Abstract: There is disclosed agiotage and retrieval system e.g. suitable for use in an airport and for aircraft baggage. In order e.g. to provide such system which improves usage and availability in view of the prior-art, a control system controls the system in two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, a first rack region serving device (110) is only serving a first rack region 104 using a first feeding and extraction conveyor system (114), and a second rack region serving device (112) is only serving a second rack region (106) using a second feeding and extraction conveyor system (116). In a second mode of operation, only the first rack region serving device (110) is used for serving both the first and second rack regions (104, 106), and only the first feeding and extraction conveyor system (114) is used for feeding articles to the first rack region serving device (110) and for taking away articles from the first rack region serving device (110).

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of passengers (118) claiming their baggage pieces (115) at an aircraft baggage claim area (106) of an airport. In order e.g. to provide such method which improves usage and availability and user experience in view of reference systems, the method includes providing (706) a plurality of destinations (16) at the aircraft baggage claim area of the airport and along each of two lateral sides (112), (114) of the material handling equipment, and choosing (708) towards which of the two lateral sides (112), (114) the one or more pieces of aircraft baggage (15) should be automatically and actively discharged into at least one of the plurality of destinations (116).

Abstract: The invention relates to a line sorter for sorting items of various shapes, sizes and weights, in particular postal parcels or airport baggage. The line sorter (102) has a closed loop of coupled sorting carts or slats provided for moving along a loop track formed by an upper track section (104), a lower track section (106), one end track section connecting the upper and lower track sections at each of two ends of the line sorter, and one or more adjustment elements also forming part of the track loop. One of the end track sections 108, 109 can be longitudinally displaced relative to the upper and lower track sections to increase or decrease the resulting length of the track loop. The adjustment element(s) (210, 211) is movably mounted between said end track section and an adjacent upper or lower track section. A wedge shaped portion of the adjustment element is arranged for adjustable engagement with a correspondingly shaped portion of said end track section, or the upper or lower track section.

Abstract: In order, e.g., to provide a line sorter in which acoustic noise resulting from the polygon effect is reduced, there is disclosed a sorter (102) for sorting items of various shapes, sizes and weights, such as postal parcels or airport baggage. The sorter includes a closed loop comprising a plurality of sorting carts (302) for moving along an upper track section, a lower track section and end track sections in a moving direction. The plurality of carts are coupled at couplings (312), which enable the carts to pivot relatively to each other in at least one plane when in operation. Each cart is able to pivot relatively to an adjacent cart at two or more pivot points (404, 414, 1002) where the two or more pivot points are positioned a pivot point distance greater than zero apart in the moving direction of the carts.

Abstract: There is disclosed agiotage and retrieval system e.g. suitable for use in an airport and for aircraft baggage. In order e.g. to provide such system which improves usage and availability in view of the prior-art, a control system controls the system in two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, a first rack region serving device (110) is only serving a first rack region 104 using a first feeding and extraction conveyor system (114), and a second rack region serving device (112) is only serving a second rack region (106) using a second feeding and extraction conveyor system (116). In a second mode of operation, only the first rack region serving device (110) is used for serving both the first and second rack regions (104, 106), and only the first feeding and extraction conveyor system (114) is used for feeding articles to the first rack region serving device (110) and for taking away articles from the first rack region serving device (110).

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of passengers (118) claiming their baggage pieces (115) at an aircraft baggage claim area (106) of an airport. In order e.g. to provide such method which improves usage and availability and user experience in view of reference systems, the method includes providing (706) a plurality of destinations (16) at the aircraft baggage claim area of the airport and along each of two lateral sides (112), (114) of the material handling equipment, and choosing (708) towards which of the two lateral sides (112), (114) the one or more pieces of aircraft baggage (15) should be automatically and actively discharged into at least one of the plurality of destinations (116).

Abstract: The invention relates to a line sorter for sorting items of various shapes, sizes and weights, in particular postal parcels or airport baggage. The invention is particularly related to the propulsion system (304, 306, 406) for the sorter. It may be seen as an object of the invention to provide a line sorter with a reduced need for energy input at a given sorting capacity. It is disclosed that a closed loop chain including sorting carts or slats (302) is provided with couplings (312) and is provided for moving along line sorter track sections. The linear synchronous motor propulsion system is provided for moving said closed loop chain, and a gap between adjacent permanent magnets (306) is the same or substantially the same between each of the permanent magnets.

