Sorting system and sorting method with two storage areas

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A sorting system for sorting objects according to a predetermined sorting feature, the sorting system comprising:
a first storage area and a second storage area spatially separate from one another and each having a plurality of storage devices connected in series; each of said plurality of storage devices being configured to receive a number of objects to be sorted, and to be emptied by removing and/or transporting away the objects; at least two of said storage devices of said first storage area having a store output and an emptying transport path connecting said store output to a respective storage device of said second storage area; a measuring apparatus configured to measure, for an object to be sorted, a value which a sorting feature takes on for the said object, a selecting unit configured to automatically select, for an object to be sorted, a respective said storage device of the sorting system depending on a measured sorting value of the said object; a discharge arrangement configured to transport the said object to be transported to said storage device selected for the said object and to discharge the said object into said storage device; and a control unit configured for communicating with said selecting unit and for controlling said discharge arrangement in a manner causing the sorting system to operate in an emptying-optimized mode and additionally in a sorting destination-optimized mode; said selecting unit being configured, with operation of the sorting system in the emptying-optimized mode, to select, for each object to be sorted, a storage device of the first storage area having a store output depending on the measured sorting feature value; said discharge arrangement being configured, with operation of the sorting system in the emptying-optimized mode, to completely empty each storage device having a store output in that said discharge arrangement transports the objects from the said storage device via said store output and said emptying transport path of the said storage device into a storage device of said second storage area; and said selecting unit being configured, with operation of the sorting system in the sorting destination-optimized mode, to select, when selecting storage devices for the objects to be sorted, storage devices of said first storage area and storage devices of said second storage area.