An apparatus for unloading a baggage container and a method of unloading a baggage container

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for unloading a baggage container (2) comprises a frame (5), a platform (4) tiltable with respect to the frame (5) about a tilting axis (6) located at an unloading side of the apparatus (1) and a retaining member (14) for retaining the baggage container (2) on the platform (4) at its inclined orientation. Under operating conditions the contact surface of the retaining member (14) with the baggage container (2) is directed in a direction from the tilting axis (6) to a free end of the platform (4). The contact surface of the retaining member (14) is a discrete contact surface which is located at a distance from the upper surface of the platform (4).

Description

[0001] An apparatus for unloading a baggage container and a method of unloading a baggage container

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for unloading a baggage container, comprising a frame , a platform including an upper surface for supporting a baggage container, which platform is mounted to the frame and tiltable with respect to the frame between a substantially hori zontal orientation and an inclined orientation about a tilting axis located at an unloading side of the apparatus , a retaining member including a contact surface for retaining a baggage container on the platform at its inclined orientation, wherein at the unloading side an imaginary plane extends upwardly from the platform when it is in the substantially hori zontal orientation, which imaginary plane is subdivided in a central region, first and second side regions which are located at opposite sides of the central region in longitudinal direction of the tilting axis and an upper region between the first and second side regions and above the central region, wherein under operating conditions the contact surface of the retaining member is directed in a direction from the tilting axis to a free end of the platform .

[0003] Such an apparatus is known from EP 3 670 406 . The known apparatus comprises a platform for supporting a baggage container . The platform is tiltable in order to unload baggage from the baggage container . In order to prevent the baggage container from tilting with respect to the platform the apparatus is provided with a frame-shaped stop against which a front side around an opening of the baggage container rests when the platform is the inclined orientation .

[0004] An obj ect of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is suitable for unloading di f ferent types of baggage containers .

[0005] This obj ect is accomplished with the apparatus according to the invention, which is characteri zed in that the contact surface of the retaining member is a discrete contact surface which is located at a distance from the upper surface of the platform at one of the upper region, the first side region and the second side region such that the central region is free from the retaining member .

[0006] The presence of the discrete contact surface provides the opportunity to handle di f ferent container types . For example , for unloading a baggage container which has a relatively large opening at its front side and a relatively narrow profile that surrounds the opening, the discrete contact surface may be located at the upper region of the imaginary plane . For unloading a baggage container which has a continuous opening at a front side and a top side thereof , the discrete contact surface may be located at one of the first side region and the second side region of the imaginary plane and not at the upper region of the imaginary plane . In the latter case a contact surface at the upper region could form an obstacle for the baggage to leave the baggage container through both a portion of the opening at the front side of the baggage container and a portion of the opening at the top side of the baggage container .

[0007] It is noted that a discrete contact surface means that the contact surface does not form a continuous contact surface at the upper region, the first side region and the second side region . The discrete contact surface of the retaining member is located at a distance from the upper surface of the platform in order to minimi ze deformation of the baggage container during tilting . I f the discrete contact surface was located at the upper surface of the platform, i . e . at a bottom of a baggage container the baggage in the baggage container above the level of the contact surface might apply a moment onto the baggage container in an inclined orientation of the platform, resulting in an unallowable deformation of the baggage container . The length and height of the discrete contact surface may be smaller than 10% or 20% of the length of the length of the platform as measured along the tilting axis .

[0008] The apparatus may be provided with a locking mechanism for locking a lower side of a baggage container to the upper surface of the platform in at least a direction perpendicular to the tilting axis . The mentioned ef fect of deformation of a baggage container is typically minimi zed when the lower side of the baggage container is locked to the upper surface of the platform and the contact surface of the retaining member is located at a distance from the upper surface of the platform .

[0009] It is noted that the baggage container does not necessarily contain baggage of passengers ; it may also contain parcels , boxes or other articles . The baggage container may be a unit load device container (ULD container ) .

[0010] Under operating conditions the contact surface of the retaining member may be located in the imaginary plane .

[0011] I f the contact surface is located at one of the first side region and the second side region such that the upper region is free from the retaining member, a baggage container which has a continuous opening at its front side and its top side can be placed on the platform such that the portion of its continuous opening at the front side of the baggage container is located next to the central region and the upper region, whereas during tilting the platform the retaining member does not form an obstacle for baggage pieces that tend to leave the baggage container through the continuous opening due to the inclined position of the platform and the baggage container .

[0012] In an embodiment the discrete contact surface is a first discrete contact surface and the retaining member comprises a second discrete contact surface which is located at a distance from the first discrete contact surface in a direction parallel to the tilting axis , wherein under operating conditions the second discrete contact surface is directed in a direction from the tilting axis to the free end of the platform and located at a distance from the upper surface of the platform at one of the upper region, the first side region and the second side region such that the central region is free from the retaining member . For example , the first discrete contact surface may be located at the first side region and the second discrete contact surface may be located at the second side region .

[0013] In a particular embodiment the retaining member comprises a hook for engaging a baggage container on the platform, which hook is provided with the contact surface and mounted to the platform through a support structure . This means that the support structure and the hook travels with the platform during tilting the platform . The hook may be movable with respect to the support structure .

[0014] More speci fically, the hook may be rotatable with respect to the support structure .

[0015] In an embodiment the support structure comprises a reversed L-shape having a first leg which is directed upwardly from the platform when it is in the substantially hori zontal orientation and has a lower end that is fixed to the platform at a distance from the tilting axis and a second leg which is mounted to the first leg, wherein a free end of the second leg is provided with the hook . The support structure may be adapted such that under operating conditions the support structure and the platform together form a U-shape about a baggage container on the platform .

[0016] The hook may be rotatable with respect to the second leg about a hook axis which is substantially parallel to the tilting axis of the platform .

[0017] The second leg may be substantially parallel to the upper surface of the platform .

[0018] The second leg may bridge a distance between the imaginary plane and the first leg .

[0019] The second leg may be movable along the first leg . This means that the second leg can be moved upwardly and downwardly when the platform is in its hori zontal orientation . Before placing a baggage container onto the platform the second leg may be li fted in order to provide suf ficient space between the platform and the second leg .

[0020] The support structure may be provided with a holding element for keeping a cover of a baggage container on the platform open during tilting the platform, which holding element is located between the hook and the first leg . The holding element may be mounted to the second leg . This means that when the second leg is movable along the first leg the holding element can travel with the second leg . The cover of a baggage container may be a tiltable cover or a flexible sheet . The cover may serve to cover the opening of a baggage container in order to protect the baggage in the baggage container against rain when the baggage container is transported between an airplane and the apparatus . The holding element serves to avoid that the cover forms an obstacle in front of the opening during tilting a baggage container .

[0021] The holding element may be resiliently mounted to the second leg of the support structure . It may be mounted to the second leg such that when a baggage container including an opened cover is placed on the platform and the second leg is lowered towards the platform, in case the second leg is movable with respect to the first leg, the holding element can engage the cover without creating a peak load on the second leg .

