The invention provides a device for sorting products. The facility includes sorting units that each are provided with a support surface and transport means for endless movement transport route transporting the sorting units. The sorting units include sorting means for the sideways at a desired sorting location of the supporting surface of the relevant one moving the sorting unit away from a product, and control means for controlling the sorting device. The device further comprises stationary removing means wherein the control means are further adapted to supply control signals to the removing means for, due to the effectiveness of the removal means, at a removal location of an associated one sorting unit removes any products that cannot pass through the associated sorting equipment sorting unit have been moved off and have been unintentionally left on a sorting unit. The invention provides further removing means for use in such a device as well as a method for use of such a device.
A method for automated loading of a holder with pieces of baggage positioned one next to and one above the other, comprising the steps of -placing pieces of baggage to be loaded in a first group of pieces of baggage with a surrounding wall that, at least to a large extent, is composed of relatively hard material, or in a second group of pieces of baggage with a surrounding wall that, at least to a large extent, is composed of relatively soft material, -supplying pieces of baggage to be loaded to the at least one transfer position belonging to a transfer station, and -with the aid of at least one manipulator belonging to the transfer station, moving pieces of baggage to be loaded from a transfer position of the at least one transfer position to a holder. In this case, a control unit of the transfer station, on the basis of the placements of the pieces of baggage to be loaded, controls the at least one manipulator in such a way that, in the holder, at least a bottom layer, a top layer and at least one intermediate layer situated between the bottom layer and the top layer are formed, wherein each layer consists of a number of pieces of baggage that have each been placed in the same group, and wherein an intermediate layer has both thereabove and therebelow a layer of which the pieces of baggage have been placed in the other group in relation to the pieces of baggage of the respective intermediate layer.
System for sorting products comprising a number of combinations (1) of an elongated carrying body (2) and a pusher body (3), located one after another, which combinations are movable in a direction of movement following a path along which a number of sorting locations are provided, wherein the carrying bodies extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement and wherein the carrying bodies are configured for carrying the products to be sorted, wherein the pusher body is arranged for pushing a product carrier by the carrying body off of the carrying body, wherein said system comprises an improved communication topology for communication between controllers associated with said combinations.
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
G05B 9/03 - Safety arrangements electric with multiple-channel loop, i.e. redundant control systems
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
B65G 43/00 - Control devices, e.g. for safety, warning or fault-correcting
B65G 47/50 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to destination signals stored in separate systems
B07C 5/36 - Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
4.
METHOD FOR PREVENTING A DEADLOCK SITUATION IN A SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTING PRODUCTS
The present invention provides a method and system for preventing a deadlock situation in a system for transporting products. The system comprises a number of vehicles, and a central control server designed to control the vehicles, wherein the central control server comprises a digital representation of the movement area, which representation comprises a plurality of contiguous tiles. The method comprises the method steps of:—receiving an order to move a vehicle, —in response to the order, associating a vehicle with a movement path, —receiving a request from an active vehicle and/or generating for the purpose of an active vehicle a request to carry out a subsequent step of reserving at least one subsequent tile on the latter's movement path; —determining that no deadlock situation in the system arises as a result of the active vehicle carrying out the subsequent step. The determining step takes place on the basis of various parameters. The method further comprises:—at least on condition that the control server has determined that there is no deadlock situation in the system, the control server reserving the at least one subsequent tile for the active vehicle, —at least on condition that the active vehicle has received confirmation of acceptance, moving the active vehicle along its movement path so that the subsequent at least one tile is occupied, —the central control server lifting the reservation once a vehicle has completely left a tile reserved for that vehicle.
The invention relates to a conveying system comprising a plurality of conveying units comprising a chassis, a first and second roll-shaped rotating element (16, 18), a conveyor belt passed around the rotating elements (16, 18), which forms a supporting surface for a product, a first filler piece (20), wherein the first filler piece (20) is connected to the first rotating element (16) in such a way that the first filler piece (20) and the first rotating element (16) are jointly displaceable towards and away from the second rotating element (18), a second filler piece (22) which is fastened to the chassis between the first filler piece (20) and the second rotating element (18), and a removable spacer element (32) which, in use, is provided in a fitting manner between the first and second filler piece (20, 22), wherein a predetermined operating distance between the first and second rotating element (16, 18) is determined as a result of the placing of the spacer element (32) between the first and second filler piece (20, 22).
B65G 17/14 - 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 with two spaced connections to traction element
B65G 15/60 - Arrangements for supporting or guiding belts, e.g. by fluid jets
B65G 17/00 - 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
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 17/34 - Individual load-carriers having flat surfaces, e.g. platforms, grids, forks
B65G 21/06 - Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors consisting essentially of struts, ties, or like structural elements constructed to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling
B65G 47/94 - Devices for flexing or tilting travelling structuresThrow-off carriages
The invention relates to a sorting system for sorting products, comprising a central control server, a conveyor, movable, successive combinations of an elongated carrying body and a pusher body, a supply device for products, each combination further being provided with a pusher body moving device with a driving device for moving the pusher body along the carrying body, wherein the sorting system is provided, per combination or per group of combinations, with a controller, wherein the central control server and the controllers are configured to ensure that in operation, the supply device and the conveyor are controlled in such a way that the carrying body associated with not more and not less than one intermediate combination located between two successive products, is free from the two successive products and so that the pusher body moving device thereof moves the pusher body to a position in which it is located within the widths of the two successive products.
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
7.
SORTING SYSTEM FOR THE SELECTIVE LOADING OF BAGS WITH DISCRETE PRODUCTS.
The invention provides a sorting system for the selective loading of bags with discrete products via fill openings of the bags situated at the respective top sides thereof, comprising - a bag transport device for the selective transporting of bag holders with bags hanging therefrom to one of multiple filling positions, wherein at least some of the multiple filling positions are situated next to each other in a row of filling positions and wherein each bag holder comprises a frame having two engaging frame parts which can move away from each other into an open state of the frame and toward each other into a closed state of the frame, which are designed to be connected to the bag near its fill opening on two sides of the fill opening situated opposite each other in order for the fill opening of the bag to be opened by virtue of said connection in the open state of the frame and for the fill opening of the bag to be closed in the closed state of the frame, the bag transport device being provided with a transport guide and trolleys which are movable along the transport guide and wherein the bag holders are each hung from two trolleys, - a product feed device for the selective feeding of products from the top side of the opened fill opening of a bag hanging from the bag transport device via the opened fill opening to the bag at the location of one of the multiple filling positions, wherein the bag transport device is adapted to move the frame of the respective bag holder from the closed state to the open state by the transporting of a bag to a selected filling position.
B65B 43/26 - Opening or distending bagsOpening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
B65B 5/00 - Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
B65G 47/61 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices to or from conveyors of the suspended, e.g. trolley, type for articles
8.
SYSTEM FOR SORTING PRODUCTS, METHOD FOR SORTING PRODUCT, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT
System (1) for sorting products, comprising: ⋅—a conveyor (11) comprising carrying bodies (113) one after another, extending parallel to each other, the carrying bodies associated with a pusher body (114), an electric motor (117) for moving the pusher body along the carrying body in a sort direction, ⋅—a central control server (12) arranged for transmitting destination data relating to a sorting location⋅—a plurality of controllers (13), in communication with the central control server and moveable in the transport direction, each to control two or more electrical motors in accordance with destination data received from the central control server, ⋅—a stationary Access Point, AP (14), communicating with the server, and⋅—a pair of stationary radiating cables (15, 16) connected to the AP, one radiating cable extending in the transport direction and the other radiating cable extending against the transport direction, the radiating cables arranged for communication with the controllers.
B65G 47/50 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to destination signals stored in separate systems
B07C 3/08 - Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
9.
TRANSPORT BAG, SUPPORT HOOK, TRANSPORT DEVICE, AND OVERHEAD CONVEYOR SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a transport bag (10) for an overhead conveyor system, said transport bag comprising: a suspension device (11) for suspending the transport bag (10) from a support hook (40); a front wall (12); and a rear wall (13). The rear wall (13) can be coupled to and detached from the front wall (12) by means of a coupling mechanism (14) in a lower region of the rear wall (13). The front wall (12) comprises a flexible planar material. The rear wall (13) comprises two wall elements (15; 16) which are articulatedly connected to one another and shaped such that together they form a filling opening (19) in the transport bag (10), which filling opening extends in part over the two wall elements (15; 16).
B65G 47/61 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices to or from conveyors of the suspended, e.g. trolley, type for articles
The invention relates to a method and a system for the processing of products. The system comprises a bulk supply conveyor for supplying products; a discharge conveyor for the discharging of products; a transfer robot arranged for transferring products from the bulk supply conveyor to the discharge conveyor; a controller arranged for selecting a product that is to be transferred, from products that are fed with the bulk supply conveyor to the transfer robot, and for controlling the transfer robot; a transfer station for the manual transfer there, to the discharge conveyor, of products that have not been transferred by the transfer robot. The transfer station is provided in such a way that products that have not been transferred by the transfer robot end up at the transfer station. The system comprises several transfer robots. The bulk supply conveyor comprises a main conveyor with several branches, wherein each branch ends up at one of the several transfer robots. The system comprises a respective branch device associated with each branch, which is arranged for causing products to move across from the main conveyor to the respective branch. The system further comprises a branch controller that is arranged for controlling the respective branch devices.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
System for sorting products comprising a number of combinations of an elongated carrying body and a pusher body, located one after another, which combinations are movable in a direction of movement following a path along which a number of sorting locations are provided, wherein the carrying bodies extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement and wherein the carrying bodies are configured for carrying the products to be sorted, a displacing device for moving the combinations in the direction of movement along the path, wherein each combination is further provided with a further displacing device comprising an electric motor for moving the pusher body in a sorting direction along the carrying body, the sorting direction extending perpendicularly to the direction of movement, for pushing a product carried by the carrying body off of the carrying body with the pusher body, and, amongst other, a plurality of controllers.
