WO2018007397A1

WO2018007397A1 - A conveyor system comprising a pusher for discharging of items

Info

Publication number: WO2018007397A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/066659
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulrik SVENNINGSEN; Krisztián GRIZ
Original assignee: Bbhs A/S
Priority date: 2016-07-04
Filing date: 2017-07-04
Publication date: 2018-01-11

Abstract

A conveyor system (100) for luggage or parcel items (150) comprises a continuously drivable conveyor (114) and a pusher (118) for discharging the items (150) from the conveyor. The pusher (118) comprises an arresting element (206) for arresting the items (150) on the conveyor (114), while a movable surface (117) of the conveyor passes below the arresting element (206). A discharge element (202;203) comprising a pusher plate (202) for pushing the item (150) off the conveyor (114) in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the conveyor (114). The arresting element (206) is movable in an upright direction between an arresting position, in which it arrests items (150) conveyed by the conveyor (114), and an elevated position, in which items (150) conveyed by the conveyor (114) may pass freely under the arresting element (206).

Description

A CONVEYOR SYSTEM COMPRISING A PUSHER FOR DISCHARGING OF ITEMS Technical field The present invention relates to a conveyor system for handling of luggage or parcel items, for example at airports or parcel sorting and distribution facilities, the conveyor system comprising a pusher for discharging of items from a conveyor of the conveyor system.

Background of the invention

Various systems are known for transporting, sorting and storing various items and goods, including luggage and parcel items. Such systems are usually tailored to meet specific requirements set by the nature, size and weight of the items, as well as requirements regarding sorting, transport distances and speed of transportation.

One specific field of interest of the present application is the field of transportation and storage of luggage or parcel items in airports. In most airports, checked-in luggage is usually conveyed from a plurality of check-in counters to a central luggage conveying and/or sorting apparatus, referred to herein also as a principal conveyor, at which each luggage item is sorted according to its destination. Such conveying and/or sorting apparatus normally comprises a plurality of discharge units, in each of which luggage items destined for a particular aircraft are accumulated. The luggage items are then manually loaded onto carts or trolleys, by means of which the items are transported to the aircraft. The carts or trolleys may be self-propelled, or they may be attachable to a propelling unit (or tractor), which may be arranged to pull a plurality of trolleys or carts coupled together to form a train. Likewise parcels being sorted are typically discharged from a sorting conveyor into a plurality of collecting stations, each of which is designated for a particular destination. From the collecting stations, the parcels are transported in trollies, carts, containers, cages or bins to an aircraft.

Discharging systems for offloading items from conveyors comprise tilting mechanisms in the case of tiltable tray conveyors or cross-belts integral with cross-belt conveyors. Such known offloading systems suffer from the disadvantage that items are offloaded while the conveyor keeps operating; thus, at the time a transverse movement is imparted to the items to be offloaded, the conveyor continues its forward movement. In consequence, items are subjected to a resulting force and velocity vector which is neither parallel to the transport direction of the conveyor nor perpendicular thereto. The exact discharging path of the unloaded item is hence not accurately controllable, and the item's orientation is not controllable either. In particular, is case items are of non-uniform shape and weight and positioned and/or oriented non-uniformly on the conveyor their path of movement and orientation during and after discharge is rendered equally non-uniform.

Summary of the invention

On the above background it is an object of embodiments of the invention to provide a system, which expedites handling of luggage and parcels at airports, sorting facilities and similar facilities, notably in the sense of providing a system which improves discharging of items from a conveyor. It is in particular an object of embodiments of the invention to provide a system which allows items to be discharged in a controlled manner, such that the orientation of discharge movement path of items may be retained. It is a further object of embodiments of the invention to provide a system which allows objects to be processed after unloading from the conveyor in a controlled and predictable manner, which relies on a predefined orientation, position or movement path of the objects as they are being discharged from the conveyor.