[0022] The apparatus may be provided with a shaking device for shaking a baggage container, preferably in a direction parallel to the tilting axis . This facilitates unloading remaining baggage pieces in the baggage container i f they do not leave the baggage container in the inclined orientation of the platform by gravity only . The shaking device may shake the upper surface of the platform with respect to the remainder of the platform . In combination with the above-mentioned embodiments including the hook and / or including the holding element , the upper surface may move with respect to the hook and the holding element during a shaking action . In order to minimi ze friction the hook may be provided with freely rotatable wheels , for example . The holding element may be resiliently mounted to the support structure in a direction parallel to the tilting axis . The baggage container may be shaken in a direction parallel to the tilting axis in order to unload baggage pieces which are retained by lateral side portions at opposite sides of an opening of a baggage container .

[0023] The upper surface may be formed by upper surfaces of freely rotatable rollers which are located behind each other in a direction parallel to the tilting axis and next to each other in a direction perpendicular to the tilting axis , wherein the freely rotatable rollers have respective axes of rotation extending perpendicular to the tilting axis . In combination with the shaking device the baggage container on the platform can be reciprocatingly moved on the upper surface . This minimi zes friction between the baggage container and the upper surface of the platform during a shaking action .

[0024] The shaking device may be adapted such that the speed profile during the forward stroke and the backward stroke is di f ferent . The forward stroke and the backward stroke may have di f ferent average speeds . It is also possible to move the baggage container at a relatively low shaking speed, for example below 0 . 10 m / s or 0 . 05 m / s .

[0025] The apparatus may be provided with a baggage conveyor for discharging unloaded baggage at the unloading side of the apparatus , wherein the baggage conveyor is tiltable with respect to the frame about the tilting axis between an upwardly directed orientation and a hori zontal orientation . The baggage container may be in its upwardly directed orientation before tilting the platform in order to prevent baggage from prematurely leaving a baggage container on the platform during subsequently tilting the platform . For example , the baggage conveyor may be tilted further than the platform after simultaneously tilting them both to a certain angle such that the baggage can arrive on the baggage conveyor smoothly .

[0026] In a particular embodiment the apparatus is provided with a container conveyor for transporting a baggage container to and / or from the platform, which container conveyor is aligned with the platform in a direction parallel to the tilting axis . This means that no time-consuming additional displacement of the baggage container in transverse direction of the tilting axis is required . Simultaneously input and output of baggage containers to and from the platform is possible , which creates a high degree of unloading ef ficiency .

[0027] In an embodiment the platform is provided with a guide at a distance from the unloading side which guide lies at a higher level than the upper surface of the platform when the platform is in the hori zontal orientation, thus forming a space between the upper surface and the guide for receiving a bottom rim of a baggage container, wherein at least a portion of the upper surface and the guide are movable with respect to each other such that the distance between the at least one portion of the upper surface and the guide is smaller in the inclined orientation of the platform than in the hori zontal orientation of the platform . This allows to sandwich the bottom rim of a baggage container between the upper surface and the guide when tilting the platform so as to firmly hold the baggage container during a tilting action . As a consequence , there is no or little play between the guide and the bottom rim which avoids noise during a tilting action, in particular in combination with a shaking action i f a shaking device is present . The guide may be considered as a part of a locking mechanism for locking the baggage container to the upper surface of the platform . The guide may comprise an elongated profile along and below which the bottom rim of a baggage container moves during displacement to and from the platform .

[0028] It is noted that the platform may also be provided with a retaining guide at the side of the tilting axis against which an opposite bottom rim of the baggage container may rest during a tilting action . In the event that the baggage container is held to the platform through the retaining guide and / or other means during tilting the platform the contact surface of the retaining member may be located at a distance from the baggage container and only touch the baggage container i f this deforms during tilting the platform including the baggage container .

[0029] At least one portion of the upper surface may comprise a movable portion, which is movable with respect to the remainder of the platform between a lower position and an upper position . In this case the guide may have a fixed position at the platform .

[0030] In an embodiment the platform is provided with a mechanism for moving the movable portion to its upper position upon tilting the platform, wherein the mechanism is adapted such that it contacts the frame in the hori zontal orientation of the platform thereby urging the movable portion to its lower position and looses contact with the frame in the inclined orientation of the platform thereby urging the movable portion to its upper position . This means that the mechanism automatically clamps the bottom rim of a baggage container between the movable portion and the guide upon tilting the platform including the baggage container .

[0031] The movable portion may comprise a movable roller rail comprising freely rotatable rollers behind each other in a direction parallel to the tilting axis . In particular in combination with a shaking device this minimi zes friction between the upper surface and the baggage container during a shaking action . The upper surface of the platform may be tiltable with respect to the remainder of the platform through a pivot which has a pivot axis which extends perpendicularly to the tilting axis . This further improves the ef ficiency of an unloading process . For example , the platform may be tiltable between - 15 ° and + 15 ° relative to a hori zontal plane .

[0032] In an embodiment the apparatus is provided with a baggage arranging device for separating unloaded baggage articles from a baggage container on the platform from each other so as to form a row of unloaded baggage articles behind each other, comprising a first conveyor, a second conveyor which extends transversely with respect to the first conveyor, a third conveyor which extends transversely with respect to the second conveyor, a fourth conveyor which extends transversely with respect to the third conveyor and a fi fth conveyor which extends transversely with respect to the fourth conveyor, which are arranged such that baggage article successively follow the first , second, third, fourth and fi fth conveyor, wherein the first to fi fth conveyors are drivable independently from each other and the baggage arranging device is provided with a baggage detection device for detecting baggage articles on the first to fi fth conveyors , wherein the baggage arranging device comprises a controller for driving the first to fi fth conveyors on the basis of information from the baggage detection device .

[0033] The invention is also related to a method of unloading a baggage container by using the apparatus as described hereinbefore , wherein the baggage container has a front side including an opening for allowing baggage to leave the baggage container and lateral side portions at opposite sides of the opening, the method comprising the steps of : placing the baggage container on the platform such that the front side is located at the unloading side and the opening is located at the central portion of the imaginary plane and the lateral side portions are located at the side regions of the imaginary plane , tilting the platform about the tilting axis whereas the contact surface is directed to and / or contacts the first side of the baggage container, thereby keeping the opening free from the retaining member . The retaining member may serve to prevent the baggage container from tilting with respect to the platform or deformation of the baggage container as described hereinbefore , but keeps the opening of the baggage container free in order to provide maximum space to allow the baggage to leave the baggage container in the inclined orientation of the platform . I f the baggage container has a relatively narrow surrounding edge around the opening at the front side , the discrete contact surface may engage an upper rim of the surrounding edge , for example corresponding to the upper region of the imaginary plane .

[0034] The opening may be a continuous opening which also extends in the top side of the baggage container . This allows the baggage to leave the baggage container in the inclined orientation also through a portion of the opening in the top side without being hindered by the retaining member . The width of the opening may be the same at the front side and the top side of the baggage container .

[0035] In a tilted condition of the platform and the baggage container the baggage container may be shaken, preferably in longitudinal direction of the tilting axis in order to remove retaining baggage pieces from the baggage container .

[0036] The invention will hereafter be elucidated with reference to very schematic drawings showing an embodiment of the invention by way of example .

[0037] Fig . 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for unloading a baggage container according to the invention .

[0038] Fig . 2 is a perspective view of a baggage container .

[0039] Fig . 3 is a similar view as Fig . 2 , but showing a variant of the baggage container .

[0040] Fig . 4 is a similar view as Fig . 1 , showing the apparatus in a di f ferent condition and including the baggage container as shown in Fig . 2 .

[0041] Fig . 5 is a similar view as Fig . 1 , illustrating an imaginary plane at the apparatus .

