TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a product conveying system and a product support system.

The product conveying system and product support system is particularly suitable to be used in combination with loading and/or unloading of objects, such as packages or luggage, which is loaded and/or unloaded from vehicles, aircrafts or within ware houses, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Within the technical field of loading and/or unloading of goods, such as e.g. packages and luggage, from transportation means, such as aircrafts, the handling of the goods is a demanding task on both the personal and the equipment used for the task. Espe cially the loading of cargo to and from cargo storage spaces in e.g. aircraft hulls, where the space is extremely limited, the equipment for transferring the goods to and from the storage space has to be easy to operate, flexible to move within the space, and has to provide the necessary support and guidance of the goods.

One example of such transferring equipment is disclosed in EP1713704A1, which de scribes a conveying device for handling the loading and unloading of goods.

Other examples of known transferring equipment would be commonly known roller or belt conveyors comprising a number of rollers or belts separated by a distance.

A major problem associated with transferring goods via transferring equipment, such as conveying devices having a number of rollers or conveyor belts separated by a dis tance, such that there is an intermediate gap, is that goods of smaller sizes will not be fully supported on the conveying device, and the smaller goods, such as small pack ages, have an increased risk of being stuck between two conveying elements, such as rollers or belts.

Larger objects, such as suitcases or large boxes, will span these gaps and will not get stuck, but due the always wide variety of sizes and forms of the transferred goods, small packages and objects of non-uniform sizes may get stuck between two neigh bouring conveying elements and block the entire conveying device.

In the known linear conveyor systems, where the goods are transported along a trans portation path being a substantially straight line, the distance between the rollers or belts may by adjusted to a minimum, whereby smaller objects will not get stuck.

However, in relation to the conveying devices disclosed in EP1713704A1, the convey ing elements described as rollers are arranged such that the direction of their axis of rotation can be adjusted from parallel to non-parallel. The conveying device may thus be arranged with a straight path of transportation, where the axis of rotation of the roll ers is arranged substantial parallel, and in a non-straight path of transportation, where the axis of rotation of the rollers is arranged non-parallel.

When the rollers, such as at least two rollers, are arranged in a non-parallel configura tion, the distance, also referred to as a gap, is smaller towards one end of the rollers compared to the opposite end of the rollers. It is here not possible to arrange a smaller gap as the rollers must be non-parallel. Thus, along the entire distance between two rollers, the gap increases from a gap of relatively short distance at one end into a gap of relatively large distance at the opposite end. In such a situation, goods of smaller and/or non-uniform size have an increased risk of getting stuck between the rollers and block the entire conveying device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a product conveying system and a product support system which eliminates the above defined problem.

It is an object of the invention to provide a product conveying system in which the risk of blockage is eliminated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a product supporting system which can be installed in any of the known systems described above.

The above objects and advantages, together with numerous other objects and ad vantages, which will be evident from the following description of the present invention, are according to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by: A product conveying system for conveying objects, such as luggage or pack ages, comprising a number of subsequently arranged conveying elements defining a conveying direction, the product conveying system further comprising a product sup- port system having at least one brush element for supporting the objects, the convey ing elements having a moveable conveying surface for contacting the objects and wherein the at least one brush element is arranged between two of the subsequently arranged conveying elements and comprises a base element and a number of elon gated deflector elements and is connected to the conveying elements such that the deflector elements form an oblique angle in relation to the conveying direction.

The invention covers a product conveying system as defined, whereby is possible to convey a variety of different products, such as luggage or packages of different size and shapes, without the risk of the objects getting stuck between individual conveying elements, with the result of blocking the conveyor. It is understood that the product conveying system can be operated in both directions for conveying objects in both di rections.

The conveying elements are preferably active conveying elements, such as activated or motorized rollers or conveyor belts, but may be passive conveying elements, such as freely rotatable rollers or conveyor bands providing an “endless conveying surface.