In a first aspect, the invention hence provides a conveyor system for luggage or parcel items, comprising a continuously drivable conveyor for conveying the items in a first direction, the conveyor comprising a surface for supporting the items, and a pusher for discharging the items from the conveyor, the pusher comprising:

an arresting element for arresting the items on the conveyor, while a movable surface of the conveyor passes below the arresting element;

a discharge element for pushing the item off the conveyor in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the conveyor;

wherein the arresting element is movable in an upright direction between an arresting position, in which it arrests items conveyed by the conveyor, and an elevated position, in which items conveyed by the conveyor may pass freely under the arresting element.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a pusher for discharging luggage or parcel items from a continuously drivable conveyor, comprising:

an arresting element for arresting the items on the conveyor, while a movable surface of the conveyor is permitted to pass below the arresting element;

wherein the arresting element is movable in an upright direction between an arresting position, in which it arrests items conveyed by the conveyor, and an elevated position, in which items conveyed by the conveyor may pass freely under the arresting element. In a third aspect, the invention provides a method for discharging luggage or parcel items from a continuously driven conveyor conveying the items in a first direction, the items being supported by a surface of the conveyor, the method comprising the steps of operating a pusher at the conveyor to:

- arrest the items on the conveyor by means of an arresting element, while a movable surface of the conveyor passes below the arresting element;

operate the arresting by moving it in an upright direction between an arresting position, in which it arrests items conveyed by the conveyor, and an elevated position, in which items conveyed by the conveyor may pass freely under the arresting element;

- push the items off the conveyor in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the conveyor by means of a discharge element when the arresting element is in the arresting position.

It will be appreciated that the ability to arrest the items on the conveyor, while a movable surface of the conveyor passes below the arresting element allows the items to be discharged by the discharge element in a direction which coincides completely with the direction of movement of the discharge element. Thus, no force or velocity components are imparted on the items during the discharging operation, whereby their path of movement during discharge and also their orientation is well-defined. This improves the ability to post-process the items at a post-handling device for accepting the items after their discharge. In particular, the control of a post-handling device for such post-handling may be facilitated, given that the position, orientation and movement path of the items during and after offloading from the conveyor is controlled, well-defined and predictable. Further, as the operation of the conveyor is not discontinued when the arresting element is activated to stop movement of an item, the conveyor may continue its movement, even though the pusher is activated to discharge an item. Thus, capacity at the conveyor is not affected by the arresting movement of items. It should, however be understood, that the present invention embraces also embodiments, in which the conveyor is controlled to stop or slow down while the push is operated in order to synchronize operation of the conveyor with item-feeding equipment and/or in order to avoid queueing of items at the conveyor or at item-feeding equipment, such as feeding belts.

The discharge element is preferably movable in the transverse direction, while the arresting element is in the arresting position, so that no movement is imparted on the items while they are being discharged. Their offloading movement path is thus precisely controllable and well- defined.

Given that the arresting element is movable in an upright direction between an arresting position, in which it arrests items conveyed by the conveyor, and an elevated position, in which items conveyed by the conveyor may pass freely under the arresting element, items may be allowed to pass the pusher for further conveying of the items on the conveyor to a further downstream discharge station and/or for other processing. Movement of the arresting element and/or the discharge element is preferably controllable by a control system in order to selectively activate the respective elements. Thus, in case the conveyor system comprises a plurality of discharge stations arranged one after the other along the conveyor and a pusher at each discharge station, the conveyor may be used as a sorting conveyor, in which a given item is allowed to pass one or more discharge stations and associated pushers until the items arrives at its designated discharge stations. At that discharge station, the control system operates the arresting element to obstruct movement of the item and the discharge element to discharge the item.

The pusher may comprise a frame or housing structure at a fixed position above the movable surface of the conveyor and a discharge drive for moving the discharge element across the conveyor in the transverse direction. In such case the discharge drive is preferably mounted to the frame structure. A location of the frame structure and discharge drive above the conveyor rather than at the sides thereof saves lateral space and utilizes the height available in, e.g., a luggage or parcel handling facility of an airport or freight distribution centre.

In order to achieve or facilitate the above-mentioned control of the pusher, notably of its arresting element, the pusher system may comprise an arresting element drive for moving the arresting element between the arresting position and the elevated position. The arresting element may conveniently be housed within or supported by the frame structure above the conveyor.