Abstract: In order, e.g., to improve distribution of baggage in an airport, a solution comprises positioning two or more empty totes above each other, so that the two or more empty totes are supported by a tote station by support members 206, determining, by a control system, when either a single empty tote should be released from the tote station or two or more empty totes should be released from the tote station together and at once, and in response to the determination releasing single empty totes from the tote station or releasing two or more empty totes on top of each other from the tote station. A lowermost 1604 of the two or more empty totes on top of each other supports one or more empty totes 1606 on top of it and the lowermost empty tote is, when released, supported by a support conveyor 204.

Abstract: The invention relates to a line sorter for sorting items of various shapes, sizes and weights, in particular postal parcels or airport baggage. The line sorter (102) has a closed loop of coupled sorting carts or slats provided for moving along a loop track formed by an upper track section (104), a lower track section (106), one end track section connecting the upper and lower track sections at each of two ends of the line sorter, and one or more adjustment elements also forming part of the track loop. One of the end track sections 108, 109 can be longitudinally displaced relative to the upper and lower track sections to increase or decrease the resulting length of the track loop. The adjustment element(s) (210, 211) is movably mounted between said end track section and an adjacent upper or lower track section. A wedge shaped portion of the adjustment element is arranged for adjustable engagement with a correspondingly shaped portion of said end track section, or the upper or lower track section.

Abstract: In order, e.g., to provide a line sorter in which acoustic noise resulting from the polygon effect is reduced, there is disclosed a sorter (102) for sorting items of various shapes, sizes and weights, such as postal parcels or airport baggage. The sorter includes a closed loop comprising a plurality of sorting carts (302) for moving along an upper track section, a lower track section and end track sections in a moving direction. The plurality of carts are coupled at couplings (312), which enable the carts to pivot relatively to each other in at least one plane when in operation. Each cart is able to pivot relatively to an adjacent cart at two or more pivot points (404, 414, 1002) where the two or more pivot points are positioned a pivot point distance greater than zero apart in the moving direction of the carts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a line sorter for sorting items of various shapes, sizes and weights, in particular postal parcels or airport baggage. The invention is particularly related to the propulsion system (304, 306, 406) for the sorter. It may be seen as an object of the invention to provide a line sorter with a reduced need for energy input at a given sorting capacity. It is disclosed that a closed loop chain including sorting carts or slats (302) is provided with couplings (312) and is provided for moving along line sorter track sections. The linear synchronous motor propulsion system is provided for moving said closed loop chain, and a gap between adjacent permanent magnets (306) is the same or substantially the same between each of the permanent magnets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sorting system of the support structure type, which includes known sorting systems such as tray type sorting systems. They include a track along which carts and support structures are conveyed. Cover plates are arranged to close gaps between the support structures, also when the support structures are conveyed through curved sections, so that conveyed items are prevented from falling through the gaps. The invention further involves a gap closing kit for a support structure sorting system. The invention also involves a method of providing a support structure sorting system having a gap substantially closed between at least two support structures. The cover plates are connected to the support structures by leading systems as well as connected to guiding systems, which guiding systems have one part fixated to an adjacent cart.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sorting system of the support structure type, which includes known sorting systems such as tray type sorting systems. They include a track along which carts and support structures are conveyed. Cover plates are arranged to close gaps between the support structures, also when the support structures are conveyed through curved sections, so that conveyed items are prevented from falling through the gaps. The invention further involves a gap closing kit for a support structure sorting system. The invention also involves a method of providing a support structure sorting system having a gap substantially closed between at least two support structures. The cover plates are connected to the support structures by leading systems as well as connected to guiding systems, which guiding systems have one part fixated to an adjacent cart.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for inducting items to a sorter (SRT) from a stream of items (IT1, IT2), e.g. mail or parcels, arriving at a feeding conveyor (FC). A processor (PCR) executes a control algorithm (C_A) with at least information (I_1) regarding the stream of items arriving at the feeding conveyor (FC) as input. In response, the control algorithm (C_A) generates an output (O1) indicating where to place an item picked up by a robot (R1) from the feeding conveyor (FC). The control algorithm (C_A) selects between two or more of: 1) a first induction (I1) arranged for transporting items to the sorter (SRT), 2) an empty space (E_S) on the sorter(SRT), 3) the feeding conveyor (FC), e.g. singulating bulk items on the feeding conveyor (FC), and 4) a weighing unit (W1) arranged for weighing items.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for inducting items to a sorter (SRT) from a stream of items (IT1, IT2), e.g. mail or parcels, arriving at a feeding conveyor (FC). A processor (PCR) executes a control algorithm (C_A) with at least information (I_1) regarding the stream of items arriving at the feeding conveyor (FC) as input. In response, the control algorithm (C_A) generates an output (O1) indicating where to place an item picked up by a robot (R1) from the feeding conveyor (FC). The control algorithm (C_A) selects between two or more of: 1) a first induction (I1) arranged for transporting items to the sorter (SRT), 2) an empty space (E_S) on the sorter(SRT), 3) the feeding conveyor (FC), e.g. singulating bulk items on the feeding conveyor (FC), and 4) a weighing unit (W1) arranged for weighing items.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a sorting system for receiving items of variating sizes at one or more loading locations and off-loading items at one or more off-loading locations, where the sorting system comprises a plurality of carts, said carts having at least one support area, which may be operated to load and off-load items, respectively, or where on board or non- on board means may be used to cause loading and off-loading of one or more items, and where the loading and off-loading of items may be done both to starboard and port sides of a transport direction of the carts. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of operating a sorting system, where items to be sorted are pre-arranged and pre-oriented upstream in a conveying path, and diverted and loaded onto the carts, while maintaining the pre-arrangement and pre-orientation.

