Device, system, and method for dropping off a luggage item

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a device (1, 2) for dropping off a passenger luggage item (16), the device (1, 2) comprising: a container (14, 15) for receiving the luggage item (16); a closable cover (5, 6) which is designed to change between an open position, which allows a user to drop off the luggage item (16) into an interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15), and a closed position, which blocks access to the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) for the user; the container (14, 15) comprising a tiltable onward-conveyor belt (11) which is designed to change between a loading position, in which the onward-conveyor belt (11) at least partially delimits the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15), and an unloading position, in which the onward-conveyor belt (11) is designed to convey the luggage item (16) onwards, by tilting; wherein the onward-conveyor belt (11) is designed to convey the luggage item (16) onwards in the unloading position while the cover (5, 6) is in the closed position. The invention also describes corresponding luggage drop-off systems, uses and methods.

Description

[0001] Device, system and method for loading a piece of luggage

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] TECHNICAL AREA

[0004] The disclosure relates to a device, a system and a method for checking in a passenger's piece of luggage.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Devices for loading luggage are known from EP 3169589. Figures 16 to 19 also show a tiltable container for loading luggage and transferring it onto a conveyor belt.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The inventors recognized that, in the prior art container used to transfer luggage onto the conveyor belt, the container's cover must first be reopened, thus granting the passenger renewed access to the container's interior. This creates opportunities for tampering with the already checked luggage (e.g., turning it over or adding further pieces of luggage) and consequently disrupts the removal of the checked luggage from the container and its transport via the conveyor belt. The inventors also recognized that, in the prior art container, the entire container is tilted between the unloading and loading positions, effectively requiring more space than its footprint would otherwise suggest.Furthermore, the tipping of the entire container poses a risk of injury to the passenger standing in front of it.

[0009] Based on the aforementioned state of the art, this disclosure is therefore based on the task of providing a device for the safe handover of a piece of luggage.

[0010] This problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1, by a baggage handling system having the features of claim 22, by a use according to claim 32, and by a method for handling a piece of baggage having the features of claim 33. Some of the preferred embodiments are described in the remaining claims, in the description, and in the figures.

[0011] According to the inventive solution, a device for handling passenger luggage is proposed, comprising: a container for receiving the luggage; a lockable cover designed to switch between an open position, which allows an operator to place the luggage in an interior of the container, and a closed position, which blocks the operator's access to the interior of the container; the container comprising a tiltable conveyor belt designed to switch between a loading position, in which the conveyor belt at least partially limits the interior of the container, and an unloading position, in which the conveyor belt is designed to convey the luggage, by tilting; wherein the conveyor belt is designed in the unloading position to convey the luggage while the cover is in the closed position.

[0012] By designing the conveyor belt to be in the unloading position, allowing the luggage to be conveyed while the cover is closed, a safe handling of the luggage is achieved. This eliminates the possibility of passengers tampering with the already checked luggage during the conveying process, thus preventing disruptions when removing the checked luggage from the container.

[0013] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the tilting conveyor belt is designed, when changing from the loading position to the unloading position, to tilt the luggage from the interior of the container to an area outside the container for removal. This provides a particularly effective means of avoiding the need to reopen the cover immediately before the conveyor belt. Furthermore, this aspect eliminates the need to tilt the entire container, resulting in a more compact device.

[0014] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the tilting conveyor belt is designed to only change from the loading position to the unloading position by tilting when the cover is closed (i.e., when the cover is open, the change from the loading position to the unloading position is not possible). This prevents, firstly, passenger injury from the tilting and, secondly, also prevents the luggage from being tampered with as soon as it leaves the loading position of the conveyor belt in the direction of the unloading position. Furthermore, this ensures that only luggage items that meet the specified requirements for dimensions and / or weight are tilted from the loading position to the unloading position. All these aspects, individually and collectively, further increase the operational safety of the device.Preferably, the device is designed such that during each change of the conveyor belt between the unloading position and the loading position, the cover is in the closed position, which further increases the operational reliability of the device.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the cover is designed to change from the closed position to the open position only when the conveyor belt is in the loading position, which further increases the operational reliability of the device.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, when the cover is open, the container is designed to receive luggage by inserting the luggage into the interior in a first direction, while the conveyor belt is designed to tilt in a second direction to switch between the loading and unloading positions, the second direction being oblique or perpendicular to the first. This prevents a component from pointing towards the operator, which could pose a risk of injury. It also reduces the required depth of the device, which is particularly advantageous for efficient space utilization in airports. This is especially effective if the first direction (essentially) is perpendicular to the second direction.For example, the axis around which the conveyor belt tilts when switching between the loading position and the unloading position can run (essentially) parallel to the first direction, which makes the described effects particularly pronounced.

