Abstract: The invention relates to automated handling of baggage objects of variable sizes, shapes and consistencies, including baggage in an airport. The invention involves measuring at least length in two directions of the objects while supported on a conveyor means, turning selected objects in an angle according to a selection in response to the measured lengths in relation to a predetermined value, and transferring objects to a storage device to collect a plurality of objects, and preferably while the objects are supported on a conveyor means. The selection in response to at least one predetermined value provides one basis for deciding whether to turn the objects before the objects are transferred to the storage device. This facilitates automatic transfer of baggage objects without manual intervention.

Abstract: The invention relates to automated handling of baggage objects of variable sizes, shapes and consistencies, including baggage in an airport. The invention involves measuring at least length in two directions of the objects while supported on conveyor means, turning selected objects in an angle according to a selection in response to the measured lengths in relation to a predetermined value, and transferring objects to a storage device to collect a plurality of objects, and preferably while said objects are supported on conveyor means. The selection in response to at least one predetermined value provides one basis for deciding whether to turn the objects before the objects are transferred to the storage device. This facilitates automatic transfer of baggage objects without manual intervention.

Abstract: A conveyor transports lightweight articles with a high degree of adaptability to the space it can occupy and the path along which the conveyor units can travel. The track of the conveyor has curving track sections connecting main track sections which may reside in different vertical levels. The conveyor units are pivotally connected to the carrier means so as to allow the conveyor unit to pivot relatively to endless carrier, such as a chain. Means for counteracting or preventing article-supporting members from tilting from their position relative to the horizontal plane are provided.

Abstract: A conveyor system for sorting articles comprises a plurality of conveyor units adapted to run along a conveyor path having vertical and/or horizontal loops. The conveyor system comprises loading conveyors for loading articles onto the conveyor units, and wherein each or some of the loading conveyors and/or conveyor units comprise barrier means for stopping the displacement of an article in relation to the loading conveyor and/or conveyor units. The loading conveyor may be adapted to reorient or rotate an article during loading and to load an article having a length greater than the length of a single conveyor unit onto two or more contiguous conveyor units. The loading conveyor may load at least two articles onto one conveyor unit, so that the articles are arranged next to each other on the conveyor unit. The conveyor system comprises a control system for controlling, according to predetermined velocity ramps, the driving means for loading and unloading articles.

Abstract: A conveyor system for sorting articles comprises a plurality of conveyor units adapted to run along a conveyor path having vertical and/or horizontal loops. The conveyor system comprises loading conveyors for loading articles onto the conveyor units, and wherein each or some of the loading conveyors and/or conveyor units comprise barrier means for stopping the displacement of an article in relation to the loading conveyor and/or conveyor units. The loading conveyor may be adapted to reorient or rotate an article during loading and to load an article having a length greater than the length of a single conveyor unit onto two or more contiguous conveyor units. The loading conveyor may load at least two articles onto one conveyor unit, so that the articles are arranged next to each other on the conveyor unit. The conveyor system comprises a control system for controlling, according to predetermined velocity ramps, the driving means for loading and unloading articles.

Abstract: A sorter conveyor having laterally tiltable transport trays, instead of comprising a conventional transport chain driven by a driving station, in which a driving wheel or worm cooperates with the chain links, these being advanced arranged with guiding rails along a small mutual spacing and carrying both the transport trays and the tilt mechanisms associated therewith, which conventional arrangement causes considerable problems with respect to tolerances for both the longitudinal pitch of the chain links and the mounting of the guiding rails, comprises carts that are advanced along mutually widely spaced guiding rails (2), whereby the tolerance demands on the latter are reduced considerably; the carts are advanced by way of stationary linear motors (26), which renders any tolerance demands on the longitudinal pitch of the tray units entirely superfluous. Also the tilting mechanisms may be given a very simple design.