[0042] Fig . 6 is a side view of a part of the apparatus as shown in Fig . 1 on a larger scale .

[0043] Fig . 7 is a similar view as Fig . 1 , showing a part of the apparatus on a larger scale . Figs. 8-16 are side views of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, illustrating successive steps of an embodiment of unloading a baggage container according to the invention.

[0044] Fig. 17 is a similar view as Fig. 1, showing a part of the apparatus on a larger scale.

[0045] Fig. 18 is a similar view as Fig. 1, showing a part of the apparatus on a larger scale.

[0046] Fig. 19 is an enlarged side view of the part as shown in Fig . 18.

[0047] Fig. 20 is a perspective bottom view of a part of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1.

[0048] Fig. 21 is a similar view as Fig. 1, showing a part of the apparatus on a larger scale.

[0049] Fig. 22 is a similar view as Fig. 1, showing an alternative embodiment.

[0050] Fig. 23 is a similar view as Fig. 1, illustrating a first baggage detection system.

[0051] Fig. 24 is a plan view of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, including a baggage arranging device.

[0052] Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the baggage arranging device as shown in Fig. 24.

[0053] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an apparatus 1 for unloading baggage containers 2, such as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The baggage containers 2 are used in an aeroplane and may contain bags, suitcases etc. The loaded baggage containers 2 can be transported from the aeroplane to the apparatus 1 where they are placed on a container conveyor 3 for conveying each of them to a platform 4.

[0054] The apparatus 1 comprises a frame 5 to which the platform 4 is mounted. The platform 4 is tiltable with respect to the frame 5 about a tilting axis 6 between a substantially horizontal orientation as illustrated in Fig. 1 and an inclined orientation. Fig. 4 illustrates an inclined orientation of the platform 4. In this case the platform 4 is tilted through platform hydraulic cylinders 50, but alternative actuators are conceivable. The tilting axis 6 is located at an unloading side of the apparatus 1, where baggage from a tilted baggage container 2 is received on a series of parallel baggage conveyors 7 for further transport of the baggage to a baggage carousel at a terminal . The platform 4 has an upper surface for supporting a baggage container 2 . The platform 4 may be provided with a locking system for locking the baggage container 2 to the upper surface thereof .

[0055] The type of baggage container 2 as shown in Fig . 2 has an opening 8 through which the baggage can leave the baggage container 2 . The opening 8 is a continuous opening which extends in a front side 9 and a top side 10 of the baggage container 2 . This means that the baggage can be discharged through a portion of the opening 8 in the top side 10 as well as through a portion of the opening 8 in the front side 9 of the baggage container 2 . The baggage container 2 as shown in Fig . 2 is provided with a tiltable cover 11 for covering the portion of the opening 8 in the top side 10 . Instead of the tiltable cover 11 the baggage container 2 may be provided with a flexible sheet or the like . It is noted that Figs . 2 , 4 and 7 show the cover 11 in both the closed and open condition in a single picture , but in reality when the cover 11 is open the inner side of the baggage container 2 would be visible through the portion of the opening

[0056] 8 in the top side 10 of the baggage container 2 .

[0057] The variant of the baggage container 2 as shown in Fig . 3 has also an opening 8 through which the baggage can leave the baggage container 2 , but the opening 8 is only in the front side

[0058] 9 of the baggage container 2 . Several alternative variants of baggage containers 2 that can be unloaded by the apparatus 1 are conceivable . Although not shown in Fig . 3 , this variant of the baggage container 2 may also be provided with a cover, for example a flexible sheet which may cover the opening 8 .

[0059] Fig . 1 shows a reversed L-shaped support structure which is fixed to the platform 4 . The support structure has a first leg 12 in the form of parallel profiles which are fixed to each other by intermediate bars . The parallel profiles of the first leg 12 extend upwardly from the platform 4 in its hori zontal orientation and have respective lower ends that are fixed to the platform 4 at a distance from the tilting axis 6 . In this case , when the platform 4 is in the hori zontal orientation the first leg 12 extends vertically from a free end of the platform 4 . The support structure has a second leg 13 in the form of two parallel hollow beams which are fixed to each other and movably mounted to the respective parallel profiles of the first leg 12 . The beams are also parallel to the platform 4 , i . e . hori zontal when the platform 4 is in the hori zontal orientation . In the hori zontal orientation the second leg 13 is movable up and down along the first leg 12 . Free ends of the beams of the second leg 13 are provided with respective hooks 14 . The hooks 14 are rotatable with respect to the beams through pivots 15 which have a common axis of rotation that extends parallel to the tilting axis 6 . Fig . 4 shows that the beams of the second leg 13 are arranged such that they allow the cover 11 to pass between the beams .

[0060] Fig . 6 shows how the hooks 14 in this embodiment of the apparatus 1 can be rotated with respect to the respective beams of the second leg 13 . An electric motor 16 is drivably coupled to a shaft 17 which in turn is provided with respective eccentric members 18 at its opposite ends . Each of the eccentric members 18 is rotatably coupled to one end of a rod 19 which extends through the corresponding beam of the second leg 13 . An opposite end of the rod 19 is rotatably coupled to the hook 14 at a distance from the axis of rotation of the pivot 15 , hence forming a crank-connecting rod mechanism .

[0061] Figs . 6 and 7 illustrate a situation in which one of the hooks 14 is in a retaining condition for retaining a baggage container 2 when this is tilted by the platform 4 . In the retaining condition a contact surface 20 of the hook 14 may engage the front side 9 of the baggage container 2 next to the opening 8 . The contact surface 20 of each of the hooks 14 is a discrete contact surface which is relatively small ; for example , it may have a height and length which are smaller than 10% of the length of the platform 4 as measured along the tilting axis 6 . Figs . 2 and 3 illustrate where the contact surfaces 20 of the respective hooks 14 may contact corresponding discrete counter contact surfaces at the front side 9 of the baggage containers 2 when they are handled by the apparatus 1 . Preferably, the hooks 14 remain outside the opening 8 of a baggage container 2 in order to prevent baggage from being caught behind the hooks 14 during unloading the baggage container 2 . The hooks 14 form a retaining member including two contact surfaces 20 for retaining a baggage container 2 on the platform 4 at its inclined orientation . This minimi zes the risk of deformation of the baggage container 2 during tilting of the platform 4 , for example in case a lower side of the baggage container 2 is locked to the upper surface of the platform 4 . In an alternative embodiment the apparatus 1 may have a di f ferent retaining member, of which the contact surfaces 20 have di f ferent locations than in the apparatus as shown in the figures . Referring to Fig . 5 , in general terms , at the unloading side of the apparatus 1 an imaginary plane P extends upwardly from the platform 4 when it is in the substantially hori zontal orientation . The plane P is subdivided in a central region C, two side regions S I and S2 which are located at opposite sides of the central region C in longitudinal direction of the tilting axis 6 and an upper region U which extends between the side regions S I , S2 above the central region C . In general terms , the discrete contact surface 20 is located within the plane P above the platform 4 and outside the central region C such that the central region C is free from the hooks 14 .

[0062] When a baggage container 2 as shown in Fig . 2 is placed on the platform 4 , the opening 8 in the front side 9 may be positioned at the central region C of the imaginary plane P, whereas lateral portions of the front side 9 of the baggage container 2 may be positioned at the respective side regions S I , S2 of the imaginary plane P . Figs . 2 and 4 illustrate that the contact surfaces 20 of the hooks 14 engage the lateral portions of the front side 9 , i . e . outside the central region C of the imaginary plane P, whereas the central region C and the upper region U are kept free such that during tilting a baggage container 2 there is no obstacle which prevents baggage from leaving the baggage container 2 through the portion of the opening 8 in the front side 9 and the portion of the opening in the top side of the baggage container 2 .

