D E S C R I P T I O N

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a conveyor useable in the field of plants for automatically handling articles of different types, for example for handling (e.g.: for delivering and/or retrieving) luggage and packets, particularly in airports and similar structures. Particularly, the present invention can find an use in the check-in areas of airports for handling luggage to be taken aboard of aircrafts.

STATE OF THE ART

As it is known, actually different types of handling systems are used, capable of transporting objects such as luggage, packets or other articles, used both in the service field and in the industrial sector. It is particularly interesting for the present discussion the conveyors used in the airport field, particularly in the areas checking in the luggage to be taken aboard the hold of an aircraft. As it is known, during the check-in operations, the user or a dedicated operator places a piece of luggage on a loading area of a conveyor which is momentarily in a stop step; in such step, the conveyor is configured for enabling to weigh and/or control the article abutting on it. At the end of such operations, the conveyor is started by a dedicated operator: the piece of luggage is therefore moved and is taken away from the loading area. Generally, these conveyors are used in the switching lines enabling to move the luggage from the check-in area to an area for taking them aboard.

In a first known embodiment, the conveyors are formed by a moving carpet or conveyor belt made of rubber having a completely smooth luggage abutment surface. The smooth structure of the belt was found not capable of ensuring an optimal adherence of the piece of luggage on the abutment surface, most of all when the piece of luggage is provided with transporting wheels and when these latter are directly in contact with the abutment surface (the piece of luggage or suitcase is vertically placed, in other words it is in the typical position for being gripped by an user, this position being the most comfortable and fastest for the user) . Therefore, this embodiment has been found somewhat limiting in terms of positioning possibilities of the piece of luggage; in order to reliably and safely move the piece of luggage or suitcase, the user is required to load the article on the belt and then to vertically turn it on the abutment surface so that the wheels do not directly contact the carpet. In case the piece of luggage is incorrectly positioned (wheels abutting the carpet) , the article could move and possibly fall from the belt.

In order to overcome this inconvenient, a second embodiment of the conveyor was found, which provides to shape the belt; de facto, the belt is provided with recesses defining grooves configured for possibly receiving the luggage wheels and preventing undesired displacements of the same during the operation of the belt itself. Therefore, the belt shaping ensures abutment surfaces having an optimal adherence with any type of luggage or suitcase placed on the belt under any arrangement .

However, it is useful to specify that, besides the requirement of more flexible belts or carpets in terms of use, the requirements of modern airports have led to the development of belts capable of handling the luggage both in an advancement direction (under a normal operation condition wherein the luggage is moved from the loading area toward an outlet) and in a direction opposite to the advancement one (the luggage is moved from the outlet towards the loading area) . Upon the development of this last embodiment, however it was observed that during the movement of the luggage on the conveyor in the return direction, the system exhibited peculiar safety hazards to the users present in the loading area, due to the fact the user portions and/or accessories can remain stuck in the opening present between the moving conveyor belt and the stationary structure particularly at a first tracking roller.

Therefore, such problem has led to the development of a further conveyor (third embodiment) which is provided with a fixed protection device, substantially comprising a barrier constrained at the luggage loading area: the barrier is stably blocked in front of the belt. The barrier exhibits a end portion facing the top of the belt and therefore the abutment surface of the same: the end portion slightly contacts, for all the belt length, the abutment surface in order to define a minimal opening between the belt and the barrier. The terminal portion is fixed in relation to the belt so that the minimal opening prevents the passage of portions and/or accessories of the user which could cause accidents to the same. Therefore, it is provided and required from the airport safety systems that the conveyor barrier must be placed at a minimum distance, particularly reduced, from the conveyor abutment outer surface.

However, the Applicant has found that the above described conveyors are not devoid of some inconveniences and are improvable under different aspects. De facto, the presence of an opening between the conveyor belt and the supporting frame (particularly between the belt and the protection device) is however a risk for the user, also when the safety requirements are fulfilled in other words also in case the minimum distances (gaps) of the conveyor are fulfilled: the moving parts could nevertheless cause accidents. In addition, when are used shaped belts it is nevertheless impossible to fulfill the safety requirements of the airport services. De facto, the conveyor, as described above in the second embodiment (the shaped belt) is not capable to move the belt in the two directions (the advancement and return directions) because it would be practically impossible to respect the minimum distance between the conveyor belt abutment surface and the barrier: the grooves present on the belt do not enable the barrier to maintain a sufficiently reduced and constant minimum distance from the conveyor abutment surface. For this reason, to date, the conveyors capable of moving the belt in the advancement direction and in the return one (third embodiment) consist only of completely smooth carpets capable of ensuring a constant and reduced distance between the end portion of the protection device and the conveyor abutment surface. Therefore, the limitations and disadvantages of the known conveyors are substantial which, in a first case, can ensure a suitable and safe displacement of the luggage by a shaped carpet but they do not provide the possibility of performing movements in the return direction. Viceversa, in a second case, the conveyors can provide to move the luggage in both the directions (the advancement and return directions) with the inconvenience of being bound to completely smooth belts consequently incapable of suitably stopping the luggage.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to substantially solve at least one of the inconveniences and/or limitations of the preceding solutions.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a conveyor capable of effectively and safely moving articles. A first aim of the invention consists of providing a conveyor ensuring an efficient transport of any type of articles; particularly, an object of the invention consists of providing a highly flexible conveyor with reference to its use, capable of defining an optimal adherence with any type of articles placed in any configuration. A further aim consists of providing a conveyor capable of safely moving the articles at least in an advancement and return directions. Then, it is an object of the invention to provide a structurally simple and compact conveyor which is at the same time simple from the management and control point of view. A further ancillary object of the invention consists of providing a safe conveyor preventing the displacement of possible articles identified as unsuitable for being switched. It is a further aim of the invention to provide a conveyor which is particularly flexible at the application level which can be easily integrated with the currently available conveyors without particularly adjusting or modifying the present plants. Further, it is an object of the invention to provide an easily manufacturable conveyor at a low cost.