The brush element does not in itself, compared to the activated or passive conveying elements, contribute to any conveyance, but merely prevents any objects from getting stuck between two subsequently arranged conveying elements.

The brush element, which is arranged between two subsequently arranged conveying elements, such as two rollers or two subsequently arranged conveyor belts, arranges a flexible support, thus preventing any objects in getting stuck between two conveying elements.

The base element may be manufactured from any material suitable for forming a base for the deflector elements, and may thus be made from different materials, such as plastics, wood, metal, etc. The deflector elements may be stiff but are preferably arranged as flexible elements which can bend in relation to the base element, such that when conveying objects against the direction of the oblique deflector elements, the deflector elements can bend and support the objects in the opposite direction as well.

The brush element has a number of deflector elements, which when connected to the conveying system has an oblique angle in relation to the conveying direction.

Arranging the brush element such that the deflector elements form an oblique angle in relation to the conveying direction reduces the required number of deflector elements, compared to an arrangement where the deflector elements are arranged substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction.

Further, the oblique deflector elements span a greater width between two subse quently arranged conveying elements, compared to perpendicularly arranged deflector elements. Hereby, the base element supporting the deflectors may be arranged as more slim or narrow element, compared to the upper surface of the deflector element. The base element therefore occupies minimum space between the conveying ele ments and is hereby easy to install and minimises the interference between the base element and the conveying element, providing a less complicated conveying system.

Further, the oblique angle of the deflector element provides the possibility of arranging the conveyor system as a conveying system having a varying conveying direction as disclosed in EP1713704A1. As explained above, when the trajectory of such conveyor system varies, and the gap between the subsequently arranged rollers increases from a gap of relatively short distance at one end into a gap of relatively large distance at the opposite end, goods of smaller and/or non-uniform size would have an increased risk of getting stuck between the rollers and block the entire conveying device, which, due to the arrangement of the obliquely arranged deflector elements, is avoided.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the subse quently arranged conveying elements comprise at least two subsequently arranged conveying rollers or two subsequently arranged conveyor belts.

The conveying system comprises at least two subsequently arranged conveying rollers or two subsequently arranged conveyor belts. When the system comprises rollers, the system preferably comprising a plurality of rollers having a brush element arranged be tween at least two subsequently arranged rollers, it is possible to arrange longer con veying systems and incorporate one or more brush elements along the conveyor sys tem, which provides a more flexible conveying system.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the brush ele ment is elongated and arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the brush ele ment is substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction in a horizontal plane. Conveying systems are typically arranged with conveying elements having a width be ing larger compared to the gap between two subsequently arranged conveying ele ments. The elongated brush element thus has the advantage of being able to be incor porated into existing conveying system, whereby minimal modification or even no modification is required for installation.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the base ele ment of the at least one brush element is arranged offset in relation to a centerline be tween two subsequently arranged conveying elements.

Arranging the brush element such that, when being connected to the conveying sys tem, such as between two conveying elements being two neighbouring rollers or two neighbouring conveyor belts or ball conveyors, the deflector elements form an oblique angle in relation to the conveying direction, provides the possibility of arranging the de flector element towards one of the conveying elements and hereby in an offset position in relation to a centerline parallel between the two conveyor elements.

This has the technical advantage that the support system can be connected to, or in connection with, one of the conveying elements such that the conveying elements can be displaced and/or pivoted in relation to each other, without the support system pre venting any movement of the conveying elements.

The base elements of the brush elements are hereby arranged offset in relation to the centerline between two subsequently arranged conveying elements and hereby closer to one of the conveying elements.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the conveying elements comprise at least two subsequently arranged rollers and a link element ar ranged as a connection between the rollers. In a basic embodiment of the invention, the support system comprises a number of first brush elements, minimum one, but preferably two brush elements, when used in combination with a system such as the one disclosed in EP1713704A1.