[0017] Preferably, the conveyor belt is designed in the unloading position to convey the luggage along a third direction, preferably away from the operator, wherein the third direction runs obliquely or transversely to the second direction, and preferably (essentially) parallel to the first direction.

[0018] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the interior and / or the cover of the container define permissible maximum dimensions, such as maximum length, maximum width, and / or maximum height, of the checked baggage. This allows for a check of the baggage dimensions even before the conveyor belt changes from the loading to the unloading position, and prevents baggage that does not meet these permissible maximum dimensions from being placed in the interior of the container in the first place. This increases operational reliability in all downstream transport sections, and in particular reduces the susceptibility to disruptions caused by improperly sized baggage in these transport sections.The same applies alternatively or additionally with regard to the weight of the luggage, since the container preferably also includes a first sensor, in particular a scale, which is designed to determine the weight of the luggage contained within. In particular, the device can be designed to issue a warning signal, based on an output value for the weight of the luggage determined by the first sensor, indicating unauthorized entry into the interior of the container, which further increases operational safety.The container can preferably be designed to use the first sensor to determine the weight of the luggage item inside, with the cover in both the open and closed positions, and to compare these values. Only if the two determined weight values ​​for the luggage are substantially the same, a release signal is triggered to tilt the conveyor belt from the loading position to the unloading position. The cover thus also serves as a safety element, providing tamper protection for the device and the process, which further enhances operational safety.

[0019] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the container can further comprise one or more secondary sensors designed to detect and / or read an identifier attached to the piece of luggage held inside, preferably wherein the one or more secondary sensors comprise one or more optical image acquisition units. This enables automated, efficient processing and tracking of luggage tags in the automated luggage handling process provided here, after the operator has placed the workpiece.

[0020] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the cover is designed to return to the open position upon contact with a person or object, particularly luggage, during the process of changing from the open to the closed position, preferably thereby preventing the conveyance of luggage located inside the container. This prevents injuries to the operator and ensures that the luggage, which is tipped from its loading position to the unloading position by the conveyor belt, complies with the maximum permissible dimensions and / or weight specified by the interior and / or cover of the container. In particular, the cover can serve as a height and / or length control for the luggage inserted into the interior of the container. The cover functions as a control and safety element.Overall, this also increases operational safety.

[0021] Preferably, the cover is at least partially transparent, allowing at least part of the container's interior to be visible from the outside. This enables the container's current operating status, such as a malfunction, to be assessed from the outside, which is also advantageous for operational safety.

[0022] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the device further comprises a loading conveyor, and the discharge conveyor is designed to feed the piece of luggage, preferably arranged on the discharge conveyor, to the loading conveyor in a loading position. This allows the piece of luggage to be removed from the conveyor more quickly than if the conveyor were solely responsible for the removal, and thus the container can be made available again more quickly for receiving a new piece of luggage.

[0023] Preferably, the loading conveyor is designed to move from the loading position to a loading position at least partially below a section of the discharge conveyor, preferably in the opposite direction, in order to transfer the luggage into a transport container or onto a conveyor belt for removal. This allows luggage to be loaded and removed in a very small space with high throughput.

[0024] Preferably, the loading conveyor is designed to move into the loading position, while the discharge conveyor tilts away from its unloading position or back towards its loading position. This allows the throughput to be further increased.

[0025] Preferably, the loading conveyor is designed to be conveyed in the opposite direction of its movement while it is in the loading position, in order to transfer the luggage, preferably arranged on the conveyor, into the transport container or onto the conveyor belt for transport, preferably through an opening in the base of the device. This further reduces the space requirement and increases the throughput. Preferably, the opening in the base of the device is located below the loading conveyor while the conveyor is in the loading position. This further reduces the space requirement.