One or more of the above described objects which will better appear in the following specification are substantially met by a conveyor according to one or more of the following aspects and/or according to one or more of the attached claims.

SUMMARY

The aspects of the invention are described in the following .

In a 1st aspect, it is provided a conveyor (1), particularly for moving articles (P) in check-in areas of airports, comprising:

- at least one supporting frame (2) exhibiting, at a first end (2a), at least one inlet (3) configured for substantially defining an area for loading articles (P) , the supporting frame (2) further exhibiting, at a second end (2b) spaced and opposite to the first end (2a) , an outlet (4), the supporting frame (2), at each of said inlet and outlet (3, 4) comprising at least one respective first and second tracking rollers (5, 6), said tracking rolls (5, 6) being configured for rotating around respective axes,

- at least one conveyor belt (7) engaged with at least the tracking rollers (5, 6) and movable around these latter, the conveyor belt (7) is configured for receiving articles (P) and moving them along a main direction (D) , the conveyor belt (7) being configured for defining at least one first operative condition in which the conveyor belt (7) itself moves the articles (P) from the inlet (3) towards the outlet (4) along an advancement direction (A), the conveyor belt (7) being further configured for defining at least one second operative condition in which the conveyor belt (7) itself moves the articles (P) , from the outlet (4) towards the inlet (3) along a return direction (R) ,

- at least one protection device (8) associated to the supporting frame (2) at the first end (2a), and comprising at least one barrier (9), the conveyor belt (7) being interposed between the first tracking roller (5) and said barrier (9), the protection device (8) extending at least for all the width of the conveyor belt (7) and overlapping at least partially on this latter at a winding area of the same around the first tracking roller (5), the barrier (9) further comprising at least one end portion (10) closely spaced from the conveyor belt (7) and facing, under the condition of use of the conveyor (1), the top of this latter,

the protection device (8) is movable with respect to the supporting frame (2) at least between a normal operation condition in which at least the end portion (10) of the barrier (9) is closely spaced from the conveyor belt (7) and a safety condition in which at least the end portion (10) of the barrier (9) is spaced from the conveyor belt (7), and viceversa.

In a 2nd aspect according to the aspect 1, the conveyor belt (7) is configured for switching from the first or second operative condition to a blocking condition in which the belt itself is still upon the switching of the protection device (8) from the normal operative condition to the safety one.

In a 3rd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the conveyor belt (7) is configured for switching from the first or second operative conditions to a blocking condition in which the conveyor belt (7) is still upon the distancing of the barrier (9) from the conveyor belt (7) itself.

In a 4th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the end portion (10), under the protection device (8) safety condition, exhibits a greater distance from the conveyor belt (7) than the one under the normal operative condition.

In a 5th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the protection device (8) is hinged to the supporting frame (2) and is configured for rotating with respect to this latter around a rotation axis (13) at least between a normal operative condition of the conveyor and the safety condition, and viceversa.

In a 6th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the rotation axis (13) of the rotation device (8) is different from a rotation axis of the first tracking roller (5) .

In a 7th aspect according to the aspect 5 or 6, the rotation axis (13) of the rotation device (8) is parallel to a rotation axis of the first tracking roller (5) .

In an 8th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the protection device (8) comprises at least one oscillating arm (11) having at least one engagement portion (12) constrained to the supporting frame (2), the oscillating arm (11) being configured for defining the element connecting the barrier (9) to the supporting frame (2), the oscillating arm (11) being connected to the barrier (9) oppositely with respect to the end portion (10) and defining, with the barrier (9) and according to a cross-section with respect to this latter, a substantially "L" shape.

In a 9th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the oscillating arm (11) extends from the barrier (9) towards the outlet (4) of the conveyor (1) .

In a 10th aspect according to the aspect 8 or 9, the oscillating arm (11) is hinged, by the engagement portion (12), to the supporting frame (2) and is configured for enabling the barrier (9) to rotate with respect to the supporting frame (2) itself around the rotation axis (13) .

In an 11th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects from 5 to 10, the rotation axis (13) of the protection device (8) is spaced from a rotation axis of the first tracking roller (5) .

In a 12th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 5 to 11, the rotation axis (13) of the protection device (8) is placed, under a condition of use of the conveyor itself, below a rotation axis of the first tracking roller ( 5 ) .

In a 13th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 5 to 12, the rotation axis (13) of the protection device (8) is placed, under a condition of use of the conveyor itself, below and substantially vertically aligned with a rotation axis of the first tracking roller (5) .

In a 14th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 5 to 13, the rotation axis (13) of the protection device (8) is placed, under a condition of use of the conveyor itself, between the rotation axes of the first and second tracking rollers (5, 6) .

In a 15th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 5 to 14, the rotation axis (13) is transversal, particularly normal, to the main direction (D) .

In a 16th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 8 to 15, the rotation axis (13) of the protection device (8) and therefore of the oscillating arm (11) is transversal, particularly normal, to the main direction (D) of the conveyor belt (7) .

In a 17th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 5 to 16, the oscillating arm (11) rotation axis (13) is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the first and/or second tracking rollers (5, 6) . In an 18th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the rotation axes of the first and second tracking rollers (5, 6) are parallel to each other.

In a 19th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 8 to 18, the oscillating arm (11) comprises a thrusting portion (14) opposite to the barrier (9) with respect to the arm itself so that the engagement portion (12) of the oscillating arm (11) becomes interposed between said thrusting portion (14) and said barrier (9) .

In a 20th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the protection device (8) comprises at least one springback element (15), particularly a spring.

In a 21st aspect according to the preceding aspect, the springback element (15) is connected on one side to the thrusting portion (14) of the oscillating arm (11) and, on the other side, to the supporting frame (2) .