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
B65G 17/08 - 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 the surface being formed by the traction element
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
12.
METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTING PRODUCTS AS WELL AS SAID SYSTEM PER SE
The invention provides a method for implementing a system for transporting products as well as a system of this kind per se. The system comprises among other things - a plurality of vehicles, wherein each vehicle is configured to move over a floor within a movement area and is configured to carry at least one product to be transported; - a central control server configured for controlling the vehicles, wherein the central control server comprises a digital representation of the movement area, said representation comprising a plurality of contiguous tiles. The method comprises among other things the steps of: - independently of the tiles, determining a movement path for the vehicle in accordance with the digital representation, - determining which contiguous tiles will be occupied by the respective vehicle during movement by the vehicle along the movement path, - receiving or generating, by the central control server, a request for execution of a next step by the vehicle to reserve at least one successive tile in the movement path determined for the vehicle, - at least on condition that it has been determined by the control server that the at least one successive tile is available, reserving the at least one successive tile for the vehicle and then movement of the vehicle along the movement path determined for the vehicle so that the at least one successive tile is occupied.
The invention relates to a method for assembling a roller conveyor having rollers for products, each having a cylindrical roller body and a first and second support element on opposite ends of the roller body, the second support element having pulley means; providing a frame having a first and second frame part for mounting therebetween the rollers; and, for the purpose of mounting a roller to the frame: mounting the first support element to a first mounting provision of the first frame part; passing a drive element and a further drive element over the pulley means of the roller; tensioning the drive element by exerting a force on the roller by means of a tensioning device; mounting the second support element of the roller to a second mounting provision of the second frame part while keeping the drive element tensioned; and removing the tensioning device from the roller.
B23P 19/04 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformationTools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
B23P 15/00 - Making specific metal objects by operations not covered by a single other subclass or a group in this subclass
B65G 23/44 - Belt- or chain-tensioning arrangements
B65G 39/12 - Arrangements of rollers mounted on framework
B65G 13/07 - Roller driving means having endless driving elements
B65G 21/06 - Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors consisting essentially of struts, ties, or like structural elements constructed to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling
14.
SORTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING A SORTING DEVICE
The invention relates to a sorting device and to a method for sorting products, the sorting device comprising: a conveyor having sorting units which can each support products, which sorting units are designed to move a product sideways off from a sorting unit at a sorting location and wherein a connecting portion is present between two of the sorting units; a control system; a removal device arranged along the conveying path for removing a product on a connecting portion from the conveyor at a removal location, wherein the removal device is arranged on the inner side of a bend in the conveying path, the removal location being provided on the outer side of the bend.
The present invention provides a method and system for preventing a deadlock situation in a system for transporting products. The system comprises a number of vehicles, and a central control server designed to control the vehicles, wherein the central control server comprises a digital representation of the movement area, which representation comprises a plurality of contiguous tiles. The method comprises the method steps of: - receiving an order to move a vehicle, - in response to the order, associating a vehicle with a movement path, - receiving a request from an active vehicle and/or generating for the purpose of an active vehicle a request to carry out a subsequent step of reserving at least one subsequent tile on the latter's movement path; - determining that no deadlock situation in the system arises as a result of the active vehicle carrying out the subsequent step. The determining step takes place on the basis of various parameters. The method further comprises: - at least on condition that the control server has determined that there is no deadlock situation in the system, the control server reserving the at least one subsequent tile for the active vehicle, - at least on condition that the active vehicle has received confirmation of acceptance, moving the active vehicle along its movement path so that the subsequent at least one tile is occupied, - the central control server lifting the reservation once a vehicle has completely left a tile reserved for that vehicle.
The invention relates to a sorting system for sorting products, comprising a central control server, a conveyor, movable, successive combinations of an elongated carrying body and a pusher body, a supply device for products, each combination further being provided with a pusher body moving device with a driving device for moving the pusher body along the carrying body, wherein the sorting system is provided, per combination or per group of combinations, with a controller, wherein the central control server and the controllers are configured to ensure that in operation, the supply device and the conveyor are controlled in such a way that the carrying body associated with not more and not less than one intermediate combination located between two successive products, is free from the two successive products and so that the pusher body moving device thereof moves the pusher body to a position in which it is located within the widths of the two successive products.
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
17.
CONVEYING SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CONVEYING UNITS FOR CONVEYING PRODUCTS
The invention relates to a conveying system comprising a plurality of conveying units comprising a chassis, a first and second roll¬ shaped rotating element (16, 18), a conveyor belt passed around the rotating elements (16, 18), which forms a supporting surface for a product, a first filler piece (20), wherein the first filler piece (20) is connected to the first rotating element (16) in such a way that the first filler piece (20) and the first rotating element (16) are jointly displaceable towards and away from the second rotating element (18), a second filler piece (22) which is fastened to the chassis between the first filler piece (20) and the second rotating element (18), and a removable spacer element (32) which, in use, is provided in a fitting manner between the first and second filler piece (20, 22), wherein a predetermined operating distance between the first and second rotating element (16, 18) is determined as a result of the placing of the spacer element (32) between the first and second filler piece (20, 22).
B65G 15/00 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration
B65G 21/06 - Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors consisting essentially of struts, ties, or like structural elements constructed to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling
B65G 23/44 - Belt- or chain-tensioning arrangements
18.
SYSTEM FOR SORTING PRODUCTS, METHOD FOR SORTING PRODUCT, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT
System (1) for sorting products, comprising: •- a conveyor (11) comprising carrying bodies (113) one after another, extending parallel to each other, the carrying bodies associated with a pusher body (114), an electric motor (117) for moving the pusher body along the carrying body in a sort direction, • - a central control server (12) arranged for transmitting destination data relating to a sorting location • - a plurality of controllers (13), in communication with the central control server and moveable in the transport direction, each to control two or more electrical motors in accordance with destination data received from the central control server, • - a stationary Access Point, AP (14), communicating with the server, and • - a pair of stationary radiating cables (15, 16) connected to the AP, one radiating cable extending in the transport direction and the other radiating cable extending against the transport direction, the radiating cables arranged for communication with the controllers.
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
H04B 5/00 - Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
H01Q 13/20 - Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
19.
System and method for the intralogistic transport of products
The invention provides, inter alia, a system for the intralogistic transport of products, comprising—a number of vehicles, where each vehicle is designed to turn on a vertical turning axis where, viewed from above, there is a maximum distance amax between the vertical turning axis and a point on the periphery of the vehicle; —a central control device that is designed to transmit control signals to on-board control devices of the vehicles, wherein the central control device and/or the on-board control device of at least a portion of the number of vehicles comprise a digitized grid of grid points that represents a movement area or at least a portion thereof, which grid points are arranged at least partially according to a hexagonal pattern where the distance between neighbouring grid points is equal to distance d, which distance d is greater than 2.0 times the maximum distance amax, wherein the central control device and/or the on-board control device of at least a portion of the number of vehicles are designed to move a vehicle within a strip, which strip consists of at least two mutually connected straight strip portions that run parallel to one of three directional lines defined by pairs of grid points.
System for sorting products comprising a number of combinations of an elongated carrying body and a pusher body, located one after another, which combinations are movable in a direction of movement following a path along which a number of sorting locations are provided, wherein the carrying bodies extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement and wherein the carrying bodies are configured for carrying the products to be sorted, a displacing device for moving the combinations in the direction of movement along the path, wherein each combination is further provided with a further displacing device comprising an electric motor for moving the pusher body in a sorting direction along the carrying body, the sorting direction extending perpendicularly to the direction of movement, for pushing a product carried by the carrying body off of the carrying body with the pusher body, and, amongst other, a plurality of controllers.
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
Sorting system for sorting products as well as method for application thereof. The sorting system comprises a central control system and a number of combinations of an elongated carrying body and a pusher body. The carrying bodies extend parallel to each other and are each configured for carrying a product to be sorted. The sorting system further comprises a displacing device for moving the combinations. Each combination is further provided with a further displacing device that is provided with an on-board driving device for moving the pusher body in a sorting direction along the carrying body for pushing a product carried by the carrying body off of the carrying body with the pusher body, as well as with an on-board control system that is configured for receiving destination data emanating from the central control system and for driving the on-board driving device hereto. The sorting system further comprises a distance-determining device that is configured for determining a distance parameter that is related to the, or at least a, distance between a pusher body and a product to be sorted and for sending the distance parameter to the on-board control system. The on-board control system is configured for controlling the on-board driving device of the combination on the basis of this distance data.
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
B65G 47/82 - Rotary or reciprocating members for direct action on articles or materials, e.g. pushers, rakes, shovels
B07C 3/08 - Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors
B65G 47/50 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to destination signals stored in separate systems
A loading station for a pocket conveyor having two conveying lines. The loading station has a receiving section for receiving pockets for each conveying line; a receiving section for objects, with which the pockets are to be loaded; and a device for each conveying line, into each of which an empty pocket to be filled can be introduced. In addition, the loading station has a moving unit for moving the devices from a receiving section for objects to one of the receiving sections for receiving pockets, and back again. The loading station is also designed to alternately load the pockets of the first conveying line and the pockets of the second conveying line.
B65G 47/61 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices to or from conveyors of the suspended, e.g. trolley, type for articles
B65G 17/20 - 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 load-carriers suspended from overhead traction chains
B65G 19/00 - Conveyors comprising an impeller or a series of impellers carried by an endless traction element and arranged to move articles or materials over a supporting surface or underlying material, e.g. endless scraper conveyors
A conveyor system comprising a plurality of conveyor elements forming a conveyor chain for conveying hanging goods, wherein the conveyor chain extends along a conveyor path. A plurality of hanging elements are movable along and mounted on a guide which extends at least in sections parallel to the conveyor path. The hanging elements comprise an engaging section configured to contact in each case one of the conveyor elements to receive a driving force from the conveyor element which is directed along the guide. The engaging section of the hanging elements is tiltable between a conveying position and an accumulating position, wherein the engaging section is straightened in the conveying position to receive the driving force, and is tilted away in the accumulating position to evade the driving force. The engaging section presses into its conveying position.