In one embodiment, the frame structure comprises a transversely extending rail, from which the discharge element is suspended. Preferably, the discharge drive is arranged to drive the discharge element by movement thereof along the transversely extending rail. The rail thus ensures that discharge of the items is performed in a well-defined direction which is governed by the orientation of the transversely extending rail.

The discharge element may further comprise a first upright rail and a pusher plate movable along the first upright rail, wherein the first upright rail is mounted to the transversely extending rail. Thus, the pusher plate may be upwardly and downwardly movable between a position, in which it may engage items supported by the conveyor, and an elevated position. Accordingly, control of the movement of the discharge element and its pusher plate is further enhanced. In embodiments of the invention, the discharge element is mounted to the transversely extending rail by a first mounting structure, the first mounting structure allowing the discharge element to move freely in the transverse direction along the transversely extending rail. Accordingly, the discharge drive for transverse movement may be constructed independently from the transversely extending rail, allowing an optimised discharge drive for expedited handling of items.

In embodiments of the invention, the frame structure extends in a vertical direction, wherein the transversely extending rail is coupled to the frame structure by a second mounting structure, the second mounting structure allowing the transversely extending rail to move freely in a vertical direction along the vertical extend of the frame structure. By allowing the transversely extending rail and thus also the discharge element to move in the vertical direction, the discharge element may be elevated above the conveyor to allow items to be conveyed by the conveyor and pass under the discharge element while the discharge element is not pushing items of the conveyor. Further, by allowing the transversely extending rail and thus the discharge element to move freely along the vertical extend of the frame structure, the discharge drive for vertical movement may be constructed independently of the vertically extending rail, allowing an optimised discharge drive for expedited handling of items. In embodiments, the discharge drive is configured to move the discharge element in a first transverse direction at a first vertical distance from the conveyor, and move the discharge element in a second transverse direction at a second vertical distance from the conveyor, the second vertical distance being larger than the first vertical distance. Accordingly, the discharge element may push items off the conveyor in the first transverse direction while being close to the conveyor at the first vertical distance, and subsequently come back along the second transverse direction at the second vertical distance from the conveyor possibly allowing items to pass under the discharge element while returning.

In embodiments, the discharge drive comprises a chain coupled to a motor and the discharge element, the chain being suspended in a vertical plane defining a confined movement of the discharge element in the vertical plane. The chain drive allows for movement of the discharge element at increased speed, while the confined plane of the chain may allow the discharge drive to move the discharge element irrespective of other coupling structures between the discharge element and the frame structure.

In embodiments of the conveyor system according to the invention:

- the chain forms a closed loop, wherein the motor is controllable to drive the chain in a single direction with no reversing movement thereof; and

- the closed loop has an upper horizontal section and a lower horizontal section in the vertical plane and first and second vertical sections interconnecting the upper and lower horizontal sections; and

- the discharge element is operable to push the item off the conveyor in the transverse direction when the discharge element is driven along the lower horizontal section; and - the motor and chain are operable to return the discharge element to an initial position for pushing a next item off the conveyor when the discharge element is driven along the first vertical section, the upper horizontal section and the second vertical section.

The chain may hence form a parallelogram-like structure along which the discharge element travels in the transverse, horizontal direction along an upper and a lower section of the chain, and travels vertically along the vertical sections of the chain. Such a driving structure for the discharge element has been found to be reliable, and obviates the need for any reciprocating elements, as the chain and the discharge element may be uni-directionally driven by the motor.

The single direction of the motor allows for increased speed of movement of the discharge element pushing items off the conveyor and returning to the initial position with minimised acceleration of the motor and discharge element. Further, by returning the discharge element to the initial position via the upper horizontal section, items may be allowed to move on the conveyor under the discharge element, while the discharge element is returning to the initial position.

It should be understood that the chain may comprise a plurality of chains mutually offset in the driving direction of the conveyor, i.e. in the first direction. The discharge element may in that case be supported by each one of the plurality of chains. Only one of the chains may be driven, or a plurality of them may be driven by a single motor or by separate motors.