In a 22nd aspect according to the aspect 20 or 21, the springback element (15) is configured for holding the protection device (8) in the normal operative position, and, simultaneously, for enabling to move, particularly to rotate, the protection device (8) itself.

In a 23rd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the barrier (9) is at least partially countershaped to the first tracking roller (5) .

In a 24th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the barrier (9), according to a cross-section, exhibits a substantially arc-of-a-circle shape.

In a 25th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the end portion (10), under the normal operative condition of the protection device (8), extends substantially tangent to the first tracking roller ( 5 ) .

In a 26th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the protection device (8) comprises two oscillating arms (11), each of them being placed at the longitudinal ends of the barrier (9) .

In a 27th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the two oscillating arms (11) are identical to each other by shape and size.

In a 28th aspect according to the aspect 26 or 27, each oscillating arm (11) comprises a thrusting portion (14) opposite to the barrier (9) with respect to the arm itself, so that the engagement portion (12) of the oscillating arm (11) becomes interposed between said thrusting portion (14) and said barrier (9) .

In a 29th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the protection device (8) comprises at least one springback element (15), particularly a spring, connected, on one side, to the thrusting portion (14) of the oscillating arm (11) and, on the other side, to the supporting frame .

In a 30th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the springback element (15) is configured for holding the protection device (8) in the normal operative position and, simultaneously, for enabling to move, particularly to rotate, the protection device (8) itself.

In a 31st aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the conveyor belt (7) is wound around the first and second tracking rollers (5, 6) for defining, according to a cross-section, a closed outline.

In a 32nd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the conveyor belt (7) defines at least one first substantially rectilinear segment (7a), at least one first bend (7b) at least partially countershaped to the first roller (5), at least one second substantially rectilinear segment (7c) and opposite to the first segment (7a), at least one second bend (7d) at least partially countershaped to the second roller (6) .

In a 33rd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the first and second rectilinear segments (7a, 7c), under a condition of use of the conveyor (1), define respectively an upper and lower segments.

In a 34th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the conveyor belt (7) exhibits an abutment surface (16) configured for receiving the articles (P) , which exhibit a plurality of projections (17) .

In a 35th aspect according to the preceding aspect wherein, along a top plan view normal to the first rectilinear segment (7a), the projections (17) are evenly distributed on the conveyor belt (7) .

In a 36th aspect according to the aspect 34 or 35, the projections (17) comprise at least a plurality of first elements (17a), each of them extends along a first development trajectory at least partially transversal to the main direction (D) .

In a 37th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the first elements (17a) are spaced from each other along the main direction (D) .

In a 38th aspect according to the aspect 36 or 37, the first elements (17a) are uniformly spaced along the main direction (D) .

In a 39th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 34 to 38, the projections (17) comprise at least a plurality of second elements (17b) .

In a 40th aspect according to the preceding aspect, each of said second elements (17b) extends along a second development trajectory at least transversal, particularly normal, to the first main development direction of the first elements (17a) .

In a 41st aspect according to the aspect 39 or 40, the second elements (17b) are spaced from each other along the main direction (D) .

In a 42nd aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 39 to 41, wherein the second elements (17b) are uniformly spaced along the main direction (D) .

In a 43rd aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 39 to 42, the first and second elements (17a, 17b) of the plurality of projections (17) exhibit respective prevalent development directions at least partially transversal to the main direction (D) .

In a 44th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 39 to 43, the first and second elements (17a, 17b) intersect with each other at nodes in order to define a series of meshes (18) .

In a 45th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the meshes (18), according to a top view normal to the first rectilinear trajectory of the first segment (7a), exhibit a rectangular or square or diamond or circular shape .

In a 46th aspect according to the aspect 44 or 45, the meshes (18) are uniformly distributed on the abutment surface (16) in order to define an array.

In a 47th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 32 to 46, the barrier (9), under the normal operative condition of the protection device (8), is placed at and faces the first bend (7b) of the conveyor belt (7) for at least partially covering it.

In a 48th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 32 to 47, the barrier (9) end portion (10), under the normal operative condition of the protection device (8), is placed at an attachment portion between the first bend (7b) and the first rectilinear segment (7a) of the conveyor belt (7) .

In a 49th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the barrier (9), under the safety condition of the protection device (8), becomes spaced from the conveyor belt (7) .

In a 50th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the barrier (9), under the safety condition of the protection device (8), is lower than the conveyor belt (7), under a condition of use of the conveyor (1) itself .

In a 51th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the protection device (8) is configured for switching from the normal operative condition to the safety condition following the action of forces acting on the barrier (9), substantially directed along the main direction (D) and having the same direction of the return direction (R) .

In a 52nd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the conveyor (1) comprises at least one activating device (20) connected to at least one of said first tracking roller (5), second tracking roller (6), conveyor belt (7), and configured for moving this latter in order to define said first or second operative conditions .

In a 53rd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the conveyor (1) comprises at least one control unit (19) connected at least to one of said first tracking roller (5), second tracking roller (6), conveyor belt (7), and configured for commanding and controlling the first and second operative conditions of said conveyor belt (7) .

In a 54th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the control unit (19) is connected to the activating device (20) for commanding and controlling it and for defining said first and second operative conditions.

In a 55th aspect according to the aspect 53 or 54, the conveyor (1) comprises at least one sensor (21) engaged with the supporting frame (2) and configured for generating a control signal regarding the movement of the protection device (8), the control unit (19) being connected to the sensor (21) and configured for:

- receiving the control signal from the sensor (21), - processing said control signal and verifying a condition of the protection device (8) .

In a 56th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the control unit (19), following the reception of the signal from the sensor (21) and after having established the protection device (8) condition, is configured for stopping the movement of the conveyor belt (7) .

In a 57th aspect according to the aspect 55 or 56, the control unit (19), following the reception and processing of the control signal, is configured for verifying at least the switching of the protection device (8) from the normal operative condition to the safety one, and viceversa.