B65G 19/02 - Conveyors comprising an impeller or a series of impellers carried by an endless traction element and arranged to move articles or materials over a supporting surface or underlying material, e.g. endless scraper conveyors for articles, e.g. for containers
B65G 9/00 - Apparatus for assisting manual handling having suspended load-carriers movable by hand or gravity
B65G 19/24 - Attachment of impellers to traction element
24.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE INTRALOGISTIC TRANSPORT OF PRODUCTS.
The invention provides, inter alia, a system for the intralogistic transport of products, comprising - a number of vehicles, where each vehicle is designed to turn on a vertical turning axis where, viewed from above, there is a maximum distance amax between the vertical turning axis and a point on the periphery of the vehicle; - a central control device that is designed to transmit control signals to on-board control devices of the vehicles, wherein the central control device and/or the on-board control device of at least a portion of the number of vehicles comprise a digitized grid of grid points that represents a movement area or at least a portion thereof, which grid points are arranged at least partially according to a hexagonal pattern where the distance between neighbouring grid points is equal to distance d, which distance d is greater than 2.0 times the maximum distance amax, wherein the central control device and/or the on-board control device of at least a portion of the number of vehicles are designed to move a vehicle within a strip, which strip consists of at least two mutually connected straight strip portions that run parallel to one of three directional lines defined by pairs of grid points.
The system and method for sorting products include a device comprising a frame, carriers for products, pusher members which are displaceable along a carrier, guide means with a guiding member for guiding the pusher member in a conveying direction during transportation of the carriers in order to move it in a length direction of the carrier, for the purpose of laterally moving a product off the supporting surface at a discharge location, a presorting switch device with a presorting switch member in order, in an active presorting position, to move or keep the pusher member to or in a second transverse position, a switchable switch device with a switch member in order, in an active position, to move the pusher member in such a way that the guide member is subsequently guided by the guiding member.
B65G 47/46 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
Sorting system for sorting products as well as method for application thereof. The sorting system comprises a central control system and a number of combinations of an elongated carrying body and a pusher body. The carrying bodies extend parallel to each other and are each configured for carrying a product to be sorted. The sorting system further comprises a displacing device for moving the combinations. Each combination is further provided with a further displacing device that is provided with an on-board driving device for moving the pusher body in a sorting direction along the carrying body for pushing a product carried by the carrying body off of the carrying body with the pusher body, as well as with an on-board control system that is configured for receiving destination data emanating from the central control system and for driving the on-board driving device hereto. The sorting system further comprises a distance-determining device that is configured for determining a distance parameter that is related to the, or at least a, distance between a pusher body and a product to be sorted and for sending the distance parameter to the on-board control system. The on-board control system is configured for controlling the on-board driving device of the combination on the basis of this distance data.
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
The invention relates to a loading station (1) for a pocket conveyor (2) comprising two conveying lines (21, 23). The loading station has a receiving section (101a, 101b) for receiving pockets (25) for each conveying line, a receiving section (103) for objects (27) with which the pockets (25) are to be loaded, a device (105, 106) for each conveying line (21, 23), into each of which an empty pocket (25) to be filled can be introduced. In addition, the loading station (1) has a moving unit for moving the devices (105, 106) from a receiving section (103) for objects (27) to one of the receiving sections (101a, 101b) for receiving pockets (25), and back again. The loading station (1) is designed to alternately load the pockets (25) of the first conveying line (21, 23) and the pockets (25) of the second conveying line (21, 23).
B65G 9/00 - Apparatus for assisting manual handling having suspended load-carriers movable by hand or gravity
B65G 17/20 - 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 load-carriers suspended from overhead traction chains
B65G 19/02 - Conveyors comprising an impeller or a series of impellers carried by an endless traction element and arranged to move articles or materials over a supporting surface or underlying material, e.g. endless scraper conveyors for articles, e.g. for containers
B65G 47/61 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices to or from conveyors of the suspended, e.g. trolley, type for articles
B65G 17/48 - Controlling attitudes of load-carriers during movement
The invention relates to a conveyor system comprising a plurality of conveyor elements (10) forming a conveyor chain (100) for conveying hanging goods, wherein the conveyor chain (100) extends along a conveyor section (110). The conveyor system according to the invention comprises a plurality of hanging elements (14), which are movable along a guide (120) and mounted on the guide (120), wherein the guide (120) extends parallel to the conveyor section (110) at least in sections, wherein the hanging elements (14) have an engaging section (16), which is designed to contact one of the conveyor elements (10) in each case, in order to receive a drive force of the conveyor element (10) directed along the guide (120). According to the invention, the engaging section (16) of the hanging elements (14) can be tilted between a conveying position and a stowed position, wherein the engaging section (16) is configured in the conveying position to receive the drive force and, in the stowed position, is tilted away, in order to evade the drive force, and wherein the engaging section (16) presses in the conveying position thereof.
B65G 9/00 - Apparatus for assisting manual handling having suspended load-carriers movable by hand or gravity
B65G 19/02 - Conveyors comprising an impeller or a series of impellers carried by an endless traction element and arranged to move articles or materials over a supporting surface or underlying material, e.g. endless scraper conveyors for articles, e.g. for containers
B65G 19/24 - Attachment of impellers to traction element
System and method for screening objects of an individual, comprising an infeed station, object containers, an outfeed station, a screening station for automated screening of object containers from the infeed station and a conveyor for conveying object containers from the infeed station to the outfeed station via the screening station. The infeed station comprises an identification terminal for determining an identification of the individual, an object container dispenser for making an object container available to the individual, and a detection device for detecting the individual at the infeed station, wherein the object container dispenser is configured to make object containers available to the individual during use of the system only when said individual's identification has been determined and as long as the detection device continues to detect the presence of said individual at the infeed station.
The present application relates to an apparatus for sorting a plurality of different objects and a corresponding method. The apparatus comprises at least one first sorting stage with at least two sorting lines, each having an input end and an output end. The input ends of the sorting lines of the first sorting stage are connected to an infeed conveyor for feeding the objects, and the output ends of the sorting lines of the first sorting stage are connected to a first transport conveyor for carrying the objects further. Arranged at the output ends of each of the sorting lines is an interrupter, which is designed to individually let out objects from the respective sorting line, and arranged at the output ends of each of the sorting lines is a device for counting and/or identifying the objects let out of the respective sorting line.
Van De Veerdonk, Wilco Johannes Adrianus Anthonius
Abstract
A method for collecting products listed in an order in a product collecting system having a plurality of modules, the method including: assigning the order to a module, allocating a product listed in the order to the order if the product is already available in the module, allocating a product to the order from another module if the product of the “slow-moving” type is not already available in the module whereas it is available in the other module, allocating a product to the order from a pallet warehouse if the product of the “slow-moving” type is not already available in the module nor in another module, and releasing the order and loading the products onto a collecting carrier when all the products listed in the order have been collected in the module.
The invention relates to a device (1), system and method for sorting products, the device comprising a frame, carriers (2) for products, pusher members (20) which are displaceable along a carrier (2), guide means (32) with a guiding member (38) for guiding the pusher member (20) in a conveying direction during transportation of the carriers (2) in order to move it in a length direction of the carrier (2), for the purpose of laterally moving a product off the supporting surface at a discharge location, a presorting switch device (36) with a presorting switch member (50) in order, in an active presorting position, to move or keep the pusher member (20) to or in a second transverse position, a switchable switch device (34) with a switch member (56) in order, in an active position, to move the pusher member (20) in such a way that the guide member (24) is subsequently guided by the guiding member (38).
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
System (1) and method for screening objects (19) of an individual, comprising an infeed station (10), object containers (18), an outfeed station (12), a screening station (14) for automated screening of object containers from the infeed station and a conveyor (16) for conveying object containers from the infeed station to the outfeed station via the screening station. The infeed station comprises an identification terminal (22) for determining an identification of the individual, an object container dispenser (24) for making an object container available to the individual, and a detection device (32) for detecting the individual at the infeed station, wherein the object container dispenser is configured to make object containers available to the individual during use of the system only when said individual's identification has been determined and as long as the detection device continues to detect the presence of said individual at the infeed station.
A system for storing product containers including racks, a guide system having longitudinal guides and transverse guides extending between adjacent rows of the racks, and trolleys that can move along the guide system.
A device for supporting a luggage item including a vertical base member, an arm, and carrying-element having a support surface. A guide guides vertical movement of the arm along a length of the base member, a driver drives vertical arm movement, a sensor determines force acting on the carrying element, a position sensor determines a vertical position and speed of the arm, and a controller controls the driver and sets a support force based on the determined vertical speed position of the arm.
B66C 23/18 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular locations or for particular purposes
B66C 13/22 - Control systems or devices for electric drives
B66C 23/16 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes with jibs supported by columns, e.g. towers having their lower end mounted for slewing movements
36.
System for storing products, method for using such a system as well as a central control unit arranged to be operative in such a system
System for storing products, comprising a number of racks extending parallel to each other, wherein each rack is provided with storage positions for products located next to and above each other, a guide system comprising longitudinal guides extending in aisles between adjacent racks, and horizontal transverse guides extending transversely to the longitudinal guides as well as junctions at positions where at least one longitudinal guide and at least one transverse guide connect, carriages capable of autonomously travelling over the longitudinal guides, transverse guides and junctions for placing products in and/or taking products out the storage positions, and a central control unit arranged for digitally locking of longitudinal guides identified with an identification means and for controlling the autonomous carriages solely over the unlocked longitudinal guides.
