CHECK-IN SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a check-in system in which luggage is loaded on to a conveyor belt. In particular it relates to a check-in system at an airport.

Known airport check-in systems with conveyor belts have the disadvantage that the conveyor belt is raised above ground level. A passenger has to lift their suitcase or bag upwardly in order to place the suitcase or bag on to the conveyor belt. This is particularly difficult for elderly people, or if the suitcase or bag is heavy.

The present invention provides a check-in system for receiving a check-in system for receiving and transporting luggage from a passenger, comprising: a conveyor for transporting luggage, the conveyor having a top surface on which luggage is received and which extends from a front end to a rear end; a floor adjacent the front end of the conveyor for supporting a passenger; wherein the top surface of the front end of the conveyor is substantially flush with the floor, such that luggage may be slid from the floor onto the conveyor.

This has the advantage that a suitcase can be slid on to the conveyor without requiring lifting.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a conventional airport check-in system;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the check-in system of the present invention; Figure 3 is a side elevation view of an alternative check-in system of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1, in order to check-in at an airport, a passenger 10 may stand adjacent to the conveyor belt 101, and speak to a member of staff. The passenger 10 may have to provide a ticket and a passport in order to check-in. Once the member of staff is satisfied the passenger 10 can travel on a flight from the airport, the suitcase 102 of the passenger 10 may need to be placed in the hold of the aircraft.

A conventional check-in system 100 at an airport includes a conveyor belt 101 for transporting suitcases 102. The suitcases 102 are transported from the check-in area to an aircraft by a series of conveyor belts and other systems. A passenger 10 is generally required to lift his or her own suitcase 102 on to the conveyor belt 101. The suitcase must be lifted vertically by a distance y, which may be particularly difficult if the suitcase is heavy.

With reference to Figure 2, the check-in system 1 of the present invention comprises a conveyor belt 2. The conveyor belt 2 is of a known type, suitable for conveying articles such as suitcases 102. The check-in system also comprises a floor 3, on which a person 10 stands in order to use the conveyor belt.

The conveyor belt 2 is recessed in the floor 3 of the check-in system 1, such that a top surface 5 of the conveyor belt is level with the adjacent floor 3. The top surface 5 at a front end 6 and a rear end 7 of the conveyor belt 2 is on a level with the adjacent floor 3. Since the top surface 5 at the front end 6 of the conveyor belt 2 is flush with the adjacent floor 3, it is not necessary for a passenger 10 to lift the suitcase 102 on to the conveyor belt 2.

The conveyor belt 2 is at least partly surrounded by access panels (not shown) . The access panels of the check-in system 1 are adjacent to the conveyor belt 2, and may be lifted to allow maintenance or access to the whole of the conveyor belt 2. The access panels are flush with the top surface 5 of the conveyor belt, and with the surrounding floor 3. If an access panel is located adjacent the front end 6 of the conveyor belt 2, a passenger 10 may slide a suitcase 102 from the access panel on to the conveyor belt 2 without lifting the suitcase 102.

The check-in system 1 may further comprise a desk 8 and stool 9. The desk 8 and stool 9 may be used by a member of staff operating the check-in system.

In an alternate embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the conveyor belt 2 is inclined upwardly. A front end 6 of the conveyor belt, is recessed in the ground. The top surface 5 of the conveyor belt 2 at the front end 6 is thus level with the adjacent floor 3.

A rear end 7 of the conveyor belt 2 is raised above the level of the surrounding floor 3. A second conveyor belt

(not shown) may be located under the rear end 7. This allows a suitcase 102 travelling along the conveyor belt 2 to drop on to the next conveyor belt, which can then continue transporting the suitcase 102. The second conveyor belt may be a conventional conveyor belt, fully or partly located above floor level .

The conveyor belt 2 of any embodiment may be provided with ridges or teeth extending along the width of the conveyor belt. The ridges or teeth may extend over the whole width of the conveyor belt 2, or only over part of the width. The ridges or teeth help prevent a suitcase 102 from slipping on the conveyor belt 2. This is of particular importance in the inclined conveyor belt, to prevent the suitcase 102 from sliding down the conveyor belt 2.

In use, a passenger 10 stands on floor 3 in order to undergo a check-in procedure with a member of staff. A suitcase or any article to be stored in the hold of an aircraft is slid or placed by a passenger 10 on to the front end 6 of the conveyor belt 2. A member of staff operating the check- in system 1 may attach a label to the suitcase 102 at this stage. The member of staff activates the conveyor belt 2 once the suitcase 102 is ready to be transported to the aircraft.

The suitcase 102 is carried by the conveyor belt 2 away from the passenger 10, from the front end 6 to the rear end 7. When the suitcase 102 reaches the rear end of the conveyor belt 2, the suitcase 102 transfers on to another conveyor belt or another handling means, and transported to the aircraft.

The check-in system 1 thus improves the ease of loading of luggage onto the conveyor belt 2, particularly at an airport check-in area. This is particularly of use when the luggage is heavy, or the person checking in has difficulty in lifting their luggage.

The check-in system described may be used outside of an airport, for example the check-in system may be used for loading baggage onto trains or coaches. In this case, the system may not be associated with a check-in desk, but may simply be a conveyor belt in which the top surface of the front end of the conveyor is substantially flush with the surrounding floor.