In a 58th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 55 to 57, the control unit (19), following the reception and processing of the signal from the sensor (21), is configured for verifying the effective distancing of the barrier (9) away from the conveyor belt (7) .

In a 59th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 53 to 58, the control unit (19) is connected to at least one of said activating devices (20), first tracking roller (5), second tracking roller (6), conveyor belt (7), and is configured for controlling and monitoring the movement of this latter.

In a 60th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 53 to 59, the control unit (19) is configured for controlling and monitoring the movement speed of the conveyor belt (7) in order to control and monitor the movement speed of the articles (P) along the main direction (D) .

In a 61st aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 34 to 60, the abutment surface (16) of the conveyor belt is not smooth.

In a 62nd aspect, it is provided an use for the conveyor (1) according to anyone of the preceding aspects for automatically moving articles of different types, for examples packets or luggage, particularly in airports and similar structures.

In a 63rd aspect, it is provided an use of the conveyor (1) according to anyone of the preceding aspects for automatically moving luggage in a check-in area of an airport .

In a 64th aspect, it is provided an use of the conveyor (1) according to anyone of the preceding aspects from weighing and/or controlling a piece in luggage in a check-in area of an airport.

In a 65th aspect according to the preceding aspect, wherein weighing and/or controlling a piece of luggage provides at least the following steps:

- placing the piece of luggage on a loading area of the conveyor (1), - weighing and/or controlling the piece of luggage,

- following the weighing and/or control step, moving the same piece of luggage by the conveyor belt (7) of the conveyor (1) away from the loading area, particularly towards an area for taking aboard the luggage .

In a 66th aspect, it is provided a process of moving articles, particularly packets and/or luggage, by a conveyor (1) according to anyone of the preceding aspects.

In a 67th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the process comprises at least the following steps:

- placing at least one article (P) on the conveyor belt (7) at the inlet (3) ,

- moving said article from the inlet (3) towards the outlet (4) according to the advancement direction (A) . In a 68th aspect according to the preceding aspect, wherein the process, following said movement of the article from the inlet (3) towards the outlet (4) can provide a step of stopping the conveyor belt (7) upon the switching of the protection device (8) from the normal operative condition to the safety one, under the stopping condition the conveyor belt (7) is still.

In a 69th aspect according to the aspect 67 or 68, wherein the process, following the movement of the article from the outlet (4) towards the inlet (3), particularly during the second operative condition of the conveyor belt (7), can provide a step of stopping the conveyor belt (7) following the switching of the protection device (8) from the normal operative condition to the safety one, under the stopping condition, the conveyor belt (7) is still.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments and some aspects of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the attached drawings, given only in an indicative and therefore non limiting way, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top schematic view of a conveyor according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-section view of a conveyor according to the present invention;

- Figure 3 is a partially perspective top view of a conveyor according to the present invention exhibiting a protection device placed under a normal operative condition;

- Figure 4 is a partially perspective bottom view of a conveyor according to the present invention exhibiting a protection device placed under a normal operative condition; Figure 5 is a detailed cross-section view of the conveyor according to the present invention exhibiting a protection device placed under a normal operative condition;

- Figure 6 is a partially perspective top view of a conveyor according to the present invention, exhibiting a protection device placed under a safety condition;

- Figure 7 is a partially perspective bottom view of a conveyor according to the present invention, exhibiting a protection device placed under a safety condition;

Figure 8 is a detailed cross-section view of the conveyor according to the present invention, exhibiting a protection device placed under a safety condition;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a conveyor according to the present invention;

- Figure 10 is a cross-section view of the conveyor in Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1 generally indicates a conveyor for moving articles P. The conveyor 1, described in the following, can generally find an application in the field of the plants for automatically moving articles P, for example for moving luggage and packets, to be taken aboard, particularly in airports and similar structures. In any case, the conveyor 1, object of the present invention, can find an application also in the industrial field wherein it can be used for moving finished or semifinished products towards further processing stations; for example, in the industrial field, can be used for moving products along manufacturing lines, or for displacing objects from a manufacturing area to another one .

The attached figures illustrate a preferred but non limiting configuration of the invention, wherein the conveyor 1 is used for moving luggage, for example in the airport field during the check-in operations of the luggage to be taken aboard aircrafts (Figure 1) . Under this latter described condition (airport check-in conveyor belt) , the conveyor 1 can be used for loading, weighing, controlling and moving the luggage along general switching lines as illustrated in Figure 1.

As it is visible for example in Figures 1 and 2, the conveyor 1 comprises at least one supporting frame 2 developing along a predetermined development direction between a first and second ends 2a, 2b spaced and opposite to each other with respect to the frame 2 itself; at the first end 2a, the frame 2 defines at least one inlet 3 configured for substantially defining an area for loading the articles P. Further, the supporting frame 2 exhibits, at the second end 2b, an outlet 4 which could for example define a sort of area for discharge articles P, particularly luggage. The supporting frame 2, at each of said inlet and outlet 3, 4, comprises at least one respective first and second tracking rollers 5, 6 defining also terminal rollers which are configured for rotating around respective axes 5a and 6a (see Figures 2 and 5, for example) . The axes 5a and 6a, under a condition of use of the conveyor 1, extend horizontally.

Advantageously, the tracking rollers 5, 6 are placed at the frame 2 ends (respectively at the ends 2a and 2b) and are placed transversally, particularly normal, to the supporting frame 2 development direction. In a preferred but non limiting embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the axes 5a, 6a of the tracking rollers are parallel to each other, particularly normal to the frame 2 prevalent development direction.

In an embodiment, the conveyor 1 can comprise only two tracking rollers 5, 6. Alternatively, the frame 2 can comprise two or more tracking rollers or terminal rollers and further one or more tension rollers 22 - as illustrated in Figure 2 - interposed between the terminal tracking rollers 5, 6, which are adapted to enable to assembly a conveyor belt 7 and to tension it. The conveyor belt 7 will be better described in the following .

