Document Sorting Device for Flexible Booklet Bundling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for shipping book-like and security documents, such as passport books, involve batch production and bundling, which is inefficient and costly, and do not allow for flexible or timely production and packaging.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for sorting and bundling individual documents based on document-specific information, such as order number and delivery address, enabling efficient packaging and shipping without pre-determined batch sizes, using identification features like barcodes or RFID for sorting and bundling documents for cost-effective and timely delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If batch production with predetermined sizes is used, then production efficiency is improved, but shipping costs and packaging material increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shipping process into two distinct phases: batch production phase where documents are produced in batches for efficiency, and individual bundling phase where documents are separated and re-grouped by destination. This allows the production system to maintain batch efficiency while the shipping system achieves individualized, optimized bundling that reduces packaging material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-bundling documents with the same destination together before shipping. The system identifies documents destined for the same location and groups them into bundles in advance, so that when shipping occurs, multiple documents travel together in single packages rather than requiring separate packaging for each document.
2Productivity
If batch production with predetermined sizes is used, then production efficiency is improved, but shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the shipping process into batch production and individual bundling phases, allowing production to maintain batch efficiency while shipping achieves optimized consolidation. Documents are grouped by destination and shipped in consolidated bundles, reducing the number of separate shipments required and thereby lowering shipping costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple individual documents into single bundles based on destination matching. By combining documents that share the same delivery location into one package, the system reduces the total number of shipments needed, directly lowering shipping costs while maintaining production efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual documents are processed separately, then flexibility in production is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing destination identification and bundling operations while documents are still in production or immediately upon completion. Rather than waiting until all production is complete to sort and bundle, the system proactively groups documents by destination as they become available, reducing the overall processing time while maintaining individual document flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by operating the bundling system continuously alongside production. The bundling process runs in parallel with production, continuously identifying and grouping documents by destination as they are produced, rather than stopping production to perform batch sorting. This eliminates idle time and keeps the system continuously productive.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual bundling is used, then adaptability to individual documents is improved, but labor costs and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using automated reading devices and evaluation devices that automatically identify document destinations and perform bundling decisions without human intervention. The system reads destination information from individual documents, evaluates which documents share destinations, and automatically groups them into bundles, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining adaptability to individual document requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical bundling process with an automated system using reading devices, evaluation devices, and automated bundling mechanisms. Instead of workers manually reading and sorting documents, optical or magnetic reading devices automatically capture destination information, and automated systems perform the physical bundling, dramatically increasing processing speed while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for sorting book-type valuable documents or security documents, said device (1) comprising a document identification device (3a, 3b), an individual document storage device (4) and an individual document bundling device (5a, 5b), and wherein: document-specific information can be determined for an individual document (7) using said document identification device (4); at least one individual document (7) can be stored using said individual document storage device (4); and, depending on the document-specific information, a document bundle (12) consisting of at least one stored or non-stored individual document (7) can be provided using said individual document bundling device (5a, 5b).