Abstract: A sorting device for sorting products, comprising successive carrier units each provided with a load carrying platform having a front arcuate edge and a rear arcuate edge. The sorting device further conveys the load carrying platforms along a conveying path and includes an elongated pusher element for each load carrying platform for pushing a product to be sorted sideways off, using at least one pusher element, at a desired sorting location. The pusher elements each extend above a load carrying platform and are designed for joint transport with the load carrying platform. The sorting device further comprises two elongated passages in the load carrying platform, and drive means at least partially provided under the load carrying platforms for moving a pusher element sideways between two opposite lateral positions at a desired sorting location.

Abstract: A method and an automatically controlled vehicle for transporting an object such as an item of luggage, with two pivotable axles each having at the outer ends two wheels driven with drive motors, with a control unit which is configured to perform the steps of controlling each of the drive motors such that an at least substantially equal basic drive torque is applied to each of the wheels and, for the purpose of changing the direction of the vehicle, controlling the drive motors associated with a wheel support arm such that a steering torque which is of the same magnitude but of opposite direction is applied in addition to the basic drive torque to the associated wheels.

Abstract: An airport baggage handling system is described for transferring baggage between airport passenger stations and aircraft loading zones. The airport baggage handling system includes in-line screening devices including at least one high resolution or high risk screening device and at least one low resolution or low risk screening device. Each piece of checked baggage is provided with a tag including, inter alia, information regarding the security status of the piece of baggage. A computer control system for controlling operation of the baggage handling system uses the information regarding the security status of the piece of baggage to selectively route the piece of baggage through one of the high and low risk scanning devices. In one embodiment, the security status of the baggage is derived from the security status of the passenger associated with the baggage.

Abstract: A device for sorting products having carrier units arranged adjacent to each other and conveying means for supporting and conveying the carrier units. Each carrier unit has a support platform, support means for supporting the support platform, leg members supported by the conveying means and tiltably supporting the support means, and tilting means for tilting the support means relative to each other about a tilt axis extending parallel to the conveying path. The tilting means has at least one cam and drive means having an electric motor supported by the conveying means for rotating the at least one cam relative to the leg members about an axis of rotation, as well as a camway which is rigidly connected to the support means and with which the at least one cam mates upon rotation of the at least one cam about the axis of rotation. The tilt axis is located between the axis of rotation and the support platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport pocket for transporting an article 17 in an overhead conveyor, comprising a suspension element by means of which the transport pocket can be suspended from the overhead conveyor, a pocket body having a front wall, a rear wall and a base therebetween, wherein the front wall has an opening, and a lever element by way of which the pocket body is suspended from the suspension element and by means of which the pocket body can be switched between at least two positions in which the front wall and the rear wall assume different relative vertical positions with respect to one another, wherein the opening is so positioned and configured that, in a first of the at least two positions of the pocket body, it is at a suitable distance from a deepest point of the pocket body for securely housing the article in the pocket body and, in a second of the at least two positions of the pocket body, it reaches the deepest point of the pocket body, so that in the second position the arti

Abstract: The invention provides a system for storing product containers. The control system of the system comprises a central control unit to determine a route for a carriage along a part of a guide system and to send a control signal for the route in question to the carriage control unit of the carriage. The guide system is provided with unique identification signs at at least some of the junctions. Each carriage is provided with a reader for reading an identification sign and communicating said identification sign to the carriage control unit. The central control unit is designed to mark certain junctions as “blocked” under certain circumstances and to generate a list of unique identification signs associated with the “blocked” junctions. Each carriage control unit is designed to store said list in a database of the carriage control unit and to cause the carriage to stop if the identification sign is on the list as stored in the database of the carriage control unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for handling items of luggage, comprising a storage system for temporary storage therein of items of luggage, which system comprises at a front side thereof a plurality of compartments for items of luggage with a buffer zone behind each compartment, and for each of the compartments a displacement element for moving an item of luggage from a compartment to the buffer zone associated with that compartment, input means designed for the input of identification information by a passenger for the purpose of placing an item of luggage in a compartment of the storage system, and control means. The invention further relates to a method of handling items of luggage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balanced support device, comprising: a wagon configured to move along a wagon rail, a frame connected to the wagon and extending over a vertical distance from the wagon, a rail connected to the frame and a carriage movably arranged on said rail, at least one protruding arm comprising a support member for supporting amass, wherein the protruding arm is pivotably connected to the carriage, wherein the protruding arm comprises multiple segments which are movable relative to one another in order to allow the support member to move toward and away from the frame, wherein the support member is mounted to the protruding arm via a rotary connection, allowing the support member including a mass to be rotated, and a vertical balance system for exerting an upwards force on the carriage for counteracting a weight of the mass, the arm and the carriage, wherein the vertical balance system is constructed and arranged to control said force in order to balance masses of different weights.

Abstract: The invention provides a trolley for use in a storage system comprising at least one row of side-by-side storage positions for containers, which trolley is reciprocally movable along a path of movement that extends parallel to the row for transferring a container between the trolley and a storage position located opposite the trolley. The trolley comprises a frame, at least one supporting arm and a device for moving the at least one supporting arm forward and backward, transversely to the path of movement, relative to the frame between a passive position and at least one active position, in which at least one active position, in contrast to the passive position, the at least one supporting arm extends at least partially into a storage position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for handling items of luggage, comprising a storage system for temporary storage therein of items of luggage, which system comprises at a front side thereof a plurality of compartments for items of luggage with a buffer zone behind each compartment, and for each of the compartments a displacement element for moving an item of luggage from a compartment to the buffer zone associated with that compartment, input means designed for the input of identification information by a passenger for the purpose of placing an item of luggage in a compartment of the storage system, and control means. The invention further relates to a method of handling items of luggage.

