There is, e.g. disclosed a tire tray for supporting uncured tires and a method of supporting and conveying uncured tires at a tire production facility. The solution provides a stable and predetermined position of the tire which can be maintained, during conveyance of the tire in the tray, while a sticking force of the tire to the tray still enables unloading the tire from the tray while maintaining the quality of the tire and/or the tray. The tray includes a tapered geometrical form (208) having one or more anti-stick elements (402, 502, 602, 702, 802) to support the tire in the tapered form. The one or more anti-stick elements are provided in a material different from the tire tray(102), and at least one of the one or more anti-stick elements are provided for making contact with the tire (406) and for supporting the tire in the tire tray.
There is disclosed a method of handling and processing tires in a tire production facility. In order, e.g. to reduce erroneous loading of green tires or cured tires being difficult to extract from the curing press, the method includes positioning an uncured tire (402) in a support (202) and moving the support with the tire in a conveyor system (102).The conveyor system comprises one or more conveyor sections (104) with a friction drive device (106) towards each side where the friction drive devices leave an open through-going space (108) in a middle of the conveyor section. The support (202) with the tire is stopped relative to an applicator so that an applicator head (606) is able to apply a substance (702) on a surface (508, 806) of the tire. This is provided by raising the applicator head (606) up in said open through-going space and in an upward direction (604) from below the conveyor section. Abstract is to be accompanied by FIG.7.
There is disclosed a method of ordering a feeding sequence of items 116, 118 in a feeding system 102 leading items to a sorter 104 of an item sorting system. The items are positioned side-by-side on one or more support surfaces 106 of the sorter, and for discharge of each of the items towards a first side 108 or a second side 110 of the sorter. The method includes determining which two or more items 16, 118 fit dimension-wise for positioning side-by-side on the sorter, determining which item of the two or more items 116, 118 will firstly reach its discharge location 120 and determining a discharge side among the sides, for the item which will firstly reach its discharge location. In response to these determinations and by diversion of the at least two items at divert positions 604, 606, the feeding sequence is ordered.
B65G 47/71 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor the articles being discharged to several conveyors
It may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for loading a Unit Load Device (ULD) container with aircraft baggage or similar cargo. There is among others disclosed a method and system for collecting a plurality of baggage or similar cargo items on a collection and insertion member (802, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118, 1202, 1602) positioned outside the container, inserting the collection and insertion member with the plurality of baggage or similar cargo items (506, 1002, 1006, 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1504, 1610) into the container in an insertion direction (1210), and removing the plurality of baggage or similar cargo items from the collection and insertion member (802, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118, 1202, 1602) by retracting the collection and insertion member with said plurality of baggage or similar cargo items (506, 1002, 1006, 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1504, 1610) in a retraction direction out of the container, while blocking said plurality of baggage or similar cargo items from being retracted along with the collection and insertion member by a blocking member (1204).
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. By controlling the robot (R1) accordingly, it is possible to provide effective use of existing pick-and-place robots as part of a sorter induction system, where a high capacity can be obtained with a small requirement for space.E.g. it may be possible to save space for inductions, compared to what is required for manual handling with the same sorting capacity, especially this may be advantageous for items with a maximum weight of 2-3 kg. Fig. 1should accompany the abstract.
Disclosed is an item transfer device (10) that has a first end (A) and a second end (B) and includes a first frame (12) defining the first end (A) and a second frame (20) defining the second end (B). The second frame (20) is extractable or extendable from the first frame (12) to allow for an increase of the distance between the first end (A) and the second end (B). The device further includes an elongated conveying structure (30) that is configured to be foldable on itself, the conveying structure having an upwardly oriented article supporting side (31) for the items that are transferred between the two ends (A,B) of the device. The conveying structure (30) has a first end (I) and a second end (II) and is slidable in relation to the first frame (12). The first end (I) of the conveying structure (30) is connected to the second frame (20) and the first frame (12) is configured to receive the second end (II) of the conveying structure (30) and to store a back-folded portion (P) of the conveying structure (30) below the upwardly oriented article supporting side (31) at the first end (A) and to pay out the back-folded portion (P) of the conveying structure stored by the first frame (12) as the second frame (20) is extracted or extended from the first frame.
B65G 17/06 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms
B65G 21/14 - Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors movable, or having interchangeable or relatively- movable partsDevices for moving framework or parts thereof to allow adjustment of length or configuration of load-carrier or traction element
7.
OPERATING A SORTING SYSTEM FOR ITEMS HAVING VARIATING SIZE
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.
