Abstract: The invention relates to a storage and retrieval system having at least one mast, which is supported at its lower mast end on a running rail via at least two running wheels and can be moved along the running rail guided by at least one driven running wheel of the running rail, having a guide rail (2), which is arranged in the region of the upper mast end (1) and extends parallel to the running rail, having guide rollers, which are mounted such that they can rotate at the upper mast end (1) and bear against the guide rail (2) on both sides so as to guide the mast. In order to damp the mast oscillations occurring during movement, at least one friction roller (4) is provided that rolls on the guide rail (2) and an eddy current brake (7) is provided that is driven by the friction roller (4).

Abstract: A transport system, in particular an airport luggage transport system, and guide means for a transport system of this type, for transporting individual items, are disclosed. The items are transported along a transport path with at least one straight section, with support elements for supporting a bottom side of the containers. The bottom side of the containers includes at least one straight guiding element in the form of a groove-shaped recess extending in a transport direction and having two opposing side faces. To accurately and securely guide the containers, guiding means with lateral guiding rollers engage with the side faces of the groove-shaped recesses.

Abstract: A transport system, in particular an airport luggage transport system, is disclosed that moves containers with individual items along a transport path. The system includes at least one support element that supports a bottom side of the containers along the transport path, guiding means, and loading and unloading means as well as a motion link located next to the passing containers. A pinwheel rotatably supported on the container has pins adapted to engage with the motion link. An endless conveyor belt revolves transversely to the transport direction and is driven by the pinwheel, whereby an upper belt section of the endless conveyor belt forms a support surface for the containers. The bottom side of the containers includes at least one groove-shaped recess oriented in the transport direction that engages with the guiding means at least at the loading and unloading location.

Abstract: A transport system, in particular an airport baggage handling system, includes a container for receiving an article, a sensor assembly including an inductive sensor for monitoring a transport of the container along a transport path, and a screening device for completely scanning the article within the container together with the container. The container is provided with a marking in the form of a doped zone or a metal element so attached to the container body as to pass the sensor assembly in its response range for detection of the container. The container body is hereby constructed to allow scanning of the article together with the container body.

Abstract: A transport system, in particular an airport baggage handling system, includes a container having an underside formed with a grooved recess which defines a leading edge and a trailing edge, as viewed in a transport direction of the container. The transport system has at least one incline conveyor which is constructed to define a convexly curved transport path for transporting the container through engagement of the grooved recess, whereby the incline conveyor supports only the leading and trailing edges of the recess of the container, as the container is moved in the transport direction. This ensures a stable travel of the container along the convexly curved transport path.

Abstract: A transport system for transport of containers has a switch with an entry zone, an exit zone with at least two different transport paths for conveying a container, and a switch mechanism for selectively controlling the transport of the container to the transport paths. During their travel, the containers are supported by a support assembly, and aligned and advanced in a controlled manner in the entry zone by an alignment and propulsion mechanism. A propulsion and guide assembly in the exit zone is rendered operative in response to a transport of the container along the transport paths and includes at least two modules which respectively cooperate with the transport paths and are disposed in the exit zone below the plane of the support assembly. The modules are hereby so controlled that only the one of the modules is raised into a plane above the plane of the support assembly, when the container is transported along the associated transport path.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transport of containers, in particular an airport baggage handling system, includes a conveyor having a curved transport path with one end defining an entry zone and another end defining an exit zone. The containers are moved by a container propulsion mechanism along the curved transport path between the entry and exit zones, wherein the curved transport path is constructed for movement of the containers in an inwardly inclined disposition for reducing centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A container transport system for transport of an article, in particular a baggage item, includes a container for receiving an article, with the container made of flame-resistant, wear-resistant and translucent plastic material which is stable in shape. The container has an underside which is formed with touch surfaces extending in a transport direction by which the container is advanced by a conveyor between a receiving end and a discharge end. The conveyor is provided with a guiding and/or driving engagement assembly for cooperation with the touch surfaces of the container.

Abstract: A system and method is described for transporting articles, in particular for transporting container holding baggage pieces. At least two endless conveyor belts are sequentially arranged to define an upstream conveyor belt and a downstream conveyor belt for transport of articles in a transport direction from the upstream conveyor belt to the downstream conveyor belt. The conveyor belts are driven by drive-motors, in particular asynchronous motors, with the rotation speed of each drive motor being regulated depending on the weight of the articles located on the conveyor belt associated with the particular drive motor. The drive motors can be controlled by adjusting the frequency and/or voltage of the supplied electric power.