[0026] Preferably, the conveyor belt is designed to tilt back into the loading position (exclusively) after the piece of luggage has been fed onto the loading belt. This ensures a safe transfer of the luggage and further increases throughput.

[0027] According to the inventive solution, a baggage handling system for passenger baggage is further provided, comprising: a first device according to the invention; a second device according to the invention; a loading conveyor jointly associated with the first and second devices for transporting the baggage, wherein the loading conveyor is designed to move between a loading position and a loading position, each of the discharge conveyors being designed to feed a piece of baggage arranged on the discharge conveyor to the loading conveyor located in the loading position. This allows baggage to be loaded and transported in a very small space with high throughput.

[0028] Preferably, the conveyor belts of the containers of the first and second devices are coordinated such that, during the tilting of one conveyor belt from the loading position to the unloading position, another conveyor belt in its loading position remains in that position, preferably until the first conveyor belt is tilted back from its unloading position towards its loading position. This allows luggage to be reliably loaded and transported with low susceptibility to malfunctions in a very small space and with high throughput.

[0029] Preferably, the conveyor belts of the containers of the first and second devices are coordinated such that, during the tilting of one of the conveyor belts from its unloading position (backwards) towards its loading position, preferably from a predetermined position during this tilting process, the other conveyor belt can be tilted from its loading position towards its unloading position. This allows luggage to be reliably loaded and transported with low susceptibility to malfunctions in a very small space with high throughput.

[0030] Preferably, for the device and / or the system according to the invention, one or more terminal devices that can be operated by one or more operators, in particular operating personnel or passengers, are provided for controlling the first and / or second device, which enables the self-service handling of luggage.

[0031] According to the solution according to the invention, the device or baggage handling system according to the invention is further provided for to be used for the handling of a passenger's piece of luggage.According to the solution according to the invention, a method for handling a passenger's luggage, particularly at an airport, is further provided using any of the devices or luggage handling system according to the invention, the method comprising: picking up the luggage in the interior of one of the containers while the conveyor belt of the container is in the loading position; closing the cover for the container to block access to the interior of the container; based on a release signal that the picked-up luggage meets predetermined requirements regarding dimensions and / or weight, tilting the conveyor belt from the loading position to the unloading position while the cover is in the closed position; and conveying the luggage by the conveyor belt in the unloading position while the cover is in the closed position.

[0032] The aspects of the device or baggage handling system according to the invention described here enable baggage items to be checked in and transported safely, reliably, in a very small space and / or with high throughput, either individually or in combination. Experiments have shown that an increase in throughput of significantly more than 50% can be achieved compared to prior art approaches, in particular compared to completely separate devices with individually assigned loading belts.

[0033] If this brief description of the invention describes features that are not listed in the patent claims, these features do not constitute essential features in the sense that these features must necessarily be included in the patent claims to describe the invention; however, these features are particularly prominent preferred realizations of the claimed invention, can be combined with any of the patent claims, and can also be combined with each other as desired.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0035] Figure 1 shows a baggage handling system according to the invention from the outside in a three-dimensional representation.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional external view of a baggage handling system according to the invention. Figure 3 shows a cover of a container of a device or baggage handling system according to the invention.

[0037] Figure 4 shows the interior of a device or baggage handling system according to the invention, with the conveyor belts shown in the loading position, wherein one of the containers in the interior has received a piece of luggage.

[0038] Figure 5 shows the interior of a device or baggage handling system according to the invention, with the conveyor belt of the loaded container tilted into the unloading position, and with the loading belt in its loading position.

[0039] Figure 6 shows the interior of a device or baggage handling system according to the invention, with the unloaded conveyor belt in the unloading position, as well as with the loading belt in its loading position and after the baggage has been transferred to the loading belt.

[0040] Figure 7 shows the interior of a device or baggage handling system according to the invention, with the conveyor belt in the unloading position or when changing to the loading position, as well as with the unloaded loading belt, moved into its loading position partially below the conveyor belt, and with the piece of luggage in the transport container below an opening in the floor.

