Baggage scanning device, particularly for an airport

Abstract

Baggage scanning device, in particular for an airport The scanning device (12) comprises a scanning chamber (16) in which the baggage is intended to be scanned, the scanning chamber (16) being dimensioned to be traversed by a first conveyor device conveying baggage (18). The scanning device (12) comprises a recess (28) provided below the scanning chamber (16), the recess (28) being dimensioned to be traversed by a second conveyor device intended to convey return bins. Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Baggage scanning device, in particular for an airport

[0001] The present invention relates to a baggage scanning device, in particular intended for use in an airport.

[0002] A baggage scanning system is already known in the state of the art, comprising a scanning device and a device for conveying the baggage to the scanning device.

[0003] The scanning device, for example an X-ray imaging device, makes it possible to produce an image reproducing the interior of the luggage passing through this device.

[0004] The conveying device, for example at least one conveyor belt and / or rollers, allows the movement, preferably automatic, of the baggage, from an entry point where the baggage is placed, to an exit point where the baggage is collected, passing through the scanning device.

[0005] In the case of hand luggage, these are generally placed in bins provided for this purpose, and in particular sized according to the scanning device. In particular, baggage that is too large to fit into the bins is not suitable for this scanning system and will not be allowed. The bins also allow users to place personal belongings there, such as keys, mobile phones, etc.

[0006] The bins are thus intended to circulate from the entry point to the exit point. In order to allow continuous operation, it is necessary to return the bins to the entry of the conveyor device. In certain cases of the state of the art, the bins are returned manually to the entry of the conveyor device. In other cases, in order to streamline the flow of users, the bins are returned automatically, by means of a second return conveyor device.

[0007] For example, documents TW 2022 41786 or KR 2023 0100083 describe return conveyor devices, arranged on the side of the scanning device, parallel to the first conveyor device. Such return conveyor devices are bulky.

[0008] The invention aims in particular to optimize the size of a baggage scanning system, for example to optimize the installation of such systems in a restricted airport space.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates in particular to a baggage scanning device, comprising a scanning chamber in which the baggage is intended to be scanned, the scanning chamber being sized to be crossed by a first conveying device conveying baggage, characterized in that it comprises a recess provided below the scanning chamber, the recess being sized to be crossed by a second conveying device intended to convey return bins.

[0010] The second conveying device passes below the scanning chamber, and can therefore extend below the first conveying device, without requiring this first conveying device to be raised. The space requirement of the second conveying device is therefore limited in width, since it extends, at least in part, in the same space requirement as the first conveying device. Furthermore, since the second conveying device does not require the first conveying device to be raised, it is not necessary to add up and down conveyor modules to the latter to enter the scanning chamber, so that the length requirement of the scanning system remains limited.

[0011] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the scanning system comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0012] - The device comprises legs carrying the scanning chamber, the legs transversely delimiting the recess.

[0013] - The recess has a height substantially equal to 350 mm, and / or a width approximately equal to 750 mm.

[0014] - The scanning chamber comprises a plurality of X-ray sources stationary.

[0015] The invention also relates to a baggage scanning system, comprising a scanning device as defined above, and a first conveying device passing through the scanning chamber, characterized in that the scanning system comprises a second conveying device passing through the recess.

[0016] Optionally, the second conveying device extends at least partially, preferably entirely, below the first conveying device.

[0017] Preferably, the scanning system comprises automated means for transmitting trays from the first conveying device to the second conveying device.

[0018] Various aspects and advantages of the invention will be highlighted in the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0019] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a side view of a scanning system comprising a conveying device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and

[0020] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a front view of the scanning device equipping the system of scanning of [Fig. 1].

[0021] [Fig. 1] shows a system 10 for scanning baggage, in particular hand baggage. Such a scanning system 10 is in particular intended to equip an airport, or any other place which can accommodate the public and requires baggage screening.

[0022] The scanning system 10 comprises a scanning device 12 and a first conveying device 14.

[0023] The scanning device 12 is shown in more detail in [Fig. 2]. The scanning device 12 comprises scanning means, for example X-ray imaging means or any other technology making it possible to analyze the interior of luggage without having to open it.

[0024] The scanning device 12 comprises, in a conventional manner, a scanning chamber 16 in which baggage 18 is intended to be scanned.

[0025] The scanning chamber 16 comprises a plurality of stationary X-ray sources. Such a scanning chamber is distinguished from a conventional scanning chamber which usually comprises rotating X-ray sources requiring a bulky motor to drive these rotations. Since the scanning chamber 16 does not have such a motor, it is not necessary to raise it to allow the trays to return under the scanning device 12.