Abstract: In airports, large amounts of luggage have to be sorted and transported. Departing the luggage comes from check-in areas (14) to various finger conveyors (4) that radiate from a central area. A large amount of transit luggage must be handled directly between different finger conveyors (4). Arriving luggage comes from the finger conveyors for delivery to a central delivery area. The invention provides for a transportation system having a high degree of simplicity and clearness both in construction and in operative control. A central rotating conveyor system (2) receives luggage both from the check-in areas (14) and from individual conveyor loops (4) that extend along the separate finger conveyors, whereby departing luggage, as well as transit luggage can easily be sorted out to the correct finger conveyors (4), and arriving luggage conveyed to the central delivery area.

Abstract: A converyor sorting system wherein articles to be sorted are loaded on letter towable trays adapted to be moved past a plurality of unloading or receiving stations at which the articles are selectively unloaded. A control system is provided which includes a plurality of decentralized control units, with the control system being based upon the utilization of trays or the like having identification codes adapted to be detected in unloading stations so as to cause of actuation of the tilting off of the articles for the identified unloading station. Control units are provided to receive the load of the specific tray, the identity of which is detected by the loading of the tray.

Abstract: In a sorting system for flight luggage it it well known to put individual pieces of luggage in totes (4) which are entered onto a conveyor with sideways tiltable carrying platforms (2), whereby the pieces of luggage may be selectively unloaded from the totes at their destinations (D1,D2) or at a storage unit (W) where the totes are released and stored with their content for later re-introduciton into the sorting system. This known art has required a particular construction of the sorting conveyor with a large-angle tilt and a complex mechanism for releasibly holding the totes. According to the invention the totes have upper surfaces (8) which are of a concave shape in order that the pieces of goods may be slid off the totes while secured, at the same moderate angle required for the sliding-off at the storage unit. Hence the conveyor itself may be quite conventional, at the same time as the holding mechanism may be limited to mere retractable flanges (14) on the sides of the carrying platform.

Abstract: For controlling the selective lateral tilting of the conveying trays of a sorter conveyor there is provided, on each tray support, a crosswise oriented cylinder, which by a protruding radial arm, is turnable between a "normal" position and a "tilt" postion in response to the radial arm engaging with an actuated guiding track associated with the stationary conveyor chassis. The tray has a lever engaging with an oblique cam track in the surface of the cylinder, whereby the tray is tilted by the turning of the cylinder. The cam track has non-oblique end portions, which lock the tray in both its horizontal and fully tilted position, without a separate lock being required. The cylinder may be split in two individually turnable halves selectively operable to tilt the tray to either side.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor of the tilt tray type comprising an endless train of carrier elements moved along a guiding rail system past a number of unloading stations in which the trays are selectively laterally tiltable for unloading articles therefrom. The guiding rail system extends partially along vertically sloping portions, and control means are provided for automatically holding the trays in their horizontal article carrier positions while the respective carrier elements or lower rail engaging support portions thereof are generally inclined during their passage along the sloping rail portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading containers with articles, such as post parcels, includes the use of a carrier device which is lowered into a container by suitable hoisting means at a rate dependent upon the number of articles deposited on the carrier device. The carrier device is positioned within the upper portion of a container in which articles are to be stored, and a conveyor belt delivers articles onto a pivotal flap member of the carrier device. Once the articles reach a certain height on the flap member, photocells signal the hoisting means to lower the carrier device further into the container, and this process continues until the carrier device is near the bottom of the container. Once the carrier device reaches its lowermost position, the pivotal flap member swings downwardly to release the accumulated articles into the container. The carrier device is then withdrawn from the filled container, and the container may then be removed.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor having a row of elements each having an article support face operable to be laterally displaced in a selective manner in response to rotation of a drive shaft. The rotation is transmitted to the shaft through a selectively operable power transfer device provided on each element and including a first pulley for rollingly engaging an elongated rack mounted adjacent one or more unloading stations along the conveyor that has a concentric gear wheel portion, a second pulley is mounted concentrically on the shaft and has a gear wheel portion cooperating with the gear wheel portion of the first pulley. The gear wheel portions are arranged in a planet gear like manner with the first pulley being laterally displaceable between a retracted position out of engagement with said rack and an operative position in which it is engageable therewith and in driving engagement with said second pulley, the displacement of the first pulley being effected by means of a selectively operated actuator means.