Method and device for transporting an object at variable speed

Abstract

A device and a method for transporting a flat object are provided. A feeder module temporarily holds the object in a feeder gripping area and transports it. A first transfer component takes the object over from the feeder module, holds it temporarily in a first transfer gripping area, transports it in the first transfer gripping area at a first transfer speed which can be changed in terms of time and passes it on to the second transfer component. A second transfer component takes the object over from the first transfer component, holds it temporarily in a second transfer gripping area, transports it in the second transfer gripping area at a second transfer speed which can be changed in terms of time and passes it on to a removal module. The removal module temporarily holds the object in a removal gripping area and transports it.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A device for the transport of a flat object in a transport direction, comprising:
 a feeder module with a feeder gripping area, the feeder module holds and transports the object in the feeder gripping area;   a removal module with a removal gripping area, the removal module holds and transports the object in the removal gripping area; and   a transfer module comprising:
 a first transfer component that includes a first drive unit and a first transfer gripping area, and 
 a second transfer component that includes a second drive unit and a second transfer gripping area, 
   wherein the first transfer component receives the object from the feeder module, the first transfer component holds the received object in the first transfer gripping area and transports the received object via a first drive to the second transfer component,   wherein the second transfer component receives the object from the first transfer component, the second transfer component holds the received object in the second transfer gripping area and transports the received object via a second drive to the removal module,   wherein the distance the object travels between the first transfer gripping area and the removal gripping area is greater than the length of the object in transport direction, and   wherein the distance the object travels between the transfer gripping area and the second transfer gripping area is greater than the length of the object in transport direction.   
   
   
       13 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the distance the object travels between the first transfer gripping area and the second transfer gripping area is smaller than the length of the object in transport direction. 
   
   
       14 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 ,
 wherein the distance the object travels between the feeder gripping area and the first transfer gripping area is smaller than the length of the object in transport direction, and   wherein the distance the object travels between the second transfer gripping area and the removal gripping area is smaller than the length of the object in transport direction.   
   
   
       15 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a change of a first speed produced by the first drive is independent of a change of a second speed produced by the second drive. 
   
   
       16 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a controller for controlling the first drive and the second drive, such that:
 the first transfer component transports the object at the same speed as the feeder module when the object is held both in the feeder gripping area and in the first transfer gripping area, and   the second transfer component transports the object at the same speed as the removal module when the object is held both in the second transfer gripping area and in the removal gripping area.   
   
   
       17 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the two transfer components includes:
 a first driven endless conveyor belt that runs round at least two rollers, and   a second endless conveyor belt that runs round at least two further rollers,   wherein the first and second endless conveyor belts are arranged such that the transfer gripping area of the respective transfer component is between the two endless conveyor belts and is limited by two of the rollers.   
   
   
       18 . A sorting machine for sorting flat items of mail, comprising:
 a transport device, comprising:
 a feeder module with a feeder gripping area, the feeder module holds and transports the object in the feeder gripping area, and 
 a removal module with a removal gripping area, the removal module holds and transports the object in the removal gripping area 
 a transfer module comprising:
 a first transfer component that includes a first drive unit and a first transfer gripping area, and 
 a second transfer component that includes a second drive unit and a second transfer gripping area, 
 
   wherein the first transfer component receives the object from the feeder module, the first transfer component holds the received object in the first transfer gripping area and transports the received object via a first drive to the second transfer component,   wherein the second transfer component receives the object from the first transfer component, the second transfer component holds the received object in the second transfer gripping area and transports the received object via a second drive to the removal module,   wherein the distance the object travels between the first transfer gripping area and the removal gripping area is greater than the length of the object in transport direction, and   wherein the distance the object travels between the transfer gripping area and the second transfer gripping area is greater than the length of the object in transport direction.   
   
   
       19 . The sorting machine as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein a change of a first speed produced by the first drive is independent of a change of a second speed produced by the second drive. 
   
   
       20 . A method for the transport of a flat object in a transport direction, comprising:
 holding the object by a feeder module in a feeder gripping area;   transporting the object from the feeder module to a first transfer component of a transfer module;   holding the object by a first transfer gripping area of the first transfer component;   transporting the object via a first drive from the first transfer component to a second transfer component of a transfer module;   holding the object by a second transfer gripping area of the second transfer component; and   transporting the object via a second drive from the second transfer component to the removal module,   wherein a distance the object travels between the first transfer gripping area and the removal gripping area is greater than the length of the object in transport direction, and   wherein a distance the object travels between the feeder gripping area is greater than the length of the object in transport direction.   
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein a distance the object travels between the first transfer gripping area and the second transfer gripping area is smaller than the length of the object in transport direction. 
   
   
       22 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 ,
 wherein a distance the object between the feeder gripping area and the first transfer gripping area is smaller than the length of the object in transport direction, and   wherein a distance the object a distance the object travels between the second transfer gripping area and the removal gripping area is smaller than the length of the object in transport direction.   
   
   
       23 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein a change of a first speed produced by the first drive is independent of a change of a second speed produced by the second drive.