[0041] Components shown in multiple figures bear the same reference symbols.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The invention relates to a device, a baggage handling system and a use or method for handling a passenger's baggage.

[0044] Figure i shows a baggage handling system according to the invention from the outside in a three-dimensional representation.

[0045] The system too comprises a first device i according to the invention and a second device 2 according to the invention.

[0046] Each of the devices i, 2 comprises: a container 14, 15 for receiving the piece of luggage 16; a lockable cover 5, 6 designed to change between an open position, which allows an operator to place the piece of luggage 16 into an interior space 3, 4 of the container 14, 15, and a closed position, which blocks the operator's access to the interior space 3, 4 of the container 14, 15; the container 14, 15 comprising a tiltable conveyor belt 11 designed to change between a loading position, in which the conveyor belt 11 at least partially limits the interior space 3, 4 of the container 14, 15, and an unloading position, in which the conveyor belt 11 is designed to convey the piece of luggage 16 away, by tilting; wherein the conveyor belt 1 is in the unloading position to convey the piece of luggage 16 while the cover 5, 6 is in the closed position.

[0047] The first device 1 and the second device 2 are assigned a common loading conveyor 9 for transporting the luggage items 16, wherein the loading conveyor 9 is designed to be moved between a loading position and a loading position, wherein each of the discharge conveyors 11 is designed to feed a luggage item 16 arranged on the discharge conveyor 11 to the loading conveyor 9 located in the loading position.

[0048] The container 14, 15 is designed, with the cover 5, 6 in the open position, to receive the piece of luggage 1 by inserting the luggage container in a first direction, A, into the interior 3, 4.

[0049] The interior 3, 4 of the containers 14, 15 and / or the cover 5, 6 (see Fig. 3) define permissible maximum dimensions, such as maximum length, maximum width and / or maximum height, of the checked baggage 16.

[0050] The container 14, 15 can further comprise a base plate 10 which includes a first sensor, in particular a scale, for determining the weight of the piece of luggage 16 contained in the interior 3, 4. The weight of the piece of luggage thus determined can then be compared with predefined requirements for the weight of a piece of luggage, so that no piece of luggage that is too heavy can be checked in.

[0051] Each container 14, 15 may further comprise one or more second sensors 13 designed to detect and / or read an identifier attached to the piece of luggage 16 (e.g. on a luggage tag), preferably wherein the one or more second sensors 13 comprise one or more optical image capture units (e.g. camera(s)).

[0052] One or more operating elements 101, 102 for the operator, such as a passenger or operating personnel, can be provided. Figure 2 shows a baggage handling system 100 according to the invention from the outside in a three-dimensional view.

[0053] In the device 1 shown on the left, which has a container filled with a piece of luggage 16, the cover 5 is shown in the process of changing between the open and closed positions, with the opening to the interior of the container partially open or closed. In the device 2 on the right, the cover 6 is in the closed position, and it is shown that the cover 6 is at least partially transparent, so that the piece of luggage is at least partially visible from the outside through the cover 6 into the interior of the container.

[0054] Figure 3 shows a cover 5, 6 of a container of a device 1, 2 or baggage handling system 100 according to the invention, showing that the cover contributes to specifying the maximum height and / or the maximum length of an approved piece of baggage 16. The cover 5, 6 thus also serves to check the piece of baggage.

[0055] The covers 5 and 6 serve to close the respective loading point and also function as height and / or length controls. If the permissible height or length is exceeded, the cover (e.g., sliding door) is not closed, but returns to its starting position. The piece of luggage is then not collected. The cover simultaneously acts as a safety element (separating protective devices) and as a tamper protection device.

[0056] Figure 4 shows the interior of a device 1, 2 or baggage handling system 100 according to the invention, with the conveyor belts 11 shown in the loading position, wherein one of the containers 14, 15 inside has received a piece of luggage 16. The base 10 (e.g., base plate) of the container and the common loading conveyor 9 are also shown. Of course, only one of the devices 1, 2 can be provided, so that the conveyor belt 9 serves only this one device.

