Abstract: A system and method for storing and sequencing a plurality of luggage items. The method includes receiving at least one of the luggage items into a loading area from an entrance conveyor disposed in the loading area. Once received, the luggage items are moved from the entrance conveyor onto a shelf of a container with a loading assembly. The method continues with transporting the container from the loading area to the storage area with an automatic guided vehicle with the luggage item disposed on the shelf of the container. When the luggage items are ready to be processed, the method continues with transporting the first container from the storage area to the unloading area with the automatic guided vehicle with the received luggage item disposed on the shelf of the container. Different embodiments of the loading and unloading assemblies are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and sequencing a plurality of luggage items. The system includes containers with vertically stacked shelves and an automatic guided vehicle releasably attachable to the containers for transporting a container between a first predetermined area and a loading area with a loading assembly to move a luggage item from an entrance conveyor onto one of the shelves of the container. The containers may include wheels for being manually moved. A transport vehicle is provided for moving a plurality of containers together. The method includes determining a grouping criterion of the luggage item and sorting and sequencing luggage items onto containers according to the grouping criterion. Different embodiments of the loading assembly are provided with one using a packing automated vehicle and another using stacked platform conveyors. Several grouping criteria are provided which may depend on processing requirements of the luggage items.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a checked bag reconciliation area of an airport. The method includes transporting a luggage item from an entrance mechanism to one of a plurality of inspection stations. Once the luggage item is at the inspection station, the method proceeds by conducting an inspection of the luggage item by the agent at the inspection station. The step of transporting the luggage item includes transporting the luggage item to the inspection station with the luggage item disposed on an automatic material handling device, and the step of conducting an inspection of the luggage item by the agent includes conducting the inspection of the luggage item while the luggage item is disposed on the automatic material handling device.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a luggage inspection area. The method includes providing an entrance mechanism wherein luggage items are received into the luggage inspection area. A primary inspection mechanism and a primary checked bag reconciliation area are provided that are configured to inspect a predetermined throughput of luggage items. A primary material handling device is provided that extends between the entrance mechanism, the primary inspection mechanism and the primary checked bag reconciliation area. The occurrence of an upcoming peak event is determined, and in response, a supplemental inspection mechanism, a supplemental checked bag reconciliation area and a first supplemental material handling device are provided. The supplemental components provide increased throughput of luggage items inspected during the occurrence of the peak event and are configured to be portable such that they may be quickly and easily be added and removed.

Abstract: A system and method of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) that is capable of providing synchronized travel along a line or path while maintaining a desired takt time such that regular manufacturing operations may be performed to material or workpieces on the vehicle without the need for a traditional conveyor systems.

Abstract: A system and method of automatic guided vehicles that are capable of providing synchronized travel along a line or path such that regular manufacturing operations may be performed to material or workpieces on the vehicle without the need for a traditional conveyor systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding an automatic guided vehicle along a magnetic pathway and more specifically to an apparatus and a method capable of accurately and precisely following a weak magnetic field emitted by a substantially continuous passive magnetic marker having route junctions.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle, such as an AGV, for loading and unloading a transport and wherein the vehicle includes a pair of freely floating forks. The forks are freely moveable in the vertical direction as well as capable of pivoting or tilting about an axis relative to a fork carriage, however when a load is applied, the forks are locked are prevented from such free floating movement.

Abstract: An overhead mounted friction drive conveyor assembly including a biasing section for biasing objects such as car doors. The conveyor assembly includes a conveying rail and a biasing rail extending in spaced and parallel relationship with the conveying rail. The conveyor assembly also includes at least three trolleys and at least two tow bars extending between and interconnecting the trolleys. A biasing mechanism allows at least two of the trolleys to remain on the conveying rail and guides at least one trolley onto the biasing rail so that one of the tow bars extends between the biasing rails. The object is disposed on the tow bar extending between the biasing rails. A plurality of friction drivers are disposed on the conveying rail for only driving the tow bar extending between the trolleys on the conveying rail.

