Method and apparatus for high speed article processing
First Claim
1. A baggage handling system comprising:
- a plurality of baggage trays for carrying baggage;
a first conveyor for transporting said trays at a given speed;
at least one unloader for receiving the trays and for tipping the baggage out of the trays;
an accumulation buffer between said first conveyor and said at least one unloader; and
, a diverter for selectively diverting trays from said first conveyor onto said at least one accumulation buffer, wherein said trays can be unloaded by said unloader at a rate substantially independent of said speed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A baggage handling system includes a plurality of baggage trays for carrying baggage and a conveyor for transporting the trays at a given speed. A diverter selectively removes baggage from the conveyor and positions the baggage on an accumulator. An unloader is provided to unload the baggage from the accumulator. The accumulation in one mode slows baggage as received from the conveyor and presents the slowed baggage to an unloading device at a generally constant rate, such a rate being dependent of the rate at which the baggage is diverted from the conveyor. The unloader uses a tipping mechanism employing wheel guides an and actuator for gentle tipping of the baggage from the accumulator to another zone such as a make-up area in an airport baggage handling system.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A baggage handling system comprising:
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a plurality of baggage trays for carrying baggage;
a first conveyor for transporting said trays at a given speed;
at least one unloader for receiving the trays and for tipping the baggage out of the trays;
an accumulation buffer between said first conveyor and said at least one unloader; and
,a diverter for selectively diverting trays from said first conveyor onto said at least one accumulation buffer, wherein said trays can be unloaded by said unloader at a rate substantially independent of said speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 26, 27)
a generally horizontal platform having a front edge and a rear edge;
a tipper conveyor mounted on said platform parallel to said front and rear edges and in alignment with said accumulation buffer;
a holder for holding a baggage tray on said tipper conveyor;
a pair of leading support wheels separated by a first distance;
a pair of rear support wheels separated by a second distance;
a first pair of wheel guides for supporting and guiding said leading support wheels, each of said first pair of wheel guides having a first end at a first elevation and a second end at a second elevation;
a second pair of wheel guides for supporting and guiding said rear support wheels, said second pair of wheel guides being located generally at said first elevation and being generally horizontal; and
,an actuator for moving said platform along said support wheel guides.
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9. A baggage handling system according to claim 8 wherein said trays include edge portions for cooperating with said holder.
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26. A baggage handling system according to claim 2, wherein the stop is adapted to stop the trays before the trays enter the unloader to ensure that the trays enter the unloader from the accumulation buffer one at a time at the rate.
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27. A baggage handling system according to claim 2 including a second conveyor connected to said unloader for carrying said trays away from said unloader after the trays have been unloaded.
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10. A device for unloading containers comprising:
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a generally horizontal platform having a front edge and a rear edge;
a holder for holding a container on said platform;
a first platform support;
a guide for guiding said first platform support, said guide having a first end at a first level and a second end at a second level, said second level being lower than said first level;
a second platform support for supporting said rear edge at a level higher than said second level; and
,an actuator for moving said platform and said first platform support along said guide until said front edge support reaches said second end of said guide. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A baggage tipper for tipping baggage trays comprising:
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a generally horizontal platform having a front edge and a rear edge;
a conveyor mounted on said platform parallel to said front and rear edges;
a holder for holding a baggage tray on said conveyor;
a pair of front support wheels separated by a first distance;
a pair of rear support wheels separated by a second distance;
a first pair of wheel guides for supporting and guiding said front support wheels, each of said first pair of wheel guides having a first end at a first elevation and a second end at a second elevation;
a second pair of wheel guides for supporting and guiding said rear support wheels, said second pair of wheel guides being located generally at said first elevation and being generally horizontal; and
,a linear actuator for moving said platform along said support wheel guides.
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20. A method of handling baggage comprising:
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a) transporting baggage trays carrying baggage on a conveyor at a first speed;
b) selectively diverting the baggage trays transported on the conveyor to an accumulation buffer to form an accumulated line; and
c) unloading baggage from the diverted trays at a second speed independent of the speed of the conveyor using an unloader for receiving the trays and for tipping the baggage out of the trays. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28)
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Specification