METHOD FOR UNLOADING LOAD CARRIERS, AND UNLOADING SYSTEM
Until now, the process of unloading piece goods from load carriers has required specially configured mono-functional tilting devices. A multi-functional unloading system and to a method for unloading load carriers now replace the mono-functional tilting devices. The method includes receiving the load carrier together with piece goods via a loading device, moving the load carrier to an unloading region arranged above a target position, and inclining the load carrier about an inclination axis to an inclination angle by the loading device. The inclination angle is selected such that the piece goods slide from the loading device to the target position. The piece goods are slid to the target position via a slide arranged between the load carrier and the target position and above the target position. The slide is arranged at the same inclination angle or a similar inclination angle, and the load carrier is deposited by the loading device.
1 - 15 . (canceled)
16 . A method for unloading uniform load carriers loaded with discrete items, wherein the discrete items have an associated sorting criterion, the uniform load carriers being able to be uniquely identified and to be associated with a sorting criterion, which comprises the method steps of:
a) receiving the uniform load carriers together with the discrete items by way of a loading apparatus;
b) moving a uniform load carrier by way of the loading apparatus to an unloading region disposed above a target position determined by way of the sorting criterion;
c) inclining the uniform load carrier about an inclination axis as far as an inclination angle by way of the loading apparatus, wherein the inclination angle is selected such that a discrete item slides out of the loading apparatus to the target position;
d) sliding the discrete item to the target position via a chute disposed between the uniform load carrier and the target position and above the target position, wherein the chute is disposed at a same or a similar said inclination angle; and
e) depositing the uniform load carrier by way of the loading apparatus.
17 . The method according to claim 16 , which further comprises moving the uniform load carrier by way of the loading apparatus with a movement component contrary to a sliding direction.
18 . The method according to claim 16 , which further comprises shaking the uniform load carrier by the loading apparatus in order to initiate a sliding of the discrete item out of the loading apparatus.
19 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the target position is situated on a conveyor, the conveyor transports the discrete item with a movement component transverse to the sliding direction.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , which further comprises moving an entirety and/or only a portion of the loading apparatus along the conveyor while a sliding of the discrete item out of the uniform load carrier is initiated.
21 . The method according to claim 20 , which further comprises:
detecting a position of a further object on the conveyor; and
selecting the target position dependent upon the position of the further object.
22 . The method according to claim 16 , which further comprises:
receiving a further uniform load carrier together with a further discrete item by way of the loading apparatus in the unloading region; and
depositing the further uniform load carrier together with the discrete item by way of the loading apparatus in a depositing region, wherein the depositing region can, but does not have to, match the unloading region.
23 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the uniform load carriers are baggage trays loaded with baggage items.
24 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein the further object on the conveyor is a further discrete item on the conveyor.
25 . An unloading system for unloading uniform load carriers loaded with discrete items, comprising:
a loading apparatus;
a chute, wherein the discrete items have an associated sorting criterion, the uniform load carriers being able to be uniquely identified and to be associated with a sorting criterion;
said loading apparatus configured for receiving and depositing a uniform load carrier with or without a discrete item;
said loading apparatus configured for moving the uniform load carrier by way of said loading apparatus to an unloading region situated above a target position determined by way of the sorting criterion;
said loading apparatus configured for inclining the uniform load carrier held by said loading apparatus about an inclination axis as far as an inclination angle, wherein the inclination angle is selected such that the discrete item slides out of said loading apparatus to the target position; and
said chute is disposed at a same or a similar said inclination angle between the uniform load carrier and the target position and above the target position and has a chute surface that is configured for sliding the discrete item as far as the target position.
26 . The unloading system according to claim 25 , wherein said loading apparatus is configured for moving the uniform load carrier with a movement component contrary to a sliding direction.
27 . The unloading system according to claim 25 , wherein said loading apparatus is configured for shaking the uniform load carrier in order to initiate a sliding of the discrete item out of said loading apparatus.
28 . The unloading system according to claim 25 , further comprising a conveyor, wherein the target position is situated on said conveyor and said conveyor is configured to transport the discrete item with a movement component transverse to a sliding direction.
29 . The unloading system according to claim 28 , wherein an entirety and/or only a portion of said loading apparatus is configured for moving along said conveyor while a sliding of the discrete item out of the uniform load carrier is initiated.
30 . The unloading system according to claim 28 , further comprising:
a control system; and
a detection unit configured for detecting a position of a further object on said conveyor and said control system is configured for selecting the target position dependent upon the position of the further object.
31 . The unloading system according to claim 25 , wherein said loading apparatus is configured for depositing the uniform load carrier together with the discrete item at a depositing position in a depositing region wherein the depositing region can, but does not have to, match the unloading region.
32 . The unloading system according to claim 31 , wherein the depositing position is a shelving system compartment of a shelving system, wherein the shelving system is capable of being displaced by way of a driverless transport vehicle out of the depositing region into a storage region.
33 . The unloading system according to claim 25 , wherein the uniform load carriers are baggage trays loaded with baggage items.
34 . The unloading system according to claim 30 , wherein the further object is a further discrete item.