Abstract: A delivery point sorting device with two feeders for receiving and forwarding mail in streams, where a diverging apparatus divert module is configured to process the mail from the two feeders and a merge module converges the streams of mail from the two feeders and distributes the mail to respective endpoints. Sorting endpoints are used for loading the mail received from this converging apparatus. A method where items of mail are sorted through sorting passes including a first, second, and third sorting pass. Sorting passes are; processing mail through two feeders by receiving the mail by the feeders and forwarding the mail articles in streams of mail, converging the streams of mail from the feeders to a conveyor apparatus, loading the mail at sorting endpoints by the conveyor apparatus, and sequentially passing the mail through the first, second, and third sorting pass.

Abstract: In a multi-stage sorting method, before a first sorting pass, containers can be placed with unsorted items in storage points of an empty store. Storage areas are determined for each pass. The areas are arranged orthogonal to one another. The containers are arbitrarily distributed within an area. In each sorting pass, one container from each area is retrieved as part of a batch group. The retrieval sequence is arbitrary in the first pass, and uses a sorting algorithm in subsequent passes. The degree of sorting of the mail items in the containers is increased in a sorting operation, storing positions are empty points generated by the retrieval or storage points with empty containers corresponding to a retrieval position, and the storing sequence is on a process-contingent random basis corresponding to an emptying of sorting end points. These process steps are repeated for as many batches as necessary to process a total volume of items.

Abstract: A sorting device for articles has at least two main conveyor lines, each conveying consecutively arranged articles, at least two feeder devices, which respectively feed the articles to one of the main conveyor lines, at least two recognition devices for detecting a sorting destination for each article, a plurality of sorting outlets arranged at the end of each main conveyor line, each assigned to sorting destinations, and to which the articles are transported. The sorting device further has at least two connecting conveyor lines, each branching off the main conveyor lines at branch points, by way of which the articles can be conveyed from one main conveyor line to another main conveyor line. The articles can be temporarily stored in a storage device, which feeds temporarily stored articles to one of the main conveyor lines in the direction of conveyance before at least one of the branch points.

Abstract: In a multi-stage sorting method, before a first sorting pass, containers can be placed with unsorted items in storage points of an empty store. Storage areas are determined for each pass. The areas are arranged orthogonal to one another. The containers are arbitrarily distributed within an area. In each sorting pass, one container from each area is retrieved as part of a batch group. The retrieval sequence is arbitrary in the first pass, and uses a sorting algorithm in subsequent passes. The degree of sorting of the mail items in the containers is increased in a sorting operation, storing positions are empty points generated by the retrieval or storage points with empty containers corresponding to a retrieval position, and the storing sequence is on a process-contingent random basis corresponding to an emptying of sorting end points. These process steps are repeated for as many batches as necessary to process a total volume of items.

Abstract: A delivery point sorting device with two feeders for receiving and forwarding mail in streams, where a diverging apparatus divert module is configured to process the mail from the two feeders and a merge module converges the streams of mail from the two feeders and distributes the mail to respective endpoints. Sorting endpoints are used for loading the mail received from this converging apparatus. A method where items of mail are sorted through sorting passes including a first, second, and third sorting pass. Sorting passes are; processing mail through two feeders by receiving the mail by the feeders and forwarding the mail articles in streams of mail, converging the streams of mail from the feeders to a conveyor apparatus, loading the mail at sorting endpoints by the conveyor apparatus, and sequentially passing the mail through the first, second, and third sorting pass.

Abstract: A transport element for a distributing conveyor of a sorter of a sorting installation of a sorting system for sorting articles includes at least one first transport surface, which can be pivoted on both sides about an axis (“tilting axis”) in a transport direction of the transport element and is intended for accommodating at least one article which is to be sorted, and at least one second transport surface, which is inclined about an axis (“axis of inclination”) in the transport direction of the transport element and is intended for accommodating at least one article which is to be sorted. The at least one first transport surface, which can be pivoted on either side, is disposed above the at least one second, inclined transport surface. A distributing conveyor having a plurality of transport elements is also provided.

Abstract: A sorting technique is implemented to sequence individual flat items to a carrier route walk sequence by a postal system that utilizes automatic pocket sweeping to parse a sequence stream of mail items between multiple carriers.

Abstract: An automated flat mail items handling device includes a rotating apparatus, which rotates the stack during operation from a starting orientation, in which the mail items lie flat, one on top of the other, to a processing orientation, in which the mail items are arranged substantially standing next to each other. The device also includes a holder, which retains the stack while the stack is being rotated, and a transport support, which supports the stack in the processing orientation and by way of which the stack can be moved in a conveying direction. In order to be able to process more mail items per unit of time in the device and by way of the method, the transport support is separate from the rotating apparatus.

Abstract: A stacking device for flat objects standing upright stacks the objects to form a stack which increases in a stacking direction. The stacking device includes at least one stacking point at which the objects are respectively added to the stack. The stacking device also includes at least one stack holder drive with which at least one stack holder receiving the stack can be moved in the stacking direction relative to the stacking point. A stack holder for a stack of flat objects standing upright and a sorting system for sorting flat objects including a plurality of stacking devices, are also provided.

Abstract: A sorting device for articles has at least two main conveyor lines, each conveying consecutively arranged articles, at least two feeder devices, which respectively feed the articles to one of the main conveyor lines, at least two recognition devices for detecting a sorting destination for each article, a plurality of sorting outlets arranged at the end of each main conveyor line, each assigned to sorting destinations, and to which the articles are transported. The sorting device further has at least two connecting conveyor lines, each branching off the main conveyor lines at branch points, by way of which the articles can be conveyed from one main conveyor line to another main conveyor line. The articles can be temporarily stored in a storage device, which feeds temporarily stored articles to one of the main conveyor lines in the direction of conveyance before at least one of the branch points.