The conveying system, which comprises a number of conveying elements, each hav ing at least one roller and interconnected via a link element such that the conveying el ement can articulate in relation to each other, generates an extremely flexible convey ing system. The system may hereby be arranged in a cargo hold, and by the person nel carrying out the loading or unloading, the conveyor may be pushed or pulled into an appropriate location in relation to the cargo that needs to be stacked or removed. Due to the flexibility and the articulation of the conveyor elements, it is necessary for the conveying elements to move relatively freely in relation to each other.

The trajectory of the conveying system may thus be arranged non-linearly, whereby the conveying system can be arranged as a flexible conveying system where the gap between the subsequently arranged rollers increases from a gap of relatively short dis tance at one end into a gap of relatively large distance at the opposite end, goods of smaller and/or non-uniform size would have an increased risk of getting stuck between the rollers and block the entire conveying device, which due to the arrangement of the obliquely arranged deflector elements is avoided.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the base ele ment of the at least one brush element is arranged at least partly under the at least one roller.

By arranging the base elements at least partly under the at least one roller in relation to the conveying direction and/or the vertical direction, the base elements will not pre vent any movement of the conveying elements.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the product sup port system further comprises a second brush element for supporting the objects and having a base element and a number of elongated deflector elements connected to the base element, the second brush element being connected above the link element between subsequently arranged conveying elements. When being used in such a system or similarly, the conveying system comprises a second brush element in connection with a conveying element and arranged proxi mate the conveying element intermediate two first brush elements, hereby extending in a gap between the first brush elements and two neighbouring conveying elements.

The second brush element is preferably connected with the conveying element such that the second brush element, at least partly, spans the area above the link element. The first and second brush elements may be arranged as separate brush elements, however, may also be arranged as one continued brush element extending along the at least one roller and over the link element, or arranged as individual interconnected brush elements.

In order for the second brush element to have a support surface having the substantial same plane as the support surface of the first brush element, the length of the elon gated deflector elements of the second brush is preferably shorter compared to the length of the elongated deflector elements of the first brush element.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the deflector ele ments are arranged at different angles in relation to a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, hereby defining a spread of the angles.

In a basic embodiment of the invention, the deflector elements of the first brush ele ment are all arranged substantially parallel and at an oblique angle in relation to the conveying direction. However, in a preferred embodiment, the deflector elements are arranged at different angles in relation to the conveying direction, hereby forming a spread of angles. Arranging the deflector elements with a spread of angles reduces the required number of deflector elements even more and arranges the support sys tem with an even greater span between two conveying elements.

A further advantage of arranging the deflector elements with a spread of angles is that when the support system is arranged in connection with a conveying element, the de flector elements closest to the conveying element will have an angle closer to perpen dicular in relation to the conveying direction compared to the deflector elements ar ranged furthest from the associated conveying element and towards the neighbouring conveying element, which deflector elements will have a more oblique angle. According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the spread of the first brush element increases from one end towards an opposite end of the first brush element.

The rollers are preferably conical rollers which are outwardly tapered, whereby the gap between two subsequent rollers increases from the center of the conveying system to wards the side of the system. The first brush elements are therefore preferably ar ranged with a spread which increases from the end of the brush elements that faces the outside of the conveyor system towards the opposite end which faces the center of the conveyor element.

The rollers may however also be straight/non-conical, whereby the first brush ele ments may have the same spread between both ends.

Alternatively, the rollers are arranged conically, and the first brush elements are ar ranged in relation to the rollers, such that the brush elements are substantially parallel with the conical surface of the rollers, whereby the first brush elements may have the substantially same spread between both ends

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the first brush element is in contact with one of the conveying elements such that the increase of the spread is influenced by the contact.

The deflector elements are preferable arranged flexible, and the increase of spread may be influenced by the contact between the deflector element and the conveying el ement. As the deflector elements are arranged flexibly and in contact with the convey ing elements, the brush element may be arranged standard and compatible with con veying element of varying sizes.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the angles de fine a spread of approximately 10-50 degrees, preferably approximately 20-40 de grees, most preferably approximately 25-35 degrees.

