Patent ID: 6179283
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A method for controlling an intermediate stacking device of flat shipments, in particular in letter sorting facilities, which comprises a stacking device (SR), positioned on a movable stacking cart (SW), a bottom transport belt (UB) on which the shipments are positioned crosswise to the belt movement direction, and a separating device having a withdrawal means (AR, SK) as well as a shipment sensor (FH2) for detecting the shipments at the separating device, and wherein: if a predetermined time interval during which no shipments are detected at the withdrawal means (AR, SK) is exceeded, normal operations control at the intermediate stacking device becomes invalid, the supply of shipments to the intermediate stacking device is interrupted, the bottom transport belt (UB) is stopped, the stacking cart (SW) is put in motion in the direction of the separating device, and if a shipment is once more detected at the withdrawal means and taking into account a lag time that depends on a measured filling level of the intermediate stack, compression movement of the stacking cart (SW) is stopped, the supply of shipments to the intermediate stacking device is resumed and the drives for the bottom transport belt (UB) and the stacking cart (SW) are once more controlled, such that they operate normally.