[0063] When a baggage container 2 of the type as shown in Fig . 3 is placed on the platform 4 , the opening 8 in the front side 9 may be positioned at the central region C of the imaginary plane P, whereas lateral portions of the front side 9 of the baggage container 2 may be positioned at the respective side regions S I , S2 of the imaginary plane P . In this case , the central portion C and the upper portion U may be wider than shown in Fig . 5 , whereas the side region S2 may be smaller than shown in Fig . 5 . Referring to Figs . 3 and 5 , this means that one discrete contact surface 20 is located at the upper region U and one discrete contact surface 20 is located at the first side region S I . The central region C remains free from the hooks 14 .

[0064] The apparatus 1 is also provided with a cover holding mechanism 21 for keeping the cover 11 of a baggage container 2 open during tilting the type of baggage container 2 as shown in Fig . 2 . Fig . 4 shows that the cover rests against the cover holding mechanism 21 . The cover holding mechanism 21 comprises a holding element 22 for contacting the cover i f it is a flexible sheet , for example a flexible sheet that covers the opening 8 of the variant of the baggage container 2 as shown in Fig . 3 . In the latter case the holding element 22 may press the flexible sheet against the top side 10 of the baggage container 2 . The holding element 22 is resiliently mounted to the second leg 13 of the support structure . Fig . 6 shows that the holding element 22 is rotatably mounted to a lever 28 which in turn is rotatably and resiliently mounted to the second leg 13 , but numerous alternative mechanisms are conceivable .

[0065] In practice , a flexible cover of a baggage container 2 as shown in Fig . 3 may be folded upwardly and laid on the top side 10 of the baggage container 2 before moving the baggage container 2 onto the platform 4 . After the baggage container 2 is placed on the platform 4 the second leg 13 may be lowered until the holding element 22 clamps the flexible cover between the holding element 22 and the top side 10 of the baggage container 2 . After touching the cover the lever 28 may slightly rotate such that the holding element 22 rotates upwardly with respect to the second leg 13 .

[0066] Referring to Fig . 1 , the platform 4 is provided with a plurality of stationary roller rails 26 and a movable roller rail 27 , which are shown in more detail in Figs . 18-21 . Each of the stationary roller rails 26 and the movable roller rail 27 are provided with freely rotatable rollers 29 . Upper surfaces of the freely rotatatable rollers 29 together form the upper surface of the platform 4 . The stationary roller rails 26 have fixed positions at the platform 4 , whereas the movable roller rail 27 is movable in transverse direction of a main plane of the platform 4 between a lower position and an upper position, which main plane extends hori zontally in the hori zontal orientation of the platform 4 . Furthermore , the platform 4 comprises a guide 39 at a distance from the unloading side of the apparatus 1 , see Fig . 21 . The guide 39 extends parallel to the tilting axis 6 and serves to hold a bottom rim 40 of a baggage container 2 , see Figs . 2 and 3 , below the guide 39 during unloading the baggage container 2 . As seen from above , the movable roller rail 27 is located next to the guide 39 and the stationary roller rails 26 are located at a larger distance from the guide 39 than the movable roller rail 27 .

[0067] When a baggage container 2 is moved from the container conveyor 3 to the platform 4 in order to be unloaded, a drivable belt 41 at the platform 4 moves the baggage container 2 in a direction along the tilting axis 6 , see Fig . 1 . In the hori zontal orientation an upper surface of the belt 41 may lie at a slightly higher level than the upper surfaces of the rollers 29 of the stationary roller rails 26 and the movable roller rail 27 , whereas in the inclined orientation the belt 41 is lowered with respect to the rollers 29 such that its upper surface is below the upper surfaces of the rollers 29 of the stationary roller rails 26 and the movable roller rail 27 ; this means that the baggage container 2 does not rest on the belt 41 in the inclined orientation .

[0068] Furthermore , referring to Fig . 21 , when a baggage container 2 is moved from the container conveyor 3 to the platform 4 the bottom rim 40 of the baggage container 2 moves below the guide 39 . In this condition the movable roller rail 27 is in its lower position to provide suf ficient space between the guide 39 and the rollers 29 of the movable roller rail 27 . When tilting the platform 4 to its inclined orientation the movable roller rail 27 automatically moves to its upper position such that the bottom rim 40 of the baggage container 2 is clamped between the guide 39 and the rollers 29 of the movable roller rail 27 . The upper surfaces of the rollers 29 of the movable roller rail 27 may be higher than the upper surfaces of the rollers 29 of the stationary roller rail 26 when the platform 4 is in the inclined orientation . The guide 39 may be movable with respect to the remainder of the platform 4 in order to allow to unload baggage containers 2 of di f ferent dimensions .

[0069] Figs . 18-20 show an embodiment of a mechanism for moving the movable roller rail 27 to its upper position automatically upon tilting the platform 4 upwardly from the hori zontal orientation . The movable roller rail 27 is mounted to a pair of levers 30 . Each of the levers 30 is rotatable with respect to the platform 4 through a pivot 31 . The movable roller rail 27 is fixed to the lever 30 at one side of the pivot 31 whereas springs 33 are functionally mounted between the lever 30 and the platform 4 at an opposite side of the pivot 31 . The frame 5 is provided with abutments in the form of disks 34 , see Fig . 20 , on which lower surfaces 32 of the respective levers 30 rest when the platform 4 is in the hori zontal orientation such that the springs 33 are compressed and the movable roller rail 27 is in its lower position .

[0070] When the platform 4 is tilted from its hori zontal orientation to its inclined orientation the lower surfaces 32 of the levers 30 will loose contact with the disks 34 and the springs 33 urge the movable roller rail 27 to its upper position . Consequently, the bottom rim 40 of the baggage container 2 will be clamped between the guide 39 and the rollers 29 of the movable roller rail 27 . Due to the clamping force the baggage container 2 remains stable with respect to the platform 4 during a tilting action which avoids noise . It is noted that the belt 41 may comprise a similar mechanism to urge the upper surface of the belt 41 above or flush with the upper surfaces of the rollers 29 of the stationary roller rails 26 and / or the movable roller rail 27 in the hori zontal orientation of the platform 4 and below the upper surfaces of the rollers 29 of the stationary roller rails 26 and the movable roller rail 27 in the inclined orientation .

[0071] It is noted that at the unloading side of the apparatus 1 the platform 4 may be provided with a retaining guide or an upright rim against which the bottom rim 40 of a baggage container 2 may abut during tilting the platform 4 . The upright rim, the guide 39 and the movable roller rail 27 are part of the locking system for locking the baggage container 2 to the upper surface thereof .

