Patents by Inventor Peter Berdelle-Hilge

Peter Berdelle-Hilge has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10722920
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 10500612
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 10065215
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Berdelle-Hilge, Nikolaus Haselberger
  • Patent number: 10000346
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 9782802
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Berdelle-Hilge, Bertram Wanner
  • Publication number: 20170275123
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: PETER Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 9731327
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 9481529
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 9314822
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 9174246
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Publication number: 20150273530
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Berdelle-Hilge, Bertram Wanner
  • Patent number: 8965566
    Abstract: Objects are sorted according to predetermined groups of sorting feature values. In particular, postal items are sorted according to groups of delivery addresses. A sorting system sorts the objects into a sequence so that all objects with sorting feature values belonging to the same predetermined value group are situated one directly behind another in this sequence. The sorting system has x1 storage subregions, x2 sorting subregions and a sorting plan. The objects are apportioned to the x1 storage subregions. For each storage subregion, an apportionment step is then carried out, in which the objects from this storage subregion are apportioned to the x2 sorting subregions. The apportionment steps are performed one after the other. Each apportionment step, is followed by a sorting and output step for each sorting subregion, in which the objects from this sorting subregion are brought into a sequence in accordance with the sorting feature values and this sequence is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiegesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 8955688
    Abstract: A sorting installation and a sorting method use a gripping tool for gripping sorted articles, particularly sorted flat mail items. During sorting, the articles are transported in holding apparatuses having two lateral faces each. Each lateral face is preferably formed with one cutout. A supply station puts each article into one holding apparatus, with the result that the article is situated between the lateral faces and is held by the holding apparatuses. A transport apparatus transports the articles to a removal station and produces a sequence of holding apparatuses with articles being held thereby. The removal station has a gripping tool with at least two gripper arms in a gripper arm sequence. These gripper arms grip between filled holding apparatuses and draw a plurality of held articles from these holding apparatuses simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Publication number: 20140291217
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Publication number: 20140284254
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 8796577
    Abstract: A sorting system for postal mail has a plurality of input sections capable of operating in parallel, each including a feeder that takes in mail pieces one at a time and a scanner that scans each mail piece for destination indicia. The system further includes a plurality of stackers each comprising at least one row of pockets in which mail is stacked, and a routing section or switch network effective to route mail in accordance with a sort scheme from any input section to any pocket of a stacker. The routing section uses diverts and merges so that mail can be conveyed to each stacker in accordance with a sort scheme implemented by a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Luiz C. Harres, Peter Berdelle-Hilge, Homer Dickerson, Lelan Warren, Tamas Eger
  • Publication number: 20140214197
    Abstract: Objects are sorted according to predetermined groups of sorting feature values. In particular, postal items are sorted according to groups of delivery addresses. A sorting system sorts the objects into a sequence so that all objects with sorting feature values belonging to the same predetermined value group are situated one directly behind another in this sequence. The sorting system has x1 storage subregions, x2 sorting subregions and a sorting plan. The objects are apportioned to the x1 storage subregions. For each storage subregion, an apportionment step is then carried out, in which the objects from this storage subregion are apportioned to the x2 sorting subregions. The apportionment steps are performed one after the other. Each apportionment step, is followed by a sorting and output step for each sorting subregion, in which the objects from this sorting subregion are brought into a sequence in accordance with the sorting feature values and this sequence is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Patent number: 8785800
    Abstract: A method and a device sort objects, in particular flat postal items, by use of intermediate storage units. A feed transport unit transports the objects to a series of a multiple of intermediate storage units which are connected in parallel. Each object is transported into an intermediate storage unit in accordance with the respectively measured value of a sorting feature. Later, each intermediate storage unit is emptied, and a removal transport unit transports the objects away. Each intermediate storage unit is emptied at the latest when the last object in the series of objects transported in the feed transport unit has been transported into the intermediate storage unit or when the object has been transported past the feed connecting path to the intermediate storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Publication number: 20140166550
    Abstract: A sorting installation and a sorting method use a gripping tool for gripping sorted articles, particularly sorted flat mail items. During sorting, the articles are transported in holding apparatuses having two lateral faces each. Each lateral face is preferably formed with one cutout. A supply station puts each article into one holding apparatus, with the result that the article is situated between the lateral faces and is held by the holding apparatuses. A transport apparatus transports the articles to a removal station and produces a sequence of holding apparatuses with articles being held thereby. The removal station has a gripping tool with at least two gripper arms in a gripper arm sequence. These gripper arms grip between filled holding apparatuses and draw a plurality of held articles from these holding apparatuses simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge
  • Publication number: 20130134075
    Abstract: A method and a device sort objects, in particular flat postal items, by use of intermediate storage units. A feed transport unit transports the objects to a series of a multiple of intermediate storage units which are connected in parallel. Each object is transported into an intermediate storage unit in accordance with the respectively measured value of a sorting feature. Later, each intermediate storage unit is emptied, and a removal transport unit transports the objects away. Each intermediate storage unit is emptied at the latest when the last object in the series of objects transported in the feed transport unit has been transported into the intermediate storage unit or when the object has been transported past the feed connecting path to the intermediate storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Peter Berdelle-Hilge