The conveyor system according to the present invention preferably comprises a control system for controlling operation of the arresting element and the discharge element and for controlling a feed rate of the items along the conveyor. In order to avoid queueing of items on the conveyor and/or at upstream feeding equipment, the control system may be configured to synchronize the feed rate with the operation of the arresting element and the discharge element. Synchronization may be performed reactively, i.e. on the basis of sensor, camera or user input or actively, i.e. on the basis of information available to the control system on the capacity and operational speed of the conveyor and the pusher.

The control system may comprise a sensor for detecting a type or a size of the items at the conveyor at a position upstream of the pusher, and the control system may be configured to determine whether or not any one of the items approaching the pusher is to be discharged from the conveyor by the pusher. The sensor may, e.g., comprise a field code or barcode scanner for scanning coded information printed or attached to a surface of the items, or a radio frequency (RF) sensor for interacting with RF tags on the items. Coded information and/or RF tags may likewise or alternatively be provided on discrete segments of the conveyor, in which case the control system may be configured to track items on the basis of their position on the conveyor as known to the control system.

A post-handling system optionally provided for accepting items discharged from the conveyor system may comprise an item buffering unit arranged downstream of the post-handling device, the item buffering unit comprising a plurality of shelves, each of which is configured and sized to accept a plurality of the items. The post-handling device may be configured to direct each item to a selected one of the shelves. Such handling may benefit from the uniform orientation and path of movement of items as they are being discharged, as the items arrive to the post-handling device in a well-defined and controlled manner.

Description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be further described with reference to the

accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of a system according to the invention;

Figs. 3-6 illustrate details of an embodiment of a pusher and a system according to the invention; and

Figs. 7-12 illustrate an embodiment of details of a drive system for a pusher.

The embodiment of the system 100 of Figs. 1 and 3 comprises a principal sorter conveyor 102 for conveying the items to respective unloading positions 104 along the principal sorter conveyor 102. The transport direction of items conveyed by the principal sorter conveyor 102 is generally illustrated by arrow 103. Scanners 106 are optionally provided along the principal sorter conveyor 102. At each unloading position 104 the system comprises a first item buffer section 108, wherein each item buffer section comprises a plurality of first shelves for storing a plurality of the items on each shelf, each first shelf extending in a longitudinal direction from an inlet end of the first item buffer section to an outlet end thereof, i.e. transversely to the transport direction 103. The shelves are preferably arranged in a matrix configuration of rows and columns, such as two columns and three rows. Each shelf is preferably sized to accommodate a plurality of items successively loaded onto the shelf. At each of the transitions between the principal sorter conveyor 102 and the first item buffer sections 108, the system comprises a directing apparatus 110 for directing the items onto the shelves. The directing apparatus 110 may comprise lifting and directing equipment for causing items arriving at the loading ends of the shelves of the first item buffer unit 108 to enter a desired one of the shelves. The directing apparatus 110 may be controlled by a control system integrated with a control system of the system 100 or by a dedicated control system.

Selected items, such as e.g. arriving luggage which has reached its final destination may be taken out at arrival stations for separate further handling thereof, e.g. for delivery to a baggage reclaim area of an airport.

A connecting conveyor 114 extends extending along respective outlet ends 112 of the first item buffer sections 110. The connecting conveyor 114 constitutes the continuously drivable conveyor within the meaning of the present invention. An transfer belt, roller rail or chute may optionally be provided for facilitating the transfer of items from the first buffer section 108 onto the connecting conveyor 114. In one embodiment a structure identical to the diverting apparatus 130 or at least the first section 131 thereof disclosed below in relation to Fig. 2 may be provided at the outlet ends 112 for transferring items from the first buffer section 108 onto the connecting conveyor 114. The connecting conveyor 114 conveys items from the first buffer section 108 towards second item buffer sections 116 in a conveying direction illustrated by double-arrow 115. Each of the second item buffer sections 116 is arranged to receive items unloaded from the connecting conveyor 114 by means of a pusher according to the invention 118 at item transfer positions 120 of the connecting conveyor 114. Each of the second item buffer sections 116 comprises a plurality of shelves arranged in rows and columns. At unloading ends 122 of the second item buffer sections 116, items are collected by carts 124 which may be coupled together to form a train of carts propelled by a tractor 126. Each of the carts 124 may comprise a plurality of shelves arranged in rows and columns. The carts 124 may preferably be embodied in accordance with the claims and disclosure of international patent publication No. WO 2008/020084. The train of carts 124 may be driven to aircraft sites 128 for offloading thereof and loading of the items onto aircrafts.