F16P 3/14 - Safety devices acting in conjunction with the control or operation of a machineControl arrangements requiring the simultaneous use of two or more parts of the body with means, e.g. feelers, which in case of the presence of a body part of a person in or near the danger zone influence the control or operation of the machine the means being photocells or other devices sensitive without mechanical contact
B65G 1/137 - Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
Van De Veerdonk, Wilco Johannes Adrianus Anthonius
Abstract
A method for collecting products listed in an order in a product collecting system having a plurality of modules, the method including: assigning the order to a module, allocating a product listed in the order to the order if the product is already available in the module, allocating a product to the order from another module if the product of the “slow-moving” type is not already available in the module whereas it is available in the other module, allocating a product to the order from a pallet warehouse if the product of the “slow-moving” type is not already available in the module nor in another module, and releasing the order and loading the products onto a collecting carrier when all the products listed in the order have been collected in the module.
The invention provides a device for manipulating items of luggage. The device comprises a base member, an arm which is pivotable about a vertical pivot axis relative to the base member, and a carrying element having a supporting surface for supporting an item of luggage. The arm is designed to move the carrying element away from the vertical pivot axis and toward the vertical pivot axis. The device further comprises moving means for moving the arm in vertical direction, resistance means which, in an operative state thereof, offer resistance against movement of the carrying element both in vertical direction and in horizontal direction relative to the base member, and operating means to be operated by a person, which operating means are provided with an operating element to be operated with a hand of said person for controlling at least the resistance means. The operating element is provided on the carrying element, while the operating means are designed at least for placing the resistance means in a non-operative state.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for moving an object (14) along a longitudinal direction at least between a first position and a second position, comprising a base, an arm (13), which is arranged on the base, a driver (1), which can be moved along the longitudinal direction by the arm (14), wherein the driver (1) can be pivoted relative to the arm (13) and transferred by a pivoting movement between an engagement position (X2) and a release position (X1), and a first drive (8) for transferring the driver (1), wherein the first drive (8) is operatively connected to the driver (1) via a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism has at least two shafts (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) which are provided with teeth and can be displaced relative to one another along the longitudinal direction, wherein the shafts (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) engage with one another via the teeth, and therefore a rotary movement of the first drive (8) is coupled to the pivoting movement of the driver (1).
A transport pocket for transporting an article in an overhead conveyor includes a suspension element by which the transport pocket can be suspended from the overhead conveyor, a pocket body having a front wall, a rear wall and a base therebetween, where the front wall has an opening, and a lever element by which the pocket body can be switched between at least two positions in which the front wall and the rear wall assume different relative vertical positions. In a first of the at least two positions, the opening is at a suitable distance from a deepest point of the pocket body for securely housing the article in the pocket body and, in a second of the at least two positions, the opening reaches the deepest point of the pocket body so that the article is able to slide out of the pocket body through the opening.
B65D 33/24 - End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices using self-locking integral or attached closure elements, e.g. flaps
B65D 85/18 - Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for wearing apparel, headwear or footwear
B65G 17/20 - 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 load-carriers suspended from overhead traction chains
B65G 47/38 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors by dumping, tripping, or releasing load-carriers
B65G 9/00 - Apparatus for assisting manual handling having suspended load-carriers movable by hand or gravity
The invention provides a system for storing product containers. The control system of the system comprises a central control unit to determine a route for a carriage along a part of a guide system and to send a control signal for the route in question to the carriage control unit of the carriage. The guide system is provided with unique identification signs at at least some of the junctions. Each carriage is provided with a reader for reading an identification sign and communicating said identification sign to the carriage control unit. The central control unit is designed to mark certain junctions as “blocked” under certain circumstances and to generate a list of unique identification signs associated with the “blocked” junctions. Each carriage control unit is designed to store said list in a database of the carriage control unit and to cause the carriage to stop if the identification sign is on the list as stored in the database of the carriage control unit.
The present invention relates to a device for conveying products, comprising successive carrier units and conveying means provided with guide elements for supporting and conveying the carrier units, each carrier unit comprising a chassis comprising a longitudinal girder and a cross girder, a running wheel and a guide wheel on either side of the longitudinal girder, and a support member supported by the chassis, which support member comprises a supporting surface for supporting at least one product. At least one of the guide wheels provided on either side of the longitudinal girder is provided on the cross girder in such a manner that the guide wheel can move to and fro in the transverse direction relative to the chassis and bears against a guide element under spring tension.
The invention provides a system for storing product containers comprising racks, a guide system with longitudinal guides and transverse guides extending between adjacent rows of the racks and trolleys that can move along the guide system. The longitudinal guides comprise longitudinal guide members (8) having a longitudinal running surface (21) and a guide surface (22) and the transverse guides comprise transverse guide members (9) having a transverse running surface (23). Each trolley comprises longitudinal running wheels, transversal running wheels (18) and at least one guide member (19) for guiding cooperation with a longitudinal guide surface (24). The upper sides (25) of the longitudinal guide surfaces (24) are located lower than the upper sides of the transverse guide members(9), at least at the longitudinal positions thereof where the longitudinal running wheels pass the longitudinal guide surfaces (24) in the transverse position of the vertical adjustment means upon movement of the trolley in the transverse direction.
A device (3) for supporting an object, such as an item of luggage (6), comprising a base member (15), an arm (7) that connects to the base member with a first end, a carrying element (4) having a load- carrying surface (5) for supporting the item of luggage, which carrying element is provided at the second end of the arm opposite the first end, moving means for moving the arm with the carrying element in vertical direction relative to the base member, drive means (21) for providing a support force for supporting the item of luggage on the load-carrying surface of the carrying element, measuring means (23) for determining a force that acts between the carrying element and the second end of the arm, control means (22) for controlling the drive means for setting the support force on the basis of the determined force, position determining means (24) for determining a vertical position of the arm relative to the base member, wherein the position determining means are further configured for determining a vertical speed of the arm, and wherein the control means are also configured for controlling the drive means for setting the support force on the basis of the vertical speed and the vertical position of the arm as determined.
A device (3) for supporting an object, such as an item of luggage (6), comprising a base member (15), an arm (7) that connects to the base member with a first end, a carrying element (4) having a load- carrying surface (5) for supporting the item of luggage, which carrying element is provided at the second end of the arm opposite the first end, moving means for moving the arm with the carrying element in vertical direction relative to the base member, drive means (21) for providing a support force for supporting the item of luggage on the load-carrying surface of the carrying element, measuring means (23) for determining a force that acts between the carrying element and the second end of the arm, control means (22) for controlling the drive means for setting the support force on the basis of the determined force, position determining means (24) for determining a vertical position of the arm relative to the base member, wherein the position determining means are further configured for determining a vertical speed of the arm, and wherein the control means are also configured for controlling the drive means for setting the support force on the basis of the vertical speed and the vertical position of the arm as determined.
An airport baggage handling system is described for transferring baggage between airport passenger stations and aircraft loading zones. The airport baggage handling system includes in-line screening devices including at least one high resolution or high risk screening device and at least one low resolution or low risk screening device. Each piece of checked baggage is provided with a tag including, inter alia, information regarding the security status of the piece of baggage. A computer control system for controlling operation of the baggage handling system uses the information regarding the security status of the piece of baggage to selectively route the piece of baggage through one of the high and low risk scanning devices. In one embodiment, the security status of the baggage is derived from the security status of the passenger associated with the baggage.
The present invention relates to a balanced support device, comprising: a wagon configured to move along a wagon rail, a frame connected to the wagon and extending over a vertical distance from the wagon, a rail connected to the frame and a carriage movably arranged on said rail, at least one protruding arm comprising a support member for supporting amass, wherein the protruding arm is pivotably connected to the carriage, wherein the protruding arm comprises multiple segments which are movable relative to one another in order to allow the support member to move toward and away from the frame, wherein the support member is mounted to the protruding arm via a rotary connection, allowing the support member including a mass to be rotated, and a vertical balance system for exerting an upwards force on the carriage for counteracting a weight of the mass, the arm and the carriage, wherein the vertical balance system is constructed and arranged to control said force in order to balance masses of different weights.
A47F 7/00 - Show stands, hangers, or shelves, adapted for particular articles or materials
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
F16M 11/04 - Means for attachment of apparatusMeans allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
F16M 11/08 - Means for attachment of apparatusMeans allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a vertical axis
F16M 11/20 - Undercarriages with or without wheels
F16M 11/24 - Undercarriages with or without wheels changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only
F16M 11/42 - Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon with arrangement for propelling the support
System (25) for storing products, comprising a number of racks (11) extending parallel to each other, wherein each rack (11) is provided with storage positions (16) for products located next to and above each other, a guide system comprising longitudinal guides (1'-4') extending in aisles (1-4) between adjacent racks, and horizontal transverse guides (15) extending transversely to the longitudinal guides (1'-4') as well as junctions (1''-4'') at positions where at least one longitudinal guide (1'-4') and at least one transverse guide (15) connect, carriages (19) capable of autonomously travelling over the longitudinal guides (1'-4'), transverse guides (15) and junctions (1''-4'') for placing products in and/or taking products out the storage positions (16), and a central control unit (13) arranged for digitally locking of longitudinal guides identified with an identification means (12) and for controlling the autonomous carriages (19) solely over the unlocked longitudinal guides.
F16P 3/12 - Safety devices acting in conjunction with the control or operation of a machineControl arrangements requiring the simultaneous use of two or more parts of the body with means, e.g. feelers, which in case of the presence of a body part of a person in or near the danger zone influence the control or operation of the machine
49.
STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT MAINTENANCE IN SUCH A STORAGE SYSTEM
A storage system comprising at least two parallel racks (2) with an aisle extending between respective sets of at least two adjacent racks, through which shuttles (21) can move forward and backward over respective guides (4) parallel to the racks on a multitude of superposed levels for placing products in storage positions and/or removing products from storage positions. The storage system further comprises a maintenance cart (30) which can be moved through an aisle and which defines a working space for an individual, bounded at least partially by a frame (31) of the maintenance cart, for carrying out maintenance from said working space on a shuttle, wherein the frame extends over at least two levels of the multitude of levels and forms a screen for the working space against shuttles in the aisle in question. The maintenance cart can be moved over a guide for the shuttles through an aisle.
The invention relates to a system and method for checking in luggage, the system comprising a passenger identification terminal (1) for determining a passenger identification of a passenger, a luggage drop-off station (2) for accepting luggage (4) of the passenger (5) in a luggage acceptance mode, and a conveyor system (14) comprising a discharge conveyor (18, 21) for discharging luggage from the drop-off location, in a luggage discharge mode, and containers (16) having a luggage support surface, wherein the luggage drop-off station comprises, at the drop-off location, a container support element (17) for supporting a container to be loaded with luggage at the luggage drop-off location. The container support element is configured for orienting the container such that the container is held under an angle with respect to the horizontal, at least in the luggage acceptance mode.
The invention provides a device (3) for manipulating items of luggage. The device comprises a base member (15), an arm (7) which is pivotable about a vertical pivot axis relative to the base member, and a carrying element (4) having a supporting surface (5) for supporting an item of luggage. The arm (7) is designed (11) to move the carrying element (4) away from the vertical pivot axis and toward the vertical pivot axis. The device further comprises moving means (9, 19) for moving the arm (7) in vertical direction, resistance means which, in an operative state thereof, offer resistance against movement of the carrying element (4) both in vertical direction and in horizontal direction relative to the base member (15), and operating means to be operated by a person (1), which operating means are provided with an operating element to be operated with a hand of said person for controlling at least the resistance means. The operating element is provided on the carrying element (4), whilst the operating means are designed at least for placing the resistance means in a non-operative state.
The invention provides a device (3) for manipulating items of luggage. The device comprises a base member (15), an arm (7) which is pivotable about a vertical pivot axis relative to the base member, and a carrying element (4) having a supporting surface (5) for supporting an item of luggage. The arm (7) is designed (11) to move the carrying element (4) away from the vertical pivot axis and toward the vertical pivot axis. The device further comprises moving means (9, 19) for moving the arm (7) in vertical direction, resistance means which, in an operative state thereof, offer resistance against movement of the carrying element (4) both in vertical direction and in horizontal direction relative to the base member (15), and operating means to be operated by a person (1), which operating means are provided with an operating element to be operated with a hand of said person for controlling at least the resistance means. The operating element is provided on the carrying element (4), whilst the operating means are designed at least for placing the resistance means in a non-operative state.
The present invention relates to a method and an automatically controlled vehicle for transporting an object such as an item of luggage, with two pivotable axles each having at the outer ends two wheels driven with drive motors, with a control unit which is configured to perform the steps of controlling each of the drive motors such that an at least substantially equal basic drive torque is applied to each of the wheels and, for the purpose of changing the direction of the vehicle, controlling the drive motors associated with a wheel support arm such that a steering torque which is of the same magnitude but of opposite direction is applied in addition to the basic drive torque to the associated wheels.
The invention relates to an automatically controlled vehicle for transporting an object, comprising a chassis having on an upper side a carrying surface for the object, a pivotable first and second wheel support arm, each having a wheel at the outer ends thereof, per wheel an electric drive motor connected thereto and a control unit for separate control of each of the drive motors. The chassis is formed by an elongate central chassis beam extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein the first wheel support arm is connected to the chassis beam at a first distance from a first outer end of the chassis beam, and wherein the second wheel support arm is connected to the chassis beam at a second distance from a second outer end of the chassis beam.
The invention provides a system for storing product containers. The control system of the system comprises a central control unit to determine a route for a carriage (11) along a part of a guide system (5, 6) and to send a control signal for the route in question to the carriage control unit (22) of the carriage (11). The guide system (5, 6) is provided with unique identification signs (24) at at least some of the junctions. Each carriage (11) is provided with a reader (25) for reading an identification sign (24) and communicating said identification sign to the carriage control unit (22). The central control unit is designed to mark certain junctions as "blocked" under certain circumstances and to generate a list of unique identification signs associated with the "blocked" junctions. Each carriage control unit (22) is designed to store said list in a database of the carriage control unit (22) and to cause the carriage (11) to stop if the identification sign is on the list as stored in the database of the carriage control unit (22).
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
Goods & Services
Gravity and power conveyors [machines], conveyor systems
[machines], sorting equipment [machines], assembly line
conveyor equipment [machines], order selection equipment
[machines], baggage conveyors, integrated material handling
systems [machines], front-end automatic storage and
retrieval systems [machines], pallet handling equipment
[machines], manual and automatic work stations for assembly
operations [machines], continuous and reciprocating vertical
conveyors; rail-borne conveyor carriages for the sorting and
transportation of goods [machines]; robots. Electric and electronic automatic control apparatus, sensing
apparatus, measuring apparatus, electronic signal processing
apparatus, and computers and computer programs sold
therewith, all for use in sorting, storage and distribution. Air cushion vehicles; air vehicles; electric vehicles;
handling carts; trolleys; waggons.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
Goods & Services
Machines, namely, conveyor systems comprised of conveyors, conveyor lines, rollers and belts; machines, namely, sorting equipment comprised of equipment for sorting of post, parcels, cases and baggage; sliding shoe sorters, pusher sorters, pop-up sorters, loop sorters such as cross belt sorters, tilt tray sorters and pushing beam sorters; machines, namely, order selection equipment comprised of automated order picking systems, multi-order picking systems, order fulfillment systems, zone picking systems, batch picking systems, automated case picking systems, automated item picking systems, automated tote picking systems and integrated order picking and order fulfillment systems; integrated material handling systems, namely, material handling systems for post, parcels, warehouse automation and baggage; front-end automatic storage and retrieval systems, namely, aisle-bound vertical cranes, aisle-bound single level shuttles with vertical lifts, aisle-bound vertical cranes with vertical lifts, single level shuttles movable via vertical lifts to different vertical level; pallet handling equipment, namely, palletizers, pallet elevators, automatic pallet storage and retrieval machines, automatic slip sheet dispensing machines, power operated lifts to transport and place pallets; manual and automatic workstations for use in warehouse automation, parcel and postal handling and baggage handling; continuous and reciprocating vertical conveyors; rail-borne conveyor carriages for the sorting and transportation of goods, namely, conveyor carriages for baggage, conveyor carriages for cases, conveyor carriages for totes, conveyor carriages for parcels and post; robots comprised of industrial robots Electric and electronic automatic control apparatus, namely, electric control panels and cabinets in material handling systems for post, parcels, warehouse automation and baggage; sensing apparatus, namely, electric sensors; measuring apparatus, namely, weight, size and dimension measuring instruments, instruments to determine identification comprised of barcode scanners, RFID label readers, cameras; electronic signal processing apparatus, namely, signal conditioning and communication devices for industrial process control; computers and computer programs for use in warehouse automation, parcel and postal handling and baggage handling Air cushion vehicles; electric vehicles, namely, electric conveyer carriages for baggage, cases, all-purpose carrying bags, parcel and post
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
Goods & Services
(1) machines, namely conveyor systems comprised of conveyors, conveyor lines, rollers and belts; machines, namely post, parcel, container and baggage sorting machines; sliding shoe sorter for sorting post, parcels, containers and baggage; pusher sorter, pop-up wheel sorter for sorting post, parcels, containers and baggage; loop sorters, namely crossbelt sorters, tilt tray sorters and pushing beam sorters for sorting post, parcels, containers and baggage; machines, namely order selection equipment comprised of automated order picking machines, multi-order picking machines, order fulfillment machines, zone picking machines, batch picking machines, automated case picking machines, automated item picking machines, automated tote picking machines and integrated order picking and order fulfilment machines for warehouse automation; integrated material handling machines, namely material handling machines for sorting, storage and distribution of post, parcels, and baggage; front-end automatic storage and retrieval machines, namely aisle-bound vertical cranes, aisle-bound single level shuttles with vertical lifts, aisle-bound vertical cranes with vertical lifts, single level shuttles movable via vertical lifts to different vertical level for post, parcels, containers and baggage; pallet handling equipment, namely palletizers, pallet elevators, pallet dispensers, slip sheet dispensers, power operated lifts to transport and place pallets; manual and automatic workstation machines for use in warehouse automation, namely machines for sorting, storage, distribution of post, parcels, containers and baggage; continuous and reciprocating vertical conveyors; rail-borne conveyor carriages for the sorting and transportation of goods, namely conveyor carriages for baggage, conveyor carriages for containers, conveyor carriages for totes, conveyor carriages for parcels and post; robots comprised of industrial robots; electric and electronic automatic control apparatus, namely electric control panels; sensing apparatus, namely pressure sensors, proximity sensors, timing sensors, motion sensors; measuring apparatus, namely instruments for measuring weight, size and dimension of post, parcels, containers, and baggage; barcode scanners; Radio Frequency Identification label readers, cameras; electronic signal processing apparatus, namely signal conditioning and communication devices for conversion of electronic signals from pressure sensors, proximity sensors, timing sensors, motion sensors; computers and computer software for controlling and operating machines for the sorting, storage and distribution of post, parcels, containers and baggage; air cushion vehicles; electric vehicles, namely conveyors for baggage, containers, totes, parcel and post
The present invention relates to a device for handling items of luggage, comprising a storage system for temporary storage therein of items of luggage, which system comprises at a front side thereof a plurality of compartments for items of luggage with a buffer zone behind each compartment, and for each of the compartments a displacement element for moving an item of luggage from a compartment to the buffer zone associated with that compartment, input means designed for the input of identification information by a passenger for the purpose of placing an item of luggage in a compartment of the storage system, and control means. The invention further relates to a method of handling items of luggage.