The tracking rollers 5, 6 can be placed, according to a conveyor 1 condition, at the same height so that, after having placed the conveyor belt 7, this latter can define a flat path or the rolls can be placed at different heights for defining a sloped path, as for example illustrated in Figure 2. Further, the rollers 5 and 6 can exhibit the same size or exhibit different size as illustrated in Figure 2, for example, in which the second roller 6 exhibits a diameter greater than the one of the tracking roller 5.

As previously said and as it is visible in the attached figures, the conveyor 1 further comprises at least one conveyor belt 7 engaged at least with the tracking rollers 5, 6 and moveable around these latter. More particularly, the conveyor belt 7 is wound around the tracking rollers 5, 6 to define, according to a cross- section, a closed outline: the conveyor belt 7 substantially defines an endless element wound around the two tracking rollers or terminal rollers.

Still more particularly, the conveyor belt 7 defines at least one first substantially rectilinear segment 7a, at least one first bend 7b at least partially countershaped to the first roller 5, at least one substantially rectilinear second segment 7c and opposite to the first segment 7a, at least one second bend 7d at least partially countershaped to the second roller 6. Under a condition of use of the conveyor 1, the first and second rectilinear segments 7a, 7c define respectively an upper and lower segments, while the bend segments 7b, 7d completely adhere to the outer surface of the rollers 5,

6 to substantially define semicircles countershaped to said rolls. In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the conveyor 1 comprises at least one tension roller 22 which is adapted to contact at least partially the second rectilinear segment (lower segment) for bending it and therefore tensioning the overall belt

7.

The conveyor belt 7 is configured for receiving articles P, particularly it receives the articles at the inlet 3 (loading area) and for moving them along a main direction D (Figure 1), parallel and substantially coinciding with the prevalent development direction of the supporting frame 2: the conveyor belt 7 substantially represents the element adapted to support and move the articles P, particularly luggage.

Advantageously, the conveyor belt 7 is configured for defining at least two conditions of moving the same for displacing the articles P along the main direction D and along two different (particularly opposite) displacement directions. De facto, the conveyor belt 7 is configured for defining at least one first operative condition in which the conveyor belt 7 itself moves the articles P from the inlet 3 towards the outlet 4 along an advancement direction A (Figure 1); further, the conveyor belt 7 is configured for defining at least one second operative condition in which the conveyor belt 7 itself moves the articles P, from the outlet 4 towards the inlet 3 along a return direction R (Figure 1) .

In this way, the belt 7 is capable of displacing the articles P, placed on by an user or by a dedicated operator, from the loading area to an unload or outlet area of the articles (first operative condition in which the article follows the advancement direction A) . Further, the belt 7 is capable of returning the articles P, for example in case these are not suitable (not adapted to be taken aboard) , and of routing them to the loading area: for example by displacing the articles from the outlet 4 towards the inlet 3 (according to an operative condition in which the article follows the return direction R) .

From the materials point of view, the conveyor belt 7 advantageously consists at least partially of rubber. Moving the belt 7 is executed by an activating device 20, for example a motor, associated to the frame 2; the device 20 can be directly connected to the belt 7 and move the same for example by one or more friction wheels of the device 20. Alternatively, the device 20 can be associated to one or more rollers (the tracking rollers or also the tension roller) in order to actuating these latter. The friction between the rollers and belt 7 makes possible to drive this latter and start moving the articles, particularly luggage. The rubber material of the conveyor belt is particularly suited for this kind of friction operation on the belt itself.

Still more particularly, it is possible to observe that the conveyor belt 7 exhibits an abutment surface 16 configured for receiving the articles P: the belt 7 outer surface being adapted to directly contact the articles or luggage. The attached figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, two kinds of belts 7 alternatively exhibiting a completely smooth abutment surface (see Figures 5 and 8, for example) or a shaped surface (see Figures 9 and 10, for example) .

Despite the fact the smooth abutment surface 16 enables a suitable gripping on determined types of articles P, it should be noted that for moving and managing luggage in the airport field, the shaped belts are particularly advantageous because effectively enable to grip any type of article (piece of luggage) independently from the size and shape of the same.

With reference to the shaped-type belt 7, Figures 9 and 10 show that it exhibits a plurality of projections 17 adapted to substantially define a non smooth abutment surface 16. The projections 17 comprise at least a plurality of first elements 17a, spaced from each other along the main direction D, each of them extends along a first development trajectory at least partially transversal to the main direction D (Figure 9) . Figure 9 illustrates, in a non limiting way, an embodiment of said first elements 17a which extend along rectilinear trajectories transversal to the moving main direction D of articles P, and therefore transversal to the frame 1 prevalent development direction. Specifically, the first elements 17a are inclined with respect to the direction D by an angle substantially comprised between 20° and 80°, particularly between 30° and 60°. Advantageously, the first elements 17a are evenly distributed on the belt 7 and particularly uniformly distributed along the main direction D.

As hereinbefore specified, the attached figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, an arrangement of said first elements 17a defining projections rectilinearly developing and identical to each other; however it is not excluded the possibility of making the first elements 17a at least partially different from each other both by shape and size. For example it should be possible to provide at least one series of first elements 17a having a determined size (for example height and thickness) and extending along rectilinear trajectories and a further series of first elements 17a having a predetermined shape and size and extending along curvilinear tra ectories, for example extending along sinusoidal trajectories (such arrangement is not shown in the attached figures) . Obviously, further arrangements could be conceived wherein the majority of the first elements 17a are completely different from each other by shape and size. However, the attached figures illustrate only one embodiment of the first elements 17a wherein these latter are all equal to each other and substantially comprise rectilinear developing ribs; each rib, as illustrated in Figure 10, exhibits a substantially square or rectangular cross-section shape (it is not excluded the possibility of providing different cross-sections of the ribs) .