The invention relates to a conveyor system (1) for transporting items (104) in a conveying direction (P) and comprising a first conveyor section (100), a second conveyor section (102), and a frame (F) below said second conveyor section (102), said first conveyor section (100) and said second conveyor section (102) each defining a conveying surface for engaging a bottom surface (108) of said items (104) and for forward movement of said items (104) along said conveying direction (P), said first conveyor section (100) being adapted to deliver one or more of said items (104) to an item transition region (T) of said second conveyor section (102), said second conveyor section (102) including: at least one conveyor belt (180) defining said conveying surface of said second conveyor (102), and a shock-absorbing device (160) mounted to said frame (F) in said item transition region (T), characterised in said shock-absorbing device (160) having an upper face (182) located below said at least one conveyor belt (180) and facing said conveyor belt (180), said shock-absorbing device (160) being for providing a controlled vertical deceleration of said items (104) in said transition region (T) by said conveyor belt (180) being pressed against said upper face (182) by impact applied by said items (104) onto said conveyor belt (180) in said transition region (T).
B65G 47/57 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices to or from inclined or vertical conveyor sections for articles
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.
B65G 47/53 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices between conveyors which cross one another
B65G 17/34 - Individual load-carriers having flat surfaces, e.g. platforms, grids, forks
B65G 47/76 - Fixed or adjustable ploughs or transverse scrapers
B65G 47/96 - Devices for tilting links or platforms
10.
METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR HANDLING EARLY BAGGAGE IN AN AIRPORT
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.
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.
There is disclosed an airport baggage carousel which as an example may be found to require no or low maintenance, has a low noise level and is safe, e.g. in relation to any risk of personnel injury. The airport baggage carousel includes a track 104 having a curve 212 with a curve radius of less than 1500 mm. The airport baggage carousel comprises an endless loop of a plurality of interconnected links moveable in a moving direction 202 in the track using a propulsion system and wheels, where each link has a length and each link includes a support surface, where the support surface supports a slat 206 for moving baggage on the carousel, and where slats 204, 206, 208 are formed so as to form a baggage carousel with an upwards closed baggage carousel surface for the baggage also during the curve 212 with said curve radius.
B65G 17/06 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms
B65G 23/23 - Arrangements or mountings of driving motors of electric linear motors
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. The angle of inclination can be increased in case an object stops on the chute section, or the angle of inclination can be decreased in case an object moves too fast, even if a simple gravity chute is used. A cascade of two or more chute sections (C1,C2,C3) with adjustable angles of inclination can be used to control batches of objects and to control back pressure of objects on the chute.
The invention provides a sorting mechanism arranged to empty or discharge a container for carrying a load, e.g. totes in a luggage handling system. The sorting mechanism has a plurality of tilting elements T1-T11for receiving and transporting the container in a transport direction. The tilting elements T1-T11 are arranged neighbouring each other, and they are individually tiltable by controllable tilting actuators, e.g. servo motors. The tilting elements T1-T11 are controlled in response to at least one position signal such that a group of at least two tilting elements T1-T11perform a coordinated tilting motion, when the container passes the sorting mechanism. Each tilting element T1-T11 has a length of 30-50% of the container. The tilting elements T1-T11 are stationary, and the container is driven forward by belts on each of the tilting elements T1-T11.
A device 202 for servicing and/or inspection of a material handling system 204 is disclosed, which device provides safer, less time consuming and less difficult service and/or inspection of the material handling system 204 than other devices. The device 202 is adapted to be moved along a track 214 of the material handling system and adapted for servicing and/or inspection of the material handling system or components thereof positioned on or adjacent to the track 214. The device includes at least one section, such as a hatch and/or a sliding bearing surface 216, 602, 706, 708, 710, 902, 1002, displaceable between a first and a second position, where the section positioned in the second position is enabling a person of accessing parts of the material handling system which are moving relatively to the device during movement of the device or during operation of the material handling system.
B65G 17/12 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of individual load-carriers fixed, or normally fixed, relative to traction element
B25H 5/00 - Tool, instrument or work supports or storage means used in association with vehiclesWorkers' supports, e.g. mechanics' creepers
16.
METHOD OF HANDLING OBJECTS IN AN AIRPORT AND HANDLING SYSTEM
An example of an aim with the disclosed method and system may be seen to provide a method and system which does not require more square meters of footprint than existing solutions or even requires less square meters of footprint, while still being as effective as, or even more effective than reference methods and systems. The handling system comprises a moveable unit 101 adapted to move linearly in a travelling direction 406 of said moveable unit, where the moveable unit comprises a loading device 100 adapted to load one or more objects 102 at a time into or onto the airport trolley 104, 105 by activation of the loading device 100.