Abstract: The invention provides a chute system (C1,C2,C3) for a sorting system arranged for transporting objects, e.g. for use for discharging luggage from a conveyor system. The chute system has one or more chute sections with an inlet (IL) in one end and an outlet (OL) in the opposite end. Displacement means, e.g. a pneumatic actuator, is arranged to adjust an angle of inclination of the one or more chute sections (C1,C2,C3) by displacing the chute section (C1,C2,C3) in a motion comprising pivoting around a pivot point positioned downstream of the inlet (IL). E.G. the pivot point can be positioned at the outlet, e.g. by means of a hinge. The adjustment of the angle of inclination may be controlled by a processor in response to various position and/or speed sensors and/or information about incoming objects from a vision based system or from the associated sorting system, e.g. identification of poly wrapped objects.

Abstract: In order, e.g., to improve distribution of baggage in an airport, a solution comprises positioning two or more empty totes above each other, so that the two or more empty totes are supported by a tote station by support members 206, determining, by a control system, when either a single empty tote should be released from the tote station or two or more empty totes should be released from the tote station together and at once, and in response to the determination releasing single empty totes from the tote station or releasing two or more empty totes on top of each other from the tote station. A lowermost 1604 of the two or more empty totes on top of each other supports one or more empty totes 1606 on top of it and the lowermost empty tote is, when released, supported by a support conveyor 204.

Abstract: In order, e.g., to prevent high fluctuations in capacity requirements at various positions in a baggage handling system in an airport there is disclosed an automated airport baggage handling system 222 comprising an induction for loading a piece of baggage onto a baggage tote 402 of the airport baggage handling system, and a discharge 306 for unloading baggage from the baggage tote. The system further includes one or more baggage storage units 308, each being provided as a lift configured for storing a plurality of loaded baggage totes above each other, and where the plurality of totes are stored in-line with a conveyor line 404 used for transporting the baggage totes to and from the one or more baggage storage units 308.

Abstract: In order e.g. to provide a more efficient cross-belt sorting system there is among others disclosed a cross-belt sorting system 102 for side by side items 808 in which system items are loaded onto their side by side position on a cross-belt by one or more top-load loading stations 106, 108 in response to an identification of the items.