Abstract: An attachment system for securing conveyor components to a conveyor disposed between a pair of side guards. The side guards are U-shaped and have first and second side guard ends that extend perpendicularly from the opposite ends of a flat wall portion to a distal end. The first side guard end includes a first lip that defines a grooved portion. At least one framing channel extending between flat first and second channel ends is disposed between the first and second side guard ends. The first channel end includes a projection portion that extends from the first channel end to engage to the grooved portion to secure the first channel end adjacent the first side guard end. At least one tab extends outwardly from the second channel end to engage an end guard opening defined in the second side guard end to secure the framing channel to the side guard.

Abstract: An overhead mounted friction drive conveyor assembly including a biasing section for biasing objects such as car doors. The conveyor assembly includes a conveying rail and a biasing rail extending in spaced and parallel relationship with the conveying rail. The conveyor assembly also includes at least three trolleys and at least two tow bars extending between and interconnecting the trolleys. A biasing mechanism allows at least two of the trolleys to remain on the conveying rail and guides at least one trolley onto the biasing rail so that one of the tow bars extends between the biasing rails. The object is disposed on the tow bar extending between the biasing rails. A plurality of friction drivers are disposed on the conveying rail for only driving the tow bar extending between the trolleys on the conveying rail.

Abstract: A conveyor system having a conveyor path and friction drive spaced along the path to drive carriers along the path. Each friction drive is controlled by a drive controller, which communicates tracking, routing, and other information directly to other drive controllers within range via a wireless signal. The drive controllers may also directly communicate wirelessly with a central controller. If the central controller or a desired destination drive controller is out of range of a particular drive controller, that drive controller may communicate through other drive controllers until the desired destination drive controller is reached, or a drive controller that is within range of the central controller is reached.

Abstract: A stackable carrier assembly, carrier stacking system, and method of storing carrier assemblies is disclosed. The carrier assembly includes a base member presenting a load surface and opposite facing transfer surface. A plurality of carrier trolleys extend transversely from the load surface to engage conveyor tracks. A plurality of track sections are coupled to the load surface for receiving the carrier trolleys of another carrier assembly. The track sections are vertically aligned with the carrier trolleys. In a power and free or friction drive conveyor system, a lift device and telescoping arm can lift and stack the carrier assemblies so that track sections of one carrier assembly receive the carrier trolleys of another carrier assembly. In an overhead conveyor system, one carrier assembly can hang from the track sections of another carrier assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A guidance system follows a travel path to a position near the transport and then a sensor profiles a transport so that a transport path is determined for an AGV to follow into the transport to place a load and for exiting the transport upon placement of the load.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A first guidance system follows a travel path to a position near the transport and then a sensor profiles a transport so that a transport path is determined for an AGV to follow into the transport to place a load and for exiting the transport upon placement of the load.

Abstract: A material handling device includes an automated guided vehicle configured for use with a carrier. Both the vehicle and the carrier include a bumper having a reflective target mounted thereon. The automated guided vehicle includes a sensor having a light source and a scanner for receiving a reflection from the light source. The light source directs a first light beam at the vehicle reflective target and a second light beam at the carrier reflective target. When the vehicle bumper is moved toward the sensor, the vehicle reflective target moves into a reflective position and when the carrier bumper is moved toward the sensor, the carrier reflective target moves into a reflective position. The movement of the either bumper into the reflective position generates a signal from the sensor to a controller to control the movement of the automated guided vehicle in response to movement of either bumper.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A first guidance system is used to travel near the transport and a second guidance system is used to travel on the transport.

Abstract: The subject invention provides for a slider bed conveyor system that allows for lateral movement of a longitudinally moving conveyor of a fixed length. The system includes a first conveyor section having a first surface that extends between opposing first walls. A second conveyor section is operatively connected with the first conveyor section and includes a second surface that extends between opposing second walls. The first and second conveyor sections support the longitudinally moving conveyor and the second conveyor section is laterally moveable in relation to the first conveyor section.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle and a method of controlling an automated guided vehicle which are capable of varying the travel path of the automatic guided vehicle in order to reduce wear patterns created in the floor of the material handling facility. The travel path of the AGV is varied by intentionally applying a deviation from a selected predetermined route along which the AGV is traveling.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A guidance system follows a travel path to a position near the transport and then a sensor profiles a transport so that a transport path is determined for an AGV to follow into the transport to place a load and for exiting the transport upon placement of the load.