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.
The present invention relates to a sorting system including a conveyor comprising a plurality of carts for carrying articles, in particular for sorting articles such as parcels and baggage. The conveyor has a linear synchronous motor drive system with stators arranged along a track which the carts follow. Accordingly, embodiments include an improved sorting system that provides an improved energy utilization and efficiency. Reaction elements are mounted on each of the carts. The reaction elements each comprise a number of permanent magnets arranged on a carrier plate. The magnets on reaction elements of adjacent carts are arranged to form a row of magnets with constant pitch and alternating polarity, said row having an interruption situated at a transition between adjacent carts. A maximum number of coils in the stator may thereby be active at the same time, when driving the conveyor.
The invention relates to a method of handling a variety of objects of different size, shape and weight, where each object is to be transported to a specific destination, where the transportation involves transportation on a conveyor system (4) and discharge from the conveyor system (4) to at least one intermediate elongate storage device (5-10), the method comprising the steps of determining desired position of an object on the intermediate elongate storage device (5-10) and discharging the object with one of at least two speed levels in the longitudinal direction of the storage device (5-10) that allows the object to reach the desired position. The invention further relates to a handling system for performing the method as well as a control system for controlling such system.
A device 202 for servicing and/or inspection of a material handling system 204 is disclosed, which device provides safer, less time consuming and less difficult service and/or inspection of thematerial handling system 204 than other devices. The device202 is adapted to be moved along a track 214 of the material handling system and adapted for servicing and/or inspection of the material handling system or components thereof positioned on or adjacent to the track 214. The device includes at least one section, such as a hatch and/or a sliding bearing surface 216, 602, 706, 708, 710, 902, 1002, displaceable between a first and a second position, where the section positioned in the second position is enabling a person of accessing parts of the material handling system which are moving relatively to the device during movement of the device or during operation of the material handling system.
The invention is a sorting system including a conveyor comprising a plurality of carts for carrying articles, such as parcels and baggage. The conveyor has a linear synchronous motor drive system with stators arranged along a track which the carts follow. Reaction elements are mounted on each of the carts and comprise an uneven number of permanent magnets arranged on a carrier plate. The magnets on the reaction elements of adjacent carts are arranged to form a row of magnets with constant pitch and alternating polarity. The row of magnets has an interruption situated at a transition between adjacent carts.
The present invention relates to a sorting system including a conveyor comprising a plurality of carts for carrying articles, in particular for sorting articles such as parcels and baggage. The conveyor has a linear synchronous motor drive system with stators arranged along a track which the carts follow. Reaction elements are mounted on each of the carts. The reaction elements each comprise an even or an uneven number of permanent magnets arranged on a plate-like carrier. The magnets on reaction elements of adjacent carts are arranged to form arrow of magnets with alternating polarity, said row having two neighboring magnets. At least one of the two neighboring magnets has a reduced dimension in the transport direction, and the two neighboring magnets are situated at a transition between adjacent carts.
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.
The present invention relates to a sorting system including a conveyor comprising a plurality of carts for carrying articles, in particular for sorting articles such as parcels and baggage. The conveyor has a linear synchronous motor drive system with stators arranged along a track which the carts follow. Reaction elements are mounted on each of the carts. The reaction elements each comprise an even or an uneven number of permanent magnets arranged on a plate-like carrier. The magnets on reaction elements of adjacent carts are arranged to form arrow of magnets with alternating polarity, said row having two neighbouring magnets. At least one of the two neighbouring magnets has a reduced dimension in the transport direction, and the two neighbouring magnets are situated at a transition between adjacent carts.
The present invention relates to a sorting system including a conveyor comprising a plurality of carts for carrying articles, in particular for sorting articles such as parcels and baggage. The conveyor has a linear synchronous motor drive system with stators arranged along a track which the carts follow. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sorting system as well as to provide a sorting system with improved energy utilisation and efficiency. Reaction elements are mounted on each of the carts. The reaction elements each comprise an uneven number of permanent magnets arranged on a plate-like carrier. The magnets on reaction elements of adjacent carts are arranged to form arrow of magnets with constant pitch and alternating polarity, said row having an interruption situated at a transition between adjacent carts. A maximum number of coils in the stator may thereby be active at the same time, when driving the conveyor.
patents