The present invention relates to a balanced support device, comprising: -a wagon configured to move along a wagon rail, -a frame connected to the wagon and extending over a vertical distance from the wagon, -a rail connected to the frame and a carriage (61) movably arranged on said rail, -at least one protruding arm (60) comprising a support member (18) for supporting amass(12), wherein the protruding arm is pivotably connected to the carriage, wherein the protruding arm comprises multiple segments (66, 68) which are movable relative to one another in order to allow the support member to move toward and away from the frame, wherein the support member (18) is mounted to the protruding arm (60) via a rotary connection (110a), allowing the support member including a mass (12) to be rotated, and a vertical balance system for exerting an upwards force on the carriage for counteracting a weight of the mass, the arm and the carriage,wherein the vertical balance system is constructed and arranged to control said force in order to balance masses of different weights.
B66C 23/00 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes
F16M 11/08 - Means for attachment of apparatusMeans allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a vertical axis
F16M 11/20 - Undercarriages with or without wheels
F16M 11/24 - Undercarriages with or without wheels changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only
F16M 11/42 - Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon with arrangement for propelling the support
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
The present invention relates to a balanced support device, comprising: -a wagon configured to move along a wagon rail, -a frame connected to the wagon and extending over a vertical distance from the wagon, -a rail connected to the frame and a carriage (61) movably arranged on said rail, -at least one protruding arm (60) comprising a support member (18) for supporting amass(12), wherein the protruding arm is pivotably connected to the carriage, wherein the protruding arm comprises multiple segments (66, 68) which are movable relative to one another in order to allow the support member to move toward and away from the frame, wherein the support member (18) is mounted to the protruding arm (60) via a rotary connection (110a), allowing the support member including a mass (12) to be rotated, and a vertical balance system for exerting an upwards force on the carriage for counteracting a weight of the mass, the arm and the carriage,wherein the vertical balance system is constructed and arranged to control said force in order to balance masses of different weights.
F16M 11/08 - Means for attachment of apparatusMeans allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a vertical axis
F16M 11/20 - Undercarriages with or without wheels
F16M 11/24 - Undercarriages with or without wheels changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only
F16M 11/42 - Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon with arrangement for propelling the support
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
B66C 23/00 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes
Van De Veerdonk, Wilco Johannes Adrianus Anthonius
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for collecting a number of different products listed in an order in a product collecting system, comprising the following steps: allocating a product listed in an order to the order if said product is already available in the module (S7), allocating a product to the order (S7) if said product of the "slow-moving" type is not already available in the module whereas it is available in another module (S5), and moving said product from said other module to the module (S6), and unloading a product carrier carrying a product at least in part (S8) if such a type of product is not already available in the module nor in another module, in which case the product is allocated to the order (S7) and moved to the module, and releasing the order and loading the products onto a collecting carrier (S9) when all the products listed in the order have been collected in the module (S2).
Van De Veerdonk, Wilco Johannes Adrianus Anthonius
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for collecting a number of different products listed in an order in a product collecting system, comprising the following steps: allocating a product listed in an order to the order if said product is already available in the module (S7), allocating a product to the order (S7) if said product of the "slow-moving" type is not already available in the module whereas it is available in another module (S5), and moving said product from said other module to the module (S6), and unloading a product carrier carrying a product at least in part (S8) if such a type of product is not already available in the module nor in another module, in which case the product is allocated to the order (S7) and moved to the module, and releasing the order and loading the products onto a collecting carrier (S9) when all the products listed in the order have been collected in the module (S2).
The invention relates to a system (1) for handling pieces of luggage at an airport, comprising at least one make-up station (2) for handling pieces of luggage intended for a particular flight; a first storage system (4) comprising at least one rack for pieces of luggage and at least one lift (12) for conveying pieces of luggage from and to the storage positions; a supply conveyor system (6) for supplying pieces of luggage to the lift (12); a discharge conveyor system (7) for discharging pieces of luggage from the lift (12) to the make¬ up station; and a second storage system comprising at least two buffer conveyors. The system (1) further comprises a second storage system (5) comprising at least two buffer conveyors (22). The supply conveyor system (6) is also arranged for supplying pieces of luggage to the buffer conveyors (22). The discharge conveyor system (7) is also arranged for discharging pieces of luggage from the buffer conveyors (22) to the make-up station (2), and to make it possible to discharge pieces of luggage originating from the first and the second storage system (4, 5) to one and the same make-up station (2). The invention also relates to a method for handling pieces of luggage.
A device for sorting products having carrier units arranged adjacent to each other and conveying means for supporting and conveying the carrier units. Each carrier unit has a support platform, support means for supporting the support platform, leg members supported by the conveying means and tiltably supporting the support means, and tilting means for tilting the support means relative to each other about a tilt axis extending parallel to the conveying path. The tilting means has at least one cam and drive means having an electric motor supported by the conveying means for rotating the at least one cam relative to the leg members about an axis of rotation, as well as a camway which is rigidly connected to the support means and with which the at least one cam mates upon rotation of the at least one cam about the axis of rotation. The tilt axis is located between the axis of rotation and the support platform.
Van Schaijk, Erwin Hendrikus Petrus Martinus Johannes
Vervoort, Petrus Theodorus Cornelis
Abstract
A sorting device for sorting products, comprising successive carrier units each provided with a load carrying platform having a front arcuate edge and a rear arcuate edge, the arcuate shape of the front edge of a load carrying platform matching the arcuate shape of the rear edge of a next load carrying platform located at the front side of the load carrying platform in question. Each load carrying platform is provided with a supporting surface between the front edge and the rear edge. The sorting device further comprises conveying means for conveying the load carrying platforms in a conveying direction along a conveying path and sorting means comprising an elongated pusher element for each load carrying platform for pushing a product to be sorted sideways off at least one supporting surface, using at least one pusher element, at a desired sorting location. The pusher elements each extend above at least part of said at least one load carrying platform and are designed for joint transport with the at least one load carrying platform. The sorting means further comprise two elongated passages extending transversely to the conveying direction in the respective load carrying platform, and drive means at least partially provided under the load carrying platforms for moving a pusher element sideways between two opposite extreme lateral positions at a desired sorting location. The pusher element is connected to the drive means via two connecting elements which engage a pusher element at two different longitudinal positions and which each extend through one of the two passages in the load carrying platform. The pusher element is provided asymmetrically relative to the two associated passages, at least in an extreme position thereof.
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
67.
CONVEYING SYSTEM FOR PIECES OF LUGGAGE, CHECK-IN SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH A CONVEYING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING SUCH A CONVEYING SYSTEM
The invention provides a conveying system for pieces of luggage, which may or may not form part of a check-in system. The conveying system comprises a conveyor for conveying pieces of luggage, detection means provided with a camera for making an image of at least one object, normally being a single piece of luggage, present on the conveyor at a checking location, and image processing means for the automated processing of images made by the camera. The camera is designed to make images of the infrared type, wherein the image processing means are designed to process images of the infrared type. The image processing means have at their disposal information regarding infrared images of non-suspect pieces of luggage exhibiting at least one area with an elevated temperature. The image processing means are further designed to make a comparison between an infrared image made by the camera that exhibits at least one elevated temperature area and said information for deeming or not deeming the at least one object that is the subject of the infrared image made by the camera to be "suspect" on the basis of the comparison by the image processing means. The invention further provides a method for using such a conveying system.
G08B 13/191 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelengthActuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using infrared-radiation detection systems using pyroelectric sensor means
68.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING A SECURITY SCAN ON A PERSON
A method and associated system and devices for performing security screening at a security checkpoint on an individual are provided. Body image data is derived by performing an inspection of the individual using a body scanning device. The body image data is processed with a computing device programmed with software to identify potential anomalies. In identifying potential anomalies, the computing device takes into account contextual information including, for example, gender information associated with the individual and/or the particular regions of the body of the individual where a feature of interest has been identified. Data conveying at least some of the identified potential anomalies is then released. The data release may be used, for example, to cause an image of the individual being screened to be rendered on a display device, the rendered image conveying at least some of the identified potential anomalies. Alternatively, or in addition, the data may be used to provide an indication of whether the individual should be subjected to further inspection.
G01N 37/00 - Details not covered by any other group of this subclass
G01N 23/20 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by using diffraction of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating crystal structureInvestigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by using scattering of the radiation by the materials, e.g. for investigating non-crystalline materialsInvestigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by using reflection of the radiation by the materials
The present disclosure provides a system for checking in luggage. The system comprises a passenger identification terminal (1), a luggage drop-off station (2), a labelling station (25), a presence determination device (33), a conveyor system (14) for conveying luggage along a conveying path from a drop-off location to a label issuing terminal (26) after the presence of luggage at the drop-off location has been determined by the presence determination device, a first control device for controlling the conveyor assembly (15), first (34) and second (35) ID determination devices for determining conveyor identifications of different parts of the conveyor system, a processing device for defining an internationally standardized luggage - label and linking the definition of the internationally standardized luggage - label to the conveyor identification determined by the first ID determination device, and a second control device for controlling the label issuing terminal. The present disclosure also provides a method for checking in luggage.
The present invention relates to a system for buffering pieces of luggage. The system comprises racks (3) and associated carriers (40), each carrier having a supporting surface for supporting individual pieces of luggage, which carriers can be moved between adjacent racks by lifts (5), between storage positions (4) and a transfer position (32) of a transfer station (30). At least some of the transfer stations comprise moving means (34) provided with a pusher element (33) for each transfer station for pushing a buffered piece of luggage off the supporting surface of a carrier (40) positioned at the transfer position. The invention also provides a method for buffering pieces of luggage.
a) and is open on one of its sides through which said at least one conveyor belt (2) can be introduced/removed; and wherein said assembly additionally comprises at least one supporting and guiding mechanism of at least one conveyor belt from at least one perimetric guiding profile; such that it allows considerably simplifying the maintenance, repair and replacement of all the elements forming the assembly, minimizing the downtimes and saving in waiting costs and costs of parts to be replaced.