The projections 17 can further comprise at least a plurality of second elements 17b, spaced from each other along the main direction D, each of them extends along a second development trajectory at least partially transversal to the main direction D (Figure 9) . Figure 9 illustrates in a non limiting way an embodiment of said second elements 17b extending along rectilinear trajectories transversal to the main direction D along which the articles P move and therefore transversal to the frame 2 prevalent development direction. Particularly, the second elements 17b extend transversally, particularly normal, to the first prevalent development direction of the first elements 17a. Specifically, the second elements 17b are inclined to the direction D by an angle substantially comprised between 20° and 80°, particularly between 30° and 60°. Advantageously, the second elements 17b are uniformly distributed on the belt 7 and, particularly, are evenly spaced along the main direction D.

As hereinbefore specified, the attached figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, an arrangement of said second elements 17b identical to each other and extending along rectilinear tra ectories; however it is not excluded the possibility of making the second elements 17b at least partially different from each other both by shape and size. For example, it could be possible to provide at least a series of second elements 17b having a determined size (for example height and thickness) and extending along rectilinear trajectories and a further series of second elements 17b having a prefixed shape and size and extending along curvilinear tra ectories, for example having a sinusoidal development (such configuration is not illustrated in the attached figures). Obviously, further configurations could be provided wherein the majority of the second elements 17b are completely different from each other by shape and size.

In the attached figures, however it is shown only one embodiment of the second elements 17b wherein these latter are all equal to each other and substantially comprise ribs having a rectilinear development; each rib, as illustrated in Figure 10, exhibits a substantially square or rectangular cross-section shape (it is not excluded the possibility of providing different cross-sections for the ribs) .

In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the first and second elements 17a, 17b of the plurality of projections 17 exhibit, in a non limiting way, respective prevalent development directions at least partially transversal to the main direction D; the first and second elements 17a, 17b intersect with each other at nodes in order to define a series of meshes 18. The meshes 18, according to a top view normal to the first rectilinear trajectory of the first segment 7a, are uniformly distributed on the abutment surface 16 in order to define an array and exhibit a diamond shape. As hereinbefore described, it is not excluded the possibility of differentiating the first and second elements 17a, 17b for defining meshes 18 having a substantially circular, rectangular or square shape.

As it is visible for example in Figure 2-10, the conveyor 1 further comprises at least one protection device 8 associated to the supporting frame 2 at the first end 2a configured for covering and protection at least partially the belt 7 wound around the first tracking roller 5. Specifically, the protection device 8 comprises at least one barrier 9 placed at the belt 7 so that this latter is interposed between the first tracking roller 5 and said barrier 9. The protection device 8 extends at least for all the width of the conveyor belt 7 and overlaps at least partially this latter at an area wherein the same is wound around the first tracking roller 5. De facto, the barrier 9 develops parallelly to the development of the first roller 5 (along the rotation axis 5a of the same) and therefore transversally, particularly normal, to the frame 2 prevalent development direction (normal to the main direction D) .

Advantageously, the barrier 9 is at least partially countershaped to the first tracking roller 5 and therefore exhibits an arc-of-a-circle cross-section: such configuration enables to cover and protect the belt at the first roller 5 with the minimum size.

Further, as it is visible for example in Figures 5, 8 and 10, the barrier 9 comprises at least one end portion 10 closely spaced from the conveyor belt 7 and facing, under the condition of use of the conveyor 1, the top of this latter. De facto, the barrier 9 extends from a lower attachment portion to the end portion 10 which faces the belt 7 top. The barrier 9 end portion 10 is the portion adapted to slightly contact the belt 7 and particularly the abutment surface 16. As it is visible in Figure 5 and 10, the barrier 9 end portion 10 can be positioned at a determined minimum distance from the belt 7 abutment surface 16 in order to define a minimum opening or passage.

By observing more particularly the protection device 8, it is possible to observe that this latter comprises at least an oscillating arm 11 having at least one engagement portion 12 constrained to the supporting frame 2; the oscillating arm 11 is configured for defining the element connecting the barrier 9 to the supporting frame 2. Particularly, the oscillating arm 11 is connected to the barrier 9 oppositely to the end portion 10 (at the attachment portion of the barrier itself) and defines, together with the barrier and according to a cross-section transversal to this latter, a substantially "L" shape. De facto, the oscillating arm 11 extends from the barrier 9 towards the conveyor 1 outlet 4: the arm 11 emerges substantially normal to the barrier 9 towards the outlet 4. From the structural point of view, the oscillating arm 11 comprises a plate advantageously, but not in a liming way, joined in a single piece with the barrier 9. As it is for example visible in Figures 5 and 8, the oscillating arm 11 further comprises a thrusting portion 14 opposite to the barrier 9 with respect to the arm 11 itself so that the engagement portion 12 of the oscillating arm 11 is interposed between said thrusting portion 14 and said barrier 9.

From a structural point of view, the thrusting portion 14 comprises a plate connected to the arm 11; advantageously, the thrusting portion 14 plate is an extension of the arm 11 plate, particularly such plates define a single piece (a single plate) . Still looking at Figure 5 and 8, it is possible to observe that the protection device 8 further comprises at least one springback element 15, particularly a spring, connected, on one side, to the oscillating arm 11 thrusting portion 14 and, on the other side, to the supporting frame 2 ; the springback element 15 is configured for holding the protection device 8 in a condition wherein the barrier 9, particularly the end portion 10, is closely spaced from the barrier 9.

The attached figures illustrate a preferred configuration of the invention, in which the conveyor 1 comprises two oscillating arms 11 identical, by shape and size, to each other, engaged with the barrier 9 at the transversal ends: the arms 11 are engaged with the barrier 9 edges. The presence of two arms 11 enables these latter to suitably engage in a non unbalanced way the barrier 9. However, it is not excluded the possibility of using only one arm 11 or three or more arms 11 (this condition is not illustrated in the attached figures6) .