[0057] Each of the conveyor belts 11, together with the base 3 of the respective container 14, 15, forms a tilting device 7, 8. The double tilting devices 7, 8 are mechanically and control-wise coordinated so that they can be operated in bilateral interaction and can transfer the respective piece of luggage (e.g., in a predetermined position) onto a common loading conveyor 9. For the operation of the device or baggage handling system according to the invention, each device can include a computer-based control unit. This control unit can, for example, control the opening / closing of the cover, the tilting of the conveyor belts, the movement of the loading conveyor into the loading / unloading position, the operable terminals, the conveying of the belts, the sensors, the removal of the transport container, and other functions or components.

[0058] Figure 5 shows the interior of a device 1, 2 or baggage handling system 100 according to the invention with the conveyor belt 11 of the loaded conveyor belt 11, here, by way of example, tilted by 90° into the unloading position, and with the loading belt 9 in its loading position.

[0059] The loaded conveyor belt 11 is designed to tilt in a second direction, B, in order to switch between the loading position (Fig. 4) and the unloading position (Fig. 5), with the second direction B running diagonally or transversely (here by way of example perpendicularly) to the first direction A.

[0060] The loaded conveyor belt 11 in the unloading position (Fig. 5) is designed to convey the piece of luggage 16 along a third direction, C, (away from the operator), wherein the third direction C runs obliquely or transversely (here by way of example perpendicular) to the second direction B, and preferably (essentially) parallel to the first direction A.

[0061] In the tilted position (unloading position) shown in Figure 5, the piece of luggage 16 can be conveyed from conveyor belt 11 onto the loading conveyor belt 9. Independently of this, the receiving point on the tilting device 7 can be operated by an operator. As soon as the piece of luggage is on the conveyor belt 9, the tilting device 8 is returned to its initial position.

[0062] Once the tilting device 8 has reached a fixed position, the tilting device 7 can already switch from the loading position to the unloading position. This interaction between the tilting devices 7, 8 and the conveyor belt 9 achieves a high throughput in a very small space. Up to three pieces of luggage can be processed simultaneously.

[0063] Figure 6 shows the interior of a device 1, 2 or baggage handling system 100 according to the invention, with the unloaded conveyor belt 11 in the unloading position, and with the loading conveyor belt 9 in its loading position, after the piece of luggage 16 has been transferred to the loading conveyor belt 9. The conveyor belt 11, loaded as shown in Figure 5, is designed to feed the piece of luggage 16 arranged on the conveyor belt 11 to the loading conveyor belt 9, which is in the loading position, by conveying the belt in the direction of C.

[0064] Figure 7 shows the interior of a device 1, 2 or baggage handling system 100 according to the invention, with the conveyor belt 11 still in the unloading position or already in the initial phase of changing to the loading position, and with the unloaded loading belt 9, moved by translation into its loading position partially below the conveyor belt 11 while the belt has conveyed the piece of luggage 16 in the opposite direction (preferably in direction C) (cf. the two opposing arrows at reference symbol 9 in Fig. 7) in order to place the piece of luggage 16 in the transport container 12, which is located below an opening in the floor. There, the piece of luggage 16, lying in the transport container 12, is subsequently transported away by an elevator.

[0065] The loading conveyor 9 is designed to be moved from the loading position (Fig. 5, 6) to a loading position (Fig. 7) at least partially below a part of the discharge conveyor 11, preferably against the third direction C, by means of translation, in order to effect the loading of the piece of luggage 16 by conveying the belt into the transport container 12, or onto a conveyor belt, for the removal of the piece of luggage 16.

[0066] By moving the loading conveyor 9 under the discharge conveyor 11 and simultaneously conveying the loading conveyor 9 in the opposite direction of the movement (see the two opposing arrows at reference symbol 9 in Fig. 7), the piece of luggage 16 is loaded into the transport container 12. As soon as the piece of luggage is in the transport container 12, the lift can lower it into a luggage handling system.

[0067] The aspects of the device or baggage handling system according to the invention described here enable baggage items to be checked in and transported safely, reliably, in the smallest space and / or with high throughput, either individually or in combination.

[0068] Preferred embodiments of the invention claimed by the accompanying claims are described in the description and figures. The optional features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims, and the drawings can be used individually or in any combination for the implementation of the invention claimed herein according to the accompanying claims in its various embodiments.