[0072] A clamping mechanism with the guide 39 and the movable roller rail 27 may also be applied without the hooks 14 as described above . In other words , the invention is also related to the following aspects :

[0073] Aspect 1 : An apparatus 1 for unloading a baggage container 2 , comprising a frame 5 , a platform 4 including an upper surface for supporting a baggage container 2 , which platform 4 is mounted to the frame 5 and tiltable with respect to the frame 5 between a substantially hori zontal orientation and an inclined orientation about a tilting axis 6 located at an unloading side of the apparatus 1 , wherein the platform 4 is provided with a guide 39 at a distance from the unloading side which guide 39 lies at a higher level than the upper surface of the platform 4 when the platform is in the hori zontal orientation, thus forming a space between the upper surface and the guide 39 for receiving a bottom rim 40 of a baggage container 2 , wherein at least a portion 27 of the upper surface and the guide 39 are movable with respect to each other such that the distance between the at least one portion 27 of the upper surface and the guide 39 is smaller in the inclined orientation of the platform 4 than in the hori zontal orientation of the platform 4 . Hence , when a bottom rim 40 of the baggage container 2 is located between the at least one portion 27 of the upper surface and the guide 39 , the bottom rim 40 can be clamped between them in order to hold the baggage container 2 when tilting the platform 4 . The guide 39 may be an elongated profile extending parallel to the tilting axis 6 .

[0074] Aspect 2 : An apparatus 1 according to aspect 1 , wherein the at least one portion of the upper surface comprises a movable portion 27 , which is movable with respect to the remainder of the platform 4 between a lower position and an upper position . In the inclined orientation, when the movable portion 27 is in its upper position, the movable portion 27 may urge the bottom rim 40 of a baggage container against the guide 39 , whereas in the hori zontal orientation, when the movable portion 27 is in its lower position, the bottom rim 40 is not sandwiched between the movable portion 27 and the guide 39 . In this case , the guide 39 may have a fixed position at the platform 4 in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the platform .

[0075] Aspect 3 : An apparatus 1 according to aspect 2 , wherein the platform 4 is provided with a mechanism for moving the movable portion 27 to its upper position upon tilting the platform 4 , wherein the mechanism is adapted such that it contacts the frame 5 in the hori zontal orientation of the platform 4 thereby urging the movable portion 27 to its lower position and looses contact with the frame 5 in the inclined orientation of the platform 4 thereby urging the movable portion 27 to its upper position . The mechanism may comprise a lever 30 and a spring 33 like the embodiment as shown in Figs . 18 and 19 .

[0076] Aspect 4 : An apparatus 1 according to aspect 2 or 3 , wherein the movable portion comprises a movable roller rail 27 comprising freely rotatable rollers 29 behind each other in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 .

[0077] The apparatus 1 may also be provided with a shaking device 23 for shaking the baggage container 2 in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 . The shaking device 23 may be coupled to the upper surface of the platform 4 such that the baggage container 2 on the upper surface of the platform 4 can be shaken . This may serve to unload remaining baggage pieces in the baggage container 2 i f they do not leave the baggage container 2 in the inclined orientation of the platform 2 by gravity only .

[0078] In the embodiment as shown in Fig . 1 the shaking device 23 has a suction cup and can be li fted with respect to the remainder of the platform 4 in the inclined orientation in order to engage the suction cup to a bottom of the baggage container 2 . A similar mechanism as described above in relation to li fting the movable roller rail 27 may be applied for li fting the shaking device 23 . The shaking device 23 is adapted such that a baggage container 2 is shaken in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 . Friction between the platform 6 and the baggage container 2 during a shaking action is minimi zed because of the presence of the freely rotatable rollers 29 of the stationary roller rails 26 and the movable roller rail 27 . The spring forces of the springs 33 at the movable roller rail 27 are preferably relatively mild to minimi ze friction between the guide 39 and the bottom rim 40 . In particular during a shaking action, noise is minimi zed when the bottom rim 40 is clamped between the guide 39 and the movable roller rail 27 .

[0079] Under operating conditions the shaking device 23 may shake the baggage container 2 such that the speed profile during the forward stroke and the backward stroke is the same . It appears , however, that under certain circumstances unloading is promoted when the speed profile during the forward stroke and the backward stroke is di f ferent . For example , the forward stroke and the backward stroke may have a di f ference of average speed of more than 10% . Furthermore , it appears that under certain circumstances the speed of shaking below 0 . 10 m / s or 0 . 05 m / s can promote unloading .

[0080] The shaking device 23 may also be applied without the hooks 14 as described above or other aspects of the invention as described in the present disclosure . In other words , the invention is also related to the following aspects :

[0081] Aspect 1 : An apparatus 1 for unloading a baggage container 2 , comprising a frame 5 , a platform 4 including an upper surface for supporting a baggage container 2 , which platform 4 is mounted to the frame 5 and tiltable with respect to the frame 5 between a substantially hori zontal orientation and an inclined orientation about a tilting axis 6 located at an unloading side of the apparatus 1 , wherein the apparatus 1 is provided with a shaking device 23 for shaking a baggage container 2 on the platform 4 in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 .

[0082] Aspect 2 : An apparatus 1 according to aspect 1 , wherein the upper surface is formed by upper surfaces of freely rotatable rollers 29 which are located behind each other in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 and next to each other in a direction perpendicular to the tilting axis 6 , wherein the freely rotatable rollers 29 have respective axes of rotation extending perpendicular to the tilting axis 6 . This minimi zes friction between the baggage container 2 and the upper surface of the platform during a shaking action .

[0083] Aspect 3 : An apparatus 1 according to aspect 1 or 2 , wherein the shaking device 23 is adapted such that the speed profile during the forward stroke and the backward stroke is di f ferent . The forward stroke and the backward stroke may have di f ferent average speeds .

[0084] Aspect 4 : An apparatus 1 according to any one of the preceding aspects , wherein the speed of shaking is lower than 0 . 10 or 0 . 05 m / s .

[0085] In order to minimi ze friction between the baggage container 2 and the hooks 14 the hooks 14 may be rotated away from the baggage container 2 during a shaking action . Instead of rotating the hooks 14 away, the hooks 14 may be provided with sliding surfaces or wheels to minimi ze friction .

[0086] In order to minimi ze friction between the cover 11 of the baggage container 2 of the type as shown in Fig . 2 and the holding element 22 during a shaking action the holding element 22 may be resiliently mounted to the second leg 13 in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 , for example . In that case the holding element 22 is movable with respect to the second leg 13 in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 . This is illustrated in Fig . 17 . The holding element 22 is rotatably mounted to a shaft 24 which in turn is displaceable with respect to the lever 28 in longitudinal direction of the shaft 24 . Two coil springs 25 serve to bring the shaft 24 in a neutral position when the holding element 22 does not engage the cover 11 of the baggage container 2 such that the holding element 22 is movable in opposite direction when the holding element 22 does engage the cover .

[0087] The holding element 22 may also be applied without the hooks 14 as described above or other aspects of the invention as described in the present disclosure . In other words , the invention is also related to the following aspects :

[0088] Aspect 1 : An apparatus 1 for unloading a baggage container 2 , comprising a frame 5 , a platform 4 including an upper surface for supporting a baggage container 2 , which platform 4 is mounted to the frame 5 and tiltable with respect to the frame 5 between a substantially hori zontal orientation and an inclined orientation about a tilting axis 6 located at an unloading side of the apparatus 1 , wherein the apparatus 1 is provided with a support structure including a reversed L-shape having a first leg 12 which is directed upwardly from the platform 4 when it is in the substantially hori zontal orientation and has a lower end that is fixed to the platform 4 and a second leg 13 which is mounted to the first leg 12 , wherein the second leg 13 is provided with a holding element 22 for keeping a cover 11 of a baggage container 2 on the platform 4 open during tilting the platform 4 .