Experiments by the applicant have shown that the most optimal spread of angles is between 10-50 degrees, preferably approximately 20-40 degrees, most preferably ap proximately 25-35 degrees, such as e.g. 30 degrees, whereby the most optimal rela tionship between object support and coverage of the gap between to neighbouring conveying elements is achieved. According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the deflector ele ments comprise a number of bundles of brush fibers. As described above, the deflector elements are preferably arranged at different angles in relation to the conveying direction, hereby providing a spread of angles.

The deflector elements are preferable arranged as bundles of brush fibers made from a suitable material, such as natural fibers or plastic fibers, such as PCV, and having a thickness preferably between 1-2 mm. The fibers may have a smaller or greater thick- ness depending on the intended use of the conveyor system. The deflector elements may in an alternative embodiment be arranged as thicker elements compared to the brush fibers, such as e.g. rubber “fingers” or the like. Arranging the deflector elements as bundles of fibres increases the contact between the brush and the objects, hereby providing a more uniform support.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the at least one bundle of fibers comprises a number of brush fibers arranged at different angles in re lation to the conveying direction. The deflector elements are in a preferred embodiment arranged as bundles of brush fibers, where a single bundle comprises a number of fibers arranged at different an gles compared to the conveying direction. Thereby, fibers from two or more individual bundles will cross each other, forming a weave of fibers with increased support. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the above objects and ad vantages are obtained by:

A product support system suitable for use in a product conveying system accord ing to the first aspect of the invention, the product support system comprising at least a first brush element for support ing the objects, having a base element and a number of elongated deflector elements connected to an upper surface of the base element and suitable for being connected to the conveying elements at an oblique angle in relation to the conveying direction, the deflector elements being arranged at different angles, and an upper end of the de- flector elements defining a deflector surface having an area covering a larger surface area compared to the upper surface of the base. By the above defined support system, it is possible to arrange a product conveying system for conveying a variety of products such as luggage or packages of different size and shapes without the risk of the objects getting stuck between individual con- veying elements, with the result of blocking the conveyor.

The upper end of the deflector elements defines a deflector surface having an area covering a larger surface area compared to the upper surface of the base. Thus, the surface area of the base element is smaller than the deflector surface area, which re- suits in easier incorporation of the brush element into existing conveying systems.

The brush element may in a further embodiment have a height with an upper end de fined by the deflector elements opposite the base element, and where the height of the first brush element decreases from one side of the brush element towards an opposite side of the first brush element.

The brush element has an upper surface defined by an upper end of the deflector ele ments, which when connected to the conveying system, together with the surface of the conveying elements, defines a conveying surface. When arranging the first brush element proximate one of two neighbouring conveying elements, such that the deflec tor elements form an oblique angle with the conveying direction, it is preferred that the upper surface of the brush element has a plane substantially parallel with the convey ing direction, which provides optimal support for the conveyed objects. It is therefore preferred that the height of the brush element towards the side facing the associated conveying element is shorter compared to the side of the brush element facing the neighbouring conveying element, whereby when the deflector elements are arranged at an oblique angle in relation to the conveying direction, the upper surface of the brush element forms a surface being substantially parallel with the conveying direction, which provides optimal support.

In a further embodiment, the deflector elements may have the same length, but the base element has a varying height, where the height of the base element towards the side facing the associated conveying element is shorter compared to the side of the base element facing the neighbouring conveying element, whereby the overall height of the brush element is shorter towards the associated conveying element compared to the side facing the neighbouring conveying element. However, the varying height of the brush element is generated by the deflector ele ments having varying lengths, such that the deflector elements towards the associated conveying element are shorter, compared to the side of the base element facing the neighbouring conveying element. This provides a support surface of the brush element being substantial parallel with the conveying direction when the deflector elements are arranged at an oblique angle in relation to the conveying direction.

Fig. 1A is a side view of a known conveying system.

Fig. 1 B is a side view of a conveying system.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of a conveying system.