[0069] The various aspects and embodiments described above can be combined to create further embodiments. These and other modifications can be made to the embodiments in light of the detailed description above. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be interpreted as limiting the claims to the specific aspects and embodiments disclosed in the description and the claims, but rather as encompassing all possible embodiments together with the full scope of the equivalents to which these claims refer.

[0070] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0071] Device 1,2

[0072] Interior 3.4

[0073] Coverage 5.6

[0074] Tilting device 7.8

[0075] Conveyor belt 11

[0076] Ground / first sensor 10

[0077] Loading conveyor belt 9

[0078] Transport container 12

[0079] Second sensor 13

[0080] Containers 14, 15

[0081] Baggage item 16

[0082] First direction A

[0083] Second direction B

[0084] Third direction C

[0085] Baggage drop-off facility 100

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. A device (1, 2) for handing over a piece of luggage (16) by passengers, the device (1, 2) comprising: a container (14, 15) for receiving the piece of luggage (16); a lockable cover (5, 6) designed to change between an open position which allows an operator to place the piece of luggage (16) into an interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) and a closed position which blocks access to the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) for the operator; the container (14, 15) comprising a tiltable conveyor belt (11) which is designed to change between a loading position in which the conveyor belt (11) at least partially limits the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) and an unloading position in which the conveyor belt (11) is designed to convey the piece of luggage (16) away by tilting;characterized in that the conveyor belt (11) is designed in the unloading position to convey the piece of luggage (16) while the cover (5, 6) is in the closed position.

2. The device (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tiltable conveyor belt (11) is designed, when changing from the loading position to the unloading position, to guide the piece of luggage (16) out of the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) into an area outside the container (14, 15) by means of tilting, in order to convey the piece of luggage (16) away there.

3. The device (1, 2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tiltable conveyor belt (11) is designed to change from the loading position to the unloading position by tilting only when the cover (5, 6) is in the closed position.

4. The device (1, 2) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the device (1, 2) is designed such that during each change of the conveyor belt (11) between the unloading position and the loading position the cover (5, 6) is in the closed position.

5. The device (1, 2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (5, 6) is designed to be removed only when the to change from the closed position to the open position when the conveyor belt(s) is in the loading position.

6. The device (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (14, 15) is designed, when the cover (5, 6) is in an open position, to receive the piece of luggage (16) by inserting the piece of luggage (16) in a first direction (A) into the interior (3, 4).

7. The device (1, 2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the conveyor belt (11) is designed to tilt in a second direction (B) in order to switch between the loading position and the unloading position, wherein the second direction (B) is inclined or transverse to the first direction (A).

8. The device (1, 2) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the conveyor belt (11) is designed in the unloading position to convey the piece of luggage (16) along a third direction (C), wherein the third direction (C) runs obliquely or transversely to the second direction (B), and preferably substantially parallel to the first direction (A).

9. The device (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) and / or the cover define permissible maximum dimensions, such as maximum length, maximum width and / or maximum height, of the checked baggage (16).

10. The device (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (14, 15) further comprises a first sensor (10), in particular a scale, which is designed to determine the weight of the piece of luggage (16) received in the interior (3, 4).

11. The device (1, 2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the device (1, 2) is designed to output a warning signal on the basis of an output value for a weight determined by the first sensor (10), indicating an unauthorized entry of a person into the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15).

12. The device (1, 2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (14, 15) further comprises one or more second sensors (13) designed to detect a change in the volume of the container received in the interior (3, 4). to detect and / or read the identifier attached to the piece of luggage (16), preferably wherein the one or more second sensors comprise one or more optical image capture units.

13. The device (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (5, 6) is designed to return to the open position during the process of changing from the open position to the closed position upon contact with a person or object, in particular the piece of luggage, preferably thereby preventing the discharge of a piece of luggage (16) located in the interior (3, 4).

14. The device (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (5, 6) is at least partially transparent and thereby at least a part of the interior of the container (14, 15) is visible from the outside through the cover (5, 6).