[0089] Aspect 2 : An apparatus 1 according to aspect 1 , wherein the holding element 22 is movable with respect to the second leg 13 of the support structure in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 . This is advantageous in case of the presence of a shaking device 23 . When shaking a baggage container 2 on the platform 4 the holding element 22 can keep the cover 11 stationary with respect to the baggage container 2 whereas the baggage container 2 and the holding element 22 together may be reciprocatingly moved with respect to the support structure in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 .

[0090] Aspect 3 : An apparatus 1 according to aspect 2 , wherein the holding element 22 is resiliently mounted to the second leg 13 .

[0091] Aspect 4 : An apparatus 1 according to any one of the preceding aspects , wherein the holding element 22 is movable with respect to the second leg 13 in transverse direction of the upper surface of the platform 4 in order to be able to hold a flexible cover, such as a sheet , of the baggage container 2 between the baggage container 2 and the holding element 22 and / or wherein the holding element 22 and the second leg 13 are shaped such that they leave a space next to the holding element 22 for receiving a tiltable rigid cover of a baggage container 2 on the platform 4 wherein the cover hooks behind the holding element 22 during tilting the platform 4 .

[0092] The series of parallel baggage conveyors 7 are tiltable with respect to the frame 5 about the tilting axis 6 , as well . The baggage conveyors 7 can be tilted upwardly before tilting the platform 4 including a baggage container 2 to be unloaded in order to prevent baggage from prematurely leaving the baggage container 2 . The baggage conveyors 7 may be drivable independently from each other .

[0093] Fig . 1 shows that the baggage containers 2 can be supplied to the platform 4 in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 . This is advantageous in terms of handling ef ficiency of the baggage containers 2 by the apparatus 1 , since the baggage containers 2 can pass the apparatus 1 in a single direction without an additional displacement in transverse direction . This configuration is not necessarily related to the hooks 14 as described above or other aspects of the invention as described in the present disclosure . In other words , the invention is also related to the following aspects :

[0094] Aspect 1 : An apparatus 1 for unloading a baggage container 2 , comprising a frame 5 , a platform 4 including an upper surface for supporting a baggage container 2 , which platform 4 is mounted to the frame 5 and tiltable with respect to the frame 5 between a substantially hori zontal orientation and an inclined orientation about a tilting axis 6 located at an unloading side of the apparatus 1 , wherein the apparatus 1 is provided with a container conveyor 3 for moving a baggage container 2 to and / or from the platform 4 in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 .

[0095] Aspect 2 : An apparatus 1 according to claim 1 , wherein the platform 4 is aligned with the container conveyor 3 in a direction parallel to the tilting axis 6 .

[0096] Figs . 8- 16 illustrate successive steps of an embodiment of a method of unloading a baggage container 2 by the apparatus 1 as shown in Figs . 1-7 , in this case a baggage container 2 of the type as shown in Fig . 2 . Under operating conditions the baggage container 2 to be unloaded is placed on the container conveyor 3 and moved to the platform 4 . Fig . 8 shows that the cover 11 of the baggage container 2 is open and the platform 4 is in the hori zontal orientation . The baggage container 2 may be locked to the upper surface of the platform 4 . The platform 4 is in the hori zontal orientation and the baggage conveyors 7 are slightly inclined downwardly as seen from the tilting axis 6 .

[0097] Fig . 9 shows that the hooks 14 are rotated upwardly and the second leg 13 is moved downwardly such that the holding element 22 is located between the cover 11 and the unloading side of the apparatus 1 . The open cover 11 passes a space between the beams of the second leg 13 and rests against the cover holding mechanism 21 . Fig . 9 also shows that the baggage conveyors 7 are rotated upwardly . In the situation as shown in Fig. 10 the baggage conveyors 7 form a vertical wall at the unloading side of the apparatus 1 and prevents baggage from prematurely leaving the baggage container 2. Furthermore, the hooks 14 are rotated downwardly such that their contact surfaces 20 are directed to the front side 9 of the baggage container 2. In the latter condition the contact surfaces 20 do not necessarily contact the baggage container 2.

[0098] Fig. 11 shows a next step, in which the platform 4 and the baggage conveyors 7 are rotated simultaneously about an angle of slightly more than 90°, but this angle may be different. The baggage in the baggage container 2 will tend to move to the baggage conveyors 7 by gravity. Subsequently, the platform 4 and the baggage conveyors 7 are rotated simultaneously back about an angle of 45° as shown in Fig. 12, but this angle may be different, as well, for example such that the angle between the horizontal and the platform is about 75° as shown in Fig. 13. In the condition as shown in Fig. 13 the platform 4 may remain at the same inclined orientation whereas the baggage conveyors 7 are rotated downwardly. The baggage will leave the baggage container 2 by gravity and discharged by the baggage conveyors 7.

[0099] If it is detected that all baggage has left the baggage container 2 the platform 4 can be returned to the horizontal orientation. If not, the platform 4 can be rotated further to a larger inclination angle as shown in Fig. 14 and back to the situation as shown in Fig. 15. This movement may be repeated. If the apparatus 1 is provided with a shaking device 23 as described hereinbefore, the shaking device 23 may be activated in the condition as shown in Fig. 15, for example, in order to unload remaining baggage pieces. In a final step the platform 4 is returned to its horizontal orientation, in which the hooks 14 can be rotated upwardly, the second leg 13 can be lifted and the baggage container 2 can be detached from the platform 4 such that the baggage container 2 can leave the platform 4, see Fig. 16. It may be clear that the apparatus 1 provides the opportunity to implement numerous alternative embodiments of a method of unloading a baggage container 2.

[0100] As described hereinbefore, the platform 4 is tiltable through the platform hydraulic cylinders 50. The baggage conveyors 7 are tiltable through baggage conveyor hydraulic cylinders 51 . The platform hydraulic cylinders 50 and the baggage conveyor hydraulic cylinders 51 are controllable independently from each other . During tilting the platform 4 and the baggage conveyors 7 simultaneously, as illustrated in Figs . 11 and 12 , the platform hydraulic cylinders 50 and the baggage conveyor hydraulic cylinders 51 are hydraulically coupled to each other such that hydraulic fluid directly flows between the platform hydraulic cylinders 50 and the baggage conveyor hydraulic cylinders 51 in order to avoid di f ferent tilting angles of the platform 7 and the baggage conveyors 7 . This type of control may also be applied without the hooks 14 as described above or other aspects of the invention as described in the present disclosure . In other words , the invention is also related to the following aspect :

[0101] An apparatus 1 for unloading a baggage container 2 , comprising a frame 5 , a platform 4 including an upper surface for supporting a baggage container 2 , which platform 4 is mounted to the frame 5 and tiltable with respect to the frame 5 between a substantially hori zontal orientation and an inclined orientation about a tilting axis 6 located at an unloading side of the apparatus 1 , a baggage retaining element 7 for retaining baggage from a baggage container 2 on the platform 4 at its inclined orientation, wherein the baggage retaining element 7 is located at the unloading side of the apparatus 1 and tiltable with respect to the frame 5 about the tilting axis 6 , as well , wherein the platform 4 is tiltable through a first hydraulic cylinder 50 and the baggage retaining element 7 is tiltable through a second hydraulic cylinder 51 , which are hydraulically coupled to each other such that the platform 4 and the baggage retaining element 7 are tiltable with respect to the frame 5 synchronously . The retaining element 7 may have parallel baggage conveyors which are drivable independently from each other as described hereinbefore .

