Beumer Group A/s

Crisplant A/s

Fki Logistex A/s

Brian Lynge Sørensen

Jan Christensen

The invention provides a high speed sorting mechanism arranged to empty or discharge a container for carrying a load, e.g. totes in a luggage handling system. The sorting mechanism as a plurality of tilting elements T-Tfor receiving and transporting the container in a transport direction. The tilting elements T-Tare arranged neighbouring each other, and they are individually tiltable by controllable tilting actuators, e.g. servo motors. Hereby, the tilting elements T-Tcan tilt around an axis parallel with the transport direction. A computerized controller serves to individually control the tilting of the tilting elements T-Twith a control algorithm in response to at least one position signal such that a group of at least two tilting elements T-Tperform a coordinated tilting motion in response to the position signal so as to tilt the container for emptying or discharging its load, upon the container passing the sorting mechanism in the transport direction. A row of such as 10-20 identical tilting elements T-Teach with a length of such as 30-50% of the container or tote to be handled. The tilting elements T-Tare preferably stationary seen in the transport direction, and the container or tote is driven forward by friction drive means FB on each of the tilting elements T-T. Preferably, position sensors on or at each tilting element T-Tserve to provide input to the controller regarding position of the container or tote, thus enabling the control algorithm to generate control signals to control a tilting angle of each of the tilting elements T-Taccordingly to provide a forward propagating wave serving to smoothly support the container in a gradual combined tilting and forward motion.

Sorting mechanism with dynamic discharge

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 T-Tfor receiving and transporting the container in a transport direction. The tilting elements T-Tare arranged neighboring each other, and they are individually tiltable by controllable tilting actuators, e.g. servo motors. The tilting elements T-Tare controlled in response to at least one position signal such that a group of at least two tilting elements T-Tperform a coordinated tilting motion, when the container passes the sorting mechanism. Each tilting element T-Thas a length of 30-50% of the container. The tilting elements T-Tare stationary, and the container is driven forward by belts on each of the tilting elements T-T

A tote for a conveyor system may include an upper part and a lower part. The upper part may define an upper, article-supporting surface. The article-supporting surface may be adapted to receive and support articles while the articles are conveyed in or on the tote. The lower part may define a lower, substantially plane bearing surface that extends over an area substantially equal to the article-supporting surface. The upper and lower parts may be transparent to X-rays. The upper and lower parts may be made from fire-retardant material. A plurality of support points and areas may be provided between the upper part and the lower part in order to transfer forces between the article-supporting surface and the bearing surface.

Tote for conveyor

A tote () used for conveying articles is transparent to x-rays in a conveyor system. At least a lower part () of the tote may be manufactured by injection molding rather than rotational molding. A wear-resistant material may also be employed for the lower part (). The tote () may define a closed, hollow body, in which a damping device such as foam rubber, may be provided.

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Risskov, Denmark

Brian Lynge Sørensen