Abstract: A transport system for advancing containers includes a curve section for defining a curved transport path which is defined by a curve radius, and a driving and guiding assembly for advancing and guiding a container along the transport path. The driving and guiding assembly has support elements, which support the underside of the container, and is constructed to bear upon at least one of the sidewalls, at least along portions thereof, in a force-locking or form-fitting manner for propulsion of the container. The container has an underside formed with two longitudinal sidewalls extending mirror-symmetrically and curved outwardly or inwardly at a radius, which corresponds to the curve radius, such that a distance between the sidewalls is at a maximum or minimum in mid-section of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A transport system for articles includes an upper conveyor and a lower conveyor, and an elevator having an elevator conveyor and movable in a vertical direction between a lower end position in which the elevator conveyor is in alignment with the lower conveyor, and an upper end position in which the elevator conveyor is in alignment with the upper conveyor. The transfer of the articles between the conveyors and the elevator conveyor is controlled by a control unit which cooperates with a signaling assembly including a first signaling member associated to one plane for indicating that the elevator has reached an upper trigger position during movement from the lower end position to the upper end position, and a second signaling member associated to the other plane for indicating that the elevator has reached a lower trigger position during movement from the upper end position to the lower end position.

Abstract: A container transport system includes a first conveyor assembly at one transport plane, and a second conveyor assembly at another transport plane, and a transfer device for moving the containers between the conveyor assemblies. Each of the conveyor assemblies has a split conveyor to define a gap, and a further conveyor movable between a first position bridging the gap and a second position in which the further conveyor is moved outwardly transversely to the transport direction. The transfer device includes a convex portion disposed in proximity of one transport plane and a concave portion which can swing into the other transport plane. The container has a bottom underside formed in transport direction with at least one grooved recess which defines a leading edge and a trailing edge, as viewed in transport direction, with the convex and concave portions engaging only the leading and trailing edges of the container, as the container is moved between the transport planes.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transported goods which are transported with a preset transport speed and method for operating the conveyor system are described. The individual conveyers of the system are driven by asynchronous motors. Sensors associated with the conveyors measure the actual transport speed of the transported goods on conveyors to determine the dependence of the actual transport speed on the load, such as the weight of the transported goods. A controller adjusts the speed of the conveyors based on the signals received from the sensors.

Abstract: A transport system, in particular an airport baggage handling system, includes a container for receiving an article, a sensor assembly including an inductive sensor for monitoring a transport of the container along a transport path, and a screening device for completely scanning the article within the container together with the container. The container is provided with a marking in the form of a doped zone or a metal element so attached to the container body as to pass the sensor assembly in its response range for detection of the container. The container body is hereby constructed to allow scanning of the article together with the container body.

Abstract: A transport system, in particular high-speed baggage handling system for airports, includes a plurality of individual conveyors of modular configuration, which are driven and placed in succession to define a transport path, and a coupling mechanism for coupling conveyors to form a mechanical unitary structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sorting unit for conveying items in a first direction, while, by using the same driving force, the unit may be selectively displaced in a second direction. The first and second directions may be transversal, with the first direction being facilitated by a conveyor or endless belt. The sorting unit may be part of a sorting line where consideration must be given for conveying items in one or more directions. In the present sorting unit, a track is introduced into a driving cylinder. Appropriately placed guide members selectively engage the track. The guide members may be fixed with respect to the second direction. The cylinder may be used to drive the above belt. Therefore, when the members engage the track, and accordingly the cylinder, the rotational force of the cylinder causes the sorting unit, via the guide members to displace in the second direction.

Abstract: A passive discharge mechanism for discharging articles from a trolley at selected locations is disclosed. The trolley may be equipped with on-board intelligence for communicating with an external controller, monitoring the trolley's location, and signaling actuation of a moveable member for engaging the passive discharge mechanism as the trolley reaches a selected destination for an article conveyed by the trolley. In one aspect the passive discharge mechanism comprises a transverse conveyor; in another aspect the passive discharge mechanism includes a tilt-type tray. A trolley for conveying articles along a monorail having arcuate portions includes a rigid frame having a longitudinal axis and opposed ends is also disclosed.

Abstract: A trolley car for conveying articles along a monorail having arcuate portions includes a rigid frame having a longitudinal axis and opposed ends.

Abstract: A conveyor system for automatically transporting items along a conveyor path has at least one guide rail and a plurality of vehicles. The vehicles each have a load carrier movable between a substantially horizontal position and two different tilted positions. A lever gauge is movable in an E-shaped shifting gate and a disconnect element is located on the vehicle to move the lever gage between a position engaging the guide rail and a position not engaging the guide rail.