Abstract: A sorting device including successive load carrying platforms having a front edge and a rear edge for supporting products to be sorted on a supporting surface, a conveying mechanism conveying the load carrying platforms in a conveying direction along a conveying path, a sorting mechanism including plural pusher elements pushing a product to be sorted sideways off at least one supporting surface at a desired sorting location. The pusher elements each extend above at least one load carrying platform and are arranged for being jointly conveyed with the at least one load carrying platform in the conveying direction. A drive mechanism moves the at least one pusher element sideways at the desired sorting location. An arcuate shape of a front edge of a load carrying platform, as seen in top plan view, abuts an arcuate shape of a rear edge of a next load carrying platform.

Abstract: The invention provides a conveying system for pieces of luggage, which may or may not form part of a check-in system. The conveying system comprises a conveyor for conveying pieces of luggage, detection means provided with a camera for making an image of at least one object, normally being a single piece of luggage, present on the conveyor at a checking location, and image processing means for the automated processing of images made by the camera. The camera is designed to make images of the infrared type, wherein the image processing means are designed to process images of the infrared type. The image processing means have at their disposal information regarding infrared images of non-suspect pieces of luggage exhibiting at least one area with an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for presenting a product to a manipulator, comprising a transfer location provided with a number of mutually parallel first support elements, each having an elongated horizontal first support edge, and a number of strip-shaped second support elements extending parallel to each other and perpendicular to said first support elements, each having an elongated horizontal second support edge, wherein the first support elements on the one hand and the second support elements on the other hand can move vertically up and down relative to each other. This way spaces can be made between the first support elements and between the second support elements respectively, in which spaces finger means of a manipulator can be inserted for picking up a product. The invention further provides a system and a method for automated loading of a carrier.

Abstract: A device for sorting products including a frame, an endless drivable flexible conveying element, successive elongated carriers, which are each coupled to the conveying element via a coupler for being conveyed in a conveying direction along an endless conveying path, which carriers extend transversely to the conveying direction, and pusher elements which are each movable along a carrier. The coupler including a supporting part and a supported part supported by the supporting part, as well as a connector for detachably connecting the supporting part and the supported part together, wherein the supporting part is coupled to the conveying element and the supported part is connected to a carrier, and wherein the connector can be accessed from the upper side of the supported part for effecting the connection between the supporting part and the supported part.

Abstract: The invention provides a trolley for use in a storage system comprising at least one row of side-by-side storage positions for containers, which trolley is reciprocally movable along a path of movement that extends parallel to the row for transferring a container between the trolley and a storage position located opposite the trolley. The trolley comprises a frame, at least one supporting arm and moving means for moving the at least one supporting arm forward and backward, transversely to the path of movement, relative to the frame between a passive position and at least one active position, in which at least one active position, in contrast to the passive position, the at least one supporting arm extends at least partially into a storage position.

Abstract: A device for sorting products having carrier units arranged adjacent to each other and conveying means for supporting and conveying the carrier units. Each carrier unit has a support platform, support means for supporting the support platform, leg members supported by the conveying means and tiltably supporting the support means, and tilting means for tilting the support means relative to each other about a tilt axis extending parallel to the conveying path. The tilting means has at least one cam and drive means having an electric motor supported by the conveying means for rotating the at least one cam relative to the leg members about an axis of rotation, as well as a camway which is rigidly connected to the support means and with which the at least one cam mates upon rotation of the at least one cam about the axis of rotation. The tilt axis is located between the axis of rotation and the support platform.

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting products, such as pieces of luggage. The sorting device includes one or more sorting units which are movable in a conveying direction along a conveying path. Each sorting unit may include a carrier for supporting a product to be sorted, an elongated pusher element disposed above an associated carrier, moving means for moving a pusher element sideways with respect to the associated carrier at a sorting location, and guide means for guiding the sideways movement of the pusher element. The guide means may include at least one guide, which is fixedly disposed relative to the associated carrier, and at least one guide member, which is movable along the at least one fixed guide. The guide member may be connected to the pusher element.

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting products, for example pieces of luggage, including a removing mechanism moving the product to be sorted off the supporting surface at a desired sorting location, wherein the removing mechanism includes a pusher element and a moving mechanism moving the pusher element laterally at a sorting location so as to have the pusher element push the product to be sorted off the supporting surface. The removing mechanism further includes two guides each sorting unit for guiding two respective guide members of the pusher element during the lateral movement of the pusher element.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for presenting a product to a manipulator, comprising a transfer location provided with a number of mutually parallel first support elements, each having an elongated horizontal first support edge, and a number of strip-shaped second support elements extending parallel to each other and perpendicular to said first support elements, each having an elongated horizontal second support edge, wherein the first support elements on the one hand and the second support elements on the other hand can move vertically up and down relative to each other. This way spaces can be made between the first support elements and between the second support elements respectively, in which spaces finger means of a manipulator can be inserted for picking up a product. The invention further provides a system and a method for automated loading of a carrier.

Abstract: A device for sorting products including a frame, an endless drivable flexible conveying element, successive elongated carriers, which are each coupled to the conveying element via a coupler for being conveyed in a conveying direction along an endless conveying path, which carriers extend transversely to the conveying direction, and pusher elements which are each movable along a carrier. The coupler including a supporting part and a supported part supported by the supporting part, as well as a connector for detachably connecting the supporting part and the supported part together, wherein the supporting part is coupled to the conveying element and the supported part is connected to a carrier, and wherein the connector can be accessed from the upper side of the supported part for effecting the connection between the supporting part and the supported part.