Referring to Fig. 2, the at least one second item buffer section 116 comprises at least two item accumulation units 132, each of which comprises a plurality of accumulation shelves for storing a plurality of items on each accumulation shelf. Each accumulation shelf extends in a longitudinal direction from an inlet 134 end of the accumulation unit 132 to an outlet end 136 thereof. The shelves of the at two item accumulation units 136 are preferably parallel. As further shown in Fig. 2, an item diverting apparatus 130 is arranged between the connecting conveyor 114 and the second item buffer section 116 at the item transfer position 120. The item diverting apparatus 130 comprises a first section 131 for receiving items unloaded from the connecting conveyor 114 and a second section 133 for diverting the items into the shelves of each of the at least two item accumulation units 132. Each of the wheeled carts 124 comprises a chassis 138 and a storage section 140 comprising the plurality of longitudinally extending cart shelves for accepting items unloaded from the item accumulation units 132. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the accumulation shelves of each of the item accumulation units 132 are arranged in rows and columns, and shelves of the carts 124 are likewise arranged in rows and columns. In order to facilitate offloading of items from the accumulation units 132, the cart shelves mate with the shelves of the accumulation units 132 when the carts 124 are parked with their loading ends facing the unloading ends of the accumulation units 132. The storage section 140 of each cart 124 is rotatable relative to the cart's chassis 138 around an upright axis. Preferably the cart shelves mate with accumulation shelves when the carts 124 are in a position, in which the longitudinal direction of the shelves of the cart 124 is rotated to a position transverse to a longitudinal direction of the chassis 138.

Most preferably, each of the second item buffer sections 116 and each of the accumulation units 132 are arranged at such a mutual distance that items can be simultaneously offloaded from a plurality of the item accumulation units 116 into respective carts 124.

An item orienting mechanism 142 is provided at the connecting conveyor 114 upstream of the item transfer position 120 for changing the orientation of at least some of the items relative to the connecting conveyor 114, so as to ensure that items are correctly aligned when they arrive at the item transfer position 120.

In some embodiments of the system according to the present invention, the at least one principal sorter conveyor 102, the at least one first item buffer section 108, and the at least one directing apparatus 110 are arranged inside a building, such as an airport terminal or a luggage or item sorting facility. The connecting conveyor 114 may extend through an opening in a wall or roof of the building, and the at least one second item buffer section 116 may be arranged outside the building. Thus, the system according to the invention may be implemented in a manner that minimizes the space taken up by the system within an airport terminal or sorting facility.

The system 100 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 may operate as follows. Items, such as luggage or parcels, are conveyed along the principal sorter conveyor 102 and discharged from the sorter conveyor 102 at the unloading positions 104. The unloading position of each item is controlled by a control system of the sorter conveyor 102 in a manner known per se.

The items are collected and buffered at the first item buffer sections 108 until a point in time when an automatic or user-operated control system releases them. Thus, each first item buffer 108 section may, e.g., be allocated for luggage or cargo for a particular flight. Once the aircraft of the flight is available and ready for being loaded, the items at the first item buffer section 108 allocated to that flight are released and loaded onto the connecting conveyor 114 which conveys the items to a second item buffer section, from which it is loaded onto carts 124 for transport to the aircraft. Preferably, the capacities and operation of the connecting conveyor 114, the second item buffer section 116, diverting apparatus 130 and carts 124 are synchronized such that queuing of items at the connecting conveyor 114 is avoided, and such that the first item buffer sections 108 may be voided in a single continuous operation without interruption.