Abstract: A loading device for loading and/or unloading transport containers for piece goods includes a plurality of loading places at which the transport containers can be disposed and loaded or unloaded. At least one loading apparatus can be used for loading and/or unloading the transport containers at least at one loading place. In order to reduce the costs for the device, the device includes at least one positioning apparatus for moving at least one transport container or the loading apparatus from a first loading place to at least one second loading place. A method for loading and/or unloading transport containers for piece goods is also provided.

Abstract: A device for sorting objects includes an input conveyor device with a plurality of input storage devices, which are movable in an input conveying direction. A loading station loads each input storage device with one object. An output conveyor device has a plurality of output storage devices, which are movable in an output conveying direction. A sorting end point discharges the objects. A first transfer region, in which the input conveyor device and the output conveyor device are arranged, allows objects to be transferred from the input storage devices into the output storage devices. A second transfer region, separate from the first transfer region, in which the output conveyor device and the sorting end point are arranged transfers objects from the output storage devices to the sorting end point. An additional sorting end point in the second transfer region enables more flexibly operation of the sorting device.

Abstract: A storage facility for the storage of stackable goods, especially stackable postal item containers, includes at least one storage device and at least one stacking device. The at least one storage device includes storage locations. At least one of the storage locations is configured to receive at least two items of goods stacked on top of one another. A mechanism is configured to move the at least one storage location and/or a further storage location within the storage facility, and the at least one stacking device is configured to stack one or more of the items of goods into the at least one storage location from below and/or unstack one or more of the items of goods from the at least one storage location from below. A method for storing stackable goods, especially stackable postal item containers, is also provided.

Abstract: A transport element for a distributing conveyor of a sorter of a sorting installation of a sorting system for sorting articles includes at least one first transport surface, which can be pivoted on both sides about an axis (“tilting axis”) in a transport direction of the transport element and is intended for accommodating at least one article which is to be sorted, and at least one second transport surface, which is inclined about an axis (“axis of inclination”) in the transport direction of the transport element and is intended for accommodating at least one article which is to be sorted. The at least one first transport surface, which can be pivoted on either side, is disposed above the at least one second, inclined transport surface. A distributing conveyor having a plurality of transport elements is also provided.

Abstract: A sorting device for piece goods includes a plurality of sorting cart elements each having at least one sorting element for receiving and dispensing the piece goods. In order to reduce the costs for the sorting device, the sorting device has at least one connecting cart element, which is free of sorting elements. The sorting cart elements and the at least one connecting cart element form a closed chain.

Abstract: A tilt-tray sorting installation for articles and a tilt-tray conveying carriage for use in a tilt-tray sorting installation. The tilt-tray conveying carriage has a basic carriage, which is configured for displacement in the tilt-tray sorting installation, a carrying tray, which can be pivoted about a tilting axis relative to the basic carriage, and a tilting drive. A drive device of the tilting drive is fixed in relation to the basic carriage. A traction device is operatively connected to the drive device and the carrying tray. In order to render the devices suitable for heavy articles, the tilt-tray conveying carriage is provided with a traction-device guide which is arranged in a rotatably fixed manner on the carrying tray, against which the traction device abuts, at least in part, and which deflects the traction device.

Abstract: A device for sorting objects includes an input conveyor device with a plurality of input storage devices, which are movable in an input conveying direction. A loading station loads each input storage device with one object. An output conveyor device has a plurality of output storage devices, which are movable in an output conveying direction. A sorting end point discharges the objects. A first transfer region, in which the input conveyor device and the output conveyor device are arranged, allows objects to be transferred from the input storage devices into the output storage devices. A second transfer region, separate from the first transfer region, in which the output conveyor device and the sorting end point are arranged transfers objects from the output storage devices to the sorting end point. An additional sorting end point in the second transfer region enables more flexibly operation of the sorting device.

Abstract: A tilt-tray sorting installation for articles and a tilt-tray conveying carriage for use in a tilt-tray sorting installation. The tilt-tray conveying carriage has a basic carriage, which is configured for displacement in the tilt-tray sorting installation, a carrying tray, which can be pivoted about a tilting axis relative to the basic carriage, and a tilting drive. A drive device of the tilting drive is fixed in relation to the basic carriage. A traction device is operatively connected to the drive device and the carrying tray. In order to render the devices suitable for heavy articles, the tilt-tray conveying carriage is provided with a traction-device guide which is arranged in a rotatably fixed manner on the carrying tray, against which the traction device abuts, at least in part, and which deflects the traction device.

Abstract: Objects are sorted according to a predetermined sorting feature. A first storage area and a second storage area each have a plurality of storage devices. A storage device of the first storage area has a storage device output and an emptying transport path, which leads to a storage device of the second storage area. The value that the sorting feature takes on for each object to be sorted is measured for that object. A storage device is selected on the basis of the sorting feature value. In an emptying-optimized mode, only storage devices of the first storage area are selected, and in a sorting destination-optimized mode, storage devices of the second storage area are also selected. A storage device with a store output is emptied in an emptying-optimized mode by transporting objects in this storage device to a storage device of the second storage area via the emptying transport path.

Abstract: A sorting plant and a sorting method sort objects according to a predefined sort criterion. The sorting plant has a plurality of transfer sites, a plurality of upper pick-up units which can be swiveled into a pick-up position and into a park position, and a plurality of lower pick-up units. The upper pick-up units are arranged in such a manner that the upper pick-up units are located between the transfer sites and the lower pick-up units when the upper pick-up units are swiveled into the park position. For each object to be sorted, one pick-up unit is automatically selected regardless of the sorting criterion value of the object. The object is first moved to a transfer site and then into or onto the selected pick-up unit.