15. The device (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (14, 15) is designed to determine and compare the weight of the piece of luggage (16) received in the interior (3, 4) with the cover (5, 6) in the open position and in the closed position by means of the first sensor (10) and, in the case of a match between the two determined weight values ​​for the piece of luggage (16), to trigger a release signal for tilting the conveyor belt (11) from the loading position to the unloading position.

16. The device (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1, 2) further comprises a loading conveyor (9) and the discharge conveyor (11) is designed to feed the piece of luggage (16), preferably arranged on the discharge conveyor (11), to the loading conveyor (9) which is in a loading position.

17. The device (1, 2) according to claim 16, characterized in that the loading belt (9) is designed to be moved from the loading position to a loading position at least partially below a part of the discharge belt (11), preferably against the third direction (C), in order to effect the loading of the piece of luggage (16) into a transport container (12), or onto a conveyor belt, for the removal of the piece of luggage (16).

18. The device (1, 2) according to claim 17, characterized in that the loading conveyor (9) is designed to move into the loading position while the discharge conveyor (11) is tilted away from its unloading position towards its loading position.

19. The device (1, 2) according to any one of the preceding claims 16-18, characterized in that the loading conveyor (9) is designed to be conveyed in the opposite direction of the movement of the loading conveyor (9) in its loading position, in order to load the piece of luggage (16), preferably arranged on the loading conveyor (9), into the transport container (12) or onto the conveyor belt for transport, preferably through an opening in the base of the device.

20. The device (1, 2) according to claim 19, characterized in that the opening in the base of the device (1, 2) is located below the loading conveyor (9) while the loading conveyor (9) is in the loading position.

21. The device (1, 2) according to any one of the preceding claims 16-20, characterized in that the conveyor belt (11) is designed to tilt back into the loading position after the piece of luggage (16) has been fed to the loading belt (9).

22. A baggage handling system (100) for handling baggage items (16) of passengers, the system comprising: a first device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-15; a second device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-15; a loading conveyor (9) jointly associated with the first device (1) and the second device (2) for transporting the baggage items (16), wherein the loading conveyor (9) is designed to be moved between a loading position and a loading position, wherein each of the discharge conveyors (11) is designed to feed a baggage item (16) arranged on the discharge conveyor (11) to the loading conveyor (9) located in the loading position.

23. The baggage handling system (100) according to claim 22, characterized in that the loading conveyor (9) is designed for a change from the loading position to the unloading position at least partially below a part of that of the Conveyor belts (n), preferably in the opposite direction (C), which has fed the baggage item (16) to the loading belt (9).

24. The baggage handling system according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the loading conveyor (9) is moved into the loading position to load a piece of baggage (16) arranged on the loading conveyor (9) into a transport container (12) or onto a conveyor belt, in order to effect the removal of the piece of baggage (16).

25. The baggage handling system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the conveyor belts (11) is designed to tip back into the loading position after or as soon as the baggage item (16) transported by the conveyor belt (11) has been fed by the conveyor belt (11) to the loading belt (9).

26. The baggage handling system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading conveyor (9) is designed to move into the loading position while the discharge conveyor (11) unloaded by the baggage item (16) is tilted from its unloading position back towards its loading position.

27. The baggage handling system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading conveyor (9) is designed to be conveyed in the opposite direction of the movement of the loading conveyor (9) during the movement of the loading conveyor (9) in its loading position, in order to load the piece of baggage (16) arranged on the loading conveyor (9) for transport, preferably through an opening in the floor of the baggage handling system (100) into the transport container (12) or onto the conveyor belt.

28. The baggage handling system (100) according to claim 27, characterized in that the opening in the floor of the baggage handling system (100) is located below the loading conveyor (9) while the loading conveyor (9) is in the loading position.

29. The baggage handling system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor belts (11) of the containers (14, 15) of the first and second devices are coordinated such that during a tilting of one of the conveyor belts (n) from the loading position to the unloading position, another of the conveyor belts (11), which is in its loading position is located, remains in this loading position, preferably until one of the conveyor belts (n) is tilted from its unloading position back towards its loading position.

30. The baggage handling system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor belts (11) of the containers (14, 15) of the first and second devices (1, 2) are coordinated such that during a tilting of one of the conveyor belts (11) from its unloading position back towards its loading position, preferably from a predetermined position during this tilting process, the other conveyor belt (11) can be tilted from its loading position towards its unloading position.