The pusher 118 and its mode of operation will now be further described with reference to Figs. 3-6. The pusher 118 is arranged above the continuously drivable conveyor 114 for driving items 150 in a first direction, i.e. from right to left in Figs. 3-6. The conveyor 114 comprises a surface 117 for supporting the items 150. The pusher 118 is provided for discharging the items 150 from the conveyor 114. The pusher comprises an arresting element 206 for arresting the items 150 on the conveyor 114, while a movable surface, i.e. surface 115 of the conveyor passes below the arresting element 206. Fig. 4 shows the arresting element 206 in its arresting position, in which the movable upper surface 115 of the conveyor 114 passes there below. Further, the pusher 118 comprises a discharge element 202 for pushing the item 150 off the conveyor 114 in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the conveyor 114. Such discharging of the item 150 from the conveyor 114 is illustrated in Fig. 5. The arresting element 206 is movable in an upright direction between an arresting position, i.e. the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which it arrests the item 150 conveyed by the conveyor 114, and an elevated position shown in Figs. 3 and 6, in which items 150 conveyed by the conveyor 114 may pass freely under the arresting element 206. A drive system generally denoted 210 comprises a discharge drive for moving the discharge element 202 across the conveyor 114 in the transverse direction. The discharge drive 210 is mounted within a frame structure 200 at a fixed position above the movable surface 115 of the conveyor 114. It should be understood that the frame structure 200 may be covered by a protecting cover, and/or that the frame structure 200 may define or form part of a housing. The drive system 210 further comprises an arresting element drive for moving the arresting element 206 between the arresting position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and the elevated position shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

The frame structure 200 comprises a transversely extending rail 208, from which the discharge element 202 is suspended via a first upright rail 204. The discharge drive is arranged to drive the discharge element 202 by movement thereof along the transversely extending rail 208. The first upright rail 204 forms part of the discharge element 202, which also comprises pusher plate 203 for pushing the item 150 off the conveyor 114 in the transverse direction. The discharge element 202 is preferably movable in the transverse direction, while the arresting element 206 is in the arresting position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, so as to ensure that forward movement of the item 150 in the conveying direction of the conveyor 114 is avoided during discharge of the item 150 from the conveyor 114. The details of the drive system 210 and its interplay with the frame structure 200 will now be described in further detail with reference to Figs. 7-12, which illustrate a full operational circle of an embodiment of the pusher. The discharge element 202 is coupled to the frame structure 200 via a first mounting structure 212 coupling the discharge element 202 to the transversely extending rail 208 and via a second mounting structure 214 coupling the transversely extending rail 208. The first and second mounting structures 212 and 214 allow the discharge element 202 to move freely in a vertical plane defined by the frame structure 200, while retaining a constant upright orientation of the pusher plate 203.

The path and movement of the discharge element 202 in the vertical plane is governed by the drive system 210 comprising an electric motor 216 and suspended chains 218 coupled to discharge element 202, it being noted that only one of the two chains 218 being visible in the side view angle of Figs. 7-12. This configuration of the frame structure 200 and the drive system 210 allows the pusher to perform repeated cycles of discharging items without any need for ever reversing the electric motor 212.

In one embodiment of the invention, the chains 218 form a closed loop and the motor 212 is controlled to drive the chains 218 in a single direction with no reversing movement thereof. The closed loop has an upper horizontal section 220 and a lower horizontal section 222 in the vertical plane and first and second vertical sections 224 and 226 interconnecting the upper and lower horizontal sections 220 and 222. In the embodiment, the discharge element 202 is operated to push the item 150 off the conveyor 114 in the transverse direction when the discharge element 202 is driven along the lower horizontal section 222. The motor 216 and chains 218 are operated to return the discharge element 202 to an initial position for pushing a next item 150 off the conveyor 114 when the discharge element 202 is driven along the first vertical section 224, the upper horizontal section 220 and the second vertical section 226.

The single direction of the motor 216 allows for increased speed of movement of the discharge element 202 pushing items 150 off the conveyor 114 and returning to the initial position with a minimum of acceleration from the motor 216. Further, by returning the discharge element 202 to the initial position via the upper horizontal section 220, items 150 are allowed to move on the conveyor 114 under the discharge element 202, while the discharge element 202 is returning to the initial position. The electric motor 216 is coupled via a motor chain 228 and motor cogwheels 230 for transferring a driving torque to the two chains 218. Each of the chains 218 is suspended by four chain cogwheels 232 coupled to the frame structure 200. The chains 218 thus have a fixed overall shape relative to the frame structure 200 and define the path of the discharge element 202. Coupling between the discharge element 202 and the chains 218 is effected via rotatable joints connecting to a link of each chain 218 and the discharge element 202. The rotatable joints allow the links of chains 218 to rotate relative to the discharge element 202 while revolving. Accordingly, the discharge element 202 is allowed to retain an upright position throughout a full loop of the chains 218.