B65G 21/20 - Means incorporated in, or attached to, framework or housings for guiding load-carriers, traction elements or loads supported on moving surfaces
B65G 15/02 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration for conveying in a circular arc
B65G 15/56 - Belts or like endless load-carriers with edge-protecting or reinforcing means
The invention relates to a device for sorting products, wherein an IR transmitter is provided at a fixed location along the conveying path, and wherein an IR receiver is provided on each of the carrier units being moved along the conveying path, wherein the transmission angle of said IR transmitter is limited by a shield, such that the IR receiver enters the transmission range defined by said shield of the IR transmitter via a first transmission angle boundary thereof upon movement along the conveying path.
B65G 17/00 - 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
H04B 10/00 - Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
The present invention relates to a device (1) for sorting products, comprising successive carrier units (2), conveying means for supporting and conveying the carrier units (2) along a conveying path, said conveying means comprising stator means fixedly disposed along a part of the conveying path, which stator means interact with permanent magnets provided on carrier units (2) for magnetically driving the carrier units (2). According to the invention, connecting means for connecting a reaction element comprising the magnets to a chassis (6) of a carrier unit (2) are also designed for variable adjustment of a spacing between the permanent magnets and the chassis (6) on the basis of a desired gap width between the permanent magnets and the stator means.
The present invention provides a device for sorting products, which device comprises carrier units arranged adjacent to each other and conveying means for supporting and conveying the carrier units. Each carrier unit comprises a support platform, support means for supporting said support platform, leg members supported by the conveying means and tiltably supporting the support means, and tilting means for tilting the support means relative to each other about a tilt axis extending parallel to the conveying path. The tilting means comprise at least one cam and drive means comprising an electric motor supported by the conveying means for rotating said at least one cam (37,38) relative to the leg members about an axis of rotation (35), as well as a camway which is rigidly connected to the support means and with which said at least one cam (37, 38) mates upon rotation of said at least one cam (37,38) about the axis of rotation (35). The tilt axis is located between the axis of rotation (35) and the support platform.
A method and apparatus for screening luggage are provided. X-ray images derived by scanning the luggage with X-rays are received and processed with an automated threat detection (ATD) engine. A determination is then made whether to subject respective ones of the X-ray images to further visual inspection by a human operator at least in part based on results obtained by the ATD engine. In certain cases, visual inspection by a human operator is by-passed and the ATD results are relied upon in order to mark luggage for further inspection or to mark luggage as clear. In another aspect, X-ray images derived by scanning the luggage using two or more X-ray scanning devices are pooled at a centralized location. ATD operations are applied to the X-ray images, which are then provided "on-demand" to a human operator for visual inspection. Results of the visual inspection are entered by the human operator and then conveyed to on-site screening technicians associated with respective X-ray scanning devices.
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
A device for sorting products including a frame, an endless drivable flexible conveying element, successive elongated carriers, which are each coupled to the conveying element via a coupler for being conveyed in a conveying direction along an endless conveying path, which carriers extend transversely to the conveying direction, and pusher elements which are each movable along a carrier. The coupler including a supporting part and a supported part supported by the supporting part, as well as a connector for detachably connecting the supporting part and the supported part together, wherein the supporting part is coupled to the conveying element and the supported part is connected to a carrier, and wherein the connector can be accessed from the upper side of the supported part for effecting the connection between the supporting part and the supported part.
B65G 47/34 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors
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
77.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING A SECURITY SCAN
A method for performing a security screening at security checkpoint on an individual. The method includes subjecting the individual to a scan from a source producing electromagnetic radiation to generate scan data and processing the scan data with software executed on a CPU to determine of the scan data contains a signature of a threatening object.
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G01N 21/84 - Systems specially adapted for particular applications
78.
A SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING DIFFERENT PRODUCTS OF AN ORDER IN A DESIRED ORDER
The present invention provides a system for collecting different products of an order in a desired order, which system cpmprises: a tray warehouse provided with number of raks (2) each comprising tray storage positions, first conveying means (5,6) for conveying trays, a stacking station (S) for stacking the products of the order collected from trays in the tray warehouse on a collecting pallet in the desired order, second conveying means (10-14) for conveying products from the tray warehouse to the stacking station in the desired order, said second conveying means comprising a number of buffer conveyors (12) transfer means (10,11) comprising at least one product lift which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the racks, and a product conveyor (14) onto which the buffer conveyors discharge at discharge positions (13) which products conveyor comprises individually drivable product conveying elements (14-1,14-2,14-3) between at least some of the discharche positions, and control means for controling the system.
A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for determining if a piece of luggage contains a liquid product comprised of a container holding a body of liquid. The piece of luggage is scanned with an X-ray scanner to generate X-ray image data conveying an image of the piece of luggage and contents thereof. The X-ray image data is processed with a computer to detect a liquid product signature in the X-ray image data and determine if a liquid product is present in the piece of luggage. A detection signal is released at an output of the computer conveying whether a liquid product was identified in the piece of luggage. The detection signal may, for example, be used in rendering a visual representation of the piece of luggage on a display device to convey information to an operator as to the presence of a liquid product in the piece of luggage.
A method and apparatus for assessing a threat status of a piece of luggage. The method comprises the steps of scanning the piece of luggage with penetrating radiation to generate image data and processing the image data with a computing device to identify one or more objects represented by the image data. The method also includes further processing the image data to compensate the image data for interaction between the object and the penetrating radiation to produce compensated image data and then determine the threat status of the piece of luggage.
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Software and computer hardware for performing automated threat detection on data generated by an image generation equipment namely an X-ray scanner for use in the field of transportation security and building access security to inspect screened items for potential threats such as liquid explosives, in-bag bottles, firearms, firearms parts and other weapons.
82.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING X-RAY INSPECTION OF A PRODUCT AT A SECURITY CHECKPOINT USING SIMULATION
A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for deriving a characteristic of a product using X-rays. X-ray image data associated with the product is received, the X-ray image data being derived by performing an X-ray scan of the product using an X-ray imaging apparatus and conveying attenuation information resulting from interaction of X- rays with the product. A response of a reference product to X-rays is then simulated to generate simulated X-ray image data. The simulated X-ray image data and the received X-ray image data are then processed to derive one or more characteristics of the product. Information conveying the derived characteristic of the product is then released. In a specific implementation, the product is a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid and the derived characteristic of the liquid product is a threat status assessment associated with the liquid in the bottle. In another aspect, a simulation engine for simulating interactions between X-rays and objects is also provided.
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G01N 9/24 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing the transmission of wave or particle radiation through the material
83.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING DIFFERENT PRODUCTS FORMING PART OF AN ORDER
The invention relates to method for collecting a number of different products forming part of an order in a product picking system, said system comprising a tray warehouse comprising storage positions in which a tray (10) carrying a number of identical products (11) is present, and a rack operating device provided with at least one product picking unit (161, 161') comprising a product manipulator (541) and a product buffer, by means of which products forming part of the order are removed from the rack, wherein at least two different products (II, II', II' ', H'' ') from said number of products forming part of the order are collected on the rack operating device one after the other from different trays (10) present in a tray storage position by means of the rack operating device.
The invention relates to a system for collecting different products on a picking pallet, comprising a pallet warehouse (2), a depalletizer (3), a tray warehouse provided with racks (521, 522) comprising tray storage positions, second conveying means (41) for conveying trays carrying a layer of identical products from the depalletizer (3) to a tray storage position, a palletizer (7) for stacking products from trays on the picking pallet in a desired order, third conveying means (61, 62) for conveying products from the tray warehouse (5) to the stacking device (7). The system further comprises a rack operating device (54) disposed between a rack (521, 522) and the third conveying means (61, 62) being movable in the longitudinal direction of the rack, for transferring products from a tray in a tray storage position in the tray warehouse (5) to the third conveying means (61, 62). The present invention further relates to such a rack operating device.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Software used to remotely leverage and improve the detection, operational and diagnostics capacities and operations of a networked checkpoint, using a centralized security screening workstation.
The invention provides a device for sorting products, comprising a frame, an endless drivable flexible conveying element (3), successive elongated carriers (2), which are each coupled to the conveying element via coupling means (4) for being conveyed in a conveying direction along an endless conveying path, which carriers (2) extend transversely to the conveying direction, and pusher elements which are each movable along a carrier (2). The coupling means (4) comprise a supporting part (5) and a supported part (6) supported by said supporting part (5), as well as connecting means (51,52) for detachably connecting the supporting part (5) and the supported part (6) together, wherein the supporting part (5) is coupled to the conveying element (3) and the supported part (6) is connected to a carrier (2), and wherein the connecting means (51,52) can be accessed from the upper side of the supported part (6) for effecting the connection between the supporting part (5) and the supported part (6).
B65G 17/44 - Attaching load-carriers to traction elements by means excluding relative movements
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
87.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING PROPERTIES OF LIQUIDS BY USING X-RAYS
A method and a system are provided for determining if a liquid product comprising a container which holds a body of liquid is a security threat. Attenuation data conveying information about attenuation of X-rays resulting from interaction of X-rays with the body of liquid is derived by scanning the liquid product with X-rays. Container characterization data is then processed to derive path length data indicative of an approximate length of a path followed by X-rays through the body of liquid and that interact with the body of liquid. The security threat of a liquid product is determined by processing the path length data and the attenuation data.