Fig. 2B is a perspective view of a conveying system.

Fig. 3A is a side view of a conveying element having a product support system.

Fig. 3B is an upper view of a conveying element having a product support system.

Fig. 4A is a side view of a product support system.

Fig. 4B-4C are perspective views of a product support system.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may however be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Fig. 1A is a side view of a known conveying system 10’. The conveying system 10’ corresponds to the known system disclosed in e.g., EP1713704A1. The system 10’ com prises a number of conveying elements 12 (shown as three elements), which are linked together to form a conveyer. The system comprises a linkage between the subsequently arranged conveyor elements 12, such that the individual conveying elements 12 around the linkage can arrange the individual conveying elements 12 at different angles in rela tion to each other. Hereby, the conveying system 10’ can be arranged so as to have both a straight conveying path and a non-straight conveying path, which is necessary when loading and/or unloading objects to and/or from limited storage spaces, such as the cargo space within an aircraft hull.

The conveying elements 12 preferably each comprises at least one roller, such that an object 18, e.g. a package or luggage, etc., may be conveyed on the conveying system 10’ from one conveying element 12 to the next, as shown in the direction of the arrow. The rollers can rotate in both directions, such that the object 18 may be conveyed in opposite directions.

Each conveying element 12 may comprise two separate rollers 14 having a coaxial ro tation axis, or may preferably have a single longitudinal roller, preferably having two taper-shaped covering elements (at 14) being oppositely tapered at each end. For rea sons of understanding, the tapered ends of each conveying element will be referred to as rollers 14.

Due to the necessity of the pivoting motion of the conveying elements, there is a rela tively large gap between two neighbouring conveying elements. When the conveying elements are pivoted to arrange a non-straight conveying path, the one end of two neigh bouring rollers will be close to each other, and the other ends will be separated by a greater gap (see fig. 2B). This results in a large gap between the conveying elements in which an object will partly (as shown) or entirely fall.

Even when the conveying system 10 has a straight conveying path, as shown in figure 1A, objects 18, such as packages of a relatively small size compared to the gap, will tend to partly or fully fall in the gap, causing the conveying path to be blocked.

Fig. 1B is a side view of a conveying system 10.

The conveying elements 12 shown in the product conveying system 10 in fig. 1B corre spond to the conveying elements illustrated in fig. 1A. The product conveying system 10 further comprises a product support system having a first brush element 20 and a sec ond brush element 22. The system 10 in fig. 1 B corresponds to the system 10’, and each conveying element 12 therefore comprises two rollers 14 (only one roller 14 is shown for each conveying element 12). Each conveying element 12 comprises two first brush elements 20, each first brush element 20 being associated to a conveying element ad jacent the rollers 14.

Between the rollers 14 of each conveying element 12 there is arranged a roller shaft 34, to which the rollers 14 are mounted with a mutual distance. Each conveying element further comprises a second brush element 22 associated with the conveying element adjacent the roller shaft 34, such that each second brush element 22 is arranged in between two first brush elements 20.

As can be seen in fig. 1 B, the first brush element 20 and the second brush element comprise a number of deflector elements (26, 26’) (shown in detail in fig. 4A-4C), ar ranged as flexible brush fibres. The deflector elements (26, 26’) are connected to a base element (24, 24’) (shown in fig. 4A-4C), which base elements (24, 24’) are connected to the conveying element 12.

Fig. 1 B clearly shows that at least some of the deflector elements (26, 26’) are arranged at an oblique angle in relation to a conveying direction. This provides the possibility of arranging the first brush elements 20, specifically the base elements 24 of the first brush elements 20, closer to the associated conveying element compared to the neighbouring conveying element. This results in an advantageous embodiment where the individual conveying elements may by pivoted, as shown in fig. 2B, without the base element 24 of the first brush elements 20 colliding with the neighbouring conveying element 12. The subsequently arranged conveying elements 12 are thus able to pivot and function re gardless of the first or second brush elements 20, 22.