Claims

1. A conveyor system for luggage or parcel items, comprising a continuously drivable conveyor for conveying the items in a first direction, the conveyor comprising a surface for supporting the items, and a pusher for discharging the items from the conveyor, the pusher comprising:

2. A conveyor system according to claim 1, wherein the pusher further comprises:

a discharge drive for moving the discharge element across the conveyor in the transverse direction; and

a frame structure at a fixed position above the movable surface of the conveyor, wherein the discharge drive is mounted to the frame structure.

3. A conveyor system according to claim 2, wherein the pusher further comprises an arresting element drive for moving the arresting element between the arresting position and the elevated position.

4. A conveyor system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein:

the frame structure comprises a transversely extending rail;

the discharge element is suspended from the transversely extending rail; and wherein the discharge drive is arranged to drive the discharge element by movement thereof along the transversely extending rail.

5. A conveyor system according to claim 4, wherein

the discharge element comprises a first upright rail and a pusher plate movable along the first upright rail;

the first upright rail is mounted to the transversely extending rail.

6. A conveyor system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the discharge element is mounted to the transversely extending rail by a first mounting structure, the first mounting structure allowing the discharge element to move freely in the transverse direction along the transversely extending rail.

7. A conveyor system according to any of claims 4-6, wherein the frame structure extends in a vertical direction, and wherein the transversely extending rail is coupled to the frame structure by a second mounting structure, the second mounting structure allowing the transversely extending rail to move freely in a vertical direction along the vertical extend of the frame structure.

8. A conveyor system according to any of claims 2-7, wherein the discharge drive is configured to move the discharge element in a first transverse direction at a first vertical distance from the conveyor, and move the discharge element in a second transverse direction at a second vertical distance from the conveyor, the second vertical distance being larger than the first vertical distance.

9. A conveyor system according to any of claims 2-8, wherein the discharge drive comprises a chain coupled to a motor and the discharge element, the chain being suspended in a vertical plane defining a confined movement of the discharge element in the vertical plane.

10. A conveyor system according to claims 8 and 9, wherein:

- the chain forms a closed loop, and wherein the motor is controllable to drive the chain in a single direction with no reversing movement thereof; and

- the discharge element is operable to push the item off the conveyor in the transverse direction when the discharge element is driven along the lower horizontal section; and

- the motor and chain are operable to return the discharge element to an initial position for pushing a next item off the conveyor when the discharge element is driven along the first vertical section, the upper horizontal section and the second vertical section.

11. A conveyor system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a control system for controlling operation of the arresting element and the discharge element and for controlling a feed rate of the items along the conveyor, and wherein the control system is configured to synchronize the feed rate with the operation of the arresting element and the discharge element.

12. A conveyor system according to claim 11, wherein the control system comprises a sensor for detecting a type or a size of the items at the conveyor at a position upstream of the pusher, and wherein the control system is configured to determine whether or not any one of the items approaching the pusher is to be discharged from the conveyor by the pusher.

13. A conveyor system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an item buffering unit arranged downstream of a post-handling device for accepting the items pushed off the conveyor, the item buffering unit comprising a plurality of shelves, each of which is configured and sized to accept a plurality of the items, and wherein the post-handling device is configured to direct each item to a selected one of the shelves.

14. A pusher for discharging luggage or parcel items from a continuously drivable conveyor, comprising:

- an arresting element for arresting the items on the conveyor, while a movable surface of the conveyor passes below the arresting element;

15. A method for discharging luggage or parcel items from a continuously driven conveyor conveying the items in a first direction, the items being supported by a surface of the conveyor, the method comprising the steps of operating a pusher at the conveyor to:

arrest the items on the conveyor by means of an arresting element, while a movable surface of the conveyor passes below the arresting element;

push the items off the conveyor in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the conveyor by means of a discharge element when the arresting element is in the arresting position.