[0102] Fig . 22 shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 1 . In this embodiment the platform 4 is subdivided in a lower platform part 4 and an upper platform part 4b . The upper platform part 4b comprises the stationary roller rails 26 , the movable roller rail 27 , the shaking device 23 and the belt 41 . The upper platform part 4b is rotatable with respect to the lower platform part 4a about a pivot 35 including a pivot axis which extends perpendicularly to the tilting axis 6 . The apparatus 1 may be adapted such that the upper platform part 4b can tilt with respect to a hori zontal position within a range of - 15 to + 15 ° , for example . This may facilitate the unloading process . This configuration is not necessarily related to the hooks 14 as described above or other aspects of the invention as described in the present disclosure .

[0103] Fig . 23 shows a first baggage detection system for detecting remaining baggage in a baggage container 2 during an unloading action . The first baggage detection system comprises a plurality of optical sensors which are located at di f ferent locations at the frame 5 . The optical sensors emit light beams 36 at di f ferent angles and are directed to the inner side of a baggage container 2 through its opening 8 in the front side 9 under operating conditions . Monitoring the content of the baggage container 2 during an unloading action provides information whether the shaking device 23 should be started, for example .

[0104] Fig . 23 also shows light beams 37 from optical sensors which light beams 37 are directed to the baggage conveyors 7 in order to monitor baggage articles on the baggage conveyors 7 . This information provides the opportunity to control the baggage conveyors 7 independently from each other in order to control flow of baggage articles from the baggage conveyors 7 and avoid j amming downstream the baggage conveyors 7 .

[0105] Figs . 24 and 25 show a baggage arranging device 60 for conveying unloaded baggage away from the baggage conveyors 7 such that baggage articles are separated from each other and form a row behind each other . The unloaded baggage successively follows a discharge conveyor 61 , a first conveyor 62 , a second conveyor 63 , a third conveyor 64 , a fourth conveyor 65 and a fi fth conveyor 66 . The discharge conveyor 61 extends perpendicular to the baggage conveyors 7 . The first conveyor 62 is aligned with the discharge conveyor 61 and has an inclined orientation in order to transport the baggage to an elevated level where the baggage arrives on the second conveyor 63 . On the second conveyor 63 the baggage travels in transverse direction with respect to the first conveyor 62 . The third conveyor 64 transports the baggage in transverse direction with respect to the second conveyor 63 . The third conveyor 64 has also an inclined orientation . The first , second and third conveyors 62 , 63 , 64 are arranged such that at trans fers between the first and the second conveyors 62 , 63 and between the second and third conveyors 63 , 64 an upper surface of the second conveyor 63 is lower than an upper surface of the first conveyor

[0106] 62 and an upper surface of the third conveyor 64 is lower than an upper surface of the second conveyor 63 , respectively .

[0107] On the fourth conveyor 65 the baggage travels in transverse direction with respect to the third conveyor 64 , whereas the fi fth conveyor 66 transports the baggage in transverse direction with respect to the fourth conveyor 65 . The third, fourth and fi fth conveyors 64 , 65 , 66 are arranged such that at trans fers between the third and fourth conveyors 64 , 65 an upper surface of the fourth conveyor 65 is lower than an upper surface of the third conveyor 64 and between the fourth and fi fth conveyors 65 , 66 an upper surface of the fi fth conveyor 66 is lower than an upper surface of the fourth conveyor 65 , respectively . The arrangement of the baggage arranging device 60 appears to separate baggage articles from each other appropriately such that on the fi fth conveyor 66 a row of separate baggage articles behind each other will arise . The height di f ferences at the above-mentioned trans fers appear to separate baggage articles from each other which are located on top of each other when leaving the baggage conveyors 7 .

[0108] Furthermore , at the trans fer between the second and third conveyors 63 , 64 baggage articles which are located on the first conveyor 62 next to each other in transverse direction of the first conveyor 62 may be separated from each other by using a second baggage detection system . The second baggage detection system comprises optical sensors which emit light beams 67 that are directed to di f ferent locations in the baggage arranging device 60 . For example , i f the optical sensors detect that two baggage articles have arrived on the second conveyor 63 next to each other in transverse direction of the first conveyor 62 and one of them falls on the third conveyor 64 the second conveyor

[0109] 63 may be stopped for a while whereas the third conveyor 64 can already transport the one baggage article in order to create space with respect to the other one which can be trans ferred from the second conveyor 63 to the third conveyor 64 after a certain period of time . A similar control method may be applied at the fourth and fi fth conveyors 65 , 66 .

[0110] In the embodiment as shown in Figs . 24 and 25 the first and fi fth conveyors 62 , 66 are aligned, whereas the third conveyor 64 is parallel to the first and fi fth conveyors 62 , 66 , but this may be di f ferent in an alternative embodiment .

[0111] The baggage arranging device 60 is not necessarily related to the hooks 14 as described above or other aspects of the invention as described in the present disclosure . In other words , the invention is also related to the following aspects : Aspect 1 : A baggage arranging device 60 for separating unloaded baggage articles from each other so as to form a row of unloaded baggage articles behind each other, comprising a first conveyor 62 , a second conveyor 63 which extends transversely with respect to the first conveyor 62 , a third conveyor 64 which extends transversely with respect to the second conveyor 63 , a fourth conveyor 65 which extends transversely with respect to the third conveyor 64 and a fi fth conveyor 66 which extends transversely with respect to the third conveyor 65 , which are arranged such that baggage articles successively follow the first , second, third, fourth and fi fth conveyors 62- 66 , wherein the first to fi fth conveyors 62- 66 are drivable independently from each other and the baggage arranging device 60 is provided with a baggage detection device 67 for detecting baggage articles on the first to fi fth conveyors 62- 66 , wherein the baggage arranging device 60 comprises a controller for driving the first to fi fth conveyors 62- 66 on the basis of information from the baggage detection device 67 .

[0112] Aspect 2 : A baggage arranging device 60 according to aspect 1 , wherein the controller is configured such that when it detects two baggage articles on the second conveyor 63 at the same time it drives the second conveyor 63 until one of the two baggage articles is trans ferred to the third conveyor 64 , after which the second conveyor 63 is temporarily stopped or retarded and preferably the first conveyor 62 is temporarily stopped or retarded . The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described hereinbefore , which may be varied in di f ferent manners within the scope of the claims and their technical equivalents . For example , in an alternative embodiment the retaining member may be mounted to the platform at the unloading side of the apparatus whereas a discrete contact surface thereof contacts the front side of the baggage container, thereby keeping free the opening of a baggage container on the platform . In the latter case it is not necessary that the discrete contact surface is part of a hook .

[0113] It is also conceivable that the discrete contact surface engages a baggage container below its upper side , but still within one of the first and side regions .