Advantageously, the protection device 8 is movable with respect to the supporting frame 2 at least between a normal operative condition in which at least the barrier 9 end portion 10 is closely spaced from the conveyor belt 7 (Figure 5) and a safety condition in which at least the end portion 10 of the barrier 9 is spaced from the conveyor belt 7 (Figure 8), and viceversa. More specifically, at least the end portion 10, under the safety condition of the protection device 8, exhibits a minimum distance from the conveyor belt 7 greater than the minimum distance of the end portion 11 under the normal operative condition of the protection device 8. As it is visible in Figure 5, under the normal operative conditions, the barrier 9 is close to and in proximity with the abutment surface 16 while, under the safety condition, the barrier 9 is spaced and more spaced from the abutment surface 16 than under the normal operative condition .

The attached figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the protection device 8 is hinged to the supporting frame 2 and is configured for rotating with respect to this latter around a rotation axis 13 at least between the normal operative condition (the barrier is close to the belt 7) of the conveyor 1 and the safety condition (the barrier is far from the belt 7), and viceversa. Under such condition, the engagement portion 12 of the oscillating arm 11 comprises a hinge adapted to enable to rotate the arm and therefore the barrier 9: the oscillating arm 11 is hinged, by means of the engagement portion 12, to the supporting frame 2 and is configured for enabling to rotate the barrier 9 with respect to the supporting frame 2 itself around the rotation axis 13. As hereinbefore described, the engagement portion 12 is placed between the barrier 9 and the thrusting portion 14; particularly, the engagement portion 12 is spaced from the roller 5 and is placed towards the outlet 4 with respect to the barrier 9 itself for enabling to move this latter proximate to and away from the first tracking roller 5. Under such condition, the rotation axis 13 of the rotation device 8 is different from the rotation axis 5a of the first tracking roller 5: the rotation axis 13 of the protection device 8 is spaced from the rotation axis 5a of the first tracking roller 5. The position of the engagement portion 12 places the rotation axis 13 of the protection device 8, according to a condition of use of the conveyor itself, below the rotation axis 5a of the first tracking roller 5. The attached figures illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which the rotation axis 13 of the protection device 8 is placed, according to a condition of use of the conveyor 1 itself, below and substantially vertically aligned with the rotation axis of the first tracking roller 5. In further embodiment variants, according to a condition of use of the conveyor itself, the protection device 8 rotation axis 13 can be placed between the rotation axes 5a, 6a of the first and second tracking rolls 5, 6 for enabling the barrier 9 to extensively move with respect to the roller 5 or can be placed downstream the axis 5a according to the advancement direction A for enabling to read the barrier movements with respect to the roller 5.

As it is visible in Figures 4 and 7, the oscillating arm 11 of rotation axis 13 is transversal, particularly normal, to the frame development direction, and therefore transversal, particularly normal, to the main direction D. As hereinbefore described, the axes 5a and 6a respectively of the first and second rolls 5, 6 are parallel to each other; advantageously, the oscillating arm 11 rotation axis 13 is parallel to the rotation axis of the first and/or second tracking rolls 5, 6. As for the axes 5a and 6a, also the axis 13, according to a condition of use of the conveyor, extends horizontally. The attached figures illustrate an arrangement of the conveyor 1 in which the protection portion 8 is rotatively movable with respect to the first roller 5. However, it is possible to provide a different movement of the protection device 8 for enabling the same to switch from the normal operative condition to the safety one (these configurations are not illustrated in the attached figures) . For example, the protection portion 8 could provide an engagement portion 12 comprising one or more guides adapted to engage the device 8 engagement portions and configured for enabling at least one of the following movements: rotation, translation, rototranslation . Such movements should enable the barrier 9 to move proximate to and away from, and vice versa, the first roller 5 (with respect to the belt 7 abutment surface) .

It is useful to note for example from Figure 5 that the barrier 9, under the normal operative condition of the protection device 8, is placed at and faces the first bend 7b of the conveyor belt 7 for at least partially covering it. The end portion 10, under the normal operative condition of the protection device 8, is placed at an attachment portion between the first bend 7b and the first rectilinear segment 7a of the conveyor belt 7. The end portion 10, under the normal operative condition of the protection device 8, extends substantially tangent to the first tracking roller 5. Vice versa, the barrier 9, under the safety condition of the protection device 8, is spaced from the conveyor belt 7; specifically, the barrier 9, under the safety condition of the protection device 8, is lowered with respect to said belt 7, according to a condition of use of the conveyor 1 itself, and the end portion is distant from the abutment surface 16.

Advantageously, the conveyor belt 7 is configured for switching from the first or second operative condition to a blocking condition, wherein the belt itself is still following the switching of the protection device 8 from the normal operative condition to the safety one. De facto, the conveyor belt 7 is configured for switching from the first or second operative condition to a blocking condition wherein the conveyor belt 7 is still upon the distancing of the barrier 9 from the abutment surface 16.

More specifically, the protection device 8 is configured for switching from the normal operative condition to the safety condition following the action of forces acting on the barrier 9, substantially directed along the main direction D and towards the return direction R. De facto, at least the normal operative condition of the protection device defines a limit stop position for the barrier 9 which is placed at the belt and cannot further come close to the abutment surface 16; the forces directed along the advancement direction A should thrustingly act on the barrier 9 for approaching it to the belt 7 but which, however, could not move because the only movement allowed to the barrier 9, from the normal operative condition, is away from the belt 7. In such case, the belt 7 does not change its condition. Viceversa, the forces having at least one component directed towards the return direction R should thrustingly act on the barrier for spacing it away from the abutment surface 16 (from the first roller 5) by causing in this way the device 8 to switch from the normal operative condition to the safety one which provides to stop the belt (the belt is still) . Such condition could occur in case an article or piece of luggage is moved in the return direction R; the article, once arrived at the inlet (loading area) could thrust the barrier by spacing it away from the first roller and therefore causing the belt 7 to stop. A further possible stop condition of the belt 7 could be one wherein parts or accessories of an user or a dedicated operator should casually stuck, under the normal operative condition, between the barrier and the belt (opening or gap between the protection device 8 and belt) becoming entangled and possibly wound around the first roller 5. Under such condition, the user part or accessory could cause the switching from the normal operative condition to the safety one by consequently stopping the belt 7. De facto, in this latter case is still more important to foresee a condition of possible accident for immediately stopping the movement of the conveyor belt 7.