31. A baggage handling system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in particular for self-service, comprising: one or more terminal devices (101, 102) operable by one or more operators, in particular operating personnel or passengers, for controlling the first and / or second device (1, 2).

32. Use of the device (1, 2) or the baggage handling system (100) according to any of the preceding claims or claims 34-35 for checking in a piece of baggage (16) of a passenger.

33. Method for checking in a passenger's baggage item (16), in particular at an airport, using the device (1, 2) or baggage handling system (100) according to any of the preceding claims or claims 34-35, characterized by: Picking up the piece of luggage (16) in the interior (3, 4) of one of the containers (14, 15) while the conveyor belt (11) of the container (14, 15) is in the loading position; Closing the cover (5, 6) for the container (14, 15) to block access to the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15); based on a release signal that the received baggage item (16) meets predetermined requirements for dimensions and / or weight, tilting the conveyor belt (11) from the loading position to the unloading position while the cover (5, 6) is in the closed position; and The luggage item (16) is conveyed by the conveyor belt (11) which is in the unloading position while the cover (5, 6) is in the closed position. 34- A device (1, 2) for handing over a piece of luggage (16) by passengers, the device (1, 2) comprising: a container (14, 15) for receiving the piece of luggage (16); a lockable cover (5, 6) designed to change between an open position which allows an operator to place the piece of luggage (16) into an interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) and a closed position which blocks access to the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) for the operator; the container (14, 15) comprising a tiltable conveyor belt (11) which is designed to change between a loading position in which the conveyor belt (11) at least partially limits the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) and an unloading position in which the conveyor belt (11) is designed to convey the piece of luggage (16) away by tilting;characterized in that the conveyor belt (11) is designed in the unloading position to convey the piece of luggage (16) while the cover (5, 6) is in the closed position, that the device (1, 2) further comprises a loading belt (9) and the conveyor belt (11) is designed to feed the piece of luggage (16), preferably arranged on the conveyor belt (11), to the loading belt (9) in a loading position, and that the loading belt (9) is designed to be conveyed in the opposite direction of the movement of the loading belt (9) in its loading position, in order to load the piece of luggage (16), preferably arranged on the loading belt (9), into the transport container (12) or onto the conveyor belt for transport, preferably through an opening in the base of the device.

35. A device (1, 2) for handing over a piece of luggage (16) by passengers, the device (1, 2) comprising: a container (14, 15) for receiving the piece of luggage (16); a lockable cover (5, 6) designed to change between an open position which allows an operator to place the piece of luggage (16) into an interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) and a closed position which blocks access to the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) for the operator; the container (14, 15) comprising a tiltable conveyor belt (11) which is designed to change between a loading position in which the conveyor belt (11) at least partially limits the interior (3, 4) of the container (14, 15) and an unloading position in which the conveyor belt (11) is designed to convey the piece of luggage (16) away by tilting; characterized in that the conveyor belt (n) is configured in the unloading position to convey the piece of luggage (16) while the cover (5, 6) is in the closed position, that the container (14, 15) is configured, when the cover (5, 6) is open, to receive the piece of luggage (16) by inserting the piece of luggage (16) in a first direction (A) into the interior (3, 4), that the conveyor belt (11) is configured to tilt in a second direction (B) to switch between the loading position and the unloading position, wherein the second direction (B) is inclined or transverse to the first direction (A), that the conveyor belt (11) is configured in the unloading position to convey the piece of luggage (16) along a third direction (C), wherein the third direction (C) is inclined or transverse to the second direction (B), and preferably substantially parallel to the first direction (A), that the device (1,2) further comprising a loading conveyor (9) and the discharge conveyor (11) being designed to feed the piece of luggage (16), preferably arranged on the discharge conveyor (11), to the loading conveyor (9) in a loading position, and the loading conveyor (9) being designed to be moved from the loading position to a loading position at least partially below a part of the discharge conveyor (11), preferably against the third direction (C), in order to effect the loading of the piece of luggage (16) into a transport container (12), or onto a conveyor belt for the removal of the piece of luggage (16).

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