As the base elements 24, 24’ are arranged close to the associated conveying element, and the deflector elements 26, 26’ are arranged at an oblique angle in relation to the conveying direction, a major part of the gap in the conveying surface between the two neighbouring conveying elements is filled out with the deflector elements 26, 26’, whereby a conveyed object 18 is supported by the support system without falling partly or entirely into the gab. Any blockage of the product conveying system is hereby avoided.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of a conveying system 10. The conveying system 10 is arranged with at straight conveying path and is shown with three conveying elements 12. It is obvious that the conveying system 10 can be ar ranged with more or fewer conveying elements, dependent on the needed length of the conveying path.

Each conveying element 12 of the system 10 is associated with two first brush elements 20 and a second brush element 22, where the brush elements 20, 22 are connected to a frame of the conveying element. The brush elements 20, 22 comprise deflector ele ments 26, 26’ arranged as brush fibres and arranged such that the brush fibres span substantially the entire gap between two neighbouring conveying elements 12.

Fig. 2B shows the same system 10 as illustrated in fig. 2A, but where the system 10 has a non-straight conveying path. It is clearly shown that, due to the pivoted conveying elements, the gap between two neighbouring elements is smaller at one end of the roll ers compared to the opposite end of the rollers. At the end with the smallest gap, the first brush element 20 is partly compressed from both sides by the opposing rollers, and as the base element is arranged towards the associated conveying element, preferably within, or partly within the vertical boundary of the associated roller, the neighbouring conveying element does not collide with the base element 24.

Fig. 3A is a side view of a conveying element having a product support. The conveying element 12 is arranged with a first brush element 20 and a second brush element 22, each element having a number of brush fibers 26 arranged with a spread. The brush elements 20, 22 are connected to the conveying element 12 via brackets and are pref erably removably connected, such that the individual brush elements can be removed or interchanged. Fig. 3A clearly shows the first brush element 20 having brush fibers 26 with greater lengths than the second brush element 22, as the second brush element 22 is arranged above the link element 32 and therefore at a higher level than the first brush element.

Fig. 3B is an upper view of a conveying element 12 having a product support system. The conveying element 12 is arranged with two first brush elements 20 and a second brush element 22 above the link element between the first brush elements 20. The first brush element 20 is arranged in relation to the roller 14, such that the base elements 24 are arranged partly under the at least one roller (14), in relation to the con veying direction. Especially an outer end of the first brush elements 20 is arranged within the horizontal periphery of the rollers, such that when the conveying element 12, when connected to another conveying element 12, may rotate via the link element 32 without the first brush element 20 limiting the movement.

Fig. 4A is a side view of a product support system. The figure clearly shows that the deflector elements 26 are arranged with a spread 28 and that the height of the deflector elements decreases from one side to the other, such that the upper end of the deflector elements 26 forms an inclined support surface, which, when the brush element 20 is connected to the conveying element 12, is substantial parallel with the conveying direc tion.

The base element 24 is arranged with a shape, shown as a dovetail shape, such that it can be removably connected to a corresponding bracket or rail mounted on a conveying element.

Fig. 4B-4C show perspective views of the first brush element 20 and the second brush element 22. The base element 24’ of the second brush element 22 is shown with two inclined connection flanges for connecting the link element, but the base element 24’ may have any other suitable shape for performing the same function. It is shown that part of the base element 24’ comprises a recess which is devoid of deflector elements 26’. As can be seen from fig. 3B, the recess accommodates the connection bolt of two interconnected link elements of two subsequent conveyor elements 12, such that the product support system can easily be retrofitted to an existing conveying system.

List of reference numbers

10 Product conveying system 10’ Known product conveying system 12 Conveying element

14 Roller 16 Wheels 18 Object

20 First brush element 22 Second brush element

24, 24’ Base element 26, 26’ Deflector elements 28 Spread 30, 30’ Bundle 32 Link element

34 Roller shaft 36 Inclination