It is useful to note that the possible entanglement of parts or accessories of the user and/or operator occurs when the conveyor belt 7 is in the second operative condition (the articles move along the return direction R) ; under the first operative condition, winding parts or accessories will be prevented by the movement direction of the belt 7 itself.

Then, the elastic element 15 acting on the thrusting portion 14 is adapted to return the barrier 9 to the normal operative condition and therefore in a position closely spaced from the abutment surface 16.

In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, further the conveyor 1 comprises at least one control unit 19 connected to at least one of said first tracking roller 5, second tracking roller 6, conveyor belt 7, and configured for commanding and controlling the first and second operative conditions of the same conveyor belt 7. In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit 19 is connected to the activating device 20 for commanding and controlling it and defining said first and second operative conditions (Figure 2) and also to stop the belt 7; referring again to Figure 2, it is possible to note that the control unit 19 is further the first tracking roller 5 (signal a), second tracking roller 6 (signal c) , conveyor belt 7 and is configured for controlling and monitoring the movement of this latter, particularly for controlling and monitoring the movement speed of the conveyor belt 7 for controlling and monitoring the movement speed of the articles P along the main direction D. Controlling the rolls 5, 6, activating device 20 by the unit 19 enables this latter to command the first and second operative conditions and to stop the belt in order to command the movements of the articles abutting the surface 16.

Advantageously, the conveyor 1 further comprises at least one sensor 21 (Figures 5 and 8) engaged with the supporting frame 2 and configured for generating a control signal regarding the movement of the protection device 8; the control unit 19 is connected to the sensor 21 and is configured for:

- receiving the control signal from the sensor;

processing said control signal and verifying a condition of the protection device 8.

More specifically, the control unit 19, upon receiving the signal from the sensor 21 and after having determined the condition of the protection device 8, is configured for stopping the movement of the conveyor belt 7 or starting the first or second operative conditions of the belt 7. Still more particularly, the control unit 19, upon receiving and processing the control signal, is configured for verifying at least the switching of the protection device 8 from the normal operative condition to the safety one, and viceversa; the control unit 19, upon receiving and processing the signal from the sensor 21, is configured for verifying the effective distancing of the barrier 9 from the conveyor belt 7.

In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the sensor 21 supplies a control signal to the unit 19 which, upon processing said signal, is configured for establishing at least the following conditions:

- the switching from the normal operative condition to the safety one;

the switching from the safety condition to the normal operative one;

- the simple oscillation of the barrier.

The control unit 19, after having determined the condition of the protection device 8 and therefore the relative position of the barrier 9 with respect to the first roller 5 (with respect to the abutment surface) , is configured for commanding at least the following conditions :

- a belt 7 stopping condition in which the control unit commands the activating device to stop the belt; this condition is commanded when a safety condition occurs ,

a belt 7 starting condition (first or second operative condition of the belt 7) in which the control unit 19 activates the device 20; this condition is commanded when the normal operative condition occurs, an alarm condition wherein the control unit 19 signals by visual and/or sound devices the oscillation of the barrier 9.

The sensor 21 can for example comprise at least one of the following devices: a proximity sensor, movement sensor, pressure sensor. Advantageously, it is possible to use a magnetic proximity sensor adapted to output a control signal at least when the oscillating arm is in a position wherein it is possible to identify the device 8 safety position. Obviously, when the control unit 19 must manage the check-in steps in airport systems, this latter can cause the belt to stop when a dedicated operator requests so for enabling to load the luggage on the belt 7 and possibly to weigh the same. After the preliminary control steps performed by the dedicated operator, the control unit 19 can command the belt to move (first or second operative condition) . Further, it is important that the control unit 19 could hold stopped the belt 7 after having determined the safety condition only until a dedicated operator enables the switching to an operative condition. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The present invention has substantial advantages. A first advantage is due to the fact that the conveyor 1 enables to effectively and safely move the luggage. De facto, the conveyor 1 enables to move the articles P along the main direction D in the advancement and return directions A, R: such configuration enables the conveyor 1 to advance the articles P from the loading or inlet area 3 and to serve further lines (for example further belts or switching lines) and also to return articles P which for example are not suitable (luggage not suitable to be taken aboard) .

A further advantage of the invention is due to the fact that the conveyor ensures an efficient transport of any kind of luggage; particularly, the conveyor exhibits a belt 7, particularly an abutment surface 16, having a highly flexible use, capable of defining an optimal adherence with any kind of article or piece of luggage placed in any arrangements. The plurality of projections 17 of the belt 7 enable this latter to supply an adherence with any article P.

Moreover, the presence of the protection device 8 ensures an excellent safety during both the operative conditions of the belt 7. It is interesting the mobility of the protection device 8 which in the particular case wherein the belt 7 is in the second operative condition (the articles move in the return direction R) avoids to accidentally wind parts and/or accessories of the user or dedicated operator.

The device 8 mobility ensures to stop the belt 7 under the safety condition of the device 8 and therefore prevents the user and/or dedicated operator from being entangled around the first roller and consequently dragged by the same.

Further, the conveyor 1 is structurally simple and compact and at the same time is simple from the management and control point of view. Further, the simplicity of the conveyor makes it particularly flexible at an application level: this latter could be easily integrated with the prior art conveyors without requiring particular adaptations or modifications of the plants in use. The simplified structure positively affects also the manufacturability of the same and therefore the costs.