Method and device for sorting baggage, said device being capable of handling unstable or irregularly shaped material

An article sorting method comprising the following steps:

• providing a device for sorting articles, the device comprising:
• at least one loading station for automatically loading the articles, wherein each loading station comprises (i) at least one transport module for transporting the articles and (ii) a detection system to determine the position, shape, and size of the articles;
• a set of cross-belt transport units, each cross-belt transport unit providing a supporting surface area for articles;
• a supporting plate positioned between two adjacent transport units to permanently ensure continuity of a supporting surface between said two adjacent transport units over a width substantially equal to the supporting surface areas of the cross-belts;
• and
• a control system for the at least one transport module;
• wherein each loading station transfers the articles towards one or several of the transport units;
• wherein the detection system detects a change in position of an article on the transport module during an acceleration phase of the transport module for transferring the article on one or several transport units;
• wherein the control system controls the transport module according to said change in position of the article detected by the detection system;
• wherein the transport belts comprise vertical profiles for keeping the articles on the transport units during their movements on the sorting device;
• detecting, with the detection system, a change in position of the article on the transport module during the acceleration phase of the transport module for transferring the article onto one or several transport units;
• controlling, with the control system, the transport module according to the detected change in position of an article;
• and
• pre-positioning the belts equipped with vertical profiles before the loading station and moving the belts during the transfer of the articles onto the transport units to place the articles between vertical profiles when they are found on the transport unit.