[0026] Preferably, the luggage 18 is installed in bins 20, or alternatively the luggage 18 is not in bins, but bins 20 are in all cases used to convey personal effects, such as keys, mobile phones, coats, etc.

[0027] The first conveyor device 14 passes through the scanning chamber 16. For example, the first conveyor device 14 comprises a conveyor belt 22, for the automatic conveying of the baggage 18 and the bins 20. The conveyor belt 22 passes through the scanning chamber 16. Alternatively or in a complementary manner, the first conveyor device 14 comprises rollers perpendicular to a direction of advance of the baggage 18 and the bins 20, on which the baggage 18 and the bins 20 roll when they are pushed. Thus, the first conveyor device 14 may comprise only a conveyor belt, only rollers, or a combination of at least one conveyor belt over at least a portion of its length, and rollers over at least another portion of its length.

[0028] The first conveying device 14 extends from a first end 14a, at which the luggage 18 and the bins 20 are arranged, to a second end 14b, at which the baggage 18 and the bins 20 are collected. The scanning device 12 is therefore arranged between the first 14a and the second 14b ends.

[0029] In order to allow a return of the bins 20 to the first end 14a, the scanning system according to the invention comprises a second conveyor device 24, comprising a second conveyor belt 26, and / or rollers (in the same way as the first conveyor device 14). The second conveyor device 24 extends between a first end 24a at which the bins 20 from the first conveyor device 14 are arranged and a second end 24b at which the bins 20 are recovered for their use on the first conveyor device 14. Thus, the first end 24a of the second conveyor device 24 is located near the second end 14b of the first conveyor device 14, and the second end 24b of the second conveyor device 24 is located near the first end 14a of the first conveyor device 14.

[0030] According to the invention, the second conveying device 24 extends, at least in part, and preferably entirely, below the first conveying device 14.

[0031] The scanning device 12 according to the invention comprises a recess 28 provided below the scanning chamber 16, the second conveying device 24 passing through said recess 28. Thus, the size of the second conveying device 24 is reduced, since it extends below the first conveying device 14 and below the scanning device 16, thus not involving any additional size.

[0032] The recess 28 has dimensions allowing the passage of the second conveyor device 24 carrying the bins 20. For example, the recess 28 has a height of approximately 350 mm, and / or a width of approximately 750 mm. The first conveyor device 14 is generally located at a height of 800 mm above the ground.

[0033] The recess 28 is for example delimited transversely by legs 30 of the scanning device 12, carrying the scanning chamber 16.

[0034] It will be noted that the passage of the trays 20 from the first 14 to the second 24 conveyor device can be done manually, or alternatively automatically. In this second case, the system 10 preferably comprises automated means for transmitting trays 20 from the first conveyor device 14 to the second conveyor device 24.

[0035] For example, the second end 14b of the first conveyor 14 is set back relative to the first end 24a of the second conveyor 24, to allow the bins 20 to pass from one conveyor to the other.

[0036] Such automated means allow a continuous flow of bins circulating on the first conveyor 14, with a continuous return of bins by the second conveyor 24.

[0037] As a variant, a bin storage area 20 is provided downstream of the second end 14b of the first conveyor 14, and / or upstream of the first end 14a of the first conveyor 14.

Claims

Claims

1. Baggage scanning device (12), comprising a scanning chamber (16) in which the baggage is intended to be scanned, the scanning chamber (16) being dimensioned to be traversed by a first conveying device (14) conveying baggage (18), characterized in that it comprises a recess (28) arranged below the scanning chamber (16), the recess (28) being dimensioned to be traversed by a second conveying device (24) intended to convey return bins (20).

2. Scanning device (12) according to claim 1, comprising legs (30) carrying the scanning chamber (16), the legs (30) transversely delimiting the recess (28).

3. Scanning device (12) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the recess (28) has a height substantially equal to 350 mm, and / or a width substantially equal to 750 mm.

4. A scanning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the scanning chamber (16) comprises a plurality of stationary X-ray sources.

5. Baggage scanning system (10), comprising a scanning device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a first conveying device (14) passing through the scanning chamber (16), characterized in that the scanning system (10) comprises a second conveying device (24) passing through the recess (28).

6. A scanning system (10) according to claim 5, wherein the second conveying device (24) extends at least partially, preferably entirely, below the first conveying device (14).

7. Scanning system (10) according to claim 5 or 6, comprising automated means for transmitting trays (20) from the first conveying device (14) to the second conveying device (24).

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