Sorting device for sorting products

A method for using a sorting device for sorting products, comprising:

• providing successive carrier units each with a load carrying platform having a front edge and a rear edge, each load carrying platform being provided with a supporting surface between the front edge and the rear edge for supporting a product thereon, such as a piece of luggage or at least part thereof;
• providing conveying means for conveying the load carrying platforms in a conveying direction along a conveying path;
• providing sorting means comprising an elongated pusher element for each load carrying platform for pushing a product to be sorted sideways off at least one supporting surface, using at least one pusher element, at a desired sorting location, said pusher elements each extending above at least part of said at least one load carrying platform and being designed for joint transport with the at least one load carrying platform in the conveying direction;
• providing drive means at least partially under the load carrying platforms for moving a pusher element sideways between two opposite extreme lateral positions at a desired sorting location, said pusher element being pivotally connected, about two vertical pivot axes, to the drive means via two connecting elements which engage a pusher element at two different longitudinal positions, and the drive means comprising two electric motors individually controlled by control means for lateral movement of the two respective connecting elements;
• loading a load carrying platform with a product to be sorted out at a specific sorting location;
• moving the pusher element associated with the load carrying platform sideways to a stationary position in which the pusher element abuts or at least substantially abuts against the product to be sorted out;
• and
• moving the pusher element associated with the load carrying platform sideways at said specific sorting location for sorting out the product.