Patent ID: 8202035

Claim:
A method for automatically processing individual hand-held bags between two storage areas, the bags respectively having a base surmounted by two opposed lateral flanks, said bags being adapted to rest in equilibrium on their base, said bags being transferred from one storage area to the other via a longitudinal transfer platform, said longitudinal transfer platform being adapted to support said bags; wherein the method comprises the following steps: forming rows of bags resting on their base on one of said storage areas, the bags of each of said rows being pressed against a neighboring row, such that the bags of each row are pressed flank to flank with the bags of the neighboring row, and in a direction substantially normal to said flanks; driving each of said rows sequentially in translation in a first direction over said longitudinal transfer platform so that each of said rows of bags extends longitudinally on said platform; and driving each of said rows of bags supported by said platform in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction to transfer said rows of bags to the other storage area, wherein said other storage area is situated in an aircraft and said one storage area is situated outside said aircraft.