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus (1) for unloading a baggage container (2) , comprising a frame (5) , a platform (4) including an upper surface for supporting a baggage container (2) , which platform (4) is mounted to the frame (5) and tiltable with respect to the frame (5) between a substantially horizontal orientation and an inclined orientation about a tilting axis (6) located at an unloading side of the apparatus (1) , a retaining member (14) including a contact surface (20) for retaining a baggage container (2) on the platform (4) at its inclined orientation, wherein at the unloading side an imaginary plane (P) extends upwardly from the platform (4) when it is in the substantially horizontal orientation, which imaginary plane (P) is subdivided in a central region (C) , first and second side regions (SI, S2) which are located at opposite sides of the central region (C) in longitudinal direction of the tilting axis (6) and an upper region (U) between the first and second side regions (SI, S2) and above the central region (C) , wherein under operating conditions the contact surface (20) of the retaining member (14) is directed in a direction from the tilting axis (6) to a free end of the platform (4) , characterized in that the contact surface of the retaining member (14) is a discrete contact surface (20) which is located at a distance from the upper surface of the platform (4) at one of the upper region (U) , the first side region (SI) and the second side region (S2) such that the central region (C) is free from the retaining member (14) .

2. An apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein under operating conditions the contact surface (20) of the retaining member (14) is located in the imaginary plane (P) .

3. An apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact surface (20) is located at one of the first side region (SI) and the second side region (S2) such that the upper region (U) is free from the retaining member (14) .

4. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discrete contact surface (20) is a first discrete contact surface and the retaining member (14) comprises a second discrete contact surface which is located at a distance from the first discrete contact surface in adirection parallel to the tilting axis (6) , wherein under operating conditions the second discrete contact surface is directed in a direction from the tilting axis (6) to the free end of the platform (4) and located at a distance from the upper surface of the platform (4) at one of the upper region (U) , the first side region (SI) and the second side region (S2) such that the central region (C) is free from the retaining member (14) .

5. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining member comprises a hook (14) for engaging a baggage container (2) on the platform (4) , which hook (14) is provided with the contact surface (20) and mounted to the platform (4) through a support structure (12, 13) .

6. An apparatus (1) according to claim 5, wherein the hook (14) is movable with respect to the support structure (12, 13) .

7. An apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein the hook (14) is rotatable with respect to the support structure(12, 13) .

8. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the claims 5-7, wherein the support structure comprises a reversed L-shape having a first leg (12) which is directed upwardly from the platform (4) when it is in the substantially horizontal orientation and has a lower end that is fixed to the platform (4) at a distance from the tilting axis (6) and a second leg (13) which is mounted to the first leg (12) , wherein a free end of the second leg (13) is provided with the hook (14) .

9. An apparatus (1) according to claim 7 and 8, wherein the hook (14) is rotatable with respect to the second leg (13) about a hook axis which is substantially parallel to the tilting axis (6) of the platform (4) .

10. An apparatus (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second leg (13) is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the platform (4) .

11. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the claims 8-10, wherein the second leg (13) bridges a distance between the imaginary plane (P) and the first leg (12) .

12. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the claims 8-11, wherein the second leg (13) is movable along the first leg ( 12 ) .

13. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the claims 8-12, wherein the support structure is provided with a holding element (22) for keeping a cover (11) of a baggage container (2) on the platform (4) open during tilting the platform (4) , which holding element (22) is located between the hook (14) and the first leg (12) .

14. An apparatus (1) according to claim 12 and 13, wherein the holding element (22) is resiliently mounted to the second leg (13) of the support structure.

15. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (1) is provided with a shaking device (23) for shaking a baggage container (2) , preferably in a direction parallel to the tilting axis (6) .

16. An apparatus (1) according to claim 15, wherein the upper surface is formed by upper surfaces of freely rotatable rollers (29) which are located behind each other in a direction parallel to the tilting axis (6) and next to each other in a direction perpendicular to the tilting axis (6) , wherein the freely rotatable rollers (29) have respective axes of rotation extending perpendicular to the tilting axis (6) .

17. An apparatus (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the shaking device (23) is adapted such that the speed profile during the forward stroke and the backward stroke is different .

18. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (1) is provided with a baggage conveyor (7) for discharging unloaded baggage at the unloading side of the apparatus (1) , wherein the baggage conveyor (7) is tiltable with respect to the frame (5) about the tilting axis (6) between an upwardly directed orientation and a horizontal orientation.

19. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (1) is provided with a container conveyor (3) for transporting a baggage container (2) to and / or from the platform (4) , which container conveyor (3) isaligned with the platform (4) in a direction parallel to the tilting axis ( 6 ) .

20. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform (4) is provided with a guide (39) at a distance from the unloading side which guide (39) lies at a higher level than the upper surface of the platform (4) when the platform (4) is in the horizontal orientation, thus forming a space between the upper surface and the guide (39) for receiving a bottom rim (40) of a baggage container (2) , wherein at least a portion (27) of the upper surface and the guide (39) are movable with respect to each other such that the distance between the at least one portion (27) of the upper surface and the guide (39) is smaller in the inclined orientation of the platform (4) than in the horizontal orientation of the platform (4) .

21. An apparatus (1) according to claim 20, wherein the at least one portion of the upper surface comprises a movable portion (27) , which is movable with respect to the remainder of the platform (4) between a lower position and an upper position.

22. An apparatus (1) according to claim 21, wherein the platform (4) is provided with a mechanism (30-34) for moving the movable portion (27) to its upper position upon tilting the platform (4) , wherein the mechanism (30-34) is adapted such that it contacts the frame (5) in the horizontal orientation of the platform (4) thereby urging the movable portion (27) to its lower position and looses contact with the frame (5) in the inclined orientation of the platform (4) thereby urging the movable portion (27) to its upper position.

23. An apparatus (1) according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the movable portion comprises a movable roller rail (27) comprising freely rotatable rollers (29) behind each other in a direction parallel to the tilting axis (6) .

24. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface of the platform (4) is tiltable with respect to the remainder of the platform (4) through a pivot (35) which has a pivot axis which extends perpendicularly to the tilting axis (6) .

25. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (1) is provided with a baggage arranging device (60) for separating unloaded baggage articles from a baggage container (2) on the platform (4) from each other so as to form a row of unloaded baggage articles behind each other, comprising a first conveyor (62) , a second conveyor (63) which extends transversely with respect to the first conveyor (62) , a third conveyor (64) which extends transversely with respect to the second conveyor (63) , a fourth conveyor (65) which extends transversely with respect to the third conveyor (64) and a fifth conveyor (66) which extends transversely with respect to the fourth conveyor (65) , which are arranged such that baggage article successively follow the first, second, third, fourth and fifth conveyor (62-66) , wherein the first to fifth conveyors (62-66) are drivable independently from each other and the baggage arranging device (60) is provided with a baggage detection device (67) for detecting baggage articles on the first to fifth conveyors (62-66) , wherein the baggage arranging device (60) comprises a controller for driving the first to fifth conveyors (62-66) on the basis of information from the baggage detection device (67) .

26. A method of unloading a baggage container (2) by using the apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the baggage container (2) has a front side (9) including an opening (8) for allowing baggage to leave the baggage container (2) and lateral side portions at opposite sides of the opening (8) , the method comprising the steps of: placing the baggage container (2) on the platform (4) such that the front side (9) is located at the unloading side and the opening (8) is located at the central portion (C) of the imaginary plane (P) and the lateral side portions are located at the side regions (SI, S2) of the imaginary plane (P) , tilting the platform (4) about the tilting axis (6) whereas the contact surface (20) is directed to and / or contacts the first side (9) of the baggage container (2) , thereby keeping the opening (8) free from the retaining member (14) .

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the opening is a continuous opening (8) which also extends in the top side (10) of the baggage container (2) .

28. A method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein in a tilted condition of the platform (4) and the baggage container (2) the baggage container is shaken, preferably in longitudinal direction of the tilting axis (6) .

Images