747.7A 2018-04-17 2018-04-17 Dispositif et procédé de tri dans un ordre de point de distribution Active EP3556479B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
EP18167747.7A EP3556479B1 (fr)	2018-04-17	2018-04-17	Dispositif et procédé de tri dans un ordre de point de distribution

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
EP18167747.7A EP3556479B1 (fr)	2018-04-17	2018-04-17	Dispositif et procédé de tri dans un ordre de point de distribution

Publications (2)

Publication Number	Publication Date
EP3556479A1 true EP3556479A1 (fr)	2019-10-23
EP3556479B1 EP3556479B1 (fr)	2024-07-31

Family

ID=62017232

Family Applications (1)

Application Number	Title	Priority Date	Filing Date
EP18167747.7A Active EP3556479B1 (fr)	2018-04-17	2018-04-17	Dispositif et procédé de tri dans un ordre de point de distribution

Country Status (1)

Country	Link
EP (1)	EP3556479B1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
CN112893150A (zh) *	2019-11-19	2021-06-04	顺丰科技有限公司	物品分拣方法、装置、控制设备及存储介质

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
WO2005075116A1 (fr) *	2004-02-09	2005-08-18	Siemens Ag	Systeme et procede de tri d'objets de correspondance utilisant un trieuse a plat
US20050247606A1 (en) *	2004-05-10	2005-11-10	Redford Dale E	Multi-machine mail sorting system

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
EP3183071B1 (fr) *	2014-08-22	2019-09-11	Siemens Aktiengesellschaft	Dispositif et procédé de tri d'objets

2018
- 2018-04-17 EP EP18167747.7A patent/EP3556479B1/fr active Active

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
WO2005075116A1 (fr) *	2004-02-09	2005-08-18	Siemens Ag	Systeme et procede de tri d'objets de correspondance utilisant un trieuse a plat
US20050247606A1 (en) *	2004-05-10	2005-11-10	Redford Dale E	Multi-machine mail sorting system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
CN112893150A (zh) *	2019-11-19	2021-06-04	顺丰科技有限公司	物品分拣方法、装置、控制设备及存储介质
CN112893150B (zh) *	2019-11-19	2023-03-31	顺丰科技有限公司	物品分拣方法、装置、控制设备及存储介质

Also Published As

Publication number	Publication date
EP3556479B1 (fr)	2024-07-31

Legal Events

Date	Code	Title	Description
2019-09-20	PUAI	Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase	Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012
2019-09-20	STAA	Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent	Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED
2019-10-23	AK	Designated contracting states	Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
2019-10-23	AX	Request for extension of the european patent	Extension state: BA ME
2020-04-24	STAA	Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent	Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE
2020-05-27	17P	Request for examination filed	Effective date: 20200420
2020-05-27	RBV	Designated contracting states (corrected)	Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
2021-03-26	STAA	Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent	Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS
2021-04-28	17Q	First examination report despatched	Effective date: 20210330
2022-10-12	RAP1	Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)	Owner name: KOERBER SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS GMBH
2024-03-04	GRAP	Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent	Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1
2024-03-04	STAA	Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent	Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED
2024-04-03	INTG	Intention to grant announced	Effective date: 20240305
2024-06-26	GRAS	Grant fee paid	Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3
2024-06-27	GRAA	(expected) grant	Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210
2024-06-27	STAA	Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent	Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED
2024-07-17	P01	Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered	Free format text: CASE NUMBER: APP_33906/2024 Effective date: 20240606
2024-07-31	AK	Designated contracting states	Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
2024-07-31	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D
2024-08-14	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602018072375 Country of ref document: DE
2024-08-28	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D
2024-11-25	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG9D
2024-12-04	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20240731
2024-12-12	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20241202
2024-12-15	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1707995 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20240731
2024-12-31	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20241202
2025-01-14	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20241031
2025-01-16	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20241101 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-01-20	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-01-21	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-01-23	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20241130
2025-01-24	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-01-28	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20241031
2025-01-31	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20241031 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20241031 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20241130 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20241101 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-04-15	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-04-24	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-04-25	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-04-28	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-05-01	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602018072375 Country of ref document: DE
2025-06-06	PLBE	No opposition filed within time limit	Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261
2025-06-06	STAA	Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent	Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT
2025-07-09	26N	No opposition filed	Effective date: 20250501
2025-07-09	PGFP	Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20250221 Year of fee payment: 8
2025-07-18	PGFP	Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20250422 Year of fee payment: 8
2025-09-09	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-11-25	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: H13 Free format text: ST27 STATUS EVENT CODE: U-0-0-H10-H13 (AS PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL OFFICE) Effective date: 20251125
2025-12-15	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20250417
2025-12-22	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20240731
2025-12-24	GBPC	Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee	Effective date: 20250417
2025-12-30	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20250430
2026-01-09	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20250417
2026-01-16	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20250430
2026-01-19	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20250430
2026-04-13	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20250417

Publication	Publication Date	Title
US7728246B2 (en)	2010-06-01	Delivery point sequencer and method of use
US10722920B2 (en)	2020-07-28	Device and method for delivery point sorting
US7870945B2 (en)	2011-01-18	Process for sorting objects
US8983648B2 (en)	2015-03-17	Method and device for sorting two types of objects in multiple sorting passes
US9205461B2 (en)	2015-12-08	Method and system for delivery point multiplication
US8965566B2 (en)	2015-02-24	Device and method for sorting by means of a storage region and a sorting region
US20110170990A1 (en)	2011-07-14	Mail sorter system and method for moving trays of mail to dispatch in delivery order
EP1678601B1 (fr)	2015-09-16	Systeme et procede d'emballage pour distribution
US20120095591A1 (en)	2012-04-19	Modified Radix Sort System
CN107206431A (zh)	2017-09-26	用于分拣件货的方法和分拣设备
US20140291217A1 (en)	2014-10-02	Sorting system and sorting method with two storage areas
CN108453046B (zh)	2020-06-02	一种智能存取货系统及智能存取货方法
EP3556479A1 (fr)	2019-10-23	Dispositif et procédé de tri dans un ordre de point de distribution
US20080041770A1 (en)	2008-02-21	System and method for sequencing mail in delivery point order
US20120118797A1 (en)	2012-05-17	Sorting method and sorting configuration for sorting two types of articles to produce a single succession
EP1385641B1 (fr)	2004-09-15	Procede et appareil servant a trier des envois postaux
AU2012261487A1 (en)	2013-07-04	A method of processing mailpieces, the method including aggregating the batches of mailpieces
US10065215B2 (en)	2018-09-04	Sorting device for articles and method for sorting articles
US11219925B2 (en)	2022-01-11	Sharing of parcel sorter outlets
US20050154684A1 (en)	2005-07-14	Method for distributing bulk mailings
US7528339B2 (en)	2009-05-05	Sequencing system and method of use
US10500612B2 (en)	2019-12-10	Multi-stage sorting process with batch sequencing
US20050040084A1 (en)	2005-02-24	Sequencing system and method of use
JP4456837B2 (ja)	2010-04-28	仕分け方法及び仕分けシステム
US11192143B2 (en)	2021-12-07	Sorting method made flexible by preparing a distribution of articles to be sorted in anticipation