G01N 23/06 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G01N 23/10 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the material being confined in a container, e.g. in luggage X-ray scanners
G01N 21/84 - Systems specially adapted for particular applications
88.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING X-RAY INSPECTION OF A LIQUID PRODUCT AT A SECURITY CHECKPOINT
A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for assessing at a security checkpoint the threat status of a liquid product, where the liquid product is comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid. In accordance with a broad aspect aspect, the level of fill is used as a factor in the determination of the threat status of the liquid product. In accordance with another broad aspect, an X-ray image of the liquid product is obtained and processed to derive a level of fill of the bottle and the threat status of the liquid product is determined at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle. In accordance with yet another broad aspect, an X-ray image of the liquid product is processed to derive location information associated with a meniscus formed by the liquid in the bottle. An estimated length of a path followed by X-rays through the liquid held in the bottle is derived in part based on the location information and is used to determine the threat status of the liquid product.
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G01N 23/10 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the material being confined in a container, e.g. in luggage X-ray scanners
89.
TRAY FOR USE IN PERFORMING X-RAY INSPECTION OF ARTICLES AT A SECURITY CHECKPOINT AND METHOD OF USING SAME
A tray is provided for supporting bottles filled with liquid while the bottles filled with liquid are subjected to an X-ray inspection at a security checkpoint to determine the threat status of the bottles filled with liquid. Each bottle filled with liquid is characterized by a transverse dimension and a longitudinal dimension and is of an overall size suitable to be carried in hand-carried luggage allowed onboard a commercial aircraft. The tray includes a plurality of elongated recesses for receiving bottles filled with liquid, the recesses being defined between opposing walls spaced to engage the bottles filled with liquid on its sides when the bottles filled with liquid are placed in the recesses, the opposing walls preventing the bottles filled with liquid from rocking in the recesses during the X-ray inspection. In different embodiments, the recess may be arranged to hold a bottle filled with liquid in a position such that a meniscus in the bottle filled with liquid has a tendency to migrate toward an extremity of the bottle filled with liquid. A method for assessing the threat status of a bottle filled with liquid at a security checkpoint is also provided.
B65D 21/02 - Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
G01N 23/02 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G01N 23/083 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the radiation being X-rays
G01N 23/10 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the material being confined in a container, e.g. in luggage X-ray scanners
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Machines, namely high capacity baggage sorters for use in airports.
(2) Machines, namely high capacity baggage sorters for use in airports and machines tools used for these machines; motors and engines (except for land vehicles) destined for use with high capacity baggage sorting machines; machine coupling and transmission components (except for land vehicles) destined for use with high capacity baggage sorting machines; data processing equipment and computers to be used in combination with high capacity baggage sorting machines.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
Goods & Services
Machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except for
land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components
(except for land vehicles); agricultural machines;
incubators for eggs. Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic,
cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling,
checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus
and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting,
switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or
controlling electricity; apparatus for recording,
transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic
data carriers, recording discs; automatic vending machines
and mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers,
calculating machines, data processing equipment and
computers; fire-extinguishing apparatus. Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water.
Van Schaijk, Erwin, Hendrikus, Petrus, Martinus, Johannes
Vertogen, Martinus, Johannes, Maria
Vissers, Johannes, Petrus, Maria
Abstract
The present invention relates to a sorting device for sorting products, comprising successive load carrying platforms having a front edge and a rear edge for supporting products to be sorted on a supporting surface thereof, conveying means for conveying the load carrying platforms in a conveying direction along a conveying path, sorting means comprising a plurality of pusher elements for pushing a product to be sorted sideways off at least one supporting surface at a desired sorting location using at least one pusher element which pusher elements each extend above at least part of said at least one load carrying platform and which are arranged for being jointly conveyed with said at least one load carrying platform in the conveying direction, and drive means for moving said at least one pusher element sideways at a desired sorting location, wherein both the front edge of each load carrying platform and the rear edge of each load carrying platform are arcuate in shape, seen in top plan view, with the arcuate shape of the front edge of a load carrying platform abutting the arcuate shape of the rear edge of a next load carrying platform located at the front of the respective load carrying platform.
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
93.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING CHARACTERISTICS OF LIQUIDS
A method to perform qualification of liquids by using an electromagnetic radiation scan, such as X-rays. The method includes scanning a product that contains a liquid to be qualified and using the scan results to search a database of candidates for a potential match. If a match is found the liquid is considered equivalent to the candidate. The invention can be used to perform quality control or arranging commercial liquid materials into classes or categories.
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G01N 23/10 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the material being confined in a container, e.g. in luggage X-ray scanners
The present invention (1) relates to a sorting device for sorting products, in particular pieces of luggage, comprising a number of sorting units (2) which are movable in a conveying direction along a conveying path, each sorting unit comprising a carrier (6) for supporting a product to be sorted, an elongated pusher element (7) disposed above an associated carrier, moving means for moving a pusher element sideways (8) with respect to the associated carrier at a sorting location, and guide means for guiding said sideways movement of the pusher element, said guide means comprising at least one guide, which is fixedly disposed relative to the associated carrier, and at least one guide member, which is movable along said at least one fixed guide, which guide member is connected to the pusher element, whilst said moving means comprise at least one driving motor (38,39) for each sorting unit for effecting said sideways movement of the pusher element relative to the associated carrier.
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
95.
METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE INSPECTION OF LIQUID MERCHANDISE
A method for facilitating the inspection of liquid merchandise is provided. A machine readable tag is generated and is associated with liquid merchandise purchased at a duty free point of sale or other secure sales or distribution location, the machine readable tag conveying identification information related to the liquid merchandise. At a security checkpoint, the identification information is extracted from the machine readable tag and is used in conjunction with an X-ray image of the liquid merchandise to determine if the liquid merchandise is consistent with the identification information. A system and an apparatus for implementing the method presented are also provided.
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G01N 23/10 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the material being confined in a container, e.g. in luggage X-ray scanners
G01V 15/00 - Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object
G01V 3/12 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detectingMeasuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation operating with electromagnetic waves
G06K 9/18 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints using printed characters having additional code marks or containing code marks, e.g. the character being composed of individual strokes of different shape, each representing a different code value
A method for performing security screening at a checkpoint is provided. The method includes providing an X-ray imaging system having a scanning area and providing a supporting device for supporting articles to be scanned in the scanning area, wherein the supporting device has at least two reference areas manifesting respective X-ray signatures when exposed to X-rays, the X-ray signatures being distinguishable from one another. The method further includes placing an article to be scanned on the supporting device, introducing the article to be scanned in the scanning area while the article is supported by the supporting device and using the X-ray imaging system for deriving the X-ray signatures of the reference areas and for obtaining an X-ray image of the article while the supporting device is in the scanning area. The method further includes using the X-ray signatures to derive X-ray attenuation information from the X-ray image and using the X-ray attenuation information in determining if the article is a security threat.
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G01N 23/083 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the radiation being X-rays
H01J 37/02 - Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof Details
H01J 37/20 - Means for supporting or positioning the object or the materialMeans for adjusting diaphragms or lenses associated with the support
An apparatus, method and system for facilitating visual identification of a prohibited object in an image during security screening are provided. Data derived from an apparatus that scans the receptacle with penetrating radiation conveying an image of the contents of a receptacle is received. Information from an automated threat detection processor is also received and indicates an area of interest in the image potentially containing a prohibited object. The image is then processed to generate an enhanced image. In a first example, portions of the enhanced image outside the area of interest are visually de-emphasized. In a second example, features appearing inside the area of interest are visually emphasized. The enhanced image is then displayed on a display device. Optionally, thumbnail images associated with previously screened receptacles are displayed and a user is enabled to select one or more thumbnail images. An enhanced image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is then displayed. In alternative implementations, an apparatus, method and system for use in screening a person for facilitating visual identification of a prohibited object thereon is provided.
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G06T 3/40 - Scaling of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. expanding or contracting
A tray for holding a material while the material is being subjected to penetrating radiation. The tray has a surface on which the material rests while subjected to penetrating radiation. The surface has at least two areas, namely a first area and a second area, the first and second areas characterized by first and second signatures, respectively when exposed to penetrating radiation, wherein the first signature is different from the second signature. The second area constitutes a reference and allowing identifying the material when the signature of the material to penetrating radiation matches the second signature.
G01N 23/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G01N 23/10 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the material being confined in a container, e.g. in luggage X-ray scanners
99.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING CHARACTERISTICS OF LIQUIDS
A method to perform security screening at an airport on hand-carried baggage. The method includes requesting passengers with hand carried baggage to remove from the baggage a container that holds a liquid and perform an x-ray inspection on the hand carried baggage and on the container while the container remains outside the baggage. According to the method, the results of the x-ray inspection are used to determine if the baggage contains illegal objects and if the liquid is a security threat.
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G01N 23/10 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the material being confined in a container, e.g. in luggage X-ray scanners
100.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN SECURITY SCREENING PROVIDING INCREMENTAL DISPLAY OF THREAT DETECTION INFORMATION AND SECURITY SYSTEM INCORPORATING SAME
An apparatus, method and system for facilitating visual identification of a threat in an image during security screening are provided. Data derived from an apparatus that scans the receptacle with penetrating radiation conveying an image of the contents of a receptacle is received. The data conveying the image of the contents of the receptacle is processed to derive an area of interest in the image, the area of interest potentially containing a threat. First threat information conveying the area of interest in the image is then displayed on a display device while the area of interest in the image is processed to derive second threat information associated to the receptacle. The second threat information is then displayed on the display device such that the second threat information is displayed subsequently to the displaying of the first threat information. In alternative implementations, an apparatus, method and system for use in screening a person for facilitating visual identification of a threat located on the person is provided.
G06K 9/80 - Combination of image preprocessing and recognition functions
G01N 23/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
G06K 9/46 - Extraction of features or characteristics of the image
G06K 9/62 - Methods or arrangements for recognition using electronic means
